Elf
Elves are a largely absent race in Ittoril, the most prominent elven civilisation, the Sea Elves, having disappeared, and other populations only being present in the Near Wilds as Wild Elves.
Characteristics
Elves are generally of smaller and slimmer build than humans, averaging around 5'4", with smaller bones and less body fat. They have pointed ears and usually do not grow facial or body hair, regardless of sex. Elves generally enjoy much longer lifespans than humans, living for multiple centuries.
All Elves, and even people with a high enough portion of Elven blood, will have skin that alternates between two colours, exact shading and patterning being hereditary traits. The Sea Elves had skin which alternated between darker and lighter shades of blue, while Wild Elves have alternating white and pink skin.
Elves are considered one of the primary subspecies of Simisape within the evolutionary theory of Jan Silverstein.
Cultural Significance
Elves are highly revered in many cultures, understood to be superior to other races on account of their extended lifespans, which bring wisdom and knowledge. In the Meridán region, possessing Elven blood is considered prestigious, and many noble families make claim to a higher portion of Elven blood than common folk.
Traditional racial theory of The Four Ways suggests that elves possess more wisdom (Giay Luy: Naŏ) than other races, but less sociality or "connected-ness" (Phoi). Ecologist Jan Silverstein has endorsed the four ways view, with the sociological justification that a race with a longer life span has less need for interpersonal exchange of knowledge.
Distribution
In the Imperial States, the term "Elf" generally refers to the Sea Elves, a civilisation who lived in travelling flotillas on the Meridán Sea and frequently visited and traded with coastal towns and cities. Little else is known about their society, and during the early half of The Turf Wars, they disappeared, with no consensus view on whether they left the Meridán, went into hiding, or were bred out of existence.
Meanwhile, there are often sightings of pale-skinned Elves, colloquially referred to as Wild Elves, in the near wilds around the Imperial States. It is said that these Elves are powerful practitioners of Witchcraft, and that they travel alone.