Difference between revisions of "Alfar"

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[[File:Race_elves_light.png|thumb|300px|Ljosalfar - Light Elves]]Living deep in the most secluded areas of [[Midgard]], the mysterious people known as the Alfar (elves) are generally held in awe and fear by mortal [[men]], who see them as alluringly beautiful, but aloof, uncaring, and potentially dangerous due to their innately magical nature and fierce protection of their homeland. In the [[Achaean Empire]], they are sometimes called Nymphs.
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[[File:Race_elves_light.png|thumb|300px|Ljosalfar - Light Elves]]
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==Appearance==
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Living deep in the most secluded areas of [[Midgard]], the mysterious and ancient race known as the Alfar (or more commonly, '''Elves''') are generally held in awe and fear by mortal [[men]], who see them as alluringly beautiful, but aloof, uncaring, and potentially dangerous due to their innately magical nature and fierce protection of their homeland. In the [[Achaean Empire]], they are sometimes called Nymphs.
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Physically, Alfar are somewhat slimmer than humans, with angular, well-chiseled features and pointed ears that vary in length from race to race. Contrary to some tales, male elves can grow facial hair, but most only do so after reaching several centuries of age, and none grow beards as long and thick as that of a man or dwarf.
 
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==Immortality==
 
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All Alfar are immortal, living to extreme ages with little or no physical change. They are not, however, invincible - they can still be killed by most things that would kill a mortal man. Long life may bring them great wisdom, but it can also change their outlook on the world. Time passes more quickly for them, days and weeks slipping rapidly by without a care. Some Alfar will spend months doing virtually nothing, where a human would become agitated and restless. This, coupled with their relatively low sexual drive and slow breeding, means that they have not spread outward over a large territory like humans.
 
  
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As they grow older, the thoughts of the Alfar tend to grow inward, and they spend more and more time in deep meditation. Eventually, they have been known to "ascend" to the immortal realm of [[Alfheim]], taking their spirits as well as their physical forms into the afterlife. The exact process of this ascension is known only to the elves who have accomplished it. Though it is the closest thing they have to "death from old age," this ascension is voluntary, and is considered a thing to be celebrated rather than mourned.
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==Physical Attributes==
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==History and Culture==
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Physically, Alfar are somewhat slimmer than humans and extremely agile, with angular, well-chiseled features and pointed ears that vary in length depending on their race or tribe. Contrary to some tales, male elves can grow facial hair, but most only do so after reaching several centuries of age, and none grow beards as long and thick as that of a man or dwarf. Most other races consider them alluringly beautiful, and they have a reputation - mostly unwarranted - for seducing people to entrap them, like a [[siren]].
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The Alfar were among the first intelligent races to inhabit Midgard, with Life Elves being most likely the first, followed by the Ljosalfar created by the [[Vanir]], and the [[Dvergar]] created by the [[Aesir]]. They tended to the gods' creation and helped to beautify it. When the [[Jotnar|Jötnar]] created the [[Chaos Races]], the elves began doing battle with them to protect their homeland. The rise of mankind took the Alfar by surprise.
 
  
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Alfar tend to avoid contact with humans to an even greater degree than dwarves. Many men will pay a high price for exotic and finely-crafted elven jewelry, weapons, and other goods, but the Alfar are reluctant to engage in trade. This is partially because it makes them a target for human raiders, and partially because they consider men unworthy of owning such items. Luckily for the Alfar (and probably the raiders, who would find robbing an elf city far easier said than done), elven settlements are nearly impossible to find, some hidden by magic as well as by nature.
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Most Alfar, even the [[Light Elves]], prefer moonlight and starlight over daylight. They are most active at night or during the twilight hours, and their eyes work better in darkness than sunlight, aided by their keen hearing. Their nocturnal nature is responsible not only for their large ears, but their pallid complexion as well. Besides the [[Svartalfar]] with reddish or gray skin from their demonic nature, pretty much all Elves have pale white skin. Even those who stay in the sun enough to tan rarely get as dark as the average human. Their hair color varies more widely, but most have pale hair and eyes, with green eyes being unusually common, and some stranger colors occurring as well, such as pale pink hair.
  
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Some tales say that elves are all female. They often appear in [[Achaean]] tales as Nymphs, Dryads, Sirens, and Naiads, perhaps confused with nature spirits because of the defense of the land and use of [[spiritual magic]]. These stories may have arisen from the typically beardless, beautiful, long-haired male elves being mistaken for women.
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Elves are close to nature and spirits, and even death. Most feel at least some level of connection to the [[Fay]] and the [[spirit realm]]. They are drawn to nature and have an innate empathy for animals and plants. They can also sense the spirits of the dead, and some learn to communicate with them. Their nocturnal nature and relation to death are more reasons that many other mortal races fear and mistrust them.
  
