Forest Elves
Often called Dark Elves by other humanoids, the Forest Elves do their best to live a quiet existence. They possess better night vision than their other kin, to help them see better in densely wooded areas, and are known for hosting fairy dances on certain nights. Being the most common variety of elf found in the Kingdom of Cynia, they are also the most directly subjected to propaganda and the prejudice the people hold against their kind.
Though they tend to keep to themselves, it is not uncommon for one to help someone who is lost to find their way to safe shelter, if not home. They will rarely, if ever, reveal themselves to those they help, however, for fear of being hunted down.
Elves of this variety have dark skin with cool undertones.
Culture
Common Dress code
Forest elves tend to prefer simple, practical garments for their everyday wear. Hunters will wear clothes that fit closely with the body and allow them to better blend in with their environment, while those working in the village might wear long short-sleeved tunics to allow them to pick up and carry their work with them as needed. Little decorative touches are common, especially among those talented in needlecraft, but there is a general understanding that these clothes are for working in and will get worn out and repaired frequently with time and use.
For more celebratory occasions, such as on a feast day, colourful formal wear is expected. Long sleeves and flowing hems are more common during these occasions, and one might find more finely worked details on such garments. Clothing sporting such extravagancies are treasured and often passed down from parent to child.
Art & Architecture
In more magically saturated areas, the forest elves will work domiciles into living trees themselves, being able to encourage growth and even expansion that can provide comfortable lodgings within. If there is a Mei'nimlen tree, entire communities can find space to live within a single trunk.
In more mundane regions, however, the elves are forced to cut down some trees to build treetop houses in others. Simple rope ladders and bridges are preferred for access to these homes, and they are often disguised from beneath with branches.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Among Forest Elves, one's beauty is in the passion they put into their work, be it in a craft or even in something as mundane as braiding one's hair. The more time and care that one puts into perfecting their chosen arts is very telling about their character and considered a far more valuable measure of one's beauty than simply their outward appearance.
Comments