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elglanto
Acolyte
24 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 08:41:32
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Hello there,
Beside Evermeet and its queen, do you know if the elves have others way of governming in their other place? For exemple, Evereska has a council of elders. But is there any others known ways of governing for elves?
elglanto.
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 11:01:24
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I mused about this a few months ago.
In a nutshell I theorised that sylvan elves tend to minimise the costs of governance and have tribes ruled under minarchies. A select few of the most wise elves make decisions for those tribes, on cases concerning theft, fraud and aggression. Otherwise everone has as much freedom as they choose to have.
Elves who choose to focus on a single duty sometimes organise themselves as specialists. To consolidate their power they tend to teach future generations the same profession. In some larger sylvan elf tribes the clan houses are that well organised that they become the ruling body for extended periods. So eventually tribes tend to be governed by a (bunch of representatives of a) single warrior house, druidic clan and/or dynasty of (magic)tricksters. |
My campaign sketches
Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 13:15:22
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There are several established leadership organizations in the realms.
The first, is of course the Monarchy: Evermeet had its king and its queen, Cormanthyr and several other places had their Coronal. Then, as you pointed out, is the Council of Elders. This is the "ruling" body of Evereska, and Semberholme at least. Also established is a variation on the Council of Elders, a Council of Clan Leaders (patriarch or matriarchs). As far as sylvan elves go, they are described as having tribes. Tribes usually have a single leader, elevated to that position by age and accomplishment (the warrior become wise-man model) - these leaders have various titles that don't much matter. Often this leader is supported by a council of some sort as well.
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 13:30:08
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Larger geographic areas (High Forest, Cormanthor, The Wealdath, The Chondalwood, etc) usually have a 'King', which they usually call a 'Coronal' ('King' is actually a human term). Individual settlements usually have some sort of council, and very small units - usually the more mobile, 'wild' tribes - have 'chiefs' (although I'm not aware of a specific elven word for that). The chiefs can range anywhere from a hereditary position (and actually use the term 'King'), to one selected for 'warrior virtues', to the most powerful spellcaster. Every Forest (containing Elves) is also considered a kingdom, so each (major) forest would have a king/coronal. Evereska and Evermeet are oddities in that they are non-forest kingdoms (although both contain woodlands)... and come to think of it, that might have something to do with the 'Ever' prefix.
And there are exceptions to all of that - the Elves range in Gov't types almost as much as humans do. However, all seem to answer to a 'high king' or Queen (in the case of Evermeet), so there does seem to be some sort of established 'pecking order' between the groups which most ascribe to. That personage is responsible for making decisions that affect the race as a whole. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 22:06:44
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I don't think elves go for structured groups and hierarchies the way humans do.
Elves always have lofty royals (a King, Queen, Prince, "Coronal", etc) but these monarchs seem to have little actual influence in the day-to-day governing of things. They don't just sit on a throne proclaiming law (that's a human preoccupation). They seem to really be around as just figureheads, their office being consulted only when formal declarations from the highest echelons of nobility need to be made on behalf of all elven peoples. All elves (even the filthy drow) are civil and a bit stilty when in the presence of elven royalty.
Elves have high mages and druids (in seemingly limitless supply) who actually do important things and make important decisions which can affect large groups. I suppose their societal functions and "authority" are comparable to priests and clergy in human cultures.
Otherwise, it seems like elves just don't really go for imposing and enforcing rules on their society. Elven individuals and communities tend to resolve issues in other ways, any way possible, before resorting to some "higher authority". This doesn't at all mean all elves are noble (or even rational) inhabitants of Utopia ... it's just that elves are basically as inclined to rely on the law as humans would be to defy it (most humans trust their police and courts, while most elves instead trust themselves and their peers), and elven magistrates are still needed to sort out the trickiest legal matters. Elves also have very different perspectives about what's important in life, human preoccupations with property and "justice" don't really appeal to them at the same levels ... they just punish (or forgive) offenders and move on, with an almost karmic attitude because "what comes around goes around" holds more truth when multiplied across lifetimes and centuries.
They also live in a pseudo-feudal culture. This means any passing "knight" or bladesinger or bard with recognized social stature can basically hold an ad-hoc "court" to hear all arguments then decree the "law" on the spot. Social pressure would force most elves to comply, and easy access to more champions would encourage violent offenders to comply. Elves might be flighty creatures, but I'm sure experienced champions might be monitor troublesome individuals for a time (perhaps years!) through elven magic and stealth ... sometimes a well-placed arrow flying out of the darkness would be enough to reform criminals who waver in their resolve.
[Edit]
Having said all that ... I could think of several great ways to govern elves. Ways to promote efficiency and productivity, methods involving work camps and perhaps some carefully applied reeducation. However, my elven reassignments aren't truly in keeping with the generally pro-elven themes dominating Realmslore. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 06 Feb 2013 22:34:04 |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4687 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 22:33:32
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I have not read much about the governments, however there appears the need for some kind of one. They build warships, maintain guard and Watch. There for these need to be chain of command.
Elves are long lived with might bring about a difference philosophy of how to be ruled. In some ways religion features as a great part of life. Guidance clearly offered by Clerics.
They may not have tax collectors as such, however clearly a tax or gift of service is provided to the nation, town or community. There is no indication of Democracy that I have ever seen. Those that lead are selected to lead by test, moonswords or by keeping followers loyal due to tribe, tradition or some other factor. There though clearly needs to be some sort of government to deal with protection of the community. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 13:03:53
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In the RotAW trilogy, we get to see a LOT of Evereska's gov't, and how quite a bit of it interacts (and how sometimes 'traditions' get in the way of common sense).
Not a huge fan of Troy Dennings FR stuff, but the first book of that series is loaded with great Realmslore, and might even rank up there in my 'top 10' favorite FR novels (just the first on... the series went downhill rapidly from there, IMHO). I think he portrayed the Elves extremely well. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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elglanto
Acolyte
24 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 16:26:56
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| Thanks a lot for all these informations. It's really interesting and will certainly be usefull for me. |
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Elven city/village : Government