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==Elf Races==
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==Immortality==
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===Light Elves - Ljosalfar===
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All Alfar are immortal, living to extreme ages with little or no physical change. They are not, however, invincible - they can still be killed by most things that would kill a mortal man. Long life may bring them great wisdom, but it can also change their outlook on the world. Time passes more quickly for them, days and weeks slipping rapidly by without a care. Some Alfar will spend months doing virtually nothing, where a human would become agitated and restless. This, coupled with their relatively low sexual drive and slow breeding, means that they have not spread outward over a large territory like humans.
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The [[Ljosalfar]] (Light Elves, also referred to as High Elves or Sun Elves) were the first beings created by the Vanir - perhaps the first civilized creatures ever created on Midgard - and are still nearly godlike in nature. Immortal, beautiful, and masters of all kinds of magic, they look down on men, dwarves, beastfolk, and even other races of elves. Most Ljosalfar are pale and golden-haired, almost glowing with an inner light, though darker hair colors are not entirely unknown. They are the tallest elves, standing about as tall as most men.
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As they grow older, the thoughts of the Alfar tend to grow inward, and they spend more and more time in deep meditation. Eventually, most choose to "ascend" to the immortal realm of [[Alfheim]], taking their spirits as well as their physical forms into the afterlife. The exact process of this ascension is known only to the Elves who have accomplished it. Though it is the closest thing they have to "death from old age," this ascension is voluntary, and is considered a thing to be celebrated rather than mourned.
  
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([[Ljosalfar|more info]])
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==History==
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===Wood Elves - Vidralfar===
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One of the most ancient races of [[Midgard]], the Elves existed in the First Age, the Age of Creation. They worshiped the elder gods, mainly the [[Vanir]] and [[Titans]].
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The wildest and least “civilized” of the elves, [[Vidralfar]] (Wood Elves, also referred to as Low Elves, Twilight Elves, or Grey Elves) do not create beautiful cities like their "higher" cousins, instead living a mostly nomadic life entirely one with nature. They find great joy the gods' creation - Midgard - and spend their time partaking of its pleasures and defending it, rather than looking ever toward the heavens. Their reputation is a mixed one: despite their love of revelry and song, they will also use any means necessary to defend their forest homes, including poison, traps, and dark magic. Most Vidralfar have darker hair than their Ljosalfar cousins, and green is their most common eye color. They also typically stand quite a bit shorter, and have longer ears and more acute senses.
 
  
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([[Vidralfar|more info]])
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==Culture==
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===Dark Elves - Svartalfar===
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The Alfar were among the first intelligent races to inhabit Midgard, with Life Elves being most likely the first, followed by the Ljosalfar created by the [[Vanir]], and the [[Dvergar]] created by the [[Aesir]]. They tended to the gods' creation and helped to beautify it. When the [[Jotnar|Jötnar]] created the [[Chaos Races]], the elves began doing battle with them to protect their homeland. The rise of mankind took the Alfar by surprise.
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While most elves are viewed as beautiful and generally well-meaning, the [[Svartalfar ]] (Dark Elves, also called Low Elves, Night Elves, or Black Elves) are quite the opposite. Millennia ago, they turned to the [[Demons|Demon]] Lords of the Underworld for greater power, becoming masters of the [[Demonic Magic|dark arts]]. Perhaps due to corruption from this practice, their skin color ranges from ash-grey to black, with horn-like protrusions and ridges on their bodies and parts of their faces, such as the brow, nose, and chin. Their hair may be black, red, or stark white, and their terrifying eyes range between bright red, yellow-green, or violet. They are the shortest elven race on average, and have the longest ears, perhaps due to their subterranean lifestyle. Most dwell deep in [[Nidavellir]], far from the sight of Midgard.
 
  
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([[Svartalfar|more info]])
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Alfar tend to avoid contact with humans to an even greater degree than dwarves. Many men will pay a high price for exotic and finely-crafted elven jewelry, weapons, and other goods, but the Alfar are reluctant to engage in trade. This is partially because it makes them a target for human raiders, and partially because they consider men unworthy of owning such items. Luckily for the Alfar (and probably the raiders, who would find robbing an elf city far easier said than done), elven settlements are nearly impossible to find, some hidden by magic as well as by nature.
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===Sea Elves===
 
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The [[Vatnalfar|sea elves]] or water elves (also called Vatnalfar, or River or Water Nymphs) go by many names in many places. The [[Achaeans]] and [[Southrons]] occasionally confuse them with [[Siren|sirens]], since they have enchanting songs that can lure hypnotized sailors to their doom on the rocks. The males have been known to board and raid ships while the crew stand enchanted by the females' songs. They have also been known to dwell farther inland, in the beds of rivers, luring the unwary beneath the waves to be drowned. Although some sea elves are malevolent, most merely wish to defend their territory from intrusion by foreign invaders and meddlers. Despite their ability to remain beneath the waves for a seemingly indefinite amount of time, they do not have gills, and must occasionally surface for air, unlike [[merfolk]].
 
