Elves
Elves are slighter than most humans, as well as being shorter and more "fragile". The elves were brought into the world by the Gods of Good, and they enjoy natural beauty and live long lives, allowing things to take their course. Elves live to be 1200 years old, though they generally leave the world before this time.
The elven race is inherently magical, shaping natural elements of the world to their will and keeping things in balance. Elves possess a high level of dexterity as well as infravision-the ability to see infrared outlines of creatures in the dark. Krynnish elves are haughty creatures, considering themselves superior to the 'lesser' races.
There are six types of elves on Krynn: Silvanesti, Qualinesti, Kagonesti, Dargonesti, Dimernesti and Lucanesti. The unifying characteristic of all these races is that they remain isolated from other races and generally ignore (or seem very aloof and unconcerned about what happens) the rest of the world.
SILVANESTI
These are the 'grey' elves of Krynn. They consider themselves to be the "purest" elves-in fact they fought the Kinslayer War because of it. Silvanesti, the traditional elvenhome, went to war with the Ergothian Empire to preserve their purity and to root out the half-elves born through illicit unions of elves and humans. After the war, the elven nation split, and those choosing to remain in Silvanesti became even more set in their ways. The Silvanesti are ruled by the Speaker of the Stars, who lives in the capitol, Silvanost. Famous Silvanesti are Silvanos, Lorac Caladon, Alhana Starbreeze and Dalamar the Dark.
QUALINESTI
This is the nation formed by the split of Silvanesti following the Kinslayer War. These 'high' elves left the east in an effort to get away from the rigidity of their cousins; however they have become rigid over time as well. The Qualinesti are more likely to leave Qualinost, the capitol, and venture out to see the rest of Krynn, though by no means is this common. The Qualinesti are ruled by the Speaker of the Suns. The most famous and notable Qualinesti elves are the likes of Kith-Kanan, Laurana, Gilthanas, Porthios and (to a certain extent) Tanis Half-Elven.
KAGONESTI
The wilder elves live in the large forests all over Krynn. Kagonesti elves generally are stronger and bigger than their civilized cousins and dislike the hustle and bustle of the big cities, preferring the quiet atmosphere of their forests. The Kagonesti almost perished during the Cataclysm and now call the Ergothian isles their home. The most famous Kagonesti is Kagonos, the first Pathfinder (leader of the Kagonesti), who led the wilder elves away from the council of Sinthal-Elish, thus separating from their Silvanesti cousins.
DARGONESTI
The Dargonesti are sea elves who live off the eastern coasts of Ansalon. Rumor has it that the Dargonesti were originally land elves who were mariners and were transformed into aquatic elves by the passing of the Graygem. The Dargonesti are the 'grey' elves of the sea-they are the more civilized than their Dimernesti cousins. Dargonesti elves are lead by the Speaker of the Moons. Though little is known of them, the Dargonesti have bluish skin, as well as webbed feet and gills. In addition to being able to breathe water, the Dargonesti are able to transform themselves into dolphins.
DIMERNESTI
Less is known about the Dimernesti elves than is known about the Dargonesti, who appear in several SagaŽ novels. The Dimernesti are the 'high' sea elves, with all the characteristics of their Dargonesti cousins, with the exception that they turn themselves into sea otters rather than dolphins. The Dimernesti elves are ruled by the Speaker of the Sea.
LUCANESTI
These elves are a minor branch of the Dimernesti, who once mined opals in the grasslands south of Istar. They were enslaved by the Kingpriest before the Cataclysm and have since disappeared. Lucanesti elves has a mottled, opalescent skin and have a translucent eyelids (like frogs). When using this covering (the Lucerna), the elves can see veins of water or opals clearly. They can feign death by slowing their heartbeat, and use a type of martial arts in hand-to-hand combat. (Thanks to Dorin Brightcurls for the information.)
