Elf



The Elves are among the longest lived of all the races of RuneScape. Elves are tall and graceful and the females are known for their beauty. They are generally human-looking, but have elongated ears, a less-stocky build and greater natural beauty. Elves usually dress in green. Elves have no need for neither human technology nor magic, but instead opt for crystal-based weaponry, technology and magic power, granted by Seren, a deity worshipped by elves. Elves can be pickpocketed at level 85 with the Thieving skill, yielding 353 experience. The average Elf has far greater agility and nimbleness than a human, yet some seem to be weaker than more formidable and trained humans in terms of physical strength, as seen with the Tyras Guard, and have the second great advantage of simply having a longer lifespan, thus drastically increasing their wisdom, knowledge and experience. Unlike the other potent magical races of RuneScape or its adjacent dimensions, such as the fairies and the Mahjarrat, the Elves are at least partially dependent on Gielinor's inherent rune magic created by Guthix using the Stone of Jas, due to the frequent drops of the Elf warrior and the Book on Baxtorian's information revealing that Baxtorian was himself a master of "rune lore", using the stones to control the elements, though much of the magic they utilise does not appear to require runestones, but rather the power of Seren, such as their enchanted Crystal bow. The Elves also possess some knowledge of Runecrafting, Summoning, Farming, Fishing and Herblore due to the rare talismans, charms, seeds, fish and herbs in their possession, as well having even obtained Dragon weapons, forged by the Dragonkin and discovered by the Fairies of Zanaris. Elves are also "much more observant" than men (and, indeed, gnomes and cave goblins), which is why they require such a high Thieving level to pickpocket.

Chaeldar and Sumona, powerful Slayer masters, say that they are irritating to them, which may be why they sometimes assign Elf warriors as Slayer tasks.

According to a Postbag from the Hedge, "the elvish language, on the other hand, is far more complex, for their tongues are as agile as their minds, and twice as bewildering. The nearest approximations I can make are as follows:

Lletya = *Ch*let-uh-ah (the '*ch*' indicates a slight rolling of the sound at the base of the tongue, as if you were to attempt to clear your throat quietly and politely) Isafdar = Iss-av-daarr (in which the 'I' is pronounced like the 'i' in 'thin', and the 'r' is rolled quaintly)."

This is very similar to the Welsh language.

History
Elves have been around since the Second age, after the formation of Gielinor by Guthix. They were led into Gielinor by Seren, originally from another world, through the World Gate, prior to the arrival of humans.

Highly magical, skilled with weapons, peaceful and graceful, these pointy-eared humanoids dwelled with humans and other good races on the main continent of Gielinor. In ages past, the elves had held rule over all the lands of Kandarin, establishing peaceful trade and alliances with both the humans and the gnomes. When the God Wars broke out, elves fled from mainland Gielinor into Isafdar. As they retreated beyond the mountains so many years ago, there are few scholars who know very much at all about the elves.

At the end of the God Wars and beginning of the Fourth Age Seren left and sealed the Grand Library and Undercity behind her to protect all it held. What that is currently unknown, however Lord Iorwerth has allegedly been able to break one of the seals.

During the Fourth Age the elves colonized and dominated the region now known as Kandarin and most likely had a great influence among the development of humans. However after a Pax Romana of sorts, despite goblin raids, the Empire fell with Baxtorian as the Iorwerth Clan seized Prifddinas. After five years of a failed campaign, the empire crumbled and the followers of Baxtorian retreated into exile among the woods of Isafdar.

Elves are the mage class of Mobilising Armies, an indication of their extraordinary proficiency with the mystic arts, surpassing that of Dwarves or Goblins. If you follow the combat triangle, Elves are weak against Goblins (range class) but strong against Dwarves (melee class). Light Elves have a combat level of 175, 4800 life points and a discipline level of 110 while the Heavy Elves have a combat level of 350, 9600 life points and a discipline level of 110 (as these are the normal, non-boosted stats of these Elves, it seems that the Elven race is indeed far more superior magically than the Human race) Light Elves wear lavender robes, and wield different elemental staffs. The Heavy Elves also wield the basic elemental staffs but wear a dark blue shaded robe. The Examine info on both squads say "An uncommon sight, mercenary elves are familiar with battle". While exploring, they find logs.

