High elf The high elves , or quel ' dorei ( " children of noble birth " in Darnassian and " high elves " in Thalassian ) , are a race descended from the Highborne night elves who left Kalimdor and settled in the Eastern Kingdoms , founding Quel ' Thalas . The high elves were once a significant force on the continent , but in recent times their numbers have been dramatically reduced : 90 % of their race was slaughtered in the Third War ; Following this , another 90 % of the survivors changed their name to " blood elves " in remembrance of their fallen brethren and no longer consider themselves high elven . Population . The number of High elves remaining is not precisely known , however it is stated that the surviving high elves comprise a mere 1 % of the original high elven population , with the blood elves accounting for the remaining 9 % of it . Since Kael ' thas took 15 % of the blood elves to Outland ( i . e . 1 . 35 % of the original high elf population ) , and since Kael ' thas ' army numbered at least 2 , 000 ( " thousands of them " ) according to the ' Excerpts from the Journal of Archmage Vargoth ' , it follows that the total high elf population is currently at least 1 , 481 ( and at least ~ 148 , 000 prior to the Third War ) . The non - canon roleplaying sourcebooks ( see below ) gave solid population numbers for most races , and put the total high elf population at around 24 , 810 . This was contested , however , given the disproportionate amount of blood elves this would create ( more than the entire Alliance and Horde combined ) , and further complicated by an errata which , among other tweaks , greatly reduced the total high elf number . Ultimately , the RPG books as a whole were denounced as non - canonical , leaving only the Warcraft Encyclopedia ' s official percentages , the Excerpts from the Journal of Archmage Vargoth , and Blizzard ' s own statements as an indication of canonical high elf numbers . Description . The ancient origin of the high elves is a legacy of tragedy and conflict , a series of events that has profoundly affected the development of the quel ' dorei . The high elves are a stark contrast to their nocturnal cousins , the night elves . Embracing the light of the sun and forsaking the night , the high elves are the descendants of the very elves who served Queen Azshara in the time of the Well of Eternity . The kaldorei regard the high elven penchant for using arcane magic as careless , akin to a foolish child playing with fire . The schism that separates the Highborne elves and the night elves is rather ancient , one so ancient that no amount of diplomacy or offerings of peace can soothe the scars of history . The high elves , however , have had generations separating them from the night elves , and no longer care for the past . Problems between the two races are usually clashes of personality , as neither tries overly hard to interact . The arrogance of the highborne elves led to the War of the Ancients and ultimately to the downfall of the golden age of elven civilization . Through the reckless use of arcane magic , the highborne elves allowed darkness to seep into the world and corrupt Azeroth . They use the genetic phenomenon that modern elves face as testament to their views . Arcane magic is a powerful drug to the high elves , and it can be a lure to a dark and perilous path . Yet too many wield it as if they were doing no harm , and few but the oldest and most sage can recall the true reasons why the use of such magic is a dangerous and potentially damning practice . Regardless of the risks , some high elves press onwards to revel in the euphoria and power that the use of magic brings them . The high elves are a tragic example of a race in decline . Their centuries of arcane practice have led them into an ever - tightening downward spiral . Now there are few true quel ' dorei left . Most have gone with Kael ' thas Sunstrider to become the blood elves , and in doing so have allied with the sworn enemies of elvenkind , the naga . Now the scant remaining quel ' dorei are typically those who have embraced the Light and seen past the powers of arcane magic and darkness . Distrusted by almost all of the races , the remaining high elves are pariahs in an age when there is little left for them but a life of mistrust and woe . History . Exile of the Highborne . When the ancient elves adopted Druidism , they outlawed the practice of Arcane Magic . The use of its dangerous powers was punishable by death . However , many Highborne survived the Sundering and grew restless . They suffered from magical withdrawal and ( 7 , 300 years before the invasion of the Horde through the Dark Portal ) they spoke against Malfurion Stormrage and the Druid s . Dath ' Remar Sunstrider , the leader of this movement , declared the Druids cowards for refusing to wield the Arcane . Malfurion and the Druids warned the Highborne that any use of magic would be punishable by death . Yet , in an attempt to protest the Druid ' s law , Dath ' Remar and his followers unleashed a terrible magical storm upon Ashenvale . The Druids could not bring themselves to put so many of their kin to death , so they decided to exile the reckless Highborne from their lands . Sunstrider and his followers boarded a number of specially crafted ships and set