Elves
The Elven Peoples.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Standard humanoid shape, with anything from small Human-like to large curving pointed ears.
Genetics and Reproduction
Elves reproduce sexually and mammalian, with the mother carrying the child for up to 15 months.
All elves can carry and birth children even late into their lives, and as such it is a common practice among most elven species that mostly elves in the late life give birth, living their early lives doing as they wish, and providing children as a way to give back to their people near the end.
Avariel and Moon Elves are two of the most well known species not to follow this pattern, with most of their kind producing children much younger in their lives, usually several times.
The Amadriel are nearly the exact opposite, due to their practice of elder worship.
Growth Rate & Stages
Elves have a unique way of growing and maturing in comparison t other species on Vel'kora, mostly due to their creation by the Elder Fey and the influence of Corellon and The Feywild. Where as most species are born as children, and slowly, or quickly, grow into adulthood, age and die, Elves do not follow this pattern. Elves instead go through three separate life stages as they mature, (possibly more of fewer depending on subspecies), and often show very little in the way of aging.
Early Life
Early life for a an elf takes place from birth, until the age of fifty. During this time frame, a young elf looks, acts, and seems to any observer to be nothing more than a child. They are often of a whimsical or aloof nature during this time, learning from those around them as they see fit, rather than being taught by their elders as other species do. It is during this time that most elves will discover their life's purpose, or the thing that defines them, and will begin to focus on this when they feel the time is right.Middle Life
Starting at the age of fifty, an elf begins to undergo a metamorphosis like transformation into adulthood, often transitioning from a small child into a fully grown adult over the span of months to years. Once they reach full growth, they begin to feel a calling into what ever path they felt is chosen for them, their passion, their purpose. This purpose will define the elf as a individual for the entire rest of its life. A smith for example will only find fulfillment from smithing, and the creating and shaping of works from metal. A hunter will only truly feel they are doing the right thing in their life while on the hunt. While they can pursue other talents and goals, only their purpose will truly fill them with any sense of completion.Late Life
At or around the age of seven hundred, most elves enter into the last phase of their lives. There is, in comparison to the change of child to adulthood, no real outward change in the elf, but inward, there is a tremendous shift. The focus they have on their purpose becomes absolute, to the point where there is only one singular task that they deem worthy of their time. It is during this point that most elves return to either the The Feywild, to live out the rest of they days in seclusion, or to the place of their birth, to be surrounded by other elves who understand the burden they now carry and are glad to assist them. The elf's purpose consumes their every waking thought, and the elf must spend a great deal of time, and effort, focusing to do anything else. For some, this is not to terrible. Those burdened with the purpose of leading others, protecting their kin, find the transition into elder life a simple and relieving one. Others, such as mages, or craftsmen, are sometimes driven insane by the insatiable need to create the most perfect work, master the most powerful spells. According to elvish lore, the drive for purpose that all elves feel was a blessing given to them after the shattering of The Seldarine, where in the Elder Fey split and reformed. (See The Tale of Elven Purpose )Ecology and Habitats
Elves have a wide range of habitable environments depending on sub-species.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Elves are omnivores, but most tend to prefer a diet of majority grains and greens with small portions of fish or meat to compliment.
Biological Cycle
Most of the Elven species is unaffected by the sycle of the seasons, with the exception of Eladrin, whose hair and in some cases mental outlook changes based on the 4 seasons of the year.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
High
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Advantage on Charmed and Sleep effects. Darkvision up to 60 ft.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Naming tradition varies heavily by subspecies.
Major Organizations
In Vel'Kora, elves can be found in nearly every continent. The largest grouping in is Koria, where they can be found in The City of the Fey, Amoth, and Kordairia.
There are a larger number that can be found in the city of Semunet in Torrezon, as well as throughout the The Weeping Islands.
In Koria, the high elves rule from The City of the Fey, defending the land they firsts set foot on after the Sylvan Migration, and the avariel live in their floating castles and Airships above the city of Kordairia proper. While both types of elves can be found throughout the continent, the largest number, as well as their home locations, are found there.
In Torrezon, the moon elf people have walled themselves up within the might stone citadel known as The Moon Fortress, where they slowly work to rebuild their dwindling numbers and dive deep into the study of the arcane.
The Weeping Islands are home to the Deep Woodelves, or Amadriel, live in tribal groups that fight one another, as well as anything else, that comes close or lands on their home island.
Beauty Ideals
Beauty ideals vary widely depending on sub-species.
Gender Ideals
Gender ideals vary widely depending on sub-species.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship ideals depend greatly upon sub-species. Some of the more wild Elven tribes have long drawn out courtship rituals that can last for several years, while other more cultured Elves hold to a more Human ideal of shorter courtship filled with passion.
Relationship Ideals
Vary by sub-species.
Average Technological Level
Standard technological level of the world.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Elvish as a standard language known by all. Several sub-dialects by sup-species but all know and can speak standard High Elvish.
Common is the second known and spoken language of the Elves, though Sylvan often comes a close second.
The Amadriel are also worth noting due to how they developed their own language, known as Woad, that is known exclusively to their race and is not allowed to be taught to outsiders.
Common Etiquette Rules
Vary by sub-species.
Common Dress Code
Vary by sub-species.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Vary by sub-species.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Vary by sub-species.
Common Taboos
Vary by sub-species.
History
The Elves in Vel'Kora left the Feywild and settled in the wild forests of the world when the world was young. For the majority, they dwell on the continents of Koria, Torrezon, and Eltar. But it is believed that some wild tribes live still in the Tear Islands and deep in the jungles of Ssashan.
Elves refer to them themselves as Riel, coming from the old Sylvan word for 'child', as they still hold to their past as being the children of the Elder Fey.
Common Myths and Legends
The Tale of Elven Purpose
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Due to their extremely long lives, Elves tend not to enter into long term relationships with other shorter lived races. This can at times make them some off and aloof or even haughty, but mostly it is a result of the simple desire to not watch a loved one wither away so very soon before you.
Interspecies relationships are however, quite popular among elder Elves who are growing close to the end of their lifespan.
Scientific Name
Riel
Origin/Ancestry
Fey
Lifespan
700-900 years
Average Height
from 5' 2'' to 6' 5''
Average Weight
85-145 lbs
Average Physique
Lithe
Related Myths
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