The Elves

Cultural Overview

The Elves are an ancient, long-lived people who grow taller with age and favor natural materials over worked metals. They inhabit The Winter Court and maintain a standoffish culture that values children above all else due to their extremely low birth rate.

Physical and Cultural Traits

Unique Characteristics

• Height indicates age - Young elves are short, while tall elves are very ancient
• Extremely low birth rate - Makes every child precious to elven society
• Favor children above all - Cultural priority due to rarity of births
• Natural material preference - Choose organic materials over metal or stone
• Standoffish culture - Generally keep to themselves, maintaining distance from other peoples

Misconceptions and Truth

• Worked iron myth - Contrary to rumors, worked iron does NOT cause extra damage to elves
• Natural affinity - They simply prefer natural materials by choice, not necessity

Current Crisis Response

Relationship with the Overlord

• Rumored negotiations - Elves are rumored to be seeking a non-aggression pact with the Overlord

Strategic Withdrawal Plans

The elves have developed concrete evacuation strategies in response to the growing crisis:

• Ancient stronghold - Planning withdrawal to an unused ancient elven stronghold
• Classified intelligence - These withdrawal plans are kept secret from other races
• Strategic retreat - Represents preparation for worst-case scenarios if negotiations fail

Session 3 Factional Divisions

Isolationist Faction: The Hidden Fae Hold, an elven community in the forests east of the river, has chosen complete isolationism rather than engagement. They represent elves who believe survival lies in hiding and withdrawal.

Activist Faction: Randello and other "rabble rouser" elves advocate for active resistance against The Entropy Shepherd, representing those who believe engagement is necessary for survival.

Diplomatic Faction: Ulion and The Winter Court appear to support rekindling bonds with other races and resistance, representing a middle path between isolation and aggression.

Internal Conflict: These factions create divisions within elven society about the proper response to the crisis - hide, negotiate, or fight.

Political Maneuvering

The elves appear to be taking a pragmatic approach to the crisis, though now fractured:

• Considering accommodation rather than confrontation (diplomatic faction)
• Some choosing complete withdrawal (isolationists at Hidden Fae Hold)
• Others advocating for active resistance (activists like Randello)
• May believe they can preserve their people through various strategies
• Their long-term perspective might make them view the crisis differently than shorter-lived races
• Maintaining operational security around their contingency plans

Key Locations and Institutions

The Winter Court

• The Winter Court - The elven realm where Ulion holds a lordship
• Center of elven political power and culture
• Home to diplomatic and magical traditions

Hidden Fae Hold

• Hidden Fae Hold - Isolationist elven community in forests east of the river
• Chosen complete withdrawal from the crisis
• Does not welcome outsiders or participate in alliances
• Represents conservative/isolationist elven faction

Notable Elves

Current Representatives

• Ulion the Sleepbringer - Lord of The Winter Court, current Fellowship member
• Rost - Ulion's elven shadow bodyguard, "untraceable and right where you need me"
• Randello - Elven sage and "rabble rouser," activist advocating for resistance, source of Song of Beginnings information

Skills and Knowledge

• Animal communication - Ulion teaches elven animal speak to others like Nyx
• Diplomatic missions - Sent to rekindle human-fae bonds
• Law enforcement - Capable of capturing criminals like Ale-ore's criminal cousin
• Ancient connections - Ulion was a former friend of The Entropy Shepherd before his transformation

Cultural Values and Practices

Social Structure

• Respect for age - Taller (older) elves hold more authority
• Child-centric society - Every birth celebrated and protected
• Cautious diplomacy - Prefer negotiation to direct confrontation
• Long-term thinking - Make decisions based on centuries of perspective

Traditional Roles

• Diplomatic missions - Maintaining relationships with other peoples
• Magical practices - Animal communication and nature magic
• Cultural preservation - Maintaining ancient traditions and knowledge

Relationship to Other Peoples

Historical Connections

• Complex past with humans - Ulion sent specifically to rekindle human-fae bonds
• Legal authority - Capable of arresting criminals from other races
• Former friendship - Ulion had a personal relationship with the being who became The Entropy Shepherd

Campaign Significance

The elves represent a pragmatic, long-term approach to the entropy crisis. Their potential negotiation with The Entropy Shepherd suggests they may believe survival lies in accommodation rather than resistance.

Their ancient perspective and Ulion's former friendship with the Shepherd provide unique insights into the true nature of the threat. The elves' response to the crisis - potentially seeking peace rather than war - creates interesting moral and strategic questions for the Fellowship.