Elf

The elves are a magical people originating from the continent of Bered Kai Nev. Presently, many elves live in New Crobuzon, although Armada also boasts a sizeable population.

Description

With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.
Elves' coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in bright colors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.

History

It is implied that elves no longer have a homeland, forced to disperse from Bered Kai Nev during the Tragic Crossing in Mercy Ships due to a mysterious event known as The Ravening. Much of their religion and traditions are only half-remembered.

Culture

In the modern day, many elves are noted artists, using a keen sense to sculpt breathtaking works of art. New Crobuzon's Plaza of Statues contains much of this artwork.
In New Crobuzon, most elves dwell in the ghettos of Kinken and Creekside, many in buildings constructed using scraps. In Armada, elves have their own riding, Booktown, where they oversee Grand Gears Library inherited from the riding's previous rulers.

Religion

In rebellion against the old Elven Gods, many new gods, called "strange gods", were adopted by the immediate ancestors of those who survived the Ravening, while the old gods were forgotten.

Traits

Ability Scores: Choose any three +1
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft

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Age. Elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans. An elf typically claims adulthood around the age of 50 and can live to be 300 years old.
Size. Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.
Low-light Vision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light.
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 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is "trance.") While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
Languages. Common and Elvish.

Available Sub-species

High

Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Extra Language. One extra language of your choosing.

Sea

Sea Elf Training. You have proficiency with the spear, trident, light crossbow, and net.
Child of the Sea. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.
Friend of the Sea. Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.
Extra Language. Aquan.

Wood

Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
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, and other natural phenomena.