  
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([[Vatnalfar|more info]])
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Some tales say that elves are all female. They often appear in [[Achaean]] tales as Nymphs, Dryads, and Naiads, perhaps confused with nature spirits because of the defense of the land and use of [[spiritual magic]]. These stories may have arisen from the typically beardless, beautiful, long-haired male elves being mistaken for women.
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===Life Elves - Dryads===
 
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The Elder Elves are known in Achaea as wood nymphs or [[Dryads]]. Many believe them to be the ancestors of all other elves, but they do not worship any particular gods, sometimes interacting with both the Vanir and Olympian gods like Artemis. They are immortal creatures of the forest, living mostly solitary lives (rather than forming communities) among the oldest trees. They can speak to all the spirits of nature. They can take on the shape of a tree, an elf, or any combination thereof, including bark-like skin. Otherwise their skin is greenish in color, with hair that changes with the seasons, like leaves. Drawing their energy from the earth, like plants, they harm no living creature, neither flora nor fauna.
 
  
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([[Dryad|more info]])
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==Races==
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For a list of the elven races, see [[:Category:Elves]].
  
 
[[Category:Races]]
 
[[Category:Races]]
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[[Category:Elves]]
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[[Category:Elves]][[Category:Fay]]

Latest revision as of 05:34, 5 January 2024

Ljosalfar - Light Elves

Living deep in the most secluded areas of Midgard, the mysterious and ancient race known as the Alfar (or more commonly, Elves) are generally held in awe and fear by mortal men, who see them as alluringly beautiful, but aloof, uncaring, and potentially dangerous due to their innately magical nature and fierce protection of their homeland. In the Achaean Empire, they are sometimes called Nymphs.

Physical Attributes

Physically, Alfar are somewhat slimmer than humans and extremely agile, with angular, well-chiseled features and pointed ears that vary in length depending on their race or tribe. Contrary to some tales, male elves can grow facial hair, but most only do so after reaching several centuries of age, and none grow beards as long and thick as that of a man or dwarf. Most other races consider them alluringly beautiful, and they have a reputation - mostly unwarranted - for seducing people to entrap them, like a siren.

Most Alfar, even the Light Elves, prefer moonlight and starlight over daylight. They are most active at night or during the twilight hours, and their eyes work better in darkness than sunlight, aided by their keen hearing. Their nocturnal nature is responsible not only for their large ears, but their pallid complexion as well. Besides the Svartalfar with reddish or gray skin from their demonic nature, pretty much all Elves have pale white skin. Even those who stay in the sun enough to tan rarely get as dark as the average human. Their hair color varies more widely, but most have pale hair and eyes, with green eyes being unusually common, and some stranger colors occurring as well, such as pale pink hair.

Elves are close to nature and spirits, and even death. Most feel at least some level of connection to the Fay and the spirit realm. They are drawn to nature and have an innate empathy for animals and plants. They can also sense the spirits of the dead, and some learn to communicate with them. Their nocturnal nature and relation to death are more reasons that many other mortal races fear and mistrust them.

Immortality

All Alfar are immortal, living to extreme ages with little or no physical change. They are not, however, invincible - they can still be killed by most things that would kill a mortal man. Long life may bring them great wisdom, but it can also change their outlook on the world. Time passes more quickly for them, days and weeks slipping rapidly by without a care. Some Alfar will spend months doing virtually nothing, where a human would become agitated and restless. This, coupled with their relatively low sexual drive and slow breeding, means that they have not spread outward over a large territory like humans.

As they grow older, the thoughts of the Alfar tend to grow inward, and they spend more and more time in deep meditation. Eventually, most choose to "ascend" to the immortal realm of Alfheim, taking their spirits as well as their physical forms into the afterlife. The exact process of this ascension is known only to the Elves who have accomplished it. Though it is the closest thing they have to "death from old age," this ascension is voluntary, and is considered a thing to be celebrated rather than mourned.

History

One of the most ancient races of Midgard, the Elves existed in the First Age, the Age of Creation. They worshiped the elder gods, mainly the Vanir and Titans.

Culture

The Alfar were among the first intelligent races to inhabit Midgard, with Life Elves being most likely the first, followed by the Ljosalfar created by the Vanir, and the Dvergar created by the Aesir. They tended to the gods' creation and helped to beautify it. When the Jötnar created the Chaos Races, the elves began doing battle with them to protect their homeland. The rise of mankind took the Alfar by surprise.

Alfar tend to avoid contact with humans to an even greater degree than dwarves. Many men will pay a high price for exotic and finely-crafted elven jewelry, weapons, and other goods, but the Alfar are reluctant to engage in trade. This is partially because it makes them a target for human raiders, and partially because they consider men unworthy of owning such items. Luckily for the Alfar (and probably the raiders, who would find robbing an elf city far easier said than done), elven settlements are nearly impossible to find, some hidden by magic as well as by nature.

Some tales say that elves are all female. They often appear in Achaean tales as Nymphs, Dryads, and Naiads, perhaps confused with nature spirits because of the defense of the land and use of spiritual magic. These stories may have arisen from the typically beardless, beautiful, long-haired male elves being mistaken for women.

Races

For a list of the elven races, see Category:Elves.

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