They are, and always have been, a proud society of wolves.
From the very beginning, when their culture was birthed into the land of Kells the Murkwood Court have seen tradition after tradition come, and stay, throughout the generations. Years they have lived, breathed, and fulfilled the wishes of elders before them, and although times are rapidly changing for the wolves of The Court; they are still finding ways to stay true to themselves.
There are a number of perspectives and traditions in which most elves observe. It's important to note that not all elves uphold these beliefs.
• Outsiders: At present, outsiders are invited to join their ranks but not entirely welcomed by all. The elves have always been rather prejudice against strangers, and although their numbers have thinned they are no less wary. They even have greater reasons to fear others, what with the assault from the Trolls being as devastating as it was... Outsiders who fall victim to the Sea of Sighing are checked over for 'brandings', which are scars on the body of all Trolls. If clear, they then wait for the wolves to rise and discuss their motives thereafter.
• Gossip: Generally, an elven wolf will show outward kindness while harboring an internal disdain, which will manifest itself into gossip later on. Talking never ends in a society where tearing others down is sometimes the sport and goal of conversation. Rumors and whispers spread quickly. They are the small town where everyone knows everything, and nothing escapes the prying eyes of neighbors. Not all wolves share in the love for the talk, but those that don't are often gossiped about the most. Confrontation is their least favorite game, and elves rarely have to deal with it -- what with the culture of gossip being so commonplace. With the rise of rouges, however, they may soon come to change their ways.
• Status: The elves hold themselves in the highest regard. They are eloquent, charming both physically and orally and graceful at almost every turn. Here, in The Murkwood Court, your reputation exceeds you or it cripples you. The general, day-to-day gossip may not put a stain on the status you keep, but leave your life mate? Mate outside of ceremony? Perform heinous war crimes against the Court? You might as well cast yourself out into the sea. But fret not, for the elves are generous in their ways and usually wolves who want to reclaim their former glory can do so. With a trinket here, or a juicy tid-bit of information there. Not all wolves share in this perspective, and some even find it silly.
• Celebratory Creatures: Another way to bolster one's status is to host, participate, or be the cause of a celebration. Ceremonies were once prevalent within The Court, held for any number of reasons but mostly to get the pack together, to socialize, to mingle and gossip and play. To don their shiny stones and strange fabrics, twirling and whirling themselves around under the influences of psychedelic plants; as were native to their original home. Now, they are few in numbers and the reasons to party are rare in the face of fear. A need for security and protection doesn't always overrule the need for levity, but often it seems to.
• Items: The escape from their old home might have been rushed, but elves priorities are rarely swayed from and what items they could carry in their mouths -- they did. Status, as mentioned above, is crucial. It can be earned in many ways but one of which is through the donning, or collecting, of items. The shinier the better. And the more you wear, the greater admiration you'll receive.
OOC: Elves are treasure hoarders, and use items from time to time to barter amongst themselves. Mostly however, these trinkets and wearable artifacts are for show. They like to talk about what all they have, and show them off, and gain the admiration of their friends and 'enemies' alike.
• Privacy: While they learn how to live cohesively along side rogues... with rouges, as the elders would insist... they tend to lean on their old ways of privacy. Their traditions are sacred, and as they are a prideful lot of wolves they would much rather keep their secrets over risking exposure and, in some cases, ridicule. Outsiders do not often understand the practices, after all. This goes for the smallest of things, like an affair perhaps, to the largest, like keeping their crafted language a secret from the new rogue ears. Elven wolves tend to always be keeping something back, and those unfamiliar with The Court are left to wonder. Elves do enjoy watching others squirm.
• Respect: Although hardly consider respectful wolves by most outsiders, the elves really do believe in it; at least, the show of it. The elders tend to be the most tolerant and respectful, and earn the same from their followers. But aside from a general respect for another's home, trinket, or relationship, the elven sense of honor extends to their home in nature. The Court do not drain the forests of their resources but, instead, take care to stay aware of its evolutions and subtleties. Because of this, much of the pack has taken to befriending prey creatures in one form or another. Typically, the relationship is a working one, where prey are used for the hunt. But some are kept around for company. And others, to continue bolstering their numbers full of willing protectors.
• Spirituality: There is no concrete religion here. The Terran pray to the earth itself, asking for wisdom and guidance to be shared. For some elves, they were raised to respect the earth and so they do so -- out of obligation. For others, it is a task done to ensure that the pack survives every season -- more pragmatic than metaphysical. And then there are those who believe that the earth breathes with them, and that there are spirits who want to commune regularly. It is entirely up to the wolf to decide where they stand, but The Murkwood Court as a whole are, undoubtedly, connected to the earth in a strange, beautiful way. They always have been. They always will be.
Recent Cultural Observations: (As of 11/17/19)
• Rogue Terran (Rogue Seers): Generally speaking, most Elves are weary of rogue Terran's. Their focus is often frayed and their intentions unknown, and because of this the fear is that they may not align completely with The Court's ideals. However, the vast majority seem receptive to the idea of these individuals joining their ranks so long as they are willing to abide by tradition. If they aid the pack in furthering their relationship with the Earth, harnessing and respecting all at once, they are more or less welcomed.
• Hobbits (Wolf dogs): The perception of these tiny canines is a mixed one, but the general consensus finds them a rather unassuming presence. Cute, curious, entirely too small to be of merit and yet... charming? The Elves do not see them as inherent threats, nor do they think they can provide the pack with much protection. Some have taken a bit of interest in their existence but there are always those who doubt the company of a stranger. Even if that stranger is precious. The Elves are neutral about these individuals.
• Ogres (Berserkers): The Elves have yet to meet with a proper Ogre as a whole, however the sighting of paw prints in the wilds has most feeling on edge.
• Half-breeds (Half Elf x Half Rogue): Despite their brutish blood, half-breeds are not always treated poorly. Unlike the rogue population, this including their parents, half-breeds born into the pack are embraced in the hopes that they will absorb and carry out tradition; abandoning the outsider beliefs that their parent might have brought with them. The vast majority treat these individuals impassively, if not kindly. The older crowds refuse to see them as anything but outsiders. The half-breed youth that look more like their Elven parent are favored, and so long as they come to pull their own weight, few of the OG Elves will cause them grief. Still, what with their mixed lineage, the title of 'half-breed' lingers and often wolves wanting to twist the dagger will use it derogatorily.
