Elf

The elves, known as the alvoran in their own tongue, are an ancient species created in the Alvoran era nearly one million years before written history. The primordials, great creations of the Shattered God itself, required guardians for the natural world they had built from the bones of the earth, and created physical shells for the natural spirits, charging the world with its own protection in that way. The elves spread across the world and flourished within the deepest spaces most easily secured by their powers and connections to the spirits around them. From their core realms in nearly every climate, the elves fought to balance the forces within the world, serving the primordials in this function in the smaller and more detailed ways the primordials had no time for performing themselves. The elves kept this vigil from the Alvoran era to the current day, fighting vile corruptions, planar infestations, and shattering careless empires. It is only in recent days the elves have been given pause, as more of their number look to civilization and lose ground against forces greater than themselves.

Elves are separated into subspecies based on the location of their birth, rather than the subspecies of their parents. These are generally easy to distinguish from one another, with traits specific to living and interacting with their environment. A forest elf will be tall with strong legs for climbing and leaping between tree branches, while a city elf will be of human stature and slim, easily moving between alleyways and rooftops while blending in with human crowds. Elven parents traditionally visit their home to give birth in the interest of giving birth to the same subspecies. Two elven subspecies interbreeding will result in a mix of certain cosmetic physical features, but the child will take most traits from the subspecies of their birthplace.

Sexual dimorphism is very minor, with males growing sparse facial hair and females producing breast milk with small changes to anatomy. There is little difference in average musculature, bone structure, or general cosmetic features.

### Basic Information

#### Anatomy

Elves stand between 175 cm to 275 cm in height, though certain rare subspecies may stand wildly outside of this range. Skin color matches the general color of their birthplace, lending them to easy camouflage. Hair color is normally a secondary average color, but if the parents are different subspecies it can result in a mix of the two. Elves tend to be slender in most cases, unless their surroundings necessitate a larger build, with a focus on ease of movement and defensive actions. Many elven features are a close match to apex predators of the region of their birth, causing instinctive responses in wildlife.

#### Genetics and Reproduction

Elves take decades to reproduce, with short windows of ovulation amidst long periods of unviability. Elves may change sexes depending on available mates and population levels, requiring a conscious effort and a large supply of food. The resulting pregnancy takes an average of 75 weeks, though this can differ based on the mother's subspecies and available resources.

#### Growth Rate & Stages

Elves in most subspecies reach adulthood near the age of 100 years, differing by about ten years more or less, when they are capable of reproduction. Children will gradually grow in stages from infant to pubescent to adulthood.

### Additional Information

#### Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Elves are incredibly adept at survival and movement within their subspecies' natural surroundings, whether through stealth or sheer brute force. Most elves have a natural affinity for spiritual magics and connections, able to communicate with the nature spirits of their home region. A forest elf may see easily through the dark underbrush, and pick out a trail through even the most wild overgrowth, while a desert elf can navigate across miles of endless sand and smell any water through the hot, dry air.