Creature:Sidhai

"Call upon us when the time comes. Just as your Clans help ours, so too will our people help defend your own."

- Sidhai Chieftain to the Mendel Clan Council

Sidhai are a Elven or Elf-like race of, native to the lands near the , and inhabit a series of hill forts, citadels and various other areas dotting the hills near Mendel tribal territory, and a generally a reclusive, but very violent people, who did not welcome trespass. However, the tenacity and strength of the Mendel convinced the Sidhai to seek them out as allies, and came with their Counts and Lords offering the Sidhai holds join the Mendel Tribes, in exchange for Sidhai resources, weapons and other details, with the Mendel offering their massive military forces as protection, and trade abilities to the Sidhai. Since then, the two have enjoyed a prosperous relationship, the jovial Mendel and reclusive Sidhai odd, but impassioned allies to one another.

The Mendel have always respected the Sidhai as Spirits of the Hills, best not disturbed, but have grown to accept their allies as not fickle forest spirits, but rather lost, rather confused souls searching for their place in life. The Sidhai know little of their origins or connections with the rest of the Elves of Koldenwelt, and seek meaning in the world, to understand their lot in life, and to find out more about the world around them. As such, the Sidhai commonly journey with the Mendel Tribes as either diplomats, or warriors. Their magical abilities are powerful, and often difficult to control, and the Sidhai are usually very muted and come across as emotionless, believing they must control their emotions, or their power will spiral out of control.

Early History
The Sidhai's early history is a forgotten time among their kindred. Their earliest archives and records are shrouded in mystery, and, what little detail they do have, is often contradictory. It is unknown their connection to the, if any, though some theorize them to be colonists who immigrated to the distant lands of the Mendel Tribes to escape their oppressive lords. Others say they are not actually elves, but the result of Mendel tribesmen taking Elven women, somehow, and breeding with them, producing the Sidhai as a result. Whatever the case, the Sidhai where not keen on building an empire, or conquering others, but rather, trying to find their lot in life and where they belonged. This lead to two radically different sects, the Aolos Sid, those who wished to keep to themselves and find peace and tranquility within the world around them, and the Slugarthi, a group obsessed with immortality, and the ability to rule over all. The Slugarthi demanded the Sidhai come out of their hovels, and rule over all, using their magical affinity to conquer everyone and everything, and bring about an immortal age of conquest.

The Aolos Sid leaders refused, stating that Sidhai minds would rule Sidhai lands, but not others, not withour their permission. The Slugarthi leader, Reccusark, in anger, cut the head off of the Aolos Sid leader, Kalahan, and demanded they accept him as their ruler. The two sects came into violent conflict, until the Sidhai won out, and forced the Slugarthi and their followers to leave. From then on, the Sidhai would become violent isolationists. They would see no other race, believing that such would lead them down the path to conquest like the Slugarthi, and thus sought to avoid such desires. They wished to remain by themselves, and find peace within themselves.

They built massive forts underground, a wide series of catacombs connected by a complicated series of tunnels and labyrinths, magically protected by great runes and sigils, and allowed the Sidhai to maintain their peaceful lifestyle. In respect for the tribal monks that guided them to the path of peace, the Sidhai's ancestors took the Aolos Sidhe, then simply Sidhai, and embraced the ideals of not contacting outsiders, and keeping to themselves. However, their series of forts where found by the ancient ancestors of the Mendel. Be it the Walgolorian, Kodalorian or Ugandalorians, many of these ancient tribes came to Sidhai lands, finding it rich in resources. The Sidhai, angered at having their lands touched by outsiders, butchered these interlopers. The Mendel, believing such people to be their ancestors' ghosts, angered at their interloping of sacred land, would visit the lands only under supervision of the Draiothe Shamans, and would come only to give gifts and tribute to what they thought where their ancestors.

The Sidhai, for their part, grew guilty of their aggressive response, and took to protecting the rival tribes from outsiders. Many races, either knowing of their civil war or not, came to Mendel lands seeking slaves and further lands, and where slaughtered by Sidhai ambushes. The Elven-like beings grew found of the Mendel, and used their magic to help guide certain individuals, hoping to help the Mendel find peace and unity.

Encounters with the United Mendel
After the ancient ancestors of the Mendel, the Trog'uan, returned to lead their tribes, the Sidhai grew in activity. They where interested in the wise and war-like leaders of the newly united Mendel, and wished to meet with them. As such, they called out to the Mendel leaders, guiding the High King and his Clan advisors to their positions, and appeared to them as they arrived, revealing their nature, and asking for a chance to join the Mendel. Many races near them had also joined, including the Kodalo Orcs, the bird-like Ogrook and the Dwarven Togunda, and the Sidhai also wished to join, their wise leaders believing the Sidhai's destiny was tied to that of the tribal, blue painted ones. The High King and his council conversed for many hours, discussing up and down the Sidhai's actions, and whether they could be trusted or not. Finally, Mendel leaders meet again with those of the Sidhai, and agreed to their demands, allowing the Sidhai to join.

