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Elves
Lore created by heliacalrisen
All Elves are characterized by long, pointed ears and slender builds. They are mostly agile people, and have a strong affinity to magic.
Elves are an ancient people, though they have evolved greatly since the ancient times. They are extremely adaptable, and extremely varied in cultures. They have moved all over Achelois, though there are certain areas where concentrated populace of the different Elf Races can typically be seen.
All Elves believe in the Elvhen God Pantheon. This is a vast collection of varying Gods and Goddesses; though each one resembles an Etheral Elf (at least according to the Elves). The Elvhen God Pantheon has come around to be believed in by more than just the Elves; but it is ultimately a matter of individuals and what they wish to believe.
Some Elves sport magical tattoos, which are a testament of their power. It is said only the greatest of Elven Sorcerers have this trait, and it is rare to see. These tattoos vary in color for each particular race of Elf.
High Elves will have gold tattoos.
Dark Elves will have pitch black tattoos.
Snow Elves will have glowing white tattoos.
Wood Elves will have bright green tattoos.
Common and Half Elves will have tattoos that are slightly darker than their natural skin tone (these can and have been mistaken as intricate scars by some of the uneducated populace).
Despite the magical tattoos, Elves can be normally tattoo'd as well. Though it is considered taboo to get a tattoo with the colors of a magical tattoo. This is considered misleading, and generally will see the Elf who has done this shunned by all other Elves.
High Elves
High Elves go back to the very founding of the Elf race as a whole. They are the first Elves, and they will not let anyone forget it. They are very prideful and arrogant, and they condescend the other Elves as they believe themselves better and the sole true Elves. They own a good three quarters of the entirety of the Southern Gardens. They stay out of the forests, as that is not their territory. They sacrificed a quarter of their territory to banish the Dark Elves into, and they block all other Elves from living in their massive cities. Other Elves can visit; except for Dark Elves. They also treat Half Elves like dirt; preferring Half-Bloods (derogatory term they coined for Half Elves) to stay out of their Kingdom.
High Elves are the high society of the Elves. They live in extravagant mansions, some even in castles. There is nothing that is not elegant or beautiful in their lands; they make sure everything is perfect; their architecture is precise and built out of a sheer will to show off.
High Elf fashion is elegant, overly-detailed clothes. They adore gold embroidery and flowing silks. Some prefer elegant and detailed armor. There is never anything simple about them; they strive to be the most beautiful race of all.
High Elf magic is the most sophisticated and potent of all the magic that runs through all of Elven kind. High Elves are the most connected with Divine Magics, and most of what is known of the Divine Magics comes from their study and advances into it. They dislike sharing their knowledge, but they will for the right price (bribery with gold gets Witches the farthest). High Elves also have a strong affinity for the school of Fire Magic, though have been known to dabble in other Elemental Magics. Divine and Light Magics are the fields that they excel the most in naturally.
When it comes to religion, all High Elves believe in the Elvhen God Pantheon. They have shrines dedicated to each and every God and Goddess within the Pantheon in their many cities. Several cities even bear the name of a God or Goddess from the Pantheon. High Elves keep a tight and cohesive documented history of their Pantheon and they guard it fiercely. If any other race wishes to learn, they will be taught through word of mouth. No race other than the High Elves are ever allowed to touch the Sacred Texts; and even within that, the High Elves only allow Pantheon Priests to handle the texts.
Dark Elves
Dark Elves are the first break off race from High Elves. Dark Elves were born from a group of High Elves who dabbled too far into Dark Magics, and as a result were changed generation by generation into the darker appearance they hold to date. As a result, High Elves eventually declared war upon them for being corrupt. They were pushed into squalor by the angered High Elves, and given a mere single quarter of the Southern Gardens. Forced to live in ruins that the High Elves kept destroying, the Dark Elves are the most embittered of the Elves. Most who want a better life have since abandoned the Southern Gardens completely and traveled elsewhere - anywhere that isn't the Southern Gardens - just to get away from the High Elves and their cruel treatment.
Dark Elves have a rather unique trait; over their lives, their sclera tends to change from light greyish-white to sheer midnight black. A change that is entirely dependent on how much Dark Magic they use. The more Dark Magic they use, the darker their sclera becomes. It's a way to know just how far down the Dark Magic road a Dark Elf has gone, and is often a point others use to judge them. Often those with pitch black sclera are executed by High Elves on the spot for being too corrupted. In other areas, those who have darker sclera have been given wide berths; they are generally more distrusted.
