Elves

"The feasting people were Wood-elves, of course. These are not wicked folk. If they have a fault it is distrust of strangers. Though their magic was strong, even in those days they were wary. They differed from the High Elves of the West, and were more dangerous and less wise. For most of them (together with their scattered relations in the hills and mountains) were descended from the ancient tribes that never went to Faerie in the West.

There the Light-elves and the Deep-elves and the Sea-elves went and lived for ages, and grew fairer and wiser and more learned, and invented their magic and their cunning craft in the making of beautiful and marvellous things, before some came back into the Wide World."
―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Elves are a people of otherworldly grace, who's homeland is the secretive and aloof Shud Zar Myrion Zar Koni (The Witchocracy) on the continent of Shoteka. Most people believe they live in places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the breeze.

Whether this idea is true or not is unclear as The Witchocratic Elves tend not to speak about their lands and those outside of it have either been taught not to speak on the topic or are of a generation that has not ever stepped foot on the ancient soils of their motherland.

For those living outside of the motherland, they appear to live up to the stereotypes preferring to make their own settlements within forested areas or at the very least within the nicer suburbs of the cities. Elves generally love nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world.

Personality

Although they can be haughty, elves are generally gracious even to those who fall short of their high expectations—which is most non-elves. Still, some can find good in just about anyone.

Physical Description

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 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds.

Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females. Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have little to no body hair but are able to grow impressive beards and moustaches if they so please. They favour elegant clothing in bright colours, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewellery

Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be focused and relentless.

They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance. Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow, and strategy

Elven Lands

Outside of Shud Zar Myrion Zar Koni (The Witchocracy), most elves tend to 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. They are talented artisans, crafting finely worked clothes and art objects.

Their contact with outsiders is usually limited, though a few elves make a good living by trading crafted items for metals (which they have no interest in mining). Elves encountered outside their own lands are commonly traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Human nobles compete for the services of elf instructors to teach swordplay or magic to their children.

Relations

Elves are thought to take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society, which is regimented from day to day but constantly changing over decades, so they find careers that let them travel freely and set their own pace.

Elves also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and others might become champions of moral causes.

Religion

Elves love freedom , variety, and self expression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects of chaos. They value and protect others' freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not. The drow are an exception; their exile into the Underdark has made them vicious and dangerous. Drow are more often evil than not.

Those with ties to Shud Zar Myrion Zar Koni mostly follow the 2 common religions of Shoteka: Followers of Salter/Salziér - The Secret Taker and The Order of Khyriad, though atheism is a valid choice too. Outside of Shoteka Elves, much like humans fall into any of the numerous religions largely dependant on where they live.

Language

Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.

Torque & Thaumaturgy (Magic)

Elves are deeply connected to torque and are well versed in magic. They are generally regarded as some of the best thaumaturgists in Bas-Lag

Special Abilities

Racial Traits

+2 Dexterity

Size

Medium
Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium

Speed

Walking speed is 30ft

Darkvision.

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions.

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. colour

Keen Senses.

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry.

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Trance.

Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Ragamoll word for such meditation is “trance.”)

While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages.

You can speak, read, and write Common (whatever the common language for the area is eg. Ragamoll in most of Rohagi, Teshi in Tesh, etc.) and Elvish.

Subrace

Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in a number of subraces:

High elves

Wood elves

Dark elves

Related Organizations

• The Cymeki Empire