Referring to Elves as an Arcanic Highborn race is slightly misleading. While they all do fall under the broad category of "Elves", there are many varied kinds of Elves. Most dwellers of Laenost would consider Myrchrend Elves (Forest Elves) to be the primary sort of Elf, that is incorrect. They interact with Humans the most, but they are far from being the main type of Elf.
The Elves that have the greatest population would most likely be the Oceanic Elves, or Mer-Elves. The size of their society is unknown, as they live underwater in the realm of Ocean, but the researchers who have tried to find out more about them have discovered that their civilization is incredibly vast. They tend to stay away from the surface for fear of the Leviathan, but they will visit ships when it is away or resting. Mer-Elves are humanoid, although they have serpentine tails and webbed ridges along their forearms, backs, and shins. Their skin is either similar to an amphibian or a fish, and it ranges from green to dark blue. They do not have gills, but are able to breathe underwater regardless. They have been known to grant this ability to sailors who fall from their ships. Mer-Elves also have webbed feet and hands. Their primary method of combat is Magic, they have never been seen with weapons. They are proficient at Aquamancy and excel at using it in groups. They are even able to ward off attacks from the Leviathan to some degree, the whole population of a city will combine their powers to push the Leviathan away.
The Elves of Dycent, or Stone Elves, are rarely seen. They never travel outside of their realm and are very reclusive. They manipulate the earth to create homes for themselves, and though they have limited interactions with the Dwarves, they stay mostly to themselves. They are highly skilled at Geomancy. They are tall, as most Elves are, and dark-skinned.
The Aeruthian Elves, Or Winged Elves, are often referred to as Angels by the Laenostians who see them. They rarely leave their realm since the fall of Detair. They do trade with certain Humans, although they prefer to trade with the Elves of Myrchrend if they have a choice. They are bronze-skinned and blue-eyed, their wings are most often tawny or white. Similar to the wings granted by Vadiants, they do not actually need to flap their wings to fly. Instead, their wings channel a constant flow of Aeromancy that keeps them afloat. Aeruthian Elves have cities in their realm, though it is not certain what the material the buildings are made of is. Some researchers have speculated that they are made of clouds that have been somehow formed and placed in stasis, but the Aeruthian Elves have never confirmed or denied this. Tulkus gifted many Aeruthian cities with earth from Laenost, as well as grass, fruit trees, and vegetables.
The Lunaric Elves, or Moon Elves, have only been seen once in history, during the Lunaric Catastrophe. They helped to avert the Catastrophe and vanished immediately after. Due to the nature of Lunaris, nobody has been able to visit them to learn more about them. They are exceptionally tall and extremely pale-skinned. They do not breathe, though they can if they wish, in order to speak.
The Elves of Myrchrend, often called Forest Elves or Wood Elves, are probably the most commonly seen type of Elf. Myrchrend has the greatest connection with Laenost, and they often have a great fondness for Humans. Forest Elves have great respect for the trees and wildlife, but they will hunt and cut trees if it is necessary. The wood from trees they fell is used in their homes, and it is said to still be alive even after it is cut down. The stumps from trees that have been cut down will grow into new life, be it from brush and bushes to new sprouts. They will also cull dead or dying trees to keep the circle of life in the forest moving forward. Forest Elves are slightly taller than humans, with fair features and light hair. They enjoy teaching Humans the art of hunting and woodworking, although they do not have any great love for fires.
Other Elven types
There are many Elves who remain in Laenost proper. Some are highly proficient with magic, these are often known as Arcane Elves. The others forge a living for themselves highly similar to how humans live. It is assumed that they are Forest Elves who decided to live in Laenost.
There have also been reports of Elves in other realms, though none have been confirmed.
The Elves that have the greatest population would most likely be the Oceanic Elves, or Mer-Elves. The size of their society is unknown, as they live underwater in the realm of Ocean, but the researchers who have tried to find out more about them have discovered that their civilization is incredibly vast. They tend to stay away from the surface for fear of the Leviathan, but they will visit ships when it is away or resting. Mer-Elves are humanoid, although they have serpentine tails and webbed ridges along their forearms, backs, and shins. Their skin is either similar to an amphibian or a fish, and it ranges from green to dark blue. They do not have gills, but are able to breathe underwater regardless. They have been known to grant this ability to sailors who fall from their ships. Mer-Elves also have webbed feet and hands. Their primary method of combat is Magic, they have never been seen with weapons. They are proficient at Aquamancy and excel at using it in groups. They are even able to ward off attacks from the Leviathan to some degree, the whole population of a city will combine their powers to push the Leviathan away.
The Elves of Dycent, or Stone Elves, are rarely seen. They never travel outside of their realm and are very reclusive. They manipulate the earth to create homes for themselves, and though they have limited interactions with the Dwarves, they stay mostly to themselves. They are highly skilled at Geomancy. They are tall, as most Elves are, and dark-skinned.
The Aeruthian Elves, Or Winged Elves, are often referred to as Angels by the Laenostians who see them. They rarely leave their realm since the fall of Detair. They do trade with certain Humans, although they prefer to trade with the Elves of Myrchrend if they have a choice. They are bronze-skinned and blue-eyed, their wings are most often tawny or white. Similar to the wings granted by Vadiants, they do not actually need to flap their wings to fly. Instead, their wings channel a constant flow of Aeromancy that keeps them afloat. Aeruthian Elves have cities in their realm, though it is not certain what the material the buildings are made of is. Some researchers have speculated that they are made of clouds that have been somehow formed and placed in stasis, but the Aeruthian Elves have never confirmed or denied this. Tulkus gifted many Aeruthian cities with earth from Laenost, as well as grass, fruit trees, and vegetables.
The Lunaric Elves, or Moon Elves, have only been seen once in history, during the Lunaric Catastrophe. They helped to avert the Catastrophe and vanished immediately after. Due to the nature of Lunaris, nobody has been able to visit them to learn more about them. They are exceptionally tall and extremely pale-skinned. They do not breathe, though they can if they wish, in order to speak.
The Elves of Myrchrend, often called Forest Elves or Wood Elves, are probably the most commonly seen type of Elf. Myrchrend has the greatest connection with Laenost, and they often have a great fondness for Humans. Forest Elves have great respect for the trees and wildlife, but they will hunt and cut trees if it is necessary. The wood from trees they fell is used in their homes, and it is said to still be alive even after it is cut down. The stumps from trees that have been cut down will grow into new life, be it from brush and bushes to new sprouts. They will also cull dead or dying trees to keep the circle of life in the forest moving forward. Forest Elves are slightly taller than humans, with fair features and light hair. They enjoy teaching Humans the art of hunting and woodworking, although they do not have any great love for fires.
Other Elven types
There are many Elves who remain in Laenost proper. Some are highly proficient with magic, these are often known as Arcane Elves. The others forge a living for themselves highly similar to how humans live. It is assumed that they are Forest Elves who decided to live in Laenost.
There have also been reports of Elves in other realms, though none have been confirmed.