Elves
Elves (Edhil) are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. Elves are the oldest mortal species in the universe, originating from the Land of Faerie. Those that remained in the Land of Faerie retain the species' ancient name, the Eldarin.
Elves are of the Faeria-Flora ancestry, and are believed to have evolved from nature spirits, like Nymphs. This and their ancient origins are often used to explain the unnatural and otherworldly characteristics that distinguish Elves most other Mortal species.
Elves do not sleep like most creatures do, instead finding their rest in a meditative-like state often called a "Trance". This allows Elves to rest at twice the speed as other humanoid creatures, while at the same time being aware of their surroundings. While in this state of "Trance", many older Elves were capable of attuning to the nature around them, connecting to the vast natural network of trees and fungi, gaining knowledge of the world around them.
Elves are the only species of Faeria-Flora ancestry to not be a single-sex species. They are also the only ones to have natural breasts, nipples or external genitalia. These traits are not seem in the Eldarin , who more closely match Faeria-Flora than other Elves. This, and the fact that Elf nipples are a faux, with no use in nursing like those of Mammalia, has led some scholars to ponder if Elves adapted or evolved to a more Mammal-like appearance after emigrating to Exorsia, to imitate the native population.
Due to their ancient origins and uncanny adaptability of the Elves, there are many subspecies of Elf spread across Exorsia and the Planes beyond.
Ancient and Ethereal
Elves have an exceptionally long lifespan, living for 800 to 1,000 years, leading Elves to typically experience time differently than other mortal species. Records suggest that before the Silver Age, Elves were immortal, like their Fae ancestors, but after they settled in Exorsia and separated from the Land of Faerie, they lost their immortality. The Eldarin are the only sub-species of Elf to retain their immortality, but only while they remain connected to the Land of Faerie
Even though they aren't immortal, Elves can often struggle to relate to other mortals as their lives pass by so quickly in comparison to their own. Elves are often calm and contemplative, never rushing into situations, preferring to understand the situation completely before taking action. This is often met with frustration by younger lived species who are much more reactive. The same can be said for young Elves, who are driven by the emotional inexperience of youth.
Young Elves are often much more adventurous and energetic, similar to the younger lived species. They will often travel the world, meeting new people, learning new skills and forming new experiences, but around their first century, they usually begin to mellow out, as the weight of time and the loss of their short lived friends and loved ones begin to weigh on them. It is only after this realisation and a century of experience that Elves are considered adults in Elven society.
With so many centuries ahead of them, many Elves constantly reinvent themselves, living multiple lives, often to cope with the every changing world around them. One century an Elf may master a practice, becoming a fixture of their village, only to abandon it for another practice and home in the next century.
But eventually, in their older years, Elves begin to distance themselves from the world, the burden of time weighing on them, many begin to only keep the company of other Elves, those who can understand the world as they do, while other go into isolation. It is exceptionally rare to see and elder Elf outside of these reclusive Elven communities.
Relationships
Elves have little notion of monogamy, because of their long lives they see the concept of binding themselves to one person their whole life is absurd, though Elves are not strangers to giving special attention to a favoured individual for an extended period of time.
When an Elf enters a relationship with another species, such as a Human, they do so knowing that they will outlive their partner. In these occasions it is not uncommon for an Elf to form monogamous bonds, such as marriage out of respect for their partner, knowing it is only for a short time.
Children
Elven children are extremely rare, the choice to have a child with another Elf is the height of love between two Elves and is not a commitment made lightly. Because of their rarity Elven children are cherished and nurtured by the whole community.
Elven children are aften described as ethereal and otherworldly, with a glow about them, as though they are not of this world. Elven children are also exceptionally magical in nature, they are often brimming with innate Magic, often called Wild Magic. While this Magic fades with time, even if cultivated, Elven children are often capable of producing miraculous feats of Magic that would take your average Mage years of practice.
Children born from other species, usually Humans, are a little more common, though because of the limited life of the offspring, Elves have difficulty forming a connection to their Half-Elven children.
Appearance
Elves are commonly slender in build, with long pointed ears, sharp features, and beautiful silky hair. They are uncanny in appearance, otherworldly looking, distinctly standing out in a crowd.
Like many species of Faeria-Flora ancestry, Elves do not grow body hair and can not grow facial hair.
An Elf's appearance is largely decided by their sub-species.
Maturity
Elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as Humans, by the age of 20, but they aren’t culturally considered an adult until they are at least 100, after they have garnered enough worldly experience.
Reproduction
Elves reproduce similarly to Humans, though unlike Humans, Elves are capable of biologically choosing when they produce children, and must actively allow fertilization.
Almost all Elves are able to gestate, no matter their sex. The gestation period for an Elf is around 12 months and they experience very little negative conditions during pregnancy unlike many other species.
1.5 - 1.8 m (5 - 6 ft)
Diet
Omnivore
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