Elf
Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. Sharing a great love of love of nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world, they abide 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.
With unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. Usually slightly shorter than humans on average, rarely reaching 6 feet, and also more slender than humans, with little difference between the heights or weights of males and females. Colouration encompasses the normal human range, but includes shades of copper, bronze and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and little body hair. They favour elegant clothing in bright colours and intricately crafted jewellery.
Elves can live well over 700 years, longer than any other humanoid race, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance, but are more often amused than excited and more likely to be curious than greedy. When pursuing a goal, however, 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 offences with vengeance.
Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among the trees, and their skill and magic allow them to support themselves without the need for clearing and ploughing 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.
Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. Trusting first in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence, when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow and artful strategy.
Elves 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, which adventuring allows them to do, and they are often sought out as instructors to teach swordplay or magic.
Ancestry
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names. On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.
Child : Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall
Male Adult: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
Female Adult: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Family (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)
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