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Elves are a humanoid species. They are native only to Atlantis but may be found in small numbers throughout all islands within Terracopia. Elves prefer temperate climates. Elves are a player-character species.

[edit] Physiology

Elves are slender humanoid mammals with skin color that varies among all shades, with russet being the most common. They typically have thick, curly hair of all shades, though hair types of all kinds are not unheard of. They do not grow facial hair. Elves have a natural lifespan of 90 years, and reach physical maturity after 16.

Elves usually have almond shaped eyes of various colors. They possess no special visual abilities.

Elves are especially vulnerable to Corruption.

[edit] Ecology

Elves are biologically omnivorous but socially vegetarian. The primary elf diet consists of a variety of berries and plants obtained from the forests they call home.

Elven society prides itself on its culinary capabilities.

[edit] Society

Most elven societies are republican oligarchies led by a "council of elders". This council can be elected or inherited. Some elven societies are religious oligarchies, controlled by the priesthood.

Elvish society is extremely xenophobic, racist, and isolationist. As a whole, they do not believe that other, "lesser," species have a right to live. The Atlantean elves have several times embarked upon genocidal crusades throughout Terracopia, only to be defeated.

Elvish society depends a great deal upon slavery. Most slaves are Human or Orcish, but they have been known to enslave Goblins and Dwarves.

Elvish young are raised by their parents, but usually attend formal schooling until they reach the age of 20.

[edit] History

While history does not record which species was truly the first to be created, it does record that the elves were the first species to have an organized society. In times of old, during the Age of Fables, the Empire of Atlantis covered most of the land that would eventually become the archipelago of Terracopia. To this day, ancient elven ruins are found, still hidden in valleys and vales, silent remnants of a dead and glorious age of conquest.

The Old Kingdom, as it is now known, was an empire of magick, heavily bound to the control and use of elemental creatures. Humans, Dwarves, and Orcs were all enslaved by the elven overlords, whose sorcerous might paled all those who would stand before them. For several hundreds of years it was thus. The Old Kingdom grew decadent, their kings cruel, and their sorcery powerful.

However, a great and virulent plague swept through the Old Kingdom, killing millions within the space of a few short months.

Riders seeking aid from stricken towns carried death with them, infecting each town into which they rode before dying themselves. Elvish magick could not cure the disease - only slow it for a time, and this itself was an exhaustive process.

Cities and towns that were once great were reduced to silent buildings, choking with the stench of the dead, leaving handfuls of slaves blinking in the light of sudden freedom, as the plague struck only Elves and cattle.

Only Atlantis was spared this touch of death. Ships carrying the infected were burned in the harbor and the Emperor forbade any to leave the island for a period of one hundred years. Thus ended the Old Kingdom.

The dream of the Old Kingdom still haunts the Atlanteans, and serves as a painful memory of what they had wrought and lost. Many elves believed that the plague was a punishment from the gods, while others sought villains in their former slaves. The Old Kingdom has served as a rallying cry for the elvish armies: they still believe that it is their right to rule all the lands of the earth.

[edit] Religion

Elves refer to themselves as El-Mar, which translates literally to "the Highborn." Early mythology states that the god Haephus created Dwarves, Orcs, Humans, and then Elves (in that order) - but that all of his previous attempts were botched and imperfect. It is because of this that they have a cultural belief that all other species are "lesser" beings.

Over time, the Elves began to believe that it was their duty to purge the world of their god's mistakes when possible. Many wars were fought over this belief.

However, modern Elves do not believe that there are any true "gods." They believe that all things that are worshipped as such are either extremely powerful Elementals or Daemons (Haephus has been relegated to the status of an elemental).

However, this has not dampened their xenophobic tendencies, as what has replaced the worship of Haephus is a sort of evolutionary philosophy that dictates that all species have a "Moral Soul" and that it is the duty of the greater Moral Souls to dominate those beneath them. Naturally, the Elves believe they have the strongest Moral Souls.

[edit] Technology

Elves are considered one of the enlightened species due to their capacity to use technology. However, elves generally avoid modern technologies (such as steam-powered devices), preferring to use sorcery to meet their needs.

[edit] Sorcery

Elves are extremely adept at sorcery and all forms of magick, especially alchemy. Elvish society treats magick as an everyday occurrence; it is deeply ingrained in their day-to-day life.

[edit] Game Notes

• Players who select this as their species will not be able to choose a facial hair type (it is automatically set to "none") nor will they be able to choose an eye type (it will automatically be set to "almond shaped").