Orontinórë, the Mountain Elves

Summary: reclusive, graceful guardians of the hidden vale Starting Location: Valley of Tumbo, Turahskal Peaks Current Location:

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Culture

The Orontinórë, or Mountain Elves, are a reclusive subrace of Wood Elves who have made their home in a hidden valley deep within the vast mountain range they call the Turahskal Peaks. Sheltered from the outside world by jagged cliffs and enchanted mists, they have thrived in near isolation, developing a distinct culture that venerates the natural beauty of their mountainous homeland. Though cautious of outsiders, they are not unkind, and those who earn their trust may find themselves welcomed into an ageless community of wisdom, artistry, and spiritual devotion.

Culture and Society

The Valley of Tumbo

Nestled within the highest peaks of the Elder Mountains, the valley of Tumbo is a place of ethereal beauty. Crystal-clear waterfalls cascade into serene pools, ancient stone pathways wind through emerald glades, and towering trees—older than some mortal civilizations—stand as silent sentinels. The Orontinórë have built their homes in harmony with the landscape, living in elegantly sculpted stone halls that blend seamlessly into the cliffs and mountainsides.

This valley is said to be protected by powerful elven magic, concealing it from all but the most determined seekers. Those who trespass without invitation may find themselves wandering in circles, beset by illusions that lead them away.

Way of the Mountain

The Orontinórë embrace a philosophy known as Calen-Faer, or the Green Sight, which teaches that the mountains are both a sanctuary and a test. To live among them is to understand patience, endurance, and the ever-changing nature of the world. They believe that wisdom is gained through solitude and contemplation, and many among them spend months in quiet meditation upon the high peaks, communing with the spirits of the land.

Masters of Craft and War

Despite their peaceful nature, the Mountain Elves are formidable warriors. They hone their skills as archers and skirmishers, using their intimate knowledge of the terrain to ambush and outmaneuver foes. Their weapons and armor are crafted from sky-steel, a metal found only within their mountains, said to be as light as a feather and strong as dwarven mithril. Their craftsmanship extends beyond arms and armor—Orontinórë artisans create exquisite carvings, musical instruments, and tapestries that depict their long and storied history.

Names

The Orontinórë follow the typical pattern of Elvish Names.

Faith and the Seldarine

The Mountain Elves worship the Seldarine, the elven pantheon, with particular reverence for Aerdrie Faenya, goddess of the sky and freedom, and Solonor Thelandira, god of the hunt. They believe that the mountain winds carry the whispers of the gods and that the stars are the guiding lights of those who walk the high paths.

The Orontinórë observe the Night of the Falling Stars, a sacred festival where they ascend to the highest peaks to meditate under the celestial dance of meteor showers. During this night, young elves seeking wisdom often receive dreams or visions from the Seldarine, guiding them on their future paths.

Relations with the Outside World

The Orontinórë seldom interact with outsiders, but they are not hostile. They have an ancient pact with the druids of the lowlands and occasionally trade rare herbs, enchanted stones, and masterfully crafted goods with trusted emissaries. When humans first arrived in the region, it was the Mountain Elves who took pity on them, guiding the desperate settlers to fertile lands beyond their valley.

Though they prefer peace, they are not naive. Those who threaten their lands find themselves at the mercy of silent arrows, treacherous paths, and illusions that lead them astray.

Adventurers from Tumbo

Most Mountain Elves who leave their homeland do so out of necessity rather than wanderlust. Some venture into the world in pursuit of lost elven artifacts, while others seek knowledge that cannot be found in their secluded valley. A few act as emissaries to distant lands, maintaining fragile ties with neighboring civilizations.

Others leave because of a vision received during the Night of the Falling Stars, believing their destiny lies beyond the peaks, where their deeds may shape the fate of the world itself.

Mountain Elf Traits

Mountain Elves share the core traits of their Wood Elf kin but have adapted to their rugged environment in unique ways.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet. You also have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.

Stone’s Grace. Accustomed to the treacherous slopes and rocky terrain of the mountains, you ignore difficult terrain caused by rocky or uneven ground and have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to climb.

Mistwalker. The enchanted mists that shroud your homeland have given you an innate ability to navigate through obscured terrain. You can see through heavy precipitation, fog, or similar visual obstructions up to 30 feet.

Silent Sentinel. You are trained in remaining unseen and unheard amid the crags and cliffs. You have proficiency in the Stealth skill, and you can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by natural terrain.

Eyes of the High Places. Your long-range vision is exceptional, allowing you to spot details that others might miss. You have proficiency in the Perception skill and can see up to a mile away without difficulty, even in dim light.

Arrival of the Elves

The elves were not always mountain-dwellers—they arrived long ago (about 1500 years ago), fleeing something terrible. Some tales say it was a war in the lowlands. Others whisper of a betrayal among their own kin. The oldest legends claim that they were led here by a vision, shown the mountains as a place of refuge and wisdom.

The first Mountain Elves were called the Skyward Pilgrims, and they chose the highest places to live, believing the mountains offered a path to enlightenment.

When the first elves arrived, they found great stone pillars, older than time, marking strange places in the peaks. Some were altars, others doorways to nowhere.

No roads led them here. They followed paths made by beasts, rivers that seemed to flow the wrong way, and songs carried on the wind.

Life in the Peaks

Mountain Elves are wanderers by nature, but the mountains shape them. Every child is taught to read the sky, the rock, and the wind.

The mountains are alive, and they do not tolerate the unworthy. If you do not show respect, they will cast you down.

