Sali

Highland Elves
Among all the elvish ethnic groups the Sali have the richest history. Originating from the Danic highlands in a long since lost kingdom known as Th'Sali, in what is now southern Kedesh, the Sali nearly became extinct during the time of the Enojan Empire if not for the efforts of a retired Enojan general named Yirmîyahu (Jeremiah) Mal’achi. A great deal is known about Sali society just before its collapse, though what is known has only been transmitted by the lower class, thus a significant degree of bias is expected. Since the collapse of their society more than a millennium ago, the Sali have lived alongside humans mostly in what is today Kedesh. Sali can be found throughout Doa'Dane, though they are most abundant in Kedesh.

Physical Characteristics
Due to the fact the Sali have mixed with humans for more than a thousand years, their physical traits are much less extravagant. They are the tallest among the three known ethnic groups of elves, standing on average from five feet and four inches to five feet and six inches. They still maintain the wiry physique of their species, though their shoulders are broader than they used to be. Sali have slightly almond-shaped eyes supported by high cheek bones. Their ears are minimally pointed.

Society
Just before the collapse of their civilization the Sali were divided into two social groups: the lower-class Sali and the upper-class Salir—there was no middle-class. These two classes were so far removed from one another that they were frequently considered two separate races. There is no evidence, however, to suggest there was truly any difference between the Sali and Salir aside from socioeconomic partitioning. The Salir minority owned and controlled the wealth and all aspects of their civilization from government and religion to distribution of labor. The Sali majority acted as the laborers, performing mundane duties such as public works developed by the Salir, building homes and other structures, making clothing and tools, etc. For all intents and purposes the Sali were serfs of the Salir, and their labor paid for their food and a small plot of land on which to live. When the Enojan Empire pushed southward and threatened the borders of Th'Sali, the Salir began paying tribute to the Empire in the form of Sali slave labor in order to prevent total annihilation by the Enojans. Once civil war broke out in the Enojan Empire most of the Sali had left Th'Sali, leaving the upper-class Salir to fend for themselves, something they relied on the Sali for. It was not long before contact with Th'Sali faded and the Salir never heard from again.

[ Historian Emre Younan on Sali ]

Present-day Sali are completely assimilated into human culture and society, thus there truly are very little differences. For the most part the Sali speak Keshe, though they have retained their ethnic language for the sake of preservation. Sali work in a number of fields save for agriculture.

Religion
Little is known of Sali religion before they came to Kedesh. It is believed they once had a matron goddess named Vicwiira, but the details of the faith are lacking. (See the entry on Vicwiira for more information.) Today Sali are Daylic just as the humans they live among.

Language
Sali

Origins: Th'Sali (Kedesh / Västødland)

Usage: Sali Elvish has changed significantly over the last millennium primarily due to its prolonged contact with the Keshe language. With a flood of Keshe loanwords and the disappearance of its case forms and inflectional morphology, Modern Sali Elvish is much more akin to Keshe than its original form. It is widely spoken in southern Kedesh more than anywhere else, though it is spoken in some larger cultural centers of the country, namely the capital of Turglædesh. Sali Elvish is now so similar to Modern Keshe that the two language are mutually understandable at least minimally. The written form of Sali Elvish utilizes the Keshe alphabet.

Kinship: Sali Elvish is one of three elvish languages spoken on Doa'Dane. All elvish languages derive from a mother tongue, deemed Guathan, and thus they share linguistic features. Sali Elvish, even in its more archaic form—that is, before it was in contact with early Keshe—lost most of its relationship with Ithuet. This is perhaps due to its geographic distance from Ithuet speakers, and because of its proximity to Västødland. Unfortunately, no known form of Archaic Sali exists for linguistic analysis.

Restrictions: None. The language is mingled in with Keshe, so it is not difficult to learn.

Ethnic Bonuses

• +1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution

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

• Low-Light Vision: A Sali can see twice as far as 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: Sali receive the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword, rapier, and light crossbow as bonus feats.

• +2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. A Sali 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.

• Lifespan: Sali live approximately 150-75 years.

• Automatic Languages: Keshe and Sali

• Class Restrictions: Cannot be Barbarians