Alfar

== Alfar (Elves) ==
As time wears on from the time of the Old Ones, the true origins of possibly the strangest species has become muddled. They are a bipedal therapod species evolved from Latenivenatrix. About 183 million years ago, a perturbation in the carbon cycle occurred, along with extreme volcanism belching out massive amounts of methane, sulfur dioxide, and mercury. These disruptions pushed theropod dinosaurs to cooler climates because temperatures in warmer zones went above the optimal temperatures for their survival. The adoption of endothermy as a result of this environmental crisis, enabled the theropods - who would evolve into the Alfar - to thrive in colder environments, allowing them to be highly active and sustain activity over longer periods, to develop and grow faster and produce more offspring. 
The romance, sex lives, and family dynamics of the Alfar are an intoxicating blend of primal instincts and sophisticated emotional connections. Romance is an elaborate affair, filled with prolonged courtships where partners engage in mutual seduction, building a crescendo of passion and connection. Couples indulge in shared experiences, such as ritualistic dances under the moonlight, gentle grooming, and the exchange of gifts crafted from natural elements like feathers and flowers, each gesture a testament to their growing bond. Males engage in vibrant and erotic courtship rituals designed to captivate and seduce. These displays involve their intense, colorful skin patterns that pulse and shimmer with desire, sultry vocalizations, and hypnotic, rhythmic dances that draw partners into an intimate trance. If there are then sexual encounters, they are fervent and sensual, driven by both instinct and deep emotional resonance. The retractable penis of the male, and the receptive anatomy of the female (prehensile-sphincteral cloaca of each sex) allow for diverse and passionate lovemaking, with each act reinforcing their bond and commitment. Once a pair has solidified their bond through these intense romantic and sexual interactions, they form monogamous relationships for the period of raising the offspring of the coupling. Family life is deeply rooted in tenderness and mutual support. Females will lay clutches of one to two dozen eggs, and the act of laying is a shared experience, with the male tenderly supporting and caressing his mate throughout. Both parents would take turns incubating the eggs, their bodies pressed close together, sharing warmth and affection. As a species descended from pack hunters, the post-hatching period is a time of collective joy and intimate bonding, not just between the parents and their offspring but also within their extended community. Child-rearing is a shared responsibility, with close kin and trusted community members participating, creating a web of love and support that ensures the young grow up in a nurturing environment. This communal approach reinforces social bonds, making their society deeply interconnected and emotionally rich. Love, passion, and family are the pillars of their existence, creating a society where romance and intimacy are celebrated in all their fervent, colorful glory. Given their extraordinary lifespan of over 1,000 years, Alfs experience multiple couplings throughout their lives, leading to intricate family relationships. Monogamous bonds form, dissolve, and reform, weaving a rich tapestry of romantic and familial connections. These multiple partnerships result in extensive and interconnected family trees, with individuals having numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, often with different partners. This fosters a deep sense of community and interdependence, as individuals maintain relationships with multiple generations and extended kin. The complexity of these relationships creates a society where love, loyalty, and cooperation are paramount, with an emphasis on maintaining harmony and support within their vast and intertwined family networks.
A few ethnic groups have been called "races" by those less informed, as they all appear unrelated due to obvious dissimilarities in morphology. But if you look closely to the shared morphology, you find tall, thin bodies; pointed ears; predatory dentition; downy, hairike plumage in bright colors; large, almond-shaped eyes; and external colorations and adaptations that match their hereditary environment. The fact that they are also behaviorally and ethnically quite dissimilar throw scientists off. They are collectively different Peoples of Alf, or the Alfar. The Alfar Peoples are Silvan, Tuatha, Polu, Svart, and Nefil. Mages and scholars know the Alfar must be an elder race of Erasthes, but msitakenly attribute the coincidence that the five Alfar species skin colorations conform to the five colors of Prana. The Tuatha are red,(well, pinkish-brown), The Silvan green, The Svart black, the Nefil white, and the Polu are blue. This is simply a misreading of a coincidence, however. They evolved from avian ancestors in truly ancient times, and their current colorations are simply vestigial remains of their once proud plumage.
Alfar are a tall, thin people with pointed ears and deep-set eyes of various colors. Whether they hail from the deep forests or hidden valleys, they are a graceful, spiritual people who may live several centuries. Most have fair skin with hair of various hues, including shades of violet, blue, and crimson. 
Variant Ideas: The shining cities of the “Tuatha Alfar” are often dedicated to the study of magic, martial prowess, and lore. Player characters might begin with a choice of Edges such as Arcane Background, a Novice Combat Edge, or skill points in Academia and Occult to reflect their dedication to such fields. Such beings might have cultural drawbacks such as Arrogant or Overconfident, reflecting their outlook on the less-developed societies of their world.
Those Silvan Alfar who hail from the deep woods might begin play with a d4 or d6 in Survival and Stealth and the Woodsman Edge. This can be balanced with Ancestral Enemies, Vows to their communities or to protect the forests, or penalties to mechanical skills like Repair.
The “Svart Alfar” are portrayed as evil, scheming creatures. The Deceptive Edge suits them well. Heroes who hail from such societies are exemplary individuals willing to stand against their culture and perhaps even their families. They are still likely haughty and distant compared to other races, so let them make up for their advantages with appropriate personal or background Hindrances such as Enemy, Outsider, or Wanted.
AGILE: Alfar are graceful and agile. They start with a d6 in Agility instead of a d4. This increases maximum Agility to d12+1.
ALL THUMBS: Alfar have an inherent dislike of mechanical objects, giving them the All Thumbs Hindrance.
LOW LIGHT VISION: Elven eyes amplify light. Other races often claim they can see stars in the Alfar’ eyes. They ignore penalties for Dim and Dark Illumination.