Elf

The elves of Varia are, at their roots, a race descendant of the Fey, originating from the Feylands. However, their presence in Varia has more muddled

Basic Information

Anatomy

Elves are bipedal four-limbed creatures with two arms and two legs. Compared to other humanoids, they sport generally slender musculature.

Biological Traits

Elves are known for their usually thin, slender builds, sporting little to no body hair and no facial hair. There is only a little discrepancy in the average height of male and female elves, though male elves are often heavier than their counterparts.
The physical traits of elves span a wide variety of possibilities but otherwise depend heavily on subrace. High elves tend among the taller of the race with fairer coloration in both hair and skin. Wood elves often possess orange to brownish skin tones, brown or black hair, and stand among the shortest of the elves. Dusk or dark, elves sport only dark colorations for their skin, ranging from brown to grey, and near black and generally sport only light colored hair, such as white, silver, or blond. Curiously, eye color and appearance varies heavily between elves, regardless of their specific subrace.

Genetics and Reproduction

Elves produce elven offspring solely by reproducing with other elves, including those belonging to separate subraces. However, humans are the only other humanoid race that has shown the ability to produce viable offspring with elves, leading to members of the half-elven race.
Elven males and females mate through sexual reproduction with compatible partners. The female of a pairing carries elven offspring for a gestation period of twelve to eighteen months. Gestation periods typically depend on the elven subrace. High elven, such as those of the sun and moon elf variety, pregnancies average around sixteen to eighteen months. Wood elf gestation takes around twelve months whereas dusk elves carry their offspring for about fourteen months.

Ecology and Habitats

The elven race as a whole display a remarkable adaptability to their surroundings. However, some specific subraces have adapted to particular environments. For example, wood elves congregate around woodland or heavily forested areas, if not regions with dense vegetation; dusk, or dark, elves generally prefer subterranean settings. In contrast, high elves indicate no particular adaptation nor weakness regarding their surroundings.
As an intelligent species, elves have shown capability in utilizing and manipulating the resources available to them. However, elves generally prefer to co-exist with their environments in order to be less intrusive as possible to the natural state of their suroundings.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Elves are omnivores, capable of consuming both plant-like matter and meat. Yet, it is not uncommon for specifically wood-dwelling elves to eschew the reliance on meat for their diet.
With their natural attunement to their surroundings, elves are known as expert hunters and gatherers. Though still depending on the level of development of their settlement, they can usually store and defend their gathered food sources to great effect.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

High cheekbones and narrow jawlines characterize general elven facial structure. They also possess pointed ears, though the pronouncement depends on individual ancestry. They possess little to no body hair, and specifically no facial hair.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Elves can be found in almost any region of Zentrem. By far, the highest concentration of elven populations can be found in the Feylands. As a result of Varia's proximity, elves have been known to migrate to and fro the two major regions, often in the western areas of Varia.
However, a side effect of the War of the Scourge led to significant numbers of elves staying within Varia, mainly former members of the Evergreens' Expeditionary Force. This trend resulted in pockets of elven populations settling on the eastern coast of Varia, though some spread into the central regions. Their mingling with the mainly human populations thus led with significant numbers of half-elves around their areas of settlement.

Average Intelligence

The average intelligence of the whole elven race puts them at the level of establishing developed settlements. However, there are is some considerable discrepancy when comparing elven subraces.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Elves naturally possess the following senses: hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. Compared to other humanoids, they have comparatively more acute senses, including seeing in the grey spectrum whilst in the dark. Some subraces of elves possess more specifically developed senses as well.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Within elven society and culture, the names of ancient noble families follow a specific naming pattern. Regarding family names, the ancient nobility wears their surnames with an intra-family designation based on their birth status within the line. This designation is placed in front of a nobiliary particle, "an," wtih the main lineage name added afterwards.

Major Organizations

The Evergreens

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The primary language of the Elves is Elven. However, Sylvan is often taught to young as an unofficial secondary language.

Historical Figures

Elves who live within or in the vicinity of Varia can look to a few of The Guardians of Avalon as elven descended figures of note.

Common Myths and Legends

Within the Feylands, the native elven groups worship their own pantheon which includes the likes of Visarias Eri, Faenorias, Eluron, and Isiril.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Elves generally possess tolerant to amicable relations with most humanoid races, including humans and halflings as well as half-elves. However, the elven efforts from the Kingdom of the Evergreens during the War of the Scourge have guaranteed them a certain level of respect from native Varians.
They possess closer ties to gnomes, who are generally considered as fellow inhabitants of the Feylands or associated with the Fey. Around Varia and the bordering Feylands, elves and dwarves possess a more delicate relationship; though, direct conflict between them is not so common. They generally do not have favorable relations with monstrous humanoids, such as orcs and goblins.

Genetic Descendants

• Half-Elf

Origin/Ancestry

High (Sun and Moon), Wood, Dusk

Lifespan

On average, elves live up to their eight century. However, historically, magically inclined elves may have lifespans to as much as double that average.

Average Height

Elven heights vary depending on sub-races. Wood and dusk elves tend to average 4 feet to 5 and a half feet in height. High elves account for the tallest of the elves with an average height span of 5 feet to just over 6 feet tall.

Average Weight

Adult elves average anywhere between 100 lbs. to 160 lbs. in weight.

Average Physique

They generally possess slim or lithe figures, regardless of possible strength.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Of the elven races, wood elves are most likely to include the usage of body markings and colorings into their culture.

Related Myths

• Loving Mother Oak