Long-lived and uncommonly graceful, the Elves are often seen as cultured, intelligent, and perceptive, but also exceptionally prideful and rude. Elves are distinguished by their otherworldly beauty, smooth skin, bright eyes, and large pointed ears. Elves can grow facial hair, but culturally most choose not to. Elves are typically taller than Humans, and are perceived as "beautiful" by many races. Elves are the second most common race in El-Bayir, and are incredibly diverse. Many nations have substantial elven populations.
Elves are unique in that most of the Elves left the Deshenite Kingdom prior to the Second Age. Troubled by Deshen's growing pride and powerlust, the Three Great Elvish Kings led most of the Elves into an exile to seek forgiveness from the Gods and resettle elsewhere. This is believed to be why the Elves are "favored" by the Gods (long lifespans, great beauty, no aging, etc) and why the Elvish language so closely mirrors Celestial.
The first Elves were created by Beld under the empty night sky, and they were scared as it was dark and empty. They watched as it was first illuminated by Sirda's stars. As such, the first thing they beheld was starlight, which was born with them, and this led them to place cultural significance to starlight and Sirda's worship. This also led to the race's other common name: Children of the Stars. Beld created the Elves with the assistance of the Fey, who lent him some of their essence to create them. As such, Elves are considered to have “Fey ancestry,” as they are imbued with a small internal spark of the Fey.
The Elves are a diverse people, with various subraces. However, all Elves age at the same rate and have the same lifespans. Elves mature at about 30 years old and typically live to be 900 to 1000 years old. Of all the races of El-Bayir, Elves have the longest lives of all races save for the immortal Elohim, El-Nayars, and Fiends. Elves do not age past young adulthood, and an Elf of 1000 years will look no older than an elf of 100 years. However, Elves rapidly age in the weeks before death, suddenly deteriorating from their young-like form to a more ancient and grey appearance.
Elves are the second most common race of Beldkind and most nations have significant Elvish minorities or even Elvish majorities.
Subraces
| Name | Reference Image | Notes on Appearance | General Geographic Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elf* |
| Variable, typically similar to humans but more "beautiful", graceful, taller, and slender | Various, widely spread |
| Variable, uncommonly beautiful (even for Elves) | Various, widely spread | |
| Variable, usually "coppery" skin | Native to the deep forests | |
| Purple-grey, to blue, to black skin; white, grey, or black hair | Native to the Underdark | |
| Variable, related to seasons | Native to the Feywilds | |
| Blue skin, hair that is usually green to blue to white | Native to the deep ocean realms | |
| Tan or blue skin, dark hair, eyes without pupils, males usually bearded | Live on El-Duram |
* Many Elves do not "fit" into any of the subraces, and are typically referred to simply as "Elves".