Chambers of Astinus

The Elves

Elves are slighter than most humans, as well as being shorter and more "fragile." The elves were brought into the world by the Gods of Good, and they enjoy natural beauty and live long lives, allowing things to take their course. Elves of certain clans can live to be 1200 years old, though they generally leave the world before this time.

The elven race is inherently magical, shaping natural elements of the world to their will and keeping things in balance. Elves possess a high level of dexterity as well as infravision—the ability to see infrared outlines of creatures in the dark. Krynnish elves are haughty creatures, considering themselves superior to the 'lesser' races.

There are quite a few different types of elves on Krynn: Silvanesti, Qualinesti, Kagonesti, Dargonesti, Dimernesti, Lucanesti, Hestite, Cha'asii, Mahkwaab, Beekatawahb, Silvanaes, Talanesti, Huldrefolk and Tamire. The unifying characteristic of all these races is that they remain isolated from other races and generally ignore (or seem very aloof and unconcerned about what happens) the rest of the world.

Silvanesti

These are the 'grey' elves of Krynn. They consider themselves to be the "purest" elves—in fact they fought the Kinslayer War because of it. Silvanesti, the traditional elvenhome, went to war with the Ergothian Empire to preserve their purity and to root out the half-elves born through illicit unions of elves and humans. After the war, the elven nation split, and those choosing to remain in Silvanesti became even more set in their ways. The Silvanesti are ruled by the Speaker of the Stars, who lives in the capitol, Silvanost. Famous Silvanesti are Silvanos, Lorac Caladon, Alhana Starbreeze and Dalamar the Dark.

Qualinesti

This is the nation formed by the split of Silvanesti following the Kinslayer War. These 'high' elves left the east in an effort to get away from the rigidity of their cousins; however they have become rigid over time as well. The Qualinesti are more likely to leave Qualinost, the capitol, and venture out to see the rest of Krynn, though by no means is this common. The Qualinesti are ruled by the Speaker of the Suns. The most famous and notable Qualinesti elves are the likes of Kith-Kanan, Laurana, Gilthanas, Porthios and (to a certain extent) Tanis Half-Elven.

Kagonesti

The wilder elves live in the large forests all over Krynn. Kagonesti elves generally are stronger and bigger than their civilized cousins and dislike the hustle and bustle of the big cities, preferring the quiet atmosphere of their forests. The Kagonesti almost perished during the Cataclysm and now call the Ergothian isles their home. The most famous Kagonesti is Kagonos, the first Pathfinder (leader of the Kagonesti), who led the wilder elves away from the council of Sinthal-Elish, thus separating from their Silvanesti cousins.

Dargonesti

The Dargonesti are sea elves who live off the eastern coasts of Ansalon. Rumor has it that the Dargonesti were originally land elves who were mariners and were transformed into aquatic elves by the passing of the Graygem. The Dargonesti are the 'grey' elves of the sea—they are the more civilized than their Dimernesti cousins. Dargonesti elves are lead by the Speaker of the Moons. Though little is known of them, the Dargonesti have bluish skin, as well as webbed feet and gills. In addition to being able to breathe water, the Dargonesti are able to transform themselves into dolphins.

Dimernesti

The Dimernesti are the 'high' sea elves, with all the characteristics of their Dargonesti cousins, with the exception that they turn themselves into sea otters rather than dolphins. Where the Dargonesti live in the deepest parts of the ocean, the Dimernesti prefer to live in the shoals and shallower waters. The Dimernesti elves are ruled by the Speaker of the Sea.

Lucanesti

These elves are a minor branch of the Dimernesti, who once mined opals in the grasslands south of Istar. They were enslaved by the Kingpriest before the Cataclysm and have since disappeared. Lucanesti elves has a mottled, opalescent skin and have a translucent eyelids (like frogs). When using this covering (the Lucerna), the elves can see veins of water or opals clearly. They can feign death by slowing their heartbeat, and use a type of martial arts in hand-to-hand combat.

Hestite

These elves are a branch of the Silvanesti. During the reign of Sithas, the mage Vedvedsica and the general Hestanfalas, fled his wrath with many of their followers. They fled underground to escape Sithas' armies, and founded a new elven nation deep in the underground of Abanasina. Due to centuries underground, these elves have become extremely pale and live in a strict caste society. They remain hidden from the world, fearing retribution from future Silvanesti.

