Elves
Elves are essentially the face of fantasy--the almost-human pinnacles of perfection, often even achieving some degree of immortality as well as nigh-inhuman physical and/or magical prowess. Well... in this case, you would be two-thirds correct.
Elves are an extraordinarily intelligent race with a high aptitude for magic as well as an exceptionally long lifespan that can, in some cases, reach the level of "immortality". Not that they can't be killed, but some will never die from old age or illnesses. All of that said, they have some... rather unimpressive physical characteristics and limitations.
by Still me. Everything always is.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Like most creatures who evolved from humans, elves are slightly shorter than their parent species. While their minds have developed to become sharp and their understanding of magic has advanced to the point where it has become a primary genetic characteristic--a significant piece of what defines them as a species. This remarkable evolution, however, came at quite a price... their bodies became soft and resistant to muscle development. This results in most elves' physiques taking on either a plump or frail appearance, depending on their lifestyle as well as a few other genetic factors.
Oh yeah, and their ears are pointy.
Genetics and Reproduction
While the process for elves is very similar to that of humans', elves generally lack a sex drive as... influential as their very populous parent species. This, combined with their frail physiques (which make it more difficult to conceive and more dangerous to carry children), results in an extremely low birthrate that that is only countered by their exceedingly long lifespans.
Growth Rate & Stages
Humans move from infancy to toddler to child to adolescent to adult, and it is the same for elves... though, like dwarves, elves take much longer to move past the adolescent stage and into the adult one. This saturation of hormones is usually what leads to the highest rate of successful pregnancies, as not even adults in their "prime" are able to generate as much muscle (or desire) to pursue intercourse successfully. So, like humans, the success of their species largely depends on adolescents.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Elves are culturally vegetarian or vegan, less for health or ethical reasons and more because hunting is a pretty difficult task when your body barely has the strength to draw a bow. That said, as trade (as well as many other things) became easier with the establishment of infrastructure, they did gradually integrate various meats into their diets. However, for the most part, they prefer to stick with and pass down familiar recipes, which typically don't include meat.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Elves have an inspiring, if slightly impersonal, social structure mainly centered around productivity and relevance. When interacting, they don't engage in small talk and do not appreciate when people "beat around the bush". They speak only to communicate relevant information and see anything else as a waste of time and energy, which is simply disrespectful. Even when discussing emotional issues, they will simply say how they feel or keep it inside--there is no middle ground (at least, no socially acceptable middle ground).
Physical touch is borderline taboo, and can be seen as a threat if they aren't familiar with the person touching them. Naturally, they are forgiving when it comes to accidents, but casual physical contact during conversations or as a display of affection is very much not okay--doing so will risk open rebuke. Now, they do enjoy it, but it's generally something they do only in very private settings with people whom they trust. This can be compared to how humans treat sex, but in most of those situations, the power dynamic can (and often does) shift in favor of one party or another. In elven culture, the simple act of touching or (in some cases) cuddling and (in very select situations) mating, puts both partners in extremely unfamiliar and vulnerable positions--and both are aware that the other is also vulnerable/expressing trust. Therefore, "successfully" cuddling can and usually does build a deep trust between two (or sometimes more, but even just two is rare) individuals that is not easily broken.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Elves, as well as dwarves and other various intelligent beings, are primarily localized in Bane rather than Mos Leferrin. This is largely due to the fact that this is where their species has lived for several millennia, but also because Mos Leferrin is largely dominated by a theocracy promoting Absolutism. Since most elves prefer to follow Enna, this means they would be unable to participate in most government functions. They can (and some do) live under that system of government safely, but it can bring up some social issues that make them feel unwelcome, so they usually stay in Bane.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
With a decently high acuity (though lower than the dwarves', elves are still much more perceptive than humans), elves' do boast of a particularly impressive extrasensory capability that no other sapient being possesses (at least not naturally): @Brightwalking. As the name implies, this is the ability to enter a deep meditative state in which you're able to sense the presence of ethereal beings or other souls by viewing their counterparts in Bright. With practice, they're able to do this on command, entering and exiting this meditative state quickly as well as expanding their radius to impressive ranges.
Civilization and Culture
Relationship Ideals
Intellect is key. Elves do have emotional connections, but usually those emotional connects stem from intellectual ones. However, once bonded, an elf's emotional connection to their partner becomes a very significant part of that relationship. This is, of course, excluding rare exceptions.
Common Taboos
Kissing is never okay, regardless of the relationship you have. It's seen as unnecessary and, quite frankly, gross. Pressing your mouth against someone else's mouth is not sanitary (and the humans' habit of pushing their tongues into one another's mouths deeply disturbs and confuses most elves).
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Elves, surprisingly, do not have much of a superiority complex (for the most part). They do value intelligence above most other traits and despise blatant acts of stupidity or anti-intellectualism, but their goals (largely as followers of Enna) are to uplift sapient beings on a global scale. They don't relish their position as an extremely intelligent species, they largely feel isolated by it and wish to have others join them. This isn't really because they feel lonely, it's largely because the more aggressive, short-sighted species will likely threaten their safety (and that of the entire planet) eventually. It doesn't make sense to leave all other species behind, especially when increasing the number of intellectual contributions would benefit everyone--including them.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Homo Elviens
Lifespan
250 - unlimited years
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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