Huldufolk

### Other Elves

Despite just being one subset of elf, Huldufolk are generally just referred to as Elves, because for most of history, Huldufolk were the only kind of Elf any mortal would ever meet. All other elves are believed to live somewhere on Asphodel or in another world entirely. While most would never have need to learn the difference between Huldufolk and other Elves, explorers of Asphodel will likely appreciate the distinction.

## Appearance

Huldufolk are very human-like in appearance, though they tend to be lithe of frame and fair of face. Huldufolk can have pointed ears, but it's not as common as some might think.

While huldufolk are generally the most mortal looking of elves, they still have skin tones, hair and eye colors that vary much more than that of the other races, as well as often having a single otherworldly feature that marks them as descendants of the fae. This feature can be almost anything, one member of a family may be born with a cows tail, while another may be born with a serpent's tongue. The most commonly appearing trait amongst huldufolk are wooden antlers, but even these can vary greatly in form. Some have been know to grow leaves and flowers.

## Nature

##### Mortal Views

The huldufolk are unusual creatures, having distinctly mortal personalities and behaviors. Like other fairies and elves, the huldufolk love to eat, drink, ect. but the Huldufolk show an uncharacteristic restraint when it comes to indulging in these activities, and keen senses of responsibility, for themselves and their families. Huldufolk show an appreciation for long-term relationships that is completely alien to most fae, who live eternally in the present.

##### Immortal Bodies

As elves, the Huldufolk do not age, nor can they die. Whether their soul is unable to leave their body, or elves are without souls to begin with. When a huldufolk would be killed, their bodies still cease to function, but it never decays. Most huldufolk are buried in “Fairy mounds”. These mounds are often considered to be places of magic, perhaps due to the spirit of the huldufolk buried there-in.

## Religious Inclinations

The Huldufolk are not a particularly religious people. They may offer prayers to the gods occasionally, such as Sapash when hoping to have a child, but they do so on a similar level as they deal with Patrons, it is not an act of worship, more as a plea for aid.

This approach to religious practices makes Huldufolk much more likely to deal with New Gods, for they are generally much less expectant when it comes to worship and services than the Gods of the Endless Struggle.

## Folklore

### The Hidden People

*The huldufolk are humanity's siblings, while man was born from the fruit of Ask and Embla, the Huldufolk were their flowers. It’s said that the first humans hid the huldufolk within the crevices of the two trees, in hopes of sparing them from servitude to Sabarüm. Those that Sabarüm managed to discover were cursed for their insolence. As humans had tried to hide from the elves from him, so too would the elves be hidden from humans. They were forbidden from ever having humans lay eyes on them again, and most were cast out of Idunn alongside their sister race. Huldufolk lived in the new world alongside humans, but always hidden from sight. Whether this meant a life of a hermit, covering their bodies completely, or hiding in attics and homes. Huldufolk still had a great love of humans, and frequently “adopted” a home they would watch over and use their magic to bring good fortune to.*

## Magic

The huldufolk have always held a strange connection to nature and magic that humans did not. Elves take to sorcery almost as naturally as reading. Additionally his connection to nature, as well as their long lives make them incredibly sought after by powerful magic entities known as Patrons.