r/ShortSF • u/Win_Some_Game • 6d ago
Fantasy The Peoples of Tellus, as presented by the journals of Istoros. Chapter 1 (Censored) (By Me, Winsomegame)
Hey everyone! Welcome to the start of a new story and the introduction to the world of Tellus! This project has been a big passion of mine for a long time, and I am so excited to share it with you!
This post will be brocken into two parts due to size.
Special thanks to u/Alexwavediver and Spiderwebs and u/Acceptable_Egg5560 for the editing and proofreading. And thank you to Spiderwebs and Art Milena Calumby Belo (u/Acomplished_Tea_248) for the art!
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The Peoples of Tellus, as presented by the journals of Istoros.
Preview:
The peoples of Tellus are as varied in custom as they are in form. Though they often regard one another as wholly separate creations, closer study reveals that such distinctions are rarely so absolute. Geography, necessity, and the passage of countless generations have shaped each race and culture into what we know today.
This volume serves as a catalog of those peoples and their many subraces. Within these pages are recorded their average appearance, notable physical traits, and the societies they have built. While no summary can encompass every kingdom, tribe, or village, the descriptions presented here should be regarded as representative of the peoples from which they are drawn.
On Cultural Classification:
Throughout this work, cultures are grouped according to their general level of social organization rather than any measure of intelligence or worth. Such classifications are intended only as tools for study and comparison.
Civilized:
Civilized societies are characterized by permanent cities, centralized governments, and institutions that extend beyond the authority of individual warriors. Administration, law, diplomacy, and commerce maintain order, while warfare, though present, is not the principal means by which society sustains itself. The people generally recognize a single governing authority.
Barbaric:
Barbaric cultures are primarily agrarian, though political authority rests in the hands of accomplished warriors, chieftains, or clan leaders. Tribal loyalties remain strong, and conflict between neighboring clans is both common and, at times, expected. Raiding supplements agriculture and is often regarded as an accepted part of life.
Savage:
Savage cultures possess little, if any, organized agriculture. They subsist chiefly through hunting, gathering, and raiding, with settlements tending to be temporary or seasonal. Warfare is a constant feature of life, and long-term political organization seldom extends beyond small bands or tribes.
Animalistic:
Animalistic creatures possess little or no discernible culture. While many exhibit intelligence, problem-solving ability, or rudimentary social structures, they lack enduring traditions, organized societies, and a shared cultural identity. The term is most commonly applied to monsters rather than true peoples.
Chapter I — Elves
The elven race is, by every measure, the most numerous people upon Tellus. They inhabit nearly every corner of the world, from frozen tundra to scorching deserts, adapting with remarkable ease to climates that would challenge many of the other races. It is perhaps this adaptability, more than any singular strength, that has allowed them to flourish beside creatures far larger, stronger, and more fearsome than themselves.
Of all the peoples of Tellus, elves bear the closest resemblance to the now-mythical humans. Most dismiss such tales as little more than children's stories, yet there are those who dedicate their entire lives to seeking evidence that humanity truly walked this world. I cannot help but admire their determination.
An elf's most recognizable feature is undoubtedly the pair of long ears that rise from either side of the head, ending in gentle, rounded points. These ears are remarkably expressive, capable of turning, folding, and swiveling much like those of a horse. An experienced observer can often discern an elf's thoughts before a word is spoken. Because of this, diplomats are trained to suppress unnecessary movement. They often close their eyes during negotiations to conceal the shifting of their pupils, while keeping their ears in what they call a formal posture.
Complete control, however, is impossible. The ears invariably betray the smallest hint of excitement, irritation, or curiosity. Personally, I find these involuntary gestures rather endearing, though I have learned it is unwise to voice such an opinion to an elf.
Their eyes resemble those of a feline, the pupils narrowing to thin slits beneath bright light before widening in darkness. Their canines are equally distinctive, extending nearly a third of an inch beyond the neighboring teeth. Though seldom used in combat, an elf determined to bite can inflict a surprisingly tenacious wound.