To survive, Mountain Elves rely on small, hidden sanctuaries—natural caves, cliffside dwellings, and stone shelters that have existed for as long as any elf can remember.

The mountain gives, but only if you ask properly. This is why Mountain Elves never hunt or harvest without a ritual.

Some whisper that those who take too much without asking are swallowed by the earth.

Fire is a rare and precious thing—there is little wood at high altitudes. The secret of "ever-burning stones" is known only to the elders.

The greatest insult to a Mountain Elf is to say they "walk like a lowlander." True elves move like mist, climb like the wind, and leave no footprint where none is needed.

Things the Elves Know

Rumors and Legends

  • There are cities above the clouds. Some elders claim the highest peaks hold lost temples, sky-bridges, or even hidden kingdoms where only the worthy may walk.
  • The storms have a will of their own. Some elves say the mountains send storms to drive away intruders, and that lightning only strikes those the peaks wish to punish.
  • The rivers do not all lead where they should. Some streams flow into the mountains and simply vanish—some say they lead to hidden places, lost peoples, or even another world.
  • The mountains are awake. There are places where stone moves on its own, boulders shift as if watching, and ridges that were not there yesterday.
  • There is a peak that no elf will climb. Every elf has heard of it—a summit so cursed that even birds do not fly over it.
  • Some roads do not belong to elves. Certain old stone staircases, paths, and ruins exist—ones that predate even the first Mountain Elves. No one speaks of who built them.
  • The Sleeping God Beneath the Peaks. It is said that beneath the tallest peak of the Turahskal range, an ancient being slumbers. Some say it is a forgotten god, others whisper it is something far worse.
  • The Mistwardens’ Last Stand. Long ago, a band of mountain elf warriors vanished into the mist-choked valleys, defending their sacred shrines. Their spirits are said to still watch over the land, guiding lost travelers.
  • The Weeping Stone of Elarion. A sacred shrine deep within the mountains is rumored to shed tears of silver under the light of a full moon. Drinking from its waters grants visions of the past and future.
  • The Echoes of the Lost Keep. In the farthest reaches of the peaks, ruins of a fortress hum with unseen voices. Some claim the wind carries the whispers of an ancient war council that never ended.
  • The dwarves dig too deep. The dwarven holds expand endlessly beneath the mountains. Some say they have uncovered things best left buried.
  • Not all the dragons left. Though the great dragons vanished from the world, the oldest elves still whisper that some slumber in secret caves, waiting for an age to return.

Conventional Wisdom

  • “If the goats won’t climb, neither should you." A common saying among mountain elves, meaning that if animals sense danger, heed their instincts.
  • The Skyborn Winter. Every few decades, an unnatural storm descends upon the mountains, blanketing the land in unmelting ice. The elders say it is a test from the gods.
  • The Rule of Three Fires. When making camp in the mountains, always light three small fires: one for warmth, one for cooking, and one to keep the unseen watchers at bay.
  • "A sword in the valley is dull, a sword in the peaks is keen." A lesson drilled into young warriors, meaning that battles are won with patience and knowledge of the terrain, not brute strength.

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs

  • The Pact of the Three Souls. Elves believe that a child is born with two souls, one from each parent, and the third must be granted by a spiritual being. Without this third soul, a child is doomed.
  • The Mountain’s Judgment. Those who commit grave crimes are exiled to the highest peaks, where the gods and elements judge their fate.
  • The Dance of the Moons. The movement of the twin moons is sacred, and their alignment dictates omens for battle, peace, and the blessings of the divine.
  • The Wind Carries Oaths. It is believed that if one swears a sacred oath in the mountains, the wind itself will carry it to the gods. Breaking such an oath invites catastrophe.

Warnings and Superstitions

  • Never answer a voice in the fog. Spirits of the long-dead are said to roam the misty cliffs, calling for the living to join them.
  • If your shadow moves on its own, flee. A warning about dark creatures that linger in forgotten ruins, preying on those who trespass.
  • The Curse of the Silent Summit. A peak so cursed that all who ascend it never return. No bird sings there, no wind howls—only silence reigns.
  • The Shattered Stars. On rare nights, the stars above the Turahskal Peaks appear broken and scattered. The elders say this is a sign of an ancient evil stirring.

Interactions with the Outside World

With the Humans

While the Orontinórë keep largely to themselves, they send a trade delegation to Freemen's Wood every ten years. This party arrives in the late spring (during Thawtide), and departs in late summer (during Harvesttide, after Craeftfayre). Feasts are held to celebrate the arrival and departure of these honored guests.

With the Giants and Goblins

In the early years after their arrival, the Orontinórë engaged in skirmishes between the elves and the giants and goblins. Stories of this time are often told as cautionary tales about the dangers of misunderstanding and the importance of diplomacy. Over the following centuries, the mountain elves have made peace with these neighbors — or at least some of them.

The Giants

Some giants, particularly the Stone Giants, have become allies of the elves. A respected Stone Giant leader named Gromm Stoneheart is known for his wisdom and artistry.

Young elves are warned about the wilder giants, such as the Hill Giants, who remain untamed and often hostile. These giants are led by a fearsome chief known as Thrag the Unyielding.

The Goblins

The goblins are known as a chaotic and unpredictable lot. The goblin chieftain named Zigzog the Cunning has occasionally allied with the elves, but his loyalty is ever-shifting.

Cultural Exchange

The elves have shared their knowledge of magic and nature with the giants and goblins, fostering mutual respect and understanding.