elfkind

elfkind is a term used in fantasy fiction and role-playing contexts to denote the race of elves as a distinct lineage. The word blends elf with kind meaning 'species' or 'people' and is used to emphasize elves as a separate, often ancient, civilization within a world. In many settings, elfkind is contrasted with humankind and other sentient races.

Common traits include elongated lifespans, heightened senses, and affinity for magic or nature. Physical descriptions vary, but pointed ears and graceful demeanor are common. Societies of elfkind are frequently portrayed as orderly, artistic, and rooted in nature or arcane knowledge; governance ranges from hereditary monarchies to clan-based councils. Many elfkind cultures place great importance on memory, lore, and language, often preserving ancient histories.

Subtypes and regional varieties appear in different worlds. Popular classifications include high elves, wood elves, sea elves, and dark elves (drow), though not all settings use these labels. Subraces often differ in temperament, habitat, technology, and relationship with humans or other races.

In modern fantasy literature, games, and media, elfkind serves as a flexible framework for exploring themes such as longevity, exile, cultural continuity, and the tension between tradition and change. The term is not universally used; some creators prefer simply 'elves' or specify the subgroups by name rather than using a single umbrella term.