Elves

The Elf (Quendi) is the proudest of all species in Middle-earth, but the time of the elves is waning: the calling of the sea draws each eventually to cross west into the realm of Valinor. First to awake near the waters of Cuivienen in the Utter East, and once the dominant species in Middle-earth, they have now retreated to a few pockets of forest: Lorien (The Golden Wood), Imladris (Rivendell), Amon Thranduil (Mirkwood) and Mithlond (The Grey Havens).

Elves are long-lived and dextrous, and they heal faster than most other species. Their skin is fair and does not scar from battle wounds. They are taller and slimmer than humans. Elves do not require sleep, but do rest and meditate. They are immortal and only die as a result of violence, for they are immune to sickness. When they become weary of the world, they pass west over the sea to Valinor.

The Elves were once a single people. The Eldar (west-elves) were summoned across the sea. Of these, the Noldor made the journey and saw the light of the two trees. The Sindar (grey elves) did not complete the journey, and remained in Middle Earth. The Silvan (wood elves) include both relatives of the Sindar who remained in the Anduin valley, and did not go as far west as the Sindar, and Avari elves who never set out on the journey. The Noldor returned to Middle Earth during the War of Wrath during the First Age.

Noldor

The Noldor are called "High Elves" because they saw the light of the Two Trees. They are closely tied to the Valar and remained in Middle-earth after the War of Wrath. Other names for the Noldor include Deep-elves, Golodhrim or Gelydh (Sindarin names) and Nomin (gnomes, an Adan label).

The Noldor are typically aristocratic and learned. They are noble of bearing and carry themselves most assuredly. They are inquisitive, passionate, and thirst for knowledge. They often fall prey to lust, corruption and strife. They mostly live in Lorien and Imladris.

The Noldor are called the Deep Elves and they love all things made by hand with skill. They prefer to live in halls of stone that have been designed according to their own desires, and to dwell in highlands or hills. They were friends and students of the Vala, Aule, and they learned much from him concerning crafting and lore. They take delight in languages and scripts, embroidery, drawing and sculpting. The Noldor were the first to discover how to create gems and are master smiths unsurpassed save by their teacher, Aule.

In appearance, the Noldor are tall, have intense, shining eyes and usually have black hair. Certain households, however, have blond hair, notably House Fingolfin and Finarfin. They tend to dress in a courtly manner, or at least in an elegant, noble style and are fond of wearing jewelry and gemstones of many kinds.

Sindar

Originally part of the Teleri, the Sindar (grey-elves), although they started on the Great Journey, did not finish it to see the light of the Two Trees, since they chose to remain in Middle-Earth with their King, Elwë Singollo (Sin. Elu Thingol), and his Maia Queen, Melian, rather than complete the journey to the Blessed Realm.

Of all the elves, the Sindar are the calmest and most quiet. They are less frivolous and playful than the Silvan and at the same time less fiery and passionate than the Noldor. Sindar feelings are deep and not easily roused. But when aroused they are not easily stayed. The Sindar's sea-lust is legend.

The Sindar are the main population of Lorien and some are also found in Imladris. The royal family of Amon Thranduil are the only Sindar in Mirkwood.

Sylvan

In Elendor, 'Silvan' is a designation which describes lifestyle more than lineage. There are three groups of Silvan (woodland) elves. The largest group is made up of the Nandor, who answered the call of the West and left Cuivienen, but halted their journey near the Misty Mountains, taking up residence near the rivers in the forests of the region, like Eryn Galen (Mirkwood), Lorien, and Eregion. Another smaller Nandorian group went on into Beleriand to the forests surrounding the rivers of Ossiriand. These became the Laiquendi ('green elves', for their preference for that color), the famous singers of Lindon. Both of these groups are made up of Teleri elves. A third and different group of Silvan elves is made up of the Avari, those who refused to leave the rivers and forests of Cuivienen. There are very few Avari elves in Elendor, since they are restricted feature characters. The highest concentration of Silvan elves is at Amon Thranduil.

Nandor as a rule are good singers, lovers of bird and beast. Forests are their most common dwelling place, although not the only one.