Elves seldom intervene forcefully in the affairs of other peoples – they prefer diplomacy and subtlety. When they enter battle they are usually well prepared, having observed their foes for years to survey their strengths and weaknesses. Their strategies generally aim for the minimization of elven casualties and a popular option is to use their longevity to simply withdraw and outlive their aggressors. The Kvyr elves traditionally rely on superior skill and equipment, as well as heavy support from their priest guilds, to force their opponents into subjugation. At sea they are almost unchallenged masters, and should they lose battles on land they always try to keep an open retreat route to their ships. Often they use tactics that combine their sea and land troops to maximum effect. In the bygone Treeburner Wars, the elven skill in forest warfare turned into their ruin as the orcs grew tired of fighting shadows and simply torched the woods in response. After such a hard learned lesson, the Kvyr elves have learned how to construct earthen and wooden walls around precious holdings to further protect them. All adults are required by Kvyr elven law to heed the call of the King and Queen's heralds and to arm themselves in times of trouble. They also have a professional army, and many seek a career within the military – both nobles as well as commoners. The A'lure elves prefer tactical fighting with small swift groups, making hit and run attacks and ambushes and using the terrain to their advantage. When facing battle they wear camouflaged clothing and masks to ease their blending in with the environment. In defensive battles the forest helps to protect them from cavalry attacks and siege weapons, making their homes very hard to invade. They use the trees as hidden watchtowers, and rope bridges as a temporary means of passing streams. This leaves very little of value for invaders to attack or seize, unless they manage to reach a major settlement. The A'lure elves have constructed similar watchtowers and hidden outposts in the countryside surrounding the Mervin Hills, in order to help safeguard the halflings. The defense of the A'lure Woods and the Mervin Hills is loosely organized by the ranger guilds of A'lure. Small units account for a patch of territory, and if trouble arises they quickly gather more assistance from neighboring areas. The A'lure elves' affection for ideals sometimes makes them pledge to serve and protect certain noble causes or factions. The rangers in the Mervin Hills and the protectors of the Caerth Sisterhood are two such examples of dedicated elves. The elves have a special method for retrieving iron ore from the bottom of seas and bogs, but since they have established trade with their neighbors they mainly obtain metal by bartering with other races. They prefer light weaponry that allows for grace and swiftness, usually rapiers, slender scimitars, daggers, spears or staves. They often shun shields in favor of dual wielded parrying daggers. They are renowned bowmen, and more than one skirmish has been ended with the accuracy of their archers. They wear light armor made of cloth or leather. Kvyr elven warriors often wear scale mail, and it is popular among the nobles to wear metal masks to protect their faces from unnecessary injuries and scars. The Kvyr elves have a special tradition of making composite bows from the bones from large sea animals. A common way to scout is to employ birds of prey, such as falcons or eagles.