While “elves” is sometimes used as a catch-all term for all types of fay, the correct usage refers to a single species. The elves are perhaps the most famous variety of fay, their prevalence in our stories and legends rivalled only by gnomes and pixies (see related chapters for more information). Physically, elves are very similar to humans, although they tend to be taller (average height for an elf is around six foot two) and slimmer of build. All elves are fair of hair and of skin, hair colours ranging from the palest of blonde to warmer amber or sometimes even slightly reddish tones and skin colours ranging from an almost bone-white pallor to a pleasant peach complexion. The facial structure of an elf tends to be rather angular, with high cheek bones and often a quite pointed chin. Their most exotic features, however, are their ears, which are long and come to a sharp, sometimes slightly curved, point, and their eyes, which are always brilliantly coloured (usually blue or green, although gold also occurs) and sport catlike pupils. Culturally, the elves are the closest approximation the fay realm have to what we consider nobility, since the king and queen who rule the realm (in so far as a place so magical and wild as the fay realms can be ruled at all) are both elves, and most of the members of their court are the same. It should be noted, however, that there is no such thing as a hereditary title among fay, and the king and queen hold their titles by merit of being the first fay to walk the realm (given how muddled fay history is, I have been unable to ascertain whether this makes them the first fay to ever live, or if they were merely the first to discover the realm the fay now call home). Those elves who are not part of the royal court usually spend their days hunting, fishing and riding, with the occasional exceptions who work as craftsmen (most commonly as weavers or fletchers). It should be noted that since fay have no actual need for basic necessities such as food or shelter, most fay who “work” do so more for their enjoyment of the task than for any material gain. Elves are also known for their great fondness for music, although they are, with very few exceptions, absolutely terrible at making their own. Few are the elves who can sing competently, and fewer still are those who can produce anything but discordant noise when given a musical instrument of any kind. Having had the dubious honour of listening to an elf attempting to master the simple lute, I most firmly advise all lovers of music to steer well clear. Magically, elves are powerful, but only within a narrow range of spells. They excel at weather magic, and generally have some talent with healing spells. Some elves also posses an uncanny talent with illusions and glamours, though this is far from a universal elven talent. Beyond these fields, however, most elves have little magical talent, and usually turn to other fay for assistance.