Moon Elf

The moon elves are one of the three subspecies of high elves, believed to have been shaped by Eredhan, the father of elvenkind, as a gift to his wife Eruwen—a living boquet of grace and beauty fashioned in her image. Where the sun elves embody radiant power and the star elves adaptability, the moon elves stand as paragons of grace, physical beauty, and perfected motion. They are living reflections of Eruwen's ideal of romantic and aesthetic harmony. Their very presence is said to hush the forest and draw silence from even the most boisterous souls, and their beauty is believed to be the reason many believe the elves are related to Fey beings.

Appearance

Moon elves possess an ethereal, almost unearthly beauty. Their skin is smooth and nearly silver-white, reflecting moonlight with a gentle shimmer, and their hair ranges from snow-pale to pure platinum, often styled to flow freely in reverence to their divine mother. Their eyes tend toward luminous shades—silver, pale lavender, and the softest of blues being the most common, but those of some mixed blood are also born with eyes of green, gold, and even red—always appearing deep and reflective. They move with otherworldly poise, and their expressions often bear a serene stillness that belies their martial discipline. Among all elves, they are considered the most outwardly beautiful, a trait they treat with reverent humility rather than pride.

Culture and Tradition

The culture of the moon elves revolves around discipline through beauty. From childhood, they are taught that perfect form is not merely an aesthetic goal, but a spiritual calling and physical responsibility—one that honors Eruwen and safeguards their soul from the decay of despair. They train rigorously in martial disciplines, especially swordplay and archery, each strike and movement performed with precision akin to a dance. It isa said that to watch a duel between moon elves is to watch a poem unfold in physical motion.   Though warriors by training, moon elves are deeply spiritual. They believe that ever action, no matter how violent, must honor harmony, grace, and beauty. They do not take pleasure in bloodshed, and see the act of leaving any wound—even a temporary one—as a necessary disgrace. They do not take pleasure in bloodshed, but see their martial training as a means of preserving balance, protecting what is sacred, and embodying the divine elegance of their divine mother.

Connection to Eruwen

Moon elves are the chosen children of Eruwen, made not merely to be beautiful but to protect and preserve beauty in the world. Their hair is seen as an extension of her blessing—never to be cut, even by accident, styled only in ways that accentuate natural flow. Their combat training is seen as an act of devotion, each kata a prayer to the goddess, each arrow loosed a vow to defend love and life. Moon elf temples to Eruwen are open-air sanctuaries designed to be bathed in the light of the moons, where combat forms are practiced in silence beneath flowering trees and sacred mirrors are used in rites of self-reflection and romantic pledging.   It is considered a tragedy of the highest order for a moon elf to lose their beauty, especially by a wound. Those who suffer such fates often turn to the priesthood for spiritual restoration, or in some cases retreat from society entirely. To become a banshee is the ultimate fall from Eruwen's grace—proof that beauty, once lost, allows despair to take root.

Society and Dwellings

Moon elf communities are typically secluded, built in high glades, on cliffs, or within crescent-shaped canopies of forest. Their architecture mirrors their values: flowing structure of pale wood, glass-like stone, and living plants cultivated to bloom only under moonlight. Despite their isolationist tendencies, they are not strictly xenophobic—they simply believe that to preserve what is precious, one must guard it with care.   Moon elf leaders are rarely political in the traditional sense. Authority comes through demonstration of grace, wisdom, and devotion. Many of their leaders are priests of Eruwen or bladesingers, always fighing gracefully and beautifully.

Relationships with Other Elves

Among the high elves, the moon elves are seen as the spiritual heart—subtle, emotionally attuned, and deeply devoted to their calling. The sun elves sometimes regard them as too soft-spoken, while the star elves may see them as overly bound to tradition. Yet none deny the moon elves' value as protectors and preservers of elven legacy. They are often the first to respond when an ancient grove is threatened or when a beloved family suffers loss.