Fantasy Canon - Elves

Elves, the Forests, and You!

---

Chapter 1 - Elves

---

"What is an Elf?"

Elves are often romanticized versions of humans; long-eared, long-haired, lean and good-looking individuals with an affinity for nature. However, elves are much more than haughty highborn, and much more dangerous than we think. This guide will prepare you for what lies in store for the intrepid adventurer or the wary merchant should they decide to encroach upon the territories of these forest-dwellers.

On average, elves stand some six-feet high, though their many variants can have a wide array of shapes and sizes. Elves are generally lean; thinly built and even lithe with long, almost lanky limbs. Depending on how "primal" the elf, they may carry themselves with an almost ape-like gait, with more "civilized" elves hold themselves high.

Contrary to popular belief, elves are not opposed to the slaughter of livestock and wildlife, and while their crop farming rivals that of mankind's, their diet primarily consists of meat; particularly bird meat and that of small animals, though many elves have been known to hunt big game, such as bears, for food. As such, elves of all kinds tend to have slightly pointed teeth.

Elves are amiable, social creatures, but extremely territorial. Camping in or near the forests is largely prohibited due to elven surveillance, and it is not uncommon for hunters to be led right back out into civilization should they stray too far. While elves will gladly trade with others, they will not allow traders or caravans into their territory; those who do not heed their warnings may lose their belongings, or even their lives.

---

Chapter 2 - Common Elf Variants

---

"Half-Elves"

The black sheep of all elvenkind, half-elves are the result of mingling genetics during humanity's Great Expansion. Many half-elves are, to this day, in poor standing with "whitebloods," those untouched by the human genome. Half-elves are (in our eyes) a comfortable mix between elves and humans in terms of appearance and behavior; they are little more than slender humans with pointed ears and pronounced canines.

Half-elves are rarely seen far from human civilization, and tend to live alongside humanity or in small, close-knit communities near human settlements. While many humans welcome half-elves with open arms, their growing numbers have become a major concern in larger cities - it is not uncommon for a city's menial and entry-level workforce to be compromised entirely of half-elves.

Half-elves are also known as helves, halvsies, and offensively as murkbloods.

---

"Common Elves"

The common elf is tall, slender, and serene. Their near-constant sense of ease can come off as arrogant due to their blunt nature and lifespan, though they are very clear about the things in this world they dislike. Their standing with humanity is one of mutual trust, and similar discomforts; their highly territorial nature puts them at odds with researches and explorers, and their air of superiority can be difficult to deal with. They have no love for half-elves, despite being somewhat friendly towards most humans.

Elves live deep in the forests, laying claim to many acres surrounding their homes. From what we've been told (and what we've gathered,) elves often build their homes in, on, or around tree trunks, ascending as they go; however, certain families or groups may claim an entire tree for themselves. Despite this, elves generally possess a sense of community due to years of living in isolation from the rest of the world; their xenophobia may very well stem from all the new, unfamiliar faces from outside the forests.

Elves are also known as leaves, whitebloods, and offensively as almonds. Why they take offense to the fruit is unknown.

---

"Wild Elves"

Wild Elves are more common than one would think, and many elves of will offer various explanations. A wild elf's appearance will vary depending on the environment, though the universal factors are a low, stopping posture that may even give way to the "knuckle-walk," and oftentimes they will use all four of their limbs to quickly traverse from one place to another. Their hands and feet are remarkably powerful, betraying their almost wraith-like level of thinness, but on closer inspection, they are densely muscled, making their finely-toned bodies surprisingly hard to the touch. Their skin, as opposed to the "snowy," pale tones of their civilized cousins, is mottled, and somewhat ashy; their teeth are a faint yellow and very sharp, and their pointed ears are somewhat worn and ragged around the edges.

Curiously enough, not all wild elves are overtly hostile. Solitary adventurers have been known to make companions of wild elves, and often return home with unique souvenirs and other strange goods, though they are rarely lead back to wild elf homes. Wild elves have been seen moving in both groups and on their own, but it is widely considered unhealthy to make the first move, as they can be highly unpredictable. Common elves regard them with disdain, though half-elves appear to be terrified of them.

Wild elves are also known as wildlings, screamers, and offensively as mud-men.