Leif (lee-uf)
The Leif are the Elves of the life cycle. All elves were created together by or from forces of their world to embody a system, a cycle; for the Leif they came straight from the essence of life and love in the world to be the cycle of life. From birth to death to decomposition and around again, as the one most understanding of the need for life to end and begin again for love to flourish in ferocity.
From birth, to loving and forming connection, to death, where the body then decomposes for the plants which then feed the animals that then feed those higher on the chain and round again. As one can see, the cycle is simple in it's direction and should never go backwards, but the forms life go through change over and over. Love is simple, life is not.
Because of this, the Leif are more simple than the rest of the Elves in terms of political complexities and instead seek to further life as a whole. They stand against all undeath and fear no death themselves, life will go on and as long as that remains true they live on as well.
These beliefs are echoed heavily in druid circles so it is not uncommon for a Leif to break from other societies to join nature tribes and nomad groups looking simply to live, not grab greedily for more.
They were once most at odds with the Luna, both are most fluid in being open-minded and being closest to nature's ways, however, where the Luna continue to change everything around them believing this to be nature's way (to change), the Leif instead preserve the idea that change must come truly naturally - with no conscious choice.
Sometimes called wood elves, wild elves, green elves, or forest elves, they are the most reclusive and non-destructive of the Elves (in terms of innovation).
Appearance
- The Leif's appearance take after nature's trees due to their overlaps in creation and long lifespans.
- As such their skin tones can take on any hue or texture of tree bark. And similarly to trees, the oldest of Leif have visible 'rings' of layers in their flesh which are believed to accumulate once a Leif is considered an 'elder.'
- Their hair can take on any earthy colour from green to brown and most keep their hair long and loose.
- Their eyes are as blood red as the source of life
- But ironically their blood appears thick like sap, some even taking on a more ember colour in older years.
Height & Weight: Their size and build are similar to humans but more slender and slightly taller than average.
Features
Of a Cycle
Elves are resound in their ways, cycles are about change yes, but only on a set path. To break it is to cause ruin. So Elves are naturally stubborn in their mindsets, but that does come with it's advantages. Magic aiming to claim their minds in any way, struggle to do so.
Their minds also do not travel to the uncontrollable realm of Ribosia when they sleep - in other words, they do not dream. Instead they sink into a calm nothingness to allow the centuries of memory they accumulate to rest and settle and not add more images to the pile - or otherwise risk losing themselves to madness. As such they are able to remain somewhat alert as they sleep so it's not as easy to sneak up on them and they do not - for better or for worse - feel the effects of Ribosa.
However they can still be put magically to sleep, and depending on intent, this can then force their minds to travel to Ribosa. In fact it's a known ole wife's tale that an Elf can become addicted to such magics - to dreaming - and for minds carefully made to support long lives of memory, doubling the load proves disastrous.
Of Life
Being of the cycle of life, Leif have some innate magical ability to manipulate and direct the flow of life forces to a minor degree. For example, at a touch (and should a creature have blood), they can transfer a touch of life essence from their target to themselves to encourage healing - however this in turn harms the one they touch. It's almost as if it simulates eating of one creature on the life cycle to encourage your own healing, but to a extremely rapid condensed degree. This can be applied to a plant but doing so to a plant of their matching size or smaller kills it in the process.
They could also reverse this process, giving a touch of life from themselves to another to heal them. But of course this causes harm to themselves in equal exchange, after all life must continue around the cycle, not across it.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Elven names are often long (at least 3 syllables), for as long lived as they are they wish for each to individual to stand out - far too easily can history be twisted when one can accomplish so much in so many years.
And a name is all you are, and when you live that long, you are much, and thus so is your name. While they are given a full name at birth, children are referred to a shortened version (like a nickname) until they grow up. Once they are considered an adult, it is considered an insult to be referred to by anything less than their full first name because it is a marker for them growing into themselves - thus 'growing into' your full name. From here on only those considered close, and/or with permission, may shorten an adult Elf's name into the 'nickname' as it shows they have become familiar with the book and it's contents and no longer rely on title and cover.
For these reasons, those of only partial Elven blood are given 'half names' which are much shorter.
On the other hand, some Elves of higher power may enforce use of the shorter version of their name as a way of saying 'you should know of me, and if you don't, be careful.' Although this is usually reserved for nobility and the like.
For an Elf to completely resent their name and give themselves a new one, is to turn their backs on all of Elven kind.
Examples: Sherriala (Sherri), Thaiamasdane (Thaia), Klassmerid (Klass), Varessida (Varess), Matteodan (Matteo), Sersilas (Silas), Rutheron (Ruth), Sessalees (Sessay), Vincender (Vince), Anthearosa (Anthea) or Jabneelin (Jabneel)
Family names are more of a duty and anchor for an Elf to return to if they drift, and so have great meaning in Elven but are usually much shorter.
Examples: Vemor (Vital knowledge), Yerta (Sea Farer), Merthio (Battle hardening), Irphenkiir (the gems of a plant), Jolay (Joy of sweetness), Tomseree (delight in lawful trouble), Sprinona (Spring coloured wind) or Sorcha (Sun warmed sand)
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