Elves

### Overview

Elves are a diverse species of humanoids native to the continent of Syl'anar. Their lives span numerous centuries and they lived as such in relative isolation before colonization of their continent by humans began a little more than three hundred years ago. Since that time, the elven population has been decimated and their species largely enslaved by humanity. Their culture largely destroyed, they now exist as maids, manual laborers, and menial workers, and are subject to constant sexual and physical violence, in addition to general mistreatment.

Humans maintain strict legal control over elves primarily due to economics. Elves are first of all prohibited from leaving their home continent. They are not allowed to visit or live in The Capitol or any other area of the world outside of Syl'anar, even if enslaved.

### Systemic Slavery

Elves exist under a system of chattel slavery where elves are treated much like livestock and are not allowed to exist free from bondage. Any elf found to be living without a master is subject to enslavement by the first human to find and claim them. This means that even living outside of human settlements provides no permanent safety.

Humans maintain their control over elves through a variety of methods. Fear of punishment is the primary motivation as elves can be abused or mistreated by their masters without much repercussion. Fear is also a tactic used to encourage the human population to support, if not participate, in slavery themselves.

The primary method to used to reduce physical abuse and outright murder is the financial incentive of a healthy slave. By commodotizing the elves, their monetary value to other people as employees and servants works to keeps them alive and relatively healthy. However this means that they are often sold or exchanged, breaking up families and favorable living conditions.

As elves are an intelligent species, humans use this against elves by encouraging them to improve their own value through "good" behavior and training. Furthermore, the regulation of sales only to registered owners means that the government retains the ability to revoke the right to own slaves. This lets the government modulate whatever level of treatment of elves they deem most beneficial to the economy.

This system is the culmination of a long progression of ostensibly "progressive" actions toward slavery. Elves were killed and exterminated in large numbers in the past, especially during the Crusades and subsequent colonization. Once in firm control, though, humans gradually developed their efforts toward a system of harsh exploitation which has grown somewhat less oppressive. In fact, the current minister of elves, Mr. Cornwall, presents himself honestly as a proponent and protector of elvenkind, championing certain rights, while facilitating the continued enslavement of their species.

### Elven Biology

Male members of the species are treated differently than the females. In addition to sexual slavery, females are more frequently employed domestically or given jobs which humans do not wish to bear the encumbrance of wages or the cost of maintaining an android. In the meantime, males are required to do farm work or other physical labor. This seems to reflect a greater sense of fear around their gender, which demands separation from human population centers.

Despite propaganda, Elves are in many ways superior to human beings. In addition to their longevity, they tend to have better vision, more developed immune systems, and extensive memories. Where humans have critical advantages is their ability to breed and to learn more rapidly than elves. Learning in particular is often portrayed and perceived as an inability of elves, but is likely a comparative disadvantage and one of the adaptations which makes humans more dominant and more advanced technologically.

### Known Sub-Species of Elves

There are four major sub-species of elves known by humans to exist:

* Common Elves - Common elves are the most populous of the enslaved elves, hence their designation. They tend to have yellow or brown eyes, pale skin, with ears close to their heads amid generally black hair. They are relatively small in stature and weight compared to other elves but live a longer time.
* Dark Elves - With deep brown skin and purple eyes, dark elves tend to be striking. Their hair can be of a number of colors with ears that project further up than Common elves. They are known as being more promiscuous, but they are also stealthy warriors with the ability to see clearly in the dark.
* Desert Elves - Desert elves tend to have tan skin and brown hair with brown or auburn eyes. Their ears project further from their heads than other elf species. Although they do not live as long, they are excellent warriors and do their best to maintain their traditions.
* Drow - With mauve or purple skin, red eyes and white hair, the Drow are not regarded by other elves as being elves at all, despite having similar physiology. In addition to being significantly taller they are also considered less intelligent than other elves and even savage without any society beyond their immediate family with whom they live in caves. They are, however, extremely strong and rather unpredictable making them dangerous to enslave.

*Note: there are rumors of other elven sub-species lost to history, although these are unknown to humans busy controlling those they do know. For more details on elves and other races -- including spoilers -- visit the page on Humanoid Races of Harem Hotel.* *(This page reveals lore which may spoil the developing story for those new to Harem Hotel.*)

### Elven Relationships

Many elves regard the other sub-species of elves with suspicion or disdain. They note their shortcomings and often portray other elf types as inferior. Enslaved elves generally express little concern about interactions probably due to their overall predicament and lack of control.

As elves are able to inter-mix, various cross-breeds between the sub-species exist. Thus the genetic indicators above can vary signficantly as much as those of humans. As mentioned before, elves do not procreate as easily as humans and thus they are able to avoid interbreeding more easily.

Due to the history of sexual violence, there is also a history of human/elven offspring, or "half-elves" as the two species can procreate. Many humans in Syl'anar display genetic markers showing inter-species mixing. Half-elves have pointed ears which are far smaller than elves.

True half-elves, with one elven and one human parent, are also highly illegal. Humans responsible for a half-elf can be heavily fined and have their license to own slaves revoked while elves fathering or giving birth to a half-elf can be killed. Half-elves themselves are also penalized because they lack even the minor rights given to elves. This makes them valuable slaves to those who can afford one since there are no protections whatsoever from abuse or worse.