Skifra Elves

Skifra Elves are an endangered race of elves that formerly had lived in small villages which were scattered throughout the spruce forests of the Valresh continent.

Origins
According to ancient folklore and some other remaining old texts, Skifra elves were not native to the spruce forests of Valresh. The ancient texts and folklore describe the original homeland of the Skifrains (ski-e-fra-en) elves to have been similar to the environment of valresh’s spruce forests. In the texts, there are some sentences which are illegible which may possibly contain the names and locations of their former homeland and other details of why the Skifrain elves left. However, despite some of the sentences being almost completely illegible, scholars using folklore and the pieces the words from the illegible sentences they were able to understand realized that the Skifrains had been forced to migrate from their homeland to Valresh’s spruce forests due to some sort of ancient calamity. However, most scholars agree that the Skifrain elves were not part of the great elf migration. Some scholars believe the calamity could have been a dangerous monster such as the slime princess of which even high ranking adventurers would have issues defeating it. Other scholars believe that the calamity was actually some sort of large empire that forced the Skifrains from their homeland. A very small minority of the scholars believe that the spruce forest of which the elves had lived in had somehow perished, leaving the elves with no home.

Regardless, most scholars believe that the Skifra elves were forced due to some sort of event and were forced to leave their home in search of a new home. As a race which typically remained isolationist and rarely left their homeland, many of the elves perished as they were simply unable to adapt to the sudden change in their environment. Some elves were even enslaved by other races as it was said that even being gazed upon by one of them would bring you luck and happiness. The Skifra would also lose their natural ability to manifest spiritual energy in their spirit heart, making them unable to utilize spirit magic in their migration. The mass migration would also create multiple factions due to lots of disagreements causing these factions to go their separate ways. The most notable 4 Skifrain factions being the Kodheom, the Neoyi, the Fulcish, and the Erunith. Despite the harsh migration, all 4 of the major factions of the Skifra were able to reach pockets of spruce forests in the continent of Valresh.

After finding a pocket of spruce forest, all 4 major factions woukd eventually discover alcohol and realize it would allow them to manifest spiritual energy in their spirit heart and once again use spirit magic. With each of the major 4 factions begining to set into their patch of forest, their cultures, values, and societal structure would deterred slightly from one another. Despite this deterioration from their older culture and society structure, the Skifra would live relatively similar lives as they had in their old homeland for the next 15 years. However, in the Summer of the year 62 TE, foreign diplomats from the Ellysian Empire would approach the factions of the Skifra individually in order to put them under their banner. While each faction’s members were opposed to interaction with foreigners and wished to remain isolationist, remembering the fate of their former homeland most faction of the Skifra would sign a treaty to take under the banner of the Ellysian Empire, while still remaining on the most part independent. During the second coalition war against the Ellysian Empire, as coalition troops advanced through Ellysian territory in order to purge the land of Ellysian culture, they would meet the Skifra elves for the first time. Initially, the coalition would mistake the factions of the Skifra to being loyal Ellysian sympathizers after seeing Ellysian flag being flown outside the elven spruce forests. This resulted in the coalition to surround the forests of the factions, in order to seize and destroy any Ellysian influence. While most elves under the major factions of the Skifra were completely ignorant of events which had happened outside of their forests, however after learning of an invasion of their forests and fearing destruction of their own homes and way of life, the factions of the Skifra would attempt to defend against the coalition to no avail. The coalition’s merciless invasion of each faction would result in most of the elves perishing either in combat or being slain coalition troops surrounding the perimeter of the forests. It was only until the coalition was in the forest of the Neoyi would they realize their mistake. At this point, most of the Skifra elves who lived in the spruce forests died through the slaughter, however there were still a small number of elves who managed to flee unharmed who went to live in complete isolation away from the Valresh continent. The lands which had once belonged to the Skifra elves would be taken over by the people of other nations and races.

Currently, the Skifra elves are an endangered race of elves with an estimated amount totaling to 100 known elves. This estimate most likely is an underestimation however, as most Skifra elves are secretive and extremely isolationist.

Biology
Skifra Elves have a range of skin tones, which can vary from pale to deep brown. Their hair is typically a dark shade of black, however rare occurrences of dark brown hair have been seen from the elves. This variation in skin tone and hair color is believed to be the result of adaptation to their natural environment and the varying levels of exposure to sunlight. Skifra Elves have striking, almond-shaped eyes that are often described as being "bright" or "sparkling". Their eye color ranges from shades of green, blue, gray, and brown. On very rare occurrences, a Skifra elf will have amber red colored eyes. Skifra Elves have distinct facial features, which are characterized by high cheekbones, narrow noses, and pointed chins. Their faces are often described as being "elfin" or "ethereal", and their expressions are known to be subtle and nuanced. The physical body of Skifra Elves are slender, which is the result of adaption to the forest dwelling lifestyle. Skifra elves are shorter than Humans, being about three and four feet tall, and have a lean and agile physique.

The anatomy of the Skifria is mostly similar to other intelligent species such as humans, elves, and dwarves. However, before the mass Skifria migration, the key difference between the Skifra and humans were their knife shaped ears, are shorter then humans, and have an extra internal organ attached to the liver, denoted as the spirit heart located in between the liver and the right abdomen. While the underlining functions of the spirit heart are currently difficult to understand, the spirit heart allowed the Skifea elves to store spiritual energy from the liver for use for later.

