Elves
The seemingly eternally young races of elves are both admired and despised by humans. Countless stories and legends tell of the longevity, elegance and arrogance of these strange creatures. They also tell of the resistance and disobedience of the elves, who refuse to recognize the gods as masters of Gaia.
They mostly live in seclusion in small clans or tribes spread across the world. Wherever they are, they form a close bond with the world around them. They feel themselves to be an extension of the world and therefore do their best to protect and preserve it.
With the exception of the dark elves, the elves of Gaia are almost as tall as humans, but are much slimmer and more gracefully built. Their finely cut faces have high cheekbones, pointed ears, large almond-shaped eyes and generally appear perfect in a noble way. In addition, they are often so androgynous that it is difficult for non-elves to tell male and female elves apart at first glance. This is reinforced by the fact that elves have neither beards nor body hair. Most elves prefer simple but comfortable clothing and armor that still allows them a certain degree of mobility. This preference is also reflected in their preferred choice of weapon, which often falls on the longsword, rapier, shortbow and longbow.
With the exception of the dark elves, the elves of Gaia are almost as tall as humans, but are much slimmer and more gracefully built. Their finely cut faces have high cheekbones, pointed ears, large almond-shaped eyes and generally appear perfect in a noble way. In addition, they are often so androgynous that it is difficult for non-elves to tell male and female elves apart at first glance. This is reinforced by the fact that elves have neither beards nor body hair. Most elves prefer simple but comfortable clothing and armor that still allows them a certain degree of mobility. This preference is also reflected in their preferred choice of weapon, which often falls on the longsword, rapier, shortbow and longbow.
Civilization and Culture
History
At the time when the gods erected Mount Olympus and appointed themselves kings of all mortal racws, the elves objected and decided that they were all children of this world. Because of this truth, none of them, neither mortals nor gods, had the right to rule over others. When the gods tried to force the elves to obey, they hid in the forests of Gaia and escaped the wrath of the gods.
However, they left their hiding place when the Aboleth tried to take control of all the peoples of Gaia. Together with the other mortals and the gods, they fought against the tyrants from the depths and made a decisive contribution to the victory of the gods. As a sign of their gratitude, the gods accepted the will of the elves and so they were finally able to emerge from their hiding places.
Still many of the elves never left their forests. Having been unbound to a divine power in the early years of their race, they had developed a close bond with the world around them. This connection made them see the world around them as a part of themselves. The elves who remained in the forests guarded and protected them like a family member or loved one. As unseen sentinels, they roam the treetops and bushes, ever vigilant and always ready to envy intruders with their arrows.
The elves who left the forests wandered the world for centuries. Their long lives allowed an elf to see all that Gaia formed before settling down. Wherever the elves put down roots, however, they developed a close connection to the natural world. Over time, this connection also shaped their bodies so that they could find a home anywhere, regardless of the environment. Today, elves can even be found as far as beneath the waves of the raging oceans or amongst the dunes of the blazing deserts, ss long as they want to be found.
However, some elves are snatched from their homes or have to flee. Rich merchants or influential rulers pay good gold to get an elf in their possession. Either as a status symbol or as a useful servant who can serve their family for many generations. Brave or foolish slavers may therefore hunt elves and kings may demand an elf as tribute to allow his tribe to live on the ruler's lands. The life of these elves is rarely a happy one. For in the cities of humans, they lack a connection to nature. The wood of felled trees, from which the humans built their homes, feels like a cruel slaughterhouse to them. The cut stones of the streets look to them like a path made of bones. Moreover, many humans do not trust the elves, who seem so different from them. Some elves learn to deal with this world, but for most it is a huge burden.
Still many of the elves never left their forests. Having been unbound to a divine power in the early years of their race, they had developed a close bond with the world around them. This connection made them see the world around them as a part of themselves. The elves who remained in the forests guarded and protected them like a family member or loved one. As unseen sentinels, they roam the treetops and bushes, ever vigilant and always ready to envy intruders with their arrows.
The elves who left the forests wandered the world for centuries. Their long lives allowed an elf to see all that Gaia formed before settling down. Wherever the elves put down roots, however, they developed a close connection to the natural world. Over time, this connection also shaped their bodies so that they could find a home anywhere, regardless of the environment. Today, elves can even be found as far as beneath the waves of the raging oceans or amongst the dunes of the blazing deserts, ss long as they want to be found.
However, some elves are snatched from their homes or have to flee. Rich merchants or influential rulers pay good gold to get an elf in their possession. Either as a status symbol or as a useful servant who can serve their family for many generations. Brave or foolish slavers may therefore hunt elves and kings may demand an elf as tribute to allow his tribe to live on the ruler's lands. The life of these elves is rarely a happy one. For in the cities of humans, they lack a connection to nature. The wood of felled trees, from which the humans built their homes, feels like a cruel slaughterhouse to them. The cut stones of the streets look to them like a path made of bones. Moreover, many humans do not trust the elves, who seem so different from them. Some elves learn to deal with this world, but for most it is a huge burden.
Origin/Ancestry
Gaian
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