Elf

Elves are, as some may describe, an evolutionary line of humans who were exposed to the Feywild for thousands of years. Eventually, they became leaner and aged much more slowly. Some migrated until they found an exit onto the planet Laythe. And some of these ones evolved into a civilization that despised nature. Still others from this group were banished for behaving in ways that the leaders deemed inappropriate, and live to this day beneath the surface of Derso, Laythe's one moon.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Elves are very much like humans, except that they have pointed ears and are much leaner in build. They are generally of similar height to humans, with the exception of drow, which have become shorter as an adaptive measure to life beneath Derso.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elves are feytouched mammals, and reproduce via sexual intercourse between a male and female. Upon conception, an embryo will grow within the female over a course of two years, after which the female will give birth to an infant.

Growth Rate & Stages

Elves are considered to be infants for the first four years of their life. After this, they are considered to be children until thirteen years, and then adolescents up to the age of thirty years. After this point, they are considered to have reached adulthood by biological standards, though they are not considered socially mature until one hundred years.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Elves, due to their lessened consumption of energy, have less need for meat, and their diet is highly vegetarian, though they do eat some meat, as there are a few important vitamins in it. This said, elves are omnivores.

Biological Cycle

Elves are relatively unaffected by both time and seasons (though this may be in part due to the lack of seasons on Laythe). They do not become weaker as they age, but physical activity will have more of a strain on their bodies, and their bodies fail around three quarters of a millenium.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Elves are widespread in the Laythe system. However, high elves inhabit mainly the continent of Verillion, where their empire is. Wood elves are all over the planet, existing in tribes throughout the islands of Laythe and even in the Feywild. Drow exist within the cavern network underneath Laythe's moon, Derso.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

Verillion - an empire inhabited and run by high elves. Also the name of the continent upon which this continent rests. Although the empire has not overtaken the entire continent, the high elves in their elitist nature believe the entire continent to belong to them.

History

Around three million years ago, some human tribes, while in the middle of migrating, found themselves in a misty twilight realm known as the Feywild. While panicked at first, they eventually became adjusted to this new world and wandered around in it. Eventually they stumbled across another interplanar gateway which led them to Laythe, a hot, very wet planet of similar size to Jorden. They ultimately settled here, forming multiple civilizations. Some formed massive cities which joined together in an empire, while others merged with the local tabaxi tribes.
Those who built the empire of Verillion, known as the high elves, grew to become highly elitist. They destroyed nature where they could, though nature fought back fiercely. At one point, they even banished some of their own kind for thinking and acting differently to the caves beneath the surface of Laythe's moon, Derso. This subset evolved to be better adapted at living underground and maintaining a truce with the other creatures there, and are known to this day as drow.
Those who merged with the tabaxi tribes, known as the wood elves, gained a deep respect for nature, and thus, a deep hatred for the high elves. They would occasionally attack small towns on the outskirts of Verillion, but mostly stayed back to defend their own home.

Genetic Descendants

• Half-Elf

Scientific Name

Homo Dryadalis

Origin/Ancestry

Wood Elves, High Elves, Drow

Lifespan

700-750 years

Conservation Status

This is a civilized race, and has no need for protection.

Average Height

1.5 - 2 m (1.4 - 1.7 m for drow)

Average Weight

45 - 66 kg (37 - 55 kg for drow)