Adûriand's Tale

I was born in the spring of 115 years ago, in the year (waiting on GM information) by Elvish reckoning, in the tree-town known to outsiders as "Ivory Circle," which is the rendering into the Common speech of its true Elvish name, Dún-abêth.

My parents, Lagioniel Glamnor dol Húrin (more or less translated, "Keeper of the Flame," our name for the writers, rememberers, and teachers of the lore humans call "history") and Fëanlomë Nenëa raised me. I will explain here what elves have explained to outsiders for time out of mind, and I certainly shall again, for I choose for a time to live amongst outsiders. In Dún-abêth, an elvish daughter takes her mother's family name, and a son takes his father's. We think this is fairer than the human way of names passing through the male line only, or in some societies, the female line only. The Elvish way gives families that have all daughters (or all sons) a chance, because if a father has no sons or a mother no daughters, usually one of their grandchildren will choose, out of respect, to carry on the name. However, since human family lines are of no great importance to us, except where Elf-friends or rulers that affect us are involved, and since even when it is important it is enough to know (for which we have dollae Húrin), we do not care about their customs as long as our own are respected. Only, since I will live now among outsiders, I feel it is necessary to explain that there is nothing improper about having my mother's family name.

We understand, however, how the humans' system works. There have been rare times when an entire elvish family took either the father's or the mother's family name. This is invariably a sign of great respect - ordinarily, even the children of kings and queens take their names in the usual way. Those who are so respected are usually also great in the minds of the dollae Húrin.

Though I have my mother's name, and it was my mother's brother who first taught me metalwork, my father's family is important in my life as well. It was my father's sister who gave me my first lessons in magic, and my father who convinced me to write of my journeys among outsiders. It did not really take much to convince me, for he raised me to respect the lore of the dollae Húrin; he had only to explain that, as I had chosen to live among outsiders as few elves do, my understanding of outsiders might be of value. While I do not believe I shall be a dol Húrin myself, as one of only a few elves soon to live among outsiders, my book may be found worthy of being kept in the Hall of Lore, which humans would call a library, and that would be enough for me; and, my father would be well thought of if his child were so honored - though I may not be the one to bring my family the greatest respect in that way: my oldest brother has been studying the lore of the dollae Húrin for a quarter-century now, and will be examined, before I return, to see if he is worth of the half-century apprenticeship that will give him a place among the dollae Húrin. Our father is certain that my brother will pass.

My sisters, twins, also have helped our family to be well thought of. Celeëa, older by a few minutes, is an aíl Rúëa, or truthseer, and Fëanúya also has studied magic with our aunt. Celeëa saw in a vision that the tree-town Dún-oniel was in danger from the dragon that lives in the mountain nearby. Fëanúya was able to teleport them both to Dún-oniel, and to help the mages construct a shield against fire. They are staying until a treaty with the dragon is settled upon.

So, while we are not among the most wealthy of the elves of Dún-abêth, and not likely thought of very often by most, when we are thought of it is fairly well. I am the youngest and my mother believes I shall remain so for all of my days, and perhaps I leave because I have so much to live up to and do not see any ordinary way to do so. Therefore, my horse Cailenin (or Prancefoot) and I are setting out to the town of Bizhenmere, where I will somehow learn more of the craft of smithing from the dwarves and learn whatever else I can from living among outsiders. When I have learned enough of that is value, or if I am needed and learn of it, I will return home to Dún-abêth - and then we shall see.