#chartedworlds: Aedd Gynvael

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HC: TALE OF VALATHAAN

I’ve already explained this in another headcanon, but Valathaan’s name was derived from an old elfling folktale with a character of the same name. It has come to mean “bright moon.” 

The story starts off with a young elfling alive in the early days of the Earth when the skies were close to the ground. Without the stars and moon “created” yet, he was saddened and petrified by the darkness of night, lighting up candles and placing them up in the vast void above. As each day passed, the skies began drifting further away due to gusts of wind until, eventually, he was no longer able to reach it and re-light them. It broke his heart. He felt the candles, or his stars, were too far away now, their fires fading without his care. With time, they all went out, and he cried in his fear.

Wanting to fix this, Valathaan built a small boat, leaped inside, and sailed away from the darkness of Earth and past the clouds where his beloved stars lied. There, he reli all the candles and one more, this time housed inside a lantern, and perched it into the sky. This was the birth of the moon. Happy he was no longer shrouded in darkness, he decided he did not want to return to the Earth, for if he did, there would be no one to make sure the candles would not go out. So it’s in the skies where he remains, making sure that there’s always a light in the darkness.

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HC: HEBOG RHYFELW

The hebog rhyfelw, or falcon warriors, were a group of soldiers of Aedd Gynvael, and their their name can be taken quite literally: they were falconers and also warriors. 

Able to tame birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, kites, or owls, they were then trained and used for a multitude of purposes such as hunting--the main method of obtaining food in their cold climate--communication such as the passing of messages; scouting the land as a sort of border control, locating possible enemies; and, lastly, warfare. In the old wars between dwarves and elves, the hebog rhyfelw were indispensable for Aedd Gynvael. Their birds, sent soaring through the sky, would be able to spot dwarves and return to their masters, relaying their enemy’s location. They were also used to disorient and disorganize the opposing force, swooping low among them in combat, and if large and powerful enough, were even commanded to attack. 

Many times, the hebog rhyfelw tended to their own specific bird, highly bonded. However, they were not limited to one. The falcon warriors were also birdcallers and, be it the nature of elves, had a special affinity for animals. When making a bird call, many of these winged creatures would flock to them from the trees or mountains awaiting a message or command. Many times, the one bird the soldier had specifically bonded with lived nearby among the wild, too, where it is said it would call upon others of its kind should its “master” (though it should be noted they were regarded as something of equals, and it was not a mere owner-pet relationship) call for them. 

Some even believed all the birds near Aedd Gynvael were working with the Aen Seidhe there, as though all spies. Enemies thought none could be trusted. 

Valathaan hails, from his father’s side, from a line of hebog rhyfelw and was taught by his father how to birdcall and use birds to hunt and communicate. He, however, is not a falcon warrior and, though able to wield a bow, is far from a soldier. 

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HC: AEDD GYNVAEL WEDDINGS

During Belleteyn, an old elven fertility festival that occurs on the night of the May Eve, “tying the knot” was extremely popular–mindbogglingly so. To the Aen Seidhe of Aedd Gynvael, however, it wasn’t just this day when the number of marriages soared. 

FULL MOON

Typical of the customs here, many ceremonies were held during the nights of a full moon. Not only did they believe that this lunar phase symbolically represented new beginnings (to them, what we know as the new moon was actually viewed as the end of the cycle not unlike winter), and thus the couple’s new life together, but they also thought that unions during this time were blessed with abundance and fullness of life and love. Because the moon is at its brightest at this moment, it was believed that its great, silvery light would shine upon the couple and illuminate their path through hardships. 

Conversely, marriages during what we know as new moons were considered bad omens. Darkness was said to befall the newly weds and, through toil, they would struggle more than necessary.

POLAR STAR

The moon wasn’t all, though. Even if through grave misfortune they were to tie the knot when the moon was black and hidden, they still had hope to rely on one thing: the polar star. Because it is a fixed star, unmoving as the rest of the constellations are destined to revolve, it was thought to represent lifelong love and an unbreakable bond. Additionally, it was a common sentiment to think of one’s partner as the North Star because it always led one back home, and so in turning to your lover would you always find where you belong. 

