Elf

Tall, slender, and graceful, elfs are often considered the fairest of the humanoids. They are also wise, intelligent, and, given their long lives, a source of ancient knowledge.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Elfs are taller, more lanky, and generally more agile than their human predecessors. This was part of their initial bioengineering, but was accentuated from spending centuries in the trees of the rain forest.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elfs are very similar to humans in their base genetics, with only a few tweaks here and there. As the first bioengineered species, they are much closer to human than some of the later developments. Their gestation period is slightly longer than humans, 40-42 weeks rather than 38-40.
As near humans, elfs can interbreed with humans and most other human-derived species that can also interbreed with humans. The result is generally a "half-breed" as far as genetics and characteristics go. That is, the offspring of an elf and a human tends toward the midpoint of both. However, a full elf or full human are also possible. They tend to follow the same rules as humans for interbreeding.

Ecology and Habitats

Elfs have spent centuries (millennia?) living in the rain forests of the Mishtz̀azey, primarily in the region they call Ishä. They build settlements in the middle canopy, but range from the ground to the upper canopy for hunting and gathering. They tend to work with the forest rather than bend it to them. Their largest settlement is Rishä Pamoli, which is actually a sentient tree also known as Mother of Trees.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Elfish faces are thinner than the average human's. Their ears are only slightly pointed, not beyond the general ranges for humans. They tend to have long noses and wide-set, small eyes. Facial hair is very rare in elfs, occurring in only about 1 in 1000 males.
Elf eyes tend to be gray or blue, but green occurs occasionally. Partial heterochromia (having part of one iris take on a different color than the other eye) is fairly frequent (1 in 10), with any of the three colors mixing or brown showing up as the alternate color.

Average Intelligence

The elfs were intended to be superior to base humans in most ways. They especially had their intelligence enhanced. Therefore, elfs tend to have high to beyond human intelligence.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Names are given at birth by the parents, usually based on something important that occurred during pregnancy or childbirth or on the day of the birth.
Upon reaching adulthood, the elf joins a tribe, whose name is added to their name. So Orist was given his name by his parents. Valkan is the name of his tribe, which he joined as part of his coming of age ceremony.
The full name of an elf also includes their mother's name ("child of name") and father's name ("child of name). The formation of both are the same ("kingtu Taname" meaning "name's child"), but the mother's name is always first. These aspects of an elf's name are generally only used for ceremonial purposes, but can also be used during formal proceedings or when a relationship is very formal.
The tribes are listed below.

Major Organizations

The elfs divide themselves into 12 major tribes, named after and roughly following the traditions of the 12 major gods of Binaka.

• Tribe Valcan, representing Valak – God of fire and metal working.
• Tribe Tnep, representing Nép – Goddess of earth and stone.
• Tribe Ravan, representing Ŗadev – God of air.
• Tribe Oŗozh, representing Oŗoros – God of water and the sea.
• Tribe Ranmith, representing Ŗažu – God of life and the sun.
• Tribe Vodar, representing Blodä – Goddess of peace.
• Tribe Kodax, representing Koďö – God of conflict and war.
• Tribe Shonāfa, representing Shönäl – God of death and the moon.
• Tribe Nushar, representing Nushŗa – Goddess of wisdom and learning.
• Tribe Päthush, representing Thōsh – God of nature.
• Tribe Aran, representing Áŗak – God of corruption.
• Tribe Shotou, representing Shözö – God of chaos and love.

History

Elfs were the first significant species created based on humans during the Third Age.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Lifespan

300 years

Average Height

6′ 2″

Average Weight

150 lbs

Average Physique

Elfs are tall and lanky. Most are well toned, due to the need to travel between tree's well above the forest floor.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They tend toward IV-V on the Fitzpatrick scale. Hair tends from black to auburn, with white hair occurring frequently with older (>200 years) elves.