As an elf, you can be either a Wood Elf or Shoal Elf. A Wood Elf would be from a community in the Moonsilver Forest, about 30 miles north of the city. Your community would have been one that is mostly made up of other elves like yourself, and you would probably think the other races slightly inferior to you.

A Shoal Elf is an elf that is more at home with the sea and ships than with their forest cousins. They are commonly sailors, and you may take that as a background. You are more comfortable with other races and more affable -- you don't have the same sort of arrogant presence that Wood Elves do.

In either case, all elves know the tales of the great elven cities of old, that are no more. Your race once was more influential than it is now.

If a Shoal elf, perhaps you decided to spend some time on land and get to know this place better, or perhaps earn enough money to one day buy your own ship, or shipping company. If a Wood Elf, you might be interested to see the city, despite the crowds, noise, and smells. In either case, you may have come to Ptolus for adventure and riches, or to learn more about the elven kingdoms of ages past.

[Shoal Elves use the 'High Elf' template for D&D 5th edition, Wood Elves use the template that bears their name]