Ælfkin

Ælfkind (or: elfkind, elves, alfcynnd, singular: ælfkin, elfkin, elf, alfcynn) are a race of mortals that were created in the aftermath of The Worldbreak and the appearance of the Great Forests. They were tasked by The Creator with the protection of natural life - plant, animal, and people. Ælfkind are tall, graceful, slender, and beautiful, with classically pointed ears. Ælfkind are by nature immortal, but their continuous exposure to The Great Curse inevitably saps their immortality and claims their life, though their death is without the visible effects of age.

The golden age of ælfkind was in the 2nd Age, where hidden ælfin kingdoms guarded the borders of the Great Forests and would send armies to aid the forces of Good. This age would end with the Great War, where the armies would be squandered, the kingdoms overturned, and around 90% of ælfkind dead. Going into the 4th Age ælfkind would be supplanted in their role by Anthegals, who would assimilate many survivors through marriage, fealty, or force. A few scattered hidden kingdoms (see elendil) would cling to the far corners of the world, however, keeping their eternal vigil against the Great Forests. By the 8th Age ælfkind would be all but extinct.

The Elende (or: star elves, singular: elendil) people are the ælfkind that survived the Great War and attempted to keep the old ways.

The Ranade (or: moon elves, singular: ranadil) are those ælfkind that fled into the Great Forests during the Great War, and adapted to thrive in their eternal night. While some succumbed to the corruption of the forests and turned to evil, others faithfully keep to their mission to protect life from within the darkness. Many are primitive, but underestimating their shrewdness and courage is often deadly.