Page 108 - D&D - Player's Handbook

Moon elves are sometimes seen as frivolous, espe- RARE ELF SUBRACES
cially by other elves. But it is the easygoing, fluid nature Other lines of descendants exist of the elves who originally
of their culture, philosophy, and personality that has came to Faerun, but they are so rare as to be legendary,
enabled them to survive and flourish during and after often considered mythical.
tragic times in elven history. While communities of Avariel. The Aril'Tel'Quessir, or winged elves, were among
moon elves can be found in mainland Faerun, many the first to settle in Faerun. They are famed for their
moon elves live in the settlements of other races, staying feathered wi ngs and ability to fly. Ancient conflicts with
for a few seasons or several decades before moving on. dragons nearly wiped them out, and today they are rarely, if
ever, seen.
To a moon elf, home can be among the members of Lythari. The Ly'Tel'Quessir have the ability to polymorph
one's family, clan, or other friends and loved ones. Moon into wolves. Unlike werewolves, lythari don't have a hybrid
elves who temporarily take up residence in or near sun form and aren't afflicted by a curse. They dwell together
elf communities aren't shy about expressing the opinion in secretive packs, primarily in wolf form, living free in the
that their kin need to be less serious. In turn, the sun deep wilds of the world.
elves pretend to be more annoyed by their moon elf Sea Elves. The Alu'Tel'Quessir ("water elves") are an
neighbors than they truly are, provided that the moon aquatic sub race of elves found in the oceans of the world,
elves' whims and adventuresome urges don't cause especially off the shores of Fae run and Evermeet. Sea
elves live along the Sword Coast in close-knit nomadic
serious disruption. Given that the moon elves usually
clans, but elsewhere sea elves claim kingdoms in sun-
move on before wearing out their welcome, such unrest
lit shallows. They have been at war with the sahuagin
rarely occurs.
throughout their history.
Moon elves have the racial traits of high elves in the
Star Elves. The star elves, or Ruar'Tel'Quessir, look
Player's Handbook. They have pale skin with a bluish much like tall moon elves. They dwell on the demiplane
tint. Their hair runs the gamut of human colors, and of Sildeyuir near the Feywild. A conflict with the nilshai,
some moon elves have hair of silvery white or various a race of worm like sorcerers from the Ethereal Plane,
shades of blue. Their eyes are blue or green and have forced some star elves to leave their home and come
gold flecks. to Faerun.
Given the race's love of travel, exploration, and new Wild Elves. The Sy'Tel'Quessir are considered by many
elves to be the most strange of their race, having aban-
experiences, many moon elves become adventurers, uti-
doned or lost much of their ancient culture.
lizing their talents for warfare, woodcraft, and wizardry
in different measures.
bladesingers as well as the enchanting music of their
SUN ELVES bards and the meticulous craftwork of their artisans.
Sun elf adventurers often bring a feeling of noblesse
Sun elves, also known as gold elves, or Ar'Tel'Ques- oblige to their profession: they venture out into the world
sir, have a reputation for being arrogant and to challenge its dangers because someone must, and
self-important. Many of them believe they are who could be better suited?
Corellon's chosen people and that other races- even
other elves-are subordinate to them in skill, signifi-
Woon ELVES
cance, and sophistication. They claim the title of "high
elves" with pride, and indeed their race is responsible Also called copper elves, or Sy'Tel'Quessir, wood elves
for great, and sometimes terrible, achievements. are the most common elves remaining in Faerun. Their
Recalling and emphasizing the glorious aspects of ancestors left behind the strife of the Crown Wars mil-
their history, sun elves subscribe to the principle of lennia ago to found strongholds and settlements deep in
"elven excellence"- no matter how interesting, excep- the forests. Today, most wood elves stand guard over the
tional, heroic, or noteworthy other races' accomplish- ruins of the past, believing it their duty to preserve their
ments might be, there is an inherent superiority to all fallen glory as an object lesson of the dangers of hubris.
things elven. This attitude colors sun elves' relations Wood elves tend to be hardier than other elves,
with other elves, whom they see as diluted or dimin- more solid and grounded than their cousins. This atti-
ished representatives of elven culture. Some sun elves tude is reflected in their culture and traditions; wood
reject this way of thinking, but it is common enough elves tend more toward physical pursuits than do
that when most folk of Faerun see a sun elf, they see other elves, and they view ancient elven history with a
arrogance personified. Their haughty attitude can over- more critical eye. To the wood elves, the "great" elven
shadow the fact that most sun elves are also tirelessly kingdoms were responsible for many equally great
compassionate and thoughtful champions of good. mistakes. They look upon the Sundering, the Crown
Sun elves have the racial traits of high elves in the Wars, the descent of the drow, and other calamities as
Player's Handbook. Sun elves have bronze skin. Their the result of acts of arrogance on the part of their an-
eyes are black, metallic gold, or metallic silver, and their cestors. Living around and amid the reminders of this
hair is black, metallic copper, or golden blond. arrogance, and standing witness to the rise and fall of
Sun elf culture and civilization is highly magical in many elven empires, wood elves see the place of elves in
nature, thanks to the race's many accomplished wiz- the world differently than moon or sun elves do. Wood
ards, sages, and crafters. Not every sun elf is a skilled elves seek a quiet harmony, not domination, with the
practitioner of the Art, but each one has at least a bit of wider world.
inherent magic. Many sun elves mix magic with other Sylvan counterparts of the sun elves and moon
art forms, which produces the complex dance of the elves, wood elves eschew the cities and strongholds of