View source for Elves

{{Elf_Race
| race_name = Elves
| race_size = Medium
| race_type = Humanoid
| race_tag = Elf
| race_alignment = Typically Chaotic
| patron_deity = [[Mother Gaelena]]
| race_vision = [[Twilight Vision]]
| race_life_avg = 300 - 350 years
| race_homeland = The Wylderwood<br>The Material Plane
| race_languages = Common, Elvish,<br>regional languages
| race_subrace = [[High Elf]]<br>[[Shadow Elf]]<br>[[Sylvan Elf]]
| race_skintint = Pale to dark brown<br>plus shades of copper,<br>and bluish-pale white
| hair_color = Red, blond, brown,<br>black
| race_eyetint = Blue, brown, gray,<br>green, hazel, silver
| race_distinctions = Tall, slender, long<br>pointed ears, little to<br>no body hair
| race_avgmaleheight = 5'4" - 6'3"
| race_avgmaleweight = 115 lbs - 200 lbs
| race_avgfemaleheight = 5'7" - 6'9"
| race_avgfemaleweight = 124 lbs - 210 lbs
| race_influence = [https://divinity.fandom.com/wiki/Elves Elves, Divinity]<br/>[http://pandius.com/guide/shad_elf.html Shadow Elves, Mystara]
}}

'''Elves''' are the oldest, longest-lived race on [[Ardûs]]. Elves are also, unlike humans, native to the planet.

== Description ==
While most elves share common traits, there are a few that differentiate each of the sub races. High elves and half elves tend to be fair and beautiful by human standards, although often frail. Meanwhile, sylvan elves are more toned, with their muscle definition well-defined and eyes near-hauntingly angled. All elves have long pointed ears.

== Personality ==
While true that elves are possessed by a desire for freedom, they are a very close-knit people. Once you make a friend of an elf, you have made a friend for life, one with whom you may share your deepest secrets in full trust. Typically gentle and helpful, deeply in-tune with the environment and emotions of others. Disturbingly, their deep emotional awareness can also make elves particularly sadistic in the art of torture. 

Elves tend not to be overly rushed and are happy to go with the flow. Often being fascinated by the world and magic.

== Abilities ==

=== Lifespan ===
Elves are typically long-lived, reaching adulthood around 54 years of age and living up to 350 years, and in some cases a few years thereafter. Most elves do not display obvious changes due to aging until within the last 50 years of their lives. These changes usually manifest in the loss of hair pigmentation and slight muscle atrophy. 

Elves are typically long-lived, reaching adulthood around 110 years of age and capable of living up to 700 years or longer. Universally, elves do not ever reach past the age of 900 years. Their slow aging is thanks to their connection with a Mother Tree. Which forms a psychic, symbiotic bond with each elf born within its domain. At the core of each Mother Tree is a beating heart which pumps the ''blood of the mother'' throughout its domain, blessing the area with aspects of the Wylderwood.

Any elf who leaves the clan, breaking this bond with their Mother Tree, or any elf born without receiving this gift loses their prolonged life, with an average maximum being reduced to 350 years. 

=== Sleep ===
Unlike other settings, the elves of Ardûs cannot enter a trance in order to gain the effects of a restful sleep. They are still however resistant to effects such as sleep, which is due to their fey nature. 

== Society ==
Elves trend toward freedom and chaotic alignments. Often viewing civilized law to be far too restrictive and antithetical to a natural way of life, in balance with nature. Being emotionally driven, this mindset can draw ire from civilized societies whenever an elf tries to challenge the status quo.

Elven societies tend to be less structured, with each clan following the authority of an appointed [[Treespeaker]], whose role is to consult with the will of their clan's Mother Tree. However, elves who do choose to integrated with other societies tend to do so with relative ease, provided they do not feel too restricted by the local laws and customs.

Among the elves who take to becoming adventurer's are many reasons not unlike that of any other race. Boredom, wanderlust, a desire to help others and benefit societies are the most common reasons. Of course, revenge and hate are equally motivational. 

