Age of Wisdom
It is unknown exactly how long an elf can live. Most have died, become unreachable hermits, or likewise disappeared before their one thousandth birthday. Some believe that they transform into spirit to guide the younger elves during their nightly trance or transform and retreat to the fey lands. The truth is, about a century before their exit from the world around them they go through a change. This change is referred to as the Age of Wisdom.
Transmission & Vectors
Most elves are known to go through this phase of life. Few, however, skip this part and stay around their lives. It us unknown if this is an act of the gods, having something planned for the soul, or an act of avoidance, like becoming a lich.
Causes
There is no known cause for this condition, it is thought of as part of the life of an elf. It is thought that it is related to the unique physiology of being an elf. Elves are magical creatures, born of the fey lands yet living in the prime. This leads many to believe that the reason this condition exists is because of the broken link to the lands of faerie. The fey lands pulling the elf back by force, keeping its own and absorbing their life energy back into the fold.
Symptoms
Approximately a century before the onset, the elf in question begins to take a more passive leadership role, instructing, advising, or some other way of imparting their wisdom. This continues until the elf's feelings change toward their new role, pushing that elf to retreat to where ever it is that they go.
Cultural Reception
The elves are tight lipped, if they even know, about where their progenitors fade off to. Most are ready and accepting of this fate. Few are resistant and fight it as much as they can either by spell or sheer will.
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