Wood Elves

The Pantheon deities have only claimed one race as their own. Galawain conceived the Wood Elves as the ultimate apex predators: nimble, sharp, crafty, and instinctively vicious. In the past, the Wood Elves were considered the greatest warriors in the land, but now they've been reduced to pests in most societies or, at best, second rate citizens.

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This article was not written from an Elvish perspective, the information in this article is accurate but prejudice influences the tone of the article.

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Animals. All of them. We have dealt with the Tel'kar before but remember that they were once a threat to the world. They may look like us but they are nothing more than beasts that only respond to strength; even then they see such strength as a challenge to overcome, a prey to pursue. We are no longer like our ancestors. We are now a civilized race. And no civilized nation would allow Galawain's wild beasts to roam rampant within their borders. For we will not be hunted like prey.

— Myris Kal'sar Tel'dar Administer

Galawain created Wood Elves to demonstrate the product of natural selection in humanoid form. Despite the adversity they face, Wood Elves are a significant concern, comprising 14% of the world's population. While not as populous as Humans ^[1], Wood elves have the advantage of sharp hunting instincts and aggressiveness which allows the average adult Wood Elf to kill a dozen commoners without formal training. Due to this, Wood Elves are treated with caution due to their numbers and natural skills, for if Wood Elves banded together they could weaken armies without warning, or at the very least, decimate civilian populations before being subdued.

Culture and Heritage

The Wood Elves are scattered, most are wandering mercenaries seeking worthy targets. Although a few live in small tribes out in the wilderness, hunting challenging prey to honor their heritage and Galawain himself.

Ideology

Wood Elves naturally understand an aspect of Galawain's teachings.^[2] As a result many Wood Elves follow Galawain teaching's.

Common Customs

Wood Elves tend to pursuit impossible tasks, seeking to overcome them through strength, cunning, or persistence.

Taboos

Dying of old age is frowned upon as Wood Elves constantly strive for a worthy prey and which leads to the death of many Wood Elves as they become physically weaker due to age.

Wood Elves see lavish lives as infantilizing potential apex predators, causing them to die of age as prey.
Being idle is considered wasteful of Galawain's gift to the Wood Elves as they were built to overcome but there's no stillness in the wild.

Social Structure

By nature Wood Elves form small tribes, consist of a dozen members. Loose governments that encourage self sufficiency are preferred.

History

It's believed Wood Elves originated where the Tel'dar now occupy. They had great empires that span the continent but their downfall was the inadvertent creation of the High Elves race ^[2]. The High Elves allied with the Drakkengard where they dismantled the Wood Elf empire to establish the Tel'dar in it's place.
As the Tel'dar became the dominate force on the continent, they sent criminals and Wood Elves to a nearby continent, now known as the Tel'kar to fight against an unyielding force. After decades of being treated as second rate citizens and cannon fodder, the Tel'kar developed a form of Blood Magic which allowed them to rebel against the Tel'dar and hold their ground against The Unspoken without assistance, allowing them to form the only surviving Wood Elf nation.

Biology

Resembles an Elf with predatory features.

Physique

Wood Elves are lean and toned. Their eyes are exceptionally acute and ears keen. This allows them to quickly react to any situation that arise.

Features

Natural tattoos that span their body, acting as both camouflage and signifying the mark of Galawain. Modern Wood Elves' tattoos are faded compared to ancient Wood Elves.

Lifespan

Up to 800 years theoretically based on High Elf physiology. Most Wood Elves die before they are 300 years due to outside influences.

Height

5-6 feet tall.

Weight

100-145 pounds.

Ideal Environment

Originally dense forests and jungle with large prey.

Modern Wood Elves prefer environments ideal for hunting and gathering, or dangerous cities with plenty of hiding places.

Diet

Wood Elves were created as pure carnivores, incapable of consuming other sustenances.

Over time most modern Wood Elves evolved to become omnivores as they've integrated into other race's societies.

Major Organizations

Tel'kar