Elf

Basic Information

Anatomy

With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from well under 160cm tall to just over 186cm. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 55 to 85 kilos. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elves reproduce much the same as most mammals and their pregnancies last between 10 - 14 months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They reach physical maturity at around 45 years of age but typically see themselves as an adult by around 80 - 100 years of age.

Ecology and Habitats

Elven habitats vary vastly depending on their desires. Some elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, and their skill and magic allow them to support themselves without the need for clearing and plowing land. While others seek the safety of finely crafted cities that extend skyward and in rare instances float becoming only accessible via skyships and teleportation circles.
Whatever the preference of an elf one consistency remains and that is beauty the elves pride themselves on their craftmanship and ability to create incredible places.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Elves eat a balanced omnivorous diet but lean traditionally towards plants over meat.

Biological Cycle

As elves age, it is common for their eyebrows to elongate along with their ears, and their hair will change to shades of gold or silver. Older elves will have wrinkles but it is more commonly from spending time in the sun than simply old age.

Behaviour

Elves are long-lived beings with a calm and collected demeanor. They tend to be more curious than greedy and are slow to form friendships or rivals. They are known for their willpower and determination, given the length of an Elves life, it allows them time to truly master crafts that may be rushed by other short-lived races. In the face of danger, elves prefer to rely on diplomacy and compromise to avoid violence. However, they are also skilled warriors who can defend themselves when necessary.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

All elves have pointed ears, the length and characteristics vary from one to another and can be distinctly different among different ethnicities of elves.
Some as they age have long eyebrows that extend out beyond their face.
They often have angular faces with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline. Over time some elves have adapted to having rounder moon life faces also.
Their noses are often petite and pointed and their eyes are usually seen as larger and quite expressive.
Elves have no facial and little body hair.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Elves are able to perceive the world similarly to other bi-pedal creatures. Most also have keen hearing and great vision which they use to their advantage when hunting.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, this often occurs around 80 to 100 years of age. Before this period they are called by child names.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use their child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

It is common for elves to speak Elvish however there can be subtle changes in dialect depending on which region of Ararim the elf may hail from. Given how readily they intermingle with other races it is common for them to also speak Common Tongue

History

The elves grew from the first seeds to spring to the earth of Ararim the Magnari-Creato seeds that also housed humans.
From here the elves began to spread across the surface of Ararim some preferred the seclusion of forests and as they grew and adapted began to identify as Wood Elves.
Some journeyed on to the warmer and dryer planes of Ararim enjoying the sun-drenched and arid landscape as their skin tanned and their hair grew fair they were known as Sun Elves.
The antithesis of this was the Moon Elves, they found comfort away from the sun and while the seclusion of the forest held interest, they found their peace if the dark shores away from both the sun and the colourful fields of the Forest. Here the Moon Elves made their home enjoying the tranquility and eerie calm that is found here. They are often seen as the most spiritual of the elves.
Then the last of the elves sought no peace through surroundings, but peace from within and to study, grow and bend their environment to the will of their magical knowledge and form great cities, libraries, and halls dedicated to learning. These elves built great cities and eventually even one that floats!
There are further elven adaptations that continue to make their home in Ararim, some from distant lands and planes while others are natural evolutions of their ancestors to fit their preferred climate.

Scientific Name

Erenfrith

Lifespan

700 - 900 years

Average Height

1.5 meters to 1.9 meters

Average Weight

Female - 45 - 75kg
Male - 68 - 84kg

Average Physique

Elves have slender and agile frames, as they adapted to their surrounding as did their bodies but they are widely known for their grace and beauty.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Elves’ colouration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, it is also common for moon elves to have very dark black skin.
Hair colours can vary wildly depending on where they live and they can be graced with hair of almost any colour.
Elves can be born with markings and it is common for these to be interpreted as blessings from deities or signs of potential in different fields. This does not necessarily always line up with the elves path in life.