During ceremonies, it was customary for one of the pair, commonly the new wife, to walk, eyes closed, guided by their soon-to-be spouse. They would then open their eyes to the North Star, pinpointed by their love, once they are told to do so, and so the story goes that they will then, forever and always, be bound for life, never to be lost or adrift.

SNOW

Because of its purity, it was thought that light snowfall was another sign of happiness and prosperity to come. Since Aedd Gynvael is situated so far north and cold (its climate is similar to north Sweden which typically experiences an average of 55 Fahrenheit or 13 Celsius during its hottest month), this phenomena is not uncommon. 

TOINA RIVER

The importance of the Toina cannot go unwritten. Since the city was built over this river, they viewed it as a giver, providing for them water, the very stuff of life when all else froze over, and many weddings occurred beside it. A popular tradition was for those attending the ceremony to set down offerings onto the Toina because then “all good things would flow to the couple.” Laying candles on small paper-like boats was said to help light up and guide these offerings to the gods in case the stars and moon were ever hidden. The gods, pleased, would grant the newly weds good fortune.

EXCHANGE AND VOWS

Working a bit off of @scoiakrol‘s headcanon on a Valentine’s Day-like holiday called Lathanna Minne, the prospective newly weds did not exchange rings, but one, usually the husband, was to bestow upon his wife a garland of flowers, flowers both her favorite and, according to legend, were used by the aen saevherne for love incantations. However, because Aedd Gynvael’s climate could not foster a wide variety of flowers for long, it was very common to use the sprigs of evergreens. Over time, it came to develop its own heartfelt meaning: their love, like the evergreens, would be eternal and undying. 

Once the groom placed the garlands of evergreens upon his bride’s head, in the moonlight and after finding the Pole Star, they would exchange vows and promises then kiss. They did not do so on the lips, though, which was saved for consummation, but the groom would kiss the bride’s forehead while hand-in-hand. Meanings were tied to these. A kiss on the forehead represented sharing one mind and coming to all decisions together; the vows was sharing every thought and feeling, for nothing will be kept secret; and holding hands represented unity, that everything they do, they’d do together, unbreakable in their connection.

MAGIC AND MOONLIGHT

Magic was a near-indispensable part of these ceremonies.

In truth, even before the marriages ever take place, it was tradition for a serious couple to see an oneiromancer, sources who were largely revered and admired by the elves of Aedd Gynvael. The source would interpret the two’s shared dreams and reveal to them the good and/or bad omens that may await them in their union. Many then determined whether or not to continue their relationship, depending on the nature of the omen, or end it.

During the actual ceremony, a source often led the couple into the center of the moonlight. Around them were to be several candles that, traditionally, were to be lit only by the magic of the mage whose mystical power and flames were to ward off evil spirits, curses, and creatures, keeping the couple safe from bad luck and harm. The source, too, would have in their possession crystals that, after the couple’s exchange of vows and promises, would catch and be infused with the moonlight of the night they married under. This crystal would shine then on, trapped within the silver glow of the full moon.

Sometimes the husband and wife chose to leave their crystals untouched as the night they married. Many, however, chose to fashion them into pendants or rings to carry with them at all times. This way, with them no matter where they were even when apart, their love remained as the North Star and shined light in the darkness both literally and figuratively.

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HC: FOLKLORE

@adellaenchanted: what’s like the elf equivalent of beedle the bard keke. and what stories did valathaan relate to most as a little kid

Cool question! I actually can't speak for the elf lore in Witcher, specifically of the Aen Seidhe, mostly because I don’t want to interfere with other people’s interpretations and portrayals, but I like to imagine that certain tribes/communities had their own unique tales and culture not unlike how it works in the real world. So, in particular, I’ll be focusing on the elves of Aedd Gynvael, which I more or less just tried to flesh out myself with a ton of headcanon.

1. Was there an equivalent of Beedle the Bard? In Aedd Gynvael, not specifically, no. Rather, much of the elfling stories were told by elders and parents who passed on what they heard growing up to the young. Many do not know who the original storytellers even are as most of the popular tales were spread orally rather than through text. Furthermore, I imagine the elves of Aedd Gynvael share a lot of tales other Aen Seidhe had with only perhaps slight variations as their people concentrated to a specific area.  

