High/Noon Elf
"Our forefathers tilled the fields to set our foundations, hunted the forests to clear it of maladies, and found the Fae to give us divinity. Now they have gone to rest within our blood and flesh, and we reign to take the reins of society, of Elvenkind, of Edda!"
When Hippolytan society began to merge the disparate Elf tribes and sub-species, many of the aforementioned groups began to intermix genetically as well as culturally. For the longest time, this produced a mish-mash of various Elven qualities, as Elven genetics are rather strong when it comes to children, sometimes resulting in full chimerism. But, eventually, people began to notice new consistencies among these descended Elves, especially those from lines of Sun Elves and Moon Elves. In -2665 EE, also known as 135 Welcoming Era/WeE, the species of High Elves, also known as High Noon Elves or Mortali Forma Augeosocia was codified. The Empress at the time, Germana E. V. Ruggerio, was herself a High Elf, and began the Hippolytan social trend of High Elf Supremacy which persists to this day.
Primary Differences
Biological
High Elves helped define the default state of Elven species, as the different evolutionary ends of Moon and Sun Elves came to find a middle ground once more through them. As such, they have the standard amount of sexual dimorphism, muscle growth, sensory capabilities, so on and so forth. The only area where they differ is that High Elves are more capable of growing facial and body hair than other elven subspecies, a trait that is met with vacillating shame or embrace, depending on local/current fashion trends.
What has been found on a pseudo-biological level is a greater innate talent for magic. This has led to many High Elf spellcasters of various denominations, with Sorcerers especially becoming prevalent after The Shattering. It is unknown if this is indeed a biological quirk, or a mere product of a more magical society, but for those who believe in the former they attribute it to the involvement of Silver or Gold Elves, the fae-touched species, in the evolutionary creation of the sub-species.
Cultural/Social
High Elves evolved long after the unification of Hippolytan society, so unlike their parent species they did not have as much key defining roles among the society. However, after their formation, discovery, and codification, they quickly became vary influential in Hippolytan society, and therefore Elven culture as a whole. Empress Germana E. V. Ruggerio, upon the subspecies being confirmed as a distinct entity, made quick work of installing her fellows among the noble class of Hippolyta into positions of power, important and menial all the same. While not the same lineages have existed in the same seats, it is common for other High Elves to take the seats, or at least those among the same noble and aristocratic classes.
High Elves also represent the common image of an Elf, since they have the sheer numbers and spread to back it up, paired with a general lack of extraneous features compared to their forefathers. This is also partially an engineered image by the High Elf supremacists, as painting themselves as the normal helps propagandize other Elves as other/lesser.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Through a genetic quirk, High Elves are more capable of growing facial and body hair than their progenitor species. While not reaching the stereotypical limit of, say, Dwarves, it's much greater than other Elven subspecies.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
High Elves have the largest population among elf subspecies, so they are just about everywhere. Of course, they have the greatest concentration within Hippolyta, and make up the vast majority of social, governmental, and political power in the nation.
High Elves largely lack the markings of their Moon Elf ancestors, but it reappears in some children in small ways, often seen as a portent of some kind.
Comments