sail upon the seas . By now the Highborne were glad to be rid of their conservative cousins and free to practice the arcane with impunity . None knew what lay beyond the Maelstrom , but they eventually found the Eastern Kingdoms and formed their own magical realm . They abandoned the concepts of Elune and nocturnal activity , embracing the Sun instead . They would soon become known as the " quel ' Dorei " , the high elves . Foundation of Quel ' Thalas . Sunstrider led the high elven fleets across the world for many long years . Their goal was to find places of considerable ley power for them to build their new homeland . After landing on the Lordaeron continent , they moved inland and formed a settlement in the Tirisfal Glades . After a few years , however , many were driven insane . The belief at the time was that something evil slept beneath the Glades , so the high elves abandoned the region and moved northwards . Around this time , they had become completely severed from the life - giving energy of the Well of Eternity . This meant that they were vulnerable to the elements and had not received immortality from Nozdormu and the World Tree . Over the generations they had shrunk in height , their skin had become a peach hue similar to most dwarves and humans , and their hair golden . The elves soon discovered primitive Man and the well established forest trolls of Zul ' Aman , under the Amani Empire . The trolls posed a great threat to their society and the elves soon grew to hate them , the two fighting each other whenever they met . After many years , the high elves discovered a special land in the northern forests which suited them , and founded the City of Silvermoon and the Kingdom of Quel ' Thalas . To sate their hunger for great magical power , the high elves created the sacred Sunwell here . It became the source of their power as the Well of Eternity had been in Kalimdor , although the Sunwell was much weaker , and the elves were forewarned of the dangers . As the high elves became more powerful , they cast an enchantment on the forests that bathed Quel ' Thalas in eternal springtime , in defiance of the kingdom ' s location on the extreme north of the continent . From that point on , all high elves had access to the Sunwell ' s powers from anywhere on Azeroth . Over time , the high elves came to regard the Sunwell ' s waters as holy . Magic became part of their genes centuries before , but the Sunwell ' s unique energies became part of them acutely . Unfortunately , they would learn that Quel ' Thalas was founded near an ancient ruined city of religious significance to the Trolls . The Trolls began to attack the elven settlements en masse in retaliation . Although the Amani outnumbered them ten to one , the elves utilized magic to its fullest effect and defeated their enemies . The Convocation of Silvermoon , wary of the Kaldorei ' s warnings , employed a series of monolithic Runestones to erect a protective barrier around Quel ' Thalas , which allowed them to continue their magic without attracting the Burning Legion ' s attention on the aestral plane as well as control physical access to their lands . Soon , Quel ' Thalas became a shining monument to elven prowess . It was crafted in the same style as the halls of Kalimdor , with the addition of integrated magic and a brighter colour scheme . Although they did not worship it , a great respect was maintained for nature . The high elves were careful to interweave their cities and architecture with their natural surroundings , creating a truly beautiful and tranquil land . New world patterns and the Thalassian Kingdom . For nearly four thousand years , the high elves remained at peace . But while the elves consolidated their nation , the Amani plotted revenge . 2 , 800 years before the First War , they unleashed their reformed , massive army and their own breed of magic upon Quel ' Thalas . The Troll Wars ignited . While the high elves had the more powerful magic they were vastly outnumbered . Suffering loss after loss , the Quel ' Dorei turned to the Men of Arathor for support . In exchange for the elven instruction of 100 Humans in arcane magic the two formed a military alliance , and together they finally crushed the Amani , an empire that had endured for more than twenty thousand years . Humans and high elves have cultivated their coalition ever since , eventually co - founding the mage city of Dalaran and ultimately the Alliance . The high elves also established relations with the Ironforge Dwarves to the far south , when the human nations of Gilneas and Alterac encountered them more than a thousand years later . Initially the two races had no special bond and tended to distrust one another . When allied , it was through their common ties to the Humans . Yet 230 years before the First War , the Dwarven race split into three factions ( See War of the Three Hammers ) . The Wildhammer Clan desired to open up trade with the high elves , considered a taboo at the time , and would serve as one of the catalysts for their civil war . When it ended , the Wildhammers became close allies to the elves , and the two races became united through a mutual appreciation for nature and other cultural similarities . They would soon become each other ' s closest friends within the Alliance . War and the fall of Quel ' Thalas . For nearly three thousand years following the Troll Wars , Quel ' Thalas remained at peace . The orcish Horde came through a portal from the world of Draenor and ignited the First War . Though the high elves helped to defend on a small level , the Kingdom of Stormwind fell . After the humans were defeated and fled north through Khaz Modan , the dwarves sent emissaries to meet with the high elves and humans to discuss the threat of the Horde . When the humans proposed an Alliance of their seven nations , the Wildhammer and Ironforge dwarves , the gnomes , and the high elves , the elves were honor - bound to join it due to their ancestral connection with the former Arathi tribe of humans , of whom Anduin Lothar was the last pure - blooded scion . Under Anasterian Sunstrider , they were the least enthusiastic of the Alliance and put forth only a token army . Meanwhile , the Horde had brought ogres into Azeroth and allied with the goblins and forest trolls . They then turned their sights on the north , launching the Second War . The orcs ' northern campaign , in which the trolls were meant to take back their ancestral homes from the high elves , managed to burn down the borderlands of Quel ' Thalas , slaughtering many high elves in the process and corrupting the Runestone at Caer Darrow . This enraged Silvermoon , which promptly pledged its full support to the war . The Horde eventually splintered under internal political pressure , and the Alliance charged southwards to crush it . The Second War was won . In the aftermath , some high elves blamed the humans ' poor leadership for the burning of their forests . King Terenas of Lordaeron reminded them that nothing of Quel ' Thalas would have remained if not for the hundreds of humans that gave their lives to defend it , but nevertheless , the high elves largely abandoned the Alliance . Alleria Windrunner , sister to Sylvanas , and a cadre of her elven rangers remained loyal to Alliance High Command , but they were eventually lost on the other side of the Dark Portal . Her sister Vereesa also advocated continued support to the Alliance after the Grim Batol incident , but Anasterian was not swayed . " It should be noted that although the high elves retreated from the Alliance , a large number of them remained in Dalaran and were loyal to the Alliance through the Kirin Tor . " Years later , the Scourge came forth . Its commander , Arthas Menethil , obliterated the leading nation of Lordaeron and then turned their sights on Quel ' Thalas . Their goal was to revive a human man named Kel ' Thuzad , who could summon the demon - lord Archimonde into Azeroth . To do this , they required a source of considerable ley magic , and chose the Sunwell . The high elves were still recovering from their grievous injuries at the hands of the Horde , but faced the Scourge in battle regardless . This time , there would be no human army to rescue them . The high elven army , lead by the Ranger General Sylvanas Windrunner , made counterattacks every time the scourge advanced . Despite their tactics and magic the elves were pushed back from the outer , to inner elf gates . Finally Arthas and his army , as well as new banshees , including Sylvanas , advanced on Silvermoon and crushed the defenders . The Sunwell was used to resurrect Kel ' Thuzad , and fouled with evil in the process . The Scourge then set about to commit genocide on a massive scale . Only about ten percent of the entire race survived . Some of them were lucky enough to be away from their home at the time ( many were housed at Dalaran and others had already fled with Jaina ) , but the majority of them survived only by defending themselves or hiding . Soon , Dalaran , with the second greatest concentration of high elves , was destroyed as well . Although this defeat was swift and no genocide would occur here , outside the original battle . Many elves died afterward from bandits that came to sift through the wreckage . Splintering . The remaining elves throughout the continent were scattered , and clung to the Alliance for protection , until Kael ' Thas began to organize them by reclaiming every last elf on the Eastern Continents . Some had already left with Jaina Proudmoore to form the city - state of Theramore in Kalimdor before the destruction of Quel ' Thalas . These elves had mostly severed ties with Quel ' Thalas prior to its fall , and keep the name of high elf to this day . They take two out of the seven seats on the ruling council that advises Lady Jaina and play a key role in the governing of the city - state . Occasionally , ships have come from Lordaeron bringing more of their people to the diverse city , although some have begun to migrate back to Quel ' Thalas since the Alliance is incapable of healing their addiction and ending their agony . All high ranking high elves in the Alliance have ready access to arcane currents to feed upon , which keeps them from feeling the same level of agony as their brethren . For example , a large Moon Well , a fount of mystical energies , sits in the park of Stormwind open for all to observe and bathe . The elven body automatically absorbs energy from the area around it , and such a high saturation that rivals the Well of Eternity ' s waters supplies their demand nicely . Also , a small unit of high elven rangers under the command of Ranger Captain Fellari Swiftarrow , and the zealous Scarlet Crusade , together battled against the undead . A large statue in honor of the capable elven leader has been erected in the Scarlet Monastery . Some high elves live in the Hinterlands , and some high elves took refuge in Zul ' Aman . Several bands of high elves , survivors from Quel ' Thalas , fled south and now wander throughout the forest . Those who stay one step ahead of the trolls survive ; those who do not are dead ( and probably eaten by the cannibalistic trolls ) . Scourge patrols , hunting the elven refugees , also stalk through the land . The high elves of Quel ' Thalas renamed themselves the blood elves and have since rebuilt the city per the instructions of Prince Kael ' thas . Due to the unreasonable orders of the Alliance leader Garithos , Kael ' s people were left without sufficient troop strength and were forced to ally themselves with the Naga to survive . Garithos , who had expressed his bias against Kael previously , found out about the Naga incident and took this opportunity to sentence Kael ' s people to death for this " treason " , and the elves were locked in the prison under Dalaran awaiting execution . Prince Kael ' thas and Lady Vashj , Handmaid of the Naga Queen , rescued Kael ' s people , and together they fled to Outland . They soon joined Illidan in Outland , and he in turn taught them how to sate their hunger for magic by feeding on alternative sources ( he has suffered this addiction as an immortal for 10 , 000 years , cut off from the Well of Eternity ) . The blood elves began to hunt and use Demons in order to steal their powers , although they do not worship them — they merely use them as tools . The blood elves have situated themselves in Outland and Quel ' Thalas , and account for the vast majority of the high elves ' previous population . Those few elves of the Alliance who have remained as high elves have become enemies to their once brothers - in - arms . A percentage of the high elves , primarily the Alliance pledged ones , ended up making up the majority of the Silver Covenant , the others remained scattered in exile . The blood elves who did not travel with Kael ' thas to Outland have allied themselves with the Horde through their connections to the Banshee Queen Sylvanas Windrunner , leader of the Forsaken and one time Ranger General of Quel ' Thalas . Although the blood elves harbor very little trust for the Horde , they also have come to hate much of the Alliance — humans ( and to a lesser extent dwarves ) in particular . Their relationship with their ancestor race the night elves is not flourishing , but they are not dire enemies either , as distance between their locations has meant less contact between each other and fewer situations to arise that would cause fighting . Some of the blood elves led to Outland by Kael ' thas , including Kael himself , eventually broke away from those left in Silvermoon . The Silvermoon elves , who considered themselves a part of the Horde , began to oppose Kael ' thas as disturbing new facts came to light . Illidan had gone mad , and Kael ' thas had abandoned him and sworn allegiance to the demons of the Burning Legion . In addition to the separation this caused between Kael ' thas ' s group and the Horde , a large army of elves who had followed Kael ' thas to Outland defected and joined the Sha ' tar . This faction , the Scryers , is not aligned with the Horde nor the Alliance . Current status . High elves are currently found primarily scattered throughout human societies , thereby being forced to rely on the hospitality of the younger race . This dependency has resulted in some high elves vigorously trying to find a new homeland , with possibly a new source of magic . The status of their blood elven counterpart has resulted in them being shunned by most of the Alliance , particularly the night elves . Human cities hold the highest population density of high elves , Dalaran having the highest concentration , where many are a part of the Kirin Tor and the Silver Covenant . While the Silver Covenant is openly hostile towards their blood elven kin , the Kirin Tor prefers to stay neutral to both the Alliance and Horde . This will later change when Jaina Proudmoore pledges the Kirin Tor to the Alliance . The high elves even maintain a presence in Lordaeron . Ranger Lord Hawkspear and Aurora Skycaller maintain a vigil over the Eastern Plaguelands , sheltering their people within the intact elven lodge there . Deep within the Hinterlands , the high elves of the Quel ' Danil Lodge have their sights set on forming diplomatic alliances with other members of the Alliance . Remnants of the Alliance Expedition ' s high elven ranger cadre are currently stationed at the sizable Allerian Stronghold in Outland . After the defeat of Kil ' Jaeden the blood elves took the Sunwell back with the help of the Shattered Sun Offensive , and the high elves were allowed to share the Sunwell . Captain Auric Sunchaser from the Alliance Expedition rangers represents the high elves at the well itself . The blood elves and high elves are still openly hostile to each other . The destruction of Theramore by the Horde resulted in the deaths of a number of high elves . This led to greater mistrust and tension among high elves and Blood elves , in particular the Silver Covenant , who are led by Vereesa Windrunner ; her husband , Rhonin , was among those killed . Population . The high elves are a people without a home , now dwelling in the lands of humans after the forces of Prince Arthas and the lich Kel ' Thuzad destroyed the city of Silvermoon . Now , most of the remaining true high elves dwell among humans , living in small communities and villages . Daros Moonlance can be found in Darnassus and he is so far the only high elf inside . Many of the high elves journeyed with Prince Kael ' thas , the last leader of the Sunstrider dynasty , to join with Illidan and the naga . These elves eschewed their high elven ancestry in search for some way to placate their magical addiction and became the blood elves , and now use alternative magical sources to safeguard their lives . The destruction of the Sunwell has forced the high elves into decline , causing them to doubt the future of their once - proud race and drawing animosity toward them from other races who feel that the high elves have betrayed the Alliance . Most of the high elves have placed themselves under a self - imposed exile , ashamed of the damage that they have wrought upon the world of Lordaeron with their abuse of arcane magic . While humans still accept the high elves because of the aid that both races provided each other during the most recent attacks of the Burning Legion , reinforcing the same bond that they had in both the Troll Wars and the Second War , many of the other races will only deal with the high elves if absolutely necessary . This is especially true after the acts of Kael ' thas Sunstrider . The night elves in particular do not care for the company of high elves ( as they have personal memories of the war that spawned them ) and in some cases can be openly hostile toward their sun - blessed brethren . The passing of time may heal these wounds , but the use of arcane magic will always draw a rift between these two breeds of elf . The " Lands of Conflict " RPG book ( which takes place before World of Warcraft ) , states that the high elven population is approximately 24 , 810 and the half - elven population is approximately 9 , 550 , not including Theramore , Dalaran , and several less significant cities . Stormwind ( pop . 200 , 000 ) alone has the most , with a total of 20 , 000 high elves , and 8 , 000 half elves . This was later denounced as non - canonical and the numbers as illogical . It was later estimated that Highelves roughly number around 1400 . When Kael ' Thas founded the blood elves , approximately 90 % of the surviving high elven population left and joined his cause . High elves are one of the playable races in the Warcraft RPG , but not in the " World of Warcraft " MMO , however it should be noted that High Elves and Blood Elves are still in terms of physiology considered the same race . Appearance . High elves stand slightly taller than humans do . A high elf is usually a little over 6 feet in height and weighs between 100 to 175 pounds , depending on gender . The elves are slim , with sharp symmetrical features , often an exaggeration of perfect beauty . The high elves are uniformly fair in complexion , with white to flaxen colored hair . Their eyes are incredibly intense in color , seeming to glow with an inner light . While many high elves have blue or green eyes ( ex . Alleria ) , violet and red are not unheard of . The structure of high elven eyes ( based on artwork ) shows that they are generally like humans with a pupil and iris surrounded by " white " , but tend to be able to see much farther than humans are capable . The life span of high elves is several hundred years . They reach adulthood at 110 years , a " venerable " age at roughly 350 years , and most dying of old age at approximately 263 years . A few may reach " venerable " age at roughly 350 years with maximum lifespan between 354 and 390 years , and even fewer may live as long as two thousand years . Most high elves ( especially those of the Alliance ) do not wear red or black for fear of being mistaken as blood elves . They have shorter ears and much smaller , lighter bodies than night elves . In addition , their ears usually point upwards whereas those of the night elves do not . High elves have white , red , orange brown , black , and blonde colored hair and fair skin , most have brilliantly intense sapphire coloured eyes that glow ( at least in World of Warcraft ) . In World of Warcraft high elves have blue , sapphire glowing eyes ( but have more variation according to lore , including green eyes ) . The blood elves have only green , emerald glowing eyes to show their magic addiction and their newly acquired addiction to fel magic . Blood elves and high elves are for the most part the same race in terms of underlying physical biology . However , blood elves have glowing green eyes and their hair and skin are much darker or otherwise unnaturally coloured , due to the absorption of fel energies during the period the Sunwell was lost . For the most part however , they are considered separate due to cultural differences more so than because of physical ones . In World of Warcraft , the high elves closely resemble blood elves appearance - wise ( they in fact share the same model , although high elves have blue eyes as opposed to the green eyes of blood elves ) , but their voices are more mild - mannered like those of night elves ( in the game , they use the same voices as night elves , although unsuitable lines , such as " Elune ' adore " , " Ishnu ' alah " or " Goddess watch over you " , are not used ) . Taela Everstride at Allerian Stronghold even says , somewhat bemusedly , " No , don ' t feel bad . I get that a lot . . . I ' m a high elf , not a blood elf . Don ' t worry , I won ' t suck the magic out of you . " However , other than greeting voices , high elves and blood elves do appear to share similar voice emotes in - game , particularly during combat . Before " World of Warcraft : The Burning Crusade " , in game high elves used modified night elf models . Culture . It would not quite be correct to say that the high elves rejoined the Alliance . To many high elves , they never left . Nevertheless , they are often aloof and distant from their allies . They keep to themselves and enjoy wandering forests alone or in small groups . They also maintain the Quel ' Danil Lodge , an outpost in the Hinterlands which pursues their diplomatic interests and Quel ' Lithien in the Eastern Plaguelands near the gateway to ruined Quel ' Thalas . High elves in Stormwind copy the humans ' style of long - sleeved tunics , billowy trousers and leather boots . Many High elves avoid wearing red clothing , as to dissociate themselves from blood elves . They have also set aside a day of mourning for high elves to remember the destruction of Dalaran with their human friends . High elves were once strong worshipers of the Holy Light , but this has died down as many have rejected it in favour of arcane magic . Although after the invasion of the Scourge and the break off from the blood elves , many have looked to The Light , they do so loosely and are much less devout than humanity . High elven Priest s are common . The high elves have made significant contributions to this evolving religion , which originated from human cults . Even a few high elves have become paladins , without the help of magic like the blood elves . High elves have also developed advanced Destroyer ships , and used them in the Second War . Faith . High elves who embrace the path of religion take on the mantle of the Holy Light , sharing in the same faith as dwarves and humans . While this philosophy does not penetrate deeply into high elven society , those who do follow the path of the Holy Light are much more approachable than most . Many also take on a druid - like philosophy regarding the world and nature . The difference being that the high / blood elves view magic as being an integral part of the universe , as it was created by the Titans and is as natural as nature itself ; the Well of Eternity formed naturally on Azeroth and created the elves in the first place . Ironically during the second war , Milan mentions his devotion to a pantheon of gods and not a creator God . The Alliance that time was monotheistic believing in one God with Ancients , Old Gods or Titans not mention . It is unknown whether this belief was constrained to Milan himself or weather the polytheism was predominantly shared among people of his race . The pantheon may have included night elf deities too , though night elves weren ' t mentioned until Warcraft III . Combat . High elves are proficient in archery , divine , and arcane magic , as well as swordsmanship . They use guard towers for defense , and their armies take advantage of their natural strengths and typically serve supporting roles when working with other races . The high elves had a special affinity with dragonhawk s before the Scourge attacked Quel ' Thalas . The dragonhawks would often serve as flying mounts for the elves , but since the high elves abandoned their homeland , they have had to live without these creatures , who remain in the hands of the blood elves . Magical addiction . All high elves , regardless of class , status or upbringing , are addicted to magic , and all have some small proficiency in it . Unlike blood elves who succumb to it , high elves actively fight their addiction and are required to meditate at least an hour every day to maintain personal control . The high elves are not proud of this addiction , and take pains to keep it a secret . Being close to Moon Well s will satiate the addiction , as will the use of certain magical items , though it should be noted night elves do their best to keep high elves away from the Well and magical objects that provide the same result are rare . If a high elf resorts to feeding off something else to sate the addiction , then they cross the line from high elf to blood elf . Contrary to popular belief , magical addiction is not fatal in and of itself ( the only elves who have actually died from withdrawal were either elderly , very young , or already ill ) . Some have found a way to block the symptoms of withdrawal by the use of Sunwell Ring s . Names . The past is a burden to the high elves , yet they maintain naming rituals that are millennia old . Many of the names of elven priests and heroes have become the names used for elves in modern times . The high elves share a connection with the sun that is quite prevalent in their choice of family names .