Dark Elves are used to living in poverty and squalor. Most of their architecture is bare bones, as it keeps being destroyed. Though those deeper into their given territories have adopted rather gothic architecture. Those who live outside of the Southern Gardens also gravitate toward gothic architecture.
Dark Elf fashion is dark, gothic, and can be rather simple at times. They make do with what they have; but when given the choice, they prefer darker robes, often giving them an imposing apparent. Gothic tends to be a common theme among them, as well as the typical Dark Mage robes often adorn them. Most dislike form fitting clothing; though it is not uncommon to see form fitting clothing on Dark Elf assassins, as some become predisposed to the occupation.
Dark Elf magic is not too far off from their title; they are deep within the darker and more forbidden magics. They work best with Shadows, Curses, Hexes, and the more destructive forces of magic. Trickery and destruction are common magic trees for them to excel in; though they are not limited to this magic. They can use other magics - however it takes them much longer to learn and takes years of practice for them to get it right. This is why those with the lighter scleras are far more accepted; they put the time and work in to go against their darker beginnings and pulls.
Their religion follows the Elvhen God Pantheon, but most pray to the darker Gods and Goddesses that the High Elves steer away from. There are few shrines; but the Dark Elves do sometimes dedicate time to worship. Each Dark Elf has different beliefs, and it is up to the individual to decide what they believe in.
Snow Elves
Snow Elves are believed to have once been High Elves that grew disillusioned with the High Elf ways that were banished to the Frostlands. There are conflicting stories, but the ones most loyal to the Frostlands and the deepest in tell the story as the Lady of the North blessed them, changing them into the Snow Elves they are now known as, as well as tasking them with growing and caring for the Moonfrost Flowers with the protection of the native Lekyr. Not every Snow Elf believes this, however, and those who live on the outer ring of the Frostlands will state it's simple evolution. Snow Elves will never leave the cold; they often get ill in heat. It is rare to see them outside of the Frostlands.
Snow Elves on both the outer and inner ring of the Frostlands often prefer simple cabins to live in. They are a people that work from what nature gives them, very similarly to the Wood Elves. Though those on the outer ring are not picky and will often move in with a spouse when they find one, regardless of where they live.
Snow Elves have a natural resistance to the cold, and as a result their fashion often isn't all that warm. They seem to wear silks, most of which are imported and traded to them from the outer ring towns. Inner ring Snow Elves will trade furs for silks and various other delicacies they cannot naturally get from the Frostlands.
Snow Elf magic is simple; they are able to manipulate the snow and ice around them with ease. Those on the inner ring also show an ability to cultivate and care for the extremely rare Moonfrost Flower. This is considered a great magical talent, and nothing short of a blessing from the Lady of the North herself.
Religion is split between outer ring Snow Elves and Inner Ring Snow Elves. Outer ring Snow Elves still believe in their God Pantheon, though they won't outright deny the Lady of the North's very existence. They simply will not accredit their existence to her, nor do they worship her. Because of this, outer ring Snow Elves will not go too far into the Frostlands, as those who do not respect the Lady of the North are often killed by the Lekyr. Those on the inner ring believe in the Lady of the North fully and accredit their very existence to her. They no longer worship the Pantheon, and have dedicated their lives to serving the Lady of the North. The Lekyr of the inner ring will protect villages of these Snow Elves; especially as they are the Lady of the North's Chosen; gifted the unique ability to grow the Moonfrost Flower.
Their belief does not give them passage into the Heart of the Frostlands, and no Snow Elf will venture that far of fear of a swift death. Some elder Snow Elves have been known to take the journey however; stating it as a Great Journey. These Snow Elves intend to give their bodies to the Guards of the Lady of the North to further sustain them. They consider it a great honor. Though some younger ones will be sent as a punishment if they commit a crime within Snow Elf Society. Crimes that carry this sentence are Grand Larceny, Murder, and Destruction of Moonfrost Flowers.
