Elf
Basic Information
Anatomy
Elves are fundamentally humanoid in structure, and share all the same hard structures as Humans and Dwarves, except that their overall size is substantially shorter than the average human, and slighter of frame than the average dwarf. Elves have relatively little muscle mass and smaller organs - even for their height.
Elves have gaunt, angular faces with almond-shaped eyes that lay at a slight angle. The tips of their ears are characteristically pointed, and grow longer with age.
Biological Traits
Elves are short and slim, standing about 4 to 5 feet tall and typically weighing 45 to 75 pounds, with elf men only marginally taller than elf women. Male and female elves both have an average BMI of 14.
Elves possess unearthly grace and fine features. They have no facial or body hair. Many humans and members of other races find them hauntingly beautiful.
Height (in)
Weight (lbs)
Height (cm)
44
39
112
46
42
117
48
46
122
50
50
127
52
54
132
54
58
137
56
62
142
58
67
147
60
72
152
62
77
157
Genetics and Reproduction
Cross-species Reproductive Compatibility
Interspecies Breeding
Elves and Dwarves: viable and uncommon. Dwarves are genetically compatible with elvenkin, and may breed with them to create viable offspring. These hybrids are called Gnomes and have broken off into their own subspecies and civilizations which bridges the gap between the two races. As a quirk of genetics, gnomes are smaller than both their dwarven and elven parents - which eases birth for their mothers. Elves and Dwarves rarely enter relationships due to each race's isolationist policies and major personality differences. Unlike humans, neither Dwarves nor Elves are known for sexually assaulting prisoners. So even conflict between the races is unlikely to create hybrids. Elves and Humans: viable and uncommon. Though humans and elves are genetically similar enough to create viable offspring, they are always infertile. Elven bodies are substantially more fragile than humans, and elven mothers have difficulty bearing half-human children successfully. More often than not, both the mother and child are killed during gestation - when the child grows overlarge. Human mothers are much more capable, and bear the vast majority of successful hybridizations. Human-elf hybrids are most often born into human settlements (as "half-elves"), and are remarkable for their relative beauty and grace, when compared their full-blooded human neighbors. These complications limit the social acceptability of human-elven sexual relationships. Both humans and elves are quick to consider these relationships to be deviant or the result of rape or some other immoral conquest. Nevertheless, human noble courts are especially likely to keep some breeding stock of elves as consorts, to produce beautiful (if illegitimate) offspring. This practice doesn't help the moral case for human-elven relationships among the peasantry.Growth Rate & Stages
An elf reaches adulthood at about 110 years of age and can live to be more than 700 years old.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Elves do not have the digestive composition necessary to effectively process meat and dairy. As a result, the elven diet is vegetarian in most cases, with their proteins be provided by legumes or in some cases, insects - which they are more capable of processing without becoming sickly.
Elven societies view the ritualistic slaughter of higher-order animals for food as barbaric.
Behaviour
Elves are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. With such a long life span, they tend to keep a broad perspective on events, remaining aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether an adventurous mission or learning a new skill or art, they can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Compared to humans, elven faces have sharp, angular features. The tops of their ears are noticeably pointed.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Most elves live in woodland clans numbering less than two hundred souls. Their well-hidden villages blend into the trees, doing little harm to the forest. They hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, and their skill and magic allowing them to support themselves amply without the need for clearing and plowing land. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited, though some few elves make a good living trading finely worked elven clothes and crafts for the metals that elves have no interest in mining.
Elves encountered in human lands are commonly wandering minstrels, favored artists, or sages. Human nobles compete for the services of elf instructors, who teach swordplay to their children.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Elven eyesight is notoriously perceptive. Elves are known to be able to recognize a man at even a mile's distance.
Elves which maintian a connection to the natural world also benefit from the senses of the living creatures around them. Wood elves especially, can feel the creatures stepping on the grass in their forest, or perched in the trees.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
When an elf declares himself an adult, usually some time after his hundredth birthday, he also selects a name. Those who knew him as a youngster may or may not continue to call him by his “child name,” and he may or may not care. An elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it may reflect the names of those he admires or the names of others in his family. In addition, he bears his family name. Family names are combinations of regular Elven words; and some elves traveling among humans translate their names into Common while others use the Elven version.
Male Names
Aramil, Aust, Enialis, Heian, Himo, Ivellios, Laucian, Quarion, Soverliss, Thamior, Tharivol.
Female Names
Anastrianna, Antinua, Drusilia, Felosial, Ielenia, Lia, Mialee, Qillathe, Silaqui, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia.
Family Names (Common Translations)
Amastacia (Starflower), Amakiir (Gemflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Ilphukiir (Gemblossom), Xiloscient (Goldpetal).
Name Generator
Common Dress Code
Elves prefer flowing and simple dresses and shawls of white, green, and blue linens and silk. Elves shun the use of leather and fur in their clothing.
When arming for war, elves wear cloth gambesons and metal armors of traded steel or mithril. Their metal armors are heavily decorated with silver and gold filigree.
Lifespan
600
Average Height
52 in (132 cm)
Average Weight
54 lbs (24.5 kg)
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