The People of the Lake, Elves

Basic Information

Anatomy

Elves have similar anatomy to all other humanoid species. However, they do have three distinct subraces.

Biological Traits

Elves have no need of sleep. They instead spend their rest in a semiconscious meditation. They can dream in a fashion while meditating, but these dreams are little more than reflexive mental exercises. Due to this mental training, elves are resistant to magic that would influence their minds as well as immune to effects that would put them to sleep. Pohmeli Drow have a natural weakness to sunlight when they are young, but by adulthood, they have spent enough time outside that it does not hinder them.

Genetics and Reproduction

All elves reproduce like the other humanoid races. They have a longer gestation period of nearly a year with a live birth at the end.

Growth Rate & Stages

While they are physical mature by the age of 30, the elven sense of adulthood goes beyond this measure to include worldly experience. Ladelan elves declare themselves adults sometime after their hundredth year. Pohmeli elves and drow both declare adulthood around their 50th birthday.

Ecology and Habitats

Echo lake is an unforgiving environment. Ladelar contends with demons and fey while Pohmel is beset by the behemoths of the Golden Sea.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Pohmeli elves have a diet rich in meat from behemoths and fish. They do little in the way of cultivation other than growing fungi. Ladelan elves have imported techniques from Hel’Al to begin growing vegetation in vast quantities. They also hunt small game.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Pohmeli elves have a tribal social structure with the elders being the leaders of the tribe, however, all are welcome to speak their peace. Ladalan elves have adopted a court of older families to rule over their people. Drow social structures are largely a mystery to outsiders. Since they are active members of the Pohmel community, they are allowed representation. However, their enclave remains shut to outsiders.

Facial characteristics

Elven faces are usually very delicate with refined features. Many races consider them hauntingly beautiful.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The majority of the elven population lives around echo lake. Some can be found in Requilis, Avroset, and uncommonly in Agarband.

Average Intelligence

Ladelan elves boast a high intelligence due to their studies. Pohmeli elves are considered very wise beings. Drow are known to be charismatic when they deign to speak.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their fey blood gives them exceptional sight, making them exceptionally preceptive. It also grants them impeccable sight in the dark.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

All elves are given a child name when they are born. Yet when they declare them selves as an adult, they create a name for themselves. This could be an amalgamation of other elven concepts or ideas, or a mix of the names of influential peers or family. They also have a family name that is usually made of other elvish words. Amongst other races, an elf may even translate their family name into common.

Average Technological Level

The Pohmeli and the Drow both disdain the use of technology except when absolutely necessary. They see it as a disruptiongy from all across Dimfell. They have an intense desire to continue pro to the natural order of the world. Ladelan elves are actively importing technologress. Therefore, innovation and expansion on previous ideas are key.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Elven, Common and Undercommon for Drow

Common Dress Code

Ladelan elves prefer elegant silks cut into long flowing robes. Bright colors are a staple in almost every fabric. The Pohmeli and Drow both prefer soft leathers and animal skins for their garb. Colors are kept muted in order to blend in with their surroundings.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Anuli and Yejide are revered as sacred to all elven people. The full light of the moons is said to increase magical potency. The new moons are a sign of safety when all is quiet.

History

It was early in the Dark Age that the Pohmeli and Drow tribes banded together for protection. They built their communities together and for a millennium they protected their tribes and traditions. However, this tribal life began to wear on some of the newer generations. They wondered what was beyond the shores of their lake. The elders forbade this exploration, but the young ones could not curb their desires. In the cover of the new moons, they stole into the night, never to return. The Sojourn is a contentions part of elven history for the Pohmeli and Ladelan alike. These explorers eventually settled in the ruins near the coast of Echo Lake and became the Ladelan. They left behind their traditions when they left their tribes, vowing to progress ever forward to perfection.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Ladelan elves are revered for their skill. Whatever a Ladalan decides to do, they do it in pursuit of perfection. As such, a Ladelan is welcome anywhere. Pohmeli are a serious people and follow their own mysterious sensibilities. They are however legendary hunters, and druids. Any community living alongside nature sees them as a welcome sight. Drow are treated with suspicion but not open hostility wherever they go. So rarely do they venture out, few outside of Pohmel have ever even seen a Drow. It does not help that aggressive colonies of Drow have been found in the tunnels of the Underdark.

Scientific Name

Elf

Origin/Ancestry

Humanoid

Lifespan

600-750 years

Average Height

4’5”-6’3”

Average Weight

100-145 lbs.

Average Physique

All elves are slender in build. However, what they lack in strength they make up for in their grace.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Ladelan elves can have coloration similar to that of lighter human complexions along with the addition of gold, bronze, and alabaster tinted with blue. Pohmeli elves have coloration similar to humans on the darker side including gold and bronze. Drow skin coloration in the range of grey tinged with blue, purple, or occastionally green.