Elves Consume Their Enemies

Long standing and persistent is the myth that Elves eat their enemies, who were fallen or captured in combat. It is said they relish the taste of the felsh of their defeated foes and steal their spiritual strength, or simply prefer it to that of hunted or pillaged food reserves. Some scholars suggest the truth underlying this myth is tied to the ravenous appetites or bestial behavior of the other elfkin, such as trolls whose madness may make them incapable of distinguishing people from animals, or the vampires who feed on blood and prefer that of the elves themselves. One origin for the myth of elves eating other people first arose from the legends surrounding the fall of the Dreamwalker ogres at the hands of the elves, who are said to have "devoured their makers" after they were banished from their home by their queen and cursed to mortality in the first world.
Elven communities do not often take in outsiders of other races, and this is undoubtedly true during war. While the taking of prisoners for exchange or ransom is not uncommon for other races, it it very rare for the elves, contributing to the threat and fear of defeat at their hands. Those lost in combat, or captured by the elves can be presumed dead by their fellows. Few taken by or standing with the elves after their defeat of an enemy would have the opportunity to know, do they eat their fallen enemies?
Elves raw diet contributes to the mystery, preferring to process their food as little as possible. Those remains observed after a brutal conflict are often missing pieces of flesh or viscera, whether slain by the elves or another foe. Perceived as merciless, and willing to slaughter their vulnerable captives like lame livestock, few facts would separate the elves behavior from the myth. Knowing that defeat means death, and possibly being butchered for the victory dinner motivates many of the elves enemies in combat, but also sparks fear and retreat.

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Originally written for 2024 Summer Camp challenege, answering the Wild Card option Myth A MYTH ABOUT FOOD