Elves

 

Elves are split into several different sub species Elber (high elves, the most common kind most integrated to society) Sylvan (Forest or wood elves the second most common)  Marine (Sea elves living in and around coastal areas) Drow (Dark elves outcast from normal society regarded as evil and corrupt) Elves live usually up to around 150 years though some have been thought to live a lot longer by many hundreds of years.

 

What do they look like?

 

The physical build of elves tends to be the same regardless of type they are slim and leanly built, they can be tall or short about the same height as humans. The elves most notable feature is their ears which are pointed varying in shape and size though rarely more than a few inches longer than a human ear.

 

High elves have the same colouration as humans fair to dark skin and hair colour.

 

Sylvan or wood elves tend to have a green tinge to parts of their skin (eg around the cheekbones, eyes etc) they tend to have larger ears. Their hair tends to be natural browns and blondes.

 

Marine elves often possess a slight shine or shimmer to their flesh giving them a pearlescence like the inside of shell fish or a slivery sheen like a fish, they may or may not possess scales, webs or gills dependant on weather they are mostly water bound or not. Some marine elves residing in the tropical island chains are reputed to have brightly cloured skin like that of tropical fish though they are very rarely seen.

 

Dark elves have skin ranging from absolute black to indigo and darker shades of grey. They have varied hair colour from pure white to blond, grey, black and dyed to other colours most popularly reds. Dark elves sometimes have red or other unusually coloured eyes.

 

What do they wear?

 

Elber tend to wear the best fashion they can afford, in the cities high fashion is an important status symbol, Elber appreciate excellent craftsmanship and fine detail. Their own city, Lutetia, imports silks and fine fabrics from neo Archon and Domaigne, Brythorn is rich in silver so is commonly used in jewellery they also like to use fine gemstones and delicate glasswork beads. Their clothing and jewellery is fine, elegant well made well fitted and understated. They don’t tend to wear gaudy jewellery or clashing colours. Unless fashion dictates.

 

Wood elves are much more naturalistic they wear fine linens and wools and their garments are equally well made as any other elven race. The tend to prefer muted and natural colours which compliment their surroundings. Leathers and some furs are worn for practicality. Motifs of nature often adorn their clothing though they wear little jewellery. When they do it is organic and delicate.

 

Sea elves when in their natural habitat wear very little, they spend around 50% of their time in the water on average, some more some less. Water wear is tight fitting and  minimal. On land they favour loose clothing for warmer weather robes and dresses are common. They will often wear heavy linen, cotton  and wool mostly bought in from merchants. Tanned fish, ray, shark, and reptile skins are commonly worn as well as coastal animal hides such as seal. In warmer climes they wear light silks and chiffons where possible. Sea and water motifs are most common in their designs. They wear jewellery mostly made of shell, coral, pearls and small amounts of precious metals. Sea elves are happy to wear bright colours.

 

Dark elves are rarely seen but its thought that they favour warm clothing of a practical nature. Heavy robes, tunics and hose along with heavy leather and metal when hunting or raiding. They favour gaudy and exuberant dress with heavy jewellery and expensive fabrics displaying their success and wealth when in a social setting.

 

What is Elven Society like?

 

Elber integrate well into most societies and adapt to other cultures different ways. Wood elves and sea elves tend to keep to themselves more. In their own cities they prefer a democratic society which is presided over by an elected group of councillors who take parliament to implement decisions and changes for their society. There is an elven royal line for Elber, wood elves and sea elves alike which is said to descend from the gods and goddesses themselves though they hold little sway over the day to day running in their lands.

 

Dark elves are said to be a matriarchal society with a violent and traitorous streak. Family members compete for supremacy, fighters and mage's are considered amongst the elite, the weak are tortured tested and discarded like a broken toy.

 

Elves are fine crafts people Elber tend towards tailoring, architecture, sculpture, musicality, the arts and fine metal craft as well as producing some fine blades and armour in the forge. Wood elves are proficient wood workers as well as bowyer and Fletcher they have a natural talent for tracking and hunting. Sea elves are fine jewellers and make some exquisite coral and bone weaponry. They are good farmers both in and out of water they make finely crafted leather and hide armours.

 

In day to day society elves will function much as any society occupations varying from farming, mercantile, to fabric trades and blacksmithing as well as the finer crafts trades and magic. Elves produce quality wares including in food where they make fine wines, sparkling wines and spirits. Their trade often includes silver and gemstones. Food crops like grapes, grains, fruits and seasonal vegetables, also crops like flowers and alchemical ingredients. They tend not to farm animals much other than birds but sea elves often trade fish and sea food alongside pearls, sponges and sea vegetables.

 

What weapons do they use?

 

Elber wear fine chain and well made metal armour. They are renowned for their fine blades which will cut flesh like butter, fighting is regarded as a fine sport like fencing. Wood elves are particularly known for their excellent bows and strong hunting knives they almost never wear metal armour preferring leather heavy or light. Sea elves like to use natural materials like bone coral and fine metals in small quantities as well as volcanic glass and flint, sea elves have been known to wear metal armour on occasion when out of the water and visiting towns for an extended stay but mostly they prefer hides skins and leather well put together in elegant suits of armour.

 

What classes do they favour?

 

Elber make excellent mage's, they are cautious warriors favouring tactics and skill over brute force. They sometimes take up the position of clerics or paladins.

 

Wood elves are natural rangers they make excellent druids and fair warriors. They do not favour magic though they are more than capable of it its just not of much interest to them preferring a natural existence.

 

Sea elves also make good mage's they are a little sneakier and more curious than the other elves and therefore occasionally lend themselves to thievery when led astray. They are not inclined to war or religion though it has been known.

 

Dark elves are most often fighters and mage's.

 

What is important to an elf?

 

Elves admire refinement and elegance, excellent craftsmanship skills and being at the peak of their ability.

 

Intelligence and wisdom are valued qualities for elves.

 

Elves like to have an egalitarian and fair society, relationships are often many and varied taken light heartedly  but marriage is taken very seriously.

 

Honour is important to an elf they often have high moral standards or at very least are stubbornly determined to do what they think is best.

 

Who do they like/dislike?

 

High elves get on best with Caprini

 

Wood elves are friendly with Cervini

 

Most elves are neutral towards Bovini depending on their personality

 

Elves are friendly or neutral to humans depending on individual personality

 

Elves are neutral to halflings

 

Elves Do not tend to get on with Dwarves

 

Elves have an inherent dislike of Half Orcs