Wild Elf | Tyrrapedia: Encyclopedia of Tyrra

Wild elves live in nomadic tribes like barbarians and share many barbarian traits. Wild elves are distinguished by their furs and other barbarian clothing, even though they have pointed ears like all other elves.

Wild elves are not treated as "real elves" by most of the other elven races. There is no outright warring going on, but the wild elves often feel as of they are second-class citizens even though they generally have the right as any other citizen. The wild elf society places an emphasis on hunting and tracking skills.

Appearance

Notari (naw-TAR-ee), or wild elves, are a very basic people. They generally have the distinct delicate lithe features of all elves, but their bodies have a very athletic, almost muscular appearance. Their skin tends to be a much darker shade than any of their pale cousins, usually a light olive to a deep swarthy tan. Most wild elves tend to have deep brown eyes, but green, amber, blue, and hazel are not uncommon. The hair color is mostly brown to black, but again, other hair color is not uncommon. Some Notari tend to dye their hair in many different colors. Most of the elders do so for ceremony or seasonal reasons, while some of the younger ones dye their hair because it looks really cool.

Some of the clothing they wear consists of deerskin shirts, breechcloths, leggings, skirts, and moccasin shoes. During the winter when it is cold, they use fur to trap in the extra heat. The Notari are very decorative with their clothing. They often use a lot of painted designs and fringe the edges of their leggings, skirts, and shirts. They also use strips of fur as additional flare. When they paint their faces, they use vegetable and mineral dyes mixed with sunflower oil or bear fat in order to produce the colors red, black, violet, and green.

Tattoos are also a common wild elf adornment. Tattoos range from scare embellishment to tribe crests to mimicry of animals they admire. Depending on the personal preference of the elf, the tattoo could be a small rune on the cheek or it could be tribalish marks covering their entire body. Not all Notari have tattoos and they are by no means mandatory in any way.

Personality

The Notari are most noted for their liberated behavior, which is how they received the name ‘Wild Elves’. Their elven cousins see this as a lack of discipline, something developed from their constant wandering. As they are so different from the rest of the elves, the other races see them as barbaric. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. Years of traveling back and forth across Tyrra taught them a great deal of humility, honesty, and respect for themselves and the land.

The years of freedom also taught them a profound respect for it. Their chiefs are simply guides, the elderly are revered for their wisdom. No one rules the Notari, they are free to choose how they live. They do not dictate who protects, who rules, and who labors. All Notari lend a hand in the everyday life of the tribe in where ever their talents may lie. No one Notari rules and no one rules the Notari. The Notari bend knee to no one.

Wild elves respect each other, and therefore protect each other to almost an extreme. They learned the hard rule of "only the strongest survive" while traveling across the land. Using whatever strengths and superior talents they have, they will do their best to intimidate others. Mind you, they do understand the "civilized" laws and courtesies of the other races and will heed the bare minimum "courtesies" while in their "civilized" areas. Of course, their true nature cannot be so easily subdued and anytime they feel threatened or in danger a Notari will show just how free they are.

Another major defining trait of the "Wild" elves is their straight-forward bluntness. They are not meaning to be intentionally rude, just simply, why beat around the bush? Say what you mean, and mean what you say. No need to flower your words, just get your point across as plainly as possible. The Notari see the way most races speak foolish and unnecessary, more like they enjoy listening to the sound of their own voices than actually communicating!

Wild elves tend to be very watchful. It generally gives others the wrong impression, sometimes leading a tavern keep to believe they are scouting the place for robbery. Yet, all they are doing is simply observing. The Notari have learned that is better to watch than to act in a non-threatening situation. It gives them a chance to see others in action and prepare themselves for any circumstances.

For thousands of years the Notari have roamed across Tyrra. Wanderlust is bred into their very spirit. Not many wild elves will stay in any one place for very long. They move around a great deal, and can sometimes have a hard time sitting still while in the stifling confines of cities or villages. Wild elves are restless unless they are out in the open country where they feel less like a sitting target and more in control of their surroundings.