The Study of Elvaan

Text in Italics is from the official site

Basic Description and Biology

A race of proud warriors, The Elvaan are the founders of two legendary orders of knights in the nation of San d'Oria. Physically, they are characterized by their tall, slender bodies and pointed ears. Their unshakable pride and faith in their beliefs is visible in each of their determined faces. Both males and females of the race excel in swordsmanship. Most Elvaan seem to eschew the business world, preferring an austere lifestyle as skilled swordfighters.

This race has excellent hearing, second only to that of the Mithra. Elvaan are physically the most powerful of the 5 races and the second most physically durable. This is reflected in their high strength stat, vitality stat, and HP Pool given in game. Possibly due to their strong belief in Altana and chivalrous values they also are given high mind stats. Low dexterity, agility and intelligence stats effect the their abilities to be thieves, cast dark magic and other less honorable jobs in keeping with their values.

Racial Origins

Aldiaine is the legendary homeland of the Elvaan before their emigration to the Quon continent. Though regarded with the utmost esteem and honor by the Kingdom of San d'Oria, having no substantial presence on the continents often results in its being relegated the honorary status of ally to the royal family.

Thus far it is unknown where exactly Aldiane is but it is evidently still in contact with San d'Oria. Elvaan emigrated to Quon and there established the Kingdom of San d'Oria.

Culture

The elvaan culture, which is basically the national San d'Orian culture, is built upon a rich tradition, especially military and religious. Personal morality and integrity as dictated by the church of Altana is upheld as important above all else. Their society has developed a class system where warriors and their families have become a noble class. Their family’s noble lines are well established and the honor attached to them is of the utmost importance.

Elvaan traditionally have left the trades to the non-warriors and non-elvaan in their midst. They are looked down on by the nobility. Only those who make armor are looked on with favor by their "betters" since their job depends on their crafts. These craftsmen are thought of as a Middle Class.



The Church of Altana is an Elvaan institution. They worship Altana, the Goddess believed to have created the enlightened races, who they believe graced the Elvaan above all others. This national religion leant itself to imperialism and though the elvaan are now mixing with other races they still often times have a superior attitude toward non-elvaan.

Like their religion, all of their lifestyle is quite formal, even of the lower classes. Though formal in their lifestyle they lean more toward the ultiarian than opulent.

Living Standards and Lifestyle

Only noble's live in large houses but even their residences are more sparsely furnished. Everything is built towards its usefulness reflecting the militaristic influence. The tradesmen and commoners tend to keep their residences with even less frills.

Again their faith is a regular part of life. The average San d'Orian attends church services regularly and performs their duties with seriousness.

RP Tips

The Elvaan are renowned for establishing a strict and powerful military and thus can seem very regimented. Jobs that originate or are associated with elvaan are all akin to the military: Paladin, Warrior, Red Mage and Dragoon. Of these professions the Paladin and Dragoon have direct elvaan origins.

A traditional elvaan has great class, national and racial pride. They can be quite rude to the people they look down upon. This has resulted in many elvaan being Rped as racially prejudiced, especially against humes for they were in the most recently at war with them before the crystal war. There is a precedent for interracial, especially elvaan and hume npc couplings in game though showing that not all elvaan are prejudiced.

Links

The Five Races (Official Site)

FFXI Encyclopedia: Elvaan

FFXI Encyclopedia: Elvaan NPCs

FF Wiki: Elvaan