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Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living Haughty but Gracious
in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in places Although they can be haughty, elves are generally gracious
of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in even to those who fall short of their high expectations—
silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music which is most non-elves. Still, they can find good in just
drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the about anyone.
Dwarves. “Dwarves are dull, clumsy oafs. But what they
breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry, mu-
lack in humor, sophistication, and manners, they make up
sic and poetry, and the good things of the world.
in valor. And I must admit, their best smiths produce art
Slender and Graceful that approaches elven quality.”
Halflings. “Halflings are people of simple pleasures, and
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear that is not a quality to scorn. They’re good folk, they care
hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many for each other and tend their gardens, and they have proven
themselves tougher than they seem when the need arises.”
other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on
Humans. “All that haste, their ambition and drive to
average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over
accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—
6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing
human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then
only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about
you look at what they have accomplished, and you have to
the same height, and males are only marginally heavier appreciate their achievements. If only they could slow down
than females. and learn some refinement.”
Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human
range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, Exploration and Adventure
and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes
like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and Elves take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they
little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in bright col- are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration
ors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry. and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society,
A Timeless Perspective which is regimented from day to day but constantly
changing over decades, so they find careers that let them
Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad travel freely and set their own pace. Elves also enjoy
perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater mag-
races more deeply. They are more often amused than ical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some
excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and
tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. others might become champions of moral causes.
When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring Elf Names
on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be
focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends Elves are considered children until they declare them-
and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply selves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday,
to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with and before this period they are called by child names.
vengeance. On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name,
Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible although those who knew him or her as a youngster
in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and com- might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult
promise to resolve differences before they escalate to name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the
violence. They have been known to retreat from intru- names of respected individuals or other family members.
sions into their woodland homes, confident that they can Little distinction exists between male names and
simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, female names; the groupings here reflect only general
elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name,
sword, bow, and strategy. typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves
Hidden Woodland Realms traveling among humans translate their family names
into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.
Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil,
the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vege- Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai,
tables, and their skill and magic allow them to support Syllin, Thia, Vall
themselves without the need for clearing and plowing Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis,
land. They are talented artisans, crafting finely worked Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan,
clothes and art objects. Their contact with outsiders is Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios,
usually limited, though a few elves make a good living by Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon,
trading crafted items for metals (which they have no inter- Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
est in mining). Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna,
Elves encountered outside their own lands are com- Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia,
monly traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Human Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna,
nobles compete for the services of elf instructors to teach Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe,
swordplay or magic to their children. Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia,
Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Chapter 2: Races
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D&D Basic Rules (Version 1.0). Not for resale. Permission granted to print and photocopy this document for personal use only.