Elf - The World of Syphora

> [!infobox] > >> [!caption] >> ![[example-elf.png]] >> Art of a high elf, King Aeon Axonder > ###### Biological Information > | | | > | ---- | ---- | > | **Type** | [[Humanoid]] | > | **Subspecies** | - Luxael (high elf) - Solael (sun elf) - Lunael (moon elf) - Silvael (wood elf) - Aquael (sea elf) - Noxael (dark elf) | > | **Vision** | Darkvision | > | **Abilities** | - Fey Ancestry - Trance | > > ##### Physical Information > | | | > | ---- | ---- | > | **Size** | Medium | > | **Lifespan** | 500-750 years | > | **Average height** | 5'9" - 5'11" | > | **Distinctions** | Pointed ears | > > ##### Sociocultural Information > | | | > | ---- | ---- | > | **Language** | Elvish | > | **Planes** | - Material Plane ([[Syphora]]) - [[Feywild]] | > | **Notable members** | - [[Ingalante Calion]] (solael) - [[Aeon Axonder]] (luxael) | **Elves** are a [[humanoid]] race said to have been the first humanoids crafted by [[Saia|the Goddess]] herself. Beside this, they are known for their pointed ears, lithe build, exceedingly long lifespans, and scarcity within most societies. ## Description #### **Appearance ...** With an appearance similar to [[human|humans]] in many regards, elves are first identified by their long, pointed ears and, in most cases, lithe or tall builds. They often present themselves in a graceful manner that showcases their almost supernatural beauty. Typically taller than the average [[human]], elven skin tones, eye color, and hair color vary wildly depending on the type of elf they are—From natural pale skin and platinum blond hair to blue skin and green hair. Although most elves have skin tones akin to humans, they are often far warmer or colder, and therefore contribute to their exceptionally otherworldly appearance. While luxael and lunael tend to have pale and bright skin and hair, solael and silvael tend towards darker tones. Although their pigments may differ or overlap, aquael and noxael are outliers even within elves. Aquael often have soft blues or teal skin, whilst noxael predominately have dark grey or purplish skin. But no matter how their colors may differ from one another, their physical appearance is nearly identical amongst one another—Even silvael, who have a tendency towards hostility. #### **Personality ...** Born with an innate understanding of the tethers of life, what elves long for tends to be no different than any living creature. They value their lives above all else, and because of their long-lived lifespans, value their time as highly important in order to make some form of impact on the world. This often results in many elves acting curt or self-centered—Especially those who find importance in societal status or seclusion from other races. Due to long-lived nature of elves, both loss and gratification becomes arbitrary to the typical elf. Many find themselves apathetic towards the day-to-day delights or sorrows of many short-lived races. Because of this, they are usually seen as very aloof, unconcerned, and reserved to the average person. ## History #### **Origins ...** Believed to be the first race created by the [[Saia|Mother Goddess, Saia]], alongside [[Dwarf|dwarves]], elves are commonly known as a precursor even to humankind. Crafted by the Goddess's own hands, they cry her tears breath her air. First rose the luxael, who watched the first dawn of [[Syphora]] and slept during its first dusk—During which is said to have brought the solael and lunael alongside [[Cylia]] and [[Auero]]. Shortly after came the noxael, whose origin story varies from culture to culture—Some say they were born of the [[Vithyo|God of Darkness, Vithyo]], forcing her hand and heart to create a corrupted form of her perfected craft. Meanwhile, others believe that the pair's loving embrace gave birth to a perfect lifeform fused with harmony and discord alike. It was shortly after this, alongside [[Nothrih|Nothrih, the Wildmaiden]], and [[Seiyu|Seiyu, the Tidebringer]], that the silvael and aquael were crafted. Whether these stories hold truth is not presently known or documented. During the Calamity, the elves played a crucial role in war—Going so far as to fight on behalf of the [[Prime Deities|Prime Deities']] themselves and primarily against the armies of devils sent by the Hells themselves. It was during this fatal time that some elves fled to the [[Feywild]] to keep their civilization alive, whilst the vast majority stayed behind, only for the Calamity to nearly wipe out the entirety of their race and what remained of thousands of years of their civilization built upon [[Syphora]], leaving mere remnants of their race to wander what remained. After the Divergence, many elves took to leadership amongst the societies that remained, primarily the first King Lihan and luxael of what would become the [[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane]], creating a rift between elves who followed his example and those who left into the far reaches of nature across [[Syphora]], such as the lunael of Ty'ora. #### **Society ...** ##### **Valkion ...** Elves were the first to inhabit the nature-filled continent, which they once called... In the current year, their involvement is simultaneously minor _and_ major, as all elves within the walls of the Five Kingdoms find themselves at the highest points of society, from rulers to magnificent spellcasters. Thanks to many elves upholding positions of power, they have since cemented themselves as a pillar of high society in [[Valkion]], granting them a particular view from commonfolk. Even still, due to their near-extinction, it is exceptionally common for a person to live without once seeing an elf. While the luxael and silvael of [[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane|Sorathane]] and [[Kingdom of Foryn|Foryn]] are quick to shun or look down on other races, they have the largest population of elves in Southern Valkion, with the high society and soldiers of [[Kingdom of Foryn|Foryn]] being predominately silvael. Meanwhile, the solael and aquael of [[Kingdom of Ithor|Ithor]] and [[Kingdom of Ceilunea|Ceilunea]] hold elven heritage at upmost importance whilst having very few elves among their society. And finally, [[Kingdom of Axonder|Axonder]] is luxael-led although elves are seen lesser in societal importance and simply as a seldom-found race. ## Powers, abilities, and subspecies #### **Luxael ...