Almalie

The Almalie or the Merifinrën (Black Haired people) are a people that live in Velanima Province in the Aurlûnor Velande.

Almalies are regarded as xenophobic, and do not like outsiders or foreigners. They tend to look down on many outsiders with suspicion, including their own if they are not from the same city as they are. Although this attitude had changed considerably since the First Dark Age, suspicion of the amount of foreigners that have entered the country started to rouse suspicion within multiple circles of the Almalie. They are viewed as the most racist group of the many races in the country they are in, which is likely where the Elven stereotype originates from.

Etymology
The name "Amalie" originates from the reign of Queen Helenis the Wise, where she referred her people as the "Fortunate People", in a speech. Before then, they called themselves the Merifinrën which simply referred to their black hair, and was simply the "black haired people", When the word "Elf" came to their lands within the later years of the Velande, the Amalie would also seemingly refer themselves as "Elves", due to the

The Amalie are also known as the "Pre-Lhûren", due to the transformation of the Lhûren during the conversions to Twin Dragon, and the ones who did not transform following the Celestial Ascension.

Background
The Amalie first arrived in the region in 11,000BCA, and would later go on to establish the greater Kingdom of Almador. Since the fall of their Kingdom, many of their people have been separated, and fought a long bloody warring period against eachother. Many of them would later become Lhûren following the spread of Twin Dragon, though, there was also some who remained loyal to the Almadorian Pantheon. Following the Red Canal Incident of 246ACA, many Almalie would convert to Twin Dragon for their own safety. Oddly though, they would not become Lhûren, and remained the same looks as they did prior to the Celestial Ascension. Almalie would become officially citizens during the later 700ACAs, and be recognized as Lhûren, with legal protections given to them.

Today, many Almalie would reside within Sachómar as a majority, and Estecónmar as a sizeable minority, though sizeable minorities of them can be found throughout the former Kingdom of Almador in small pockets or communities.

Appearance
Unlike the other groups, Almalies would retain their pre-draconic features, although their blood is the same as a Lhûren's. They possess no tail, and their eyes look more elven than draconian, although some have been seen with draconian eyes. Some families of Almalies can be seen with more Lhûren features through interbreeding, but this is usually discouraged. "Pure Blooded" Almalie as a result do not have the same respect for those who are known as the "Tainted", or a mixed Almalie.