Night Elf

The **night elves**, or *Kaldorei* as they are known in their own tongue (meaning 'Children of the Stars'), are an elusive, nocturnal race dwelling in the wild woodlands of northern Kalimdor. Blessed with everlasting life, they have watched over the world for more than ten thousand years, and have come to shape much of its long history, for indeed they are counted among its very oldest inhabitants.

## Appearance and traits

### Overview

Night elves are tall and lithesome beings, with few reaching below the seven feet of height. They possess dark skin of various tones of violet, pointed long ears that may come in varying shapes, and manes of hair that take many different colours: blue, black, brown and white, silver, green and violet and in some extraordinary cases even a golden blonde. Their eyes are wide and pupil-less and are able to see even in the total absence of any source of light with perfect clarity, though they are easily blinded and hurt by bright lights. Those same eyes radiate a glow of white, amber, blue or green, while their teeth boast prominent, sharp canines in what is likely a vestigial remnant of their most ancient days, before the elves knew how to hunt with bow or spear.

### Shadowmelding

All night elves are born with the inherent ability to fade into invisibility within the darkness, which they consider a blessing from their goddess Elune, though any light can reveal them if they are unwary.

### Nocturnality

During the day, night elves take refuge in the coolness of the shadow and rest until the next moonrise. For indeed night elves shirk from the sunlight and find great difficulty in bearing it. It is strenuous for a night elf to see clearly in broad daylight, and the heat of the sun wearies them greatly, slowing their movements and clouding their minds, all things that are entwined with the mystical nature of their race.

During the night, however, a night elf is a formidable being. They can move quickly and silently and are nearly tireless for as long as the stars shine above them. They can cover vast distances on bare foot and can exhibit remarkable feats of endurance, agility and strength. The channelling of any magic, regardless of its form, comes far easier during the night as well.

A night elf is able to remain awake without sleep for incredible periods of time, weeks at the most, though this takes much effort and it is not usually practiced, as a night elf normally takes to the slumber every day at daybreak.

### Immortality

Night elves are immortal, their forms face neither dimming or decay by the ceaseless passage of time. Most look neither young nor old, though the very youngest will not look so until they have reached their maturity at the age of five and twenty. No night elf has been born with either sickness or defect, as all their children always come into the world strong and vigorous, and for all their ageless lives they cannot fall prey to disease of any sort. Such wondrous graces are owed entirely to the Blessings of the Aspects, but these do not elevate night elves above the reach of death. A night elf may still be killed by many things, whether it is a blade in battle, the venom of a foul beast or mere ill fortune.