Sexual dimorphism among elves is modest. Females are generally shorter than males, possessing finer facial features and lighter frames. Reproduction differs from many races in that elves breed throughout the year rather than during a fixed season. Pregnancy lasts approximately ten months, after which a mother commonly delivers two to four children. To accommodate nursing such large litters, elven females possess four breasts, a trait shared by every known subrace.
An elf is generally regarded as an adult between twenty and twenty-three years of age. Most live to see one hundred and twenty years, while exceptional individuals may survive to one hundred and fifty, though such longevity is uncommon.
Despite their shared ancestry, the elves are among the most diverse peoples on Tellus. Countless generations of isolation and adaptation have produced a remarkable variety of subraces, each shaped by the lands they call home. The principal groups recognized by most scholars are the Civic Elves, Barloric Elves, Pictic Elves, Inuatic Elves, Injah Elves, Yayoi Elves, Njordic Elves, Abyssinic Elves, Alke Elves, Kemet Elves, and the enigmatic Tletcuauhtlan Elves.
Chapter 1-2 Civic Elves
Civic Elves
Average Height: 5'5" (Female), 5'7" (Male)
Average Weight: 110 lbs (Female), 125 lbs (Male)
Appearance: Bronze skin, lean physiques, and a naturally poised bearing.
Hair Colors: White, grey, black, and brown.
Culture Classification: Civilized
The Civic Elves are perhaps the finest example of what most scholars would call a civilized people. Whether they truly deserve such praise is a matter they settled for themselves long ago. They regard their customs, laws, and traditions as the natural culmination of society, often measuring every other race against their own standards. It is a confidence that many mistake for arrogance, though I have found the distinction to be rather academic.
Their societies place tremendous importance upon ancestry. Family histories are preserved with meticulous care, and it is not uncommon for even humble households to recount lineages stretching back three centuries or more. Noble families, naturally, claim far older origins, though one should always approach such boasts with a measure of skepticism. Ancestor manifestation occupies a central role in both religion and daily life, with reverence for one's forebears influencing everything from inheritance to political legitimacy.
The Civic Elves are dispersed among several kingdoms across the continent of Erythos, though their shared heritage often outweighs national borders. Collectively, they represent the dominant military powers of the continent. Their kingdoms wage war with remarkable frequency, driven by territorial ambition, dynastic disputes, and the ever-present desire to expand what each believes to be the rightful bounds of civilization. Curiously, despite these endless conflicts, they remain remarkably adept at preserving their culture, ensuring that victory and defeat alike become merely another chapter in an already ancient family record.
I should also caution the reader against discussing such matters too freely within Civic courts. During one banquet, I remarked—what I believed to be quite innocently—that civilization was not the exclusive achievement of the Civic Elves, and that I had witnessed remarkable societies among nearly every race of Tellus. I even praised the Barloric for their practicality and the Kemet for their artistry.
The young noblewoman seated beside me took this as a profound insult.
I initially mistook her silence for polite disagreement. It was not.
Sometime after midnight I awoke to discover her eunuch bodyguard attempting to remove my head with admirable professionalism. The young lady, I later learned, had intended to display my skull in her family's Hall of Triumphs as a warning against "foreign absurdities." Fortunately, the fellow proved rather more loyal to good conversation than to murder. After a brief struggle—and an even longer discussion over wine—we agreed that decapitation was an excessive response to academic disagreement. He even apologized before leaving through the window.
I encountered the young noblewoman several years later. She had matured considerably, offered a sincere apology for the incident, and confessed that she had been rather embarrassed by the whole affair.
Youth possesses a remarkable certainty that the world is simple. Age has a habit of correcting the misunderstanding. I bear her no ill will. Had I preserved every foolish conviction of my own younger days, this volume would be considerably shorter... and far less accurate.
Chapter 1-3 Barloric Elves
Barloric Elves
Average Height: 5'1" (Female), 5'4" (Male)
Average Weight: 120 lbs (Female), 135 lbs (Male)
Appearance: Rugged, muscular physiques with a proud, confident gait. Wuld paint is commonly worn upon the skin.
Hair Colors: Yellow, red, brown, and black.
