High Elf Ethnicity in Edda | World Anvil
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High Elf

High Elves as a race are a bit of an odd sort. For starters, they aren't the form of Elf that arrived from the Second Cataclysm. Instead, the vast majority of elves known as High Elves began to be formed from the union of Eladrin Elves and Wood Elves. The reason they have grown to prominence over the millennia is two-fold.    Firstly, genetically, the DNA formed when a High Elf is born is quite persistent, meaning that if a High Elf has a child with another elf, then it will more likely be a High Elf. Also, when having a child of another race, the chance that the child will have more elven characteristics is higher as well, even higher than the Elf genetic inheritance rate usually is.   Secondly, High Elves rose to great political power within Hippolyta, and have since then overtaken the Monarchy, with Eladrin Elves coming in 2nd most represented within the political system.   As a race, they are much plainer than their counterparts. They have not the innate connection to the land that Wood Elves do, nor do they have as much connection to the world of the fey that Eladrin Elves do. In fact, they don't even have the impressive survival-based techniques of the Dark Elves either. High Elves do, however, have an innate skill when it comes to Learning. If you put a High Elf to a task they haven't done before, chances are they will have adequate skill within 24 hours.

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

High Elves primarily use the Elven language, as opposed to Sylvan like Eladrin Elves, or Undercommon/Undersylvan like Dark Elves. Typically, High Elves will inherit a family name like normal (it's common to take the politically stronger name, no matter the parent) but also inherit a family Middle Name, or even as many as 4 depending on the family, as well. [Language wise, I use Brazillian Portuguese for High Elven Names]

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Elvish is the most common language used among High Elves [Real life Brazillian Portugeuse], followed by Sylvan [Real life European Portugeuse] and of course, Common.

Art & Architecture

High Elven Architecture is very woven into the nature of the forest, even if they are separated from its magic. They will use prized woods, have carvings of fruit, and engraved elements of the forest within their homes. When it comes to Art, High Elves prioritize telling tales of political or military victory above all else, or some grand family legend, even among commoners.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Common High Elf Society places a lot of value on glamour and elegance. It can be compared to Tiefling concepts of high-fashion, but rather than idealizing personal aesthetic, High Elven Society places focus solely on a very regal and courtly fashion sense, and wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than high-end business casual outside of the house.

Gender Ideals

While there are ideals put on AMAB High Elves to be strong and stubborn defenders of ideas and positions, and for AFAB High Elves to support their allies with as much fervor, there aren't too many strict ideals when it comes to things such as child-rearing, housekeeping, or societal position, outside of personal opinions.

Courtship Ideals

When it comes to proposals on the high-society level, the proposing party must present themselves to the family of the proposed and essentially advertise their abilities, status, and potential. Even if a proposer were to come from a family of negligible status, if they were a prized individual, then there would be no issue. On the common level, such things are more symbolic than anything, and will typically come after a proposal to detail how they seek to keep their partner happy.
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