Yu'Lorei
Contents
Physical Characteristics
Dark elves are the strongest elven race, having similar levels of strength to that of a human. They are characterized by their exclusively grey skin and white hair. Their eye color is predominately green but may sometimes be blue, purple, and on very rare occasions amber. Both genders are around the same average height, which is usually in the 5 feet range and occasionally 6 feet. Dark elves can live up to 280 years, the shortest lifespan of any elven race. They reach maturity by 20 years old, and will retain their youth and beauty until the last 60 years of their life. Dark elves are vulnerable to disease but are more resistant to it than humans. Due to their metabolism and physiology, dark elves will never accumulate excessive body fat but are also prone to dying of starvation far more quickly(18 days no food). Dark elves are also incredibly vulnerable to very cold temperatures, causing them to die of hypothermia far sooner then humans or any other elven race. They have great vision in the dark, being able to operate comfortably in significantly reduced light levels. Dark elves lack the agility and precise motor control that the other elven races are known for.
Mental Characteristics
The dark elves are incredibly expressive and energetic, the complete opposite of their high elven cousins. Everything a dark elf does comes from their heart, and they love to express themselves in every possible way. Dark elves can be considered the most intelligent elven race and the second most intelligent sentient race(pureblood vampires are the most intelligent). They have a natural gift for solving problems that other races would find excessively difficult, especially ones that involve a combination of creativity and logic. Dark elves can hardly sense aether and have an even more difficult time trying to channel it, which has effectively resulted in them abandoning the practice in pursuit of technology. Dark elves form very close and strong bonds full of empathy, and as a result are far more cohesive as a group then any other sentient race.
History
Society
Dark elven society is best described as expressive and progressive. New discoveries are quick to be implemented regardless of how small or large they were. This has resulted in their society evolving at a far greater rate than the other races. Dark elves are highly dependent on their society and have a very difficult time adapting to other cultures. There is hardly any notion of aristocracy among the dark elven people, they have a tendency to be very communal. They are highly expressive, everything they make or do has their individuality or culture imbued into it. They find purely functional objects or methods to be dull and distasteful. This mindset has resulted in the most elaborate collection of art, surpassing that of any other race. They also have the largest collection of social mannerisms of any race, possessing more dances, ways to say hello, and courtship rituals then any race. They make excessive use of laws and rules, and constantly struggle to balance regulations with freedom to express themselves.
Politics
Culture
Religion
Military
Economy
Technology
The dark elves are considered to be the most advanced race of Amestria, possessing more technology then anyone else. This statement is partially true, the dark elves have the most advanced society and possess the most advancements that were not inspired by magic. However they are outmatched when magic is involved. The global understanding and progression of magic and it's applications across Amestria is greater than the dark elves' understanding of non-magic based technology, and their inability to properly wield magic makes them fall short of the other races in terms of strength.
Interbreeding
Human + Dark Elves will result in a person who has physical characteristics between the two races. They will inherit human skin color and dark elven white hair color. Their eye colors may be dark elven or human. They have an easier time using magic then normal dark elves but still not as proficient as a normal human. They can live 120 years.