Ash Elves
Inhabitants of the harsh nation of Gundar, the crimson-skinned Ash Elves are no strangers to adversity. From their beginnings as a slave race, to their battle for survival within their harsh homeland and the persecution they face for their devil-like appearance, they seem to welcome any challenge that comes their way.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Ash Elves are a very distinct race among the Elves. While they do share traits with their brethren, they also possess many traits which cause them to stand out. Ash Elven skin color comes in shades of red and grey, ranging from dark blood red to pink, and from a light ashen grey to black. Their eyes range in color from black to red, yellow, and orange. There is no white in their eyes, and so their entire eye appears as one color. Their fingernails and toenails are the color of obsidian, as is their hair. Perhaps the most striking feature of their appearance is their horns, which come in a variety of arrangements, such as two long, slightly curving horns protruding from the forehead, crown-like patterns, or even horns resembling that of a ram. These are just a few potential patterns, which are determined by bloodline. Their horns are the same color as their nails. Like other elves, they have pointed ears.
Biological Traits
Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Strength increases by 1.
Keen Senses: You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Darkvision: You can see in dim conditions up to 60 feet as if it were well lit, and in darkness as if it were dimly lit. You can't discern color in darkness.
Volcanic Resistance: You have resistance to fire and poison damage and have advantage on saving throws against poison.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Ecology and Habitats
The Ash Elves came to be working in the forges and furnaces of the Hill Elves as slaves. The heat and fumes of their birthplace made them highly resilient, and today have established their own nation in Gundar, a harsh land of volcanoes, fire, and ash.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Horns, black hair
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Ash Elves, like the other races of elves, have heightened senses when compared to humans. However, most Ash Elves also seem to be less receptive to pain, and appear to be resistant to heat.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Male Names: Vothkar, Skith, Dathar
Female Names: Masatra, Sidres, Vethres
Major Organizations
Gundar
Shalgoth Monastery
Beauty Ideals
Ash Elves value strength and fitness above almost anything else, as if one doesn't stay healthy in Gundar, they are likely to be either killed by the harsh environment or overthrown by a younger, stronger Elf. The most beautiful Ash Elves are tall and in peak physical form.
Gender Ideals
To the Ash Elves, one's gender makes no difference in how one is viewed or what roles you play in society. Ash Elves assign roles and jobs based solely on who is best suited for said roles and jobs. All Gundari are expected to be physically fit and able to fight if the need arises.
Courtship Ideals
Unlike most other nations, marriage is not the norm in Gundar. Ash Elves generally court a number of partners throughout their lives. Marriage is a fairly new concept in Gundar, and couples who do marry do it strictly out of love. The Ash Elves are known for being an extremely passionate and feeling people, and courtship revolves entirely around true feelings of love. If one slights an Ash Elven partner, expect swift and harsh retribution.
Relationship Ideals
Monogamous relationships are not valued as highly in Gundar as they are in other nations. Open and polyamorous relationships are relatively common, although many Ash Elves remain monogamous by choice, deciding to split only when the flame has died. Some Ash Elves actually see polyamorous relationships as a positive thing, as they see it as proof that those involved love and trust each other enough to share with one another. Homosexuality is completely accepted among these people, probably more than in any other nation in Forgosia. However, incest is frowned upon, because of the likelihood of producing weak offspring. Gundar is a harsh land, and families generally can't take care of children with significant birth defects. Ash Elves are expected to defend and fight for each other.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Vethril (Ash Elven), Common
Common Etiquette Rules
Any disputes in Ash Elf culture are expected to be resolved swiftly. Ash Elves don't allow their emotions to be pent up or restrained, as they feel that it is not true to themselves or anyone else and also to allow their negative emotions to be released and replaced with positive emotions. Ash Elves do not hold grudges. When resolving a dispute they may seem overly violent and aggressive, but immediately after the problem is resolved they will treat the other party as a friend as if nothing had happened. Blunt honesty, even to the point of seeming rude, is likewise held in high esteem by the Ash Elves. "Dueling" culture is exceedingly important in their culture. Violence is a commonly used problem solver, and is tolerated. Lawbreakers are generally punished immediately, and by the very person or person they wronged. Vigilante justice is the most common method of law regulation. Guards do exist, but mostly to help victims find the criminals who wronged them, and to prevent fights from getting out of hand. Prisons also exist, but are very rarely used. Ash Elves have little time for ingenuine displays of friendliness or politeness. That being said, Ash Elves are generally a jovial bunch, and are intent on living life to the absolute fullest.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Ash Elves are descended from a race of slaves, and as such put great emphasis on freedom, open thought, and living life to the fullest. They are a very passionate race, and unlike their Snow Elven cousins, feel emotions very strongly. To outsiders, the strength to which they feel may be overbearing and at times seem melodramatic, but to the Ash Elves, to restrain one's emotions is ingenuine and dishonest both to oneself and to others. They are a warlike culture which praises violence, strength, and honorable death. As such, they have very fine weapon and armor smiths. The finest of Ash Elven blades are actually made of obsidian, sharp as a razor and strengthened through means known only to Ash Elf master smiths. They are also known to create great, high-walled fortresses of basalt. Artistically, they have a thriving musical culture, producing many minstrels and bards, beautiful tapestries of red, black, and gold, and the overly emotive nature of the Ash Elves makes them natural actors on the stage. They put great value on art and personal expression, and many Ash Elven artists have broken through to more mainstream Forgosian culture, opening galleries and having performances in major cities such as Saccara and Musca.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
One of the most unusual aspects of Ash Elven tradition is the method by which new leaders are chosen. Within Gundar, every leader from the lowest clan leader to the ruler of the nation is selected via trial by combat. At any time, any leader may be challenged to a duel, which goes on until one combatant is either dead, unable to fight, or surrenders. A ruler may decline the challenge, instead passing down the throne peacefully. However, this, as well as surrender, are considered the lowest crimes of cowardice, and are punished by banishment and exile. One may think that this violent method of succession would cause a great deal of civil strife, but the Ash Elves have instilled in their culture a great deal of respect for strong leaders, so those who would try and usurp the throne aren't as common as one may think. Also, in the event of the defeat of a leader, to the Ash Elves there is no death more honorable than to die in single combat with a rival. While civil strife does occur occasionally, it is not common because of the beliefs and respect the Ash Elven people have for the strength of others.
Common Myths and Legends
The Ash Elves follow their own, partially animistic faith which is centered around ancestor worship and the worship of gods of war, violence, love, and art. They are highly tolerant of other religions, so long as said religions don't engage in acts of murder or human sacrifice.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Because of their unique appearance and their perception as being violent savages, the Ash Elves are distrusted by many peoples of other nations. Despite this, Ash Elves have integrated and can be found in nearly every nation of Forgosia, and while some people harbor some racist sentiment toward them, many more accept them as the upstanding members of society many of them are. They are one of the only peoples to have outstandingly positive relationships with the Goblins of Galoria, as they see in the Goblins something of themselves, being a slave race with unusual appearance seeking freedom.
Origin/Ancestry
Elven
Lifespan
120 years (Often shorter due to violent nature of the species)
Average Height
5'5"-6'2"
Average Physique
Ash Elves prize physical fitness, so many of them have a muscular or athletic build.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin color: Shades of red or grey