Runequest, perhaps? The elves of Glorantha have always been some of my favorites.

That's the main reason I've left the paper rat pyramid up there for so long

It's the difference between having inpiration you can draw from to flavor a campaign setting, and letting a glossary of "canonical" trivia actively restrict your vision for what can happen.

I've always enjoyed the *option* of reading into a detailed setting, but only when the expectations for player-facing information don't become a homework assignment.