The Aelfar are the elder folk of the deep forest — the elves of the Surface world.
Speed 100% · Health 80%
Tall, slender, and silent in their movements, the Aelfar have pointed ears, large dark eyes suited to forest gloom, and long plaited hair. The forearms of an adult are covered in inked formulae — a working spellbook. They dress in practical earth tones and carry longbows, the finest ranged weapons on the surface, along with the potions, inks, and rare ingredients their magic depends on.
An Aelfar fight is usually over before it begins: prepared ground, hidden archers, snares, and wards. They shoot to wound rather than kill, and most encounters can be ended by retreating, surrendering, or simply asking. Caught away from their forests and their preparations they are far less dangerous. A patient, respectful traveller can earn their mentorship.
The following scroll was recovered from the forest, its ink older than the trees:
“I have outlasted the ages as the stone outlasts the rain: by holding still while the world looked elsewhere. Let the young raise their walls and forget them; what they let fall, we keep, line upon line, in rooms the forest has swallowed. My restless kin, the changelings, could never sit so long.
Meaning is not minted but overheard. The world speaks, slowly, and the wise grow quiet enough to catch it; we call that voice Vox Maxa. Yet do not trust the one who swears he has heard it whole — I have not, in all my years. I have let a kingdom fall rather than answer too soon: better a hundred years of listening than one hasty word.”