I see Elothean culture coming largely from Asian cultures, Japanese mainly, with some Chinese. That means that personally I've always thought of the shakuhachi and hichiriki as the two main instruments in game that evoke Elothean culture.
As for instruments that do not currently exist in DR, I know a certain Elothean Bard who has been dying for a guqin or a guzheng (Chinese zithers), and there's also the koto, the Japanese zither. For myself, I've always wanted a biwa but made do with the lute since they are essentially the same. I don't know as much about Asian percussion instruments but some of those would be welcome too.
I should also clarify that I see Aesry as a very Asian inspired Elothean home, but Ilithi as a more Western/fantasy interpretation. The diamondique gates, the many spires, the "floating" nature over the river, all speak to a highly intellectual and magical society, which makes sense given Elothean strengths. It is from this culture that I would expect to see some of the magical instruments I mentioned previously in Bard threads, such as floating orbs that glow in different colors. Other ideas: Long crystal flutes that produce chiming tones, glittering percussive sand, throaty wind-based pipes.
- Navesi
