Elves

Elves / Sidhe

The Fair Folk

The Elves, also called the Sidhe by some, have always existed within Ariath as a shining beacon of perfection, poise, and grace. Whether through chance or planning, throughout history they have always seemed to end up in royal courts, sitting upon thrones, or otherwise gazed upon with awe. The Elves have always claimed to be the original race of this world, predating all others, and thus they believe themselves to be superior to all other races.

There are many bloodlines of the Elves, and each bloodline manifests different traits and characteristics. Some seek to rule through fear and intimidation while others attempt to embrace their nobility with grace and humility. Some lines hold to more ancient traditions, aligning themselves with dark or light courts (called Seelie and Unseelie) while others have cast aside this tradition they see as archaic.

Nothing Lasts Forever

Maybe once the Elves were a paragon race in Ariath, a shining beacon atop an insurmountable hill.

But times are changing.

For generations, Elves could be seen jockeying for power in every major Court. Since they rarely age, a single individual could hold power for generations. Due to this longevity, however, birthrate is low and the Sidhe have begun to slowly lose their grip of influence within Ariath.

It started with the sack of the city-state of Rionnag by the Goblin Hordes and the swift deaths of its rulers; an uprising that left the strongest Elven nation in shame and shambles. In other spheres of influence, the shorter lived races have begun to seize power, and for the most part the Elves have been too slow to respond to hold onto it. There are still some areas within the Disputed Territories that claim Sidhe as their rulers, but they have become the minority. Currently no major political powers hold an Elven bloodline as their ruling body. They still hold some positions of authority within various courts, but many Folk are whispering that the time of the Elves has already come and gone.

Common Racial Characteristics

Most Elves have pointed ears and tend towards regal looking attire that echoes back to where they come from. Wood Elves may have tattoos of vines creeping up the sides of their neck or arms, where Elves of island nations might have tattoos of waves. If the Sidhe still hold to the old Courts, they may choose to symbolize that with tattoos instead.

Sidhe are Fae in nature, with some bloodlines branching into other realms such as Sylvan. Many of the Sidhe claim mastery over their Mythic Race. They are frequently unaging, and able to call upon magic as if it was part of their nature. On the other side, it is generally assumed that a promise made by an Elf, no matter their affiliation, will be kept. Common attack traits include Awe and Presence while a common flavor trait is Glamour.