Elven society and government are slow-moving and rarely-changing. The Elven lands are vast, with small outposts ruled by a Lord or Lady, and the two great Elven domains ruled by a King or Queen. Elven rulers generally surround themselves with a council of elders and those of learning to advise them. This council aids in important decisions made by the ruler, but these decisions are few and far between. Elves only very rarely commit to great acts of change.

The two great domains of Imrath and Belegorm are ruled by monarchs descended from the first Elves, born many thousands of years ago. The ways of Elven succession are that a King or Queen will name an heir from among their children or relatives, ensuring a blood lineage. They believe that this family bond allows the heir of the realm to receive the closest and most effective tutelage from their predecessor, ensuring a wise ruler who has been educated in statecraft and society since their youth.

In the current age, King Elring of the House of Talesin rules in Gilraen in the Woodland Realm of Imrath, while Queen Finarien of the House of Fingaros rules to the South in Aeleth-Endil (Athendel in Common) in the Valley of Belegorm. Many Elves live within or pass between these two domains, though it is not uncommon for solitary Elves to live among other cultures, such as Humans or Dwarves, to learn from their craftsmen. Smaller Elf outposts are also scattered throughout the Elven lands, though some are well-hidden from the rest of the world.

Elves believe that they were the first creatures formed by the hands of the Creator. Seeing a world full of living things, he wished for a being to care for the many creatures and plants of Enon. They tell that he mingled sand with stardust, molding them with the warmth of his hands, and that the Elves awoke fully-formed under a night sky in the wilderness. The first thing they witnessed was the moon shining down on them, the first light they knew, and they have since called her Melva, the Nursemaid. When the sun rose, they called him Nereos, the Shepherd.

The Elves love the skies and hold their beauty in high esteem. Stars, sunlight, and even storms are beautiful to them, as the sky was the first thing their forebears saw when they awakened on that first cloudless night. They love birds for their mastery of the skies, and often long that they themselves could one day fly in the endless expanse.

The Elves appreciate the study of the natural world, and through their close analysis of the intricate rules that govern the universe, they discovered the forces of Arcane Magic. Wielding Arcane Magic requires many years of study and discipline, and Elves are particularly adept at handling it, due to their studious culture and long lives. They believe it to be the most natural and reliable form of magic.

To the Elves, all life is sacred in the eyes of the Creator and must be treated with respect. They feel a unique sense of responsibility over the living things of Enon. Trees, animals, and other peoples are all of value to them. They despise any kind of waste and believe that any life taken must be grieved. Murder is the highest form of heresy to an Elf.

The Elves tell that when they first awoke, under the light of the Nursemaid, the newborn Elves felt lost, in need of a home for themselves. The two greatest of their company, Talesin the Sage and Fingaros the Valiant, led them Westward to seek a home for themselves. Their steps were directed by the Shepherd in the day, and their encampments were guarded from the terrors of the night by the Nursemaid. On the weak and fearful, Talesin showed great compassion, and Fingaros bolstered their strength with his feats of courage. They marched, discovering many wonders in their travels, until they found the end of the world they knew at the border of the Sea.

On the shore, Talesin and Fingaros disagreed about the direction to take their people. Talesin yearned for the security of the woodlands, to create a place of safety to nurture their people. Fingaros was filled with a desire to craft great halls of beauty, from which to defend their people. The rift did not escalate to arms, but there was a breaking between the two leaders.

Talesin led some of the Elves north, where he established the Woodland Realm of Imrath, and the expansive Halls of Gilraen. Fingaros led the remainder of the Elves south, where the Valley of Belegorm became their home. He established Aeleth-Endil, a shining city of citadels under the Southern sun. Elves passed between the domains as they pleased, and peace existed between them. In the many generations since, Gilraen has been the seat of Talesin’s kin as Aeleth-Endil has been the seat of Fingaros’.

1,000 years ago, the neighboring Human kingdom faced an armed uprising bolstered by an army of evil Fae. The Human King sent missives for aid, declaring that they faced a terrible and existential threat. The Elves of Imrath received an envoy, but their lord, King Elserin, thought the potential cost of elven lives to be too great. One of his advisors, Lord Maglin, rose up independent of the King’s counsel and took with himself a militia of valiant warriors to respond to the call. His company was made up of twelve courageous Elves. To the south, Belegorm’s King Finrohir sent his people in full force to respond to the Humans’ aid.

The battle that ensued came at a terrible cost. Many Elves died, and the surviving forces retreated to a small keep in the forest. A Human mage called together the remaining mages of the different cultures to create a spell of protection. This incantation created a realm that was warded against the assaults of the Fae. It could not protect the whole of the kingdom, however. The remaining Human lands were transformed into a terrible and uninhabitable wilderness called the Gristwood, where only beings twisted by evil magic could survive. None of those present now live to tell the tale, and those who witnessed it swore never to repeat what occurred. The land that survived was dubbed Fayhaven, and Elves have dwelt in this realm ever since.

Elves stand generally around 6’ in height and have pointed ears. They are among the fastest, most resilient, and physically powerful of the known cultures. Elves are long-lived, reaching their physical maturity at roughly 150 years of age, but not considered fully-fledged adults until closer to 200 years of age. Elves mature slowly, but do age and experience atrophy and infirmity in their later years. An average lifespan for an Elf is around 800 years.

Loyal - Elves form close bonds with a chosen few companions or family members through the course of their long lives. These bonds are not easily severed, and only a great betrayal could do so.

Wise - Elves esteem learning and cultivating acuity in the ways of the world. The long life of an Elf provides many opportunities for learning virtues such as forbearance and moderation.

Compassionate - Elves are taught to value all life, and they feel deeply for the suffering of others. Empathy for and consideration of others is paramount in their culture.

Wisdom - Elves believe that wisdom in the ways of nature and the world is one of the highest attainments.

Learning - Elves honor their mentors and teachers, regardless of race or societal standing, as their knowledge gives them value.

Craftsmanship - Elves use their long lives to cultivate fine skills in many crafts. They are very focused on their chosen craft and value the work of those who have mastered their own craft.

Nature - Elves find beauty in the natural world and place great importance in the protection and maintenance of the wilderness.

Life - Elves value all forms of natural life and grieve the loss of any living thing, be it person, animal, or plant. They believe in protecting living things from harm.

To name their Elf characters, players can take inspiration from Welsh and Anglo-Saxon names. Elves do not use surnames, but may be given epithetical bynames.

Elven bynames often speak to their characteristics, appearance, or notable deeds. They are usually given by a friend, comrade, or loved one. A long-lived Elf may have been given multiple bynames.