Wood Elves
"It's the wood elves I have to deal with most often. Roving bandits will sneak out of their woods and hit merchant caravans that aren't watchful enough. Much of the time they leave no survivors, if the caravan didn't have any elves on it. Their warriors don't really get to prove themselves against other elves, you see. They can't kill each other, so an easy way to really get some honor built up is by jumping caravans and taking on their guards. They don't even want the money or the goods, they'll give them away at the first opportunity.
"So, in a strange way, my punitive raids into Doroinir Nimloth are doing them a favor. They get to prove themselves on my blade, just as hundreds of their kind have done. One day, they may learn that they shouldn't conduct these raids anymore. Until then, I should just plan to head out every three months or so."
~Archmage Dulacar of The Brass Tower
Wood elves, also known as low elves are the most populous of the elven races. Wood elves see themselves as guardians of the forest homes that were largely abandoned by the High Elves. They live clannish, seemingly primitive lifestyles and often conduct raids on both their fellow elves and on the humans that border their forests.
Of all elves, wood elves are the most likely to wander. They're possessed of an inherent wanderlust that keeps them seeking new things. They are also the most likely to go adventuring purely for the love of it, and bands of turniptails prize them for their archery and stealth.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Eilmys
Torxisys
Lorakrana
Nerirel
Qizorwyn
Urihana
Zylqirelle
Neriphine
Qiphine
Caiphyra
Dana
Brykrana
Presrora
Helecyne
Inajyre
Grerona
Grekalyn
Eilxisys
Ulagella
Iarsys
Masculine names
Heihorn
Traran
Vahice
Trasandoral
Glynmaer
Keatumal
Norvalur
Kelmenor
Qinmaris
Beiceran
Sylceran
Aeydark
Balkian
Vaxidor
Fenmenor
Qigolor
Genwarin
Mirapeiros
Elfir
Panan
Family names
Wood elf families are named after flora and fauna. Birch, Beach-tree, Rhododendron, Dandelion, Thorn, Wolf, Badger, and their elven equivalent names. Out of courtesy, wood elves usually translate these names into whatever language they're speaking, to get the point across.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Wood elves speak elven tongues in a clipped and efficient manner. They also often speak Sylvan and Common.
Additionally, wood elves speak aewglir, a whistle-language based on birdsong. While most other races who deal with wood elves in any way know that the language exists, it's a closely guarded secret. Teaching it to outsiders is strictly forbidden, though it has happened a few times to trusted friends.
How Archmage Dulacar learned it is a mystery.
Culture and cultural heritage
Wood elves are descended from the peasant and working caste of the La'shei empire.
Shared customary codes and values
Wood elves believe in a code called baurillion. It's strictures are many and varied, but they boil down to assist the weak and humble the strong.
Common Dress code
Wood elves wear durable, practical clothing in earthen tones. Most of them think garish and unnatural colors are ghastly.
Art & Architecture
When they build permanent buildings, they use magic to make their structures out of living plants.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Wood elves are nearly obsessed with counting coup. They claim a feather for each deed they complete: monsters slain, lives saved, charity done, rich robbed, etc. They know the story for each and every feather they wear, and if one isn't careful not to mention it they will recite it at length.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a wood elf is born, they are baptized in natural waters and a celebration is held in the clan.
Coming of Age Rites
Wood elves go through what they call the Quickening, a rite very similar to the Becoming of the humans.
Funerary and Memorial customs
When a wood elf dies, their clan will bury them in a kneeling position in small graves and plant a tree over the body.
Common Taboos
Elves don't kill elves. Even during warfare and raiding, they take prisoners and count coup rather than spill life's blood.
Common Myths and Legends
Wood elves believe that their ancestors sprouted from the acorns seeded from the Great Oak, a tree in the Evergreen Lands. They believe that they return there when they die, to live in the shade and partake of its fruits.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Wood elves are on the shorter side of elves, with black, brown, green or auburn hair. Their skin tones can be gray, pale, tan, brown, or ghostly white. They have delicate features as all elves do, but can give off a predatory air.
Courtship Ideals
Wood elves don't court so much as date. Their dates can last weeks, travelling to see sights or going on small adventures.
Relationship Ideals
Wood elves seek partners for their adventures, settling down only long enough to raise newborns into little adventurers themselves.
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