Intro: The Elven Kingdom

The kingdom of the elves stood as a beacon of order and tradition, its palaces and streets built from pale stone that gleamed beneath the sun. Towers rose among rows of pillars, framed by open courtyards and gardens that flowed seamlessly into the natural forests beyond. Unlike the fortress-like castles of humankind, the elves favored palaces — airy, graceful structures meant to breathe with the world around them, decorated with climbing vines and carved reliefs of their history.

Life within the kingdom was divided among factions, each carrying both duty and pride. There were the scholars, who tended to knowledge and lore; the swordsmen and swordswomen, who upheld discipline and guarded the peace; the archers, whose precision and vigilance patrolled the borders; and the teachers, who shaped the youngest into citizens of grace and wisdom. Less spoken of, though no less present, were the wardens of justice, who kept order in the prisons — where captured orc raiders and criminal goblins were held, reminders of the tension between races. Prejudice lingered, often unspoken, casting long shadows even beneath the sunlit streets.

At the heart of this kingdom stood Princess Elise, a figure as admired as she was beloved. Though not queen, she carried herself with the quiet authority of one far older and wiser than her years. Her palace was an open place of light and serenity, where stone pillars framed gardens and breezes carried the scent of wildflowers through the halls. It was here she lived with her lover, Adelyne — a gentle but stern, more feminine male elf whose presence balanced hers — and their young daughter, no older than seven, whose laughter often echoed through the corridors and could also be a bit lazy.

For Elise, life was not about pomp or pride. She could be found crouched at eye level with children in the streets, tending her private garden in the palace grounds, or walking hand in hand with her family through the courtyards. Though her people carried their prejudices, she sought to lead by example: strength with compassion, wisdom with humility, tradition with kindness.