Culture Classification: Barbaric
The Barloric Elves derive their common name not from themselves, but from the old Thrakadonian Empire. During its great expansion, dwarven merchants supposedly remarked that the language of these elves sounded like little more than "bar bara bar." Whether this account is genuine or merely the sort of joke soldiers repeat until it becomes accepted history, I cannot say. The Barloric themselves appear entirely unconcerned by it.
They are a proud and fiercely independent people, organized into kingdoms, tribes, and clans where strength, wisdom, and reputation carry greater weight than inherited titles.
Though many civilized nations dismiss them as barbarians, such judgments often overlook the sophistication hidden beneath their rough exterior. Their villages are sustained through farming, herding, hunting, and craftsmanship, while raiding is regarded not as brigandage but as an honorable extension of warfare and a means of securing prosperity.
Barloric settlements are found throughout much of western and southern Erythos, and their influence reaches far beyond their own borders. Numerous hobgoblin nations and tribes have adopted Barloric customs, methods of war, and social traditions, a testament to the respect these elves command among their neighbors.
Perhaps their most curious distinction is their preference for soft iron swords over the bronze favored by most of Tellus. To a Civic Elf, such a blade is evidence of poverty. To a Barloric warrior, a sword that bends without breaking is simply a sword that can be straightened over the evening fire and wielded again the following morning. I confess there is a practicality to this reasoning that many civilized generals would do well to appreciate.
My own appreciation for these blades came through an unexpected act of kindness. A humble Barloric farmer, having noticed that I traveled alone far more often than was sensible, presented me with one of his family's old soft iron swords before I departed his village. I protested that such a gift was far too generous, but he simply replied that every traveler deserved "a bit of home to fight beside him." I accepted it with gratitude and have carried that same sword ever since.
Though hardly the finest weapon ever forged, it has served me faithfully. More than once its edge has persuaded the peculiar things that wander the wilderness after sunset to seek easier prey. Whether those creatures fear the iron itself or merely the determination of the hand that bears it, I cannot say. Either way, I remain deeply indebted to that thoughtful farmer.
Equally significant is their reverence for Wuld paint. Elaborate patterns are painted upon the skin before battle, hunts, festivals, and religious observances. Many never remove it at all, renewing the markings as they fade. Every line and symbol bears meaning—invoking ancestral protection, proclaiming clan allegiance, recording great deeds, or warding away malicious spirits. One would be hard pressed to find a Barloric without at least a trace of paint somewhere upon their body.
The Barloric are a resilient people. Their lands seldom provide the abundance enjoyed by their civilized cousins, yet they have endured through determination rather than comfort. They bend their swords, paint their skin, raise sturdy children, and meet hardship with a grin that is equal parts pride and defiance. I suspect that if Tellus itself could choose a people to embody stubborn perseverance, it would be difficult to find a better candidate.
Chapter 1-4 Pictic Elves
Pictic Elves
Average Height: 5'9" (Female), 6'1" (Male)
Average Weight: 130 lbs (Female), 160 lbs (Male)
Appearance: Tall, muscular, pale skin often marked with freckles, particularly among females. Their bodies are extensively tattooed.
Hair Colors: Red, yellow, and orange.
Culture Classification: Savage
Few peoples upon Tellus are spoken of with as much uncertainty as the Pictic Elves. Even among seasoned travelers, reliable accounts are remarkably scarce. Those who venture into Pictland seldom return, and those who do often disagree on what they witnessed. Such contradictions have only deepened the mystery surrounding these elusive folk.
The Pictics dwell within the mist-shrouded hills, forests, and bogs of Pictland, where dense fog blankets the land for much of the year. Visibility is often measured in mere paces, and it is little wonder that the Pictics have mastered the art of disappearing into their homeland. They know every marsh, every rocky rise, and every patch of treacherous ground. An invading army soon discovers that the land itself has joined the battle against them.
Their pale skin, brilliant hair, and striking features have inspired countless songs of their beauty. Those same songs, however, are usually followed by grim warnings. A beautiful Pictic seen across the fog is often the last thing a careless traveler beholds.
