Page 17 - DnD_BasicRules_2018

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir Subrace. Ancient divides among the elven people re-
(Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel sulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves,
(Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. This
(Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne document presents two of these subraces to choose
(Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel from. In some worlds, these subraces are divided still
(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal) further (such as the sun elves and moon elves of the
Forgotten Realms), so if you wish, you can choose a nar-
Elf Traits rower subrace.
Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the High Elf
result of thousands of years of elven refinement.
As a high elf, you have a keen mind and a mastery of
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score in-
at least the basics of magic. In many of the worlds of
creases by 2.
D&D, there are two kinds of high elves. One type (which
Age. Although elves reach physical maturity at about
includes the gray elves and valley elves of Greyhawk,
the same age as humans, the elven understanding of
the Silvanesti of Dragonlance, and the sun elves of the
adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass
Forgotten Realms) is haughty and reclusive, believing
worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood
themselves to be superior to non-elves and even other
and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live
elves. The other type (including the high elves of Grey-
to be 750 years old.
hawk, the Qualinesti of Dragonlance, and the moon elves
Alignment. Elves love freedom, variety, and self-ex-
of the Forgotten Realms) are more common and more
pression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects
friendly, and often encountered among humans and
of chaos. They value and protect others’ freedom as well
other races.
as their own, and they are more often good than not.
The sun elves of Faerûn (also called gold elves or sun-
Size. Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and
rise elves) have bronze skin and hair of copper, black,
have slender builds. Your size is Medium.
or golden blond. Their eyes are golden, silver, or black.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Moon elves (also called silver elves or gray elves) are
Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night
much paler, with alabaster skin sometimes tinged with
sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions.
blue. They often have hair of silver-white, black, or blue,
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were
but various shades of blond, brown, and red are not
bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You
uncommon. Their eyes are blue or green and flecked
can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
with gold.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Percep-
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score in-
tion skill.
creases by 1.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the
against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they medi-
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the
tate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day.
wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting abil-
(The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”)
ity for it.
While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one
dreams are actually mental exercises that have become
extra language of your choice.
reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this
way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 Wood Elf
hours of sleep.
As a wood elf, you have keen senses and intuition, and
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
your fleet feet carry you quickly and stealthily through
and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and
your native forests. This category includes the wild elves
intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and
(grugach) of Greyhawk and the Kagonesti of Dragon-
their songs and poems are famous among other races.
lance, as well as the races called wood elves in Greyhawk
Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish
and the Forgotten Realms. In Faerûn, wood elves (also
ballads to their repertoires.
called wild elves, green elves, or forest elves) are reclu-
sive and distrusting of non-elves.
The Darkness of the Drow Wood elves’ skin tends to be copperish in hue, some-
Were it not for one renowned exception, the race of drow times with traces of green. Their hair tends toward
would be universally reviled. Their depraved society is browns and blacks, but it is occasionally blond or cop-
preoccupied with the favor of Lolth, their spider-goddess, per-colored. Their eyes are green, brown, or hazel.
who sanctions murder and the extermination of entire Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score in-
families as noble houses vie for position. Drow grow creases by 1.
up believing that surface-dwelling races are worthless
except as slaves. Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the
Yet one drow, at least, broke the mold. In the world of the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Forgotten Realms, Drizzt Do’Urden, ranger of the North, Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases
has proven his quality as a good-hearted defender of the to 35 feet.
weak and innocent. Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when
you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, fall-
ing snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Chapter 2: Races
17 17
D&D Basic Rules (Version 1.0). Not for resale. Permission granted to print and photocopy this document for personal use only.