Wood Elves

The second most populous race in Saldaria, the Wood Elves tend to live in the Sylvanian Forest.

## History

The Wood Elves, or half-elves, are a hybrid race comprised of human and Snow Elven DNA. Repulsed by this the Snow Elves decided that they could not remain in Saldaria, abandoning their half-children.

Following this, the Wood Elves decided that their best course of action was to live seperately from the humans as tensions between the two races was strained following the Silari departure. Therefore they formed a kingdom of their own in the Sylvanian Forest, leading to the name 'Wood Elf.' However the Osmian Empire proved too powerful and a treaty of peace was formed, in which the Sylvanian Forest became a vassal to the Empire.

## Biology

A hybrid race, the Wood Elves embody the best of both parent species. They are agile and magically proficient, though less so than the Silari, and while strong are not as robust as humans. Wood Elves tend to stand at about 6' tall with lithe, athletic bodies. Due to their mixed heritage Wood Elves have pointed ears (shorter than Silari ears) and a wide array of skin tones, hair and eye colours that they have inherited from their human ancestors. Wood Elves reproduce faster than Silari but slower than humans, and while they tend to couple with other elves, they do not discount human partners. Similar to Silari Wood Elves have longer lifespans than humans, living on average to about 800 years of age.

## Society

Wood Elven society tends towards the oligarchial, with a Lord or Lady presiding over a council of elven elders selected from noble families. These positions tend to be hereditary and council decisions thus lean towards conservatism rather than forward-thinking. As a result Wood Elven society is fairly insular and not as overly progressive as human society, though much more so than Silari society.

As the capital city of the Sylvanian Forest, Vaelys is incredibly significant for the Wood Elves. It is for many of them their ancestral home, with only a select few elves living elsewhere in Saldaria. Those who do not live in Vaelys live either in Osmia, where attaining citizenship is considered by many too difficult to attempt, or Filna Doriel, a small elven community deeper in the forest. As the capital, Vaelys hosts the Council Hall, where the Lord or Lady of Vaelys resides. The Hall houses the Great Hall, where debates and meetings are held by the Sylvanian Council.

As part of the Osmian Empire the Sylvanian Forest enjoys ready trade and the protection of the army should the need ever arise, while simultaneously enjoying a degree of self-governance. Nevertheless, the Forest is a part of the Osmian Empire, and should the Emperor choose, he could overrule any decision the Council might make, should it impact Saldaria as a whole.

The Wood Elves do not know, by and large, their origins as a hybrid species - this knowledge is known to a select few who have chosen not to make the information widely known out of concern the people would not respond well. There are those who believe Wood Elves to be a totally seperate species to the humans, and many do not believe the Snow Elves ever existed, let alone were their ancestors. Due to this some Wood Elves are indifferent or openly hostile to humans, showing a xenophobia for the other race that would be shattered the moment their origins were learned. These elves tend to remain in the Forest and show nothing but contempt for the world outside their borders.

## Notable Wood Elves

* Felluin
* Lady Gaelia
* Delaethil
* Raelis