Nature Elves

a lexica entry by Erling Feuergeist

Alternate Names: Forest Elves, Plant-People, Dryaden, Earthen Elves

Relations: Origins of the Lunanima, Serpanima and Wood Elves, closely befriended with the Aquatic Elves and therefor River Folk and Sea Elves.

Even though their general name seems so very simple, Nature Elves are probably the most misunderstood. The lines between their different sub-species are very blurry. As Elves so very close to nature, they have adapted to their different environments over the centuries, and thus they changed on the inside and outside. Some alterations are blatantly obvious to the naked eye, others are very tricky to spot.

General appearance
Since Nature Elves differ so much depending on what environment and what creatures around them they adapt to, it is almost impossible to compromise on a general description. However, most Nature Elves are rather slender and only a few build up a respectable amount of muscles. Some of them could nearly be mistaken as Dryaden, as their genes altered so much they could partly be seen as plants. Others live with animal packs and adjusted their stance, figure and choice of clothing to fit in.

Most Nature Elves have either brown, golden or green eyes, simple hair colors, though many enjoy dyeing it in vibrant colors to stick out.

Average life span: roughly 600 to 800 years

Average height: too varying to generalize

Characteristics
Depending on their environment, Nature Elves can be either calm and laid back or feral and easily excitable. The majority, however, despises unnecessary violence and tries to live in harmony with nature. Modernized species can set Nature Elves off and confuse them.

Even if generally very curious, if confronted with reason to be uncomfortable, Nature Elves pull back to their groups and tendentially exclude any and all strangers and visitors.

Mixed examples of traits people assign to Nature Elves are: Amiable, candid, compassionate, crafty, enthusiastic, frank, hopeful, ignorant, impulsive, loyal, mysterious, obstinate, persevering, positive, sensitive, strange, touchy, whimsical

Attributes
Benefits: Weaknesses:
 * natural environment ++
 * animals +
 * plants +
 * iron/steel - -
 * ice -
 * dry heat -

Magic
Bound to nature and what it gives in its generosity, Nature Elves frown upon most magic of the arcane and divine. Anything that one could describe as magic is based on herbalism and performed by druids. Very few groups have an alchemist among them; or a shaman who might occasionally also dabble in bone magic or environmental magic.

Nature Elves generally only work with what their surroundings give them. Trying to summon the elements, favors of gods or any other superstitious power is unnatural to them and unwelcome.