Elven Courts

The Elven courts are ancient assemblies of high-ranking Elven leaders that, in ancient times, would rotate authority over their people. There were several Elven Courts in ancient times, and each court held sway over a different aspect of Elven life:

Court of Winter
The winter court was a small court dedicated to internal resource management, they were the bureaucrats and were also in charge of disaster relief and mitigation.

Unfortunately, this Court eventually became rife with corruption after the rift in opinion over the treatment of humankind during the winter everseasons, and after disagreements arose regarding the relations with humans given their misuse of nature and animals, they attempted to a coup on the Summer court. The winter court almost succeeded was exiled and

Court of Summer
The summer court was the primary ruling government, the politicians and public figures. They ruled the elves in time of prosperity and were the most skilled at handling internal disputes and cultural development. Though the Winter court tried to overthrow them, they were unsuccessful and the Summer Court banished them for their betrayal of both Elves and Men.

The summer court now rules permanently over the Elven kingdom, to some resistance due to the belief that the system needs to just be restarted, not discarded due to failure.

Court of Devils
The court of Devils would take over the government in times of defense in war, a sort of martial law, and has only been used a few times. Otherwise all of the Elven armies would march under the Court of Devil's banner. Elven armies were feared for their battle prowess and frightful appearance on the battlefield.

After the events of the great Purge, the Court of Devils fell apart when otherworldly corruption spread within its ranks, leading to many necromancers and warlock of vile intention within the Court, and it was voluntarily disbanded.

It is rumored that the House of Wolves culled hundreds of elves from this court in one night after they voluntarily disbanded, sending any remaining detractors fleeing for their lives from the elven empire. It is also rumored that any remaining Court of Devils members are plotting their revenge against the Elves from their hiding places.

Court of Wolves
The court of wolves were the ruling power during the hunting seasons, and were in charge of maintaining the kingdom's food stores and organizing the great hunts. They also ruled during the festival seasons in spring and fall. Their yearly time in becoming operating government was short, but allowed them time to enact laws and tariffs that regulated power within the government, grew the Elven infrastructure, and establish anti-corruption safeguards.

The court of Wolves were always hunting something, either beasts in the forest, or detractors from within the kingdom, rooting out corruption and even using assassins to establish peace and safety. for all elves.

The court of wolves was eventually dismantled after the Silent Fang assassins turned on themselves for an unknown reason, leaving the house exposed and unable to fully function, their responsibilities and obligations wer absorbed by the Summer court. Rumors say the Winter Court was to blame and feared the Silent Fang since their court was so rife with corruption, and were able to remove this threat entirely.

Court of Earth
The court of Earth were the spiritual leaders of the Elven kingdom, and would only rule during times of Elven religious festivals and holidays. The court of earth performs rituals and funeral rites, and is the charitable power within the kingdom, feeding the sick and poor, helping them to learn trades and earn wages.

Elven culture didn't have 'Churches' but instead were just known as 'courts'. These spiritual courts would be a simple circular construction of natural materials, never worked for aesthetics. Usually a circle of growing trees or natural standing stones, elves could gather here to present offerings and prayers to the elven gods.

It is rumored among Earth court's historians that the ancient elves would regularly convene directly with their gods in these courts, but many believe that to be just a tale.