I did some reading and research but most stories I found to be contrary to my own memories. I read stories of small people who were sometimes helpful and sometimes down right rotten to the human race. Little people who wore pointy shoes and funny hats, living in hollow trees and being much to quick for the human eye to spot. These are not the elves I know and love, but rather a type of fae. So I share with you now my memories, you may remember them as I do or disagree, I simply hope you enjoy it.

I was a high elf a mountain dweller. Many saw us as the aristocrats of elven societies. As a whole the high elves earned our title as the aristocrats because our culture was a bit more uppity, our homes and clothing the finest made and of all the elven cultures we were the least likely to leave our cities or talk with other races. Our cities were beautiful made of precious metals and stone like silver and marble. The lines were flowing and graceful like nature. We took great pride in our cities, they were peaceful and clean. Governed over by a Lord or Lady, who headed the council. Men and women both held positions of power, neither gender was seen as superior. Our clothing was much like our cities, beautiful lines that flowed gracefully, made from cloth like fine silks or linens. We adorned our selves in marvelous jewelry, intricate and prized for its quality. In appearance we were slender and average to tall in height compared to human standards. Our skin was creamy in complexion, high cheek bones and pointed ears. Hair and eye colors varied. When you heard an elf speak it was like listening to music, a babbling brook, the fall of rain or a gentle breeze. At one with nature, its influence was seen and heard in all we did. We created fine clothing, jewelry, sculptures, paintings, stories and songs. We were very in tune with our creative nature, craftsmen in our own rite. Philosophy and things of great intellect also took much of our time. But laughter was oft heard, festivals and gatherings of this type were also enjoyed. The elven peoples are born of magic, it was a part of us and we knew how to call the spirits of nature and the forces of the universe to our aide.

Many were very talented healers knowing what plant and other natural items helped for the various illnesses, though illness was not oft seen amongst our people. Those who chose to hunt or learn to fight were very skilled in tracking and in essence disappearing into the surroundings. The bow or staff was favored as a weapon but in most cases used only to hunt as violence was looked poorly upon. The elven people were a peaceful society, preferring to spend our days creating wondrous works of art or discussing things of a higher understanding. It was rare for a High elf to leave their cities, feeling much more at ease in our own surroundings and with our own people. It was rarer still for a person of another race to be allowed into or cities, this only happened when the individual had done some extraordinary deed to assist a citizen or was gravely ill and a citizen took pity. However, occasionally an elf did leave the cities and go down to learn from other elven cultures or communicate with other races. At times a committee was formed with members from each elven society; high elves, wood elves, plains elves, dessert elves, and aquatic elves attended. In most cases theses committee members were individuals that held power in their society. Those in attendance would share knowledge in an effort to further the elven people as a whole. Sometimes trade agreement were reached or even apprenticeships arranged. As elves have very long life spans theses meetings would only take place every hundred years or so unless emergency dictated otherwise.

As I told you I was a high elf, but unlike most of my peers I wanted to explore the world, meet other races and learn the skills they taught. My father was an important man and I being his eldest child he wanted me to follow in his foot steps. To his dismay I wished only to follow in the steps of my mothers mother, a great healer. With much effort and a promise that I would learn the necessary diplomatic skill needed in my travels he reluctantly agreed to let me go to a great city not far from my mountain home. It was a huge mecca, many races lived in smaller cities near this large capitol. Here as I attended a school to further my skills as a healer I met other elves from different cultures, as well as humans, dwarves, fairies and a few other races. Because I experienced this I am able to tell you some of my memories of the other elven cultures.

The wood or forest elves, we in many ways similar to the high elves. The biggest exceptions were in there dwellings and clothing. There were other smaller cultural differences as well. The wood or forest elves lives in homes made of wood, vine and some stone, only what was naturally found in their forest surroundings. Some homes could be found on the forest floor others in the trees themselves. Like the high elves they were superbly crafted and had beautiful lines. Their clothing was also simpler wools and cottons being common fabrics. The chose to adorn themselves with flowers and things more commonly found then jewelry, though this too was worn. All was made with what was suitable for their environment and what could be readily found but, beautiful in design lovely to behold. The wood elves also enjoyed creative endeavors and discussing things of a higher understanding. They made wonderful bows and staffs prized by many other elven cultures for their accuracy and beauty. They looked much like their mountain kin however their skin was a tad more dusky in accordance with environment. Though all elves spoke a sort of universal language each group had its own dialect and idiosyncrasies. The wood elves lived more simply some might say more in tune with nature as they were less concerned with the lofty ideals the high elves treasured. Therefor were able to blend themselves into the natural world with great ease and often spoke with and communed with animals (all elves have this gift to some degree). Like the high elves it was uncommon for them to leave their homes and if they did it was often for only short trips or only in territory where a forest or small wooded area was easily accessible. They were more open to the idea of communication with other races then the high elves but in kind rarely let outsides into their cities.

The plains or prairie elves like all were very in tune with nature, so much so that they were somewhat nomadic. They made their homes on huge plains traveling from one location to the next as the seasons changed. Occasionally moving their villages simply because the spirits of nature deemed it so. The plains elves preferred small community groups but did work with other plains elf communities to protect and enhance each others lives. Their homes were made from hides, natural grasses, wood, and sometimes clay. Simple hut like structures made from natures gifts. They dressed in simple yet beautiful leather clothing or fashioned from a cloth made by weaving together the prairie grasses. Story telling was an important part of their culture it was one method in which they taught and passed down wisdom. Weather they talked with other races or were comfortable with this idea is completely unknown to me. My memories of this particular elven society as well as the few that follow are small and some of it is based on rumor and stories I was told. I freely admit it may not all be correct, but elves are not know to lie therefore the stories I was told must have some factual basis.

The aquatic elves lived in or near water. Some by lakes or rivers others in oceans. It was said that they were able to stay under the water for as long as they wished. It was even rumored that they had gills and webbing between their fingers and toes. Their skin was said to be a light bluish or greenish shade, same with their hair. Having never seen one I do not know if this is true. I do know that they kept to themselves perhaps this was because of their differences. They did not even communicate with other elven cultures for the most part. I was told that the time they spent above water was limited and often they sent an emissary to the committee meetings between all the elven cultures. Their cities were made of corral, shell and pearl. A beautiful statement of the watery world they live in. Clothing was said to consist of shells, and cloth made form various sea plants. I remember being told their fabrics looks like fine silks, the skill involved in weaving such cloth from sea plants I admire. But again the elven people were creators of beauty, craftsmen. The cultural in the cities of the aquatic elves was in many ways similar to there high elves. They too could be looked upon as an aristocratic society, everything was art, music, and philosophy. They were of course very in tuned with the other creatures and races that shared their watery environment. The association with other races was pretty much limited to other in their environment, I do not know if this was due to dislike of other races or their special needs.

The desert elves were known to be a tough group. Their environment was so harsh and life there was not easy. But like all elves they were able to work with nature and made a beautiful life in such difficult conditions. Their attitudes were peaceful like all elven kind and they were creative and intelligent. Their homes and clothing flowing and lovely made with what nature gave them. I know little about them other than theses few things.

There were rumors of other elven cultures. Those who lived in swamps and bogs, those who lived deep underground and even groups that lived in the clouds. It is likely there was an elven culture for every environment and like all elven people I am sure their cultures had similarities to all there kind.

A note: I have listen all the elven people by their environments not their true names as I do not remember their true names any more.