Elves

The Elves, native to the planet Elyth, are often considered the most influential and respected sentient species in the galaxy, and are known for their elegance, diplomacy, and magical aptitude. This is partly due to the fact that the Elves were among the earliest races to achieve interstellar flight, and the first to discover and begin repairs on the Ring.

The Elven unique physiology, expressed in a millennium-long lifespan and the ability to reproduce with a partner of any species, gives them a conservative yet convivial attitude toward other races. Favoring compromise and cooperation over conflict, the Elves were instrumental in proposing and founding the Ring Assembly and have been at the heart of galactic society ever since.

Elven name generator.

Biology
Elves resemble humans in terms of basic skeletal structure with five digits on each hand and feet that are relatively hairless (certainly in comparison to species like Leonin and Tabaxi). Elves stand on average 5′4″‒6′0″ (1.6‒1.8 m) and weigh 130‒170 lb (59‒77 kg). Usually, true elves were a naturally slender and athletic race. A typical Elf has pointed ears, something that often provokes strong reactions in other races. Often, elven hair is dark, either brown or black, with copper red or blond hair also found being more rare, although orange or even green hues were not completely unheard of. Elven eyes are commonly brown, hazel, or an emerald green. Uniquely, the Elves are known to be perceived as attractive to many other species, being considered fair and beautiful, handsome, and have pointed ears and no body hair except eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair. Elvish blood is green.

Elves have a robust cellular regenerative system; while they do not heal faster than other species, they are known to reach over 1000 years of age. This long lifespan is rivaled only by the Asgardians. Elves mature at roughly the same rate as humans, though they are not usually considered past adolescence until they reached 110 years of age. Unlike humans, elves do not age dramatically as their lifespan come to a close, with the most obvious changes being a change in hair color, alternatively graying or darkening. Most elves remain healthy and full of life up until their death, which, if age-related, is usually between two and twelve centuries.

Elves can see ultraviolet at the short-wavelength end of the spectrum.

Elves pass through three climacteric life stages, marked by biochemical and physiological changes:


 * The Fledgling stage begins at puberty and is marked by the drive to explore and experience. Most young Elves are curious and restless, and it is not uncommon for many to try their hand at dancing in bars or working as mercenaries during this time.


 * The Juvenile stage of life begins around the age of 350, though it can be triggered earlier if the individual mates frequently. This period is marked by a desire to settle in one area and raise children.


 * The Matriarch/Elder stage begins around 700 years of age, or earlier if the individual mates rarely. Matriarchs become active in their community as sages and councilors, dispensing wisdom from centuries of experience. Elders tend to become military leaders, using their lifetime of training to strategize and make tactical decisions. Rarely are Matriarchs or Elders seen outside of Elven space.

However, it should be noted that each stage can be started whenever an Elf feels that they have reached the correct level of maturity. While each stage of life is marked by strong biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life choices. For example, there are Fledglings who stay close to home rather than explore, Juveniles who would rather work than build a family, and Matriarchs who have no interest in community affairs.

Origins
The Elves arose on Elyth, a rich world with abundant quantities of magic that caused much of life on Elyth to exhibit magical tendencies. Instrumental to the rise of Elves civilization was the Fey. The Fey leaders were recorded as Queen Titania and her unnamed rival, Queen of Air and Darkness. Only Queen Titania and her Seelie Court ever came to Elyth and left behind the seeds of sentience so that a new type of Fey could grow: the Elves. Whether or not the Fey Queen infused Elyth with it’s strange and boundless magic as well is unknown, but the Elves have never lived in an era without the magic of their world.

There are several different subraces of Elves:


 * High Elf, otherwise known as a "full Elf". These are your typical Elwythian.
 * Half-Elf, a child born of Elven and another parentage.
 * Half-Elf, a child born of Elven and Human parentage.
 * Ice (Drow) Half-Elf, a child born of Elven and Ice Genasi parentage.
 * Vedalken (Aquatic) Half-Elf, a child born Elven and Vedalken parentage.
 * Svartal (Wood) Half-Elf, a child born of Elven and Svartal (either Leonin or Tabaxi) parentage. These tend to be visually indistinguishable from one of their parents, never a mix of both. (Do not make me regret making this an option.)

Forming the Ring Assembly
The Elves were the first contemporary race to achieve spaceflight. When they found the Ring in 580 BCE, the Dwarves made first contact with the Elves, who's brilliance at technical know-how meant that the two species could work together and repair the Ring. Once it was liveable, they agreed to found the Ring Assembly in 500 BCE, a galactic governing body that would come to unite the people of the galaxy. In later years, the Elves continued to explore the galaxy and welcomed several other races to the burgeoning galactic community.

The Venalka War
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Culture
Because of their long lifespan, Elves tend to have a "long view" not common in other races. When they encounter a new species or situation, the Elves are more comfortable with an extended period of passive observation and study than immediate action. They are unfazed that some of their investments or decisions may not pay off for decades or centuries. Elders can seem to make incomprehensible decisions, but their insight is evident when their carefully-laid plans come to fruition. In interstellar relations, this long view manifests in the unspoken policy of centrism. The Elves instinctively seek to maintain stable balances of economic, political, and military power.

