Wood Elves

Not many races can say they've earnt their name. Wood Elves are better known as "Shicts" from the sound an arrow makes meeting flesh. Often the flesh of human invaders. While High Elves represent the serene, understanding and drive of the Hundred Minds, Shicts represent the hunt, the defense of nature and the savagery within.

Shicts are hunters, warriors, druids and shamans. There is no room for weakness or kindness in their ranks. They are Elves without any moral fiber or even an attempt at it.

## History

Of the origins of the Wood Elves, some speak of the Spirit Mother who crafted them from the weave of the gods. Others speak of Ryffid, who tore them from this weave and forced them to carve out their own destiny. Some claim they're just High Elves who've spent too long in the woods.

The Greenshicts were the first of the High Elves to split into their own subspecies, slowly turning into the common shict we see today. They live in regions across Starsong far from the reach of civilization.

Mutations among Elves were common due to the poisonous influence of the Fey when the first High Elves were sentenced to exile in Kasania during the Second Age.

## Appearance

Shicts share common features between the subspecies; long ears, often notched, long hair of many varieties, pupilless white or black eyes and an average height of 5"8'. A common Shict has 1 to 4 notches in their ear, to represent which tribe they're from.

Khoshicts are dark skinned with dark hair. A Khoshict will decorate their masks in accordance with what tribe they're from, as well as scarify themselves. They are known as Sand Elves.

Zrushicts are tan with sun-kissed flesh and mixed, striped hair. They decorate their hair with bones, shells and beads. A Zrushict's decorated hair will indicate which tribe they're from. They are known as Sea Elves.

Raishicts are pale with white hair and black, soulless eyes. Many of them have no lips and instead have serrated, vicious teeth like that of a crocodile's. They are known as Snow Elves.

Greenshicts are the furthest from the normal. Their skin is typically a dark green and they stand seven feet tall with form forged of pure muscle. They have four arms and prehensile feet, as if every inch of them is designed to kill and maim. They travel often so their ear-notches are irrelevant.

## Culture

All Shicts, despite their homeland, share many common traits. They are protectors of nature, enemies of those who wish to do it harm. This leads to them battling humans and Dwarves constantly. The definition of "nature" depends on which Shict you ask; some believe monsters to be apart of it, some believe magic to be against it, some are just unsure and find all life (even their own) to be a perversion of nature. Some Shicts are even hand-picked by their cruel goddess Ryffid to become Shifters; animalistic Shicts beyond normality.

Naturally a Shict places their own life well below that of a beast, a piece of the world and in some cases monsters. When it comes to codes, it depends on the tribe. A Warchief will lead them how he or she pleases but honour depends on the individual.

Many Shicts live in their lives entirely for the war against civilization. They wear feathers in their hair to represent this war; black feathers for revenge, white feathers for family and friends lost and a red feather if they know they are soon to die.

They are distrusting of all others, even their own subspecies. The homeland of most Shicts before the migration was Dawnforge, specifically in Kasania.

Khoshicts are creatures of family and history, recording their clan tales in beautiful banners and artwork. They are artisans, priding themselves on their masks and banners. They inhabit Boletaria, mostly in the Beastlands of the Suntorn Waste.

Raishicts are fearsome monstrosities born from dreams and horrors. They are eldritch and difficult to understand, living in mystery in Gravaraad in Aerrune. What intruders come into Gravaraad are usually impaled on the arms of their arch-trees.

Zrushicts are sailors and hunters of the open ocean. While other Shicts concern themselves with creatures of the earth and see themselves as children of Ryffid, Zrushicts are attached to marine life and the Sea Mother Zamanthras. They live in the Reaching Isles and the Shattered Isles across Oolacile.