Elves do not make efforts to distinguish between male and female and do not discriminate gender. All are treated equally. If an elf struggles with a task or duty, others will aid their kin until improvements are naturally acquired or that elf is reassigned to a more fitting task. Those who can, do. Those who can not, do not. This cultural affectation is most common among an elf (or elves) who were raised in a community of their kin.

=== Relations ===
Elves are private people, keeping their secrets close to the chest, shared only among their clans. Many outside of elven-kind will find difficulty forming deep friendships with elves. Being so deeply attuned to the environment and emotions, elves who spend their lives among people who are not so lucky to be as long-lived often become morose. 

=== Homelands ===
Elves are native to the material plane and the wylderwood. In oral elven tradition, the wylderwood once encompassed the all of and in fact was Ardûs. Until the day that the stars fell to the surface and brought with them the first humans. When the serpent gods of the humans began to destroy the wylderwood, the ancient elven sages separated the two planes that their home may be preserved. Leaving behind the Mother Trees as the direct link with the spirit of their true home. Some elves stayed to protect the material plane and others went to the wylderwood. Thus, elven clans centered around a Mother Tree are more likely to kill first and ask questions later.

Although the details are sparse over the oral traditions of time, the core of the tale remains the same.

== Culture ==

=== Subraces ===
There are four known elven sub-races.

* High Elves: Elves who are most common among civilized societies.
* Shadow Elves: A pale-skinned sub race of elves that live beneath surface of Ardûs.
* Sylvan Elves: Woodland-dwelling elves, the most secretive and violently protective of their homes and clans.
* Half-Elves: The offspring of a human and elf.

=== Diet ===
Elves are omnivorous and will eat whatever they please. If an animal is suffering, elves will give the creature a somber and respectful death, then eat its meat provided it is not spoiled. Elves are also not above cannibalism as they do not view it as taboo. In fact, to consume a fallen enemy is among the greatest courtesies that may be afforded to one outside of elven kin. This extends to their own kin - although in these circumstances a strict ritual is undertaken prior to the consumption of their elven kin. Some elves are capable of reading the memories of the individual being eaten - although this gift is rare and very unwelcome in civilized societies.

=== Burial Rites ===
Fallen elves are lain to rest either at the base of a tree or have their bodies used to sow the seedling for a new tree. Giving their flesh to nature that it may be afforded rich nourishment. Among the greatest offenses in elven culture is to deny an elf this burial tradition or to burn their bodies. Elves within civilized societies are known to have carried this tradition, making their last wish to ensure their tradition is upheld in death.

=== Government ===
Although outside of the loosely organized clans there are currently no mass-civilized elven societies, the elves who have integrated into other societies can be particularly useful in a variety of roles. Chief among these being government. It's not uncommon for an elf to be the primary or one of many trusted advisors for a ruler. Often accompanying their lord to political engagements and social functions, these advisors with their gift for reading emotions prove to be cunning with discerning attempts at lies and deception. This ability is not foolproof, but is nonetheless valuable. 

Elves who have taken to leadership roles within society are commonly seen as very insightful and wise. Unfortunately their emotional leanings can open the way for intense emotional outbursts when they feel passionately about a particular topic or for feeling slighted.

=== Religion ===
Mother Gaelena is the primary figure of worship among elven culture. With her sister [[Lorelei]] and brother [[Veridian]] being recognized as the betrayer gods. 

When the elven sages split the wylderwood and material plane, it was Mother Gaelena, an ancient elf, who initiated and finished the ritual - sacrificing her life-force to ensure the preservation and survival of her people. Seeing the act as their only choice the decision was ultimately made to put everything into this last ditch effort. Of course, not all elves supported this decision. Leading to a splitting of elves into three clans. Each lead by one of Gaelena's siblings. The elves who sought power, allying with the humans and their serpent gods, followed the lead of Lorelei. The elves who sought vengeance, seeing the decision to abandon their ancestral home as surrender, gathered with Veridian.

Each elven clan will take to either Mother Gaelena or Veridian as their primary diety of worship. Expressing the sentiments of each. Those who descend from Lorelei and her clan became the shadow elves. Over time, Gaelena has come to be seen as both an elven deity and Mother Nature herself and Veridian as a nature spirit of vengeance.

== History ==

[[Category:Races]]