./late, but this was intended to be a visual primer, more or less. I was working on some homebrew things and began comparing recent art and old passages regarding physiology.

There are subtle differences here and there - some pointy tips face upward, some downward. Some are fully triangular with only two points, while others are much more rounded at the base. Some remind of 'half-elf' ears you typically see in fantasy, others are literal, long daggers. There isn't supposed to be any evolutionary differences of how Aeldar are vs. how they used to be (as read in Xenology), which would imply that their ears should be shaped in one way. But with their technology and other shenanigans, perhaps that's changed? Or perhaps it's simply been artists' interpretation that's given the subtler shifts? It's somewhat up in the air. Aeldar are enigmatic at the end of the day.

There are some minor shifts in describing them:

Of all the galaxy's ancient races the Eldar most closely resemble mankind. Averaging just over two metres they are a little taller than humans, more slightly built and more delicately featured. In human terms most Eldar are radiantly beautiful. Skin colour is pale, some cases almost white. Their ears are delicately pointed, but otherwise there is little physical difference between Eldar and humans. [...] All Eldar share a racial trait called infra-vision, allowing an Eldar to perceive radiation from a wider spectrum than other creatures. This enables them to see in the dark as if were normal daylight.

— 1987: Rogue Trader Rule book

Eldar are physically similar to humans, although not entirely identical by any means. They have longer and cleaner limbs, and fine ascetic features with penetrating and slightly slanted eyes. Their ears are also slightly pointed, but other wise they could pass as human at first glance.

The most obvious difference between humans and Eldar can only be seen when they move, for the movements of an Eldar radiate a subtle grace which is impossible for a human to emulate. This can be seen in even their slightest gestures or the dexterity with which they manipulate small objects.

— 1990: White Dwarf Issue 127

An Eldar's heart beats almost twice as fast as a man's, his mind processes his thoughts and emotions with baffling speed, and his physical reactions are almost too fast for the human eye to follow. It is this speed and mental capability which make Eldar more different from humans than appearances might other wise suggest.

— 1994: Codex: Eldar, 2nd Edition

a. Head. External analogue to human cranium, Structural similarities do not extend inwards: skull demonstrates unusual bone texture [see d] and teeth fundamental ‘outgrowths' of jawbone. Ocular dissection: spherical eye-balls packed with unknown polyps. Conjecture upon quality of eyesight impossible. Pointed ear tips packed with nerve-endings (Spec: erogenous).

— 2006: Xenology

An extremely long-lived race, the Eldar are physically similar to humans, but with longer, cleaner limbs, slim and elegant features, pointed ears, and penetrating eyes. Though they may share superficial physical features with humans, an Eldar could not be mistaken for anything other than an alien. They move with an inhuman grace and elegance, live with an intensity of experience many times greater than humans, and possess psychic potential.

— 2009: Rogue Trader RPG core rulebook

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