Liloriens

Seeds of Empire
The Liloriens established the first civilizations in Beyrensia—long before humanity arrived on the scene—as scattered city-states in what is now Atticosh, and their contribution to civilization is still acknowledged, as most elder cities in the empire were developed around Lorien cultural centers. Different from their southern cousins, the Ushanki, the Liloriens developed interests in technology, architecture, and general sciences, slowly tearing themselves from the connection they once had with other Guatha in Beyrensia. The namesake comes from the Seven Lorels, the original city-states built by this Guathan separatist group. The Lorels were deemed so important to Guathan culture in Beyrensia, this group called themselves Liloriens, meaning "children of the citadels." (The word lorel is an ancient Guathan word referring to a peculiar place and its meaning changed to mean a "protected place" or "citadel.") When humans became prolific in Beyrensia, they adopted Lorien civilization and expanded the city-state concept into what eventually became the bailiwicks, wherein the capital of each bailiwick was once a Lorien city.

Physical Characteristics
Over the millennia Liloriens played an intimate role in the development of human civilization in Beyrensia, and within that capacity eventually began interbreeding with humans. This has led to a "delusion" of the Lorien bloodlines thus leading to offspring with more humanesque features. The prolonged Guathan ears are no longer common and even rare, with modern Liloriens born with shorter, yet still pointed ears. Cheekbones still rest high on the faces of Liloriens, and their faces still retain the longer, more narrow features of their ancestors. As well, Lilorien hair and eye color is only slightly more diverse than human, but only in that some are still born with dark green hair like their Ushanki cousins. The average height of a Lilorien of either gender is but an inch or two shy of the humans with which they reside, and their build is only slightly more broad at the chest and shoulders, with more fat and muscle showing at the surface.

Society
Liloriens live among humans in Atticosh and thus their society is almost identical, though with a few minor differences. As the founders of civilization in Beyrensia and modern human society their progeny, the Liloriens are naturally wealthy and somewhat pretentious. If one lives in the filth among humans residing in fringe towns it is by choice and not by inheritance. In the heart of Atticosh this is much more apparent in that most Liloriens live in wealthy, gated communities, segregating themselves from the common folk. Most have gained wealth through inheritence and are not employed, their family lineages linking back millennia to the first privileged social classes from the Lorels.

Language
Lorien

Origins: Beyrensic Heartland

Kinship: One of two Elvish languages spoken in Beyrensia, Lorien is a more refined form of the Shanki dialect insomuch that it has been codified and shares many linguistic elements with regional human languages.

Restrictions: None. The various Atticosian lexicons derive in some form from Lorien, so it is quite commonly spoken. Most folk in Atticosh grow up knowing their native tongue and Lorien.

Ethnic Bonuses

• +2 Intelligence, -1 Constitution, -1 Charisma

• +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects.

• Low-Light Vision: A Lilorien can see 50% better than a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination and retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.

• Weapon Proficiency: Liloriens receive the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword and rapier as bonus feats. They have no inherent bonuses to ranged weapons of any kind.

• +2 racial bonus on Bluff, Appraise, and Spot checks. A Lilorien who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if actively looking for it, but only within an Atticosian city.

• Lifespan: Liloriens live approximately 85-110 years.

• Automatic Languages: Copaus and Lorien

• Class Restrictions: Cannot be Druids or Rangers