Personality and Physical Appearance

Elf

Eternal Life and the Lyrandel

Elves mature slowly and do not die of old age. Their lives are marked by ten major milestones, shaped by cycles of wakefulness and a sacred period of hibernation called the Slumber of Renewal.

At the center of their longevity is the Lyrandel, a unique organ near the heart that stores mana and preserves the Elf's Grace. As long as the Lyrandel remains whole and uncorrupted, an Elf’s life is effectively eternal. However, if their Grace is severed from the Lyrandel—through damage, corruption, or divine punishment—the Elf becomes mortal.

Elves do not typically count years the way mortals do. Time, to them, is a cycle—not a line.

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Stages of an Elf's Life

The Awakening

• Common Equivalent: Birth
• Milestone: The newborn Elf’s Lyrandel first pulses, initiating their bond to the Valar. Celebrated with a blessing ritual.

First Rite (Around Age 20)

• Common Equivalent: First Words
• Milestone: First conscious channeling of magic through the Lyrandel. Families celebrate the Elf’s unique affinity.

The Bonding (Around Age 50)

• Common Equivalent: First Friendships
• Milestone: Formation of meaningful bonds outside family. Often when lifelong pairs are formed.

The Gleaning (Around Age 100)

• Common Equivalent: Early Education
• Milestone: Exploration of disciplines—arts, combat, magic—to learn how their Lyrandel resonates with different paths.

The First Dream (Around Age 150)

• Common Equivalent: Coming of Age
• Milestone: The first prophetic dream from Seraphiel. Elders guide its interpretation.

The Weaving (Around Age 200)

• Common Equivalent: Choosing a Career
• Milestone: Public declaration of life path (Order, patron Vala, profession). Considered a full adult.

The First Reflection (Age 300–500)

• Common Equivalent: Major Life Transition
• Milestone: Physical and spiritual renewal. Often coincides with deep bonding or communal responsibility.

The Second Reflection (Around Age 800)

• Common Equivalent: Midlife Reflection
• Milestone: Reassessment of life’s purpose. Often leads to a new role or insight.

The Mantle of Wisdom (Over 1000 Years)

• Common Equivalent: Elder Status
• Milestone: Recognized as an elder and keeper of lore. Channels ancient magic more easily.

The First Slumber (Subrace Dependent)

• Common Equivalent: Retirement
• Milestone: First entry into the Slumber of Renewal—a hibernation where the Elf communes with the Valar and the natural world.

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Subrace Profiles

Note: Elves of mixed heritage may exhibit traits from both parents. For example, a Wood Elf with a Hill Elf father may be broader or taller than a typical Wood Elf—but they are still considered a Wood Elf, as race is matrilineal.

Wood Elves

Wood Elves are spirited wanderers, deeply bound to nature. Agile, curious, and unpredictable, they serve as scouts, hunters, druids, and rangers. They revere every stream and glade as sacred.

Trait	Description
Skin	Bronze to umber, sometimes with bark-like striations or freckling
Eyes	Green, amber, or chestnut
Hair	Brown, red, green; adorned with feathers, beads, or petals
Build	Short, slender, acrobatic
Traits	Adaptive, stealthy, playful, loyal to kin and forest

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Note: Elves of mixed heritage may exhibit traits from both parents. For example, a High Elf with a Wood Elf father may be slightly more agile or shorter than a typical High Elf—but they are still a High Elf, as race is matrilineal.

High Elves

High Elves are contemplative and arcane, the scholars and loremasters of the race. Their appearance is luminous and refined, and they move with calm precision.

Trait	Description
Skin	Pale to porcelain, faintly luminous
Eyes	Sapphire, amethyst, or violet
Hair	Silver, white, gold, or black
Build	Tall, lean, elegant
Traits	Brilliant, exacting, focused, emotionally intense

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Note: Elves of mixed heritage may exhibit traits from both parents. For example, a Hill Elf with a High Elf father may appear more graceful or arcane in disposition—but they are still a Hill Elf, as race is matrilineal.

Hill Elves

Hill Elves are the strong backbone of Elvenkind. Grounded and tradition-bound, they are known for craft, endurance, and practical wisdom.

Trait	Description
Skin	Tan to bronze
Eyes	Amber, russet, or hazel
Hair	Chestnut, auburn, or dark gold
Build	Broad, muscular, tall
Traits	Stoic, loyal, industrious, proud

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Elven Wake Cycles

Subrace	Wake Cycle	Slumber Cycle
High Elf	2400 years	70 years
Wood Elf	1800 years	50 years
Hill Elf	1200 years	30 years

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The Slumber of Renewal

The Slumber of Renewal is a sacred hibernation taught by Seraphiel during the Age of Chaos. Elves retreat into the earth for magical and spiritual restoration. During this time, latent mana sustains the Valar, especially those without clans.

High Elves theorize that, in time, the cycles may result in a permanent resonance with the divine—an end to the need for Slumber altogether.

Elves prepare for the Slumber with rituals and offerings. It is a communal event and a sign of deepening wisdom.

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Not From Arandor?

See: Elven Settlements

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Staff Notes

• Elves are matrilineal: race is inherited from the mother
• There are no half-elves: offspring are fully one race or another
• All Elf characters must have completed the Weaving
• Visual appearance can be customized to match subrace

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OOC Lore Compliance Notes (Click to Expand)

• Elves are matrilineal: the union of a High Elf female and a Hill Elf male will result in a High Elf child.
• Female Elves who reproduce with other races produce either a full Elf or full non-Elf. There are no half-Elves.
• Male Elves who reproduce with non-Elves never produce Elven children.
• Ninvere Lanreci, the Elder Queen of Arandor, is the oldest living Elf.
• All Elf characters must have reached the milestone known as \"The Weaving\" before entering play.