Wood Elf

A down-to-earth and tranquil people, Wood Elves are the most populous and commonly seen of all the elven variants. They are the denizens and guardians of Aldheim’s impenetrable forests, traditionally living in tranquil villages in harmony with nature. These treetop villages blend into surrounding flora, and lack any walls or significant architecture that would separate its inhabitants from the embrace of the forest. Such villages near impossible to find without the aid of a Wood Elf guide. Though most of these villages lie far from the reaches of modern civilization, Wood elves often venture far from their homelands and intermingle with other races to engage in trade, adventure or settlement.
Unlike their High Elf Cousins, Wood Elves lack any ambitious approach to magic or the scholarly arts. Neither do they partake in heavy industry, mining or military fortification. Whilst other races may see this as passivity or complacency, it is simply a part of Wood Elf culture to seek harmony and diplomacy in most situations for the good of everyone. Despite their long lives, Wood elves tend to live in the moment. They care about the present and the future, and their culture of peace places importance on leaving past grudges behind. In their words, 'Better to plant a new seed than mourn the ashes of a forest.'
However, this cultural mindset has been challenged in recent years due to increasing industrialization and deforestation threatening ancestral Wood Elf territories. Modern wood elves may no longer be able to ‘go with the flow’, and younger generations have begun taking a more radical stance in protecting their forests from encroaching pollution. This is especially true of the Wood Elves of New Kaers, a subculture who has embraced firearms in favour of old bows and arrows.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Wood Elves are usually slender and lean like all other elves, with skin tones from coppery brown to even slightly tinted green. Their eye colours range from amber to viridian, like the colours of leaves. Their heightened reflexes allow them to move faster than any other elven subrace, and blend seamlessly into even sparse foliage to hide.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Wood Elves under the age of 100 are considered children, and have short unisex child names. When they come of age, they take on a proper name. They share this convention with High Elves.
Child Names (Unisex): Raul, Laia, Rynn
Adult Names (Male): Peren, Quarion, Suhnae
Adult Names (Female): Drusilia, Keyleth, Meriele
Surnames: Firahel, Amakiir, Wasanthi

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elf

Wood Elf Impressions

When seen positively: Wood Elves are a nature-loving people who champion the rights of the forests in an age where technology is the norm.
When seen negatively: Wood Elves are a bunch of flower-loving over-sensitive hippies who put their fragile feelings before any sort of logic or reason.