Elves

**Culture:** "On the whole of the Earth, no race other than Dragonkind is more ancient than the Eldar. Whether in vast tree-cities, nestled in islands floating high above the ground, or in glittering citadels, the elves are the pinnacle of civilization with minimal disruption to the natural world. While Dwarves are seen as grumpy and humorless, elves are famed for their stoicism and serenity though to the ignorant this comes off as taciturn and cold. Blessed with eternal life, the outlook of the typical elf is so beyond the scope of understanding for the shorter-lived races that misunderstandings plague relationships between elf-kind and other races. Despite outward appearances, elves are *deeply* empathetic, highly perceptive, and emotionally complex individuals who are capable of incredible affection, or the bitterest hate. Younger elves are more expressive, but as the centuries wear on they become more serene and pensive rather than impulsive.

Elves are natural historians as many are living relics of ages past, but they also don't remain mired in tradition. Though they are eternal, and perhaps because of it, elves adore natural change, seeing the beauty in transience. The passing of a rainstorm, the transition from day to night, the cycle of the seasons, these are what elves treasure. Much like how dwarves are renowned masons and stone-carvers, elves are wood-shapers without equal, able to craft entire living cities without felling a single tree, and their intricate metal-work conveys fragility while being anything but. Elven made weapons, armor, garments, tools, and architecture is all inspired by nature, particularly vine and leaf motifs. Artistry comes naturally to elves, and the fashionable wear elven made garments, and display elven works of art in their homes. Many elves feel a bond with nature and strive to live in harmony with the natural world. Although, like most, elves prefer bountiful lands where resources are plentiful, when driven to live in harsher climates, they work hard to protect and shepherd the region’s bounty, and learn how to maximize the benefit they receive from what little can be harvested. When they can carve out a sustainable, reliable life in deserts and wastelands, they take pride as a society in the accomplishment. While this can make them excellent guides to outsiders they befriend who must travel through such lands, their disdain of those who have not learned to live off the scant land as they have makes such friends rare. Elves are prone to dismissing other races, writing them off as rash and impulsive, yet on an individual level, they are excellent judges of character. In many cases an elf will come to value a specific member of another race, seeing that individual as deserving and respectable, while still dismissing the race as a whole. If called on this behavior, the elf often doesn’t understand why their friend is upset the elf has noticed the friend is “so much better than the rest of their kind.” Even elves who see such prejudice for what it is must constantly watch themselves to prevent such views from coloring their thinking, but those named "Eldandil" or "Elf-Friend" will find no allies more loyal and true." -*d20pfsrd/paizo/Fabian*

**Biology:** Elves are instantly recognizable by their fine features, elongated pointed ears, and their tall statuesque builds. Elf men on average are 6'2" (5'9" - 6'8") and about 135 pounds with broad-shoulders but lean muscles. Elf women on average are 6'0" (5'7" - 6'5") and about 115 pounds. Elves have an innate kinesthetic awareness that affords them great natural grace, they are also deceptively strong for how light they are, but in general elves are not exceptionally hardy, they obsess over hygiene and the purity of food and drink as their constitutions are not as reliable in neutralizing potential illness as that of sturdier races. Elves also have an appreciation for the written word, magic, and painstaking research. Their naturally keen minds and senses, combined with their inborn patience, make them particularly suited to wizardry. Arcane research and accomplishment are seen as both practical goals, in line with being a soldier or architect, and artistic endeavors as great as poetry or sculpture. Within elven society, wizards are held in extremely high regard as masters of an art both powerful and aesthetically valued.

Barring illness, accidents, or violence, Elves are immortal. They age roughly 10 times more slowly than humans until they reach their physical prime at around 300 years of age. However, as the psyche becomes burdened with memories and trauma over eons, elves slowly go mad. Though this can happen at nearly any age it is more common among elves more than 3,000 years old, thus after their 3rd eon, an elf may be sent to the Celestial plane body and soul. It is rare for an elf to reach the age of 5,000 with no ill effects, making those who do greatly respected and highly sought after for their wisdom.

In the matter of mating and relationships, Elves are especially devoted to their spouses and children, though because of their long-lives it is seen as normal and healthy for elves to take lovers. It is expected however, that one have children with none but their spouse, and bequeath property and titles to none but their spouse and children. Elven courtship is something of a mystery but is known to be highly ritualized and unique to each couple. Elves are by and large bisexual, often going through phases in their life where they may favor one gender over the other, or even moment by moment. And while they are famously delightful lovers, elves do not typically like acts that include pain or that which would offend their sense of cleanliness. Pregnancy for elves seems to take forever, lasting anywhere between 7 - 8 years, however unlike the other races, the ordeal is extremely mild and gentle on the mother

**Relations:**

Humans: The history of elves and humans is long and penned in innocent blood. Both races have suffered atrocity at the other's hands, but unlike humans who live short lives and for whom old wounds heal quickly, elves who live through such times find letting go difficult if not impossible. Yet for all the animosity and prejudice between the races, relations are much warmer as evident by the growing number of Half-Elves in the world...

Dwarves: Elves tend to view dwarves as low-born, boorish, and simple. Dwarves in turn do not respond well to the condescending attitude of their elven neighbors and so the two races tend to keep each other at arm's length.

Half-Elves: Elves view half-elves with a mixture of pity, and affection or disgust; pity for their short lives and homelessness, some more open-minded elves see their existence as proof of healing, and others see half-elves as the destruction of the elven race.

Halflings/Gnomes: Elves regard both races with something like amusement. They admire the zeal and freedom with which both races live their lives and at times envy them for it.

Half-Orcs: Elves are extremely wary of half-orcs, but understand not all are like their full-blooded kin. It is no secret that half-orcs do not find much welcome in the world, so some elves make a point to try and extend an olive branch. While a well-meaning gesture, it often doesn't amount to anything other than an overture.

Drow: The most dangerous and deadly foe of the elves are their dark brethren... Drow represent everything the Eldar despise; destruction, tyranny, and corruption. And while some elves may have an abiding hatred for humans, ALL elves hate the drow.

**Alignment and Religion**: Their focus on nature and individual freedom makes Elven society tend towards chaos, but is kept in check with sensible laws for an amenable balance between a lawful and chaotic society. Elves prefer more capricious and mysterious deities with most worshipping Desna, Shelyn, Calistria, and Nethys, though darker mysteries may pull some elves into venerating Zon-Kuthon or even Asmodeus himself.