Elves

"It was pure awe when Men first laid their eyes upon Elves. How could something so fair exist in the horrible world? Then, the Men of Keller realized the Elves themselves were embodiment of the beautiful reality they called depravity." -Jethro

The Elves were a species of humanoids from the realm of Talamh. They are known for their innate connection to the natural and metaphysical world. They were primarily found on the continent of Eiren.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Mirkwood Archer by Onur Bakar

Elves are humanoids (a term that annoys them), meaning they are bipedal and have two arms that allow them to grab and reach. Physique wise, however, the elves are much more slender and taller. Their bones are physically longer which gives the illusion of narrowness. Their ears are unique in the way they are much longer and pointer for better perception. They also have faster metabolisms giving a constant thin look to elves. Elves also have a lack of body hair, with it only growing on the top of their heads. It is physically impossible for males to grow facial hair.

Biological Traits

Besides the aforementioned slenderness and physique of elves, their biology is unique in terms of skin colorization and sexual dimorphism. Elves can be a myriad of colors depending on their race. There is one certain thing though: male elves, despite not being able to grow facial hair, are quite manly in stature and facial structure. While female elves are softer in skin (sometimes making it slightly transparent), the males have tougher skin and much more pronounced muscles.
Elves strangely do not need to sleep. Instead they rest by going into stasis of meditation, doing small acts during that time to reach into dreams. It acts the same as human sleep. They also usually only need 4-5 hours of this meditation in order to become rejuvenated. This extends to their resistance to charming magic and the inability to be put to sleep.

High Elves

The High Elves of the High Forest find themselves having closer connection to the goddess Brigid. As such, they pull more with the magical parts of the world. High Elves get different skin colorization, such as pinks, yellows, light blue, and light green. Their hair can also be different colors, like red, white, purple, green, blue, orange, etc. They are also much smarter than their other kin and are able to reach into magic easier.

Wood Elves

Wood Elves are odd for the sense that they decided the way to worship Brigid was by living in the chaos. This allowed them to become one with nature. Wood Elves are much faster, more agile, and much more clever than their High Elf kin. They traded in colorful skin for a tan or yellowish look with human-like hair colors. However, their skin has a slight camouflage feature which allows them to hide into foliage or thick fog.

Dark Elves

Dark Elf Commission (DND) by Kyle Herring

The Dark Elves are the forbidden kin. They have lost any color to their skin and hair, their pigment only being shades of grey while their hair is white, light yellow, or blood red. Because they often dwell in the Durkcavarn or Mountain's Shadow, this has led them to being sensitive to light to the point where contact with it almost blinds. But like their High Elven kin, they have innate reach into the magical arts to overcome this.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elves are nearly identical to humans when it comes to reproducing. The gestation time differs immensely however. Pregnancies are shorter for the female elf, usually taking only 28 weeks. However, this comes at a cost, as the pregnancies cause much more extreme behavior. This gets to the point where pregnant mothers are forced into isolation at the later stages when it becomes worse. This is both to help her understand the natural world she is about to introduce her child too, and to calm herself. Only near the time of birth is she allowed to return to elven society.

Growth Rate & Stages

Elves after birth mature at a rate very similar to humans. When they reach the age of 20 they are considered physically mature. However, their understanding of adulthood doesn't come well until they are 50. Once hitting 50, they are allowed to go out and explore without an elder, effectively being entirely independent. It is rare for a young elf to be independent before that age.

Additional Information

Social Structure

High Elves

High Elves get their name because their society focuses on transcendence, not dwelling in the material world. Nature, while a blessing from Brigid, is meant to bring them closer to the celestial. Thus they view the natural world as a guidance to truth and philosophy. Though they are stereotyped as stuffy, the High Elves just enjoy politeness and mature as they dwell on the deepness of the moment. This has led some to becoming free thinkers, but also unaware of the simplicity in front of them.
High Elves love the arts, dwelling on music, history and poetry. They are also incredibly religious, vigorously making hymns and prayers about Brigid in devotion to her blessings. They are theocratic in rule, as their chieftains are also the high priests. They are not biased to any gender in their society; anyone has the potential to be great. Many of them consider this a strength to their society and why it has not collapsed in millennia.

Wood Elves

The Wood Elves decided they wanted to be one with nature instead of transcending it, and as such live more in clans or small towns. Wood Elves have a sense of wholesomeness, as well as a sense of chaotic bloodthirst in the thrill of hunting. Many Wood Elves train to withhold that instinct, which is why they stick to family structure. The level of dependency allows them to remain wholehearted. It is one reason why Wood Elves hunt in packs, or often find themselves in adventuring parties.

Drow

Lolth by John Stankos

To the right is Lolth, the heathen goddess of spiders and treachery. Her version of "enlightenment" has led the Dark Elves for generations.

The Dark Elves are the greatest exception to the elves, being entirely matriarchal. Led under beliefs of Lolth, the females are considered superior as instructors and givers of life. They lord over the men, who are considered nothing more than slaves or lesser. However, female dark elves certainly feel positions must be earned, which is why they focus on being strong through wit and character. They crush weaker elves, kill any imperfect children, and uphold the beautiful. Any race that is not dark elf they view as disgusting and not worthy of the very air they "wastefully breath".
They hold spiders and the image of darkness as their mantra. Spiders are sacred animals. To them, darkness is nature and to be used only for their advantage, not to be coexisted. It isn't a surprise that their culture is wasteful, and it is a good thing they inhabit the Durkcavarn.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Elves, endowed with fey ancestry from their mother goddess Brigid, have impeccable perception of what is going on around them. This includes them having darkvision (for the Drow, this is even more attuned). High Elves exclusively seem to have more innate magical abilities due to deeper connection to their goddess.

Civilization and Culture

History

During creation, the Elves were physically birthed by the goddess Brigid. Brigid introduced them into the chaotic and uncertain reality of life and let them loose, hoping they would glorify her. While most did, others began to follow Morganine. After establishing cities (like Gael and Diffon), war would take place between the Elves from Morganine's influence. The enlightened High Elves were forced to fight the war-like Wood Elves. Eventually the fighting would cease when Lila the Unmoving brought a short time of peace, and her son Luidrag would take Gael by force.
The Wood Elves and High Elves would co-exist, but the Drow, once most loyal to Brigid, were exiled to the Underdark in times of turmoil. Brigid would split into Lolth, protecting her Drow children. There, they mutated and lost their color, becoming the black and white beings of strength they are known for. Ever since then, the Drow have plotted to destroy their surface-dwelling kin.

Druid Green by h1fey

A male Wood Elf from the forests of Gaelitia.

Scientific Name

Homo Dryadalis

Lifespan

300 years

Average Height

6'2''

Average Weight

150 lbs.