On hunting.

The mammoth lord of the northern plateau strung his bow with great satisfaction as the faint tracks he had been following became more and more defined. As his prey drew near, so too grew the excitement of the hunt.

The elves live long lives, surrounded by servants obsessive in their roles. The etiquette they demand has become a sort of prison of their own making. The only escape from the drudgery of their daily existence is the hunt—an activity the elves pursue with great relish.

Some elves go hunting daily, either on short trips down to rivers and lakes to hunt fowl, or into the nearby woods for deer. But more exciting, and more honorable, is to patrol their borders with an armed entourage in tow, seeking a victim from the neighboring principality or the mountain men nearby.

It is not uncommon for two opposing hunting parties to happen upon each other, whereupon a skirmish may ensue. More often, however, it is merely a poor human shepherd who is suddenly struck down by an arrow and dragged home, his body paraded to showcase the prowess of the elven lord. The villagers, watching in awe of his strength and lethality, are reminded of the wisdom of obedience.

Yet not all elves can be bothered to venture far, especially if the weather is foul. Some sit in their tall towers, bow in hand, shooting at whatever unfortunate villager happens to wander into sight. The villagers then assume their semi-divine liege is displeased with their efforts and atone by working harder for a time.

Even the female elves partake in this sport, and sometimes, when circumstances allow, the entire family will make an outing of it. Together they feast upon the roasted flesh of their victim before their entourage, reminding all present that their masters are of a divine race, exalted above mere humans.

It is not uncommon to display trophies of the hunt. Oftentimes, the skulls of hapless victims adorn elven walls, while others have been known to preserve their prey in grotesque forms of mummification, so that their prize may stand as a lasting testament. Especially prized are large trolls, whose remains serve as proof of an elf’s might to any visitor.

For such is the nature of the cursed realm: one must seek enjoyment where one can, and through the long centuries, the elves have become experts in that pursuit.