[Race] The Elves

-High Elf-

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Foreward by LB Smoothe:

There are three main types of elves that exist in the Empire, although there are a few other 'types' of elves that exist that aren't covered in this entry.

When most people think of elves, they generally think of High Elves as they are the most numerous, and the most publically outward of the subraces of Elves. They are so common that they are considered the main elven bloodline, and will be the representative for Elfkind.

Grey Elves are the nobility of elfkin, with high stature and portly demeanor. They tend to stay in their cities in Sylvania and refrain from mingling with other races.

Wood Elves are most found in the wilds, and are quite reclusive and frugal.

Dark Elves are covered in a separate entry altogether.

High Elves

The members of this subrace are so common that they are, for all considerations, the main elven bloodline. They mingle freely in the Empire, always welcome yet never at home there. They are well known for their poetry, dance, song, lore, and magical arts. Elves favor things of natural and simple beauty. When danger threatens their woodland homes in Sylvania, however, elves reveal a more martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow, and battle strategy.

Personality

Elves are more often often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. With essentially immortal life spans, they tend to keep a broad perspective on events, remaining aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether an adventurous mission or learning a new skill or art, they can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget the. They don't care much for gossip and discount the tales of others in favor of their own judgements. They reply to petty insults with disdain to serious insults with vengeance.

Elves generally prefer the company of other elves, though even that is preferred in small groups. They are rather reserved people, not usually given to chatting one's ear off or begging for attention. Elves in mixed company tend to keep to themselves, to watch and listen more than they speak, and to undertake actions with minimal consultation with others, especially non-elves. When they act, however, they do so decisively. They are proud, and can be distant and cool to outsiders, and are considered intelligent, wise and clever by many races, but also a bit aloof and standoffish. They are fiercely loyal to their friends and family, but their respect is held by those who demonstrate skill, knowledge, and wisdom, regardless of race.

Despite their rather cool and aloof attitude, high elves are rather sexual creatures, unjudgemental about couplings. They are even regarded to mate and marry members of other races, with a preference towards humans, with whom they can bear children with, unlike most of the other races.

Physical Description

Humans usually find elves to be extraordinarily beautiful, even ethereal, though some other races may find them freakish, with their pointed ears, large, slanted eyes and vibrant coloration. Naturally slender, Elves tend to be long-limbed and supple of movement with an underlying athleticism. Their willowy stature may give the unfamiliar the initial impression that they are physically weak. While not as bulky as a humn of similr size, their musculature is rangy or wiry and lends them surprising strength for weight though it is more tuned to quick ness and endurance than displays of bulk and brute force. Over all, they stand a little under human height but give the impression of being taller. This is partially accounted for by their very upright posture and slenderness of frame, though some people claim this illusion of height is caused by their great vitality. Shorter than humans and with frail-looking frames, high elves are extremely agile and graceful in movement and speech.

Coloration patterns tend to run in families and it is unusually easy to spot siblings and parents or children by their marked similarity of hair, eye and skin. The majority of elves have hair and eye colors of intense or unusual hue, when compared to Humans. Eyes of the most vivid green, violet, or amber are common and it is not unusual to find an elf with hair naturally streaked with deep brown and olive green or a dozen shades of silver and white. Even shades of blue or Autumn-leaf-red are not unknown. Their skin is pale and generally does not tan much more than that regardless of how much time an elf spends under the sun.

Their facial structure is quite sharply sculpted with angular features, especially the eyes, cheekbones and chin. Elven ears are large, elongated and pointed and quite mobile, similar to a cat's. Elven hands and feet have long, slender digits, which are remarkably dextrous and capable of splaying out for improved grip and balanced. Slim, clever hands also contribute to the manual skill, which some elves turn to more artistic pursuits.

Elves do not sleep, as members of the other common races do. Instead, an elf meditates in a deep trance for 4 hours a day. An elf resting in this fashion gains the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep. While meditating, an elf relives the Dream, though this dream is actually part of a mental exercise, to remember the history of their people and the promise of the Halls to the Utmost West.

All elves are immortal, in the traditional sense that their natural lives are eternal. Elves are unwearied with age, however, elves can be slain, or die of grief and weariness. By comparison, elves stop aging when they reach physical maturity, and remain that way, while human bodies continue to age.

Elves typically look young, and beautiful, but under long periods of stress, the faces of some elves can age, though their bodies do not. Facial hair normally does not exist among elves, but some male elves who are stressed over many years can develop beards.

