Elf

AI loves drawing elves — beautiful, symmetrical, ethereal. The problem is every elf looks the same. Your battle-hardened wood elf ranger comes out looking like a shampoo commercial. Lead with sub-race to fix it.

Sub-Races

High Elf

The AI's default. To distinguish yours, lean into court culture and arcane markers.

Key terms: "aristocratic bearing", "silver or gold circlet", "ceremonial robes", "pale luminous skin", "arcane symbols"

Wood Elf

Hardest to get right — AI keeps making high elves in green clothes. Push toward wildness.

Key terms: "sun-tanned skin", "leaves woven into hair", "practical leather armor", "alert watchful expression", "face paint"

Dark Elf (Drow)

AI handles drow skin tones inconsistently. Be explicit.

Key terms: "obsidian dark skin", "stark white hair", "red or violet eyes", "sharp angular features", "spider-silk clothing"

Sea Elf

Less training data means you need more detail.

Key terms: "blue-green tinted skin", "webbed fingers", "iridescent scales on neck", "coral or shell jewelry"

The Ear Problem

• Too small: Fix with "long prominent pointed ears extending past hairline"
• Hidden by hair: "ears visible through hair" or "hair pulled back revealing pointed ears"
• Inconsistent: Use Inpaint on the problem ear

Elven Aging

Don't use "old" or "elderly" — you'll get human aging. Instead:

• Middle-aged (100-500): "ageless features with depth in eyes", "composed serene expression"
• Ancient (500+): "timeless face with knowing ancient eyes", "silver-white hair", "ethereal translucent skin"

Prompt Structure

[Sub-race + elf] + [Age impression] + [Ear visibility] + [Clothing] + [Expression] + [Setting]

Example: "wood elf ranger with sun-tanned skin and wild auburn hair braided with small leaves, prominent pointed ears visible, practical worn leather armor, alert suspicious expression, forest clearing at dawn, dappled golden sunlight, detailed fantasy portrait"

Troubleshooting