Dune Elves

Dune Elves, also known as Azerals, are a nomadic elven people who thrive in the deserts of the continents Syltör, Ummarnu, and Alteniquia, as well as parts of southern Anglunia, a nation in Eldham. Dune elves are sometimes referred to as "dark elves" due to their signature ebony black skin.

They live to be 170-200 years of age - a shorter life-span than celestial elves yet still rather long relative to most humanoid species. A dune elf reaches maturity at 30 years of age.

Etymology
The name "dune elf" was coined to refer to the ebony-skinned elves during the Second Dominion of Ashura by the Aurlûnor Velande. The earliest use of the name derives mostly from written sources of Aurlûnoren Humans, who traveled the deserts and negotiated with the tribes and varying people groups that settled within the Ashuran Desert. The name "dark elf" was coined earlier, and it was used by the people of Norfthorn. The “dark elves” featured a skin tone darker than any other elf species they had encountered, such as celestial elves. In Norfthornian tongue, to say “dark elf” is "Mörk Elfve.”

The moniker "Azeral" originates from Nabut terminology - more specifically from inscriptions on a stone tablet dating back to ~2,300 BCA. Future historians and researchers would adopt the moniker during their studies of dune elf biology and cultures. Other names within different groups are used, such as “Ajina,” “Ezaru,” and “Miadu.”

In Eldham, dune elves living in the southern regions of Anglunia use the term "Nazzu" when referring to their people.

History
Ancient records about dune elves are quite rare due to the lack of scrolls, manuscripts, or even stone or clay inscriptions of their ancient language. Additionally, the diversity of the various tribes settled all throughout Rathnir makes whatever few discoveries that are found to be difficult to translate.

Rathnirian Archeologists theorize that dune elves, similar to other elf species, originated in the same regions emigrated from during the Elven Migrations over ~11,000 years ago. This theory was prescribed due to the discovery of ancient hunting tools in an area known as the "Barrier Desert," located west of modern day Tacua Province in the Aurlûnor Velande.

The dune elves migrated throughout the land and sea, settling in various arid regions of the continent of Syltör located in what is now called the Ashuran Desert, especially in the regions southeast of modern day Hampo.

By the year ~6,100 BCA, the Syltörian dune elf tribes, to better survive the desert landscape, would mostly unite to form a single tribe, in which they would call themselves Ashurans, and would establish the Dominion of Ashura. Made up of multiple tribes and confederacies, this new dominion would dominate the region for several centuries. As for other tribes who remained independent, while some were eventually subjugated by the Dominion of Ashura, many of them continued their nomadic lifestyle. Some tribes would even venture beyond Syltör to find a home in different regions across the world.

Dune elves reached the continent of Ummaru by ~4,000 BSS, and would settle along the northern peninsula. Some Huitcans such as Toyo'on'tyo Chililatl Dou'wall, would claim to be a descendent of these settlers, pointing to the likely possibility that the settlers met and mingled with Huitcan Colonists, who arrived on the continent at a later period. There were also dune elves who migrated as far south as Ardat. Their migration and settling was not as peaceful as the aforementioned tribes, however. The native populations - the Geshemi, the Talawans and the Ardatians - wanted to expel the immigrants from the land. War was waged and many battles were fought. Though outnumbered by these native tribes, the dune elves were not without allies, and, in fact, some native tribes assisted the dune elves in their struggle against their rivals, creating ethnic tension within the Mesa region that would last for centuries to come.

At around ~2,600 BCA, multiple tribes had arrived on the continent of Alteniquia. They would grow comfortable living in the region, as the deserts here were much more expansive. The elves settled here built an empire for themselves and soon became frequent trading partners with Ashura. However, the empire suffered a schism during ~2300 BCA, and the southern tribes - the Nikhen and the Tuvaral - split away to form their own independent state. Eventually, however, they suffered a schism of their own. At this same time, the northern tribes of Yitendu and Ashami experienced stagnation; however, they managed to conquer some territory in Carvay, maintaining their prestige as a dominant military power within the region. In around ~1900 BCA, the Nikhen began its resurgence, conquering new territories in Reyllea, Caen, and Sironia Andy - and retaking much of the southern empire’s old land. They united with the Tuvaral again in ~1500 BCA, and the elven nations of Altenquia flourished once again. This prosperity lasted for many generations, but, eventually, the peaceful times came to an end. In ~ 250BCA, war broke out between the Nikhen and the Turvaral. This time around their strife lasted for a century and concluded with all the original tribes separating from the empire, bringing about its decline. Some remnant states survived, but what remained of their civilization would be integrated into others - whether elven or not. Archeologists speculate that the architectural styles of the Yimmu-Audalians, refugees from the world of Jagdas who would later dominate the Rathnirian continent, were influenced by the styles founded by the Atleniquian dune elf tribes.

Appearance
The trademark feature of the dune elves is one common trait: ebony skin. Their ebony skin, due to its high concentration of myelin or melanin, is more resistant to the sun's deadly heat than skin of other humanoid or elf species, which usually feature lesser melanin ; thus, they can survive without water and without overheating much longer than other humanoid species. Dune elves also appear featuring a variety of hair colors, mostly being either black, red, brown or even white.

