Elves
Elves
Guardians of the Forest
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.
Lost to Time
The elves were once a prosperous race, ruling over many distinct kingdoms. The sylvan forests were ruled by the wood elves, the oldest of their kind, guided by the forces of nature and the fey.The high elves ruled a beautiful kingdom that dominated the landscape along the vast riverlands. To the south, along the Ore Coast, the hardy sea elves dominated the sea. Unfortunately, during the Great War, much of the sea and high elf kingdoms were overtaken by the humans. Displaced and reduced to a few meager nobles, what were once kingdoms are now dissident houses, relegated to the great forests surrounding Elofóros, the world tree. Here, what is left of their leadership has reestablished their sovereignty as the Sylvan Conclave.
Elves live for many centuries beyond the other inheritor races, and their memory is as unflinching as the earth. The wounds suffered during the Great War are still very present in the minds of many modern day elves, remembering tales from their parents and grandparents. Some have moved past this hatred, recognizing it as the past, while others hold onto it and keep the fire strong. Whichever side your elf takes is up to you.
From Root to Branch
While the wood elves are most familiar with nature, embracing it and the goddess Kiri with great veneration, all elves now live within the sylvan forests. Here they have learned to use only what is necessary, building their homes around and with the trees rather than stripping the land for resources. Their lands are further divided by the ruling houses of Xeryth, Aolis, and Heibalar, each desperately fighting for their own desires. The three houses are in discordance, and little gets moved through the senate. While the average elf cares little for politics, they have a great sense of pride in their heritage and their families.
Below the Roots
During the Great War a number of elves fled into the Underdark as refugees, growing through the ensuing centuries into what is today known as the drow. They have taken to tribal lives, fighting to survive in harsh conditions. Despite now being generations removed, they are today seen as cowards by many elves, believing that if they had not abandoned their post all those years ago, the war would not have been lost.
Elven names
Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf's adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.
Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Nailo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)Darkvision. 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 gray.
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 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.
Subrace. Elven kind, even at its lowest point, still consists of many types. Choose one of the following as your subrace.
Drow
Drow fled the Great War into the Underdark and were cursed by its dark magic. Other elves consider them cowards, and their Underdark curse ostracizes them from much of surface-dwelling society.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma increases by 1.
Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Perception checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Drow Magic. You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast faerie fire once per day; you must finish a long rest to cast the spell again using this trait. When you reach 5th level, you can also cast darkness once per day; you must finish a long rest to cast the spell again using this trait. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write Undercommon.
High Elf
High elves rule of the elven elite and preserve mastery of the ancient ways. Despite being forced out of their ancient homelands, they cling to their crumbling superiority over other elves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence increases by 1.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one extra language of your choice.
Sea Elf
Sea elves adapted to the sea, embracing the transformations that came with their new environment. Once a hardy, proud seafaring people, they were forced into the Sylvan forest where they now begrudgingly live among the rest of the elven people.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution increases by 1.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write Aquan.
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 Small or smaller beasts that have an innate swimming speed.
Wood Elf
Wood elves are the few who are still finely attuned to nature. The canopy of their home guarded them with natural defenses and fey magic, leaving wood elves relatively unaffected by the war. They took in other elves graciously but soon found themselves in political battles for control over their homeland.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence increases by 1.
Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.
Mark 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.
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