Maydarin Elves

The Maydarin are a much more free-spirited people then the rest of the elven races. Many consider their Taydarin cousins close-minded and stiff-necked toward many things, but at the same time they are respected for their knowledge and adherence to the "old ways". They cherish their Syndarin cousins because they maintain what some Maydarin refer to as the "true ways," the ways taught the original elves by the original elven gods. Many Maydarin nobles send their young sons and daughters to learn from the 'Green' elves. Most Maydarin believe that the Naydarin elves are an abomination and should be hunted down and exterminated, or at the very least banished from Ghoraja Juun. There is a small, but growing faction of young Maydarin's whose attitude toward their Shadow elf cousins and believe that they should be given the benefit of the doubt or at least a chance to redeem themselves and return to their true people. Their Eridarin cousins are considered a bit of an oddity, but over the past few centuries relations with the 'Blue' elves has greatly improved.

The Maydarin's have a much more open attitude toward humans and the other demi-human races than the other elven peoples. Humans in particular intrigue them, and Maydarins over the years have adopted many human customs. Halflings are generally welcomed in most Maydarin communities, Dwarves are accepted but their is always an air of suspicion regarding the stout folk. Dagaat and Kaardon are generally not trusted, though most Maydarin's would be inclined to deal first with the 'flat-noses' rather than the 'rats'.

Maydarin elves have tried to take the proverbial best of both worlds. That is, they take great pride in their elven heritage but seek to temper this some of the human 'lust for life.' Their craftsman take great pride in their work, but would rather finish the item in a reasonable amount of time and try something new, than spend years crafting a single item. Of course their are those Maydarin's who do follow the 'old' or 'true' ways

Maydarin artwork covers a wide spectrum, though they do tend to lean toward more traditional elven subjects; plants, animals, knot work, etc. Maydarin poetry and song also vary greatly, the have great, lengthy epics as well more contemporary styles. They have adopted and/or enhanced many human songs and poems. Maydarin music is much more lively than their cousins, using all manor of instruments, with lutes, pipes and harps being most common.

Maydarin dress is again a mix of cultures and styles. Older Maydarin's tend to dress in the traditional elven robes and mantles. Younger elves dress in whatever suits their fancy, often a mix of traditional elven and the latest human fashions.

One area in which they adhere strictly to traditional elven ways is in the crafting of weapons and armor. Weapon and armor smiths often spend years crafting special pieces, they will often let a piece sit for years unfinished and take up other projects while contemplating the next stage in the crafting of the item.

Religion is as an important part in the day-to-day lives of Maydarin's as it is for any race. Though the fallout from the Gods Fall Wars caused serious complications in the religious community. Though Elvaara is venerated as the patron of all elves, their are still those who worship the Seldarine. Other deities of the Ythrak Nyn, mainly Hurdaan, Iridala and Droghaan, are slowly gaining popularity among more forward thinking Maydarins. As with most elven culture, crafted items, poems, songs and the like are often dedicated to the crafters chosen deity. Religious ceremonies can range from the very somber to almost complete chaos.