The most important thing first: Elves are omnisexual therefore some choose to have partners of the same sex. This is accepted in the elven community, and if you have problem with this, please don't join this Holt.

Although some elves choose to be monogamous, all are not. Elven society accepts sexual encounters outside the regular lifemating or lovemating bonds as well as more than one love- or lifemate. Jealousy is not impossible but is very uncommon.

Lifemates are two or more elves that have completely committed themselves to each other for life. It is a long-term bond, almost never broken by anything but death. Lifemates can be of same or opposite sexes. Couples do not have to be Recognized to be lifemated nor do they necessarily have children.

Lovemates Two or more elves who partner for reasons of mental and physical pleasure. Lovemating is not a life-long commitment like lifemating. Also lovemates can be of same or opposite sexes.

Three-mates are threesomes that have the same bond as lifemates, each for the other.

Pleasure-mates share infrequently occurring intimate relations but there is even less commitment that in lovemating. Also referred to as 'furmate'.

Soulmates Recognized partners

Soul siblings are two elves of usually same sex who have exchanged soul names either by telling their soul names to each other or learning them in a moment not unlike Recognition. They are often also lovemates but not necessarily always.

Joining refers to the act of making love.