Elves

 Elves 

The Elves of the Ashenlands for the most part act as stewards of the land they inhabit. Seeing that all within their domain grows great and good, no matter their task Elves see to it with almost a manic sense of effort. They tend to be fair of skin, leanly muscled and tall. Being overly fond of speaking in riddles; the other races of the Ashenlands find this practice of theirs to be most mentally exhausting and have little to do with the Elves as a result. So when they travel abroad Elves try to hide their long pointed ears with various forms of headwear. While they are largely estranged from the rest of the world, when needed Elves are hardy, caring, loyal and humorous friends.

Appearance

Elves are tall and leanly muscled by nature, though they can become extremely well developed and able bodied as any race. Their hair can come in a vast variety of colors depending on which subspecies they belong to. Your average Woodland Elf or "Green Keeper" as they call themselves, is tall thin pale and fair of hair. These Elves prefer loose comfortable clothes and big hats, their attire tends to be made of whatever natural resources they have laying around; even in some cases whole families wearing carved pumpkins as hats.

 Subspecies 

Woodland Elves/Green Keepers: ''The calm and kind keepers of the forest. they are highly in touch with nature and their environment, however they are the most susceptible to change and magical influence. They are the oldest species and are the ruling class in the Elven world. They provide all people of good favor with food and herbal goods.''

Mountain Elves/Keepers of the Deep: ''These are the physically strongest of Elven kin, Their years of toiling in mines and carving stone have made their arms and backs strong as iron. The Mountain Elves have pale milky skin, black eyes and dark shades of hair, Being accomplished stone masons and blacksmiths they make everything to last. Be it their clothing which is usually thick strong leather or steel mail and plates, or their masterfully crafted stone homes. These are the most arrogant and prideful the Elven kin and the most likely to join others on the field of battle.''

Nomadic Elves/Star Keepers: The Nomadic Elves are the most free spirited of the Elven kin. they live in large tents and enjoy breezy flat lands. They are hunters, fishermen and weavers for the most part. they never settle in one place for long as they constantly follow the guidance of the stars. Which they claim are the truest form of divine guidance for those able to read them. The Star Keepers are darker of skin than the rest of their kin and have unpredictable hair colors though most of their hair is a pale variant ( spring shades, lavender, sage, sky-blue etc.) all parts of their eyes are the same solid color much to the unease of other folk.

 Weapons and warfare 

All Elves are fast and agile making them decent warriors and excellent archers. While they do not thrive on warfare they are always prepared for it, with each of the subspecies bringing their own valuable skills to the table. The Keepers of the Deep provide the protective armor and deadly weapons needed, The Green Keepers provide all the necessary provisions and natural resources while the Star Keepers provide the guidance gifted to them from their astrological readings as well as being stealthy and lithe scouts. Their preferred weapons are bows and swords, the designs and exact crafting of varies a bit from species to species though they are mostly good hard wood and strong steel.

 Magic 

All Elves only use magic for the bettering of things and divine guidance. They somewhat fear those overly blessed and skilled with magical abilities as they are highly susceptible to physical change through magical influence. Indeed many of their cautionary tales are those involving magic and those who foolishly are influenced by it. Some examples of their use of magic is how the Green Keepers help plants and trees grow through their presence alone, or how the metal works wrought by the Mountain Elves never rust nor tarnish over time. The Star Keepers are more seer like with their abilities than the other Elves though they are able to craft wonderous luminous works of light in the forms of lanterns and jewelry.

 Life span 

All Elves will live a countless amount of years if acts of aggression or aliment do not slay them. They have a weakness towards magic which can drastically alter their being. The Eldest of their race has existed beyond the recording of years and sits comfortably on his throne in High Hollin.

 Monarchy and Government 

The three species of Elves govern themselves though they all pay tribute to High Hollin where the Eldest King Rules. They are and strive to be neutral in the politics and wars of the other races. Though they will answer if called upon by those they deem friends. The Star Keepers are a more tribal sort with each tribe having a Chieftan. The Mountain Elves elect a tribunal of leaders each being the master blacksmith, master miner and master stone mason respectively. The Eldest King works in good faith with his fellow leaders and acts as the ambassador for the Elves to the rest of the Ashenlands. His rulings are final in the lands of the Elves. Strangely enough the Elves have always had a steadfast trade agreement with the Merfolk exchanging their foods and timber goods for treasures from the deep.

A common warning of travelers

''Be wary my child of those Elven kind as none of us can truly know their minds. Their ears are sharp and their Toungs are quick, you'll never hear them in the woods not even the snap of a stick. they'll see you my child long before you see them so be kind to the green and keep them as uneasy friends....''