Height:

4'6 to 5'7. Overall, they stand a little under human height, but give the impression of being taller. This is partly accounted for by their very upright posture and slenderness of frame, though some people claim this illusion of height is caused by their great vitality.

Style of Dress: In villages and working situations, elves are practical dressers, preferring clothing which fits close enough to avoid snagging on rocks or trees, which fits close enough to avoid snagging on rocks or trees, but loose enough for movement. Colors which blend with their environment are favored while at work or in casual relaxation. Generally, they prefer leathers and moderately hefty woven materials with a thinner, softer undergarment beneath.

Nearly all elves keep a scarf or hat about them to protect their ears from wind and cold. Even in fine weather, some elves may keep a light scarf somewhere on their person, in case of sudden breezes or rain. The material may be anything from the lightest woven silk to a soft knitted wool or fur-lined cap, and will be gauged to suit the weather. Additionally, most elves wear their hair long except while in mourning, with the front and sides loose over the ears. Most braid the back hair into a long plait during the working day, to control it and keep it out of the way, but let it flow free or only loosely pulled back, otherwise. Some Grey Elves wear their hair in a complex folded and tied bundle resting on the back of the neck for warmth.

Forest elves avoid shoes, except when terrain reuires them, while other elves prefer soft boot-like footgear to protect them from sharp rocks and cold. Few elves wear gloves, preferring to keep their nimble fingers free of encumbrance, though they may adopt them if necessity requires it.

In cities or on special occasions, elves can be flamboyant dressers. With a variety of dyes available in nature, woodland elves deck themselves in myriad colors for any celebration, delighting in contrasting garments and bright tones. Some elves create designs of one or two contrasting colors on solidly colored garments, with intricate woven, painted embroidered patterns.

City-dwelling elves usually adopt whatever the current fashion is, though in everyday wear, they mary hark to their village origins, if they have them, and dress in colors worn 'back home.' With the variety of goods available to an urban elf, their flamboyance can only be exceeded by the magnificent ceremonial dress of the Grey Elves.

Elves are fond of jewelry and often wear some charm or significant object at all times. Some pierce their ears to acommodate earrings and some may choose to have multiple piercings, though excesses are frowned upon as dangerous to the delicate ear. For everyday, elves eschew heavy or flash ear- or finger-rings as possible hazards, but may choose to wear complex and impressive ones for celebratory events. Some families and clans also pierce other facial and body parts, but this is not widespread. Ordinary items may be made of woven leather, grass, hair or sinew, carved wood, antler, claws, bone or ston, with metals and gems reserved for small or special occasion items. When an occasion comes to wear their finery, however, they will not stint themselves in this regard.

As well as jewelry, elves generally go about armed. Except for children and in the most intimate of conditions, many elves carry a practical knife. Most carry a knife their entire lives, though they may use another as their primary utility tool. Knives generally follow a local fashion as to style and display, with some communities preferring to keep them concealed while others prefer to wear them openly.

Minimum Playing Age: 25

Relations With Other Races

High elves are the most likely to start relations with outsiders, though, as their curiousity and openness push them forward to meet others and possibly learn from them. This attitude is a sore point with the grey elves, with whom they have several disagreements in philosophy as well as politics. They get along with wood elves as long as they respect each other's territories, and have a strong friendship with other elves. Of the rare races, the high elves have most in common with those elves of wandering or free spirits. High elves are the most passionate rivals of the dark elves, as they represent most everything that the fairer high elves are not.

Alignment

Elves have a close-knit social structure and culture that lends towards that tends toward the good end of the scale with relations to their own people. However, in relation to others, they hold themselves aloof from non-elves and other groups, not holding the 'accepted' social norms and instead embracing a free spirit, variety, and self-expression that lends to the gentler side of chaos. Their cultural arrogance makes them less worried about how they are perceived by non-elves, so long as they meet the few expectations and standards of Elf Society.

The most important aspect of the high elves' culture is their sense of community. While they encourage individualism and the fulfilling of personal dreams and goals, they retain their sense of communal unity. This cultural trait colors many of the high elves' attitudes, from their hauntingly beautiful choral music to their guerilla tactics. Elves are expected to grow and better themselves, so that their talents contribute to the good of all.

