ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

2nd Edition Player's Handbook Rles S!!le"ent

#$e Co"!lete %ook o& El'es
CRED(#S
Written by Colin McComb
Edited by Dori Hein
Overseen and Advice Given by Steve Winter
Color Illustrations by Brom, Larry Elmore, and o!n " Laura La#ey
Blac# and W!ite Art by $erry Dy#stra
Decorative Art by %obin %aab
$y&eset by Gaye O'(ee)e
Invaluable assistance or sustenance *in one )orm or anot!er+ ,iven by L- %ic!ard Ba#er
III, Wol),an, Baur, $im Beac!, Wendy Bienvenu, Elaine Cunnin,!am, William W-
Connors, e)) Dett.eiler, Slade Henson, Brad /Sun Do,/ Mat!eson, %o,er Moore, 0aul
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#able o& Contents
El'en )ore
Introduction
C!a&ter OneG $!e Creation o) Elves
C!a&ter $.oG ?ariations on a $!eme
AHuatic Elves
Dar# Elves
Grey Elves
Hi,! Elves
Sylvan Elves
Hal)BElves
Elves o) t!e Worlds
AlBCadimI Cam&ai,n World
DA%( S>1I Cam&ai,n World
D%AGO1LA1CEI Cam&ai,n World
@O%GO$$E1 %EALMSI Cam&ai,n World
G%EAHAW(I Cam&ai,n World
%A?E1LO@$I Cam&ai,n World
S0ELLAMME%I Cam&ai,n World
C!a&ter $!reeG 0!ysical Attributes
0!ysiolo,y
Communion
Elvensi,!t
Mani)estation
$!e %everie
%esistance to Heat and Cold
Ot!er Elven Abilities
Sta,es o) Li)e
C!ild!ood
Adolescence
Adult!ood
Middle A,e
Old A,e
?enerable A,e
Diet
Elven Inter)ertility
$!e Elven Bond
Elven Music
C!a&ter @ourG Mental Attributes
Outloo#
Individual Wort!
Emotion and Lo,ic
Generational S&lits
Attitudes $o.ard Ot!er %aces
C!a&ter @iveG Elven Society
$!e Elven Lan,ua,e
Liveli!ood
%ituals
Elven Holy Days
C!a&ter Si5G $!e Elven Myt!s
$!e Le,end o) @iona Cassiltenirra
arsali and t!e $reant
Halimat!'s 0ride
Haranavei (oe!lanna
Caelestis
C!a&ter SevenG $!e Deat! o) Elves
Accidental or ?iolent Deat!
@unereal Ceremonies
C!a&ter Ei,!tG Elven D.ellin,s
$!e Grey Elves' City
$!e Hi,! Elves' $ree $o.n
$!e Sylvan Elves' Encam&ment
Elven %oleB0layin,
C!a&ter 1ineG O&tional %ules
Level Limit E5&ansion
E5tra 0ro)iciencies
Combat Modi)iction
Bladeson, @i,!tin, Style
Arc!ery Modi)ications
>sin, Bo.s as Wea&ons
Arro. Brea#a,e and Loss
C!a&ter $enG C!aracter Creation and (its
Standard El) Abilities
$!e El) Subraces
El) 0C (its
0riest (it
Herbalist
Warrior (its
Arc!er
Wilderness %unner
Windrider
Ma,e4$!ie) (its
Elven Minstrel
S&ell)ilc!er
@i,!ter4Ma,e (its
Bladesin,er
War Wi3ard
@i,!ter4$!ie) (it
Huntsman
@i,!ter4Ma,e4$!ie) (its
Collector
In)iltrator
A (it )or Any Class
>ndead Slayer
C!a&ter ElevenG Elven EHui&ment
@ey.ine
Elven Har&
Honey Leat!er
Sas!lin,
$!istledo.n
Elven Bo.
Arro.s *>se)ul+
Elven 0late Armor
C!a&ter $.elveG $!e Ma,ic o) Elves
1e. El) S&ells
Ma,ical Items
S.ords and Armor
Helms o) ?alor
Arro.s *Ens&elled+
Arro.s *Ma,ical+
Arti)icial Limbs
C!a&ter $!irteenG Elven Cam&ai,ns
Cam&ai,n Worlds
$!e El) Cam&ai,n
$!e Human Cam&ai,n
$!e D.ar) Cam&ai,n
$!e Evil World Cam&ai,n
$!e AHuatic World Cam&ai,n
$!e Outcast Cam&ai,n
A&&endices
Inde5
MCG Avariel *Win,ed El)+
MCG Coos!ee
C!aracter %ecord S!eets
Introduction
We do not deign to acknowledge the slanderous propaganda spread by the stunted
humans who call themselves dwarves. The little miners have always had a rather, shall
we say, biased outlook on history and the true workings of reality. They call themselves
the finest creatures to grace the worlds with bodies like that, we suppose one would have
to have an active fantasy life.
