Elves

Elves, also known as The Eldar Folk, were the first true race of humanoids created on Naneth, by The Eres; Eldath and Silvanus. Elves can be found all throughout Naneth, living within nomadic family groups, or the sprawling civilizations that now dominant the world's landscape. Almost all elves of Naneth worship Eldath and have great love for the natural world and beauty around them.

Description

The elves of Naneth were a race of athletic and slender beings, averaging heights of 5'5" - 6'5". Even the tallest of the elves were quite light, averaging at around 100-150lbs. This race was blessed by the Eres, to be the fairest and most beautiful upon the world's surface. Their skin colour was dependent on the subrace of elf, and where they lived in Naneth. High elves, also known as wood elves of the Ironwood Forest or the elves of Astora, usually displayed a fair complexion, much lighter than their southern cousins; the sun elves of Meridian, whom displayed dark, tanned skin. Drow, or the dark elves of the Sunrise Jungle and The Quaan Empire, displayed very dark gray skin, and occasionally sported red or yellow eyes.
All elves upon Naneth were immortal, unable to perish by old age. However, by 750, their mortal spirits would begin to fade, longing to return to the natural world and rejoin the other creations of Eldath. Elves of this age would partake in a unique end of life ritual. They would return to nature and worship Eldath among the trees, plants and creatures. Before they would finally join them in spirit, leaving behind their body for the natural world to consume. It was then they joined their creators, Eldath and Silvanus in the The Feywild, a rewarding afterlife for the Eldar Folk.

Subraces

High Elves: Also known as Wood Elves, this subrace was first created by Eldath, and is the type all others have descended from. They once made up the entirely of the Ironwood Kingdom, before it was disbanded and joined with Astora. High Elves are also present in Atmora, the original region they were created in. Although the xenophobic feeling in the region have forced most of the elves to flee across Royal's Bay to Astora.
Sun Elves: The dominant race of beings in Meridian, these elves descended from the High Elves of Atmora. Centuries of time spent in the southern reaches of Naneth have given these elves beautifully tanned and dark skin, traits that now reveal themselves in offspring. Sun Elves have a tendency to live more and work less, a point proven by the endless parties and festivals they throw in honor of Eldath and Sune; the goddess of love.
Drow: Also known as Dark Elves, these creatures have become a blight on Naneth. Originally High Elves, years within the dark of the Sunrise Jungle and toxic bogs of the Skuzlok Swamp, have molded them into the violent creatures of the present. Most live within tribes, patrolling the jungle for their next victims, while others have even joined with the The Quaan Empire, a horrifying insult to their creators.
Dusk Elves: An extremely rare subset of Elf, Dusk Elves are found only in Barovia. Living amongst a group called The Vistani, most, if not all, dusk elves seem to be in service to Strahd Von Zarovich; Barovia's dark master. It is not completely known where Dusk Elves originated from, though most believe they are the result of ancient relations between High Elves and Drow.

Society

Culture

The culture of elves varies from subrace to subrace, with some like the high elves, living a life very close to nature, in constant worship of Eldath. Often these elvs live within the forests if they can, or at least in settlements close to these wilds. Those that live in giant metropolitan centers, such as Vinheim, still pay tribute to the living world, often decorating their homes with growing plants and small critters. Sun elves of Meridian are noit much different, although they also worship Sune, the goddess of passion and love. The streets of Myre, a sun elf dominated city, are covered in colors, paints and streamers. Constant decorations for the many festivals they throw each month in tribute to their gods. However, these characteristics are not shared by the drow, who have all but thrown away any connection to the living world and the Eres. They covet nothing but power and suffering, often kidnapping travelers through their territory, subjecting them to harrowing ordeals, or transporting them to the pits of The Quaan Empire.

Interracial Relations

Across the ages, relations between elves and other races, particularity withhumans and dwarves, have been strained. While they often live in peace, there have been past wars that have soured the deep connection between the three races. Years ago, before it was defeated and dissolved, Ironwood Kingdom launched a preemptive assault on Astora, citing the human's growing prosperity as a threat. Humans and dwarves fought together against the elves, defeating them, and absorbing the Ironwood Kingdom in Astora, the elves becoming official citizens of the realm. The hard feelings from these times has yet to completely disappear. In Atmora, the xenophobic behavior from the humans there has effected not just the elves, but dwarves and the other non-human races as well. Even rumors of non-human purges have began to surface.

