The distinction of the Alfar races is that they are the offspring of the Faeries, created during the birth time of the world. Although the Slann were the first to learn magick and be raised into sentience, the Alfar existed even before them. In the earliest times of Almorath, the Fey Lands (also known as the Land of Summer's Twilight) were closely connected to Kalor. The inhabitants of the Fey Lands freely and frequently visited Kalor for their own amusement and unknown reasons. They were elemental creatures suffused with Magick and untouched by time or conscience. They were not life as it is known, but were instead as much a part of the world as the Air, the Earth, or the Water. Though no one but the Gods know the truth (and they aren't talking) the myths of that Age (that survive through the most ancient of the Ljosalfar) tell of the birth of the Alfar races. They state that the Faeries, wishing to seed this new world with life like their own mated with parts Almorath itself to create new life.
Note that the word Alfar (sometimes corrupted as Alvar) means "Elven" or "Elvish" and comes from their shared blood with the Faeries. Also note that it is disputed whether there are six or seven true Alfar races. See below for elaboration.
The Alfar Races
Their name means "Light Elves" and they were the first to be born. They were the offspring of the Faerie and the Sunlight itself. They were lovers of the daylight and the bounty of nature and as such were children of gentleness and easy dispositions. Their great affinity for magick came from the powerful Faeire Magick. They are also known (incorrectly) as Elves. They call themselves the Dueirr.
Their name means "Dark Elves" and they were the second race to be born. They were the offspring of the Faerie and the Moonlight. They were lovers of the shadows and secrets but were almost as carefree and loving in the early days as the Ljosalfar were. They possess skin as milky white as the moon itself and dark seeing eyes. But as a race they are touched by a bit of the madness that the moon brings, and so possessed the seeds of their own destruction and corruption. But in the early days, there were twins to the Ljosalfar and lived as brothers to them. They are also known as Darklings or Nithlings. It is not known what they call themselves.
Their name means "Water Elves" and they were the third race to be born. They were the offspring of the Faeries and the Waters of the GreatSea. They were creatures of both fresh and salt water, from shallow lakes to the sea's depths (though they could walk on land for brief periods). But their nature and their dependence on water kept them largely apart from the rest of the Alfar. And when the Sciplings rose into power, they disappeared utterly from the surface world. It is not known if any of their race survived the Sundering or not, though sailor's tales speak of them sometimes. They are also known as Silkie or Merfolk. It is not known what they call themselves.
Their name means "Wind Elves" and they were the fourth race to be born. They were the offspring of the Faeries and the Winds of the sky. They possessed great and beautiful wings and built great aeries atop the highest of Mountains. Sadly, during the Sundering most of their race was killed and the survivors are believed to have been hunted to extinction during the Age of Darkness that followed. No reports exist in recent times of their survival. They were also known as Sprites. It is not known what they called themselves.
Their name means "Stone Elves" (also "Dusky Elves" for their dark skinned complexions) and they were the fifth race to be born. They were the offspring of the Faeries and the Stone of the earth. They were the heartiest and toughest of the Faerie, but the least of the Alfar races in terms of their affinity with Magick. They were also more practical and cynical then their brethren. However, they lived in the sunlight and above the earth until fear of the Human Sorcerers drove them to live underground in the protective embrace of the mountain's heart. Only recently have some Svartalfar begun to live above the earth again. They are also known as Dwarves. They call themselves the Garduul.
Their name means "Plain Elves" and they were the sixth (or seventh race to be born). They were the offspring of the Faeries and the Grasses of the field. They have the least grasp of magick, except for their kin the Svartalfar. In fact, only one out of every thousand or so of the race can properly use Magick. The rest can utilize it partially, but not to its full extent. Those who can truly wield Magick are termed Adepts by their people and are a rare breed (who are only know beginning to be respected instead of feared). These Adepts are persons who have a bit of the pure essence of Faerie blood in them and it is said that they pass it on to their progeny, though it may not reveal itself for many generations (unless two Adepts were to have a child, a rare affair - more often Adepts are the seventh son or a seventh son). Of all the Alfar races, they have the fast reproduction rate and are most adaptable and adventurous. However, they also have the shortest lives of the Alfar races. They are also known as Sciplings (or Skaelings to the Dokkalfar). They call themselves Man, Human, and various other title. Collectively they were also known as the Oen-Del after the end of the Age of Darkness (however that name is seldom used anymore).
Their name means "Lost Elves" and this is the name given to the mythical "lost" Alfar race. Although none but the Ljosalfar are likely to know for sure, they were supposedly conceived before the Dunalfar. They are said to have possessed a purer mix of Faerie blood and been more powerful wielder of Magick. As well, they did not breed as fast as the Dunalfar, but lived much longer. However, in most other respects they appear just as the Dunalfar do. In fact it is said that they were responsible for teaching the Arts of Magick to the Dunalfar in the first place. It is sometimes said that they were in truth the real Sorcerers or part of the cabal that challenged the Gods and caused the Sundering. The truth of this is not known, but stories still crop up of their existence (most often in Skarppsey). If they do exist, they are likely a dying race or are interbreeding slowly with the Dunalfar and being eradicated that way. They are more commonly known (if known at all) as the Rhbu. It is believed that this is what they called themselves.