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Elves
Though the Elves are possessed of high intelligence and have created a very complicated, elegant society - they are also a species which is facing possible extinction due to low breeding rates. While they are technically immortal creatures, it is possible for them, like any other creature, to meet death - though they are exceptionally difficult to kill. In the end, many fall prey to their own deep sorrows, or an unwillingness to carry on further in life. This is called 'fading', and while it is not unique to them entirely, it impacts them the most of all magical species.

Throughout their history, Elves have proven to be somewhat xenophobic, sometimes only having partnerships with the Faeries for extended periods of times. In recent times, however, they've have come to branch out away from their own society to make contact with other groups living nearby. Regardless, this does not mean that the species wide sense of superiority has melted away from all the Elves. Indeed, there seems to be little change in private view points concerning other species where most individuals are involved. Even the Faeries tend to fall under this umbrella for most Elves, despite the close proximity they've had with the species over the years. Many see them as servants, some as toys, others as pets - even if they do know them to be useful. Close association does not turn the Faeries in to fellow Elves, after all.

Culturally complicated, Elves have a very deep sense of decorum and politeness where others of their species are involved. 'Polite society' is very much a truth for them, with very little room for slips of manners. Severe slights are settled with magical duels, the winners proving their right in the matter. Many times, such duels have led to rifts in a specific Elven clan or society - splitting their community while one group follows the humiliated loser. Politics and warfare have always been keystones to the society of the Elves; their young being educated in both until the individual takes a shinning to one or the other. While they do have artisans of their own, they are often acknowledged in their crafts after they've made a name for themselves in battle or political scheming. Gender, as with the Faeries, tends to be disregarded - merely a matter of this or that and will not bar an individual from any life choice.

While breeding within Elven society is something which rarely produces young, children are highly protected when they are born. From their earliest days until the time when they are toddlers, they are heavily guarded by the parents - with very few being allowed in to see them until the parents deem them ready to enter the world at large. Their children, being so rare and precious to them, are celebrated with great festivals whenever they are born - even if none of the rest of the general public sees the child until well after said celebration has passed. Despite this celebration of full-blooded Elven children, hybrids are not nearly so very welcomed by their Elven parents. Indeed, it is rare to see one - though they have happened, and a few have survived their Elven parent's highly possible displeasure. When hybrids do happen, the Elven magic thins out considerably. Hybrids with Faeries tend to have very few Elven traits - perhaps an extra use in common magic. Hybrids with Humans and Dwarves tend to only turn out common magic and extended life.

Elves sleep considerably less than most species found in the world; however, they do have to occasionally rest. Typically, an Elf's day can consist of four days before they find themselves beginning to tire. Many sleep for a day and a half throughout a seven day week.

While Elves are Immortal, we're capping the ages for such characters to 5,500 years - no more.


Magic
There is a very high ability with magic, with a much less limited power source to work with due to their technical immortality. While they have the ability to perform common magic, they are more attuned to elemental powers and each Elf will have the ability to specialize in two of these. Typically with these two powers working together rather than against one another. Of course, they will have their limits and weaknesses just like any other creature found within the world. Though immortal in lifespan, they can be killed by beheading or the reception of too many traumatic wounds too quickly. Elves are also prone to fading if the will to live just isn't in them; therefore, depression is highly dangerous to anyone with Elven blood. Their connection with the forces of Nature keeps them from contracting diseases, however - it is practically unheard of for an Elf to fall ill of anything but sorrow.

Those who are old enough and therefore have enough power to tap in to another beings' energy are able to sense the aura of said other. Therefore, any Elf exceeding the age of 2,000 should be able to sense what another being is. Unless of course, they're up against the very strong concealing magic of the Dream Wraiths.


Religion
Elves often give themselves the idea that death will never find them; they are technically immortal, after all. However, they are not strangers to loss, and there are many times that they find they must say goodbye to a loved one. There is reverence for Nature, above all things. They feel that, not only do they return to this world-wide energy which created them - but that they, in turn, are charged with watching over those who still survive. Thus, to strengthen the ideal of this thought; when there is a body left behind, Elves will take their deceased to a 'Sentinel Forest'. These are sanctioned, sacred areas around Elven cities or other established dwellings that will play host to the markers of their dead. There, they will bury their dead and plant a tree over the heart or chest of the deceased. Tree types depend on the placement the Elf had in the scheme of life. Regardless of this, Faeries are then called in to help the tree get a jump start in growth - allowing the marker for the deceased to join the other Sentinels in the Forest. Standing guard over their loved ones who still live.

There are many stories surrounding these Forests. While Elves will visit them at any given time, other species find that they only like to wander among them during the day time hours. Faeries are especially wary of these collection of trees, especially at night; they find the almost militant setting to be too charged with aggression for their tastes.

When there is no body, usually when an Elf has faded, there is a ceremony held which will direct the deceased's energy to the Sentinel Forest. A vigil of traveling lanterns and soft hymns will lead the way - the family and other such loved ones of the deceased joined in song to call the spirit of the faded home. There, they will guide the spirit to the Sentinels which were placed for any other departed members of their house. While the energy is thought not to rejoin the others in watch, they do find this reunion of spirit with familial Sentinels to be a beautiful thing. They believe that the faded then returns to the energy of the sky, giving them air to breathe and causing the wind to blow.

Where Hybrids are concerned, tradition has held them to be outside of the Elven race despite the presence of their genetics. They simply do not see them as being on the same tier a pure-bred Elves and therefore do not find them to be worthy of the Sentinel Forests or other such ceremonies which are used to lay the Elven dead to rest. Instead, Hybrids are shunted off to the other side of their genetic equation; being viewed as a member of that species rather than their Elven parent's. While this idea is slowly beginning to see some change among the commoners, most of the Nobility seek to hold it firmly in place.