Elves
The oldest Lineage (subspecies) of Upright Mammals, characterized by long lifespans and long ears. Intrinsically associated with the Elven Empire, the first and most ancient of civilizations, they have dwelt in and among their lands for so long that the land and people are now inseparable. More than any other Lineage, the Elves are defined by their specific homeland, the Ehranian Wilds in the Northern Continent.
Aeons of making a living in a civilized environment over which they had near-total control, while vying with others of their own kind for political dominance, has greatly influenced their perspective on life. Aloof, learned, quick of wit yet slow to commit to speech or deed, they tend to view those around them, especially of other Lineages, as tools for their own use, either personally or for the sake of their valued community. The landscape, likewise, they view as something to be altered and perfected, though they hold it in a grace and reverence often lacking in their dealing with animate creatures.
There are six distinct subgroups, or 'tribes', of Elves, with particular social functions to which they have become indelibly attached. These are normally listed in the order in which they first developed: the Elves of Wild, Wood, Blood, Sea, Sun, and Moon. Furthermore, there are 449 official families on the census record, divided among the tribes, to which all Elves belong. It is rare for a family to split or die out, and many have been in presence for most of the empire's history.
Transformation: Nymphs
All elves seek to perfect their bond with nature, according to the traditions of their particular tribe. Those few who are most successful undergo a marked change in their appearance, gaining new magical abilities in the process. There is no distinct Elven word for this, for from their perspective it is merely the culmination of an inherent promise. The most common term for those undertaking the change is the Old Elvish word "Ve'e", meaning "true Elf", and these individuals hold high regard and status within their tribe, often serving as leaders or advisors. The Senyans, in contact with Elves, came to call these transformed individuals Nymphs. In their own language, this word literally means "young woman", so some sort of early misunderstanding probably transpired. Nevertheless, the usage caught on and, since the Elves do not promote their ancient tongue to outsiders, the Senyan word is the most widespread for the phenomenon worldwide. The specific powers gained by a Nymph vary depending on the tribe to which they belong, and there are specific names for each type of Nymph.Basic Information
Anatomy
Lithe and flexible of frame, they are considered to be the gracile adaptation of their ancestors, the proto-Elves, whereas the Orcs are robust. Agile and light-footed, they are unparalleled at stealth where magic is not involved, and highly skilled at manual crafts. Although not as physically strong as many other Lineages, they are still inclined toward physical activity and can become excellent athletes in many fields. Their features tend to be long, thin, and angular, most notably the fingers, chins, noses, and of course the ears. Their hair is very fine and usually straight.
Genetics and Reproduction
It is often said of Elves that they are fertile for only a short period in their lives, as explanation for their ability to keep their population under control, despite having very long lifespans and low mortality rates at all ages. However, this is not remotely true: an Elf gains the ability to have children as part of growing up, and maintains that ability until very late in life, generally resulting in a fertile period of five or six hundred years. The primary factor that keeps their numbers in check is social: Elven society has a long-established rule that couples are not to have more than two children, unless given special dispensation by an accepted authority. This rule has been in place for over ten thousand years, and is so entrenched in Elven culture that few would even think to question it.
Growth Rate & Stages
A newborn is utterly helpless, and remains so for about two years, at which point it begins to walk and speak. Children are dutifully trained in the complexities of Elven life, a process which generally takes about 30 years. At the age of 40 they are considered adults, though they are physically mature much sooner, generally hitting puberty around the age of 15 for males and 17 for females. A healthy adult undergoes little biological change for between four and seven hundred years, after which they begin to show some signs of aging such as wrinkles and gray hairs. True decrepitude and its associated health problems takes up to two hundred additional years to set in.
