Elf

Long-lived and aloof, the elves are widely known to be the oldest of the humanoid races of Amaun, if not the Twin Worlds, themselves. History has mostly passed them by, and adventurers delve into the ruins of their former glory. Still the elves endure in places far from the eyes of others.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite appearances, elves differ from humans in many physiological ways. Their senses are more keen than humans', especially sight and hearing. They are also capable of seeing in the dark, and their eyes shine like those of a cat.
They also do not require sleep. Instead, they enter a meditative trance referred to as the elf-sleep for a few hours. During this time the elf doesn't dream, instead they review their memories, or occasionally receive visions of the Feywild.
The most well-known distinction is the elves' long lifespan. This is believed to be due the the magical connection between the elves and the Feywild. An elf' s natural lifespan runs over 800 years, although it is not uncommon for them to live longer, especially if an individual elf has a stronger connection to their own magical nature.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elves are partially interfertile with other races, especially humans. The child of a human an elf is a half-elf. A half-elf will produce human children with humans, but only half-elves with elves. They are likewise just as able as anyone else to produce children with extraplanar beings such as fiends.
The interbreeding of elves of different subraces of elves results in the child sharing the traits of one of its parents. The traits of regular elves seem to be more commonly dominant, with the rare exception of the otherworldly elves known as drow.

Growth Rate & Stages

Elves age far more slowly than other races, not reaching maturity until sometime after seven decades. They are not considered adults by their society until they reach at least one hundred years of age.
They don't visibly age seemingly at all after this, making an individual's age very difficult to determine. Socially, elves are taught to respect their elders and have a strangely accurate sense of the age of fellow elves. After about seven hundred years of age, an elf is considered a "Wise One", and are given a great deal of deference by younger elves.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Elven features are generally far more delicate and well-chiseled than those of other races. They are, by and large considered to be very attractive by most humaniod races. They have sharply pointed ears and straight, silken hair. Males are incapable of growing facial hair.
Their skin generally tends toward lighter colors, while their hair is usually light colors such as blond, red, white, silver, or gold, although dark colors are not unheard of. Their eyes tend to be brightly colored, favoring shades of blue, green, or violet.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

All elves, from the wild elves of the Dire Wood to the people of the hidden city of Veille, have a deep-seated love of nature. Even those who build cities take great care to disturb their natural surroundings as little as possible. This very connection to the natural world leads many to walk the path of the druid or ranger.
Elves are also deeply magical creatures, and it is widely known that their magical works are unsurpassed except perhaps by the dwarves. There is a tradition of elven mages as long as the history of the Twin Worlds, themselves, and such individuals are highly respected.
Elves also show great respect for their elders. Those who have lived for many centuries or even longer are believed to hold the wisdom of the ages. Such old elves usually remain in their communities and serve as guides for the younger generations.

History

Elven society is truly ancient, far more so than even the long memories of the elves know. According to stories passed from elder to child, the first elves emerged into the Material Plane from the misty depths of the Feywild. These unspeakably ancient elves found themselves in a dull and alien world, unable to return.
These creatures had magic in the very fabric of their being, however, making their survival simple. They quickly founded the Ancient Elven Empire, and rose to a position of dominance that looked like it would remain unbroken for all of time.
The gnomes came first from their mysterious homeland, then the dwarves emerged from their underground homes. No one is clear when the halflings, or the races of goblinkind appeared, but the rulership of the elves was still unchallenged. Then another race appeared that the elves could not have predicted or prepared for, the race of humanity.
The two peoples came into immediate conflict, in a war known as the First Imperial War. At first the elves were winning handily, but the humans were many and determined, slowly taking the upper hand. In the end, it didn't matter who was winning or losing this war, all it did was blind both sides to the true danger.
Beneath their feet, in what would become known as The Warrens, an unknowable horror waited. This was a race of beings known to all others as mind flayers, creatures of alien thoughts and the power to destroy and dominate the minds of others.
They rose from their place beneath the earth in a coordinated invasion, the First Rising all the people of the Twin Worlds were forced to fight, flee, or become thralls. Some elves fled, becoming the sea elves and ice elves , but most fought alongside those of other races, even humans.
When the Rising was defeated, the elves and humans entered into a fragile alliance. This was not meant to last, as the Second Imperial War came soon after. This conflict was short and bloody, destroying forever the majestic empire of the elves.

Historical Figures

Elven history places far more emphasis on the deeds performed by past elves, as opposed to the individuals that performed them. It is more modern history that has singled out individual elves. In particular, it has singled out two warrior-wizards: Ansarien Ill'conter and Eldain Mal'atre.
Ansarien was one of the swordwizards of the Ancient Elven Empire. It was his deeds alone that started the Second Imperial War which led to the destruction of the empire. For these crimes he was sealed inside a stone prison for what was to be all eternity.
This was not the case, as he was found by a party of adventurers led by a young elven battlemage named Eldain Mal'atre. Ansarien was released from his imprisonment, and immediately began a campaign of conquest to restore the elves to their former glory. After many long journeys and difficult battles, Eldain finally defeated him.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Generally, the elves choose not to interact with those of other races. In part, this is due to the long lifespan of the elves preventing them from forming what they see as true bonds of friendship, although a certain sense of cultural superiority does play a role as well.
For the most part, this means that elves remain in their isolated cities, with many lamenting the loss of their former glory. As with any race, there are a rare few that feel the call of adventure. These brave, or perhaps foolish souls travel among other peoples and face many dangers in the pursuit of fortune and glory, with many of them leaving behind the prejudices of their kin.

Genetic Descendants

• Baelnorn
• Ice Elf
• Sea Elf

Lifespan

800 - 1000 years

Average Height

5.5 - 6 ft

Average Weight

100 - 140 lbs

Related Organizations

• Ancient Elven Empire