Excellent post! Maltese, did you want me to introduce that idea now or after you post? I have no problem posting between the two of you, but I do not want to post out of turn if you prefer a posting order.<br/><br/>I see the Elves as part of an elite diplomatic group in the city. The Elven land of Aluvia is several leagues to the East, by sea. Their land is very harsh and unforgiving. The Elves are used to it and can travel it without much trouble. They do not like Humans traveling their lands, and will escort Humans right back out rather quickly of they find them. They are not harsh enough to kill them on sight in their lands, but most of the time, the land itself and its creatures will. Picture it somewhat like a nightmare land of ethereal beauty, with deadly creatures that are partially magical in nature. Ordinary Humans would not dare venture there. Even though a few foolish enough to do so, they left with Elven escort and vowed never to return, or they perished rather horribly.<br/><br/>Most of the Elves accept that Humans control the Midlands and the other portions of the continent. They are content to stay in their lands and only a few are adventurous enough to come to the Human lands for trade and commerce. Diplomatic ties makes it easier for the High King in Guttenburg to keep trade going, and the peace between Elves and the Midlands is preserved. The High King of the Humans certainly does not want the vile creatures of nightmare loosed on his subjects. The border between the Elven lands and the Human lands is a deep river chasm (Like Grand Canyon only deeper and wilder, virtually impassable). It is crossed at one point only, a narrow point of the canyon bridged by Dwarven engineers and helped by Elven magic to be built. This is the only point where humans might have an entry, and it is heavily guarded by both Human and Elven patrols.<br/><br/>Now the northern tribes, known as Norori, are taller and heavier built humans with a unique quality of toughness well suited to be warriors. I like the reference to them compared to Vikings. Though they are not the sailor type, maybe more like the hardy Scots. They are different enough to be considered a separate race, but are fine with crossing with any of the other Humans. Being adopted into a Northern tribe would be difficult but not impossible for some of the other Humans in the land.<br/><br/>I hope I am making this clear to both of you. Humans in this world are all the same race, but consider themselves separate only in the point of origin. The dark skinned evolved in the southern lands and integrate seemlessly with the lighter skinned humans all across the continent. They accept the different types of colors as Human, maybe with a bit of exotic flavor that makes them desirable, and not hated at all. There are Oriental types as well, most of them in the islands to the west and south.<br/><br/>The Elves can and do mate with the Humans on occasion, but they are very long lived and do not take these liasons seriously. (Most of them do it for the exotic variety, though there are exceptions) The progeny of such unions are half breeds that are often scorned and rejected by both their parent races. The half elves tend to stick together and are considered good as mercenaries. They tend to be a rebelious and often turn to banditry. They are also sterile. Liking sex, but unable to produce offspring.<br/><br/>Sorry for going on and on here!  :-[