Ecology and Habitats
The Elves have spent their entire long existence caring for the forests of the land of their birth, and often assume that such is the ideal and default type of environment. But because they have spent so long modifying their surroundings to suit their wills, many (especially those who live in more urban settings) are unaccustomed to true wilderness and may be surprised or discomfited to see what an untended forest is like.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Though technically omnivorous, most Elves eschew meat, consuming only crops that have been grown for the purpose of consumption, which they consider to have given them consent. These are more often eaten fresh or simply cooked than heavily processed, for instance into bread or alcohol. Of the various Tribes (subtypes), only Wild Elves and Night Elves regularly eat meat.
Biological Cycle
Because they live in a very temperate region, and because they have supreme power over their environment, Elves maintain similar levels of activity throughout the year. However, they recognize the changing of the seasons, and honor these by choosing decorations that are based on plants that are in season at a given time. They also hold many festivals and holidays at specific times in the year, especially solstices and equinoxes.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Every Elf exists in a world of concentric and sometimes overlapping social circles, and knows their place relative to their peers within each of these circles. There is a family circle, in which they interact with parents, children, siblings, and cousins; an occupational circle, in which they have colleagues, subordinates, and managers; and a communal circle consisting of public servants such as leaders, couriers, law enforcers and so on. For each of these, there is a complex code of behaviors indicative of both distance within the circle, and of difference in status or reverence. Visitors may spend decades attempting to learn the minutiae of etiquette in the Elven world, though as they are usually relegated to the lowest and furthest placements, they have the least to learn.
Average Intelligence
Though they persistently present themselves as the wisest of all peoples, any superiority by the Elves over others seems to be cultural rather than innate. Their great wisdom stems from an advanced society in which high education is widely available, and from having a long lifespan in which to master any required knowledge. Of their own kind, those with less than a hundred years of experience are deemed incapable of high status and achievement, and are expected to spend that long honing the skills of their craft as well learning to maneuver deftly within the social strata.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It is often said that Elves have supreme senses, though this is somewhat confused by the ability of those trained in wilderness survival to quickly interpret what they see and hear, and to glean useful information from minor sensations that many would ignore. Nevertheless it is true that they have very keen vision and hearing, though their scent is less strong than that of several other Lineages.
Their vision is not only very sharp, it is functional at both very low and high light conditions, and can distinguish many shades of color. Their hearing similarly has a wide range in pitch and volume that can be detected, and they are easily able to triangulate a source of sound.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
By convention, Elves are given names in the old tongue, despite it not being spoken for several millennia. Most current Elves cannot converse in the ancient language, and many cannot so much as string a sentence together, but the vocabulary is known such that their namesakes maintain some variety. Names tend to be basic nouns reflective of the particular Tribe's cultural values, and also indicative of one's status.
Beauty Ideals
The Elven concept of beauty is dependent on an idealized concept of nature, in which plants, animals, and landscapes are presented in a perfected form. It uses motifs of leaves, flowers, trees, hills, and rivers and arranges them in geometrically consistent order. This visual style is pervasive in clothing, artworks, and architecture, and is often imposed on the actual landscape, with landscapes altered and plants cultivated in shapes their masters find pleasing.
In the execution of such designs, Elves are not averse to using processed and manufactured materials in tandem with natural ones. Metals and gems particularly are usually used sparingly and as accents: a garment of fine fabric might be studded with gems cut to the shapes of flowers, trimmed with metal bands or wires. The exception is in religious orders, where larger amounts of metal are used as signatures of rank. More mundane materials such as concrete or artificial fabrics are covered or disguised.
For individuals, aside from clothing, the most obvious expression of fashion is the hair; men and women alike grow theirs long, and braided or woven into intricate designs, which are accented with flowers (real or false), leaves, or vines. Makeup is not favored, and when worn is understated and discreet.
Gender Ideals
An outsider might find the differences in appearance and style between men and women to be almost indistinguishable. In particular, certain features which are considered feminine in many cultures, such as the wearing of flowers in one's hair, are universal among Elves, while traits and feats others might idolize as masculine are hardly in evidence. Elven society values refinement, eloquence, and the value of one's words and knowledge over physical capabilities.
