Elves

Elves are the descendants of the Fey. The Fey developed an affinity with Markoth once there, and many elected to stay after The Final Victory. They settled into their new lives and over generations of breeding with mortal races and being exposed to Markoth itself the result were the Elves.

For many years after the Empire's formation, Elves were a disliked race, persecuted for the actions of their Fey lineage. Many going so far as to disfigure themselves in an attempt to fit in better. This relaxed over time, with many years of laws, cultural changes and struggle.

## Biology

Elven genes are dominant when determining the appearance of newborns. They are also known to skip a generation in very rare cases. Therefore, two human parents (one of them unwittingly carrying the elven gene) can give birth to an elf.

Elves typically age slower than most mortal, with an average life expectancy of 150 years and some getting as old as 180 years.

## Appearance

Elves are generally taller than most humans, with an average height of 180 cm. Their physiology helps them keep a relatively thin in build, weighing around 50-70 kg but even their ancestry has its limits and certain lifestyle choices have given way to Elves of varying shapes and sizes.

Elven hair and eye colour changes depending on the type of elf. Elves typically have very quick growing hair, to a point. Once past the shoulders, the hair growth slows significantly. They also tend to have pale skin tone, coupled with darker patches of skin around the eyes.

## Racial Variants

Since the Fey arrived in Markoth, some started mixing with its various races and started adopting different lifestyles. Some stayed close to who they were and where they came from and others ventured out and changed the way they did things. Over time these changes became more apparent and a few variants on the original Fey were categorised on those changes.

**High Elf** - High elves are found to be the tallest and thinnest of elves, typically with blue eyes, and long white or grey hair, as well as extremely long ears that are sometimes attached to the hair with jewellery for practicality and style. These elves are widely considered by scholars to be the more pure link to the Fey. This has been believed to have granted them a stronger sense for magic and a deeper connection to the realms. Because of this, many High Elves tend to pursue the magical arts. This deeper connection is also viewed by those elves as a sign of superiority to others. Interbreeding is frowned upon and can be met by grave consequences such as exile. Because they hold to their ancestry so closely, they have separated themselves from other elves and their relationship with the rest of Markoth can be difficult. Their main goal today is to find the heir of Tarvala, the last Fey. They see him as messiah of sorts. To that end, High Elves have formed difficult alliances with the Empire but have been rumoured to secretly be helping the Royalist in the hopes that they take each other out.

**Field Elf** - Field elves are those who traditionally worked manual labour jobs, or fought in the vanguard in Fey battles. Field elves are typically blonde or brown haired, with brown or blue eyes, and short, pointed ears. They are shorter than most other elves, but still profit from the physiology of their blood. Since becoming a part of Markoth, these Elves have maintained their way of life. Working with their hands, building or destroying, many Field Elves have been recognised for their abilities craftsman, their reputation as hard workers, and their skill on the battlefield. Field Elves are fairly well integrated and for the most part are happy doing what needs to be done and keeping to themselves. Because of this, Field Elves have had very little direct involvement with the war as whole. Individuals will occasionally join the war effort on one side or the other based on personal reasons.

**Mountain Elf** - Mountain Elves owe their name to where they have been known to settle over time, the mountains. They seem a bit rougher than other elves and their stature resembles more than of their human side. Their grey skin, medium pointy ears, and piercing blue eyes, or sometimes fiery red eyes, definitely put away any doubt one might have about their lineage though. It is said that many shave their heads, both male and female. Mountain Elves are nomadic and have great pride in their ability to endure the elements and harshness of their environment. They have long let go of their connection to magic and while it remains in their blood, they choose to endure by their own force of will and physical toughness, viewing magic as "the easy way out". Mountain Elves are a fairly proud people and their ties to the world are slim. There has been a long running dislike for the Dwarves that live below and around them. It is said that generations ago, Mountain Elves sought refuge with Dwarves during an especially punishing winter but the Dwarves refused them and pushed them back out in the cold. This is the common explanation for these elves to be so stubborn and independent but also resilient and unyielding. In the current conflict, Mountain Elves have been part of the war as their own side, very few individuals leave their clans to join an army or the other. When one does tho, they are seen as fearsome addition to the ranks.

**Dark Elf** - Dark Elves are noticeable by the tone of their skin, which is a dark charcoal colour. They typically have greyor white hair, and blood red or eerie white eyes. Dark elves have a natural ability to see better in the dark than any of their kindred. While different individuals show varying degrees of this perceptive ability, it is now known that total darkness still affects them. Whether natural or acquired it seems that their awareness has also extended to their social interactions and the way they interact with others. Unlike other Elves, the Dark Elves do not tend to cluster in groups or communities, usually found alone or in a small group. Some believe that a secret city exists where all the Dark Elves live but no one has actual proof of it. Dark Elves are not as numerous as the other types of elves and seeing one can be a treat or mean trouble, sometimes both. Dark Elves have acquired a reputation over the years, one that paints them as rogues, charlatans, manipulators, and even assassins. It is said that their words can be as sharp as their blades and the reason so few are seen is because they want it that way. Where the truth lies is up to personal judgement but facts remain, you don't see many Dark Elves around. It is widely believed that Dark Elves are involved on both sides of the current war. They have a code amongst themselves on how to deal with each other should they become enemies but really in the end the concept of 'every elf for themselves' and 'if the price is right' seems to be the main drive for the ashen ones.

**Wood Elf** - Wood Elves tend to be the most varied in shapes and sizes as each believes in living their best lives and that meaning has varying results on their appearance. All of them tend to let their blond or brown hair grow, cutting it only if they feel like it. Wood Elves seem to all share the same green eyes in variety to tones. Close to nature and growing up around it, these Elves have come to nurture life and understand its cycle into death and ultimately rebirth. Thinking them pacifist would be a mistake though as many of their numbers are skilled fighters for 'the green'. Many healers come the cities in the trees that the Wood Elves inhabit. It is always best to call out your intentions when entering a forest, if you seek help or trouble, there's a good chance it will find you. Wood Elves have been neutral for the most part, joining both armies to try and limit the fighting and the death, but some have picked a side when pushed by the opposition usually. Healer, fighter, diplomat and adviser, Wood Elves have been and are all of those things and while many underestimate them, they will be a pivotal point in this war.

**Non-Human Elf descendant** (Not Playable) - While Humans were the most compatible, some of the original Fey explored the world more than others and as a result other races have been touched by their bloodline. The results are rare and some times more obvious than others. A lot folklore would have the common people believe that certain creatures today only exist because Fey blood did not mix well with that of another race. It is true however that certain other races have reacted differently to their interaction with the Fey and sometimes in more erratic or subtle ways.

## Playing an Elf

Players must select which kind of elf they would like to portray, and then costume appropriately. Wearing at minimum, Appropriate ears, and makeup.