Wood Elves

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

see Elves

Ecology and Habitats

Because of their attunement to plants, you will find Wood Elves in habitats surrounded by vegetation. This can range from temperate forests to jungles. Some find solace even in remote areas like taigas.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Wood Elves are omnivorous. In their culture, it is disrespectful to domesticate anything that does not want to be domesticated so they avoid raising cattle, getting most of their meat through hunting and giving their prey a chance to survive. For plants, they prefer to pick fruits from wild plants and tend to avoid making large farms. Some will grow more wild farms without the use of plows and without cutting down trees.
Grapes are considered the divine fruit of Temp, God of Life and the Sun that was gifted to their people upon the birth of the Wood Elves from Aureal (see Elves). They cultivate grapes and create wine to preserve them. This wine is used as holy water in rituals serving Temp.

Biological Cycle

During winter months Wood Elves find themselves lacking energy. While not incapable of doing their everyday tasks, the winter months are particularly draining on Wood Elves compared to the other races. They are most active and energetic in the spring.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Wood Elves work on a community based social structure. No elf in the community owns land or buildings. Each community elects a member to take on a leadership role, but they do not have absolute power. The leader is able to step down at any time. They can choose to not take on the role if nominated, although this is frowned upon. Larger communities, like the one in Toradaer Shyr elect an entire council to act as the leadership. These larger councils then may appoint individuals to different areas of need within the community and work to assign members to their roles.
Every member of the community is given a role and expected to fulfill it to the best of their abilities. If they are unable to fulfill the role properly, they are given a new role (usually trading with another member) until they find one they are capable of working well with. Each member is given money to purchase items of leisure depending on the community (some give more, others less). Every member of the community is given sufficient food and drink and shelter without them needing to pay for it. However, some places will offer more luxurious meals for a cost. Individuals may open stores with the permission of the community to sell specialty items or for travelers.
If a member is unable to find a role they fit, it is possible that the community may force the individual to go on a journey of discovery. It is through adventuring that they are expected to discover their "Revelation" or purpose among the community. These elves are given provisions and tools they will need on their journey.
If a member of the community commits a crime, anything from stealing to murder they are banished from the community. If a crime is committed by an outsider, any Wood Elf that aided the outsider either in entering the community or failing to stop the crime may also be banished. Banished Elves are considered outsiders. Any elf that connects with them via the Quintessence of Magic will almost always know if they are an outsider.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Itherion

The vast majority of the population of Wood Elves in Itherion is in the region known as the Alluring Forest. The capital city is Toradaer Shyr which translates to "Citadel of the Wood".

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Wood Elves have the extraordinary ability to feel through the surrounding plants. In about a 60ft radius they can sense anything that touches a plant.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Wood Elves are given a name at birth that is known as their "child name". When they turn 100 years of age or have returned from a journey with their Revelation they choose an "adult name" which replaces their original one. They do not have surnames but rather community names. If one changes communities, they will change their community name. Some communities have sub-communities which will have their own name which is used instead of the community name.

Beauty Ideals

Wood Elves live their lives surrounded by plants and animals. Their attunement to the natural world leaves them sensitive to the way it moves. Wood Elves find beauty in movement. Walking the forest floor with light footsteps is seen as more beautiful than stomping through the forest. Smooth elegant movements that are subtle to their plantsense are the most preferred.

Courtship Ideals

The primary courtship rituals deal with movement. A special ceremony called "The Dance of the Grass" is a ritual where two individuals perform an intricate dance in an area of tall grass. The movements are unpredictable and the dance is intended to move the grass as little as possible, preferring to move it just with the air coming off of the dancer's body.

Relationship Ideals

Wood Elves prefer individuals who are community-focused. While this is tradition it is not unheard of for members to want themselves to be apart of a new community (this is how several new communities have been formed). In this light, they prefer individuals who have a different set of skills than they do and often ones that interact well together (a hunter and a cook for example).

Average Technological Level

Wood Elves are not highly technological. While they are expert woodworkers, bow makers, and book crafters, they do not strive to attain any higher level of technology. They are content in the simplicity of their lives, not striving to create machines of war or ways of mass production. They work hard to master a single item, finding divinity through their craft and elegance of time spent.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is polite among Wood Elves to never impose on them. It is rude however for a Wood Elf to not offer hospitality to one welcome within the community. With the sense of community, it is proper for everyone to be taken care of. If a child is drowning in a river, everyone is working in some way to aid in helping the child. No one is idle when there is someone in need.

Common Dress Code

Wood Elves prefer to cover their bodies in more natural clothing. They prefer to use materials made from plants when possible, however, animal hides are used for making warm weather clothing. Some killed animal hides are used as trophies among the hunters. Those that have these trophies are gifted to them by the community that received the animal. They are seen as symbols of pride for hunters.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Whenever a Wood Elf is born, an Aurealean Tree is planted which is called the elf's Life Tree. This tree grows at a similar rate to the elf and is carefully guarded by the community. The grove of Aurealean trees is an indication of how the community is doing, if the grove is too thin then the community is suffering. These are used to gauge how many elves are permitted to be born.
As the tree grows it is carefully watched by the community. Everything that happens to the tree can be interpreted, just like how some humans do palm reading, druids will perform tree readings. Several omens can be interpreted from these trees from the forming of knots, to invasive insects, and the adoption of it as a home for small animals. Rarely are the trees healed as it is usually seen as a denial of the gods will. There are some cases, that only the druids know, that a Life Tree can be healed. There is a belief that when an elf is dying, that by keeping the Life Tree alive you will prolong the elf's life.
Upon the death of a Wood elf, their life tree is taken and crafted into a book that they call the Ancestor Tomes. The contents of this book are determined ahead of time by the late elf or by the community if such contents had not been discussed. Many choose to record the life history of the elf in the Ancestor Tome. These are given to the family of the late elf for them to keep among their other Ancestor Tomes.

Common Taboos

• Book Burning
• Murder of a Community Member

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Most Wood Elves are happy to interact with other races assuming that they respect the forest. Trading is common as it ensures that outside forces don't mess with the balance of the ecosystem. Integrating outsiders into their communities is not unheard of, but it is not common.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elves

Lifespan

750 years

Average Height

5-6 ft

Average Weight

100-200 lbs

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Wood Elves have a skin tone that is closer to an olive color. It makes them harder to see when hiding among trees.