The long-lived Saelfsidhedai [say-ELF-she-die], also known as Elves, are children of the natural world, similar in many superficial ways to fey creatures, yet definitively rooted in the workings of this world. Elves value their privacy and traditions, especially after the horrors of The Rivening when their numbers were decimated and their cities were swallowed whole by the very earth.

They are often slow to make friends, at both the personal and national levels, though once an outsider is accepted as a comrade, such alliances can last for generations. Elves have a curious attachment to their surroundings, perhaps as a result of their incredibly long lifespans or some deeper, more mystical reason. Elves who dwell in a region for long find themselves physically adapting to match their surroundings, taking on the coloration reflecting the local environment.

Those Elves that spend their lives among the short-lived races often develop a skewed perception of mortality and become morose, the result of watching wave after wave of companions age and die before their eyes.

Physical Description

Generally taller than humans, Elves possess a graceful, fragile physique that is accentuated by their long, pointed ears. Their eyes are wide and almond-shaped, and filled large vibrantly colored pupils, while Elven clothing often plays off the beauty of the natural world, those elves that live in cities tend to bedeck themselves in the latest fashion.

Society

Many Elves feel a bond with nature and strive to live in harmony with the natural world. Most, however, find manipulating earth and stone to be distasteful, and prefer instead to indulge in the finer arts with their inborn patience making them particularly suited to wizardry.

Before The Rivening, the Saelfsidhedai lived in great forest cities with, ruled by an aristocratic class with several great Houses. After the great disaster destroyed their civilization, they became nomadic tribes for a time, fighting each other and the other races for vital resources. Now that civilization is reemerging from the ruins of disaster, the Elven clans have banded together into settlements that, while dwarfed by the cities of their past, can now be called sizable and thriving.

Relations

Elves are prone to dismissing other races, writing them off as rash and impulsive, yet they are excellent judges of character. An Elf might not want a Dwarf neighbor, but would be the first to acknowledge that dwarf’s skill at smithing. They regard Halflings with a measure of pity, for these small folk seem to the Elves to be adrift, without a traditional home.

Elves are fascinated by humans, as evidenced by the number of Half-Elves in the world, even if they usually disown such offspring.

They regard Half-Orcs with distrust and suspicion.

Alignment and Religion

Elves are emotional and capricious, yet value kindness and beauty. Most Elves are Chaotic Good. Most worship the primary Elven goddess, Celandian the Stargazer, though others worship Eltheriel, the Spellweaver, and Findenrior, the Huntsman.

Adventurers

Many Elves embark on adventures out of a desire to explore the world, leaving their secluded forest realms to reclaim forgotten Elven magic or search out lost kingdoms established millennia ago by their forefathers.

For those raised among humans, the ephemeral and unfettered life of an adventurer holds natural appeal. Elves generally eschew melee because of their frailty, preferring instead to pursue classes such as Wizards and Rangers.

Popular Names

Male : Aelaldan, Aeramdel, Caldriel, Crisemlas, Heldalel, Lanliss, Meirdrarel, Railras, Rilinior, Seldlon, Sindevorn, Talthel, Variel, Zordlon

Female : Amrunelara, Anadadel, Dardlara, Faresriel, Faunra, Imadedel, Jathal, Lendthalwen, Merisiel, Oparal, Rilolwe, Soumral, Tessara, Yalandlara