** Also known as high elves, luxael are believed to be the first elves and [[humanoid]] race created by the [[Saia|Mother Goddess]] herself. With pale white or light beige skin, they predominately have pale or simple blond or yellow hair, and soft or dark blue eyes (and, rarely, purple). Those of pureblood heritage also have white or pale yellow sclera. As beings closest to the Goddess herself, luxael are seen as the epitome of elf; Beings born of light with the innate ability to wield the Goddess's white magic with their own hands. Not all are capable of such a feat, however, and is believed to be wielded by only those closest to the heavens. Alongside noxael, they are by far the most seldom-found elf amongst society, and are typically only seen at the very top of high society; Such as the royal family of the [[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane]]. The populous of luxael was grievously wounded after the Calamity, and as such, very few of their kind exist to this day. So much so that the vast majority of high elves found amongst society tend to be half-elves. #### **Solael ...** Also known as sun elves, solael are believed to have been born of the love between [[Saia|the Goddess]] and [[Cylia]], and embody the sun and healing. With dark, warm-toned browns and orange skin, they also have orange, yellow, warm-brown, or red hair, and yellow, orange, and hazel eyes. Those of pureblood heritage also have yellow or orange sclera. Thanks to their tie to the Goddess of the Sun, every solael is born with an innate understanding of healing and warmth. As such, their affinity for magic is rivaled only by that of a lunael. The [[Kingdom of Ithor]] holds the largest populous of solael—Valuing the arcane and teachings of magic above all else. #### **Lunael ...** Also known as moon elves, lunael are believed to have been born of the love between [[Saia|the Goddess]] and [[Auero]], and embody the moon and illusion. With pale blue, bluish grey, and soft purple skin, they also have white, pale blue, purple, and bluish grey hair, and pale blue, purple, and dark blue eyes. Those of pureblood heritage also have pale blue or purple sclera. Thanks to their tie to the God of the Moon, every lunael is born with an innate understanding of illusion and cold. Thanks to this, their affinity for magic is rivaled only by that of a solael. Exceptionally scarce among high society, lunael have taken to Northern Valkion for seclusion within nature... #### **Silvael ...** Also known as wood elves, silvael are believed to be creations born of collaboration between [[Saia|the Goddess]] and [[Nothrih]]. With darker skin of wood-toned and light browns, their typical hair color varies between brown, ginger, olive, and green, while their eye colors vary between green, brown, and rarely reddish pink. Those of pureblood heritage also have green sclera. With a natural affinity towards nature and forestry, the primary populous of silvael have found themselves almost solely within the [[Kingdom of Foryn]], where they serve as royalty, nobility, and soldiers. #### **Aquael ...** Also known as sea elves, aquael are believed to be creations born of collaboration between [[Saia|the Goddess]] and [[Seiyu]]. Their skin tones vary between unnatural, soft blues and teal, while their hair colors range in blues, greens, teals, and (rarely) pinks, with teal, yellow-green, and (rarely) pink eyes. Those of pureblood heritage also have blue sclera. Born with the ability to breathe and swim in water, they have a natural affinity toward bodies of water. Due to this, aquael are known to inhabit oceans and lakes—But the primary locale they reside is the [[Kingdom of Ceilunea]]. There, they live amongst common races and have rooted themselves societally with tritons. #### **Noxael ...** Also known as dark elves or drow, noxael are believed to have been born between [[Saia|the Goddess]] and the [[Vithyo|God of Darkness, Vithyo]]. Although their origin varies between cultures, two primary beliefs revolve around a deep, passionate love between the deities, or an abusive, forceful hand that sought to corrupt or control the Goddess. No matter their true origin, noxael are said to lurk around the shadows of low society and watch from where they cannot be seen. As such, noxael are often believed to be a myth to many and said to inhabit a dark underworld beneath your feet known as the Underdark, where their culture revolves around a matriarchy. These elves worship dark deities such as the God of Darkness, the [[Viskari|Silent Queen, Viksari]], or the [[Stigia|Masked Omen, Stigia]]. ## Notable elves #### **Valkion ...** > [!caption|right] > ![[gallery-ingalante-1.png|200]] > Ingalante Calion by avaztheabyss ##### **PCs ...** - [[Ingalante Calion]]: A fighter/wizard from [[Kingdom of Ithor|Ithor]], he's currently adventuring in and aiding the [[Kingdom of Axonder]]. ##### **NPCs ...** - [[Aeon Axonder]]: The first and current King of [[Kingdom of Axonder|Axonder]]; Once a leader of a revolution, currently sick and bedridden in his 4th century. ##### **Noble families ...** - House Iounus: The ruling Duchy in [[Kingdom of Ithor|Ithor]]; Currently ruled by King Elious's cousin. - House Calion: An important noble family in Ithor, ruled by Marquis Inigo and Marchioness Eldora. ## Trivia - Each elf subspecies is rooted in a latin word pertaining to the elf, and the Old Norse "alfr," meaning elf. - "Lux" (meaning "light") for high elves, "Sol" (meaning "sun") for sun elves, "Luna" (meaning "moon") for moon elves, "Silva" (meaning "forest"), "Aqua" (meaning "water"), and "Nox" (meaning "darkness").