As part of joining them, the Sidhai opened their forts to Mendel visitors, but only as the Sidhai wished it, no more and no less. They also traded with the Mendel some knowledge of magic, though the Mendel where not as magically attuned as elves, and much of their lessons went into the rune-craft often employed by the Draiothe. The Sidhai also provided warriors for the Mendel armies. While small in number, Sidhai Warriors where masters with the Blade and sword, and their magical abilities could tear through most foes in their way. Other Sidhai joined as diplomats and merchants, eager to contact other races and learn more of the outside world.

While many questioned if the Sidhai where going down the path of Imperialism and control, others denied this. They followed the Mendel, and did not seek control over them. Their leaders also figured the simple, close-to-nature attitude of the Mendel would keep their Sidhai allies grounded, and keep them from becoming too power-hungry, like their Slugarthi rivals.

Culture
Sidhai are an isolated, stoic group, being who spend much of their lives alone and away from others outside their own species, especially during their youth. Sidhai emotions are wide and felt very deeply, and as such, Sidhai as youngsters are sent to their Shamans and Priests to learn how to reign in and control their emotions. When they reach adulthood, they are a very stoic, almost emotionless group, who work to balance everything within themselves and their lives, and avoid becoming consumed by anger or greed. This in part, because of their magical abilities, which prove very powerful, but very unstable when their emotions are left out of control. As such, Sidhai must stay stoic, or lest their powers overwhelm them and cause trouble for those around them.

They are not warriors by nature, but can become truly fearsome foes when roused. Due to the risks of anger leading to them losing control of their powers, few Sidhai can join the armed forces. Only the truly specialized kind, who can fight in war, and not give into the Darkness within, are allowed to pick up the twin curved blades of their kind, and march alongside their Mendel peers.

While more isolated from the Mendel then other races, they are non the less, active members, and enjoy their allies company. This is especially seen in those that fight alongside Mendel Warriors, for while not prone to the heavy drinking and exuberance of their peers, many Sidhai form close, passionate bonds with their brothers in arms, and will refuse to flee the field, even when given the chance too, choosing to cover their allies when the fortune of battle turns against them.

Sidhai organize, like all Mendel, in complex Clans lead by an Elder Shaman or Priest of the Aolos Sid Path, who governs the Clan's holdings, territory and their resources, and works with the Counts above him, and the ruler of all Sidhai above those. This ruler, is named Supreme Arkoron, based on the word Archon.

Religion
Sidhai follow the ideals of the Aolos Sid, and do not worship any gods, but rather, believe in the ideals of balance, acceptance and control within themselves, and becoming one with nature. While they do not wish to stifle any emotions, they do not let them run wild, believing they risk nature and the balance within others if they do not control themselves. They do not worship the deities of the Mendel like other races within the Tribes, but do not discriminate against those that do.

They are guided by a series of Shamans and Priests, who have attained what they call "True Balance", and many seek to follow their examples in life and work. These Shamans act as rulers of the Sidhai Clans, due to their wisdom and abilities of working with others.

Biology
Sidhai are a grey or black-skinned race, black considered a race, but favored trait among them, with Black-skinned Sidhai having more magical ability then others. They are hard to describe, as their bodies are often covered in armor and robes, though many say their eyes glow an ethereal blue with their magical power, and their arms, when visible, are covered in swirling, runic tattoos, similar to those of the Mendel, and perhaps a sign of cultural osmosis. Their hands are described as having sharp, talon-like claws, and their feet have a raptor-like appearance to it. The Sidhai have the long ears common in many elves, and commonly adorn their ears with jewelry and other ornaments. Sidhai are also described as having long white or teal air, often growing it out long.

Sidhai are commonly of a thin to athletic build, almost seemingly countering the Mendel ideal of being very muscular and powerfully built. Despite their thinner appearance, Sidhai are almost unnaturally strong, and can over-power a man with ease, though are weaker then their Mendel Kindred. Sidhai have a strong affinity towards magic and it's use, and their powers mostly focus on shadows, illusions, trickery and cloaking themselves and their allies.

Due to their reclusive nature, not much else is known of Sidhai biology.

Behavior
Sidhai are noted to be rather stoic, emotionless and almost impassive. They are, however, deeply protective of those that gain their trust and friendship, though cut off from those they have just meet, though display a slight curiosity in newcomers. As such, while they do not welcome them with open arms, they do not act hostile, wishing to know who they have meet, and learning of them, before accepting them or seeing them tossed into the cold. Sidhai do not enjoy arrogance, and actively cull such a trait within their own ranks, believing it leads to the darkness of the Slugarthi, and do not wish to follow their fallen kindred down such a foul path.

They try to maintain a cordial attitude with strangers, though if said strangers prove irritating, will cause them did comfort, followed quickly by aggression and passive insults and the like. Sidhai try not to let their anger goad them into bad decisions, though will make sure the person in question knows the full measure of their annoyance.

Sidhai are protective of their allies, and friends, and once they have earned the trust of the Sidhai, the elven beings will fight no matter what to protect their comrades, helping them out of any situation, and helping them in any manner possible, though do not expect to be used, and will grow irritated with those that seek to use their trust and kindness.

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