Elf
The elves are one of the many races to sail to New Cadrith. Lithe, elegant, and somewhat aloof to the other Cadrithic Peoples, elves are nonetheless well known across the land.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Elves are strikingly elegant and slender, although slightly shorter than the average human, ranging from under 5 feet to over 6. Boasting the same darkvision as dwarves, they have even sharper perceptive skills and a natural resistance to magical illusory effects. The elvish lifespan is both impressive, and unfortunate. It is not known how long the elves can live, but most scholars suggest an impressive 400-500 years - however, very few elves reach this age. The bitter Winter which drives the other Cadrithic Peoples into their Great Cities is even harsher on the more frail elves, and accounts for many deaths for the race. In addition, the Dark Winter saw most of the species driven to the brink of extinction. As a result, any elves older than 400 are an exceptional rarity, and most do not see longer themselves older than 200 years. Many elves attempt to have four children, but due to long gestation and the risk of childbirth complications, this is not always possible, or attempted.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Elvish families are much less centralised than the other Cadrithic races'. Upon maturity, elves rarely stay in close contact with their family, and spread out wide. This is both a cultural practice, from when the ancient elves would migrate and adventure across the lands, and a practical one too, to avoid incestuous practices. However, this is not always the case, and combined families of elves do crop up in various places, becoming more centralised like the other Cadrithic Peoples. Regardless of how close an elf keeps in contact with their family, the family's honour and legacy is of paramount importance to an elf, and will be defended to the death.
Facial characteristics
The elves are nearly all very angular and slender-faced, with a wide variety of skin and hair colours and almond-shaped eyes. Elvish ears are pointed, almost like goblin-folk. Facial hair is often very thin on males, but some few elves do sport short beards or goatees.
High Elves tend to have the most pale features, with skin colours ranging from alabaster to tan. Their hair, typically long and flowing, is similarly pale, mostly white, blonde, or blue, but browns, greens, and even red are not uncommon. Their eyes are typically blues, greys and greens.
Wood Elves tend to be shorter than their cousins, and possess darker skin tones, with copper and greenish hues. Similarly their eyes and hair are of more natural and earthy colours: hazel and brown eyes with brown, black, and ginger hair being hallmark traits. Their hair is usually either braided or tied back in some fashion, or short cropped and wild.
The Dark Elves boast unnaturally dark skin, usually some form of grey or black hue, ranging from ash to obsidian. Their eyes tend to be very pale, and their hair almost pure white.
High Elves tend to have the most pale features, with skin colours ranging from alabaster to tan. Their hair, typically long and flowing, is similarly pale, mostly white, blonde, or blue, but browns, greens, and even red are not uncommon. Their eyes are typically blues, greys and greens.
Wood Elves tend to be shorter than their cousins, and possess darker skin tones, with copper and greenish hues. Similarly their eyes and hair are of more natural and earthy colours: hazel and brown eyes with brown, black, and ginger hair being hallmark traits. Their hair is usually either braided or tied back in some fashion, or short cropped and wild.
The Dark Elves boast unnaturally dark skin, usually some form of grey or black hue, ranging from ash to obsidian. Their eyes tend to be very pale, and their hair almost pure white.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
There are three distinct subtypes of elf. These three, the High Elf, the Wood Elf, and the Dark Elf, are the only current survivors of the string of calamities that have befallen the elves.
The High Elves are the most naturally bright and outgoing. They are the most dominant of the three races, and the most urbanised. The High Elves are naturally magically gifted, and make for excellent scholars and politicians - they are most often found in the Great Cities.
The Wood Elves are the most hardy of the elvish races, fond nomads, but recently have needed to adapt beyond their old behaviour. They are keen survivalists, fast, nimble and flighty, and masterful hunters. Reluctantly, the Wood Elves cling near to other settlements, setting up their own small villages and camps within a few miles of other, more established towns and cities, for protection in the Winter. In other months, they range far and wide.
The Dark Elves are most often found in their own small towns or in the Great Cities, preferring their own company, but are an uncommon sight across the realm in other towns and villages still.
The High Elves are the most naturally bright and outgoing. They are the most dominant of the three races, and the most urbanised. The High Elves are naturally magically gifted, and make for excellent scholars and politicians - they are most often found in the Great Cities.
The Wood Elves are the most hardy of the elvish races, fond nomads, but recently have needed to adapt beyond their old behaviour. They are keen survivalists, fast, nimble and flighty, and masterful hunters. Reluctantly, the Wood Elves cling near to other settlements, setting up their own small villages and camps within a few miles of other, more established towns and cities, for protection in the Winter. In other months, they range far and wide.
The Dark Elves are most often found in their own small towns or in the Great Cities, preferring their own company, but are an uncommon sight across the realm in other towns and villages still.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Some elves still practice The Tsaedo, their ancient religious doctrine before the Great Disaster. As per their ancient traditions, most elves practice some form of ancestor worship, where they commune with the spirits of their forebears for guidance and faith - nearly every elf can call upon some of the earliest elvish heroes to guide their spirit, and many of these heroes are still widely known of. However, most elves have also adopted the Cadrithic Pantheon, worshipped alongside their ancestors, with many elves believing their ancestors to now be Aspects of certain Gods.
Amongst the Cadrithic Pantheon, certain Gods are more favoured over others, like Wood Elves frequently venerating Allendda, God of Natural Order and Reyn, God of Natural Change, while High Elves commonly favour Equinax, God of Law, Lyrich, God of Plots and Armagna, God of Magic, and Dark Elves have been seen to worship Aspects of Lyrich, God of Plots and Dolgunn, God of Smithing. Dark Elves and High Elves are also sometimes seen embracing the Finality, though this is not commonplace.
History
Elves originated from Old Cadrith, and sailed over the vast tracts of ocean to reach their new home. Once, they were much more different from the other lineages of Old Cadrith, but the long voyage and collective endeavour caused elvish culture to mingle with the rest of the refugees. While many traditional elvish weapons (like katanas and thrown stars) and practices remain strong in some families, many aspects of ancient elvish culture have bled into the mainstream Cadrithic culture, and likewise, many elves take on the lifestyles and trappings of other cultures.
Elves live in close connection to the rest of the Cadrithic Peoples, either in the same cities, or in the towns and villages beyond them, and have integrated into most aspects of life - elvish art and architecture is as common as any other, and half-Elves are a frequent sight.
Lifespan
200 years
Average Height
5'6"
Average Weight
120 pounds
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