issued a pathfinder. Even then, certain pathways are restricted, and the color of the crystal determines where the light will go.
A TALENT-BASED SOCIETY:
All elves share the same language and culture—and pay no heed to physical appearance or financial stature. And yet, division still exists in their world, between those with special abilities and those without. As a result, the Lost Cities can generally be broken down into three primary social groups: the nobility, the working class, and the Talentless (though there are some elves who fall into none of those categories). The nobility is primarily composed of those with the most useful special abilities. The working class is primarily composed of those with the more “niche” abilities. And the Talentless are those without abilities. Of the three groups, only the Talentless face any social scorn or social restrictions, including what jobs are available to them and who they’re allowed to marry.
GUIDE TO LEAPING CRYSTALS
COLOR
GOES TO
USED BY
CLEAR
The Lost Cities
Everyone
BLUE
The Forbidden Cities
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility
YELLOW
The Neutral Territories
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility
BLACK
The Gateway to Exile (and other places, depending on how the magsidian is cut)
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility—though the Neverseen have been seen using them
GREEN
Ravagog (and other ogre-related locations)
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility
OPALESCENT PINK
Unknown locations (These crystals are said to have added security measures)
Restricted to members of the Black Swan
PURPLE
Unknown locations
Restricted to members of the Black Swan
ORANGE
Marintrylla (and other troll-related locations)
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility
RED
Gildingham (and other goblin-related locations)
Restricted to the Council and authorized members of the nobility
SWIRLED WHITE, SILVER, & GOLD
Uses the power of the Prime Sources
Restricted to the Council
AN UNEXPECTED ELEMENT OF CONTROL:
Because of their ageless appearance (and indefinite life spans), the elves adopted a system of matchmaking in order to ensure that distant relatives weren’t unintentionally marrying. And since special abilities play such a vital role in elvin society, the matchmakers (whose motto is, “Progress, Prosperity, Permanence, and Proliferation”) also strive to create couples with the greatest genetic advantage—and the best chance of producing talented offspring. Everyone can register for the match once they turn fourteen (though they can also choose to wait). And once registered, they’re given an extensive packet to fill out in order to determine their wants and needs. Packets can be turned in anytime (though many use the final exam period at Foxfire as an arbitrary deadline), and the matchmakers take an entire year to review the information. Nothing else influences their decision (despite the choice some young elves make to wear “crush cuffs”—cloth bracelets embroidered with their crush’s name—in the hope of catching their matchmaker’s attention). The first match list can be retrieved after the year is up (but again, waiting is an option) and contains one hundred of the top matches, which are meant to be whittled down using Winnowing Galas. If no “match” is found, a second list with another hundred matches can be retrieved, as well as a third, fourth, and fifth list. (A minimum of one month must pass between each list.) After the fifth, no additional lists are provided. Anyone who marries someone not on their lists is branded a “bad match” and faces significant social consequences. And if a “good match” ends up unsuccessful, the couple may file a “match-fail”—though such an event is incredibly rare. Even rarer is someone “unmatchable”—though it has happened in a case where vital genetic information was missing from the file. And while most comply with the matchmaking system, some elves are uncomfortable with the biases it promotes and decline participation.
A CHOICE OF SURNAME:
Last names aren’t arbitrarily passed from one generation to the next. Rather, each couple decides which surname to adopt, generally opting for the name that carries the most prestige.
A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FAMILY:
Most elves only have one child, believing their genetics grow weaker with each additional birth. And children from multiple births tend to face a tremendous amount of scorn, with many expecting the children to be either Talentless or otherwise troublesome.
THE NOBILITY
RULING THE LOST CITIES IS a daunting responsibility. As a result, the Council created the nobility to share parts of their workload—which is why special abilities are required for any noble position. Graduation from Foxfire Academy is also mandatory, as is making an oath of obedience and loyalty to the Council.
Members of the nobility most commonly bear the title of Lord or Lady (though certain appointments come with the titles of Dame,