Elves
Language: Elven.
Lifespan: Up to 200 years old.
Homeland: Nu'ada
Capital City: Silver Ridge
Race: Elf
Overview
Creatures of nature, the Elves believe in nature deities and elementals. They keep to themselves, living in the forest lands of Nu'ada, except when nature or their people are threatened by outsiders. They have no love for their neighbours the Imperials, who consider technology and construction to be more important than nature. They are a quiet people, and a little aloof as they consider themselves above the other races due to their communication with nature.
Society
The Elves have always been ruled by women, their current Queen is Astaria. Men do not have a lower status, they are just not permitted to rule. Since Mother Earth is female, the Elves have always believed that women are natural rulers. Unlike other Races, the Elves do not have any hierarchy based on wealth or power. Society is Nu'ada is split by location, with Elves interacting with the Elves in their local area. Each area has a nominated leader, who organises the Elves in that area. Each of these areas is marked on the map, and there are smaller villages within each location.
Physical Appearance
The Elves are slender creatures, taller than humans with pale skin the colour of moonlight or ivory. The colours of their hair are the shades of nature; the most common shades are browns, golds, greens, and the rarer shades include blues, purples and pinks. Peaking through their hair are pointed ears.
Relationships & Family
There are no terms for sexuality amongst the Elves, and Elves seek pleasure from both genders. They are polygamous, and do not marry. Partners simply meet and part when needed. Children are not raised by parents, they are raised in a large family.
Magic
Nature is the source of an Elf's magic, and their greatest gift is being able to commune with nature itself. They can speak to the spirits and elements of nature, with the most powerful of elves being able to call upon them for aid. It is a foolish man who chooses to take on an Elf in his own lands, as the trees and wildlife are his eyes and ears. Different Elves find that one specific part of nature will call to them. In some rare cases, more powerful Elves are attuned to two or three parts of nature. For example, a weaker Elf will find that the Oak trees talk to him, a slightly stronger Elf will find that he can commune with all trees. The next step up from this would be an Elf who was able to communication with trees, snakes and water spirits.
The other magical ability of the elves is the gift of foresight; prophecies, visions, dreams. Once again this varies from Elf to Elf, some can only receive dreams or weak visions, others have a stronger gift. There are also some elves that are unable to receive visions or dreams, but are able to send them.
Warriors
Although the Elves do not go to war lightly, they still have a fighting force available to them. The most powerful of their army are the Elven Warriors, trained from a young age in traditions passed down from generation to generation. This training includes weapons, fighting forms and magic, resulting in a Warrior that will get through anything in their way; one way or another.
Other Races
The Elves are the only Race that has only one neighbour, and the Imperials are the only Race they come into regular contact with. As mentioned, their dislike for their Imperial neighbours is based on the Imperial's disregard for nature. While the Celts are not as ignorant of nature as the Imperials, they hate magic users, and as the Elves are magical creatures this causes friction between the two Races. Their dislike for Azzaria's final race, the Protectors, is based on a dispute over the Gods.