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Lore
Slender and Graceful
Elves are slightly taller and thinner than humans, and feature long pointed ears and noses. With silken hair, elves are often though of as beautiful by humans and other races.
Elves’ bones are less dense than many other species, keeping them light on their feet and giving them a different gait. Their skin and hair can vary greatly depending on their subspecies. As a whole, facial hair is rare and they have almost no body hair. They commonly dress in elegant colors.
A Perspective of Ages
Being as long lived as they are, Elven culture seems incredibly stagnant to other races. They tend to think in the long-term and focus on higher thinking than current politics. All major decisions are made slowly and carefully, considering all possible angles and outcomes.
Due to this longterm view, elves can sometimes have trouble relating to the younger-lived races and can come across as uncaring or haughty for not working on more mortal timetables or believing that their long lives make them more competent and trustworthy.
“This isn't good enough, this will never be good enough!”
that is what I had yelled at him before I struck him. I told him he was lucky royalty didn’t hear him say such things. I watched him run out of my quarters. I saw the blood on my hands. I had gone too far. I’m not sure if I will see him again.
I partnered too young. These younger elves didn’t know what the homelands were like — no, are like. The thought of my children, and my children’s children never knowing the homeland frightens me. Is this how it will be? As the generations went on, would our people not know what we missed? I am getting old. I was but a child of 50 when we were driven from the homelands. Now I am merely 1400, yet I am feeling the effects of age. It must be this new world. How long will my children live?
Other Fae, Queen Titania, the Ladies, the Lords, the Princes, the Princesses, they surely will live forever, even here they cannot die, but we elves are a young race. Other young fae are already drifting away from the cause. I haven’t seen gnomes in the war camps as frequently in the last few centuries. Will the others fall away as well? Will our descendants fail to keep focus on the return home? I must speak to Caelynn tomorrow, we must gather all we can of what we retrieved from the homelands, we must write more songs of what was lost. We must make sure our children know what they are fighting for.
—Unknown Elf, 1350 PL,,
Journal Fragment, discovered by Rolan Miliamne.
Driven From Their Home
Elven culture centers heavily around the fact that their ancesters, the first Elves, were Summer Fae driven from the Faerealm by the Winter Fae. Elves believe the most important thing is to become worthy of entering the Faerealm once more so they can defeat the Winter Fae and take back their homelands. The subraces of elves came about over philosophical differences of how to accomplish this and they physically and philosophically changed from what they originally were.
Elves feel that the Earth and its creatures are inherently inferior to Fae and the Faewilds of the Faerealm. Though some elves have come to appreciate Aldrea and its natural features and creatures, most still feel that things could be better and the mortals here are misusing their world.
Hidden Societies
Elves live in villages, whose locations vary by subrace. Often they live in forests or other places away from the larger settlements and cities of the young races. They have familial ties, but overall Fae vs. Non-Fae is their primary concern. Surnames are passed matrilinerally, though this is more important to some subraces than others.
Villages tend to stay hidden from outsiders, and elves tend to be incredibly private, especially to non-fae. An elf would allow a gnome or a satyr to come visit and discuss the news of the day, but would be much less welcome to a human, an orc or a dwarf. They are often offended by non-Fae who try to live in Elf communities or learn Elven languages.
For the Homelands or Glory
Elves can go adventuring for a variety of reasons, but a common reason is to help with the fight for their homelands. Whether it’s looking for a new portal to the Faerealm, finding any artifacts from their first arrival that may help them in their fight, or to collect ancient magics that can counter the Winter, many elves are driven by a love for their homeland.
Others may feel more at home on Aldrea and have issues fitting into elven society or simply have wanderlust.
Elven Names
When an elf is born, it is known by a name their father chooses and the surname of their mother. The community at large will typically refer to the child by their surname.
Upon reaching their hundredth birthday, an elf chooses a new name for themself. Their childhood name is then used only by those closest to the elf.
Using this original name is a sign of intimacy.
Father Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall.
Female Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethryana, Birel, CAelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, LIa, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quilathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirasta, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Male Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hardarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellos, Laucian, Mindartis, Paclias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivel, Theren, Varis
Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galamodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliarnne (Oakenheel), Nailo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)