Shadow Elves

Shadow Elves were created by genmaturgists of Xylian Dominion to serve as slaves dedicated to hunting, foraging and woodcutting in vast forests of northern Markarian Peninsula, supplying local xylian population with all resources local woods could provide. Especially the important Xylian installations in the region of Black Mountains, where they bred dark elves in hopes of using them to search through the Labirynth.
This changed in late Xylian Dominion, as their overlords become more and more mechanized, with their needs for products from the forests slowly getting smaller and smaller. They were redefined into combat elven subspecie, serving as inexpensive archers for various xylian warlords, their own society taking shape similar to the xylian militant magocracy.
Shadow Elves - probably a modified variant of forest elves - achieved independence right after the Xylian Dominion collapsed, creating a Kingdom of Armarivia. It was, however, swiftly overwhelmed by humans, forcing its inhabitants to flee. They returned, ultimatelly, today serving as a border state for Vhessan Empire on the burning borderland between Nikopolan and Vhessan spheres of influence.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Typical humanoids. Two hands, two legs, one head. They tend to have well developed muscular system in hands and legs, that make them good woodcutters, hunters... and fighters, both archers and warriors. They are also known for having extraordinary stamina, capable for running almost indefinitely as long as they are well trained, fit, and supplied with enough food and water.

Biological Traits

As all elves, they are very dependant on level of their blood purity. Mixing with other elven subspecies makes their offsprings genetically inferior, slowly degenerating into low elves, making special traits of their subspecie much weaker with every generation, and lowering their lifespan. A pure-blooded aristocracy of forest elves can live two hundred years, with up to 400 years in case of particularly magic-talented and pureblooded elfs. The 'plebeians' that are still considered forest elves have average lifespan of around 100 to 120 years.

Genetics and Reproduction

Their reproduction is typical for elves. Can have children only with other elves, ogres, and very magical beings for example shapeshifters and high dragons. Pregnancy ranges from 9 to 10 months, depending on level of blood purity.

Ecology and Habitats

Shadow elves particularly enjoy living in a small villages surrounded by forest, when they can freely hunt. They tend to have good relations with dryads whose domain surround them, making them avoid most of problems that come from such placement of settlements. They still have cities, naturally, but they tend to be spread, without really big buildings and with lots of trees. They tend to dislike the smell of big cities, but that comes from their typical environments rather than biology, which means they can get used to it after some time.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Lack of facial hair with exception of eyebrows. Their skin tends to feel and look rather soft and delicate. Skin light, hair in most cases brown or black, sometimes white (if vhessan ancestors).

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Majority of population of the Kingdom of Armarivia. Small but notable minority of Vhessan Empire. Some of them are also encountered in Nikopolan Hegemony.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tend to have wonderful sight, very good hearing and very keen sense of smell.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

Kingdom of Armarivia

Courtship Ideals

Elves tend to have a rather strict, patriarchal culture, especially among the higher strata of their societies. It isn't different among forest elves, with courtship in most cases based on a candidate(s) proving to their beloved's father that they are truly the best he can pick for his daughter. On the other hand, they also tend to actually ask the female in question about their opinion, which tends to set up notably higher than for example high elves or sea elves.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Elven Speech, Armarivian Diallect

Common Taboos

As among most of the elves, they have a taboo about relationships with members of other subspecies. While this does happen, it is generally shunned among most of elven societies, making elves that attempted it in most cases move to other provinces of Imperium.

Created by: Xylian Dominion.
IC: Occurence: Uncommon
IC: Danger: Threatened