Elves

Elves

Elves are believed by some to be the oldest beings in Atios. Their largest populations are found in the region north of the Great Sea that became known as the Luminated Alliance in the years before the Great War.

PHYSIOLOGY

Elves appear in a variety of body types and hair colors. Their skin pigmentation is most often cool in color, ranging from pale blue to deep brown. Their ears are long and pointed, which serve to enhance their hearing, and their night vision is unmatched. Their lifespans are nearly double that of a human's or an orc's. Though they were originally a nocturnal species who hunted at night, most elves have now adapted to leading active lives in the daylight hours.

As a result of their nocturnal origins, elves are gifted with superior night vision. They can be found walking through the city in the dark of night without lanterns or lights of any kind to assist them. During the Great War, the Luminated Alliance took advantage of this ability by utilizing spies and covert operatives against Dwar Fell. Officially, since the return of the Darkness, these spies have been retired. But most residents of the city assume that the Temple still operates a secret spy network in Din'Lux.

SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT

Elven skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight. When exposed for more than a few minutes, it begins to redden with heat. With prolonged exposure, it blisters and burns. Elves who suffer this fate are left with scar tissue for the rest of their lives, although there has been some recent developments in magical healing that greatly lessen scarring.

Because of this sensitivity, elves who wish to go out in the daylight must take care to wear gloves, full-length clothing, and masks over their faces. Some elves choose to lead nocturnal lives by sleeping through the daylight hours, while others find this lifestyle too restrictive. Most elven homes are connected to underground tunnels, where they may retreat to escape from the light and the noise of the day. But elves who reside in the poorer neighborhoods, where there is nowhere to escape to, have no choice but to adapt to daytime living.

Din'Lux is, in a way, a city that never sleeps. Colored lights decorate the streets at night, particularly in the Nests, a mostly-elven neighborhood. Glory Plaza, a hotspot of restaurants and other businesses, stays active through most of the night, not dying down until the sun begins to rise and the merchants begin pulling their wagons up the hill. On the weekends in the Plaza, there is a nighttime market where nocturnal elves may shop without the crowds and bright light of the morning.

Over the years, like any other fashion, elven masks have evolved through a variety of styles and have become a unique way to express oneself through color and ornamentation. Some elves select masks that are simple and plain, while others prefer something extravagant and loud. Elves with expendable income are often willing to spend a good deal of money to have the perfect custom mask decorated with fine materials, including peacock feathers, gold-flaked paint, and jewels.

ELVEN POPULATIONS

Before the Starless Nights returned, the largest groups of elven populations were found in the area of Atios controlled by the Luminated Alliance, which included the city-states of Din'Lux, Aes'Tos, and others. This alliance was formed over a thousand years ago to unite a group of city-states following the Temple of Ziva. Their religious fervor led them to war with the peoples of Dwar Fell, a war that cost many elven lives and waged on for centuries up until the very day the Darkness returned. (See the Great War.)

When the Luminated Alliance was first formed, large groups of elves left the area in a sort of exodus. These elves were uncomfortable with the Alliance and its close ties with the Temple of Ziva. Many of these were followers of other religions or atheist, but some were followers of Ziva who strongly believed in peace. The violent and bigoted speech coming from the Temple and Alliance leaders were disconcerting and it was clear that war was their intention.

These elves left the Luminated Alliance for other regions. Many migrated south to the Berian Empire, while others settled in rural farming communities far from the war that was brewing. A very small number chose to travel to Dwar Fell, feeling more aligned with the perspective that kinfire should be shared among all.

For more, see the Luminated Alliance.

MYTHS & STEREOTYPES

Throughout Atios, the belief has spread that all elves are religious and bigoted against other peoples. While the majority of elves are members of the Temple of Ziva, their religious fervency varies. There are also many elves who reject the Temple altogether.

In the past, the Temple has been known to to spread bigoted and hateful propaganda against the peoples of Dwar Fell, particularly dwarves, and there are many who still prescribe to this type of thought. However, there are also many elves on the opposite end of the spectrum who strive towards understanding, communication, and equality.

Due to their sensitivity to light, there are some who see elves as extremely fragile and weak. This belief was spread by leaders in Dwar Fell to embolden their troops against their enemy. While elven skin is indeed quite delicate, this fragility does not extend to the rest of their physiology. In truth, their physical strength is no weaker than that of a human. A number of elves have become renowned for their physical abilities as soldiers, acrobats, and wrestlers. In a fight, aided by their keen sense of hearing and eyesight, elves can be formidable opponents.

AFTER THE DARKNESS

When the Starless Nights returned, Din'Lux, a city-state of mostly elves, was believed to be the last remaining city in Atios. Their kinfire lighthouse was the last in the Luminated Alliance to remain lit. After a hasty peace treaty, the armies of Dwar Fell outside the city walls were allowed into Din’Lux to take refuge.

For several years now, the people of Din’Lux have struggled to live alongside their former enemies. While conflict, mostly between dwarves and elves, has lessened, it has not entirely disappeared. There are still frequent reports of fights breaking out in pubs, vandalized homes and establishments, bigoted graffiti on the walls of the City Hall. The peace continues to be an uneasy one.

A little more than half of the population of Din’Lux is elven, while the leader of the city is now an orc, Vath of the Tuskrippers. This invader, as some call him, is the first non-elf to lead Din’Lux in long history. Bitterness bubbles among many of the elven residence. More than one attempt has been made to retake the City Council, but they have all failed.

For now, the only elven representative to speak for them is Hierophant Selen, the head of the Temple of Ziva. Their former leader, now demoted to merely a religious figurehead, still sits on the Council. Throughout this period of deep-seated conflict and resentment, the Hierophant has shown great patience along with a desire to protect all the peoples of their city instead of only her own kind. There are some among the elven population who denounce her open-mindedness, still holding onto the old traditions of the church who distrusted outsiders.