High Elves

**High elves**, also sometimes referred to as **lesser eladrin**, were graceful warriors and wizards who originated from the enchanted forest.

## Description

High elves were roughly of human height, standing from 5'5"-6'1"ft-in on average, but were lighter, weighing from 130-180lb. Even exceptionally strong high elves looked rather slim compared with other races, looking athletic rather than muscular. Most high elves were fair-skinned. Most high elves had black hair, with silvery hues were common while blond or copper hues were more common among them. This hair was often worn long and loose.

High elven eyes were most commonly green, with some uncommonly possessing golden eyes or exhibiting blue hues. Violet eyes were also not unheard of, though rarer. High elves native to the enchanted forest lacked pupils and had eyes that appeared to be solid orbs of color while more common varieties of high elves exhibited eyes of normal color except for the gold-speckled appearance.

High elves, like elves, grew at a decelerating rate throughout their lives. Very young high elves matured at a rate comparable with humans but during adolescence slowed to a near stop until about 110 years of age, at which point high elves were considered mature. Elves then remained vigorous and active until the middle of their third century. Even so, after this, most high elves suffered few of the infirmities of old age that plagued other races, remaining full of life until the end.

Common to all high elves was the fact that they didn't sleep. Instead, they entered a trance, also known as a “reverie”, for four hours a day. During this time they meditated on recent events.

## Abilities

High elves were graceful, intelligent beings, with a greater capacity for intelligence than most humanoid races while also possessing an agility comparable with their elven kin. High elves were also unusually strong-willed and had a natural resistance to the effects of enchantment spells. High elves also had no need for sleep in the same way most humanoids did, instead going into a trance. While in a trance, high elves remained fully aware of their immediate surroundings. Furthermore, high elves needed only rest for four hours to get the same effect that most other humanoids got from eight hours of sleep.

## Psychology

Due to their longevity and strong ties to the otherworldly magic of the enchanted forest, high elves had a detached view of the world outside of their sphere. High elves as a whole had difficulty believing that the events occurring over mere "years" affected them in any major way, with the exception of major tragedies. High elves instead looked at things from a much longer perspective, unconcerned with anything that had consequences that stretched over anything less than decades. However, while some high elves were content to seclude themselves, others stalked the lands as champions battling the evil just outside of a high elven city's magical wards.

This detached view of the world could make high elves seem distant and intimidating, not to mention haughty and arrogant. Furthermore, the powerful magical nature of high elves might frighten less magically talented races. High elves, however, took friendships quickly to heart and could react with rage when their compatriots are threatened. Combined with their general intelligence, bravery, and arcane power, this loyalty to friends made them formidable allies and dangerous enemies.

Though perhaps haughty in their view of it, many felt a need to explore the world around them and were curious, particularly in their youth.

## Society

### Culture

High elven society long straddled the boundary between the worlds. High elven cities were magnificent marvels of elegant architecture made of wondrous towers and structures that blended seamlessly into places of natural beauty. Many high elven cities were found in locations where the border between the worlds was particularly thin—isolated mountain vales, green islands, storm-wracked coasts, and the deepest reaches of ancient forests. Some high elven realms existed entirely in the enchanted forest, or at least partially so. Many of these cities crossed over occasionally into the world before winking out of existence entirely.

High elves lived in grace with the touch of magic found throughout their lives, the patron gods of all nature but particularly their chief creation the high elves. High elven practices of all sorts were influenced by this from dance and song to swordplay and wizardry. The cities of the high elves were stunning locations of beauty, formed and shaped by the blending of magic with graceful and elegant designs.

High elven clothing was often simple and functional, but did not lack beauty and grace any more than other clothing, with complex and beautiful patterns woven into the cloth. The clothing, while otherwise non-fanciful, was often made of superior materials to those used in other clothes. Most high elves preferred clothing of natural colors such as green, but others wore garments of garish hues, particularly during holy days or festivals.

Most high elves trained themselves in the use of a longsword, a weapon important to their culture, religion, and heritage.

### Relations with other races

Although most high elves resided in isolated communities of their kin, a few had interests or dealings in the outside world, and it was not uncommon to find high elves living among dragonborn, dwarves, other elves, humans. Though xenophobia was also not uncommon.

## History

High elves, unlike wood elves who appeared conspicuously absent from the enchanted forest, were not in fact native to the world, having emigrated from the enchanted forest. Further migrations to Oracle occurred when the elves, first arrived. These early settlements were early enough that, when the elves split, other elves and high elves ended up on both worlds.

Through the efforts of these early high elf settlers, the Time of Dragons was brought to an end, resulting in the temporary dominance of wood elves and high elves over all of Oracle.

## Homelands

High elves were found most commonly either in the enchanted forest or on the world.

## High Elven Subraces

Many varieties of high elves existed, though some later went extinct or evolved into entirely separate races.