The Returning

The feyblooded as they are known, elves and gnomes, live extraordinarily long lives. Both races are known to breach 800 years, though this is an exception. By that time, however, the elf or gnome in question has gathered the experiences of many human lifetimes, and the only constant in their lives are the earth, the water, and the wind. As such, when a gnome or elf reaches their final century, they begin to undergo 'The Returning'.

Causes

The point at which the Returning begins is variable to the individual elf or gnome, but generally observed to be in the final 80-100 years of their life.

Symptoms

The condition differs between elvish and gnomish folk. For the gnomes, when the time has come, their skin begins to thicken, a wrinkle in hard angles. It palls to a grey or light brown, and the bone structure strengthens, while any hair becomes a variance of green-grey or white, and t o befurther specific, with fall leaving only a light fuzz in Rock and Deep gnomes, while merely thinning in the Forest variety. The joints of a Returning gnome will become slower and less flexible, while the cardiovascular and nervous systems both begin to slow. The digestive system however undergoes a toughening, to a point where older gnomes are immune to many ingested poisons and objects that may not be edible to most become mere inconveniences if swallowed. The brain of a Returning gnome is also quite sharp, memory-loss being a rare affliction. There is a marked increase in stubbornness, however, and openness to new knowledge is a difficult task for an elder.
For elves, the Returning looks different. Famously smooth skinned, the elvish race enjoys the appearance of youth for the greater part of their lives. But for an elf that reaches the ancient stage of life, the Returning brings a marked change. The skin begins to darken, taking brown, green or grey tinges. It also begins to wrinkle quite spectacularly, until the oldest elf and the oldest of humans are not too far removed. The bone structure of an elder elf softens, while the muscles toughen and become firm but still strong. The hair will thin but not stop growing, taking silver or green highlights. An aging elf does not worry about any stiffening of the joints, though a slowing down of their systems occurs. An interesting variance between elf and gnome is that an ancient elf's mind becomes enigmatic, sometimes muddled. The memory of such an elf is untarnished, but the dreaming and imaginative parts of the mind are often overpowering, and an ancient elf will take to the trance state more and more as they age.

Cultural Reception

Gnomes and elves who reach the Returning are regarded as venerable elders, and celebrated for achieving such an age. They are cared for and revered for their knowledge and experience, and often take part in important community roles and decisions. They have pride of place in any society that has them and are even sought out by others of the short-lived races as sages for their experience.

Type

Genetic