Mahkwahb

Also known as the 'Elves of the Abyss'. The Mahkwahb are an evil branch of the Dargonesti elves. They dwell in deep fissures in the ocean floor. This branch of elves was exiled from the main Dargonesti clan over a millenia ago for their unspeakable acts, and have become even more twisted and evil in their dark lairs. Mahkwahb have white skin, black hair and eyes with a reddish tinge to them. Their features are harsh and angular (moreso than most elves), and they have pointed fangs. They are vicious and treacherous, able to be set off into a rage at the slightest thing. They naturally bear a deep and abiding hatred for all Dargonesti and attempt to kill any Dargonesti or dolphins that they see.

Silvanaes

The Silvanaes are the descendants of a Silvanesti expedition to Qualinesti during the Age of Dreams. The expedition was blown off course and ended up in Taladas. Part of those in the expedition chose to form a new nation based on the ideals of old Silvanesti, whereas others tried to reclaim what they had in Ansalon, and tried to build New Silvanost. A smaller branch of dissatisfied elves who did not want to link with either group, chose to migrate to the islands off the Banks of the Hoor, and call themselves Dimernesti after their Ansalonian brethren. The construction of New Silvanost turned out to be a massive failure, and most folks returned to building the new nation of Armach-Nesti. The Silvanaes of Armach are slightly more tanned than the Silvanesti, but otherwise resemble them fairly closely.

Tamire

Tamire elves, also known 'Hosk'i Imou Merkitsa'. The elves of the Tamire are wild and untamed. They are a nomadic people, who are splits into various clans. Each clan is ruled by a shaman. The elves of Tamire were also once part of the Silvanesti expedition, however a small part of the expedition migrated to the Ilquar Mountains to live off the land. In the wilds of the Tamire, the people changed and the Tamire elves now resemble the wiry Kagonesti far more than their predecessors. They are known as wild raiders and dealings with them is often avoided.

Cha'asii

The Cha'asii are the wild elves of Taladas. Descended from the Elderwild elves, they are much the same as the Kagonesti in Ansalon. They are wild and untamed elves who use their own form of nature magic to protect themselves. They live deep within the jungles of Neron.

Huldrefolk

Huldrefolk are one of the lost races of Krynn. Upon Ansalon they are almost never seen, and in Taladas they reside only in one hidden forest. They are the most isolationist of all the types of elves, and are also the most magical. They are extremely small and are gray-skinned. Most people do not realise that the huldre are actually a type of elf. They occasionally reside on the Prime Material Plane, but more often than not, reside in other realms also. They are generally ruled by a king and queen, however there is no government or heirarchy in place.

Talanesti

The Talanesti are yet another group of elves (much like the Armach and Silvanaes), who were shipwrecked upon the shores of Taladas. They formed a small community on Taladas and formed their nation of Talanesti. They named themselves thus after their new continent, which they first foresaw as a saving grace, since they believed themselves lost to sea. This small elven nation is not a major power in Taladas and is often overlooked by the mightier nations of Thenol and the League of Minotaurs. Even the other elven nations of Taladas have few dealings with the Talanesti.

Beekatawahb

The Beekatawahb are a splinter group of the Dargonesti elves. They are a fringe group of elves who reside in the Watermere region. The Beekatawahb strongly believe in helping out all other living creatures, both land or sea-based. They are unconditionally good to all travellers in need of aid, often rescuing drowning sailors, or nursing injured creatures back to health. Because their train of thought is quite different from most Dargonesti, they are herded to the fringes of the Dargonesti domain, but not exiled, since they are still inherently good creatures. The Beekatawahb are led by a Speaker of the Stars, whom is generally a powerful cleric of Habbakuk. The Beekatawahb are commonly referred to as Foobwahb, by the other sea elves, which is translated as 'crazy elves'. Most other sea elves consider them to be harmless yet crazy, an embarassing anomaly in sea elf society.

Half-Elves

Another offshoot from the elves is the half-elf. The average life span for a half-elf is 250 years. They possess the strength and sturdiness of humans and the grace and beauty of elves. However half-elves are often not accepted into either race, and the most they can hope for is mere tolerance. One such example is Tanis Half-Elven, who was tolerated in Qualinesti, but never truly accepted.

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