There is a Champion for each of the races of Humans, Dwarves, TzHaar, Werewolves, Elves and Gnomes in the Champion's Challenge, but only the Human champion, Leon D'Cour, and the gnome champion, Glophren, may be challenged at this time.

Settlements
The main settlement of elves is Prifddinas, a mighty city that dates from thousands of years ago, and is grown entirely from crystal seeds. Although no human has ever entered its walls, there are rumours of its beauty and the genius of its architecture - rumours which are repeated throughout every text on elven culture that has survived to make it to Varrock. The quest Within The Light reveals that the city has been reverted to seed, explaining its absence on the world map.

Other known areas where elves are found is the forests of Isafdar and Arandar. From the Mourning's Ends quest series, it is now known that the Mourners in West Ardougne are actually elves in disguise.

The rebel elves make a point of moving about, though their current settlement - the lodge at Lletya - has been a reliable base for some time now.

According to the Knowledge Base, the geography of Tirannwn has made it hard for them to keep ancestral lands. Whether this is only the former settlements in Kandarin or if there are other areas is unknown.

Worship
The elves worship a strange deity called Seren, who communes with the crystal seeds that the elves use to build almost everything.

Sometime in the Fourth Age, the elves broke into two separate groups. Some elves wanted to continue following Seren, whilst others wanted to summon a "Dark Lord", who many believe to be Zamorak but could possibly be Zaros or a previously unknown deity. Thus started the civil war. Skirmishes often break out within the forest of Isafdar as the rebels fight to reclaim their lost lands. This could easily be the end of this once powerful race.

The RuneScape-based Funorb game Armies of Gielinor shows that the elves played a large role in the God Wars.

Recent events

 * Recently, some of the elves are beginning to become less-trustworthy. Many seek to break into the Temple of Light, or resurrect "The Dark Lord". The identity of the Dark Lord is unknown, but most people speculate that it is either Zamorak or Zaros.


 * On the 13th of Raktuber, in the Year 138, a group of Elves raided the Mobilising Armies Command centre. Initially out for loot, Lord Marshal Brogan managed to negotiate with them and the rogue Elves eventually agreed to work as mercenaries in the activity.

Notable elves

 * Baxtorian - King of the Elven Empire in Kandarin during the Fourth Age.
 * Glarial - Baxtorian's wife who was lost during the Fourth Age.
 * Ilfeen - An elven crystal singer.
 * Eluned - An elven crystal singer.
 * Islwyn - Sells crystal bow or shield and also is the grandson of Glarial.
 * Lord Iowerth - Leader of the evil elves.
 * Head Mourner - Chief of the Mourners in West Ardougne.
 * Arianwyn - Current leader of the rebel elves.
 * Elf musician - Elven musician who plays Forest.
 * Junior Cadet Finda - Female Elf of Mobilising Armies who is near uncovering a conspiracy which she claims is beyond the ken of humanity.
 * A strange courier - Male Elf of the 2010 Easter event, who you are to deliver a package from the Easter Bunny to; first and only Elf a free player is capable of meeting

Champions' Challenge
Elves are one of the 'races' who have champions of champions in the Champions' Challenge activity. It is not currently possible to fight the elf champion. Many players expect a future update will allow this champion to be fought, like a 2009 update allowed Glophren, the gnome champion, to be fought.

Quests

 * Plague City
 * Biohazard
 * Underground Pass
 * Regicide
 * Roving Elves
 * Mourning's Ends Part I
 * Mourning's Ends Part II
 * Within the Light
 * Meeting History - minor appearance of an elf named Haluned appearing outside the barrier and teleporting away
 * Waterfall Quest

Trivia

 * Most of the words in the Elvish language are derived from the Welsh language. For example, Seren is Welsh for "star", Mawrth is Welsh for "March" and "Tuesday", Prifddinas is Welsh for "capital city", and Iowerth, Islwyn and Eluned are names in the Welsh language.
 * Elves live to be extremely old. As Mawrth mentioned, an elf in their 30s is a mere child. And the elves flourished under Baxtorian, an elven king during the fourth age, for over 6000 years.
 * An Elf ( Haluned ) is seen in Meeting History.
 * The courier for the 2010 Easter event was the only elf available for free players.

Elven Elves