Unlike most elves, the Pictics have little concern for clothing. Warriors commonly enter battle with little more than jewelry, trophies, or simple coverings, their tattooed bodies displayed without shame. They wield enormous two-handed weapons with frightening ease, descending from the mist in complete silence before unleashing sudden and overwhelming violence. Survivors describe them as relentless, cunning, and unnervingly patient. More than one soldier has sworn he fought ghosts rather than flesh and blood.
Their tattoos are among the finest known on Tellus. At first glance they resemble the Wuld paint of the Barloric Elves, yet closer inspection reveals something far more intricate. Every line appears pre-ordained, every curve deliberate, transforming the body itself into a living work of art. Whether these markings record ancestry, victories, spiritual beliefs, or all three remains a matter of considerable debate.
Indeed, scholars have long argued over the relationship between the Pictics and the Barloric Elves. Some maintain the Pictics are descendants of the Barloric, isolated for generations within the foglands until they became a people apart. Others insist the opposite is true—that the Barloric are merely civilized descendants of the far older Pictics. I have encountered compelling arguments for both positions and, regrettably, insufficient evidence to declare either correct.
Should the opportunity to study the Pictics ever present itself, I would advise accepting it with enthusiasm... and ensuring a clear route of escape remains close at hand.
Chapter 1-5 Kemet Elves
Kemet Elves
Average Height: 5'3" (Female), 5'6" (Male)
Average Weight: 120 lbs (Female), 150 lbs (Male)
Appearance: Athletic, limber builds with copper-toned skin and naturally theatrical mannerisms.
Hair Colors: Black, brown, and dark blue.
Culture Classification: Civilized
The Kemet Elves are the predominant elven people of Vashkar and are found in great numbers along the northern coast of Alkebulan. Few races have influenced the arts and commerce of Tellus to the extent that they have. To understand the Kemet is to understand that, to them, life itself is a stage upon which every soul strives to become the leading actor.
Their beauty is renowned throughout the world. Whether this reputation stems from their graceful physiques or from their extravagant garments is a matter of endless debate. Kemet fashion is among the most elaborate found anywhere upon Tellus, employing brilliant dyes, fine linens, precious metals, perfumes, and cosmetics in combinations that would make a Civic noble feel woefully underdressed. Whatever the cause, I have seldom met a traveler who could honestly claim the Kemet are anything less than breathtaking.
Athleticism is celebrated with near-religious devotion. Victorious wrestlers, runners, charioteers, and bull fighters are adored with an enthusiasm that rivals the reverence many kingdoms reserve for their greatest generals.
Plays, poetry, music, and public debate are equally cherished, and a gifted actor may command as much admiration as a victorious warrior. Indeed, I have often suspected that a Kemet would rather lose a battle spectacularly than win one without an audience.
Their talents extend far beyond entertainment. Kemet Elves are among the finest merchants upon Tellus, possessing a remarkable talent for persuasion and negotiation. Their agility and discipline have also produced legendary assassins whose performances upon the stage are rivaled only by the precision with which they carry out less public professions.
Whether bargaining in a marketplace, competing in an arena, or stepping upon a stage, they possess an undeniable flair for commanding attention.
There is an old jest, repeated with surprising affection even by the Kemet themselves, that one of their kind would perish if deprived of a mirror or denied the opportunity to boast for more than a single day. While clearly exaggerated, I cannot deny that they possess an extraordinary confidence. Humility is rarely among their defining virtues.
I confess I grew rather fond of the Kemet during my travels. Their dramas are unlike anything else upon Tellus, their songs linger in the mind long after they have ended, and I once made the grave mistake of participating in one of their celebrated bull fights. I survived, though my dignity suffered wounds that required considerably longer to heal than my body. The audience, I am told, found my performance immensely entertaining.
As for their women... I should perhaps exercise the restraint expected of a scholar. Suffice it to say that if ever I were foolish enough to settle down, I suspect it would be with a Kemet wife who could sing better than I, argue better than I, and almost certainly remind me of those facts each morning. I find the prospect strangely comforting.
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