Ani'Shi
Two Worlds in One
Elves are graceful and determined, taking qualities from the Etti'Shi and Humans1. Born before and during The Etheral War, the Ani'Shi were a bit controversial in their time. Both sides would often despise the Ani'Shi for their relation to the other side. Some Elves still joined the Human's side of the conflict despite this, but the majority of them fought for themselves during the war.
Elves were born during a time of tension and war. While hatred was building between Humans and Etti'Shi, not all of them hated each other. Some even found love amongst each other which resulted in the Ani'Shi. The Ani'Shi, while being both a bit Human and Etti'Shi, were typically rejected by both. Due to the nature of the conflict rising, the Ani'Shi had trouble finding home with either faction leading to the Ani'Shi population being largely divided when the Ethral war finally happened. This has left many Ani'Shi with a bit of a disdain for Humans and the now deceased Etti'Shi.
Elves borrow Human curiosity and determination while bearing the unique physical adaptability, strength, and size of the Etti'Shi, mirroring the environments they develop in.
The longest standing country of Myst, Kinvar, was originally built by the first Forest Elves to return to the surface post-silence. There are many other orders, religions, and customs that are maintained by the Ani'Shi. One such example includes Guardian worship which has gradually become overtaken by Planar worship. Despite the shift however, most Ani'Shi continue to follow the Guardians. Another major tradition of Elven kind is the Emergence - a sort of ritual to become an adult. The Emergence varies from group to group, but one will usually have to prove their worth to their community in some way - perhaps through blacksmithing or fighting skill or leadership.
Of Two WorldsBorn in the worlds of Humans and Etti'Shi, the Ani'Shi was never really either. |
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Long-lasting BuildersElves strive to build what will remain long past their time. Groups of elves dedicate their lives to ensuring the longevity of an empire, idea, or organization, finding meaning in being part of a greater whole. |
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There is typically a strong sense of community among Elves as they strive to be part of anything they see as bigger than themselves. The needs of the individual are given up to that of service for the group. This will often lead communities or orders to be quite strict in their rules or demands, sometimes even pushing those seen as liabilities away. This also means that it is not normal to see an Ani'Shi adventuring without some purpose to a greater group unless they've gone rogue or been expelled.
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Lifespan
Roughly 200 Years
Diverse EvolutionReflections of the environment they grew in, the Ani'Shi are wildly diverse based on their physical surroundings. |
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Forest Elves
Average Height: 6' Geographical Distribution: East Mainland, Emagest Forest Elves are the most common race of Ani'Shi and are often found on the mainland. They are also the most Human-like in appearance, supporting a wide diversity of skin tones and looks similar to Humans but retaining their pointy ears and more angular facial structure. Some Forest Elves develop slight horns/antlers, but they usually never grow to be larger than a few inches. Forest Elves get their name from the early days of the Reclamation when a series of Elven kingdoms (including Kinvar which is predominately forest elf) cropped up in the Eastern Mainland forests. They heavily integrated nature into their building, often utilizing the natural environment to shape their structures. Since then, Forest Elves have become much more spread out, living in a number of different locales.
Snow Elves
Average Height: 5'8" Geographical Distribution: West Mainland, The Fringe, Inigrara, Uronivash Most Snow Elves come from around The Fringe and other northern areas around the world. Snow Elves usually have sheer white or black skin along with hair to match (or oppose). They are shorter than most other Elves and have an extreme resistance to sudden changes in temperature. Snow Elves were once much more isolated, forging an empire amongst themselves that grew quickly over the north of the Mainland known as The Forlas Throne (or Faltivren). However, over time the once great empire has grown more stagnant and dilapidated. Many Snow Elves have abandoned the idea of the empire altogether, no longer truly following the empire - rather their own community.
Mountain Elves
Average Height: 8'4" Geographical Distribution: The Mainland Mountain Elves hail from the mountains of the mainland. They are the most Etti’Shi-like in appearance with 4 arms and grayer skin tones. Their heights are often upwards of 8 or 9 feet, making them the tallest race of elf. Many of them live in tribes that are mostly closed to outsiders joining, yet many of these tribes still do interact a great deal with the surrounding towns and cities. A lot of these tribes are at odds with each other - most often spurred by wanting to prove which is the strongest. Most Mountain Elf tribes value strength over all else.
Dune Elves
Average Height: 6'4" Geographical Distribution: The Badlands, The Red Desert Dune Elves developed around the deserts of the Badlands, and they are still most oftenly found there. They typically have darker skin tones along with slightly longer ears than other Elves. They are also taller than Humans and Forest Elves. Dune Elves are usually extremely sociable and communal. Having lived in harsh conditions have made them depend on helping each other and trading with others. Many Dune Elves go on to be treasure hunters or explorers as lots of secrets hide under the sand of the badlands.
Shadow Elves
Average Height: 6'2" Geographical Distribution: Vathos Shadow Elves were born within the depths of Vathos. They often have gray to obsidian/purplish skin tones with darker hair that have streaks of luminescent color (often in shades of blue, red, or purple). Their eyes are larger than most other Elves as to better pick up on trace amounts of light within the darkness. They have also picked up a bit of innate magic within the spanning caves. Shadow Elves are most often found living in pockets of civilization throughout Vathos, but over the years alot of them have moved into the much larger empires that have formed underground due to the spreading of Aranei and Eecron influence. In the past, the Shadow Elves were largely enslaved by the Eecron and Aranei, but a revolt with the help of The Weeping Silence led to their freedom. Most Shadow Elves have since held a distrust of the other species (with the exception of Deep Dwarves), living in more isolated settings. Most also still see Aranei and Eecron as mortal enemies.
Sky Elves
Average Height: 5'11" Geographical Distribution: Aindral The Flying Isles of Aindral are home to a number of diverse species, including Sky Elves. Sky Elves are slightly taller than the average human or forest elf, and are usually quite thin. Their bone structures are much less dense, and they’ve developed an ability to glide using retractable wing-like flaps in their arms. Their ears are longer than that of even the Dune Elf, ending in an almost feathery point. Placeholder Text
Astronal Elves
Average Height: 6'7" Geographical Distribution: Choros Astronal elves are believed to have connection to and origins from Choros. They usually have silverish or darker skin tones with little spots of light along their body (almost resembling stars). Some also have the belief that once Astronal Elves pass on, they become Luminiasi.
1The name Elf was derived from Humans and Dwarves. On the other side, the Etti'Shi referred to them as Ani'Shi. The two names became normalized around the same time.
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