2. A story Valathaan related most to as an elfling? That’s an interesting question. I actually thought about this before! It would be The Tale of Valathaan (where he got his name). 

The story starts off with a young elfling alive in the early days of the Earth when the skies were close to the ground. Without the stars and moon “created” yet, he was saddened and petrified by the darkness of night, lighting up candles and placing them up in the vast void above. As each day passed, the skies began drifting further away due to gusts of wind until, eventually, he was no longer able to reach it and re-light them. It broke his heart. He felt the candles, or his stars, were too far away now, their fires fading without his care. With time, they all went out, and he cried in his fear. 

Wanting to fix this, Valathaan built a small boat, leaped inside, set the sails, and soared away from the darkness of Earth and through the clouds where his beloved stars lied. There, he lit another candle, this time housed inside a lantern, and perched it into the sky. This was the birth of the moon. Happy he was no longer shrouded in darkness, he decided he did not want to return to the Earth, for if he did, there would be no one to make sure the candles would not go out. So it’s in the skies where he remains, making sure that there’s always a light in the darkness. 

As to why Valathaan loved this story so much as an elfling, one could probably say it’s because he shares the same name as the protagonist, but that’s not it (if anything, he disliked sharing the character’s name for a long, long time). He loved the story because the young one left his world, travelling the great expanse of the skies above. He entered a realm no one else ever did, and he was the first to sail it. This appeals to Valathaan quite a bit, for his greatest desire as an elfling was to leave the small surroundings of Aedd Gynvael, traversing the unknown and charting worlds no one else has ever before seen. In many ways, Valathaan still has this old dream, though he looks back at the old story with a fond, if not slightly embarrassed, smile. 

Aside from The Tale of Valathaan is the popular tale of the full moon on the lunar perigee, connected heavily to their holiday the Embrace of the Moon (explained in some detail here). A canon ancient elven story concerns how the city of Aedd Gynvael got its name. It is said that a Winter Queen moved through the snowy lands during a monstrious blizzard, her sleigh drawn by pale-white horses. In her wake of violent winds were shards of ice that, upon piercing a person, would fill them with emptiness for all eternity, making it so that nothing would grant them happiness but the cold ice and snow. In their cursed state, they then wandered the world in search of her. Many used this tale to warn little elflings not to stray too far. They did not know that the Winter Queen was actually the Wild Hunt.

There are other tales, too, but I can’t imagine I’d be spending years thinking of Aedd Gynvael folklore. 

Head’s up: In my mind, Valathaan’s name means “bright moon.” His parents named him that after the story because he lights up the darkness around them.

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HC: EMBRACE OF THE MOON

The Embrace of the Moon, the day when a full moon occurs during the lunar perigee, was a holiday the elves of Aedd Gynvael celebrated. During this time, alcohol flowed continuously and the city was alive, the people dining and dancing under the moonlight as songs and music echoed softly through the night. It was during this time that many also believed that oneiromancers were at their strongest and dreams more likely to reveal important future events. As such, though active celebration occurred, many sought the aid of these diviners to give them insight on things to come.  

The Embrace of the Moon was a time to reflect, mend, forgive, and forge new bonds, as the full moon was looked upon as the start of a new cycle (not the new moon, which they traditionally viewed as the end not unlike winter). It is because of this reasoning that elven unions were prevalent during this holiday--the couple believed they were beginning a new life together, represented by the new lunar phase, and that the moon, being the closest and brightest to them at this time, would better guide them and wash away hardships (since the tides are at their highest). Gift giving was also done.

There are special stories, traditions, and treats, similar to mooncakes, tied to the holiday. One of the most popular tales is about how Eryhr, an eagle-shaped constellation, flapped its wings and blew the moon so close to the Earth so that a weary, heart-broken traveler could reach out, climb its surface, and be reunited with his loved one where they have remained ever since. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was unusual to see any form of light other than that of the night sky. It was even looked down upon if one lit up too many lanterns or candles as it was thought that, in doing so, one was trying to “outshine” the moon when it was at its brightest. Most elves fully opened their windows and doors during these few days and some even believed they were allowing good fortune in.