Rafaeran Elves

A once great surface empire, the people honored as godlike. gifted by the gods and thriving with a sentient crystal, the city sunk, and the people so did thrive beneath the waves.

The Rafaeran elves were once mistaken for vampires, because of that they would surface at night, had fangs, and were cold.-Italy, 1853

The Rafaeran elves, when visiting eastern countries, were hailed as djinn, because of their elfish appearance and their magic being able to distort reality. Even the Djinn themselves think of them as relatives.

Physically, the Rafaeran Elves are near identical to any normal elf or human, at least aesthetically. Their descent into the sea marked several physical changes, such as the developement of amphibic lungs and eyes that can see nearly anything in the dark, Their skin is soft, yet extremely durable, and very hard to break. They are also quite cool to the touch, in comparison to something warm blooded. In their mouths are normal teeth, albeit with slightly elongated and sharpened canines, assumed to be used for fighting or eating fish. The Rafaeran elves give off a pheremone and scent that is generally pleasing to other creatures, in reality it is a defense mechanism catering to their pacifistic nature, but the elves have convinced themselves that it is a gift from aphrodite.

The elves, like most elves, possess incredible longevity, and are assumed to be Age-less past a certain point. Most elves cease aging in their late teen years or mid twenties, but it has been known for the rafaerans to bloom late in immortality in their middle-aged years. The oldest Rafaeran elf recorded was approximately 3000 years of age, and her name was Saphiria

Rafaeran elves are also capable of slight shapeshifting, allowing them to blend in many places, however the technique of shapeshifting is only taught to disciples of the temples, so that they may change into a more aquatic dragon-esque form.

Rafaeran elves are inately telepathic, although the degree of telepathy generally depends on the training. They also are all born with magic deep within them, this, too, will grow depending on their level of training.

Each Rafaeran elf is tough-skinned, and stronger than a normal human, they are also able to run at high speeds on land and even fly through the air, which, before breaking surface, was generally used to propell themselves at superspeeds under water.

The Rafaeran's have always been a peaceful people, Generally following the order of Aphrodite and Thetis. The elves also have thirteen temples across the world that are designated to one of thirteen 'great dragons', Undine being the prominent one.

The Elves have a natural order among themselves, and whilst they do have a monarch, most power is designated to the council of seers and mages that protect their cities, the High priest, High priestess, and the Oracle being the highest honors. Each of the thirteen council members possess a gemstone called the 'eye' of whatever dragon they are aligned to. These mystics used to be worshipped as demi-gods before the fall of Rafaera's capitol.

Occupationally, most elves delve in agriculture, growing food in underwater gardens and being accomplished herbalists. Healers also exist in plenty in the societies along with hunters.

The history of Rafaera is a touchy subject to most elves. a Long time ago, they existed on the surface, the isle of Rafaera, a forest of mystic, crystal trees. Often did they fend humans and other creatures away from the trees to avoid harm. In the center of Rafaera, was the sentient gem, the eye of undine, that was to be passed from oracle to oracle.

There came a time when a war between the other clans of elves on the earth broke out, and to avoid conflict, the Oracle of that time, Saphiria, sunk the entire isle into the ocean, and blessing her people with the gifts of undine, the dragon of water.

The peopel thrived beneath the surface for a long time, untill an unforseen disastor broke, beings from the deep came and slaughtered countless people, and the council was nowhere to be found. Saphiria, in her dying struggle, passed on the eye of undine to Lorenius, a sage who was to watch over the child that would be the next Oracle of Rafaera.

Unfortunately, nothing of Rafaera's history made it past that point, the city fell, and only a few hundred of the elves survived, scattering themselves. The crystaline city still remains hidden in an alcove deep in the sea off the coast of Italy, but it is unknown if anyone, or anything still remains.

This story is a WIP.

• The elves follow Aphrodite and Thetis
• Most are eerily beautiful in appearance, almost perfect, physically.
• Although pacifistic, the elves are not weak, and are vicious if provoked.
• Because of their immortality, the elves pick only a rare few couples to reproduce, thus, there are very few children.
• Because many are not chosen to mate, a homosexual lifestyle is common in the Rafaeran elves.
• Rafaeran elves are able to send out a type of 'psychic sonar' with various functions.

Not my creation, posted for a friend unfamiliar with VV

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