Elf Lands


-Grey Elf City of Iossyn, Sylvania

High elves come from Sylvania, northeast of Remia in a great, sprawling forestland that they share with the Wood Elves and the Grey Elves. Small villages blend with the surroundings and are ruled by a council of town elders, who may defer to a strong chief or a noble who has his residence in town. Some elves group in guilds according to their profession, but, unlike their counterparts in the cities of other races, these guilds are more of an association of like-minded individuals who share their secrets and discoveries, instead of an economic and political force.

Elven communities send envoys and couriers to neighboring towns and cities to keep in touch and be aware of perils and news from every corner of Sylvania. This network of villages is the best indication where the elven "kingdom" ends. High elven nobles generally live in town not much larger than the average village, with a bigger house being the only sign of their stature. The grey elves build few fortresses or cities as other races understand them, while most high elves and wood elves trust the cover of the forest and their own ability to protect it.

High elves prefer living in natural surroundings, in shelters which are simple and clean and well ventilated. They abhor stuffy, closed places and may create extremely clever ventilation systems where necessary to maintain the flow of clean air into their living quarters. Woodlands, forests, and the occasional jungle are the most common places to find elven settlements.

Religion

Elves primarily worship Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt. Elves revere her as a goddess of nature and life, as a protector and a hunter.
Some High Elves worship Aphrodite, mostly because of her dedication of art and beauty and music.

Language

Most Elves speak a fluid, though mutually intelligible language known as Elven. Elven is full of subtle intonations and intricate grammar, and the language's proper name is "Sindarin." While Elven literature is rich and varied, it is the language's songs and poetry that is best remembered. The language's beauty is emboldered in that the language is written with the Remian alphabet that serves as the script, allowing others, especially Bards, who do not normally speak Elven to be able to recite the songs and poems.
Sylvan (or "Quenya" to the Elves) is still spoken throughout Sylvania, and is the actual official language of the nation, but is used mostly in official duties and writings.

Names

The Sylvan word for "name" was essë. An Elf is typically given one name (ataressë) at birth by the father. It usually reflected either the name of the father or mother, indicating the person's descent, to which later some distinguishing prefix could be added. As the Elf grew older, they received a second name (amilessë), given by the mother. This name was extremely important and reflected personality, skills, or fate, sometimes being 'prophetic'.

The epessë or the "after-name" is the third type. It was given later in life, not necessarily by kin, as a title of admiration and honour. In some circumstances, yet another name was chosen by the Elf themselves, called kilmessë meaning "self-name".

The "true names" remained the first two, though an Elf could be referred to by any of these. Mother-names were usually not used by those who did not know the Elf well. In later history and song any of the four could become the one generally used and recognized.

After the Awakeneing and adoption of Sindarin as the daily speech, most of the Elves also chose for themselves a name that fitted the style of that language, translating or altering one of their Sylvan names.

For the oldest of Elves, a patronymic surname is also used — the father's name with the suffix "-ion" added. Thus, Gildor Inglorion is "Gildor, son of Inglor". Younger Elves or those of newer generations take on a Family name that is often a combination of Elven words, and still others who travel often in the Empire translate this name into the Common tongue, while others retain their Elven names.

Male Names: Calanon, Erumollien, Adanion, Durion, Beinion, Beriadan

Female Names: Huredhiel, Adlanniel, Erulasse, Alassea, Adanessa, Faelwen

Family Names (Common Translations): Moonbrook, Windrunner, Starflower, Quickthorn, Evenleaf, Evenstar

Adventurers: Elves adventure because of wanderlust, and generally follow careers that allow them to wander freely at their own pace. Many elves adventure with the belief that they can enjoy demonstrating their abilities or gaining more knowledge and experience of the world before they depart for the Utmost West.

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Elven Racial Traits:

# +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution.
# Medium: As Medium creatures, elves have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
# Elf base land speed is 30 feet.
# Immunity to magic sleep effects, and a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects.
# Low-Light Vision: An elf can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
# Weapon Proficiency: Elves receive the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword, rapier, longbow (including composite longbow), and shortbow (including composite shortbow) as bonus feats.
# +2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it.
# Automatic Languages: Common and Elven. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Orc, and Sylvan.

Grey Elves



"Regal" is the best word to describe the grey elves, with their high stature and portly demeanor, it is easy to believe their claims about the purity of their blood. Secluding themselves from the world, the grey elves dedicate their energy to the pursuit of knowledge and the protection of all elvenkind. Of all the Elven races, they are the ones who tap deeper into the elves' legacy of magic, while defending their claims about being the purest and ultimate expression of what an elf should be. Hence, of all the races of elves, Grey Elves have the most Sorcerors and Wizards among their ranks.

