Elf

## On Elves

*"They think they're better than us. Why? Because they live a long time? Because they're pretty? Bah."-Kag Garum, half-orc bartender, on his "No Elves" policy.*

*"To have such beauty, to have such grace. If only."- Jad, tortle druid, on his deep longing to be more graceful.*

*"I feel so blessed to have this elder blood. I owe my career to it."- Sylfine, Half-Elf Bard, on what she owes her success.*

*"Too many different kinds. Why so many?"- Wallie, human farmer, missing the irony of that statement.*

Elves are beautiful, lithe, long-lived humanoids that seem to have an almost ethereal quality about them. They're almost more a part of nature than a species. Elves are known for their rich cultures, glorious art and powerful magics which have all had a part in shaping the world of modern Apia, for better or worse. Having such a long life span, their views tend to make them come off as arrogant or pompous but most mean no harm by it. As far as an elf is concerned he is correct in his assessment, whatever that assessment may be, he's got the years of experience and the elder blood to make up for it after all, why shouldn't he tell you why you are wrong? In no small part due to this ingrained attitude of superiority, elves tend to keep their own company on the island of Itisal. Why bother getting to know a creature who'll be dead before they can make a meaningful contribution to the world? Despite all their bluster, elves are a deeply divided people, more so than most non-elves realize. Unlike dwarves whose cousin species are mostly allied (the duergar being the obvious exception), the elven sub-races are mostly in a state of either hot or cold war. Each is convinced of the superiority of their way of life and isn't afraid to let the others known about it. If an elf has no obvious subrace he is known as a high elf. High elves are the most commonly encountered elves by non-elves.

## Physical Description:

High Elves are a tall people with even the women being easily six feet tall. They have slender forms, which are far more grace than brute strength and not overly burdened with muscle. Elves appear lithe, even frail but those visual cues are deceptive. Elves of both genders wear their hair long and free, or tied loosely back, with colors that run the gamete of potential options. Likewise, their eyes are piercing and distinct and any being with any elvish blood has a particularly intense stare. Elvish ears are an incredibly distinctive feature, coming to long, sharp points. (Indeed, the term "Knife-Ear" is a particularly vile racial insult for an elf or half-elf). However, elves also have visually distinct, slanted eyebrows that sweep upward and taper off into points, as well as sharp, angular cheek bones. Most parts of an elf's face have an angular nature but this doesn't stop elves of all kinds of being considered overwhelmingly beautiful, with their fair skin and features making them prized as wives, husbands and trophies by many races. Elves dress in long, flowing robes or togas of soft, nature-based colors, or bright, floral patterns, further highlighting their nature as people of the natural world. Most reject tattoos and body modifications as being opposed to their natural perfection, though jewelry is quite common.

## History:

When the world was young and the monsters ruled the seas, the gods needed servants and allies in their war against primal giants and aboleths. Among the gods was Corellon Larethian, a warrior-poet known for his dashing grace and great physical beauty. While Corellon was known for many things, and possessed many great qualities, he was known to be incredibly vain. Corellon saw himself as the most beautiful, most perfect of all the gods and so fashioned a race of people that would resemble him. These "High Elves" were long-lived, so as to better reflect the eternity of a god, they were beautiful, swift of thought and physical action. They had great grace and ability in martial, artistic and magical arts. The elves did brilliant battle against the aboleths, cutting them down with showers of arrows. Yet, like all races, the mind flayers managed to enslave the elves just as easily as the others. The mind flayer era had quite the impact on the elves as some began to fear that Corellon had abandoned them. These fallen elves sought out Corellon's shadowy lover, Lolth, the spider-queen. Lolth helped a group of elves turn on their mind flayer masters with brutal efficiency and carve for themselves a free territory in the tunnels of the Hollow. Once the mind flayers fell to the beholders, a large number of elvish slaves managed to escape mainland Apia and set sail for a large island off the northern coast. This temperate island they named Itisal, after the first of their great queens. The beholders made several attempts to take the island from the newly independent high elves but ultimately gave up as the might of spell and bow proved more than enough for those few beholders and their spawn who were willing to make the treacherous journey across the sea. The elves grew fearful and distrustful of non-elves during this long period, determined to remain alone on their island. Despite this isolationist policy, individual elf archers and mages joined with Latrell's rebellion and aided the races in bringing down the rule of aberrations. It was during this period of war that the high elves encountered the drow, their now distinct kin and welcomed them back to Itisal with open arms. This attempted integration between the two races of elf did not go well. Details on the elf civil war are carefully guarded secrets, including who is actually responsible for stating the conflict, are carefully hushed up by both sides but what is known is this. The drow and the high elves came to blows over questions of morality, society and religion. Some high elves supported the drow and joined them in their fight while a third group remained staunchly neutral in the conflict. This neutral group, disgusted with the war and the idea of elf on elf violence, abandoned Itisal for mainland Apia. There, they took up shelter among some of the ancient forests and became the wood elves. Despite the length and bloodshed within this conflict it was eventually resolved with the drow being exiled from the island, along with those high elves who had thrown in their lot with them. The drow settled back underground in The Hollow, where they continue to be the dominate force. As for the high elves, they adopted a policy of staunch isolation, content to live alone on their island and in the small colonies along northern Apia. When the demons and devils invaded, the elves were content to live alone on their island and defend their borders. This attitude has left many nations frustrated with the elves but they care not, why should they, the superior race, help these other, lesser creatures? As far as the elves are concerned they are the oldest and wisest people on Apia, their lives are what really matter. (Whether this is true or not is irrelevant, the elves believe it.) Today, they remain happily isolated with only the loosest connection to the other races, even their offshoot cousins. The elves will simply wait out any trouble from the safety of their island, it was worked well thus far.

