Elphin
The Elphin used to dominate the world before their civilizations were destroyed in the Three Cataclysms. A few centuries later they slowly started to emerge from their underground shelters, but they will most likely never become as sprawling as they were before, as most of the lush lands they used to occupy had been turned into dry wastes, or became straight up unsuitable for Elphin life. Long ago they dominated the entire planet, now their last few known communities can only be found on the shattered continent of Valahiri.
The Elphin are a species of many contradictions and extremes, capable of great feats and great horrors, and everything in between. Their ability to work together and to quickly adapt to their surroundings became the key to their survival.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Generally speaking the Elphin are bipedal, with four limbs in total. Despite this, there are cases where an Elphin can develop more than two arms or legs, or less than two arms or legs. Elphin tend to stand upright, but they also might develop a more slumped posture if that is more beneficial for their survival. Common mutations in Elphin morphology include:
1. growing a small set of tentacles on the back of the neck;
2. growing tentacles instead of hair;
3. developing wings used for gliding instead of flying;
4. developing tails;
5. developing horns, antlers or antennae.
Genetics and Reproduction
Lunar Cycles
Fertile periods correlate with several phases of the moon (specifically full moon and new moon), which is why many cultures see a direct link between these phases and fertility. Depending on environmental circumstances, many Elphin only reproduce during the mildest season (usually in spring), increasing the survival chances of both the birth parent and the child. Elphin mature very quickly and have long lifespans, which reduces the necessity to regularly mate and reproduce.
Reabsorbtion
When the fertile period is over and nothing has been conceived, the body reabsorbs all reproductive material it had produced for that specific period, turning this material into a source of nourishment. This reabsorbtion is tied to the Elphin's latent ability to shapeshift, which can be trained and is often considered a magical ability. In this way, magic becomes an integral part of the way many Elphin view themselves and the world around them.
Growth Rate & Stages
Elder and Grandchild by Rain Tunison
Elder Mutation
Around two hundred, the body of an Elphin starts to rapidly mutate, turning into a plant-animal hybrid, while the mind shatters and is partially re-absorbed into the Eternal River. This plant-like being lives on for only a couple of Cycles before turning to dust. The vast majority of Elphin don't live long enough to experience this. Myths around this phenomenon abound, interpreting it as a form of ascension to a kind of godhood, or a fate worse than death. Either way, getting into this state means death will soon follow.
Ecology and Habitats
The Elphin can adjust to a wide variety of habitats, though there is no ideal environment. Communities with a nomadic lifestyle will usually stay within a specific biome, which they know the ins and outs of. Sedentary communities seek out fertile areas, and any kind of community will usually stay near sources of water, if that is possible.
Without protective gear an Elphin can survive temperatures between -30 and +60 degrees Celsius, though what counts as 'extreme cold' or 'extreme heat' is significantly more extreme than these temperatures. Communities will never settle in areas with any level of radiation or toxicity. Although Elphin are capable to survive minor levels of radiation and toxicity, dwelling in these areas for too long will still prove lethal without protective gear.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Elphin are usually omnivores. Though vegetarianism does exist in some communities, many other communities simply cannot afford to practice vegetarianism due to a consistent lack of resources. Unused reproductive material is also used as a small source of nourishment.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
The Elphin have pointy ears that can become up to 15 centimeters long. Some Elphin have two pinnae instead of one, merged together in a wing-like shape. Their faces display very subtle feline, reptilian, canine and insectoid facial features, including a prominent forehead and large eyes.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Elphin are spread across Valahiri, mostly residing in and around coastal areas, since that is where living conditions are usually less harsh. In the northern regions of the Glasslands, the remaining Elphin communities never left the underground. These communties were cut off from the rest of the world a few generations ago, and they often send out expeditions in the hopes of finding a way to cross the barrier.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Elphin's heightened senses allow them to communicate with the world around them more easily. These senses also allow them to tap into the world's most prominent source of magic, the Echo. Their hearing is especially well developed due to the many generations of living in dimly lit underground tunnels. Strangely enough, Elphin still have moderately large eyes, despite not having to rely on them as much as they have to rely on their hearing.
Mastering Sound
Capabilities to produce ultrasonic or infrasonic sounds, or mimic the sounds of other creatures can be trained and refined. Elphin who are particularly trained in communicating with the Echo can use echolocation. The line between sensory capabilities and magic is blurry. Magic, the senses and perception are tightly linked. It is no surprise then, that communication with or via the Echo, the use of echolocation and similar practices are viewed as a form of magic by many Elphin cultures.A Sixth Sense
Elphin are also capable of sensing metaphysical anomalies and several forms of radiation (or 'Poison Light'), though they won't be able to identify exactly what they are sensing unless they have the knowledge or tools required to do so. This is why many Elphin travellers still carry hazard detectors with them, which are specifically designed to identify common hazards in an area. These devices cannot detect metaphysical anomalies however.Civilization and Culture
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Elphin communities located close to the home of another sapient species will likely develop a symbiotic relationship with said species. Both communities will then support each other on a quite intimate level, and even find ways to communicate with each other despite massive differences in the way the two species communicate among themselves. This symbiosis can sometimes run so deep that if the two communities are separated, both have a high likelyhood of dying off.
Table of Contents
Lifespan
150 years (or sun-cycles)
Average Height
1.3 to 1.8 meters
Average Weight
45 to 80 kg
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Elphin skin is made up of tiny scales invisible to the naked eye, much like the wings of a butterfly. It can take on any shade of blue, purple, green or grey. Elphin skin tones are not dependent on sunlight, since the Elphin are already completely immune to ultraviolet radiation. Instead, Elphin skin colours seem to adapt to the dominant colour schemes found in their environment. Mutations brought about by other types of radiation can cause body markings such as swirls and thin lines in a darker or lighter shade of the Elphin's skin colour. These mutations are quite common and pose no health risks, although the marked skin is usually more sensitive to pain. Elphin living in the Tunnels for their entire lives without seeing a single glimpse of the overworld might develop markings that glow in the dark.
Black is the most common colour for Elphin hair and eyes. Other common hair colours are red, silver and brown. Other common eye colours include red, brown, aqua, green, grey, purple, gold, magenta, cyan and azure.
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Author's Notes