Elf

Elf

Elves are one of the eldest humanoids to walk Utopian soil, and stand similar in many ways to dwarves, their distant biological cousins. They are well known for staying youthful and excessively good at specific things, though not often known for being good at many. Elven culture is natively prideful, in the past using their skills as a lever point for social power and maneuverability in a hierarchy. Though, violence is often an option to traditional elves given their superior combat skills, generally tailored to their profession. Elves are well specialized and powerful in combat, gaining abilities to use social stats in place of combat stats during battle. With that, outside of the use of magic, elves are not very versatile and may lack utility without additional aid.

Location

Elves are found almost exclusively on Pia, though scattered around, and are one of the most ancient species to live there. A very prideful nature has pushed elves to many positions of power, whereas those who fail to do so cast themselves from their respective societies. Some, as such, inhabit isolated communities in woodland areas, specifically warmer climates.

Lifespan and Genetics

Elves live naturally to 500 years old on average, and upwards of 1,000 years with proper medicine and healing. Elves are often very selective with breeding, though their genetics may pass between subspecies on specific rare occasions. Their genetics are finely evolved and thus nearly immutable. Solar elves and lunar elves are able to breed with each other, though offspring is uncommon this way. On the off chance, twilight elves are born, which are able to breed with any other elf, in which case a solar or lunar elf will be born.

Background

Elves are ancient egotistical creatures, prideful and powerful in their actions. Most elves are currently, as ancient elves were, highly specialized in a narrow set of skills, such as combat or hunting, and boast their attributes greatly. Prior to the birth of the first twilight elf, the two original subspecies fought a social war of superiority. After the first interbred elf was birthed, twilight elves became the new target. Their odd markings created a pattern on their skin and they became a subject of mockery in elven society. They became a product of sin and deemed as failure. In elven nature, the few twilight elves took this as fuel to become the most powerful spell casters of the ancient species, founding the 4 newest Arcane Arts. In this new light, the twilight elves' markings became a status of prosperity and worth.

Playing an Elf

Elves are charismatic creatures by nature, and they often use this much to their advantage. More than just social interaction, elves are capable of using their beguiling prowess to aid their physical actions. Skilled solar elves use their Stunt score in place of their Power, lunar elves of a similar caliber use their Appeal score in place of their Dexterity. Twilight elves, uniquely, use Language in place of Resolve, affecting not only their mental fortitude, but also their ability to cast spells. For combat, elves may find a lot of use in the Warfare core talents, which give bonuses to melee weapons and ranged weapons separately, as well as decreasing the amount of time each attack takes. Weapons can also be aided by the Hunter's Mark and Dual Wielder specialist talents. For stealth, speed, and defense, there are the Tactics core talents, further complimented by the Silent Steps specialist talent. When it comes to spell casting, the Magecraft core talents are a necessity. Some of the most powerful abilities include Wake Artistry and Alteration Artistry, allowing area-of-effect spells and modifications such as healing and kinetic force, respectively. Specialist talents ranging from In Tune, to Intense Concentration, and most arcane specialist talents are extremely supportive. Overall, elves are powerful in single sections of play but aren't very versatile. It's optimal to focus on specific subtraits based on what subspecies you're playing, as they take on double value once you've reached the better tiers of their species talent trees.

Solar Elf

Solar elves much like yourself grew into being natural gladiators, glorifying the ability to do battle. In elven society, you decide worth through combat prowess, either through direct encounter or through trials such as gauntlets, rightfully capable of killing those who are too weak. Your skin is light, golden and reactive to sunlight. Due to your defining features, it's difficult for you to hide your identity within the elves, and thus, your failure cannot be hidden. Elven brawler lineages often spent most of their ancient life being considered superior to their lunar counterparts, partially due to physical force and advantage. Through time, this catalyzed wars between you and your lunar counterparts, ending with the decision that no natural superiority actually exists. Though to you, this hasn't really been proven, as they are not nearly as capable of winning such battles that you can. Their physical prowess is below you, and it's a shame this isn't better recognized.

Lunar Elf

Lunar elves like you are natural hunters and stalkers, blending well with starry night skies. If there's no place to hide, you will easily make one to fit your needs. The nightly elves have historical conflict with solar elves, given the contrast of their abilities. No signs of true superiority exist anymore, rather your skill sets were denied through rigged testing in ancient conflicts of skill. You've spent your life in the shadow of false warriors, boasting their might like it was of the gods themselves. Common Pian beliefs state that lunar elves are modified solar elves born of the celestials, granting them lineage with greater bodies. Utian beliefs harshly critique this idea, claiming that said celestials are not capable of creation of life, as these large bodies are inorganic and non-sentient. Debates as such have gone on, not often diplomatically, even prior to the colonization of Uto. You more than likely stray away from settled living situations, often living on foot with a bedroll, enough water to get by, and blocks of jerky on your back. You camp, hunt, and stalk through the nights and find hidden places to rest during the day. Lunar elves that do take shelter in cities often resort to underground passageways, cartels, and other black-market institutions. These elves are not criminals, rather their broken reputation keeps them unjustly in a position of presumption within the urban spaces of Pia. You are a creature born of redemption, and you must fight hard for your worth. The world isn't fair for you and your siblings, but that's a challenge you will take on with a strong mind and quick feet.

Twilight Elf

Twilight elves are the youngest species of elves. In evolutionary youth, your existence was mocked and heckled, as you were a sign of interbreeding, a cardinal sin amongst your elven kind. This prejudice led to unjust prosecution, ignored crimes against your ancestors, and general injustice against your people within day-to-day life.

Your skin comes in shades of flat, dark colors, marked with bright streaks, shapes, and blotches. You are physically distinguishable from the other elves, making it difficult for you to hide your identity from other elves. This also made it a struggle for your ancient ancestors to protect themselves within society.

Outcasted, your young species studied the magic arts, aided by isolated ancient Pian dwarves. After years of exponential progress, they were able to craft and found four new Arcane Arts: the Art of Illusion, the Art of Divination, the Art of Necromancy, and the Art of Alteration.

After their innovations towards magic, twilight elves were held with new respects and reintegrated into society. Currently, you are still held in high regard. Not only does your lineage lift you, but you and your siblings' births are rather rare to come by. Though to some, this newfound fame means little in the way of the Elven past. It's hard to push down the resentment you feel for your prideful counterparts, stuck in the old ways of solving problems with bigger sticks than your opponents.

Magic is natural to you, a medium of peace and enlightenment when the world tries to foil you. Mysticism is a language and an art more than it is a tool. Magic doesn't need purpose, magic needs to mean something to its caster.