Personality

If other races elves to be aloof, grey elves will show them new levels of snobbishness and self-righteousness. Grey elves act condescendingly towards the rest of the elven nation, secure in the belief of their own superiority. While they mean well and may actually have others' best interests in mind, they go about it as if no one else could possibly come up with a better idea. A grey elf's attitude quickly grates on the nerves of anyone who does not believe their claim of purity.

Grey elves are polite to the point of being condescending towards those whom they feel are beneath them, which is usually everyone except another elf.

Grey elves marry other elves freely and for love in life, although they tend to stick with other grey elves. Monogamy is practiced and adultery is generally unthinkable; they tend to marry only once (although widows usually remarry). They will never marry a member of another race, nor have offspring with members of the mortal races.

Physical Description

Grey elves are taller and even more slender than high elves, reaching heights that allow them to look many humans eye to eye. Their milky skins are framed spectacularly by locks of silver or pale golden hair, while their amber or violet eyes give them an otherworldly air. They dress with the finest fabrics and the best armour, favouring white, silver, yellow and gold clothing, with purple or deep blue cloaks to emphasize their nobility. Grey elves are among the most long-lived elves, able to live for almost a millennium.

Relations

It is an understatement that the xenophobic grey elves do not relate well with others, even having issues with dealing with other elves. Seldom traveling outside their strongholds and cities, the rest of the races have not met many, but those that have do not relish a second encounter. It is not that the grey elves are prejudiced or disdainful, but the honest belief of their own superiority filters into every gesture and tends to irk others. To a grey elf, any person that is not an elf is a barely sentient creature that should know who is the true chosen of the gods.

Even another elf would side with a human in a drunken bout of grey elf-bashing. From high elves to wood elves, the rest of the elf subraces think that grey elves are too rigid, and their quest for perfection is leading them exactly in the opposite direction, keeping them from enjoying life's little pleasures. Grey elves just shake their heads, sure that none of their brethren would understand the burden they carry. As part of the servitor houses, a great number of elves from other subraces willingly serve the grey elves, becoming serfs and vassals in the almost feudal hierarchy their rulers govern.

Alignment

Their approach to the quest for knowledge and perfection, next to their regimented society put most grey elves clearly on the side of Law, and even if they have clashes of opinion with others, they generally mean well and are good more often than not.

Grey Elf Lands

Grey elves share the lands of Sylvania with other elves, and seem at home best in their cities which they rule directly. While Grey elves often adopt customs of the other elves, city life otherwise does little to make grey elves less xenophobic or less gregarious.

Many Grey elves build their cities and fiefdoms in the mountains, citadels like they were raised from the stone itself, most likely because they were. They conceal the routes to their strongholds with powerful magic, and allos only a select few outsiders to even approach.

Of all their kind, the grey elves have the most structured society, grouping in Houses that are just one step from being considered castes. A royal house provides the hereditary heir to the throne of the grey elves, who must be ratified by the nobles' council, which form a parliament that approves or disapproves of the king or queen's decisions. Beneath the ruling castes, the merchants, artisans and warriors look down to the servant caste, whose members perform all the menial labors necessary for a land to stay healthy and productive. The treatment caste-less elves receive as extreme as to be considered pariahs, but still is an uncharacteristic show of disdain.

Grey elves believe in the sanctity of knowledge, perfection and tradition. Their arts and crafts are a clear example of this pursuit, as any object made by the hands of a grey elf is a masterpiece of careful study and precise craftsmanship. They isolate themselves in order to keep their bloodlines pure, convinced that, by doing so, they build a bastion for everything elven. They consider all other subraces as lesser deriviations of their own "pure" blood, ungrateful heirs to the heritage they so carefully maintain.

Religion

Superficially, grey elves do not seem to be as deeply religious as other elves, but it can be uncanny how they uphold the tenets of Artemis. Their ceremonies are studied, precise affairs, performed as meticulously as their research and their crafts. They favor intellect over faith, however, and their wizards and sorcerors outnumber their clerics by a wide margin.

Language

Grey elves speak and write in normal elvish, with a tendency to use formal Sylvan in most of their affairs.

Adventurers

Grey elves found away from their cities and fortresses are usually envoys and ambassadors, and thus actually travel more than most other elves. Since it is their lot in life to negotiate among other nobles, much pressure is brought to bear on acquiring knowledge, skill, and respect among other elves and races.

