Elves

"Navarre codified magical practice and defined the limits of mortal power on Aspiria--then immediately moved to expand those boundaries. Each elf is a reflection of that greatness, veins of gold in an otherwise rocky earth."
-Alodia Moonberry, Musings on Heritage
Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, diminished in some respect from their place in history but by no means a minor player. They live across the eastern half of Halinor, from the silvery snowfalls and frozen heights of Carinthia; along the forested mountains and lakes of Aqualonde; and of course nestled amidst their university towers and communities in Shurevaire. Elves love magic and nature, art and artistry, music and poetry--and they often enjoy fashioning themselves as the best in the world.
Elves are slightly shorter than humans on average but tend to be taller than dwarves on average--anywhere from just under five feet to just over six. They are more slender than humans as a rule. Their men and women are roughly of the same height and weight.
Elven coloration encompasses the normal human range and includes skin in shades of copper or bronze in the south and almost bluish-white in the north. Those with particularly strong Navarresean heritage still have eyes of gold. Eyes colored silver are an uncommon feature in Carinthia and often the subject of discrimination.
Character Traits
Elven characters start off with the following modifiers to their stats and abilities
Ability Score Increase
Your dexterity score increases by 2.
Age
Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, elven longevity stretches as far as the dwarves', about 150-175 years.
Size
Elves range from under 5 to just over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
Keen Senses
You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Fey Ancestry
You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Trance
Elves don't need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious for four hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion--mental exercises that have become reflexive after years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Elvish and Common. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.
Carinthian Elf
As an elf from Carinthia, you have keen senses and intuition bred by a lifetime of danger. Your skin tends to be pale in hue with hair tending toward light browns and blondes, sometimes coppery. Your eyes are blue or green most often, but hazel is not unheard of. Most unfortunate would be silver which would be the cause of much discrimination in Carinthia.
Ability Score Increase
Your wisdom score increases by 1.
Elf Weapon Training
You have proficiency with the longsword, longbow, and lance.
Fleet of Foot
Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.
Mask of the Wild
You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, or other natural phenomena.
Southern Elf
As an elf from Aqualonde or Shurevaire, you have probably enjoyed a more relaxed upbringing and more opportunity to connect with nature and magic. If you have strong heritage from Navarre, you tend toward a more golden coloration (including even the eyes), but in the South elves' run the gamut of skin and hair tones depending on where in the south they are from.
Ability Score Increase
Your intelligence score increases by 1.
Elf Weapon Training
You have proficiency with the short sword, short bow, and the rapier.
Cantrip
You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Extra Language
You can speak, read, and write one extra language of your choice.
Elves in Halinor
Historically elves were the masters of the east part of Halinor, the so-called god-mages of the Navarresean See. The remnants of their kingdom, off-shoots both of bloodline and tradition, have splintered across Halinor and make up three of the major players to this day--frigid Carinthia, sprawling Aqualonde, or studious Shurevaire. They remain as a people very influential on the continent.
Aqualonde
Aqualonde is a place of harmony with the land, with magic, and with culture. Elves cover the spectrum of the different class strata here and may fit any niche. Expect to have had a life of relative peace and opportunity, if perhaps somewhat secluded. You might know more about the political strife in the forests than say perhaps between Avosa Tesota and Tarwa'kem.
Avosa Tesota
Ah, to be young and free and adventurous--if you're an elf from Avosa Tesota, likely it is that you are! Things might move a bit fast for the traditionally-minded elf here, but maybe you are not a traditional elf. Humans and half-elves tend to run the show here, and their individual drive and curiosity can be interesting--or a little tiring. In any case, don't expect the same sort of life or values as you'd find in Carinthia or Aqualonde.
Carinthia
If there are three classes in Carinthia, an elf from here might be glad they can never be on the lowest rung. Society caters to you here, yes, but life is hard and demands much of your many talents. You are from fine stock no matter your family, though, and you are likely devoted to Alophia. For your dedication and hard work you have earned the fine treatment you enjoy; let your sacrifices be sung of for generations.
This is what the higher class elves (and those of middling class but higher aspirations) believe. As potentially one of the lower class elves (which do exist and in plenty), you know that the dragons are a very real threat, but that threat has not unified your people in the ways that it should. You scrounge for opportunity and survival without directly enriching those above you; perhaps you scorn Alophia, or perhaps you merely question where Her wisdom can be found in the church. You keep these doubts quiet though, loathe to attract the attention of the inquisitors.
D'yadya
Most likely an elf does not consider D'yadya their home. The west is not a homeland for you, after all, and the Vociran Invasion a few short decades ago has not engendered a big desire to travel here. If an elf was born here, they would be a truly unique individual with an interesting history indeed.
Shurevaire
This might not be an ancestral sort of home, but Shurevaire was founded by your people to exemplify a traditional ideal of study--you fit right at home here. You might be a little better integrated than either of your cousins to the north--a touch more worldly you might dare to say.
Tarwa'kem
What an odd elf to call Tarwa'kem home. No doubt you know that the dwarves were no ally of Navarre and that this rivalry embers even unto this day. What brought you to call Tarwa'kem home makes you unique among elves and has no doubt been the cause of some confusion for your self-identity.