Elf
Elves are people of fey ancestry, long-lived, and known to inhabit places of otherworldly beauty. Be it in ancient forests among trees as old as time itself, or crystal-laden caves deep beneath the surface of the earth, Elves greatly favor places touched by nature.
Basic Information
Anatomy
All Elves are considered humanoids and their size considered medium. Their ears are elongated and their bodies typically taller and more slender than that of a Human. However, this is not to say that all elves are tall and/or thin, as their body types and heights vary as much if not more than other Humanoid species. It has also been found that elves tend to have less or thinner body hair than other humanoids across all sexes.
Children are observed to have bright blue eyes up until adolescence, typically gaining their adulthood eye color around puberty. Glamour and illusion magics cannot alter these eyes, though this is not the case in adulthood. Blue eyes are not exclusive to child elves. [filibusterfrog]
Biological Traits
Magic sometimes manifests itself in physical places on the body such as the eyes, hands, or horns, but hair is the most common for elves and will glow when an individual's spells are at their most potent. It is by no means a firm rule, but generally speaking, high elves with this condition will glow in the early morning, wood elves will glow in the afternoon, and drow in the evening. Cutting it while it glows will significantly, but not permanently, drain the caster of their magical energy. [filibusterfrog]
Growth Rate & Stages
Elves age in a similar way to humans, and typically reach adulthood around their late teens or early 20s.
Ecology and Habitats
Elves, like any humanoid, can adapt to different environments extremely well, though many of them remain in ancestral homes of ancient forests and the like.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Elves have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. They also have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, sometime after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names. While these conventions are fairly consistent among Elven cultures, they are not universal.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew them as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.
Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)
Beauty Ideals
Elven culture is not a monolith. It ebbs and flows with the passage of time, war, geography, and the like. This includes beauty standards, gender roles, etc. Despite this, hair has remained a significant part of many Elven societies and is not just considered a beauty standard, but also a signifier of loyalty, wisdom, age, and social standing.
Gender Ideals
Elves are among the most diverse and fluid in the gender spectrum regarding humanoids. Regarding physiological characteristics, varied combinations (breast tissue, ovaries, testes, etc.) are not uncommon and in some cases, are regarded as spiritual leaders. It is common for elves to change pronouns and presentations throughout their lives.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Elven hair is commonly fair with varied curl patterns, and will occasionally come in colors unnatural to other humanoid species.
Long, well-maintained hair is paramount to any elf of significant social standing. It is deeply important to their culture and represents luck, longevity, commitment and loyalty, happiness, and wisdom. Short hair is stigmatized and regarded as a rejection of tradition or as a sign of treachery, and dark hair is said to bring bad luck. Conversely, white (or near-white) hair is a sign of good luck and divine favor, but to cut it would invite divine retribution. Exiles, oathbreakers, and other undesirables are usually forced to cut the hair they've been caring for their whole lives. A common practice among all elves is to keep the hair of deceased loved ones and have it close as a remembrance and as a good luck charm. [filibusterfrog]
Bonnets & Veils
The covering of one's hair is a common practice observed throughout all of Athesia for many different cultural and religious reasons. This is no different for elves. Many elves spend their entire lives growing out and maintain beautiful, long hair as a sign of status. It is traditional for a disgraced elf to cut off their own hair, but murder, arson, torture, treason, and any other violent crime will lead to hair being cut off by force. Elf hair is notorious for being slow-growing, therefore the cutting of it is seen as a long-term mark of damnation. Bonnets and veils are a common solution available to elves who wish to repent for their crimes. They are widely believed to be an ugly necessity, as there is no greater shame than uncovered short hair. Many outsiders do not view these veils in the same manner and mistake them for wedding apparel, much to the disdain of the veiled elves in question. [filibusterfrog] In cultures where hair coverings are common, there is often an etiquette for the distinction between veils. Fabric colors, textures, and adornments may be restricted from "marked" elves in order to make the distinction. This etiquette varies widely from region to region and should not be considered a constant.Clolst
In Clolst, many of the opposite beliefs are held. White hair is increasingly rare and is generally only seen in Celestial Elf and is considered bad luck, despite its divine associations. Short hair outside of Emyran Thalor, The Garden City is also not looked upon as taboo, and hair is treated more of a fashion statement than one of cultural significance. This is observed to be due to their disconnect from ancestral roots, and diffusion of cultures prominent on the other Cloltian islands.
Lifespan
800 years.
Average Height
4 - 7 ft
Related Ethnicities
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