The Elves are the slender, graceful People of the Forest and People of the Sea. They
are long-lived; an Elven bard singing a song about
Saint James in a tavern might mention that his father
had once met him. Sometimes the perspective that their long life gives them makes them
unfathomable to humans and people can find them unnerving at times.
The main population of Elves live in the huge Elvenwood to the west of
Cambria although there are two enclaves of Elves at Silverwood
and Meriath where Elven rather tham human laws are acknowledged. Beyond the western eaves
of Elvenwood on the shores of the
Great Ocean are Elven harbours noted for their beautiful
architecture although few Cambrians have seen them. From there Elves tired of life in
the woods may set sail for the Western Isles across the Ocean. Even fewer humans have
seen the harbours of those Isles and only Elves are allowed to set foot ashore there.
It should be noted that other races are only allowed to set foot in the Elven woods
by invitation. The Elves say that this is partly to protect the unwary from the
things that dwell there that are best left undisturbed.
Those wishing to meet with Elves in Cambria should rather go to
Fairhold, capital of Elfhame Province, the most beautiful, clean and
peaceful city in the realm where at least 20% of the population are Elves. Elven craftsmen
wishing to sell their goods to humans much prefer to take up residence there than
Pell's Hold which they find too crowded and dirty.
The Elves like to say they are reluctant to go to war but when they do they are a
feared opponent particularly in the wooded countryside of Cambria. They are
excellent archers and moreover are able to see in the dark. They can thus hit human
military camps in the night and melt back into the woods before daybreak. It is said that the
King's Rangers base many of their tactics on
Elvish military practices. After the Northern Marches the Rangers next biggest
source of volunteers is in fact elves, half-elves, and humans from Elfhame.
Luckily for Cambria Elvish policy greatly values the original Treaties the Elves
made with St. James and they will mobilise troops to repel foreign invasion
of the realm.