History

The history of the Eldar Folk begins at the beginning of time, during the Age of Creation. It was then that Eldath and Silvanus created Naneth and poured life upon it. Together with the other Eres, they populated Naneth with creatures, all shapes and sizes, and all peaceful within the natural order of life. As her prime creation, Eldath created the elves, a fair and beautiful people. They were to watch over Naneth, shepherding it's life, watching over it, alongside their gods. So it was that the elves of Naneth spread out to every corner of the world. Some stayed in the northeastern region, the area that would eventually become known as Atmora. Other elves set out west, discovering the great Ironwood Forest, establishing settlements among it's trees. Some elves even went south, settling upon the white shores of Naneth, in present day Meridian.
As the Age of Creation was ending, the Eres traitors known as The Dead Three, stole away and corrupted a portion of the elves, as revenge on Eldath and the other Eres. These corrupted members of the elves were mutated by dark rituals and filled with the hate of their new masters. They became known as Orc, a new race that would dominate the southern deserts of Naneth, the area known as The Red Wastes. This event, known as The Betrayal, began a conflict between all the Eres. Eventually The Dead Three were banished to The The Underblaze for eternity, by the hands of Silvanus and Torm. The departure of the gods followed soon after, as Eldath and Silvanus decided Naneth would have a better chance to flourish away from the hands of the Eres, as they had wrecked enough havoc upon the world's surface. With that, the creators of the Eldar Folk departed to The Feywild.
So began the Age of Fire, a time where the elves of Naneth remained relatively hidden from the goings-on of the world. When Tiamat and her legions from the south struck Aramoor, the elves of the region stayed hidden, knowing there was nothing to achieve against such evil. Eventually the humans rose up, inspiring the dwarves of The Teeth to join them in an alliance against Tiamat and her horde. The elves joined as well, creating The Alliance, and eventually forced Tiamat from the region, beginning the War of Fire. This war would rage for years, resulting in thousands of elven casualties, until the Battle of Orphans Peak. Here, a group of heroes face down Tiamat alone, in her domain, and emerged victorious. But they were deceived, as one of the human heroes revealed their true allegiance to The Nameless One, They cracked open Orphans Peak, spilling out a toxic mists that would eventually cover the land in a bid to wipe out life on Naneth.
During the Age of Mists, elves hid among the forests of the world, while others hid underground in an attempt to escape the mist's reach. Areas like the Ironwood Forest were protected from the fog by Eldath, who used the last of her power within the mortal plane to shield the hiding places of her children. For two thousand years, the elves remained isolated from the other races of Naneth. Finally the mists lifted, and the Age of Renewal began. This was the age when mortal life on Naneth would truly begin to dominate the world. In the case of the elves, they established countries such as the Ironwood Kingdom and Meridian. Soon the other races emerged as well, and began populating Naneth's farthest reaches. The greatest example of this was the humans of Astora, who founded a capital city outside of the Ironwood, encroaching on elven land. This would eventually lead to war between Astora and the Ironwood Kingdom, with the former emerging victorious in the end.
Now, the greatest elven population on Naneth stands within Astora and Meridian. Smaller tribes still exist all over Naneth as well, including enclaves of drow. Elves have become an extremely important aspect to the diverse races that make up Naneth. Providing the world with some of the finest warriors and talented wizards. They protect the natural world in the name of Eldath, and despise all evil. Although the world is becoming increasing dominated by humans, there is no doubt the Eldar Folk will still have an important role to play in the fate of Naneth.

Origins Created by Eldath and Silvanus
Dominions Astora, Ironwood Forest, Meridian, Sunrise Jungle, The Quaan Empire, Atmora
Languages Elvish, Common
Subraces High (Wood), Sun, Drow
Lifespan Immortal, Spirit Fades by 750
Average Height/Weight 6'0/130lbs
Distinguishing Features Beautiful Facial Features, Long Hair, Blonde or Brown, Pointed Ears