High Elves

The High Elves came from a continent far from the rest of Omniluxia and appear to be distant relatives of the Forest Elves, including the Aneic. For much of recorded history they have been a colonizing and slaving power whose invasions shaped Arteon, Eptelon, Horteon, and the Melodian continents.

Biology¶

High Elves live far longer than humans. Their bodies eventually fail part by part, even while their minds remain intact until death. This long lifespan gives High Elven rulers and nobles a deep historical memory, but it can also harden old grudges and imperial assumptions.

Society¶

High Elves are proud and often xenophobic. They organize conquests into colonies ruled from citadels, extracting labor and tribute from subject peoples. Slavery has been central to many High Elven states, especially during the expansion of Atheusian power.

The great slaver-empire of Atheus the Conqueror brought ruinous war to Horteon and the Melodian continents. After the death of Atheus the Younger in 635 LC, the Great High Elven Civil War split the empire between rival heirs.

The High Elven Peace¶

The High Elven Civil War ended in practice after the Great Collapse, when both kings lacked the manpower to continue fighting. The resulting High Elven Peace paused expansion and gave oppressed native peoples a rare chance to resist, recover, and push back.

Even so, High Elven colonial structures remain powerful. Their citadels, slaver networks, and old claims continue to shape regional politics.

Mixed Peoples and Related Races¶

Where High Elven and human blood mixed, new peoples emerged. The Aralans, also called Alu-sarian half-elves, are among the most important examples on Arteon.

Related races include:

• Drow - underground descendants transformed by deep history and Melodian influence.
• Sea Elves - shipwrecked cousins of the Central Isles.
• Half-Elves - mixed descendants of Elves and Humans.
• Forest Elves - older or parallel Elven branches tied to Mother Earth and the Eldritch forests.

See also: Atheus, High Elven Civil War, Aralans, Arteon, and Recent Events.