Elf

**Elves** (Scientific Name: *Alfus alfus*) are a grouping of humanlike primates that originated from a continent known as Phiasica. Their population, a lot like humans, are various, though are not as populous as their great ape counterparts. Elves are well known for their "pointy ear" traits, due to them being specifically evolved for enhanced hearing. Elves formerly used to be said to be non-existent due to their rather limited time on the continent, but it was not until the varying exploration missions that they had conducted from their Kingdoms back east, where they would decide to come and live in the region. Many people often group elves as one monoracial, monolingual and monocultural entity, often calling any elven civilization "The Elves". Though, this is far from the truth, as elves are just as diverse and divided as humans are. A common misconception also comes that they are a "perfect species", and that they have "no flaws in their character", which is also false, as division and fighting often occurs even in their homeland, and abroad, with an example being the Valadórran Revolution, which saw the Adobe Elves break apart from their motherland and form their own empire.

Elves have a strange phenotypic mutation that happens when an Elf lives in a particular region for two generations, their skin will begin to adapt to their environment, which changes their skin tone and their appearance. It is not known how this is possible, but this is likely something that has to do with their inherent magical properties.

## Etymology

The word "Elf" is an exonym, which was said to have come from the Gelumyrian word "Elxfya" (Pronounced: *El-sh-f-ia*). It was first used when a Gelumyrian merchant met with an elven explorer who originated from a Kingdom known as "Gelphe". The word would eventually start to spread into other nations and tribes of the continent, in which they would start to form into the word "Elf" and "Elves". The Milríol world *Alfo* is a modification of the original Gelumyrian word, brought into Milríol as the Milríolese & Adobe Elves never had a word in their language for their own species (as they did not have the need to distinguish themselves from other sentients at the time).

Many elves do not like being called "Elves", and usually prefer that they refer to them as their ethnic name, since it associates to fairy tales and a lack of such a word in many of their languages. Diplomatic letters from non-elven nations usually use the word "Elf" or "Elves", and many people refer to them as "The Elves". However, elves who do live in settlements that are not their country, adapt to the word, and even themselves, use "elf".

## Early History

Elven skulls dating back over 350,000 years ago were bought over from Phiasican settlements by paleoanthropologists, which indicated that their earliest settlements were along that continent. Their arrival to Grimur is roughly around 3,500-2,000 years ago, with old civilizations being located around the northeastern coast of the continent. Though, this is largely disputed, as varying stories tell that Elves had encounters with the people of Grimur much earlier, and even some "native Grimur" elven settlements, thus leaving the trail to be rather scattered. Paleoanthropologists usually categorize these people as "Elf-like", due to the lack of evidence as of current of elves living on the continent.

Phylogenetically, elves are said to be related to the Cercopithecidae family. Some scientists believe that elves evolved from macaque-like ancestors due to the common behaviors and facial features the two exhibit, becoming humanlike due to convergent evolution. However, other research suggests that they may be a distant relative or related to *Homo erectus*, and is one of the last few surviving species of the genus H*omo*.

## Types of Elves

### Grimur

#### Adobe Elves

**Adobe Elves** or known in Milríol as the *Valadórrans* are elves that reside as a majority in the Valadórran Empire. They are commonly known for their "adobe-looking" skin, hence the name sake of the people, as it ranges from tan to very dark tan due to the climate. Adobe Elves are descendants of the elves whom are colonizers from the Kingdom of Milíria.

### Off-Map or Mentioned

#### Plains Elves

The Plains Elves- or specifically the Milríolese- are mentioned by the Adobe Elves to be the former colonial masters of Valadórra, or at the time, the Viceroy of New Milíria. They are described to be semi-pale, with some having tanner skin depending on the region they originate from of their Kingdom. Various alternative names have been proposed by locals, the most popular being "Gold Elves", due to their affinity with gold, and seeking treasure. Others call them "Conquistador Elves" due to their belligerent nature, while some, who received their accounts, refer to them as "Highland Elves", due to their environment being said to be highlands.

#### Bronze Elves

The Bronze Elves are the ancient elves that founded the Republic of Aespol thousands of years ago. They acquired a bronze skin tone allegedly though contact with the bronze tools they made; however, later "Bronze Elves" used iron tools instead, but were still considered Bronze Elven.