Elves

The Elves of Onnos are significantly different than those found in other settings. The history of the Elves is defined by isolation, brutality and ferocity. Their relationship with the Drow is necessary and symbiotic. Their perspective on the world is often limited despite the length of their lives - or perhaps because of it.

Elves almost exclusively reside in the jungles of Ayarauca, a humid sprawl filled with the incessant sound of teeming and often dangerous wildlife, frequent rains that sometimes turn into monsoons, mahogany and palm canopies that block out the sun and glades where one feels constantly watched by the jungle itself. It is home to pockets of living magic and secrets as ancient as perhaps Argem itself. Some believe the magic of the rainforest itself gave birth to the elves, a creation made for the sole purpose of protecting it.

That is part of what the elves have been their entire existence, protective of their land and intensely territorial. The elves of Onnos are frequently a vicious, brutal and almost feral people, traits shared by even the most polished of their race. They share a connection with Ayarauca and rely almost exclusively on the jungle for their every need. Their dress leaves most of their bodies exposed to handle the heat and humidity, their skin has hardened to adapt to the rainfalls and their faces often express a predator's gaze.

Their connection with Ayarauca is so deep that when within its confines, elves have a perfect sense of direction, are able to meditate and discern the location of almost any other elf in the jungle, which resolves distance issues that may trigger Argem. More importantly, the elves know when the woods are in danger. The first (and quickly the last) attempts at logging the forest by humans were met with a before unseen displays of brutality. Bodies of lumberjacks were eviscerated, dismembered and their wagons used to deliver them back to their lands as a message - all except their heads, which were set upon the branches of trees facing the edge of the jungle as a deterrent. The elves immediately raid any attempts to establish settlements within ten miles of the jungle's edge. This has led to multiple clashed with the Vjor, as the Highlands share a border with Ayarauca.

Exceptions to this way of life are rare. Some elves have been known to diverge from this near collective mindset, with cooler tempers and less impulsive reactions. Mostly, they move into command roles of roaming jungle bands that cull wildlife that has multiplied so much it upsets the jungle's natural balance, or search for potential outside threats, whether it be a daring (or foolish) logging company, a naive archaeologist seeking secrets and knowledge, raiders or invaders - though the latter two generally stay clear due to the effective displays the elves use to deter such ambitions. Sometimes, these divergent elves leave the jungle, whether it's to explore to the world, perform the duties of an ambassador or gain perspective on non-elves by living among the Baronies. Whatever the reason, it is generally understood that they will one day make their way home and share what they've learned.

Diplomatic relations with Ayarauca are tenuous at best. The Baronies closest to the jungle, such as the Vjor, the Isle of the Bond, the dwarves of Deor Loch, make occasional efforts to reach out and establish a dialogue, attempts that seldom reach a significant degree of success. Baronies like The Vale and Kerad, separated by mountain ranges and other borders, hardly attempt contact at all.

Dark Elves
A unique relationship is shared between the elves and the drow, which are for all intents and purposes the ruling class. The drow share the same desire to serve and protect the jungle as much as the elves, though they do not share the same feral traits as their counterparts. Long ago, a class balance was established that has seen the dark elves serve as Ayarauca's leaders. It is a relationship the elves prefer, as it moves the burden of politics, lawmaking, administration, organization and cultural direction to someone else, allowing them to concentrate on living in the moment, bonding with the jungle and expressing their most violent urges. The dark elves are the keepers of knowledge and history, the thinkers and the planners. They are safe with the knowledge that they can be all these things because the elves are so absolute about preserving that safety.