Three Rings for the Elven Kings Under the Sky
Elves were the first sentient races to awaken in Endor. The oldest among them classify themselves not by race or clan but by ancient choices made regarding their relationship with the Valar. The Elves of Arda are taller then men but slender and with less body hair. They have an enchanted aura and are very agile and fleet of foot. Most revere the Valar and hold Varda in special esteem.
The first divide occurred when Orome made contact with Elves in Eastern Arda and invited them to come live with the Valar in Aman. Those who did not accept the invitation were after known as the Avari (Sylvan elves). Those who did were the Eldar (High elves).
Among the Eldar, the Teleri were those who followed Orome across Endor, but ultimately chose not to leave. Many of them settled in coastal areas and assisted the journey by becoming master ship builders for their brethren. The majority of Eldar crossed the sea to live with the Valar, though two events brought some of them back: The War of Wrath where Eldar joined with the Valar to defeat Morgoth and some chose to remain in Endor after, and the War of the Jewels where some of the Eldar left Aman in defiance of the Doom of Mandos to reclaims the stolen Silmarils from an escaped Morgoth. These elves who had once lived in Aman but now were returned to Endor were known as the Noldor. The elves who never left Aman and continue to live there to this day are the Vanyar.
Non elvish races use their own descriptions when referring to elven groups. The Noldor are referred to as High or Gold, the Teleri as Moon or Grey, and the Sylvan as Wood or Green. The Vanya are referred to as Star Elves, as they live beyond the stars.
Forlorn elves are elves of Endor who either don’t care about the classifications dictated by the Noldor or don’t know which classification their ancestors belonged to, as descendants of each grouping tend to inherit the social classification of their parents. As many of the Noldor remaining in Endor left for Aman at the end of the Third Age, the majority of elves encountered by other races are either Forlorn or Sylvan, the exception being the Teleri, many of whom continue in Endor as master shipbuilders.
Mention should also be made of the Drow, elves with black skin and white hair that live deep below and cannot abide the light of day. It is rumored that the first orcs were elves captured or corrupted by Morgoth and transformed through his dark arts into bloodthirsty soldiers in his dark army. The Noldor will vehemently deny this tale, but the existence of the Drow make this difficult to deny. The Drow themselves say they are the descendants of elves who escaped before the transformation was complete, but marked enough that they could never again raise their face to the sun. Abandoned and shunned by their kin, a hatred grew in their hearts for those who called themselves “goodly” folk.
Elven sub-race Summary:
Eldar
- (Vanya / Star)
- (Noldor / High / Gold)
- (Teleri / Moon / Gray)
Avari (Sylvan / Green / Wood)
Forlorn
Drow