## Geography:

High elves are found almost exclusively on the island of Itisal, which they guard rather jealously. Several colonies of high elves are found on mainland Apia along the northern point of the continent and some are found among the populace of The Dragon Empire, which borders some of the colonies. A few islands of the archipelago are claimed by high elves.

## Personality:

High elves feel a deep sense of superiority that is only reinforced by the magnificence of their empire. They defeated the drow, the beholders and the demons, why shouldn't they be proud? This sense of pride touches every aspect of an elf's life and greatly contributes to the sense of personal freedom to which all high elves feel entitled. As the beloved of Corellon and a child of Itisal, a high elf needs no permission to behave as he pleases, only the greater good of elvish society controls him. So while elves aren't given to particularly deviant or dangerous behavior, they can be incredibly rude or selfish. No elf would do something that might cause another harm or violate that other elf's personal liberty but he'll otherwise behave as he pleases. This isn't to say elves have no government or understanding of hierarchies, because they do, its just that most feel it isn't the place of the nobility to interfere in their lives. In a crisis, all elves obey the command of their nobles who, in turn, obey the high king or queen, but most of the time these positions are largely ceremonial ones, whose advice is respected, but not necessarily heeded. All high elves feel a deep need for perfection and can become obsessed with a hobby or skill for millennia, practicing it until it is perfected. The great elvish master painters, sculptures, poets and sword-masters have few equals among other races. To an elf, something worth doing is worth doing perfectly. They enjoy art, music and beauty of all kinds, as well as the lively debate. Arguments among elves are monitored with a set of rules that ensure these debates are structured and edifying, a curious twist of form in an otherwise mostly formless people.

## Society:

Elven society is not as lawless or chaotic as it may seem to more regimented folk but it is relatively unrestricted. Elvish communities tend to be smaller, with elves living with their families in homes that are as unique as the family within. Due to extended lifespans, multiple generations often live in the same extended homestead although each member within that homestead has their own private space. Elves try to live in harmony with nature and their communities are often quite ecologically friendly. Many high elves are vegetarians and even those who aren't, avoid herding animals, it's not their place to cage them. Thus, elvish horses are treated as companions rather than servants. Elvish law is mostly simple matters of respecting other being's rights to life and property which most elves voluntarily follow. In the rare event that one doesn't, the elders and priests of the community gather and decide the appropriate punishment. Each town has a collection of elders who make decisions for the community in the event of a crisis and give advice to other elves when everything is normal. These elders are elected and chosen by their community and take their role seriously. Each elf is trained in martial arts from an early age, including sword, bow and fist, to better protect their personal liberty and their island as a whole so, while Itisal has no standing army in the traditional sense, they are well prepared for any military action. They also have a deep love for the sea and most are consummate sailors. Family ties are more important to elves than governmental ones, and one's children, siblings and parents are considered the most important people in an elf's life. Marriage is less restrictive among elves than other races, mostly due to their long life spans and belief in individualism. Some marriages are explicitly set for an agreed upon period of time before being dissolved, others last until boredom sets in. Even those who are married tend to be looser with their vows than other races, which is normal and accepted among the elves. Some are openly polygamists and unmarried elves are known to have many lovers before settling into the casual elven marriage. Not all behave this way, of course, but those who do are treated without contempt or disdain.

## Religion:

Corellon Larethian is the patron god and father of the elves and so he is worshiped with a deep reverence that elves don't show for many things. Despite their great love of freedom and individuality, all high elves defer themselves in respect to Larethian. His clergy are treated well and their council is considered very valuable. Other elvish gods and non-elvish good gods are also worshiped, who take religious practice very seriously. While freedom of religion is key to the high elves, some of their strictest laws are placed on those who offer prayers to Lolth, Gruumsh or any arch-devil or demon lord as this is strictly forbidden.

## Alignment:

Despite their arrogance, within the heart of the elves beats nobleness and goodness. They are chaotic good creatures as a rule who are often found opposing the most foul of monsters on Apia. (And getting into arguments with other good races who lack their appreciation for gentle chaos.)

## Relations:

As isolationists, high elves tend to keep their own company but they are not opposed to alliances with other good aligned races that can serve their interests. Humans are the most likely candidate for this relationship, notably those of the Dragon Empire. Metallic dragonborn, gnomes, halflings, good fey and leonin are others that have been known to work with the high elves. Some dwarves and some high elves have been known to work together if the cause is just but differences in morality often drive them apart. High elves are the sworn enemy of orcs and drow and the feeling is mutual.

## Language:

Elves speak elvish, a song-like language that is as poetic to hear as it is to say. Many also speak common, as well as an elemental or fey language. Due to their long lives, most elves learn three or four languages minimum. the better to experience all Apia has to offer.

## Adventurers:

As elves are highly individualistic with long life spans. Many turn to adventuring for a season or two if for no other reason than to overcome boredom. Others go on adventure for the story or the thrill and still others go for a cause they believe is just. While treasure doesn't really motivate elves they are not likely to turn it away. An elven adventurer is either a young upstart or an experienced traveler and, either can be quite valuable to an adventuring party.

### Names:

As a general rule, most elves use only a given name. If attempting to identify ancestry they will use "son of" or "daughter of," then reference the parent of their same gender.

**Example male names:** Vafir, Umewarin, Yinmenor, Omapetor, Vaydark, Genmaris, Luven, Virro, Sylhorn

**Example female names:** Torphyra, Caiphyra, Lorasatra, Faynore, Wynxina, Yesbanise, Adjyre, Yllaxina, Zylkrana, Magxina

## Traits:

High elf traits are identical to those found in the player's handbook.

## Elf Sub-Races:

Wild Elf

Wood Elf

Drow

Ghost Elf

Shadar-Kai