Elves

Stats

+2 Dexterity
+1 Charisma
-2 Strength

Low-light vision: An elf can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination.
Weapon Proficiency: Elves are automatically proficient with longsword, rapier, longbow (including composite longbow), and shortbow (including composite shortbow) weapons.
Keen Sense: An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it.

Skill Affinity (Listen): +2 to Listen
Skill Affinity (Search): +2 to Search
Skill Affinity (Spot): +2 racial bonus to Spot
Bonus Feat: Stealthy
Favored Class: Ranger

The Syl'vae

Creatures of myth to most, Elves remain an enigma even to those who have been fortunate enough to witness their existence firsthand. Most outsiders do not know what to make of the fey-folk up to this day. To some they seem reclusive and shy, and unpredictable, to others haughty, cold, emotionless and remorseless; all agree that Elves and their true nature are a mystery.

Preferring to keep to themselves until just recently, and being elusive like forest shadows, they are only seen when they wish to be seen. These sightings would bring unease to the hearts of outsiders, often due to being an exceptionally rare occurrence; simple minds begin to ask questions about the causes of such an event, about elven motives, but receive no conclusive answers.

Elven presence is haunting; their piercing gazes reflect ageless wisdom while their features betray none of their thoughts and intentions. Outsiders are often left with the impression that the fey-folk know something they don’t, a sentiment that usually has ground, albeit known only to the Syl'vae themselves. Then they fade back into the forest of Tir'Ehtele just as they appeared, silently and without explanations, sharing their truths with no one.

Yet their history and truths speak of a past so very different from present. The Syl'vae once were a carefree, whimsical and life-loving folk; they delighted in celebrations that rivaled Haerkglar feasts in merriment, accompanied by laughter and song, and they mourned the passage of their loved ones with deeply felt pain and tears just like humans. The Rise of the Restless brought about different times; after the loss of many kin, funerals were marked with grim, reverent silence; festivals became an unaffordable luxury, capriciousness gave way to pragmatism, and emotion, while still felt, was locked away and kept out of the way of clear thought so essential in the struggle for survival.

Shared hardships brought elven folk closer together, and where a nation was once separated into families and tribes is now a much smaller community of kinsmen; they defend each other with fierce loyalty, for there are so few of them left. Their curiosity still greets outsiders, but would be cautious, wary. Preferring to observe rather than be observed, elves watch from the distance before even considering interaction, even up to 2-3 decades since the Restless were removed from the woods.

Recent event have changed all of this. With the Sacrifice of the Six the Tir'Ehtele was cleansed of the Restless, allowing the Syl'vae to cease their endless battles with the dead that walk - though some continue to do so. But it was not until the events they term Lir'Aeyen Vai that they have been appearing more and more outside the forests. The Syl'vae seem more driven than ever before, with a zeal for life not previously known, interacting with other races in High Reaches and beyond.

Physiology

Typically taller than humans, elves possess slender frames of wiry muscles, graceful and deadly. While there are some exceptions, their skin tones commonly range from light to dark tans, complimented by hair various shades of browns and greens, making them alike to the very trees they live among, granting innate camouflage. Their almond-shaped eyes come in shades of green, gold, hazel, brown. Elven facial features match their physique and are angular, sharp, and perfectly sculpted to appeal to most eyes; their ears are elegantly elongated and pointed. Elven canines are slightly more prominent than those of humans, due to their diet.

Elves reach adulthood at approximately 60-80 years and live up to 350 years. They tend to adapt to the time passage of their immediate environment, so those living in the ancient forests tend to spend their time in long-spanning tasks, while those that decide for whatever reason to observe other races find themselves carried away by the observed race's pace. An elf will never feel 'bored' observing an oak sapling growing up, but may feel the rush for the next adventure if he has spent years amidst young humans.

Contrary to most other races, elves do not sleep or dream and generally can't be forced to. An elf chooses a span of two to four hours per day to rest and meditate, entering a state of self induced trance that they call 'Shen'leya', which roughly translates to common as Cogitation. This can be done at any time of the day or night and lack of such does not bother the elf until a few days go by. In that trance, the elf relives memories almost consciously, a process that elders say gives the mind repose and attunes the spirit to all. Indeed, it has been observed that the choice of those memories typically reflects the general condition of the elf's environment, most commonly the forest. Sleep-inducing magical effects appear to merely knock an elf unconscious.

Such frequent recalls of elves’ memories play a vital role in maintaining the sense of self over the long spans of their lives; during Shen’leya elves are reminded of the paths they have walked and experiences that made them who they are. Thus elves retain their individuality even while being closely connected to their kin, and it is because of these meditations that elves are sometimes difficult to influence by both mundane and magical means.

Elves are omnivores and indeed choose a wide variety of food as to avoid laying too heavy a burden on any part of nature. Their choices differ with the seasons: they consume herbs, fruits and berries, roots, mushrooms and nuts during summer and part of autumn, with meat of hunted animals being added to their diet later in the year; fish and provisions gathered and preserved, traditionally salted, dried or honeyed previously, are favoured during winter and early spring. The use of fire for cooking is minimal, the only exception being baked pastry; elves prefer fresh vegetation and raw meat and fish, prepared with the use of a great number of condiments with flavours from bitter to sweet.

Elves enjoy a wide variety of beverages; herbs, honey, berries and fruits are the most common sources of brews, both cold and hot, and juices, and wines that are typically aged for centuries, whatever the recipe, and would likely impress most humans knowledgeable in the subject.

Government

The Thalasse

More information about Elven Society, History, Location, Government and more can be found by logging into the Elven forum.