Elf
"Elves have long since reached for the heights. The next branch of the tree, the open sky above us, all the divine and magical potential of the world at our fingers. But today, we cement ourselves higher than any other. Today, Elves reach the Stars."Elves are one of the most prominant species of Edda, second only to Humans with only Dwarves coming close to their range. Their many varieties and incredibly long lives aid in their enduring posterity, even as they have lost of the universal cache that once made them immutably superior to all others (in the eyes of Hippolyta, a nation mostly populated by elves, anyways). While they are slow to age and slow to die, they are also slow to learn and slow to develop, taking much memorization and practice to truly learn. But that has not prevented many Elves into finding themselves in positions of great power and importance the world over. On the contrary, their longevity and sharp wit keep them in such positions for decades, even centuries, not letting any of the quickly-changing minutae overcome them. This is starting to change, however, as culturally many Elves just do not care for superiority over the international push towards peace and change, with many older Elves finding it much more difficult to change their ways. But, such things are a topic to culturally discuss elsewhere, so let us discuss the facts behind the genetics of this ever-present species.--Saturnalis Sundalis before ennacting his Celestial Scrying
Basic Information
Anatomy
Elves possess the standard anatomy of Mortal Form derived species with less sexual dimorphism than average, coming down to only genetalia and breast tissue being different between biological sexes. They do possess oddly shaped ears, with the upper portion generally being pointed and upturned. The average elf's ear is roughly four inches long as well, but this does range from the average ~2 inches for mortal ears to as long as a foot!
Genetics and Reproduction
Elves reproduce like any other Mortal Form descendant species, but while the length of the pregnancy is the same, roughly 9 months give or take, egg-producing Elves only ovulate once per year, generally three months after their birthday, and yet the egg remains available much longer, capable of being fertilized for nearly a month after the fact. Rather than their menstruation taking the form of expelling, the body reabsorbs the material within to prepare it for the next year. While this results in less pain on average than common menstrual cycles, the hormone fluctuations do still take the emotional toll, as well as causing notable fatigue for a period of roughly three days.
Growth Rate & Stages
Newborn elves quickly grasp their sensory capabilities, although motor and speech skills come slower to them. At roughly three years, they'll be developed enough to move around on their own and begin rudimentary conversation. From five to ten years their motor skills and mental faculties will develop further, the latter often skyrocketing in comparison. From 11 to 15 years their minor sexual dimorphism will become apparent as well as greater skills in contextualization and advanced thought. From 16 to 23, their bodies will have increased rates of muscle growth and facial definition, often accompanied with growth spurts and weight fluctuations. From 24 to 30, body growth will begin to slow and mental maturation is, biologically speaking, completed.
From here elves might undergo minute changes in height or weight, but stay largely the same until their late 100's, where the body will begin to age and weaken, albeit veeeery slowly. In terms of biological degradation, an elf is considered middle aged in their mid-to-late 200's, and elderly in their mid-300's to early 400's.
Most elves pass of old age within their 500's, or due to bodily complications. Just as many pass before they're even middle aged, by injury or sickness. However some, by magic or sheer genetic luck, have lived up to and upwards of 1000.
It is currently unknown what quirk of Elven physoilogy is to thank for these long lives, but the past and present gives two theories. The past speaks of their creation from the Mortal Forms, beliving that Elves came from trees and other forms of rooted plant matter, growing nigh infinitley if kept healthy and strong. The present and the new field of genetic study in Edda speaks of cells that resist deterioration for centuries longer than most other mortal form species, but also are less malleable to growth and change.
Ecology and Habitats
Like other Mortal Form species, Elves have internal thermoregulation to a high degree, meaning they don't necessarily have one set prime locale for survival. However, many sub-species of Elves are susceptible to UV rays and get burned at a far easier rate. This is highly depending on genetics, even outside of the subspecies divisions of the different Elves, so it's not as common in the modern day.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Modern Elves exist in as many standard and varied fashions as any other Mortal Form species. Speaking in a biological sense, Elves come in two dietary camps and there are some morphological differences between them. Some Elves have a standard array of teeth to do many tasks, with mostly flatter teeth that are grooved in a way that makes chewing and grinding plant matter easier. The other group, however, have largely sharper and ridged teeth, capable of tearing apart meat and other raw and sinewy matierals with ease.
The various subspecies have different percentages of sharp to flat teeth, but on a cultural level sharper teeth among elves is generally seen as more "wild" or "uncouth".
Biological Cycle
Elves are very in tune with the nature around them, which flows into seasonal changes as well. While some subspecies of Elf have more drastic changes than others, Elves in general have higher rates of hair growth and bodily fat increase during the winter season, and inversely less of both in the summer season. These changes depend on environment and their common temperatures during either season, and an Elf who has moved to a new locale takes about two years to get on time with the seasonal cycles.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Elves typically do not grow facial hair, or at least do so over a very long period of time, and posses nigh iconic long pointed ears. Some also possess strange pupils in a slitted style, much like felines, but this is more common in more fae-oriented subspecies.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Elves are one of the most populus species in Edda, second only to Humans. The nation of Hippolyta however is the epicenter of their population, known as the Nation of Elves despite not literally being an ethnostate (despite the best efforts of past rulers). Elves are also most common within the Kaguyan Federation and Afallon.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The elongated ears of elves increase their hearing capabilities sharply compared to other mortals, and the elongation itself supposedly lets them feel changes in the wind or minute movements around them. Some say that well-trained mages can even feel changes in the flow of mana with the ends of their ears.
Elves also possess a keen sense of sight, especially in darker environments, as their eyes can become slitted and focused much like a feline.
Civilization and Culture
History
It is said when the Advent of the Tower turned Mortal Forms into the beginnings of our modern species, those formed from the mighty bark and tall trees became those we know as the Elves. As long-lived as a healthy oak, as connected to nature as a burrowing root system, and prone to seeking heights like the tallest of canopies, they came fully formed and began the task of education and evolution amongst themselves.
Elves have a long and storied history as a species within Edda. The nation of Hippolyta, primarily under Elven rule, was one of the first three to be a world power, alongside Agartha and Afallon. It is not known why they had such a foothold so relatively early into the history of the land, but a common theory is that Elves inherent long lifespans give them more time to develop skills before passing them down, and longer lasting memories allowed these skills to be built upon more consistently.
While Elven history in general comes down to cultural milestones, historic figures, and key locations more than any species-exclusive events, they are a long-woven people within Edda's history, and they'll be sure to remember it for centuries after said history has passed.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Elf genetics are more dominant in terms of newborn babies compared to other species, however there are a fair amount of half-elven people in Edda. The union of Elves and Humans in particular has resulted in enough even splits to create a subspecies on its own. While other interspecies varieties exist, they are far less common with one side or the other either winning out in utero or with Elven features becoming more or less prominant during puberty.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Mortali Forma Augeō
Lifespan
Varies, on average 500 years
Average Height
5'6" - 7'6" in adults
Average Weight
120lbs - 260lbs in adults
Average Physique
Elves are typically known for being tall and lithe, and there are certain genetic traits that aid in this common image such as high metabolisms and issues developing muscle tissue, but these difficulties are becoming less common as the generations continue on.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Most Elves have natural skintones in the various ranges of pink and brown that are seen across many Mortal Form species. Due to the climate of Hippolyta, most elves possess a midling amount of melanin, resulting in tanned skin and darker. These skin colors can vary based on the subspecies and cultural environments as well, leaving a wide variety.
Some elves are also born with prominent facial birthmarks in stripes similar to animals natural camoflauge, but in modern elven culture these are seen as remnants of the older naturalistic style of living.
Comments