To a native, however, the distinction is easily made, exemplified by the cut of one's clothing, the way in which their hair is braided, and the choice of flowers and leaves used as accessories, as some are considered masculine and others feminine. Some accessories are also considered neutral, to be used by anyone, or else particularly by those not wishing to identify specifically as male or female.
Gender distinction as a whole is well-known in Elven society, and important in determining one's place within social circles, but it's also notably flexible. A person can change their legal sex identification if their peers attest that their intention is genuine; most accompany this reassessment with a physical change achieved by magic, but it's the person's conduct, not their physiology, that dictates their social placement. Some Elves are known to switch between male and female bodies on a daily or weekly basis.
Courtship Ideals
A courtship among Elves is expected to last several decades; among the highest in society, it may approach a century. It may grow out of a friendship or work relationship, but just as often, it begins formally as one party sends a letter or small gift to the other. Social status is also a consideration; reaching too high or too low compared to one's place can draw stigma upon both sides.
Relationship Ideals
Elves are expected to be monogamous, and to share responsibilities and also authority between spouses. Within a household, the patiarch and matriarch will be in charge of various aspects of the family's doings, and will delegate duties by mutual agreement.
Same-sex marriages are not unknown, nor is there any particular stigma against them. In order to ensure progeny, such couples will adopt a "surrogate" of the opposite sex who will ensure the continuation of the family, and any offspring thus produced are considered the children of the prime couple. The relationship of the surrogate to the couple can vary from perfunctory to intimate.
Average Technological Level
Elves have a somewhat hypocritical relationship to technology: though the first Lineage to extract metal from ore, they are loath to conduct mining, seeing it as harmful to nature. As such, their understanding of metallurgy is fairly basic. The same goes for other inert and inorganic materials such as concrete and glass. The Dwarves have taken up the slack and are now major trading partners, providing advanced materials while the Elves overlook how they came to be.
Meanwhile, the Elves have been perfectly willing to experiment with biological resources, breeding and developing all sorts of crops and livestock that possess various beneficial features. Enhancing their work with magic, they have created materials, particularly derived from woods and fibers, that can serve a myriad of purposes, as well as chemicals that have powerful curative properties or enhance one's abilities.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Understandably, all Elves speak Modern Elvish, and most know at least a smattering of Old Elvish, an entirely unrelated language. Those involved in trade or international affairs also use Middle Elvish, as well as one or more Dwarven or Human tongues.
Common Etiquette Rules
When meeting a new person, it is customary to acknowledge them by bowing at the waist, while keeping the hands in a visible place, usually clasped together or crossed in front of the chest; there are many hand configurations, depending on both parties' relative positions in social circles. Bows are also used to acknowledge commands, gifts, or compliments; the depth of the bow reflects difference in social status, as well as the significance of the interaction.
A person who is far away from oneself in a social circle, in either distance or height, is referred to by honorific only. One who is somewhat closer is referred to by family name, with the honorific included during greetings and partings and other momentous incidences. Only someone who is very close is called by their personal name, and this may still be accompanied by a minor honorific indicative of the exact relationship between the two parties.
Common Dress Code
The type of clothing one wears is heavily dictated by their position; farmers and workers wear a certain garment, clergy and scholars another, soldiers another, merchants another, and public servants yet another. Status within these determines the make, with finer materials and greater accessories to those of high position.
Common Taboos
Except for Wild Elves and Moon Elves, they prohibit the slaying of animals for any reason except necessary euthanasia (for which there are trained specialists), or the consumption or use of any part of an animal. Thus, they are strict vegans on the whole.
History
Elves have the longest, and by being the first Lineage to develop writing, the most comprehensive, of all the world's peoples' histories. They have occupied the greater part of the Northern Continent for over 18 thousand years, and have spent almost all of it building some form of civilization. Their earliest history was overshadowed by the Everwar, in which they fought repeatedly against their detested cousins, the Goblins and Orcs. Two thousand years of bloody and ruthless warfare influenced the mindsets of all the Lineages involved, giving Elves in particular an innate distrust and disdain of any who are not of their kin, and because they ultimately won, a sense of superiority that they feel is eminently justified.
