I have not written a complete history, yet, but I have worked out some details.

Elves are not the same. They are the same species, but each type of elf was created by a different Ghirandil (see my post Creators under Theology for a definition of Ghirandil). So far, I have a eleven different types of elves (although I only have the common elvish names for most of them). Most elves call themselves People of Light, because almost all of them were created from light. There are a few exceptions, such as the Orlaya Onhulerinar, who were created from shadows.

Orlaya Onhulerinar (Orlia Unahlinar, or Dark People of Night): These are the "dark elves". They are really no more evil than other elves; they only look darker and tend to be moodier. The Orlaya Onhulerinar were created by Neyva (Neivea), the Ghirana of Night. Their hair is deep, deep black; their skin is either olive colored or very pale; their lips are black, dark blue, or violet; they have thin, arched eyebrows; and their eyes are black. They are tall and willowy, with long thin fingers and toes. They live in tunnels and caves underground, and rarely come out in the daytime.

I finish this post at a later date.

I like your "dark elves", very interesting. What different types of elves do you have?

Thank you. I've got so many details and so little time I can only write down one or two at once. Here is another.

Etheronel Onhelinnor (ce Ederonia Unahliiamor, or, People of Moonlight): The closest idea of this type of elf is a moon elf. They were created by Chathara (ce Chandara), the Ghirana who also sung the moon and the stars into existence. Their hair is varying shades of silver; their skin is pale, with a soft glow like silver moonlight; lips of silver, periwinkle, or lavender hue; eyes that are either deep blue-violet or silvery-grey. They, too, are tall and willowy, with long, thin fingers and toes (a common trait amongst most elves). The Etheronel Onhelinnor live in silver and white cities in treetops, usually deep within forests. Their windchimes have a light, ethereal sound. These elves are actually the closest relatives to the Orlaya Onhulerinar, and have the most contact with them.

Wow, they sound beautiful. The "moon" part is a very breath-taking conception and I like the extent of your description.

Thank you. They are very similar to another type of elf (that I am saving, for now). Here are more.

Hhaler Huulomor (ce Gheiria Unahlamor, or, Forest People of Light): These are the "wood elves". They were created by the Ghirana called Huulyn, and the Ghiran called Ahler. Their skin tones vary, perhaps the most of all the elves. The most common skin colorings among them are light skin (that tans easily) and a light olive. Their hair is varying shades of brown, and there have been rare instances of blonde hair; their lips range from light pink to deep red; and their eyes are either brown or green. Their physical build varies from the traditional tall and willowy figure, to shorter and stronger. They live in tree houses, so well hidden that the only way for a human to find them is to listen for the woody-sounding windchimes.

Achon Kumar (ce Hashania Unahlemor, or, People of Sunlight): The Achon Kumar are the opposite of the Etheronel Ohnelinnor. They were created by Uthach (ce, Chan), the Ghiran who created the sun. Their skin tones range from olive to dark brown; they have dark black hair; black eyes; and red lips. They are tall, like the Etheronel, but they are of a sturdier build. The majority of the Achon Kumar live in the far south, on the Cliffs of Paldorn, where their homes are carved into the cliff face, much like a staircase. Their windchimes are carved from stone. One of their legends says that eventually they will reach the top of the Cliffs, and then build right on into the sky, until they are reunited with Uthach and the sun at the end of days.

Yona Ilesta (ce Eonia Unestha, or, Fire People of Ash): The Yona Ilesta were created by the Ghirana Eriya (ce Eryan) and the Ghiran Eriwar (ce Ekthon). They have deep red to bright orange hair; red-through-gold eyes, some with slit pupils; dark red lips; reddish skin; and tall, willowy figures. Most live deep underground, farther even than the Orlaya Onhulerinar, near the deep fires of the world, although a very few live above ground. They live in wigwam-like structures, and each family has an eternal fire that must always burn. The ones underground do like the Orlaya and place their windchimes at the mouth of tunnels leading directly to the surface.

Yethia Unahlemor (Or, Wandering People of Light): The Yethia Unahlemor are were the mixed breeds, the gypsies of the elves. Originally a group of elves half this and half that, they now have a mostly-defined look of their own. Their hair is usually brown, red, black, or silver; grey or blue eyes; pale pink lips; medium-fair skin; and the common, tall and willowy build. They have no homes, but continually travel in caravans, carrying their windchimes with them, staying in different elvin settlements from time to time. Of all the elves, these are the most likely to be seen by or have dealings with humans.

oooooooh! The people of Sunlight are my favorites.

They sound amazing!
Are the windchimes important in your story?

Thank you. And yes, the windchimes are very important to the elves. There is a common legend amongst all the different races of elves, springing up from the first days of their creation. They believe that when a strong wind blows but the windchimes are silent, then the end days of the world have come.

And I will add more elves to this thread eventually; it's just that most of my writing time is being eaten by NaNoWriMo this month. But it'll get there.

That's really cool!