Era of Elves

Summary
A relatively peaceful era, once the Elves took the world from the Efreet, they maintain a strict, but fair rule over the world. Elven cultures, beliefs, magic, even some of their ancient language were developed during this era. They ruled the world for five thousand years.

18,000 P.C. - 16,000 P.C.
One of the major factors in the Elves retaking the world was their abilities to wield magic. During this time, Elves began to master their craft of magic. The explored different types of magic and crafted new spells and magic items. They were very strict about keeping this magical lore to themselves, not sharing with the other races of the world.

It is said that the Shadow Elves developed during this time as some of the Elves went too far in their study of the Shadowfell. Once just a small minority of people who were tainted by their interaction with the plane's dark nature, eventually over time, their descendants inherited those traits and they became a new kind of Elf.

16,000 P.C. - 14,000 P.C.
With the fear of creatures from other planes invading their world, like the Illithid or the Efreet, a concerted effort was made. Organizing a group of like-minded individuals, the Elves formed a group called the Planar Defenders or "Osta Palurin" in their tongue. They investigated the planes, closed off or guarded portals leading to and from this world, as well as documenting anything they learned about the planes or the creatures from them. This was also the period when the Palurin Stones were created, which were magic items used to close portals.

Most of this knowledge was kept to themselves, even from other Elves. Many of the documents were lost over time and through the other eras. It was only relatively recently during the Era of Magic that some of this information was recovered. Unfortunately, the organization didn't survive into other eras because some of their members were corrupted.

14,000 P.C. - 13,000 P.C.
Over the course of defending or examining the planes and portals leading to them, some of the Planar Defenders stumbled onto some of the Nether Planes. The denizens of these planes took the opportunity to corrupt some of them, promising them power or influence if they aided them in their quest. Slowly but surely, these corrupted Elves laid the groundwork for the demons and devils of these planes to break through and take the world for themselves...

Signs of the Era
The variations of the Elves we know today mostly formed during this era, giving us the Verydian Elves, the Green Elves, and the Shadow Elves. The Moon Elves didn't appear during this period, but most likely during the Era of the Gods.

Numerous cultural beliefs, the Elves' ties to nature, their magic and fighting style, even their religious beliefs, all started during this era with their first empires. Current Elven nations all have taken bits and pieces from this era and put their own spin on it, but all of them draw from this period in history to define who they are as a people.

Also, although most magic was kept secret from other races, most of the spells and magical knowledge attained during this period was the basis for the most commonly known arcana today. Very little else was discovered in the ways of magic beyond what the Elves already knew during this era. Also, many magical items were crafted, and although many of them were designed only to be used by those with Elven blood, some were not and some could be found in the world today.