Ehrania started as an idea, a rallying cry to those mired in sometimes hopeless-seeming battle against their cruder cousins. Joining together as one state allowed for logistics and communication to be more efficiently moderated, and after the war continued to reap benefits. With the founding of Ehrania, the idea stuck that all the continent was part of the Empire, with no part of it, however remote, to be wholly sovereign from the capital. Over time, the divergence of the Lineage into six distinct Tribes, as well as the emergence of Dwarves as a separate Lineage, shook that idea, but it never faltered. Ehrania has undergone many changes in its culture, technological and magical level, and the structure of its leadership, but has always carried the fundamental idea that it is the Elven realm and they are all part of it.
Many continous millennia of living in what they deem (or at least claim) as a perfect society has also changed the Elven outlook. The idea that Ehrania has existed continuously for aeons (though in some regard a pretense, as the realm has suffered several political upheavals) is a source of great pride to them, and the empire is in their cultural thinking synonymous with true civilization. Though many Elves have happily wandered the nations and wilds of the wider world, there have been very few settlements outside of their home continent, as they have little interest in lands which have not been, in their view, properly developed.
Common Myths and Legends
The Star-Lords have been consistently worshipped since at least the end of the Everwar, and references to such are pervasive in Elven culture, and to lesser extent in surrounding lands, whose cultures have been influenced by the belief. Of particular significance is Simareth, the one god who started as an Elf and ascended to godhood, and as such is held up as a paragon of righteousness and achievement. His name is frequently invoked when one seeks to motivate another.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The assumption held by most Elves that they are inherently superior to all others has soured their relationship with many other Lineages. Despite this, they have held a distant, yet cordial connection to the Dwarves for many thousands of years, maintained by the mutual need of each side for the products of the other. They also tend to get along well with Humans, who often hold them in some reverence and for which they have a fond endearment, almost like a person has toward a pet.
On the other side, their relation with Goblins has always been adversarial, and the two groups are likely to try to kill one another on sight. Matters with Orcs have always been complex, but as most Orcs today are raised in other cultures, Elves generally treat them as members of the groups to which they have been adopted.
With the Fairies, Elves have a complex ideological dispute, as both regard themselves as stewards of nature, but have opposite views of what that means: for Elves, it means controlling and improving nature, whereas Fairies prefer to leave it to its own devices and protect it from encroaching settlements. Because neither side has much means to effectively combat the other, they have tended to ignore and avoid one another, only interacting at need.
Draconites and Lizardfolk are concentrated so far from the Elven lands that these tend not to meet, except when Elves venture out to study them or their lands, treating the civilizations around them as curiosities despite being an extreme minority. Because such scholars are willing to compensate for their work, they are generally regarded with bemused acceptance and ignored when not asking for something.
Dragons are surprisingly frequently overlooked by Elves, who see them as part of the landscape despite them tending to dominate the lands they claim. There have been many conflicts between the two in the past, with the tenacity and superior numbers of the Elves eventually winning in every case. Dragons that now Dwell in the Elven lands are at least warily respectful of Elves, and at most openly friendly with them.
Nicknames (least to most pejorative): Wise ones, tall people, ancient ones, tree-masters, tree-dwellers, tree-folk, pointy-ears, wood-lovers, high-and-mighties, tree-huggers
Distinct Trait: Long pointed ears
Height: 1.2-2.1m (4'-6'8")
Skin colors: Any shade of brown, or reddish, or olive
Eye colors: Any
Hair colors: Any shade of brown, gray, black, yellow, or red
Lifespan (Average/Maximum): 875/1850
Distinct Trait: Long pointed ears
Height: 1.2-2.1m (4'-6'8")
Skin colors: Any shade of brown, or reddish, or olive
Eye colors: Any
Hair colors: Any shade of brown, gray, black, yellow, or red
Lifespan (Average/Maximum): 875/1850
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Conservation Status
Non-threatened
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments