Elves

The Elves (otherwise known as the Sidhe, Faeries, or the Fey Folk) are mortal creatures created by the Fey. They are similar to humans, but more elegant, quick, and feral. Their purpose is debated, many believe they were created to protect humans, others that they were created to replace them. They have now become creatures of legend, and most don't believe they ever existed.
Elves have a mostly humanoid appearance, but bear animalistic traits. Elves live longer than humans, but are not immortal.
Elves are known to occasionally have fleeting affairs with humans, giving birth to Half-Elves, also known as Elf-Bloods.
There are many different varieties of Elf across the world.
== Biology ==
Elves look mostly like humans. However, there a few features that set them apart, the most notable being their long pointed ears. Additionally, they are usually much more slender, more elegant, and often bear animalistic features; such as antlers upon their heads, gossamer wings on their backs, or feathery plumage. Elves are almost always beautiful.
Something that is not so obvious to see is Elves superior capabilities. They are known to be much faster, more agile, and more dextrous than humans. Additionally, they have much better eyesight. They are not any physically stronger than humans however, and are in fact often weaker.
There is a myth that Elves are immortal. This is not entirely true. Elves have a lifespan only slightly longer than that of a human, living up to around 150 years. However, after reaching maturity they do not seem to age, and remain at peak form for the rest of their lives, giving them a timeless appearance.
=== Ancient Elves ===
Particularly powerful elves are able to reincarnate themselves after death, retaining their appearance, personality, and most of their memories, making them effectively immortal. In order to achieve this, the elf must visit the wandering isle and receive a blessing from the Wandering Guardians, which they must then take back with them and use to bless a natural feature, such as a tree, river, lake, or stone. That sacred place then becomes their permanent home, which they must protect. When they die, as long as they are buried near that place, they will be reborn.
=== Fomorraigh ===
The Fomorraigh are broken Elves. They were corrupted by darkness long ago, and yearn hopelessly to reconnect with the fey. They appear gaunt and malnourished, with black hair. They tend to live in caves and underground places, and have a connection to cave-dwelling creatures, such as spiders and bats. Due to their frequent acts of violence against humans and other elves, the Fomorraigh have earned a reputation of violence, though this may be simply due to the vindictive ambitions of their king; Mallobyrne.
== Elven Personality & Culture ==
Elves are generally not as intelligent as humans. They have fine-tuned survival instincts and know how to survive in the wild, and they are intelligent enough to learn human languages and hold a conversation, but they are seemingly unable to learn some of the more complex concepts that humanity has grasped, such as the usage of machines or magical scripture. Despite this, most Elves view themselves as superior to humans.
Many of those who have encountered Elves have likened their personalities to that of a child. They are generally fanciful and spontaneous, with little grasp on human social constructs. They often get frustrated when confronted by things they don't understand. However, it is folly to underestimate one, as Elves can be incredibly cunning. Elves are also very quick to resort to violence, and often treat it in a very casual way, with a frightening tendency to laugh as they slaughter 'lesser creatures'.
The Elves are truly fey creatures, and therefore hold great respect for the circle of life and the natural balance. They never over-hunt, but they also don't let creatures over-populate an area.
Elves do not like making bargains or trades, and see it as a human thing.
=== Territory ===
Elves are far from peaceful creatures, and will mercilessly attack those who intrude without good reason.
Elves do not live in settlements or groups the way that humans would. They are wanderers, and do not settle for long. However, they do have particular places sacred to them where they often meet up with others of their kind. Additionally, Elves are known to visit druidic settlements, in places such as the Everwood, and may stay there among the community for several months.
Caerland is a sacred place and refuge for Elves; since no humans live there, they can live freely, in the old ways. But even in this sacred place, Elves do not stay for long, and soon find themselves moving on to somewhere new.
Elves have great respect for the territory claimed by animals, and it is said they can sense when they are in a creature's claimed territory.
=== Hierarchy ===
Elves generally do not have a political structure, and see each other as equals. They see the Fey as their leaders, but still see themselves as free people. Ancient Elves may bear the title of King or Queen, and lay claim to large sections of wilderness, but even they do not directly control the elves around them, and are merely treated with slightly more respect.
=== Names ===
Elves give themselves names. These names are usually a short descriptive sentence, in the Elven language, such as "He-who-flies-with-the-albatross". When conversing with humans, they may translate this name into the human's language, for ease of communication.
== Ancient Elves ==
==== Brendyffryn ====
Brendyffryn Gruaig Rua Caergarder Thrynn; the Red-Haired, Great Horned, High King, Guardian of Caerland, is the oldest and most powerful of the Ancient Elves. He is sometimes known as the King of Elves, though he does not really rule them,
In appearance, Brendyffryn is a large, muscular Elf, with hooves for feet, bright red hair, and a pair of huge antlers upon his head. He is said to have a fierce temper, but is also fond of revelry. The Wodenfolk nation of Thrynn is named after him, and supposedly founded by the children he bore with a human.
==== Dublaidd ====
Whose name means "Old Grey Wolf". Dublaidd is known as the greatest warrior of all the elves, but was exiled from his homeland in Caerland many years ago. He now wanders the world, and often makes pilgrimages to the Wandering Isle.
==== Llyn'Hedfan ====
Whose full name is "Llyn'Hedfan Brenhines Glas" which means "Dragonfly Queen of the Blue Lake". Llyn'Hedfan rules a large portion of the Everwood, and her sacred place is the great Sapphire Lake (Loc Glaswyr). She is known as the most beautiful of the Elven queens. She has long blonde hair, and glittering gossamer wings on her back.
==== Aderyn ====
Whose full name is "Aderyn Tân Brenhines Reód" Which roughly translates to "Phoenix Queen". Aderyn is a legendary elven queen, who wanders the world, and has had a surprising amount of interactions with humans. She has an affinity with fire, and phoenix birds. She is also the mother of Aidan Branwen and Morgan Asalaine. She has hair the colour of phoenix feathers; going from purple to orange to yellow.
==== Morena ====
Whose full name is "Morena Beira Brenhines", which roughly translates to "Queen of Winter". Morena is the undisputed ruler of the elves of Kaldinen.
==== Mallobyrne ====
Whose name means "Vengeful Lord", Mallobyrne is the cursed dark lord of the Fomorraigh Elves. Mallobyrne allies himself with dark gods and demons in his aspirations for power and revenge. Vast swathes of the Hinterlands are under his control, and he is considered the enemy of all other Elves.
Category:Races