The Elves
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Creature Type:
Alignment:
Place of Origin:
Age Range:
Occupations:
Humanoid
Neutral
Valyssop, Arianrhod
500 - 1000 Years
Specialized, skilled
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The elves of Aronia are often the stereotype of human lore. They find themselves superior to all other races. This has gone so far as to prohibit all non-elves from residing in Valyssop, the capital of Arianrhod. This is only exempt for their human slaves or unless permitted by the king. This isn’t to say there are those who feel differently, but it is few an far between. Those exceptions keep their opinions to themselves, lest they find themselves socially blacklisted. This bigotry has led the continent to being self-sufficient. Their interaction with the outside world is very limited and nationalism has led to their assumptions to be in favor of Arianrhod, naturally. A result of this has been a majority of the population only speaking elvish. Those only with the need to speak other languages have done so. This includes military and government figure heads.
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With the self-sufficient nature of the elves, they have varying roles within the community; from a local baker to the head of the military. However, an elf will never be a janitor nor housekeeper. Any sort of trade which includes cleaning or menial tasks has been given to humans. There are few laws which protect humans’ rights. They are treated by their elven masters as they see fit. The cost to replace a human depends on few factors. This makes them economically affordable to every household. If a home cannot afford a human, others can sponsor. There have been times in which neighbors bred their humans as a gift to those who could not afford one. Should all options be exhausted, the family can make a legal plea in local courts for a government provided human.
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Fig. 1: King Jesan
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External trade is limited and only allowed with government regulations and proper licensing. When this trade occurs, there are specific ports and markets. If a visitor wishes to travel inland, they must have the proper visa. Should any stipulation be violated of said visa, they will either be deported immediately or imprisoned. Sometimes both of these occur and in every instance, unless the king himself intervenes, they will be banned from reentry and any future business. This is supported by the people of Arianrhod by propaganda of safety and racial purity.
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Elven Abilities
Elven Appearance
Elves are able to use magic as easily as breathing. The ecosystem in which they evolved is imbued with magical energies. This has helped their technologies to be sophisticated yet not intrusive to their environment, as they respect nature to near divinity. On the individual level, some are more skilled than others. While some innate abilities manifest more powerfully than others, it takes teaching and practice to fully develop their talents. This can allow for class mobility should an elf from a smaller family have the magical prowess deemed a benefit to the state. Some of the finest soldiers and healers have come from a family of farmers.
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The magic use is very diverse, yet a majority tends to lean towards natural growth and healing. This is due to need over play. The magic most used by the elves is for survival and ease of life combined with their evolution. Which goes hand in hand with the nature of magic and organics.
Elven History
When Arianrhod was first settled, a group of elder chose the next heir. These elders looked over the lineage and kept the kingdom strong from the inside. The last heir to be chosen by the wise ones, was Jesan. Soon after his induction, each elder was poisoned by an unknown assailant.
The appearance of an elf is as recognizable as the sun in the sky. Their pointed ears and defined facial features are the most noticeable. Those in most civilized parts of the continent have fair skin and light hair. In the more wild areas of Valyssop there are darker featured elves. This is simply due to environmental exposure. They tend to be thin in frame but height can vary from approximately five to seven feet. They have similar anatomy to humans despite their claim of superiority.

Fig. 2. Human to Elf features
To this day, there is no evidence to who could have performed such an act. Many years after Jesan had defended the city from numerous attacks, it was clear that another heir was needed. With the effects of age, battle, and rich wine, Jesan could not promise a long future. Searching for a suitable birth mother, Jesan had trouble finding one who fit his criteria. Considering the elders had passed on, Jesan knew the importance of a strong protege. However, he need not search for the maternal figure, she came to him. The demi-goddess, Dehlila offered herself to Jesan. Dehlila being elven as well as Jesan, he found her to be worthy of bearing the next leader of Valyssop. Jesan took control of raising his son, which he named Vorhen. Dehlila visited the child in secret. Mostly in his dreams, Dehlila would show him the ways of compassion and loyalty. Other times, Jesan instilled comradery and determination, sometimes to dangerous extremes. Only a short time before Vorhen reached adulthood, Jesan had received an urgent message from the continent Endymion. It had seemed that the Queen of Ombra Di Notta had just received word of a destructive vigilante traveling towards Valyssop. Ironically, the messenger who had warned Jesan was the being himself, claiming name as the Dark Wizard. The Dark Wizard had intercepted the Queen's original informant, overcame him and carried on in disguise. As Jesan turned away to return to the others who he had been conversing with, the Dark Wizard lightly touched the back of Jesan's neck with a tiny needle tipped with a deadly poison, the same which had been used on the elders. Almost instantly, Jesan lost consciousness and soon lost life. Falling to the floor, his confidants went to his aid.
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Fig. 3. Dahlia
Realizing what had been done and the messenger was in fact an assassin of some sort, they drew their weapons. The Dark Wizard then possessed the deceased body of Jesan, taking arms against the friends of Jesan. From a corner down the hall, Vorhen had been listening and watching to the entire event. In rage from such acts, Vorhen began to advance on the enemy. Two of his father's associates had already been slain by the reanimated Jesan. Taking up one of the swords, Vorhen took his sights on his father. As the last ally was slain, Vorhen engaged his father. Himself being wounded many times, the body of his father was in fact dead and that proved to be a weakness for his opponent. On a lucky blow, Vorhen removed the head of his father and the body fall to a bloody pile on the floor. The essence of the Dark Wizard return to its own body.
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Vorhen kneeled beside the body of his father until a servant had found the massacre. Jorhen's head rest in Vorhen's hands. From beside him, Vorhen heard a voice of one of his father's companions speak to him. "The messenger, Gwenefiere of Ombra, she sent him," The dying words were etched in his mind. He would find this being and seek revenge. After killing five thousand citizens of Ombra Di Notta in a sneak attack, the Queen, Gwenefiere, clarified the situation, informing Vorhen that the Dark Wizard had fooled her as well. Declaring vengeance, all of Valyssop was searching for the Dark Wizard. Too prideful to stay in hiding, the Dark Wizard took on the challenge proposed by Vorhen. Fighting the attack from the Dark Wizard, Vorhen eventually, and with great casualties, subdued the Dark Wizard, forcing him to return to hiding. Taking responsibility, Vorhen claimed his place as leader. With the great Victory against the Dark Wizard and the immortality from his demi-goddess mother, all of Arianrhod desired Vorhen to lead them even at such a young age. He did so with honor and unity, passing these values on to the citizens of Arianrhod.

Fig. 4. King Vorhen
Art Credits:
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Header (left to right):
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Alec Surana by Inar-of-Shilmista. January 20, 2017. https://www.deviantart.com/inar-of-shilmista/art/Commission-Alec-Surana-658514253
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Fantasy Castle by unknown.
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Figure 1: Dalish Keeper By Inar-of-Shilmista. December 22, 2015. https://www.deviantart.com/inar-of-shilmista/art/Commission-Dalish-Keeper-579537564
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Figure 2: Human to Elf features by T. Lockwood. Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook 3.5.WotC, 2003.