Wood Elves

**Wood Elves**, also known as **Wild Elves** or **Fae Folk,** are easily distinguishable from their Elven cousins by their earthy skin tones, darker hair and shorter stature. Many hold deep, spiritual connections with their woodland homes along with the vast wilderness that lies within it and are known to be particularly savage and territorial.

The land itself is an extremely important aspect to their way of life as the forests and glades that they reside in provide them with almost everything they need to survive, in return the Wood Elves faithfully protect these lands with fierce determination. All of nature is perceived to be an extension of their physical selves and therefore is sacred, as a result, almost all Wood Elves seek to coexist with their surroundings rather than destroy it, those who do bring are often savagely hunted down in retaliation. Their reliance on hunting has made them expert bowmen, commonly employing these skills in the form of guerilla or ambushing tactics to great effect. This has led to Wood Elves being highly regarded as exceptional archers, scouts and woodworkers. Despite being relatively peaceful, they are no strangers to war, with many engaging in skirmishes and or raids against their neighbors who encroach too closely to their territory.

The bulk of Wood Elves prefer to reside in densely forested regions or groves and tend to live within small, remote communities, relying almost solely on nature itself for shelter, food, clothing, defense and much more. Though preferring the company of their own kin, they are generally accepting of foreigners, often engaging in trade with others in exchange for goods that the forest cannot provide, however some, their Elven cousins in particular, often perceive Wood Elves to be too wild and tribal to civilly cooperate with.

## **Physical Characteristics**

###### **Height**

Wood Elves are on average, shorter than other Elves and can vary anywhere in between 5'0" - 6'0"

###### **Weight**

Although many vary in height based on their height, their athletic and outdoor lifestyles result in many Wood Elves to be lean and muscular in their builds, often ranging between 100 - 220 lbs.

###### **Skin Color**

Darker complexions such as brown, olive, hazel and or earthy tones are most common skin colors found among Wood Elves

###### **Eye Color**

Dark colors such as black, brown and green are the most common types of eye color.

###### **Hair Color**

Wood Elven hair color primarily consists of dark red, blonde, black and varying hues of brown.

###### **Unique Features**

Wood Elves are the shortest among their Elven kin and like all Elves have long, pointed ears. Many also possess lean physiques and angular faces, with some even having varying sized antlers that grow from their foreheads. They also often adorn themselves with elaborate tattoos to display their family lineage, tribe and or faith.

###### **Lifespan**

Elves, compared to the other races, have a drastically lower fertility rate than that of the other races, however, in exchange, Elves boast a significantly higher life span, being able to live up to varying ages of 400-500 before passing away from natural causes. Elf children reach adulthood after 18 years, similar to that of Humans, during their childhood, they are often venerated, protected and raised well in order to ensure the survival and continuation of the Elven race. Upon reaching 18 years old, Elves are generally considered to be young adults until the age of 150, where they are then seen as middle-aged adults for another 150 years, once aged roughly 300 years old, Elves are regarded as elders within their society.