Elves
Description:
Elves are a slender race, with both genders standing around five feet tall and weighing around 120 pounds. Most have dark hair, with little or no body or facial hair. Their skin is pale, and they have pointed ears and delicate features. Elves are lithe and graceful. They have keen eyesight and hearing. Elves are typically inquisitive, passionate, self-assured, and sometimes haughty. Few elves are adventurers; most prefer to spend their time feasting and frolicking in woodland glades. Except for adventurers, elves rarely visit the cities of man. Elves are fascinated by magic and never grow tired of collecting spells and magical items, especially if the items are beautifully crafted. Elven families live in Clans. Their typical lifespan is a dozen centuries or more.Morals and Ethics:
In general, elves are often highly spiritual beings with a deep respect for nature and the world around them. Raised to have a strong sense of honor and refinement, elves place a high value on virtues such as courage, loyalty, and selflessness. Elves are slow to anger and reluctant to use violence. They prefer to resolve disputes through negotiation and compromise, rather than through force. They often prioritize the needs of their community over their own individual desires and are willing to make sacrifices to protect their people. Elves also view themselves as stewards of the environment. They have strict rules around hunting and harvesting from nature, and they may only take what they need and leave the rest to ensure the continued balance and health of the ecosystem. Elves have a deep reverence for ancient traditions, and many are resistant to change. They see their way of life as having been handed down from their ancestors and view it as a sacred duty to preserve it for future generations. Elves have a complex system of ethics that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. Many believe that actions have consequences that ripple through the world in ways that are not always immediately apparent. As a result, they may be cautious and deliberate in their actions and decisions, taking a long-term view of things due to their long lifespan.Views on Race:
- Humans: Most elves view the human race as primitive and short-lived compared to themselves, and may see little reason to interact with them unless it is necessary. Some elves have a certain degree of disdain for humans, viewing them as greedy, selfish, and destructive. Other times, elves may be saddened by the harm that humans have caused to the natural world and may view them as a threat to the balance and harmony. Still, there are stories of elves viewing humans as potential allies or friends and may be willing to share their knowledge and wisdom with them.
- Dwarves: Elves and dwarves have a long-standing history of rivalry and conflict. This is often based on differences in culture, worldview, and values. Elves see dwarves as crude and unrefined, with little appreciation for the natural beauty of the world around them. There are those rare cases where elves and dwarves work together to achieve common goals. In these cases, both sides may come to appreciate each other's strengths and abilities and may form strong alliances.
- Halflings: Elves view halflings with a mixture of amusement, curiosity, and even affection. Many see the small race as carefree and lighthearted, with little concern for the grand schemes and weighty matters that occupy the minds of elves and other races. At the same time, most elves view halflings as somewhat naive and perhaps even a bit childlike. They may see the halflings' lack of ambition and drive as a weakness, depending on the particular elf in question.
- Half-Orcs: Elves, known for their refinement and connection to nature, can view half-orcs as impure or lacking the grace and elegance associated with their own race. This could lead to discrimination or social exclusion. Some older generations of elves of the region depict a historical conflict between elves and orcs, which can extend to their hybrid offspring, the half-orcs. Elves might harbor prejudices based on past conflicts, viewing half-orcs with suspicion or disdain.
Race Restrictions:
Elves are required to have a minimum Intelligence of 9. Due to their generally delicate nature, they may not have a Constitution higher than 17. Elves never roll larger than six-sided dice (d6) for hit points.Class Restrictions:
Elves may be a Cleric if their Wisdom is 9+, a Druid if their Wisdom is 9+, a Fighter if their Strength is 9+, a Illusionist if their Intelligence is 13+, a Magic-User if their Intelligence is 9+, or a Thief if their Dexterity is 9+; they are also allowed to combine the classes of Fighter and Magic-User, and of Magic-User and Thief (see Combination Classes, below).Special Abilities:
All Elves are able to find secret doors more often than normal (1-2 on 1d6 rather than the usual 1 on 1d6). An Elf is so observant that one has a 1 on 1d6 chance to find a secret door with a cursory look. Elves are immune to the paralyzing attack of ghouls. Also, they are less likely to be surprised in combat, reducing the chance of surprise by 1 in 1d6.Saving Throws:
Elves save at +1 vs. Paralysis or Petrify, and +2 vs. Magic Wands and Spells.Combination Classes
To become a member of a combination class, a character must meet the requirements of both classes. Combination class characters use the best attack bonus and the best saving throw values of their original two classes, but must gain experience equal to the combined requirements of both base classes to advance in levels. Elves are the only characters eligible to be a member of one of these combination classes:- Fighter/Magic-User: These characters may both fight and cast magic spells; further, they are allowed to cast magic spells while wearing armor. These characters roll six-sided dice (d6) for hit points.
- Magic-User/Thief: Members of this combination class may cast spells while wearing leather armor and may use any weapon. These characters roll four-sided dice (d4) for hit points.
ELF CHARTS
Lifespan
1200+ years
Average Height
5 feet tall
Average Weight
120 lbs.
Geographic Distribution
