Wood Elf

Wood elves were initially human-elf hybrids and have since evolved into their own species. They weren't highly respected at the beginning due to their forbidden creation between conflicted species at that time. They got exiled into the impassable and dangerous woods, where they created their own society to survive. Because of their past, they tend to prefer peace over conflict and greatly value family bonds, community, and diversity.

Basic Information

Behaviour

Wood elves are usually mischievous, curious, and nimble. They are great in archery, can command simple-minded creatures, and have a chameleon-like ability to hide in forested areas. Because of these traits, they are experts in the art of defense and formidable fighters.
Concerning their lifestyle, they prefer a more romantic, simple existence in harmony with the land, its wild beauty, and its creatures.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Wood elves highly value community and cooperation. They usually live in close-knit tribes within the dense forests they call home. Each tribe is led by a council of respected elders who have demonstrated wisdom, empathy, and a deep understanding of nature. The council, in turn, supports the Treethane in their duties. Decision-making is done through democratic votes, with each tribe member having a voice in important matters.
The individual tribes have frequent gatherings to celebrate festivals like the Festival of Growing, exchange knowledge and trade gathered, grown, or crafted goods. These gatherings help maintain peace and harmony among the tribes, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility for the well-being of their forested lands.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As an adaption to their surroundings, they developed a high movement speed, poison resistance, and the ability to survive drops from tall heights.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

There isn't a particular dress code, but they prefer clothing that allows the skin to breathe and rely heavily on stylized, often interlocking natural motifs that are also present in architecture and crafts. They often use plant-based dyes to color their natural fiber-based fabrics, producing vibrant earthy tones.

Architecture

Rather than imposing structures that could harm the surrounding nature, they primarily build their homes and settlements in harmony with the environment. Most of their homes are constructed within or within the crowns of living trees, blending seamlessly with the forest's foliage. These tree houses are often interconnected with wooden bridges and platforms, allowing the wood elves to move quickly and quietly through their tree network. Elders who can't move so swiftly anymore are usually housed within larger structures in the colony's center and moved to ground level, if needed, with swings connected to pulleys.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Wood elves have a unique and deep connection with nature. The profound connection results in the belief that all living beings, including plants, animals, and beasts, possess a spirit. They revere the ancient trees, waterfalls, riverways, and sacred groves within their territory, considering them the embodiments of their ancestors' wisdom. Regular ceremonies and rituals are held to express gratitude towards nature and seek guidance from their forebears' spirits.
Unique tattoos or markings are given to tribals during those ceremonies, representing significant events or lessons in their life.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Their three base rules are:

1. Do not harm nature unnecessarily.
2. Do not kill wastefully.
3. Seeds need to be replanted.

Young wood elves get welcomed into the community of adults within their 20th year of life during the Ritual of Growing.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Despite of their initial history of exile and prejudice, wood elves have a deep understanding and appreciation for diversity. They maintain peaceful relations with most other species all across Etheriel and are often saught after as mediators in conflicts between different communities because of their wisdom and impartial judgement. Due to the peaceful connections and successfull mediations the wood elves have earned the respect and trust of many.
Their ability to communicate with simple-minded creatures has led them to form unique and well-grounded bonds with forest animals. Those companions often act as allies and scouts, providing the wood elves with valuable information about the forest, potential threats and their surroundings.

Lifespan

on average 150 years

Average Height

1,37m - 1,87m

Average Weight

50kg