Elf
Overview
Elves are one of the main sapient species in Axora. They are one of the species regarded as The Original Three, they have existed as long as there has been civilisation upon the world. Elves are known for having the longest lifespans amongst the sapient species, and their adaptable physiology that has led to more subspecies than any other. They are also regarded for their wisdom and natural connection to magic - more so than other species.
Appearance
Whilst there are many variations of Elf, they still hold some inherent traits, such as long pointed ears and a typically lithe frame. They are often described as having an ethereal quality, and grace in their movements.
Origin
The Elf species is associated deeply with Ispilla, goddess of magic. From the myth of the Original Three, it is thought that Ispilla created the elves to be her mortal species on Axora, in the same way that Toar (god of strength) and Nona (goddess of knowledge) created the Dwarves and Gnomes respectively. All three species were present in the Age of Primordial, after which the story goes that the gods decided to create a 'jack of all trades' species in the form of Humans, taking elements of all three, but with less maximum capabilities and a shorter lifespan.
Spread
Elves exist in every corner of the world, thanks to their highly adaptable nature. Rather than having resilient physiology like Dwarves, who only have two main subspecies (three if including the Undwarves) or Humans who from a scientific standpoint don't have any, the Elven people evolved into many distinctly different subspecies to change to their environments. These adaptations have allowed the Elven people to thrive on all continents, in all environments - even the oceans.
Subspecies
High Elf
Orthitirai
High Elves regard themselves as the original elven people. Their own Elven name - Orthitirai - translates as 'from the power' in the sense of controlling power. Within the High Elves is a subset of nobility who call themselves Oritirai, or 'Highborn' (translation being 'from the pure' or 'from the original') who believe their ancestry can be traced back to the original set of Elves.
High Elves are typically pale in skin tone, and in hair colour. Said hair is silvery or golden, with a shine to it. They also seem to be naturally predisposed to creating insular societies, and to potentially prideful and narcissistic traits. Within their major settlements there is usually a counter-culture of elves with wanderlust, known as Faes'Forai, who are the anthesis of the natural High Elf way of life.
Forest Elf
Foraitirai
Along with High Elves, Forest Elves are regarded as being the original subspecies, though High Elves tend to think Forest Elves came just after them. Forest Elves have an affinity with the natural world, predisposed toward druidic practices and magic.
Physically, Forest Elves have a broad range of skin tones, and hair colours. In this sense, they are the closest to Humans. Forest Elves can be found anywhere there is a temperate climate and a wooded area.
Dust Elf
Destirai
The first of the 'adaptive' subspecies, Dust Elves came about after the first explorers settled on the eastern continent of Mysandros in what became Maressea. Adapting to regions like The Dust Barrens, these Elves became naturally tan in skin tone, and favoured darker hair colours. They are also notably hardier than the Elves that came before them, requiring less sustenance - an adaptation necessary for survival in dry and arid locales.
Dust Elves also have a prominent population across Thrabad.
Snow Elf
Esstirai
Natives to icy regions, Snow Elves are mostly limited to Essidon and pockets of Gonde in Mysandros. Paler still than High Elves, Snow Elf skin glistens with an opalescent quality. Their hair is almost always silvery-white.
Sea Elf
Saltirai
Sea Elves are arguably the most widespread of all the subraces as individuals can be found in most coastal settlements around the world. Actual societies of Sea Elf are mostly located in Drassau. It is said there are branches of Sea Elf with underwater cities.
Sea Elves are usually somewhere on the blue-green spectrum in both skin and hair colour.
Jungle Elf
Raencortirai (or Raentirai)
Viewed as a distinct subspecies from Forest Elves, though they do share a similar synergy with the natural forests around them. Jungle Elves range in skintones, but always in dark shades, of purples, greens, blues and browns with a similar arrangement of hair colours too.
Jungle Elves are predominantly found in the tropical rainforest regions of Suriima (the Quitapha Dynasty being the primary civilisation of this subspecies) and Hantou.
Undelf
Benethtirai
Undelves and Jungle Elves share similar colourations, though the Undelves replace the natural greens and browns with greys and blacks, and sometimes white hair.
Half-Elf
The Elven adaptive nature seems to make them the most predisposed to crossbreeding with other humanoid species. Usually with humans, since they share a similar physiology to begin with, Half-Elves are by far the most dominant of any mixed heritage species.
The Snow Elf, Tsarra Petsalor.
Oh, I'm a big fan of when settings have multiple specific elves! Do their environments, combined with their long lifespans, affect their different cultures?
The first Elven travellers were predominantly Forest Elves, so pretty much all the other subspecies are strongly connected to their respective environments in the same way. I'd say it's all about what specifics each culture appreciates - like rain in the arid areas, calm breezes on the ocean etc.