They are basically the elves of FFXIV, and I think I had read that they once ruled most of Eorzea, or was it just The Black Shroud?

But then Ishgard is also an elezen society, so I'm a bit confused on the lore here. Just curious.

If Gridania is your starting city and you do most of the quests there, it definitely paints a picture of the elezen as a very ancient people.

Edit: Not just asking because I'm currently playing as an elezen. I'm actually a hyur, but have fantasia'd into an elezen for the time being.