Dune Elves

The Dune Elves, also known as Azerals, are a nomadic elven people who wander the deserts of Syltör, Ummarnu and Alteniquia. Dune Elves are sometime known as "Dark Elves" due to their signature Ebony black skin.

History
According to the creation myth of the Dune Elves, they would appear like specks of sand from the emerging dunes, and would become known as the "Children of the Dunes", and had since thrived in the region, prior to their existence. Created by A'ashia herself, they would strive to complete her goal, which was to turn the world into a desert. However, many Dune Elves would start to forget this goal, as their magic started to slowly fade away, only allowing parts of the formerly large savanna to become desert. They would eventually split, and start their own tribes, where they would never again see unification.

Actual Records about the Dune Elves are quite scattered. Rathnirian Archeologists predict that they could of came from the same region as the Celestial Elves and the Talawans from the Elven Migrations over 11,000 years ago. The Dune Elves would migrate around the varying deserts located in the now Azeral Desert to the southeast of modern day Hampo. The creation myth surrounding the Dune Elves also seem to vary, since the myth doesn't specify the "desertification" part as their "ultimate goal", but rather, a magical curse that was placed upon them. Some myths go as far as to say that they were forsaken Celestial Elves that were punished to live in the dunes, and became known as the Dune Elves. These variations of the Celestial Elves would later go to found the Dominion of Ashura.

Dune Elves would reach the continent of Ummaru by 4,000BSS, and would live along the northern tips. Some Huitcans such as Toyo'on'tyo Chililatl Dou'wall, would claim to be a descendent of settlers that would meet and mingle with Huitcan Colonists later on. There was also Dune Elves who migrated as far south as Ardat, starting conflicts with the Geshemi, the Talawans and the Ardatians. However, there was also tribes on their side, who fought against the rival tribes of the Dune Elves.

By the year 3,500BSS, the Syltör-based Dune Elves would mostly come together to form the Dominion of Ashura would form from a band of struggling nomads that would come together. Made up of multiple tribes and confederacies, this new dominion would come to dominate the region for several centuries. As for the rest of the Dune Elves of the desert, many of them continued their nomadic lifestyle.

At around 1,600BSS, multiple Dune Elves had arrived on Alteniquia. These Dune Elves would grow comfortable living in the region, as the deserts here were much larger and expansive. It is unclear if they had formed any proper civilizations here, but whatever was left of their civilizations would be integrated and perhaps inspired the Yimmu-Audalian refugees from Jagdas to build in a certain style.

The collapse of the Dominion of Ashura had seen the Syltör-based once again returning back to nomadic styles of lifes. The introduction of Soleannen to the region much later down the line saw some Dune Elves converting to the faith, even within their new overlords of the Aurlûnor Velande, who's predecessor, the Kingdom of Almador's most hated enemy. Today, the population remains scattered and low due to their nomadic life style, creating multiple different cultures of their people.

Culture
Due to the division of the Dune Elves over the years, a central Dune Elf culture is not really possible, but many can pinpoint them on common traits.

For one, each continent of Dune Elf is different in their behaviors. The ones on Syltör appear to be more peaceful, not really interested in fighting their enemies, and rather would prefer to leave cooked food, and comfort should they may be. They are renown for their campfires, food and a small worksite for travelers. Some even come with tents if they are friendly enough. Those that live in villages or settlements of their parent countries, usually show this attitude toward people they do not know. This stems back to their respect culture, where one shows respect, if they wish to be respected. Soleannen Dune Elves appear to share this trait far more often.

The ones on Ummaru appear to be similar to the Lamiatrophus of Ardat. They see sex as a sacred part of life, and usually dedicate themselves to Ardatism, though, their population is much lower than their Syltör and Alteniquian counterparts. They are often to say to have more copperish-ebony skin due to the red sands of the desert, and wear varying amounts of tattoos around their body parts as a form of ritual as they partake in this strange synthetic version of Ardatism and Aminism.

The one son Alteniquia are known to be the ones who are said to have created the "Children of the Dunes" myth, and are firm believers that they are truly descendants of the Sun Mother. As such, these Dune Elves are more isolationist, mostly from cooler areas, to help keep away from unholy things such as trees and grass that are not oasises.

Appearance
Appearances of the Dune Elves are usually often seen as one common trait: Ebony skin. Their ebony skin is rather more resistant to the sun's deadly heat than other species, thus, can survive longer than a regular person can without water. This is also probable from their extremely high myelin levels, and the suns affect on their skin. Dune Elves also appear to have different color hairs, mostly being either black, red, brown or even white.

Dune Elves also drastically vary whenever they come to their clothes. Some, such as the ones who live closer to Ardat, are far more revealing with their clothing, meanwhile those who live near the former Dominion of Ashura, are more conservative, and reserved about their clothing. Dune Elves also appear to sometimes wear paint on their faces and their bodies, usually signifying tribal markings or clan insignas. Former Ashurans often dress in their more traditional jewelry, which is said to be lavish and colorful.