Aelf
| Strain | Aelf |
|---|---|
| Substrains | Brimaelf, Dunaelf, Friggaelf, Wodaelf, Wyrmaelf |
| Patron Deity | Woden |
| Eyesight | Farsight, Lowlight |
| Lifespan | 160 years |
| Language | Common, Aelfen |
| Climate | Moderate |
| Terrain | Forests |
| Height | 4′7″‒5′5″ (140‒170 cm) |
| Weight | 82‒152 lb (37‒68.9 kg) |
| Skin Color | Variable |
| Hair Color | Variable |
| Eye Color | Variable |
| Build | Slender |
| Distinctions | Comely, Agile |
Legend dictates that the first Aelfes were created by Woden the All-Father. They were placed in the woods to create progeny and expand their race. As their numbers grew, so did their taste for the aesthetic. For the Aelfes, beauty became the central goal to all culture. The ability to breed was dictated by the likelihood of attractive offspring. Those deemed unattractive soon found themselves unable to find a mate.
Because of the strict breeding rules dictated by Aelfen society, eventually rifts grew between them. These rifts only grew to eventually create variants of Aelfes. The first and most notable rift was that between light and dark skin. Those who believed the dark-skinned aesthetic to be superior were shunned by the light-skinned Aelfes and vice-versa.
Further, among the light skinned elves a rift engendered itself between those who believed that nature produced the highest of all aesthetics, while their rivals insisted that art, particularly Aelfen art was the highest of all aesthetics. These groups eventually formed themselves into what can only be described as sub-races, though their genetics are near identical.
Aelfen Variants
Brimaelf
The Brimaelfes (pronounced Brim-alf) live undersea, primarily off the coast of Aelfgarad. They prefer to stay beneath the waves and as a result have little to do with their Aelfen siblings ashore.
Dunaelf
The Dunaelf (pronounced Done-alf) grew distant from their Aelfen cousins again because of an aesthetic. The Dunaelf preferred darker features in skin tone and over many years, bred accordingly, going so far as to banish children born with skin considered too fair. In other matters of the aesthetic, the Dunaelf are closer to their Friggaelf cousins, believing that true beauty is in artistic endeavor. This is where the two cultures differ however in that Dunaelf art is somewhat terrifying to all but those who have learned to appreciate it.
Friggaelf
The Friggaelf (pronounced Frig-alf) is the predominant race and culture in the country of Aelfgarad. They were once intermixed with their Wodaelf and Dunaelf cousins until rifts in their sense of the aesthetic came to the forefront of their culture and politics. The Friggaelfes believe that the only true aesthetic is found in art, which should be sought and praised above all things.
Friggaelfes create the most beautiful and amazing architecture on Otan, the most beautiful ships and vehicles and the most beautiful clothing and garments, rivalling that of even the Sigis Empire. Eschewing their Wodaelf cousins, they left Aelfwode and moved west to create the new country of Aelfgarad, where they could practice their artistic endeavors (many of which involved the cutting of trees) in peace.
Wodaelf
The Wodaelf (🔊 Woah-dalf) are, not surprisingly, the preeminent race and culture found in Aelfwode. They were, most believe, the only variety of Aelf to exist. Their love for Woden and his creation extended to the forests and nature in which they lived. A common Wodaelf saying is, "Nothing can be more beautiful than a tree."
While this is very possibly true, as trees do possess a powerful aesthetic, a time came when not all [Aelf]]es agreed. Friendly disagreements became heated arguments, which grew into political upheaval and even in some cases, war. The Wodaelfes eventually bade their art-loving cousins to leave the forests of Aelfwode and put an end to these powerful disagreements. The new tribes dedicated themselves to Frigg and the arts, moving west to find peace.
With their political troubles behind them, the Wodaelfes have enjoyed a long peace. They are happy to trade with their human neighbors and have only had one occasion to spar with their Grendel neighbors, during the war. The Grendel soon learned the power of the Ælfen bow and steered clear of Aelfwode during the entirety of that war.
Wyrmaelf
The Wyrmaelf (pronounced Verm-alf) are distant relatives of the Aydahar and by extension, dragons. The Aelfen predilection toward the aesthetic, however, caused them to carefully manage their genetic lines. This enabled them to both preserve their draconic origins and maintain their Aelfen aesthetic.
The first of the Wyrmaelfes, as legend has it, moved as far from the source of the dragons as possible to prevent further accidental contamination. Thus they avoided such traits as claws, scales, horns or fluked tails such as one might find on an Aydahar or Ungir. They do retain much from their draconic ancestors, particularly the draconic blood which make many of the Wyrmaelf natural spellcasters. They will also have unusual skin colorings for an Aelf, mimicking the color whatever variety of dragon is in their bloodline. This black, white, red, green or even metallic colors like silver and gold are possible for the Wyrmaelf.
The Wyrmaelfes are far too few in number to control any country. Adventuring Wyrmaelfes can be found nearly anywhere, but the settled variety are most commonly found in Aelfgarad.
Half-Aelf
The Half-Aelf are half... wait for it... Aelf.
Aelfen Territories
Aelfwode Home of the Wood Wodaelfes.
Aelfgarad Home of the Friggaelfes and most of the Dunaelfes.
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