Elves
Elven societies are among the oldest in Adynía, appearing around the same time as those of humans in central Adynía. Since these two people interacted quite a bit early in history, many elves have some distant human ancestry without realizing it. Both populations spread early on throughout the world in waves, but nowadays most elven ethnicities are found in western and southern Adynía.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Elves are closely related to humans, so they generally share same basic anatomy and variation in terms of size and shape, to the point that its hard to see any difference from afar.
The only noticeable feature that differentiates elves from humans are their pointed ears.
The only noticeable feature that differentiates elves from humans are their pointed ears.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Elven population is densest in the western and southern parts of Adynía, most notably the woodlands of Núrak, the Sjorgús Mountains, the Þatal Plains and Marissía.
Notable elven populations are also found in the western Nemirkía and Faron.
Notable elven populations are also found in the western Nemirkía and Faron.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
In terms of magical abilities, elves are able to use magic with greater precision than other Adyníans, such as focusing their magic on the exact spot needed to heal someone.
However, elves also generally more sensitive to arcane energies, meaning that being hit with magic causes them greater pain and recovering their magical reserves takes longer than, say, a human.
However, elves also generally more sensitive to arcane energies, meaning that being hit with magic causes them greater pain and recovering their magical reserves takes longer than, say, a human.
Civilization and Culture
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
A common, though not universal feature in elven cultures is a focus on snakes, horses, the moon, springs, caves and mountains.
Common Myths and Legends
Elven cultures often have a vaguely Persian (and other Iranian peoples'), Armenian and ancient Anatolian feel to them
Related Ethnicities
I liked your "minimalist" approach to elves. Almost humans, except a little bit of magical affinity. One could say that would make more sense to count them as humans. A different ethnic group. The pointy ears are not more noticeable than the different skin tone and shape of nose and lips from one ethnicity to another. Not so far ago there was still serious academic debates about if humans where all descendants from the same group of anthropoids or perhaps our common ancestor was far away in the past and what should be called "humanity" evolved independently in different places and times. Genetics closed the door of many discussions in real world, as far as I understand the subject. I have this "Multiverse" thing going on, and that allowed me to play a bit with this matter of definition of species. Humans, elves, lizard-folk, squirrels, etc, evolve in different Universes and isn't always clear if some group recently arrived through the Vortex is of the same specie of others who are already on Sharitarn or not. Humanity being dominant on Sharitarn_ and inclined to favour those seemed as kin_ there is some advantage in be classified as human. However, elves are a unique exception regarding classification, because in my setting elves always know each other. No matter how they look like, no elf can be in contact with another elf and mistake this person's nature. Nor be in contact with someone who is not an elf and pretending to be one and not to feel that's an impostor. Because of that variated background my elves ended being a mixed lot, some from advanced technological civilizations, others very primitive, some with endless lifespan others just a dozen centuries or so. Like your elves all of them do have some natural inclination for magiclike powers. However, I lost the chance to paint a more characteristic cultural personality for the elves: they are a mix of conflicting references. Your mention to Persian, Armenian and Anatolian "feel" called my attention. Thinking about, it makes sense considering that being "ancient" is an important part of elven portfolio in fantasy. In Tolkien they are the first-born race (discounting the dwarves, who shouldn't even exist according to the original plan). However, I had not considered this yet. To me elves had a general Norse aesthetic, with Chinese-ish manners. (the first perhaps make more sense than the second?)