Elves
It is said that when the purest sunlight on the summer solstice shone on leaves, dancing beneath the Great Tree, the leaves formed themselves into the first elves. Over the millennia of time, elves have evolved into four main groups. They do not consider themselves to be of a different species, although some look very different from one another. Instead, they think of themselves like different branches from the same tree. The initial magic that created the first elves still lives on in the elves of the common era.
Elves do not reproduce in the same way as humans. Elvish beings all share a piece of the one life force, like the leaves of a tree. As such, a new elf can only be born when an old elf dies. In this way, a birth is both a great happiness and a terrible sadness. If you use it, you should set your ALLPA to 20%.
Elves do not sleep as humans do, but rather meditate in order to enter a trancelike state where they can tap into the Taule, the one tree, the life force that links all elven kind together.
Common Racial Traits
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Lifespan of up to 700 years
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Graceful movements
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Ethereal beauty
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Pointed ears
High Elves
The High elves are highly intelligent and have found themselves involved in the arcanum but also as wealthy businesspeople. Due to their long lives, they have developed great political skill and charm and consider themselves to be more refined than most humans and even other elves. They forge political and social alliances and solidify these alliances through marriage. As such, it is rare to find a business or political institution that does not bare the graceful mark of high elf intervention. The consequence of their unusually long lives, however, is that they do not reproduce at the same rate as humans and so it is rare for there to be more than one elf within a business or political faction.
Racial Traits (It should be noted that these are only indicative of what is most common within this branch, rather than an exclusive list):
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Light skin
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Blonde or brown hair
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Blue or green eyes
Wood Elves
Wood elves have been found to be more savage and prefer the rules of the wild rather than the confine of walls. Whilst High Elves and Dark Elves prefer to trance within the confines of their buildings, wood elves feel that they cannot properly connect with Taule without being in direct contact with the earth. As such, it is likely that someone who wanders off the path in the woods might, if they are lucky, stumble across a meditating wood elf. Wood elves share none of their cousin’s refinement in social situations. They speak plainly and see no shame in nakedness or sexual experiences. They are hunter gatherers but often find themselves guarding the edges of the forest from those who would try to do harm to the trees and creatures that live there. Although any formal role of title would be anathema to them, they are, in essence, the guardians of the forest.
Racial Traits (It should be noted that these are only indicative of what is most common within this branch, rather than an exclusive list):
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Tan skin
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Brown or auburn hair
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Hazel, brown or green eyes
Dark Elves
Dark Elves are the most attuned with magic. Even though their eyesight is not so good and they shy away from bright places, they excel with arcane and political knowledge and are often called upon to be councillors and advisors. Some claim that Dark Elves steer the politics of the Telcian Empire from the shadows, and others fear their web of knowledge and magics that reach into even the quietest corners of the political and religious world. (Please note, these are not Drow. Drow don't exist as a race in the world we have created. You are welcome to play a Drow. We are not going to stop you, but all of the cultural references to Lolth and so forth will be met with confusion unless you are talking to like minded dark elves).
Racial Traits (It should be noted that these are only indicative of what is most common within this branch, rather than an exclusive list):
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Taller than average elves
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Dark skin that can range from light grey to deep purples and blues and even onyx black
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Pale eyes
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Monochromatic hair
Pale Elves
The pallid elves are the rarest branch of elvendom and some say that they were once wood elves who turned to magic, using their blood in the first blood magics. Their pale skin is explained by this rumour. They often will be seen in religious organizations or secluded in their own communities to find their identity. They are called the Tseuk and are considered the enemies of the Inash (the wood elves) who believe that they spurned the love of Taule in order to fuel their lust for the arcane.
Racial Traits (It should be noted that these are only indicative of what is most common within this branch, rather than an exclusive list):
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Pale skin
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Pale hair
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Pale eyes
Half Elves
Half elves like most mixed-race peoples walk in two worlds but belong to none. To humans, they look like elves and to elves they look like humans. Many make excellent diplomats who manage to dance the line between the two largest and most powerful species in Telacia. They cannot access Taule in the trance, but rather sleep like humans.
Racial Traits are dependent on their parentage.
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