Dark Elves - the Drow
The Dark Elves are a race shrouded in mystery within the Halruaalan Magisterium. Many humans believe them to be a myth because the race rarely leaves the Underdark under the Kazan and Fimbulvetr. The Dark Elves themselves choose to encourage this belief and avoid contact with humans. Even then those that move above ground do so in disguises or under the claim that they are elves born in the Sekhemti.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dark elves are almost exactly similar to their surface cousins save for their ebony skin tone, their naturally white hair, and their red eyes.
Biological Traits
Dark Elves have the following traits:
- Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma increases by 1
- Size: You are a medium creature
- Superior Darkvision: Your darkvision has a radius of 120 feet.
- Sunlight Sensitivity: You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
- Dark Elf Magic: You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
- Dark Elf Weaponry: You have proficiency with rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dark Elves are arguably the longest living species in Halruaal. They elves also have the longest gestation period among the races. While they physical reproduce the same way as humans, the dark elves usually experience an easier (albeit longer) pregnancy duration.
Growth Rate & Stages
A typical dark elf spend their first 50 years transitioning from infant to adolescent. They reach adulthood around 50 years old and prime age from 150 to 350. They get into middle age around 400 with a subtle decline into senior status at 600. Still holding to their magical nature and fey ancestry, a woodland elf can live to be 750 years old.
Ecology and Habitats
Dark Elves are physically adapted to life in the Underdark and chose to stay there as a whole. Trips to the surface are possible along with magical protection and disguise.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Similar to House Romanos, the dark elves are a matriarchal society. Though respect for males and all life are not held up as high as the Divination wizards.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Underdark
Average Intelligence
Moderately Intelligent
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
the dark elves tend to be more perceptive than humans, boasting a wider range of visual and auditory capabilities. They can see further in the dark than the surface elves, though this has the double edge of blinding them in the sun. What's more, they are a deeply magical people, some might argue even more than their surface cousins. The gift of arcane magic seems to flow more easily to them highlighted by their innate spellcasting.
Civilization and Culture
History
Long before the War of Conflict between the surface elves and the human Magisterium, the dark elves existed below the Fimbulvetr Mountains in the Underdark. They foresaw the coming of the human wizards and chose to hold out of view while they slaughtered their long rivals on the surface. In the end, they, like the woodland elves, knew that the elves would lose. So while the majority of the high elves were enslaved, the dark elves worked in the shadows to reinforce the idea that they were a myth conjured up by the high elves to scare humans. Now they act through intermediaries and proxies in a subtle war of assassination and subversion.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Dark elves work through a number of other races to engage in trade of goods and information. Whether it is the Orcs, the Hobgoblins, or the Deep Dwarves, the Elves have connections with some of the major players in a network of spies similar to those used by Clan Oni.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
750
Average Height
5 to 6 ft. tall.
Average Weight
120 lbs
Average Physique
Nimble Physique
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
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