Traditionally, Elves spread their influence through cultural domination and intellectual superiority. They invite new species of advanced development to join the galactic community, knowing that their ideals and beliefs will inevitably influence the existing culture. The Elves tend toward communal, consensus attitudes among themselves too: for example, they prefer to live in shared spaces aboard starships even if there are alternatives available.

Elves are well aware they tend to be attractive, and are comfortable expressing their sexuality, and can be witnessed as exotic dancers in places like the Royale. Young males of other races tend to have a fascination with Elves.[Elves do not believe in monogamy, and Elvish-Human marriages often struggle as a result]

Because of their natural sensuality and ability to mate with any species, Elves are sometimes rumoured to be promiscuous. These rumours are mostly a result of misinformation (or wishful thinking). In fact, Elves have to accept that if they mate outside their own species, they will almost inevitably outlive their partner. Therefore, they have had to apply their philosophical "long view" to relationships as well, savouring the time they spend with their partners rather than focusing on their inevitable loss. As a result of the aging difference, many Elves raise their children alone, especially if their partner's species is short-lived. Despite their partner's death, a part of them will live within their other.

Though all Elves are natural mages, there are some who choose not to develop their magical power. Doing so precludes an Elf from military service, although there is no social stigma attached to the decision.

Compared to humans, Elves normally take meals only twice a day.

Economy
The Elves possess the largest single economy in the galaxy. They have extensive trade and social contacts. Craft guilds, such as those within the cities Serrice and Armali, hold a virtual monopoly on advanced magical technology. Given their political influence, an embargo by the Elves would prove disastrous to the Assembly.

Religion
The pantheistic mainstream Elves religion is siari, which translates roughly as "All is one". The faithful agree on certain core truths: the universe is a consciousness, every life within it is an aspect of the greater whole, and death is a merging of one's spiritual energy back into greater universal consciousness. Siarists don't specifically believe in reincarnation; they believe in spiritual energy returning to the universal consciousness upon death will eventually be used to fill new mortal vessels.

Siari became popular after the Elves left their homeworld and discovered their ability to "meld" with nearly any form of life. This ability is seen as proof that all life is fundamentally similar. Siari priestesses see their role as promoting unity between disparate shards of the universe's awareness.

Before the rise of siari pantheism, Elves religions were as diverse as their political opinion. The strongest survivor of those days is the monotheistic religion worshipping the goddess Athame. Like the Elves, the goddess cycles through the triple aspects of fledgling, juvenile, and elder. Elves often swear "by the goddess", though this may be a cultural legacy rather than reflecting an individual's belief.

Government
The Elves governmental structure, known as the Elves Republics, is relatively broad; the Elves came late to the notion of world government. For centuries, their homeworld of Elyth was dotted with loose confederacies of great republican cities. The closest Earth equivalent would be the ancient Mediterranean city-states. Since the Elves culture values consensus and accommodation, there was little impetus to form larger principalities. Rather than hoard resources, the Elves bartered freely. Rather than attack one another over differing philosophies, they sought to understand one another. Only in the information age did the city-states grow close; communication over the internet evolved into an "electronic democracy".

Aside from their Assembly representative, the Elves have no politicians or elections, but a free-wheeling, all-inclusive legislature that citizens can participate in at will. Policy debates take place at all hours of the day, in official chat rooms and forums moderated by specially-programmed virtual intelligences. All aspects of policy are open to plebiscite at any time. In any given debate, the Elves tend to lend the most credence to the opinions of any Elders present, nearly always deferring to the experience of these millennia-old "wise women".

In modern times, the Elves normally act as the diplomatic arm of the Ring Assembly, and Elves exploration efforts have discovered many races over the years. In approximately 200 BCE, the Elves made first contact with the elcor and played a key role in helping them establish a regular trade route to the Ring. In 2184 CE, the Elves cruiser Azedes encountered the pre-spaceflight raloi, who were officially welcomed into the galactic community a year later.

Military
The Elven military resembles a collection of tribal warrior bands with no national structure. Each community organizes its own unit as the locals see fit, and elect a leader to command them. Units from populous cities are large and well-equipped, while those from farm villages may be only a few women with small arms. There is no uniform; everyone wears what they like. The Elven military is not an irregular militia, however; those who serve are full-time professionals.

The average Elven commando, is in the fledgling stage of her life and has devoted 20-30 years studying the martial arts. Elves choose to be warriors at a young age, and their education from that point is dedicated to sharpening their mind and body for that sole purpose. When they retire, they possess an alarming proficiency for killing.

Commandos fight individually or in pairs, depending on the tactics preferred in their town. One-on-one, a Commando is a formidable opponent, possessing profound tactical insight, a hunter's eye, and a dancer's grace and alacrity. magicals are common enough that some capability is a requirement to be trained as a Commando; lack of magical talent excludes a young Elves from military service.

While fluid and mobile, Elves can't stand up in a firestorm the way a Dwarf, Leonin, or human could. Since their units are small and typically lack heavy armor and support weapons, they are almost incapable of fighting a conventional war, particularly one of a defensive nature. So Elven units typically undertake special operations missions. Like guerrilla soldiers, they are adept at ambush, infiltration, and assassination, demoralizing and defeating their enemies through intense, focused, stealthy strikes.

As a popular Dwarven saying puts it, "The Elves are the finest warriors in the galaxy. Fortunately, there are not many of them." Despite this, the Elven military is still very large.