Elf

Overview

The long-lived elves are children of the natural world and claim to be the first people created by the Gods. Similar in many superficial ways to fey creatures, yet different as well. Elves value their privacy and traditions, and while they are often slow to make friends, at both the personal and national levels, once an outsider is accepted as a comrade, such alliances can last for generations. Elves have a curious attachment to their surroundings, perhaps as a result of their incredibly long lifespans or some deeper, more mystical reason. Elves who dwell in a region for long find themselves physically adapting to match their surroundings, most noticeably taking on coloration reflecting the local environment. Those elves that spend their lives among the short-lived races, on the other hand, often develop a skewed perception of mortality and become morose, the result of watching wave after wave of companions age and die before their eyes.

Wood Elves

The Wood elven people are scattered, reclusive and independent wardens of the natural world. They lurk within the shadows of the woods and only show themselves to trespassers giving greetings that range from suspicion to death. As a result they have a reputation for being xenophobic and most think twice before harming an elven woodland. Their society is largely dominated by the druids who make up the philosophical, social and judicial class among their kin. Settlements are created out of living wood and animal hides.
One recognizes a Wood-elf by their tribal markings and bone-charms that exist to both commemorate their deeds and display their tribe's colors. Their eyes are akin to that of a human though with more vibrant colors.

Sea Elves

The Sea elven people are rarely seen on land as most keep themselves to exploring the wide oceans. They are proud, flighty and curious dwellers of the deep who reside in underwater and coastal settlements decorated with coral and seashells. Their society varies from settlement to settlement, which are known to trade with surface dwellers in exchange for knowledge of the world above water.
One recognizes a Sea-elf by their blue or pale complexion, with vividly colored hair. Their hands and feet are webbed and they have gills. Lastly, their eyes are sligihtly larger than those of other elves and are either dark or white.

High Elves

The High-elven people are a patient and proud people, which to many makes them seem haughty and aloof. They reside in beautiful cities of stone, marble and crystals kept clean via magic. In fact, magic is so important to their communities that their settlements boast the only magical academies. While their settlements trade with outside nations, few take an active interest in the political squabbles of short lived rulers. Their society is organized according to a strict hierarchical system in which esteemed prestigious and esteemed noble houses dominate the political landscape.
One recognizes a High-Elf by their have bronze skin, with vibrant eyes lacking pupils, their eye-colors range the full color spectrum.

Dark Elves

The Dark-elven people dwell within the Underdark where they've carved out a society of their own. They are proud, secretive, cunning and known to handle problems from the shadows rather than via outward confrontation. Their settlements are hewn from the rock and decorated with light refracting crystals and beautiful gemstones and like their elven cousins train many of the dangerous animals to be guardians and protectors. As a result Dark Elven spider silks are some of the most luxurious trade goods they export alongside gems and ores. Their society is strictly matriarchal in which all are part of a hierarchy within one of the noble houses that dominate every aspect of life. Those among them that partake of slavery have found it easiest to trade surface world criminals for coin and gem.
One recognizes a Dark-elf by their darker skin tones, often blue or purple, with vibrant eyes that lack pupils.