Olvenfolk

The elves, who the Flan call olve, are slight of stature (averaging 5 feet) and fair of complexion. Hair and eye coloration vary by kindred. High elves are usually dark-haired and green-eyed. The noble grey elves have either silvery hair and amber eyes, or pale golden hair and violet eyes (the second type commonly called faerie or fey elves). The hair color of sylvan elves ranges from yellow to coppery red, and eye color is a shade of hazel or green. Wild elves are the smallest of the elven folk, but otherwise resemble the wood elves. Finally, the valley elves appear to be taller versions (of nearly human height) of the grey elves.

Elves were present in the lands east of the Crystalmist Mountains for uncounted centuries prior to the rise of the first human kingdoms there. Slowly driven from open country to more secluded and better defended strongholds by the growing strength of both human and nonhuman folk, elves still held a number of forest and upland realms at the time of the Twin Cataclysms. The invading humans, orcs, and others pressed them further, until some prominent elven realms made military and political alliances with dwarves, gnomes, and halflings, and even with certain major human tribes (usually Oeridian). Today, elves are dominant in Celene, Sunndi, Highfolk, the Vesve Forest, and the Spindrift Isles.

Elves are concerned with life itself and spend long periods contemplating natural beauty. Long-lived and curious, they enjoy exploration and remember much. Their frolics are usually joyous events, though some gatherings have a melancholy tone. The fine arts are much appreciated. Elves measure kinship in terms of broad, ethnic divisions, though family bloodlines, particularly among the nobles, often cross these ethnic boundaries. Valley elves are unique in that they have no social relationship with other elves in the Flanaess, being hated by them for unknown reasons.

Elves normally attire themselves in pale forest hues, though they favor more intense colors in urban settings. Generally, males wear a blouselike shirt over close-fitting hose and soft boots or shoes, while females favor a frock with sash, or a blouse with an anklelength skirt. Hunting garments are typically in neutral colors like shades of brown, tailored for silent and easy movement. Grey elves wear complex gowns and flowing robes of pure white, sun yellow, and silver and gold set off by polished leather of contrasting colors, accented by jewels. Wild elves usually wear kilts, boots, and rough shirts. All elves favor cloaks, especially when traveling, typically gray or gray-green.

Elves are fascinated by all types of magic, especially illusions and charms. They also produce superior and elegant magic garments, weapons, and armor.

Half-Elves are the offspring of humans and elves. They are highly versatile but not always welcome in elven or human society. They are disproportionately represented among adventurers as a result.

Grey Elves — Gray elves are reclusive and keep to themselves in the Kingdoms of Celene and Sunndi. They have silver hair and amber eyes or golden hair and violet eyes. The elves of Sunndi have been forced to add warmaking skills to their culture due to the threat of the Great Kingdom.

Half-Elves — Half-elves, the offspring of long-lived elves and short-lived humans, are found everywhere across the Flanaess, in every part of society.

High Elves — High elves tend to mix with other races most easily. They favor the Highfolk, Duchy of Ulek, Archclericy of Veluna and the Spindrift Isles. The shortest of their race, high elves average only about five feet in height. They have pale complexions, dark hair and green eyes, and tend to dress in grays, greens and pastels.  

Sylvan Elves — Sylvan elves, also known as wood elves, tend to be even more reclusive than the gray, avoiding even other elves when possible. They make their homes in the Kingdom of Celene, the Duchy of Ulek, the ancient forests of the Flanaess and the Town of Highfolk. Their skin is darker than that of the high elves and they dress in browns and greens.

Aquatic Elves — Aquatic elves breathe water as well as air, and have webbed fingers and toes. They prefer temperate and tropical oceans and seas. Near the Spindrift Sound and Spindrift Isles, the aquatic elves are allied with the high elves.

Dark Elves —  Drow, the evil dark elves, thrive in Under-Oerth. They trade with or war on other races there and on the surface, and are renowned as spellcasters.

Valley Elves — Valley elves are treated with suspicion by other elves for reasons not clear to humans. These unusually tall (up to six feet in height) elves live exclusively in the Valley of the Mage. They are known to practice unusual magic presumably taught to them by the Mage of the Vale.

Wild Elves — Grugach, the wild elves, live in tiny, isolated bands in the temperate forests. They are short like the high elves and very pale, but otherwise resemble sylvan elves.

Other — Other olve (such as the snow elves of the mountains) are known to exist, but these elves are not well known at present.