"I blink and a century passes. I rest and empires fall."

Lore

The high elves are the elves most unlike the race of men. Every high elf is not simply born to their position, but has taken a pilgrimage to the Lands Beyond and has witnessed the dreams of mortals. This pilgrimage, known as the Ascension, causes them to live nearly twice as long as the average elf and unlocks their magical potential, making every high elf capable of becoming a mage, should they so choose. 

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​Though few in number, high elves are the ruling caste of Aer Arnad, and every significant title in the realm is held by one. After several disastrous battles against the superior numbers of petty human kingdoms, The Empire of Aer Arnad and many of its magelords receded to the east toward their capital of Helmrast. Some yet remain, attempting to maintain or regain ancestral lands they believe themselves entitled to, while yet others arrive anew to stake a claim to lands abandoned.

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High elves are the source of many elven and human cultural norms, particularly those surrounding nobility. One custom that has not spread much outside the Imperial borders is their formal system of relationships. High elves marry for life, typically for political reasons, remarrying only after a spouse's death. Beyond that, however, there is a formal system of concubinage, with concubines expected to be kept in lavish conditions and given a respected position at court. Finally, affairs of the heart beyond that are widely accepted, though it is considered gauche to traipse a lover around court should they not be given a formal position as concubine. Such is the desperation for more high elves that the rare child born of one is considered a legitimate member of the high elven family.

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High elves often take great pride in their origins, with three pure lines of succession from ancient heroes: the fair-haired and often bulkier Amilamarth, descended from Naevys Valvyre, a warrior of legend. The red-haired, bronze skinned Erestellio, scions of Venali Faeris, the builder of nations. And finally, the black-haired and pale skinned Tarcirth, of the line of Lhoris Iliralei, the great researcher. Of course, pure lines were rare from the start, and only grew rarer with time. The vast majority of high elves are Dineryn, from mixed lines, and carry the full gamut of natural hair and skin. This division is often a point of contention, and internal factions tend to split along the same lines, with Dineryn high elves expected to fall in line.

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A life of privilege breeds particular people, and elves are no exception. Nearly all high elves are haughty, convinced not just of their own superiority but of the supremacy of their entire race. Though gauche and rarely spoken about in public, there is a persistent belief of hierarchical worth amongst them, with high elves sitting at the top, followed by harvest elves, and then the 'lesser' races beneath them. In this, even when trying to be humble they often come across as arrogant, domineering, and demanding. As nobility, they are also expected to maintain a certain decorum, making them a stiff, formal people who place a large emphasis on appearance, often dressing ostentatiously even in inappropriate circumstances.

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Quirks

• High elves are the ruling class of Aer Arnad. Their long lives and privileged birth facilitate wealth accumulation, often inheriting from human spouses and half-elven offspring.

• High elven society has multiple formal romantic relationships. Marriage is a political, exclusive pact between two high elves, though both partners are allowed and even expected to maintain a number of harvest elf, half-elf, and human concubines (a formal position of honour), along with a number of kept lovers (an informal arrangement). Despite this, the high elven birthrate is still notoriously low.

• Elves need rest like any other, though they need less of it than normal, either sleeping for less time or with larger gaps between rests. When they do sleep, they do not dream like most mortals - instead entering a meditative void where they can think and plan. Elves who sleep in close proximity can choose to enter the same void, able to share time together while their bodies recuperate. Due to their experience with the Lands Beyond, they can shape their void to a limited degree - dressing it up as places familiar to them.

• High elves are often altered by cosmetic magics and are vain about their appearance. They typically dress ostentatiously and caste tattoos that glow with magic are common among them and their servants.

• Younger high elves are drawn to human passion and unpredictability, often seeking alliances or coexistence. Older high elves tend to believe that their wisdom outweighs the rules placed on them, and often insulate themselves from accusations of hypocrisy and corruption by only speaking to their subjects via trusted servants.

• Elves younger than 100 years of age are children and may not be played on Orcrest. High elves are often significantly older, because of the non-congruent periods they have spent in the Lands Beyond, divining projections of the future from the dreams of mortals.