Elven Life: The elves call their own race Tel'Quessir, which Most adventurers, however, for different

fferent reasons, are

translates as the people. Strangers, in particular nonelven exceptions to the rule, and left their communities very early
strangers, are generally placed under the category (just before or after the age of 25), knowing little about
N'Tel'Quess, or notpeople. Most elves treat the notpeople elven culture as a whole, being treated with commiseration
with respect and politeness, as a host would a stumbling by the elven people as a whole, given the cultural beauty
child, though the drow fiercely enslave any who are not of that they were not allowed to enjoy.
their race and consider the other elves also N'Tel'Quess. Alignment. Elves love freedom, variety, and
The elves are generally ruled by hereditary noble houses selfexpression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler
that have held control of their nations for generations (and aspects of chaos. They value and protect others' freedom as
given the nature and long life of elves, the rule of a wise well as their own, and they are more often good than not.
king may exceed the history of a human nation). Elven rule Size. Elves range from over 1,8 meters up to 2 meters
is autocratic and absolute, and it is the theology and tall and have slender builds (about 60 quilograms). Your
philosophy of the elves which prevents abuse of such size is Medium.
complete power. The coronals (monarchs of the Elven Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases to 35
Court) make their pronouncements rarely, preferring to feet.
remain outside the normal course of their subjects' lives. Lowlight Vision. An elf can see in dim light within 60
However, once a decision is made and pronounced by a feet of you as if it were bright light. She retains the ability
coronal, whether to declare war or retreat to Outer Sea, it to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
is followed by the bulk of the population. Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception
The Retreat: The oddest phenomenon of elven life (to skill.
human observers) is the Retreat, which is viewed as a Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
lemming like drive to sail to the farthest west, beyond the against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
sea. In the case of the elves of the World, the reason is not Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate
so much some biological drive as a decision of the leaders deeply, remaining conscious (the Common word for such
of the elven nations to withdraw to less hostile lands. Such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream
a decision was made after years (human generations) of after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises
thought, discussion, and meditation. Once made, it is that became reflexive through years of practice. When you
irrevocable. In the case of the recently voided Elven Court, take a long rest, you spend 4 hours in your trance state
the decision to retreat was made centuries after (instead of sleeping for 6 hours). During the trance you
deliberation began. Millenia ago, the Pronouncement of suffer no penalty to passive Perception. A long rest remains
Retreat passed from elf to elf, and they began to quietly 8 hours for you as normal, and the remainder of the time
evacuate their homelands along the lands. While for must be filled only with light activity.
humans the disappearance of the Elven Court is regarded Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the
as a sudden vacuum in the heart of the Realms, for the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Elven Court itself it was as inevitable (and as important) as Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when
a merchant moving his shop farther down the street to you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling
increase the distance from a competitor. snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Those who reach the lands beyond the sea swear their Elven Magic. You learn the magic of the primeval woods,
fealty to Queen Amlaruil, who is that domain's monarch. which are revered and protected by your people. You learn
Long ago the elven nation made the decision to fight those one Druid cantrip of your choice. You also learn the
humans (and members of other races) who came to her Longstrider and Pass Without Trace spells, each of which
shores, and as a result the land of the elves is both the you can cast once without expending a spell slot. You
strongest sea power in the Realms, and a haven for the regain the ability to cast these two spells in this way when
other elves in Retreat. Those who choose not to abandon you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting
the World entirely join the many small communities of ability for all three spells.
elves that are still in the known World. Allowed Classes. An elf can be a druid, a ranger, a rogue
Adventuring Elves: Adventuring elves are usually green or a wizard and clerics. An elf wizard can also multiclass as
elves, though there are gold elves as well found among a fighter or as a rogue, but your level as a wizard must be
humankind's adventuring companies. Moon elves and drow always 1 level higher (so, you can multiclass only at 3rd
are much rarer in the surface world, but there are notable level or after that). If the elf does multiclass, she has a 10%
exceptions. penalty in all XP she receives.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity and Intelligence Languages. You can speak, read, and write a human
scores increases by 2 and your Charisma increases score language of your region, Spruar (Elvish) and another
by 1. You must have, at least, before the racial increases, language of your choice.
the following abilities: DES 12, INT 14, WIS 12 and CHA
12. Halflin
ng
Age. Elves mature physically at practically the same Halflings are the smallest of the major races, and to
speed as humans, reaching adulthood around the age of 25. observe their communities outside cities, the most
However, given the complexity of their culture, an elf, raised numerous (and growing). They tend to resemble small
in a community of his race, is only considered an adult street urchins, wise beyond their years. The halflings of the
around the age of 100. Their life expectancy is unknown, World have a light covering of hairy down over most of
and there are stories of elves surviving millennia. Most of their bodies that is most noticeable on the backs of their
them, however, after a certain age, migrate to places hands and the tops of their bare feet. Often their faces are
unknown to the general population of younger elves, bare, though there are more than a few fullbearded
meeting, they say, with their gods who inhabit the mortal halflings as well.
world.

CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER CREATION

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