G'day
In the setting I am working on, there are four sub-races of elves. I was thinking of making the differences between them essentially cultural (and sticking with PHB eleves). But I thoght that perhaps you might suggest otherwise. I'd like to read what you think.
High elves
The high elves are a talented race blessed and cursed with ambition. They have vision and energy, but tend to lack humility. The World Empire was a high-elvish project: well-meant, perhaps, but typically arrogant. In this as in other things the high elves bit off more than they could chew.
The typical high elf is imagined as having blond hair, blue or green eyes, and skin that tans readily in the Sun. The traditional costume is a long tunic worn perhaps over a fine undertunic, with hose, shoes, and a cloak if required, or breeches for riding. High elves often wear rich colours and elaborate embroidery, but their taste is subtle.
Deep elves
The deep elves also talented, but they are focused more on making and learning than on ordering and organising, which tends to make them aloof rather than arrogant. Capable and methodical, the deep elves are better artists than the dwarves and nearly their equal as artisans and engineers.
The typical deep elf is imagined as pale and dark-haired, with blue or grey eyes. Their traditional costume is like that of the high elves, but they tend to prefer more subdued colours and to wear fewer but larger jewels.
Wood elves
The wood elves are not so driven as their aforementioned fellows. They are met as wanderers with packhorses or caravans, or living simple lives in inconspicuous settlements. Feckless fribbles? Subtle philosophers unfettered by materialism? They may be both.
The typical wood elf is supposed to have brown hair, tanned skin, and green or hazel eyes. Their inconspicuous green and brown hunting and travelling clothes are famous, but when appropriate they prefer gay colours. Wood-elf costume tends rather to doublet and breeches than to high-elven draperies, though they do wear hooded cloaks.
Sea elves
Sea elves are less than common in the Great Vale. They prefer to sail the seas in search of novelty and adventure, in small yachts or in great clippers with the population of a small village.
The typical sea elf is imagined as having tanned skin, grey or blue eyes, and pale or sun-bleached hair. Like the wood-elves they wear breeches or trousers, but they often wear coats over their full white shirts, and they favour hats. Sea elves typically prefer white with strong contrasts of black, red, or blue.
In the setting I am working on, there are four sub-races of elves. I was thinking of making the differences between them essentially cultural (and sticking with PHB eleves). But I thoght that perhaps you might suggest otherwise. I'd like to read what you think.
High elves
The high elves are a talented race blessed and cursed with ambition. They have vision and energy, but tend to lack humility. The World Empire was a high-elvish project: well-meant, perhaps, but typically arrogant. In this as in other things the high elves bit off more than they could chew.
The typical high elf is imagined as having blond hair, blue or green eyes, and skin that tans readily in the Sun. The traditional costume is a long tunic worn perhaps over a fine undertunic, with hose, shoes, and a cloak if required, or breeches for riding. High elves often wear rich colours and elaborate embroidery, but their taste is subtle.
Deep elves
The deep elves also talented, but they are focused more on making and learning than on ordering and organising, which tends to make them aloof rather than arrogant. Capable and methodical, the deep elves are better artists than the dwarves and nearly their equal as artisans and engineers.
The typical deep elf is imagined as pale and dark-haired, with blue or grey eyes. Their traditional costume is like that of the high elves, but they tend to prefer more subdued colours and to wear fewer but larger jewels.
Wood elves
The wood elves are not so driven as their aforementioned fellows. They are met as wanderers with packhorses or caravans, or living simple lives in inconspicuous settlements. Feckless fribbles? Subtle philosophers unfettered by materialism? They may be both.
The typical wood elf is supposed to have brown hair, tanned skin, and green or hazel eyes. Their inconspicuous green and brown hunting and travelling clothes are famous, but when appropriate they prefer gay colours. Wood-elf costume tends rather to doublet and breeches than to high-elven draperies, though they do wear hooded cloaks.
Sea elves
Sea elves are less than common in the Great Vale. They prefer to sail the seas in search of novelty and adventure, in small yachts or in great clippers with the population of a small village.
The typical sea elf is imagined as having tanned skin, grey or blue eyes, and pale or sun-bleached hair. Like the wood-elves they wear breeches or trousers, but they often wear coats over their full white shirts, and they favour hats. Sea elves typically prefer white with strong contrasts of black, red, or blue.