Wood Elves
Wood Elves were the third race of Elf to be recognized. These Elves were born of the High Elves who took to populating the forests. Much like the Snow Elves, Wood Elves were a group of High Elves disillusioned with High Elf society, though this group simply slipped away of their own accord, intending to peacefully live in the various Southern Garden forests. Over time they slowly changed in their makeup to match the land of which they lived off of. They are a peaceful, simplistic people who have given the Pantheon several new nature-based Gods, and have created a whole new way of living that respects the planet and what she gives them. In their society, nothing goes unused and nothing is taken without it fulfilling a need. Moderation governs them. However, should any threat come to them, Wood Elves are known to be unforgiving and relentless in repelling assaults. They will not lift a weapon unless they or their forests are threatened. They protect their people and their land with their lives. They are the one race of Elf that over time, no other race has seen fit to fight.
Wood Elves build all of their own accommodations from the forests they live in. Everything they make has a natural look to it, and every little thing has love and attention to detail put into it. Their homes and items may look simplistic, but it is impossible to miss the amount of love and care that went into crafting it. Wood Elves are excellent crafters, and take pride in their work. It is not uncommon for Wood Elf sculptures to be highly sought after in other societies for the natural beauty. Wood Elves even build their own weapons, and have been known to poison them.
Wood Elf clothing is very natural looking in nature. Often their clothes are the bare minimum, and comfortable. They are easy to move around in, and there is never any metal in their clothing, and as such, they are never armored. Most of their clothes are made of hides from animals they hunt. It's all simplistic, but they only craft what they need.
Wood Elf magic centers around nature and the land. Along with this, they are incredibly skilled herbalists and alchemists. They have nature-based healing magics as well at their disposal. Often times incredibly sick races are brought to them, or they are requested to go out to assist in curing what others find incurable. If you find yourself in the care of a Wood Elf when sick, rest assured that a cure for whatever ails you is not too far off.
Wood Elves believe in the Pantheon; though their specific Gods and Goddesses are of the land and nature, as well as the Hunt. They thank their Gods and Goddesses before doing anything. Their prayers are often for bountiful harvests or lucky hunts. They are respectful to their Gods and Goddesses, and as such are a generally well blessed race.
Common Elves
Common Elves are a descendant of Wood Elves. Common Elves inhabit the continents of Freyr and Frejya, walking among the humans. They have evolved to fit in alongside the humans, sporting the variety of human skin tones and a rainbow of different eye colors. The two things that set them apart from the humans at first glance are the long pointed elf ears and the unnatural hair colors. Never will a Common Elf have a natural hair color. Their eyes vary greatly, so the tells have come down to their ears and their hair.
Common Elves live like humans. They will shift their accommodations and style to fit wherever they are living. They fit in well and naturally with human culture.
Common Elves show little to no magical ability. Most are simply incredibly intelligent and able to pick up any profession they find interest in and excel in it far past what a simple human could. Some do exhibit magical abilities, though it is rare, and usually focuses on a singular school of magic (e.g, Light Magic, Fire Magic, Tech Magic). It is unheard of for Common Elves to be able to do any Divine Magic, over time they simply lost the connection.
Common Elves range in what they believe in. Some believe in the Pantheon, others believe in the human Gods and Goddesses, and some hold no religious beliefs at all.
Half Elves
Half Elves are the product of a Common Elf and a human getting together. They reside mainly in the continents of Freyr and Frejya, though some like to travel and see the world. Half Elves are generally unwelcome within the Southern Gardens as most of it is High Elf territory and High Elves despise their very existence.
Half Elves are characterized namely by their shorter pointed ears, which tend to be drastically shorter then their Common Elf counterparts, but bigger than their human counterparts. Half Elves have exclusively unnatural eye colors which often stand out. This is said to characterize their ability to use magic.
Half Elves are more likely to inherit magical ability. They tend to focus solely on a single school of magic, though rarely they can learn a second one. They often dedicate their lives to learning their chosen school of magic and trying to trail-blaze within it. A lot of the newer spells in the basic schools of magic are often pioneered by Half Elves. Some use this to their advantage and become magic teachers, though they only teach out of the Freyr and Frejya continents as they are not welcome to live amongst the Witches (a fact most resent deeply).
Most Half Elves do not believe in any Gods or Goddesses, though it ranges per Half Elf what they are willing to believe in.
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