Elves
Elves in Eberron are graceful, agile, and long-lived, commonly blending martial skills with arcane talent. They excel as scouts, archers, and spellcasters, relying on sharp senses and quick reflexes to navigate challenges. They tend to be reserved, which can appear distant to outsiders; their speech is usually thoughtful, infused with subtle meanings and wisdom drawn from their familial and national histories. They approach challenges strategically and act decisively when needed.
They deeply value family and ancestral traditions, and view their personal deeds as contributions to their lineage. Such reverence shapes their ambitions, as elves measure their accomplishments against those of honored ancestors, and consider their journeys as part of the narrative or tied to their heritage.
Elves are an ancient people with 40+ millennia of history. Over time they've differentiated into four noted ethnicities: Aereni elves, Valenar elves, Khorvaire elves and the Drow of Xen'drik. From the undying halls of Aerenal to the war-torn plains of Valenar, to the bustling cities of Khorvaire, to the unforgiving wilds of Xen’drik, the elven peoples have each forged their own identity. (See 'Elven Ethnicities', below.) Elves across Eberron share a deep connection to their past while carving out their place in the present.
Description
Physique. Elves stand between 4½ and 5½ feet tall and weigh on average 110 pounds. "They tend to be pale-skinned and dark-haired, with deep green eyes; the Drow being an exception, who instead have black, deep blue or deep purple skin and white hair. Elves have no facial or body hair. Elves possess unearthly grace and fine features."5
Age. Elves reach adulthood at age 50. They hit middle age around 200 and are considered old past age 400.
Size. An elf's size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:
Size modifier = 2d6
Height = 4 feet 5 inches + size modifier in inches
Weight = 85 lb + (1d6 lb × size modifier)
Suggested Names. Athania, Belaereth, Eiras, Glaurai, Haverra, Jhaia, Kestia, Maeran, Marai, Mayne, Maza, Morian, Panlamin, Shaen, Syraen, Thaera, Tyrellin, Ureilya, Vaedin, Zaeurl.
Racial Traits
Creature Type. Your creature type is Humanoid.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Perfectionism. Choose one skill you're proficient in. Through long practice you have mastered this skill at a level nonelves seldom do. You have expertise with this skill.
Unbowed Mind. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep. An elf in trance does not have the Unconscious condition, and remains able to make Perception checks about their surroundings (although they normally have their eyes closed).
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.
Elven Ethnicities
These are the principle ethnicities of Eberron elves. You do not need to pick one of these. If you want your elf to be from somewhere else where elves live some other kind of a way, that's fine. That said if you prefer to pick from predefined choices here are four.
Aereni Elves
"The zealous elves of Aerenal strive to be worthy of joining their valiant ancestors. The elves live their beliefs by remaining devoted to their families, believing that this devotion continues to sustain and strengthen the spirits of the undying. Many Aereni elf adventurers aspire to the fame and power necessary to eventually take a place among the undying guardians of the elf race."1
Aereni Names. Belaereth, Dammerund, Gaazikshi, Glaurai, Haverra, Miravella, Mordain, Panlamin, Silaena, Taelira, Taerdra, Tezaera, Thadian, Tyrellin, Ureilya, Vortras, Zarzalia.
Valenar Elves
"The Valenar elves' young culture and newfound aggression, but this competition is hardly noticeable in light of the elves’ continued aggression against neighboring countries. Valenar elf adventurers carry on the spirit of those mighty elves who smashed the giants of Xen’drik. Valenar elves see adventuring as a necessary and glorious part of the warrior tradition."2
Valenar Names. Athania, Caerlyn, Caskal, Dulaen, Elvinor, Jaster, Jumall, Kestia, Maeran, Morian, Prince, Sillet, Surael, Syraen, Thaera, Trevak, Vaedin, Zaeurl.
Khorvaire Elves
"Living among shorter-lived, everchanging races, the elves of the Five Nations are as capable of quick, decisive action as long-term planning. And yet compared to the far-seeing elves of Aerenal, Khorvaire elves are impulsive and adventurous. Even though they have lost much of their ancestor-worshiping traditions, the elves of the Five Nations still see great deeds as important parts of their faith and believe that today’s adventurers remain true to their race’s spirit and courage."3
Khorvairan Elf Names. Cael, Cassa, Daera, Eiras, Elar, Eriz, Idal, Jaye, Jhaia, Kels, Marai, Mayne, Maza, Shaen, Taen, Tanar.
Drow of Xen'drik
"The drow carve a deadly existence out of the ruined continent of Xen’drik; they fight for their existence daily amid dangerous jungles and ruined cities. To mark their accomplishments, drow ritually scar themselves using scorpion venom, leaving white tattoos on their black skin. Drow are very suspicious of outsiders, and reveal nothing of themselves or their family groups. Drow greatly desire personal power, and many take up the mantle of adventurer seeking to satisfy this urge."4
Drow Names. Curra, Ek’ann, Gen’thac, Kaelan, Kas’asar, Kaxxar, Kirris, Thail, Torkak, Vaelas, Vaelin, Xael, Xar’cha, Xen’kar, Xen’va.
License
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