Elves
Attributes: Increase Dexterity by 2
Speed: Elves have a walking speed of 30
Size: Elves are of medium size
Age: Elves have no determinate age, only growing older as they encounter stressors such as disease, intense emotional stress, or external physical harm. Presently, the oldest elf is estimated to be over 1200 years old (as per the Standard Augury Calendar)
Languages: Elves are fluent in elvish and one other language. View other languages here.
Dark Vision: Elves can see dim light as if it were bright out to 60 feet (and darkness as if it were dim, though you cannot see color in these circumstances).
Keen Senses: You are proficient in perception
Sleepless: As an elf, you cannot be magically induced into sleep and you have advantage against being charmed. Further, you do not need sleep and only require 4 hours of semiconscious meditation daily.
Subraces: select your subraces from any official dnd sourcebook, following the same stat increases for each.
Monuments to Creation
A monuments stands unweathered and tall
But allowed to erode, all monuments fall
Some shirk their gift with insipid gall
Only to arrive sooner at Saaurithale's call
Yet the other end shows an attempt to stall
A return to creation and the fate of all
Above is a poem credited to Alabaster Pluck, a Tara-Jhen resident of Jerborg before its eventual conversion into Augur's End and modern day Newmot. With the advent of mixed cultures and people being relatively novel at the time, this day laborer became fascinated by stories of other sapient species abroad. Like many, he was fascinated with the concept of eternal life and eventually came to learn of the elves. Seeing the long periods of time they were able to live, he presumed there may be no limit at all. Pluck began collecting tales of elvish history, poetry, biology, and culture throughout his fascination and even began comparing the worship of Saaurithale as nearly synonymous with the Tara-Jhen's Quai in both perspective and rituals. The following synopsis of the elves seeks to delve into the poem above which encapsulates both the biology and origin of the elves.
Defended from Corruption
The origin of the elves is surmised to harken back to the creation of the universe. As the story goes, Saaurithale deconstructed itself so that the universe could begin, eventually giving rise to entities known as Silse, Authile, Guilime, and Melifi. As Saaurithale's constitution trickled down to these entities, they were left with the will to create the universe in its early stages: or rather, all were allowed to take part in creation aside from Melifi, who was gifted with the ability to alter and induce change. The goal of such a concrete entity was to serve as an educator and guide to the eventual inhabitants of the universe down the line. Unfortunately, Melifi grew jealous and attempted to create a universe as Saaurithale's had, though in his own image. Melifi would name his creation the Ourithanur.
Due to Melifi's core nature, the Ourithanur was an impossible achievement. Instead, Melifi would settle for extending his influence across the universe, corrupting everything that Saaurithale had created. The only exception was Silse and her creations, which were preserved and pure. It was Silse who eventually created the elves and their homeland, resulting in the elves being spared of Melifi's corruption: a unique trait amongst the inhabitants of Laminarum. Many believe that this is the source of the elvish lifespan, which is partially reinforced by research on Elvish Homesickness. Due to their unique biology, the elves are compared to monuments (popularized by Pluck), as a monument can hypothetically last forever so long as it is maintained and unweathered by external stimuli.
Elvish Culture
Western Elves
The Western elves sprung from the Eastern elvish kingdom during a time of uncertainty and alienation. Originally stationed at Fort Feneyl, the residents felt that their plights were being ignored by the River Kingdom of Nim. Faced with the daunting presence of hostile Constructs further west, the elves decided to declare independence and fight for their own security, eventually forming the Kingdom of Urale.
Due to the elves' complex history with fate (as seen in a series of natural disasters such as The Exodus of Ghei Wyl and the Razing of Mailes ), early written history saw discourse about whether or not they should abide by the plans nature had for them. The Westerners championed this discourse, deciding to utilize Waning Rock to declare a secular nation. However, seeing as Waning Rock has several negative side effects, its wielders suffer biological aging when using it. While its effects are slow, it has led to Westerners living an average of 40 years. Above all else, the Western elves wish to live fulfilling lives free of fear and any fate the universe has decided for them.
Southern Elves
The southern elves are a far cry from both of their cousins, neither revering the natural world nor shirking fate. Their presence as an important trade nation for every continent except Renad has resulted in a melting pot of cultures which drastically expedites its change. With large settlements and members of every sapient species around every corner, their liberal views on fate are to be expected, though their often idealistic view can lead to trade complications, as they always do their best to avoid embargos and bans.
Heralding from Fort Haerehel, the nation was originally barren, leading to more conservative perspectives as survival was decidedly more difficult than their original home to the east. However, as globalization grew and its position proved essential for trade, it eventually saw radical cultural shifts.
Eastern Elves
The eastern elves hail from the River Kingdom of Nim, which is often considered the first elvish kingdom in written history. Originally formed by those who fled during The Exodus of Ghei Wyl, it currently exists as an anarchic kingdom, allowing its settlements to elect whether or not to remain part of the greater whole. This peculiar form of leadership has been subject to scrutiny by human scholars, though it is only considered possible due to unique elvish traits, such as their communal identities, long lifespans, and accepting nature.
Most Easterners abide by the fates set for them for good or ill. This perspective has allowed them to survive their exodus and the dark age of Ettermiddag while appreciating times of peace. While the Easterners have occasionally fought against entities that they believe to be agents of the gods, they don't view their destruction as harmful to Saaurithale's set fate. In contrast with the Western elves, the Easterners avoid the use of magic and remain optimistic that peace is the fate that awaits them, rather than choosing to subvert a set future.
Race Relations
The elves have a long history of inter-race relations, bottlenecked by their geographic position. In particular, the elves share a distinct kingship with the J'barri, often providing aid to each other in times of strife. Even in times of war when each group is honor bound to remain neutral, they have been recorded to offer aid in secret. While the reason for such positive relations is uncertain, most trace it back to Vhou Riyael's respectful approach to a conflict at Renad-Pai in which the elvish king took responsibility and punished the unprompted horrors committed by his people. Further, as is elvish custom, Vhou provided reparations while also continuing to provide assistance throughout generations of growth. The same sentiment can not be held between elves and humans, as misguided desires for expansion have led humanity to clash with the independent elvish nation of Ghei Wyl. While the elves of Wyl are considered extremist by most outsiders, they are still respected for holding the spread of imperial land: a concept that insults the very concept of elective leadership enjoyed by eastern elves. While direct political action is certainly a cause for strife between the elves and humans, some individuals cite their inherent biological differences as justification for their incompatible societies. For example, the short human life span forces a short-term perspective rather than focusing on the future. Another example is humanity's "innate selfish evolution" as described by elvish scholar "Ghilel." Although his writings remain neutral on the matter, he makes clear that each human's individual desire for resources (leading to competition) creates a complex culture incompatible with the clear communal nature of the elves. The other sapient races of Laminarum have enjoyed very little interaction with the elves, as the reptilians are mostly restricted to their territories, and the dwarves' exploitation of land precludes them from most of the elves' nature-revering culture.Elvish Creation Myth
Creation and Corruption
Children of Creation
Origin/Ancestry
Tsaoin, Eastern Silse
Lifespan
Unknown, potentially limitless
Average Height
5'7'' - 6'5''
Average Weight
120-180
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
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