The High Elves
Note
The High Elves are a secretive people. The information gathered here is based on speculation and observation by outsiders with no corroboration from the Elves themselves.
Physiology
High Elves are slightly taller than Humans, averaging closer to six feet, but with a thinner build, making them look as if they are underfed. Their faces have a stretched look to them, making them appear long and thin.
Female High Elves are of similar height and weight, making it difficult to distinguish the two sexes when they are armoured.
Elves are immortal, but they can still succumb to disease or fatal injuries.
Psychology
High Elves consider themselves superior to the other races, claiming to be the first race to become civilized and once controlled a large portion of Eiddenwerthe. They have little patience with Humans, who they consider to be impulsive.
This race takes a very long look at things before deciding what to do, making them appear indecisive to outsiders. They also tend to see things in black-and-white terms, resulting in their methods of punishment often being viewed as severe, with even minor crimes punished by death or banishment.
With their rulers sitting on the Throne for thousands of years, their culture has grown stagnant. In their own eyes, however, this is seen as an advantage as they have reached the pinnacle of civilization.
Education
Little is known about their methods of education as this information is not shared with outsiders. Elven mages, however, are powerful, often training in more than one school of magic, a feat made possible by their endless lifespan.
Government
Elves are governed by kings or queens, though they only refer to themselves as Lords or Ladies. The ruler of the Darkwood, for example, is Lord Arandil Greycloak, while the ruler of Nethendril is referred to as the High Lord, regardless of gender.
Religion
The Elves revere their ancestors, though not in the same way as Orcs. There is no recorded use of spirit magic amongst the woodland race. And while their religious practises remain a mystery to outsiders, they acknowledge the existence of the Old Gods, particularly Tauril, the Goddess of the Woods.
Magic
High Elves excel in the study of magic, particularly in the practice of Earth Magic and Enchantments. It is not unusual to find an Elven city with dozens of such spellcasters.
Military
Elven armies have three basic types of warriors: archers, foot, and cavalry.
Elven archers employ a recurve bow that can impart a lot of power to an arrow. These Elven Bows are wielded by archers who have had centuries to perfect their aim and are the most devastating bow troops in the entire world of Eiddenwerthe. Despite their prowess, they are not used in great numbers, a consequence of the Elves' low population levels compared to Humans.
Elven foot favour scale armour along with spears, helmets, and shields, although their leaders are often found employing swords or even magical weapons.
Elven horse consists of mounted archers as their forest lands preclude the use of massed cavalry charges. These troops are employed as scouts or sentries, though they are more than capable of fighting in melee should it prove necessary.
The High Elves' tactics are dated when compared to Human standards, for their last war was fought more than two thousand years ago.
History
The High Elves are one of the Elder Races, the others being Orcs and Dwarves. They fought the Orcs for dominance of the Continent more than two thousand years ago in what has come to be known as the Great War. The war, which lasted for centuries, resulted in the destruction of all known Orc cities, but the Elves lost so many warriors they were no longer able to resist the incursions of early Humans.
Since that time, they have become reclusive, though there are exceptions, one being Lord Parvan Luminor, who became the Baron of Tivilton under the banner of the Kingdom of Weldwyn, a Human realm.