After the mass Skifra migration to Eldham, for whatever reason, the Skifra's ability to naturally manifest spiritual energy in their spiritual heart would cease to function naturally. In order to manifest spiritual energy in the spirit heart, one was now was required to drink alcoholic beverages. Why alcohol allowed the Skifra to manifest spiritual energy is currently unknown. One theory believe that the brain stem of the Skifra evolved allowing the utilization of grains in alcohol as a supplement for spiritual magic. Another theory believe alcohol has the similar properties that are the make up of spiritual magic.

Factions
As mentioned before, the Skifra has had historical factions which were created due to disputes and infighting during their migration to the Valresh Continent. Below are some details regarding the major factions of the Skifra.

Kodheom
This faction of the Skifra elves were known for their expertise in their crafting and foraging. This faction of elves were known for their vast knowledge of herbalism, being able to treat various ailments using special natural remedies, even ones said to be impossible to be treated. They were also skilled at creating works of beautiful art through simple materials such as wood, ferns, animal skins, and flowers. Most elves from this faction were known as the Ah Ath Tel' Skifra or the Crafty of the Skifra.

Neoyi
This faction of the Skifra elves were known for their mastery of their connection to the spirits of the forests. With this mastery, they were ultimately the faction who had the most power through spiritual magic. This faction was also known for their exceptional archery skills which was based on speed and precision, allowing them to take targets with incredible accuracy. Most elves from this faction were known as the Faer Ath Tel' Skifra or Spirits of the Skifra.

Fulcish
This faction of the Skifra elves were known for their strength and tendency of being on the offensive. While they had many skilled fighters, they also had some degree of connection to the spirits, using it in order to further their close combat strength. They also were known for their cunning and dangerous trapping methods. The Fulcish faction was a faction based on militaristic values, which led to having their societal structure based on this concept. Most elves from this faction were known as the Ik Ath Tel' Skifra or the Strength of the Skifra.

Erunith
This faction of the Skifra elves were known for their great wisdom and their interest in pursuing science. While these elves had the weakest connection to the spirits of the forest, they had the most technological advancements of the 4 major factions. The Erunith were very friendly with the Kodheom due to their craftiness and would both be usually collaborating with each other to create new inventions. Most elves from this faction were known as the Uhar Ath Tel' skifra or Wise of the Skifra.

Culture
Despite the elves having had split into multiple factions, some aspects of their cultures remained similar to how it was pre-migration. The below explores the culture the race in general had.

Social structure
Skifra Elves live in small, tight communities, of which are scattered throughout the Valresh continent’s spruce forests. These elves live in simple homes made up of the environment around them being organic materials such as spruce wood, ferns, leaves, and other natural materials. These villages are led by the village’s shaman or the spouse of the shaman in the absence of the shaman. The shaman is responsible for making important decisions and maintaining the spiritual traditions of the village. Skifra Elves place a strong emphasis on community and family ties. They value cooperation and mutual support, and work together to gather resources and meet the needs of the community. They are also fiercely protective of their culture and traditions, and likely because of this are extremely wary of outsiders preferring to live in absolute isolation from the rest of the world.

Nature and environment
As elves who devote most of their life living in the forests without leaving it, Skifra Elves have a deep reverence for nature and the environment. They believe that all living things are connected and must be respected and cared for. Skifra Elves are skilled hunters and gatherers, and rely on the natural resources of their environment for sustenance. They have a unique ability to communicate with animals and plants, and are skilled in herbalism and natural healing. Skifra Elves believe in the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the natural world. They practice sustainable hunting and gathering techniques and take great care to preserve the natural habitats of the animals and plants that they rely on for survival.

Arts and crafts
Skifra Elves were skilled craftsmen, and their arts and crafts reflect their deep connection to nature and the environment. They are known for their woodworking, and their homes are often decorated with intricate carvings and engravings. Skifra Elves also practice weaving, and create beautiful tapestries and garments made from natural fibers.

Skifra Elves have a rich musical tradition, and their music is often accompanied by dance. Their music is characterized by its haunting melodies and intricate rhythms, and is often played on traditional instruments such as harp, flutes, violin, and the drums. Skifra Elves believe that music and dance are a way to connect with the natural world and the spirits that reside within it.

Magic
Spiritual energy stored in a Skifra's spirit heart is capable of being utilized for many great feats, but is not an omnipotent magic. Spiritual magic is capable of terraforming land, mending flesh of a wound, and even allowing users to “shift forward” like they had teleported a short distance as spiritual energy is capable of manipulation of objects that have physical mass and sometimes spiritual properties. Spiritual magic is not capable of creation of new things. For example, it cannot revive a fallen through the creation of nothing, but it may through the gathering of surrounding life essence, however said fallen may lose spiritual aspects of themselves and may even cease to be the same entity.

For one to utilize spiritual magic depends on the state of mind of the user and the user's understanding of concepts. The better the user understands how a concept of something works. An individual attempting to cultivate growth of a plant, should understand the underlying concepts of plant growth. A user with low understanding of a concept may fail to produce desired results, and in even some cases suffer conceptual failure. Thus, is why many Skifrians seek to better understand the world around them.