The Wood Elves, known as the Asrai in Eltharin—the ancient language of the Elves—or as the Fay Folk of Athel Loren by Men, are a secretive, reclusive, and isolationist subrace of Elves. Sometimes referred to collectively as the Wood Elf Realms, they abandoned the wider elven world millennia ago, choosing to dwell beneath the enchanted canopy of Athel Loren, the vast and mystical forest on the borders of Bretonnia and the Empire. Other enclaves exist beyond Athel Loren, such as the Eonir of Laurelorn Forest, but these are rare.
From their hidden realms, the Wood Elves have learned to live in perfect harmony with the seasons and the natural cycle of life and death. They are the forest’s guardians, sworn to protect all things natural and pure. For millennia, they have remained hidden from the eyes of Men, Dwarfs, and even their High Elf kin, watching, waiting, and ensuring the balance of the woodland is never broken.
Yet, the world beyond Athel Loren is no longer indifferent to their fate. While the High Elves intervene in global affairs as rulers or protectors, and the Dark Elves seek dominion through conquest, the Wood Elves act only when the will of their demi-god rulers, Ariel and Orion, demands it. The Queen and King in the Woods guide their kind, shaping events beyond the forest when threats to Athel Loren cannot be ignored.
The Wood Elves exist solely for the preservation of their forested realms and the protection of their divine sovereigns. Every broken branch, every withered leaf, is interpreted as an omen of danger. In these troubled times, the vigilance of the Wood Elves has never been more critical. Though they prefer secrecy, they will strike with deadly precision when the forest is threatened, ensuring that Athel Loren endures.
The forest itself is alive, a sentient realm that responds to its guardians. Treemen, dryads, and other spirits of the wood rise alongside the Wood Elves to confront intruders. The forest’s magic is both protective and deceptive: time flows differently within its borders, and unwary travelers may find themselves lost for hours—or centuries. Athel Loren’s borders are both sanctuary and trap, safeguarding its people while discouraging unwelcome intrusions.
For the Wood Elves, the forest and its guardianship are inseparable. They fight not for glory, wealth, or conquest, but for the continuation of a way of life older than most kingdoms. Each generation is trained to move silently, strike decisively, and vanish like shadows among the trees. In this way, the Wood Elves have maintained the living heart of Athel Loren for thousands of years, a realm that will endure so long as its protectors remain vigilant and true.