Elves
Elves are magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. Rumor is Elves live in secret conclaves of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world.
A Timeless Perspective
Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance.A Cursed Existence
The seemingly eternal lifespans of the Elves eventually became a point of contention and mistrust from the other races of the realm. Their affinity for magic, natural healing, heightened reflexes, and centuries of experience made the Elven armies wonderous constructs of neverending death while their Kingdoms became dominant forces of economic power in the world. Despite the willingness to remain neutral in the never-ending conquest wars, and restraint to take little more territory when defending their borders, the Kingdoms of Elves were considered to be the greatest threat in the realm. Near the end of the Vast Discordance, a consortium of wizards from various kingdoms conspired to put a hard limit on the Elves ever-burgeoning power, resulting in a birth curse that marks roughly 1/3 of all Elves with madness. There is no physical manifestation of the madness, but an Elf marked with the affliction will suddenly and violently turn into a deranged beast sometime before their 100th birthday, when an elf transitions to adulthood. To this day there is no known cure for the Bloodscourge.Bloodscourge
Elves that become mad are known as the Bloodscourge and turn all of their knowledge in combat and magic into an unrelenting force, destroying everything around them. There are rumors that Bloodscourge that escaped the purge has established covens in the wilds, wreaking havoc on traveling merchants and pillaging towns in the night.Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, and their skill and magic allow them to support themselves without the need for clearing and plowing land.
Average Intelligence
Due to their extended lifespans and natural curiosity Elves are considered to be more intelligent that humans and exhibit a natural propensity for magic.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, Elves possess natural darkvision as well as heightened hearing and vision.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.
Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall
Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)
Relationship Ideals
Elves typically bond for life, often after their 3rd century and keep small families. Most Elves typically form close-knit bonds with relatively few associates and foster those relationships over a lifetime. Although Elves live in tight societies, a tribal or societal bond is not common and each Elf is valued for their personal abilities and gifts.
Common Dress Code
They favor elegant clothing in bright colors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They have been known to retreat from intrusions into their remote homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow, and strategy.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Elves are talented artisans, crafting finely worked clothes and art objects. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited, though a few elves make a good living by trading crafted items for metals (which they have no interest in mining).
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Elves are generally distrustful of outsiders and often outright despise the "lesser races" for their role in the creation of the Bloodscourge. Although some Elves choose to leave their secluded conclaves and venture into the world, most Elves choose to remain reclusive in their homes. Outsiders are rarely welcome within Elven cities, any invitation would likely be considered a great honor.
Lifespan
Elves live extremely long lives and do not track their age in years. The oldest elves are reportedly over 1000 years old and are revered for their wisdom.
Average Height
Elves on average are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet . Males and females are about the same height, although variance in the subraces of elves does often play a part.
Average Weight
They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds, males are only marginally heavier than females.
Average Physique
Lithe and graceful, Elves are typically thin with compact muscles. Although Elves are strong, many rely on their dexterity and cunning over brute strengt
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and little body hair.
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