The Sidhe are half-divine
immortal creatures. Elemental serpent forces made flesh by the magic unleashed
in a war between the Fir Bolg and Anu. Most of these serpent creatures have
adopted forms similar to those of the old Fir Bolg, allowing them to move around
the surface of Goria. These ones are called elves and they are proud and
decadent. Serving the elves are many other elementals such as the drakes, which
have retained a serpent form. The elves are a declining race though, and they
have been forced to dilute their immortal bloodline by interbreeding with Gaels.
This has swelled their numbers, but successive generations have less and less
control over the elemental forces that make the elves such a force to be
reckoned with.
The Sidhe are sophisticated by the standards of Goria, and have organised their
communities along feudal lines ruled by an aristocratic elite since they were
first awakened. Each of the great Sidhe houses corresponds to one of the
elements of the world, and whilst they present a united front to external
threats, internecine divisions rack them. Under the umbrella of the great houses
there is a complex hierarchy of lesser barons, dukes, countesses and so on, each
with their own household, personal army, and agenda for climbing the courtly
hierarchy. Whilst it is very rare for Sidhe houses to go to war on one another,
the tensions of their feudal society sometimes erupt into Sidhe against Sidhe
violence. A state of affairs that can be ill afforded by an immortal people to
whom no children are naturally born.
The Sidhe are all now concentrated in the western mountain ranges of Goria, and
in adjacent regions such as Ariant Forest, Ór-Gearraidh, and the Hidden Forest.
They also occupy western coastal regions and the
islands off them. Running down the spine of the Great Western Divide, the Sidhe
have constructed the greatest fortification Goria has ever known—Ridgeworld.
Potent elemental magic was used in its construction, and the
ancient Sidhe that made it acquired the aid of greater elemental creatures. This
was the last great act of unity and co-operation achieved by the various houses
of the elves.
In their imposing fortresses the Sidhe are practically unassailable, but they
are forced to sortie out from these to capture Gael breeding stock. The Gaels
live in the east though, so the Sidhe must cross dangerous lands populated by
many enemies. But the Sidhe are superior fighters, their serpent reflexes and
fine bows making them good hand-to-hand fighters and archers. They also have
superb cavalry mounts in the form of drakes, which are faster and more ferocious
than any other races’ cavalry. Perhaps the most dangerous creatures in the Sidhe
army are the sorcerers, ancient elves so steeped in elemental magic that they
can assume terrifying serpent forms for battle, combining potent magic with raw,
primal ferocity.
