these tales begin, and Dardis is responsible for much of it.
Léiras instructed Dardis in the making of magical things—blades, rings, mirrors, amulets, armor, and shields. Mirrors made by Dardis could tell an enemy from a friend despite outward appearances; hence it was Dardis who first realized the treachery of Lord Kotos. He was killed on the eve of the Second Uprising.
Dardis was rather plain and disheveled, often spending months in his “chamber of inspiration” as he created some new and wondrous object. Gentle, humble, and unassuming, he was perhaps the most universally beloved of all Elves in Alterra.
Elàni (El-LAN-ee): Elves. Immortal and impressive, they do not willingly serve the Darkness, though they may unwittingly do so through pride or deception. They have established some of the greatest realms in Alterra. Because of their very long lives, Elves are highly skilled, and many are quite learned. They make many beautiful things, and are unrivalled as musicians, singers, poets, and artisans. Elves are formidable in battle, and quick to defend their lands from any perceived threat.
Elves are almost universally beautiful, High-elves in particular. They are tall and very well made, with fine, silken hair that is usually worn long and flowing or plaited to keep it out of the way. Their hair may be of any color: silver, flaxen, golden, chestnut, mahogany, or raven. Their elegantly-shaped ears aid in distinguishing them from men. Their eyes are bright, and may also be of any color—the High-elves tend toward blue and grey, the Sylvan Elves green and brown. The males are beardless, which also separates them from men and rather pointedly from dwarves.
Elves enjoy an endless life span, unless they are slain. Their flesh will not fester, and they do not suffer disease. Yet they may be poisoned, killed in battle or by mischance, or even die from grief. Because of their very long lives, they do not often beget children, and they will do so only with their perceived life-mates.
They delight in sharing their knowledge and their language; hence most names of places and roots of common speech are in their tongue. Though some Elves can be arrogant and dismissive of other races, they have formed alliances and friendships with men and dwarves. Regrettably, they have also warred with them at times. The War of Betrayal between the Elves of Eádros and the dwarves of Rûmm accounts for much of the remaining enmity between Elves and dwarves.
The magical abilities of the folk of Alterra are held mostly by the Elves and, naturally, by the Asari. The Elves’ abilities are varied according to their origins, age, and experience. For example, the High Kings were possessed of supernormal strength in battle. They could exert a sort of inner power, engulfing their enemies with blue-white light, as could certain others among the High-elves. They could prevail over all but the most powerful of enemies. By contrast, the Bödvari also engulfed their opponents, but with fire rather than light.
Many Elves have the gift of foresight and insight, and they sense things over great distances. A rare few can actually see into the hearts and minds of others; some can do this only with living thought, and some can perceive only the final thoughts of the dead.
Some Elves possess powers that assist them in the healing of wounds, though they have little knowledge of or power over the afflictions of men.
The Wood-elves are thought to be less magical than the High-elves, but this is untrue. Their abilities are entirely practical; they are the stealthiest, lightest-footed and most agile beings in Alterra. They sometimes seem to defy the laws of nature, springing up into impossibly high tree-limbs and treading so lightly upon mud or snow that tracking them is difficult. They communicate on a very high level with other good-hearted creatures, especially horses and birds. It is said that an Elf of the Cúinar can tame the most fractious horse in a
Léiras instructed Dardis in the making of magical things—blades, rings, mirrors, amulets, armor, and shields. Mirrors made by Dardis could tell an enemy from a friend despite outward appearances; hence it was Dardis who first realized the treachery of Lord Kotos. He was killed on the eve of the Second Uprising.
Dardis was rather plain and disheveled, often spending months in his “chamber of inspiration” as he created some new and wondrous object. Gentle, humble, and unassuming, he was perhaps the most universally beloved of all Elves in Alterra.
Elàni (El-LAN-ee): Elves. Immortal and impressive, they do not willingly serve the Darkness, though they may unwittingly do so through pride or deception. They have established some of the greatest realms in Alterra. Because of their very long lives, Elves are highly skilled, and many are quite learned. They make many beautiful things, and are unrivalled as musicians, singers, poets, and artisans. Elves are formidable in battle, and quick to defend their lands from any perceived threat.
Elves are almost universally beautiful, High-elves in particular. They are tall and very well made, with fine, silken hair that is usually worn long and flowing or plaited to keep it out of the way. Their hair may be of any color: silver, flaxen, golden, chestnut, mahogany, or raven. Their elegantly-shaped ears aid in distinguishing them from men. Their eyes are bright, and may also be of any color—the High-elves tend toward blue and grey, the Sylvan Elves green and brown. The males are beardless, which also separates them from men and rather pointedly from dwarves.
Elves enjoy an endless life span, unless they are slain. Their flesh will not fester, and they do not suffer disease. Yet they may be poisoned, killed in battle or by mischance, or even die from grief. Because of their very long lives, they do not often beget children, and they will do so only with their perceived life-mates.
They delight in sharing their knowledge and their language; hence most names of places and roots of common speech are in their tongue. Though some Elves can be arrogant and dismissive of other races, they have formed alliances and friendships with men and dwarves. Regrettably, they have also warred with them at times. The War of Betrayal between the Elves of Eádros and the dwarves of Rûmm accounts for much of the remaining enmity between Elves and dwarves.
The magical abilities of the folk of Alterra are held mostly by the Elves and, naturally, by the Asari. The Elves’ abilities are varied according to their origins, age, and experience. For example, the High Kings were possessed of supernormal strength in battle. They could exert a sort of inner power, engulfing their enemies with blue-white light, as could certain others among the High-elves. They could prevail over all but the most powerful of enemies. By contrast, the Bödvari also engulfed their opponents, but with fire rather than light.
Many Elves have the gift of foresight and insight, and they sense things over great distances. A rare few can actually see into the hearts and minds of others; some can do this only with living thought, and some can perceive only the final thoughts of the dead.
Some Elves possess powers that assist them in the healing of wounds, though they have little knowledge of or power over the afflictions of men.
The Wood-elves are thought to be less magical than the High-elves, but this is untrue. Their abilities are entirely practical; they are the stealthiest, lightest-footed and most agile beings in Alterra. They sometimes seem to defy the laws of nature, springing up into impossibly high tree-limbs and treading so lightly upon mud or snow that tracking them is difficult. They communicate on a very high level with other good-hearted creatures, especially horses and birds. It is said that an Elf of the Cúinar can tame the most fractious horse in a
Similar Books
