Most humans think of Elves as a mystical people, known for their beautiful music, art, and architecture. While this does seem to be a general guideline, there are various sub-races of elves that exist throughout Aurorea. Elves call themselves Lithuin, translated into “First”. Indeed, the elves were the first of the sleeping races to awake to the world. At that time there was only one race of elves. They believed themselves to be the best or “perfect” race and spread out across the world to gain dominance of it all. As they settled in different areas, they slowly began to transform into the four subspecies seen throughout Aurorea today.  Sirivan elves are very diplomatic, believing that almost any situation can be resolved through open negotiation. However, this does not mean that the Sirivan are without their own formidable warriors. Those Sirivan who show a high aptitude for tactics and combat are tutored in the arts of war from a very young age. These lessons include views on diplomacy, weaponry, stealth, and camouflage and create a core of warriors completely dedicated to the protection of the Sirivan elves and the forest homes. Sirivan elves are forest lovers, and enjoy making their cities and towns deep in the hearts of great forests. Their homes can be found both nestled in the limbs and snug around the roots of ancient t  rees. As such, druids are highly prized in the Sirivan culture. These druids are known to coax the trees into the delicate patterns of Sirivan architecture.The Sirivan culture is an extremely traditionalized and structured one, and the Sirivan have very strict customs that they adhere to. As such, their society has developed a strict social caste system, and attempting to speak above or marry out of one’s caste is taboo. Durthu elves are a lithe race of elves with a strong, coiled musculature. Their ears are very lightly pointed, and combined with their height (ranging anywhere from 5 to 6 ½ feet tall) these elves are sometimes mistaken for humans. Durthu elves weigh between 100 and 200 pounds and tend to have light to tan skin and dark hair, usually brown or black. Durthu elves never have brown eyes, usually having purple, green or blue eyes. Of all the elves, they probably differ most from the first elves. Durthu elves enjoy the many wonders of Aurorea very easily, and are extremely open-minded. Perhaps due to the fact that at first glance they are often mistaken for thin humans, Durthu are extremely open to other cultures and beliefs. These traits combined with a powerful curiosity about other cultures, have often combined to put Durthu elves in positions as teachers and ambassadors throughout the world. Indeed, the Durthu kingdom of Durkanver is perhaps half the size of other elven kingdoms because of the fact that the Durthu have made their homes in nations across that face of the world. Many kingdoms have Durthu advisors or Durthu tutors for the nobles’ children. Often these advisors will serve multiple generations of rulers. Unfortunately, the Durthu elves patience with other cultures has sometimes been taken advantage of. Perhaps the most recent and most explosive example can be seen in the recent War of Ascension (see The Timeline: The War of Ascension for more details). This has lead to the strengthening of the Durthu army, and the importation of Kit-Kaine combat instructors. Kit-Kaine elves have gained a reputation as a martial race steeped in warrior tradition, excelling in combat in all its forms. They are a rugged and muscled elven subrace, known for their nomadic existence. Kit-Kaine have dark hair and eyes, with deeply tanned skin. They stand between 5 and 5 ¾ feet tall, and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.  The Kit-Kaine never truly recovered from the destruction of their homeland. Instead, they found that they prospered while leading a nomadic existence. As such, they never form cities or towns of permanent dwellings, eschewing such “wastes of energy”. Their tent and wagon towns are quick to disassemble and move, with a gathering of 3,000 able to disperse and disappear into the wilderness within fifteen minutes time. All Kit-Kaine children are taught how to live in the wild and hunt game from a young age, with weapons drill and tactics training becoming routine and being taught to children as soon as they are able to walk. Despite the fluid nature of the Kit-Kaine tribes, all recognize Speaker Kavarin as their ruler, and keep in touch with each other through the use of Runners. These trained messengers are able to memorize and repeat more than three hours worth of dialogue, and are trained in the intricate diplomatic workings of the various tribal customs. Illithian elves live in cites gliding over the lands of Aurorea. These isolationistic elves, their skinned baked to black and their hair bleached white by the sun, live their lives away from the bustle and commotion of other races. They stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, weighing between 100 and 140 pounds. Often born blind, or blinded at a young age, these elves may have eyes of pale green or blue. It is not uncommon for one to see an Illithian with pure white or black eyes, if one sees them at all.  Crafted of a magical material known as ghoststone, Illithian cities have achieved the isolation that many elves yearn for. Their city-states are completely separate, each governed differently by strict, sometimes tyrannical rulers. Xenophobic in nature, Illithians believe themselves to be the pinnacle of elven race and culture, destined to be closest to the High Lord, and therefore Godly in their own right. The Illithian elves were not always so, and cultivated friendships and alliances with those that would choose to live on the ground. Their compassionate nature was well known throughout the world. One needs look only to the Ivory Spire (See On the Continents and Nations: Places of Interest), a graceful tower rising from Sirivas, in the heart of the Sirivan homeland of Itulin, to see that the Illithian and the Sirivan elves once shared a kinship as close as brothers. All of this changed during the War of Roses (See On the History of the World: War of Roses). A princely funeral, barred by arrogance and diplomatic red tape, erupted into a conflict that would change the Illithian forever. Since that time the Illithians have drawn inward, aggrandizing their role in the universe and harboring an arrogant people. Treasuring the magic-users that keep their civilization soaring, their strict society can feel suffocating to the young elves among them that long for something more. It is not completely unheard of for a young Illithian to fond a way off of his floating home, and out into the world. Racial Properties: The Elves of Aurorea are a various and diverse race of beings but, in game terms, there are a few similarities that they share.
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