Wood Elf
Wood elves are a long-lived race of humanoids known for their pointed ears, sharp eyesight and affinity with nature. They're one of the most common types of fey found outside of Kaendacan. Many have a minor affinity for magic, and the majority form bonds with animals. They are all universally vegetarian, but will cultivate animals for products like eggs and milk. They are not opposed to wearing leather or fur, as long as it was ethically produced. That usually means cultivating the animals for that themselves so they can be absolutely sure the animal was well cared-for and lived its full life. It is considered taboo to harm an animal, so they often employ other races as their butchers.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Wood elves have long, pointed ears and skin tones ranging from pale ivory to warm tan. They typically have hair colors ranging from white or platinum blond to red to light or medium brown. Most wood elves have green, blue, purple, or brown eyes. Freckles are common and they tend to flush easily. They tend to be tall, with men getting up to 7' tall and women up to 6', and no healthy individuals under 5' as adults. Wood elves also tend to be lean and dextrous rather than broad and built.
Genetics and Reproduction
Wood elves reproduce sexually. There's nothing special or unusual about it. Their pregnancies average a year in length.
Growth Rate & Stages
Wood elves are a long-lived race, aging roughly 1 year for every 7 years a human ages. They are considered young adult around the age of 110.
Ecology and Habitats
Wood elves primarily live in forests and jungles, though some will choose to live in cities.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Wood elves are vegetarian, not merely by choice, but by biology. Still, they share a common ancestor with other elves that are omnivorous, so they do require more protein than the average herbivore. They make up the difference consuming eggs and dairy. Most wood elves are unable to digest meat, similar to lactose intolerance in humans. They will get sick or experience other forms of digestive distress if they consume it. Similar to lactose intolerance again, some individuals are able to consume meat without ill effect. Most of those who can consume meat still choose not to for moral reasons.
Biological Cycle
Most wood elves' hair will darken noticeably when it's cold.
Behaviour
Wood elves are very in tune with nature and need to spend time around trees for their mental health. City dwelling wood elves will typically live near parks or take weekend trips to the countryside to get in touch with nature.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Wood elves tend to structure their society around a council of elders that manages their settlements, with a champion that represents them in the fey courts. Wood elves are considered part of the Summer Court, also known as the Sylvan Court.
Facial characteristics
Long pointed ears and uncannily symmetrical faces
Average Intelligence
Wood elves are, on average, slightly more intelligent than humans.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Wood elves have excellent hearing and exceptional eyesight. They can see perfectly even in complete darkness, but not in unnatural darkness such as magic darkness. They are highly empathetic towards animals and often form deep, psychic bonds with an animal, uplifting that animal both physically and mentally.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Wood elves tend to name their children after plants or animals.
Courtship Ideals
Standard wood elf courtship involves exchanging of bouquets arranged using the language of flowers to send complex messages. Deciphering the messages and answering in kind is a required back and forth between a courting couple. Chaperoned outings to arboretums, botanical gardens, or in the wilderness are common. The average courtship between a couple tends to last 10 years. Relationship stress tests like high-pressure social gatherings, camping in the wilderness, and travel abroad are also important aspects of wood elf courtship.
Relationship Ideals
Because they live such long lives, marriage is a pretty big commitment. Marriage before the age of 200 is strongly discouraged. Divorce is disapproved of. Wood elves believe in long courtships after a long-established friendship. Getting to know your future spouse and being absolutely sure that you love them and get along with them is critical. Approval from your future spouse's family is also important. Wood elves believe getting to know their children's partners reduces the likelihood of bad matches or abuse.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Wood elves all speak Sylvan, the language of the Sylvan(Summer) Court. They also speak Elvish, like all elves.
Common Taboos
It is considered bad form for parents to hold the belief that no one is good enough for their child. They are meant to screen their children's partners to be sure the match is good, loving, and healthy. Arbitrary reasons to dislike their children's partners does nothing to help them, and can in fact push them into a bad match.
It is taboo to most wood elves to take the life of an animal unnecessarily. It is highly taboo to abuse an animal or kill one inhumanely.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Interspecies relationships with wood elves are relatively common. They tend to hybridize easily with other humanoid species.
Scientific Name
homo sapien nobilis
Lifespan
550 years
Average Height
6'-7'
Average Weight
140-250 lbs
Average Physique
Wood elves tend to be tall and lean with high dexterity and an athletic build.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Pale to tan skin, freckles common
Geographic Distribution
