TODS: Elves of the Forest

Here is a TODS series drawing of the purple-skinned forest elves. Unlike the fantasy elves, the elves that are going to be in my TODS universe are much more primitive and more connected with nature. They are a completely isolationist, superstitious race who craft bows from bone and live mainly vegetarian lifestyles. By the time humanity (Homo Sapiens) and Dwarves began to start increasing in number about four million years after the Fall, the forest elves began to dwindle in numbers as their lands were being encroached by the other races. They are similar to humans, but shorter and with occipital buns (much like Neanderthals). Due to their connection to nature, they prefer wearing deerskins, leaves, bones, and wood, even though they do hold some knowledge of crafting bronze weapons.

The Forest Elves practice the polytheistic religion known as the Green Path, which forbids advanced technology and material wealth in favor of a classless, egalitarian form of tribalism. According to this belief system, trees are considered sacred and agriculture and industrialization is seen as an "assault" on their existence. They strictly believe in a flat, disc-shaped earth held up by a cosmic tree with the sun and moon orbiting around it. They strictly believe in a flat, disc-shaped earth held up by a cosmic tree with the sun and moon orbiting around it. Beyond what they view as the known universe, there lies the Grey Mists of Eternity, where the spirits of the dead, good and evil alike, dwell when they die.

Tattoos on the face and chest are considered sacred to the Green Path, signifying one's rite of passage from childhood to maturity. The followers of this religion also believe that they provide protection in times of war.

More info: www.deviantart.com/art/TODS-Co…