The "adventuring" grey elf is a rarity given their reclusive nature, but some of them may undertake a journey when the situation calls for it. They typically have problems relating to any companion in their party, always assuming the mantle of leadership whether it is deserved or not.

Wood Elves



These tribal and often barbaric elves contend that they are the ancestors to the rest of the elves, for they maintain the closest ties to the wild places. Fierce warriors who roam the land, they scorn civilization and its trappings, choosing a nomadic lifestyle over the grandiose structures of their cousins. Also called sylvan elves, they ignore the opinion of other elves, whom they consider savages.

Personality

Wood elves are tough and rugged, intense in thought and demeanor, with a straight connection between their heart, mind and body - an elf of few words but honest deeds. The honesty can come off as being tactless, and wood elves tend to not hold back. They always say what they really think and do not hesitate to act when they know they are doing something right.

They revere nature, and strive to blend seamlessly without relying on magic. They feel the call of the wild much more strongly than other elves and answer with mundane talent and adaptation and allowing magic to fall to the wayside. They do not trust anything which is not within their immediate influence.

For them, hardship builds character and gives them strength. "Act first, repent later" - the wood elves would rather ask for forgiveness than permission. Instinctual, almost feral, the wood elves can often be compared to a wildcat - suspicious of everything, curious, yet has a feline grace that can be mesmerizing.

Physical Description

The wood elves are small and nimble, but not frail like the high elves. Generally more muscular than any other elf, another difference is their dark brown skin that sets them apart from other elves' fair complexions, with their hair ranging from black to light brown, with a few intense blonds and reds.

Many tribes decorate themselves with tattoos that are as much art pieces as they are status symbols and camouflage. Others have piercings made of bone or clay.

They dress in animal skins and simple cloth made from plant fibers, with jewelry of painted clay and bits of animal bones. A few wood elves dress in more civilized leather colored in browns and greens to blend with their surroundings.

Relations with Others

Wood elves only truly trust their clan, and the animals in the wild. They trade with other elves with suspicion, not hiding their contempt for grey elf sosphistication or high elf frivolity. Otherwise, they keep contact with others to a minimum. They are more willing to talk with druids, but trespassers into their woods are often met with scare tactics, and only truly offensive intruders are met with the full force of their arrows.

Alignment

The hostility that characterizes wood elves can lead many to assume that they are chaotic or even evil. In reality, wood elves would rather be left alone and in the wild. They trust instinct rather than ideal, and do not care for the premises of good and evil, remaining neutral where it concerns them.

Wood Elf Lands

Wood elves regulate their lives according to the turning of the seasons, travelling around to follow the herds of animals they hunt for sustenance and clothing. If they build a camp or when they travel to a city, they do not consider it home. To them, their home is the wild and they will zealously defend their woods.

Wood elves prefer the deep and thick forests of Sylvania, which allows them a freedom from their less capable and more intrusive cousins. They do build temporary camps of huts and tents, and will reuse a campsite if their travels bring them back there.

There are, however, a few dedicated thickets that serve as the common grounds where a wood elf clan can return to if they get separated from their tribe, or in times of great distress, such as a massive storm. These areas have been specially selected and prepared for shelter. Young saplings and certain bushes are manipulated, through mundane and magical means to grow interwoven walls and roofs for these enclosures. Typically, these areas are set in an arc or circle with the 'doors' set facing a central tree.

There is little society aside from the tribe. There is a strong chieftain, advised by a council of elders. Anyone can challenge the chief to ritual combat, with the victor becoming the leader. Such challenges are rare and never to the death, and the position can be hereditary as long as the child is strong enough to defend the title from challengers.

Far removed from civilization in the deep forested areas, the wood elves continue to live as Artemis desires, living as woodlanders, hunter-gatherers in semi-nomadic family groups and loose family associations.

Religion

The wood elves see the work of Artemis and her children in everything around them. They celebrate many festivals at the solstice and equinox, praising their goddess in the natural world and asking for her protection. Worship is usually informal, with druids commanding the same respect as clerics.

Language

Isolation has affected the speech of wood elves, their speech seeming to be a bit more wild and simple. Other elves have a tendency to have trouble understanding them, and there is no written practice among them.

Adventurers

Wood elves are more likely to strike out on their own than grey elves, but they make sure to return home often and enjoy the life of the hunter, free from the complications of the outside world. Many join a party out of curiousity, often with other elves, and with time and effort, may learn to trust companions of other races. Others join to hone their skills as a scout or a shaman.