They also drastically vary in fashion. Given the difference in culture, some tribes, such as those settled closer to Ardat, adorn far more revealing clothing than those of others, such as tribes near the former Dominion of Ashura who dress more conservatively. Face and body paintings are traditional and commonplace for some tribes. Their bodies depict the symbols and insignas respective to the clan of which they belong. Former Ashurans often adorn their traditional jewelry - lavish and colorful objects embedded with amethyst, emeralds, lapiz, or diamonds that reflect the wealth and prosperity of the region.

Known Groups
Dune Elves are among the most diverse species of elf in the world, with over thousands of different ethnic groups and tribes disseminated across Rathnir and beyond. This list compiles the current most well known dune elf tribes that live in Rathnir :

Syltör

 * Ashurans - Made up of both the Nabut and Qanti people. The most developed of the Dune Elf groups, and the least nomadic, being rulers of the former Dominion of Ashura.
 * Upper Nabut - Related to the Nabut peoples, these are the Nabut that did not migrated with the large Nabut migrations during the early 6,000BCAs.
 * Kidat - Costal Dune Elves, they have been subjects of Ryzan since the area was taken over. Under the Deutzani people, they lived in Port Syros and Luxor, as well as wanderd the desert around the region. They are known to be good fishermen.
 * Kadut - Also known as the river people, the Kadut are known for their mound hovels that are burried in the sands.
 * Yaza - These Dune Elves are well known to be the only Dune Elves that integrated with Twin Dragon, and had been exposed to the Almadorian culture. Due to them being subjects under the Kingdom of Almador, they had seen years of persecution including under the Queendom of Hampo which they were ruled under the Kumiho. Presently, the Yaza are said to be the most Aurlûnoren tribe, with their clothes and culture and language script even being inspired by the Aurlûnor Velande's culture. Despite this, the Kumiho continue to build illegal settlements and oppress the Yazans, who had retaliated into a quiet war that has been ongoing for many years.
 * Belet
 * Ereket - Known as the Soleannen Dune Elves, many Ereketis converted to Soleannen when the region was colonized by Escharia. Due to this, influences of Niedene culture are seen within these Dune Elves, and even to this day, still build shrines in the desert despite it being banned nationwide. For a long while, they were under protection by the Sneedistanis, until the purchace of the eastern part of the desert by the Aurlûnor Velande.
 * Tandra - Dune Elves that encountered the Order of the Green. They are well known for their mask culture, and had traded with the order when it became Viridian.
 * Ormo
 * Shamar
 * Eza
 * Gawamar
 * Istih

Ummarnu

 * Dashuri - Ancestors of the current Huitcan Royal family descended from the ancient Quia'Jal Royal which used to reside in the ancient capital city of Bradecblight who descended from the Dashurite tribe.
 * Kemal
 * Ordati - Also known as the Ardati Elves, the Ordati, with their name sake, are known for their practice of the Path of Dain. Unlike other Dune Elves, their skin is more copper black red. They are well known for playing digideroos, and for being fierce in combat.
 * Mamori - Ancestors of the Talawans, and said to have bred with humans in Ummarnu to produce the Talawans. It is unknown how many Mamori are alive, but it is said that they are related to the Kemal tribes in terms of linguistics and culture, despite being located further away from eachother. Are said to be the lightest skin of the Dune Elves, as they are said to have light dark skin.
 * Almnutaa - A closely linked Dune Elf, the Almnutaa were a people that migrated away from Ardat, travelling to the southeastern settlement known as Nuanje. They would have a steep decline at around 1073BCA, indicating extinction, though few incomplete records state some were still alive by 327-527ACA. As of current, they are classified as extinct.

Alteniquia

 * Yitendu: The Yitendu lived in the northwestern deserts of modern Yimmu Audal. They were naturally acclimated towards the deserts there, and were the center of the trade between Ashura and Altenquia
 * Tuvaral: The Tuvaral lived in areas now know as Ayesinco, another province of Yimmu Audal. They grew accustomed to the savanah and the desert equally, and had close relations to the Nikhen.
 * Nikhen: The Nikhen lived in what the natives call Abayril and most people know as Fuscinivir. They were the most diverse of the tribes in Altenquia, with some living near the sea, and being the closest Rathnir has to Sea Elves, while some lived in the savanna or desert like the Tuvaral, and some lived in the swamps of Sironia. They had close links with Tuvaral.
 * Ashami: These elves lived near modern Urnu-Arrak and Anosphiae, and lived in the deserts there. They cherished knowledge, and created a large university before the Audal refugees came from Jagdas. They had close ties to Yitendu.

Anglunia

 * Pikenda
 * Ukandi
 * Tishal
 * Ni-Yirisi - Dune Elves who are half Ice Elf. They are often mistaken to be a possible connection to the Almnutaa, but are confirmed to not at all be related, due to the eye color and pigmentation being far more distinguished, as well as their colder blood. They are the only Dune Elf that can live in temperate climates, but at the cost of them resisting extreme heat.