For those graced with true vision, Elves comprise the finest race in all the worlds.
We are that which other races aspire to be !ur longevity, our beauty, and our
craftsmanship are all the stuff of legends. "ertainly, each of these attributes can be
recreated in some fashion by the lesser races, but theirs is an artifice of face and form
and creation never as fine as those that come naturally to us.
!ur lives are long and filled with happiness, for we recogni#e the impermanence
of all things, e$cepting ourselves. %ndeed, we do not suffer death as do the mortals. !nly
through violence, accident, or disease do we die at all.
&lthough we vanish from the ken of mortal knowledge after hundreds of years of
e$istence in this plane, you may rest assured that we continue on elsewhere. Even those
who perish on the battlefield do not truly die, but instead become part of the earth's cycle
of growth and rebirth. !ur spirits linger on, for we are intimately tied to the world and
its core. %ndeed, we are the integral part of that core.
We would turn now to other matters, for to continue on in this vein would, no doubt,
lead you to believe that we are boasting of elven prowess. We do not boast. &nyone who
has seen even the slightest fraction of elven ability knows the truth of what we say within
these pages.
(es, we are a proud race, but do we not have )ust cause* &re we not Elves+
creatures of most wondrous might* ,imply understand that we are what we are and that
nothing you can do will change us+then may we become good friends. -ut beware We
are a comple$ race, and the workings of our lives will ever be a mystery to you, our
dreams foreign from yours. (ou will never truly understand us, no matter how you try.
Eni,matic and &o.er)ul, elves !ave dominated t!e )antasy landsca&e )or years-
Alt!ou,! t!eir civili3ations and &o.ers !ave al.ays been a mystery to t!ose .!o travel
in t!e realms o) )antasy, t!eir in)luence is undeniably stron,- Abandoned cities, lost
tec!nolo,y, )or,otten lore - - - all t!ese t!in,s and more lie .it!in t!e mystiHue o) t!e
elves- $!eir land, t!eir culture, and t!eir &!iloso&!y remain cry&tic mysteries to t!ose not
blessed .it! t!e love o) elves-
1o lon,er- Wit! The "omplete -ook of Elves, many o) t!e elves' mysteries are
o&en )or &erusal- But ta#e care .it! t!e in)ormation ,leanedJ some secrets o) t!e elven
.ay o) li)e still remain !iddenK#no.led,e )orever )ors.orn )rom nonBelves- Be
)ore.arnedG $!e &ieces o) )act and )iction learned .it!in can, i) incorrectly a&&lied, s&ell
destruction )or t!ose .!o misuse t!is #no.led,e-
$!e AD"DI Game El)
.onstrous "ompendium/ % and %% as .ell as t!e 0layer's Handbook *0H-+ &resent elves
in some detail- Are t!ose t!e )inal .ord on elvesL Hardly notM Here, at last, is t!e boo#
t!at deals .it! elves in de&t!, in all t!eir myriad )acets and mysterious .ays- W!ile t!is
boo# may not ans.er every Huestion about elves, it .ill &rovide ans.ers and ideas )or
dealin, .it! t!e ty&ical el)-
Alt!ou,! elves o)ten )ollo. t!e same &atterns in t!eir li)estyles and !ave similar
t!ou,!t &rocesses, t!ere is no suc! t!in, as a /ty&ical/ el)- Even more t!an .it! !umans,
no t.o elves are ali#e- $!ey may react in a li#e .ay in various situations, but t!ey are
com&letely di))erent individuals- Elves !ave loves and !ates, )ears and su&erstitions,
!onors and et!ics- $o assume t!ey are all t!e same ,rievously insults t!em-
C!a&ters One t!rou,! Ei,!t deal .it! elven lore, includin, tendencies, societies,
lives, and more- C!a&ters 1ine t!rou,! $!irteen detail elven roleB&layin,- It is im&ortant
to remember t!at t!ere are al.ays e5ce&tions to t!e rules, bot! t!ose &resented !ere and
else.!ere- W!at is &resented in t!is boo# is t!e /ty&ical/ elven .ay o) li)eK)acets t!at
&layers can add to t!eir )avorite el) c!aracter- >ltimately, c!aracter creation is somet!in,
best le)t to t!e ima,ination o) t!e &layer and t!e mandates o) t!e Dun,eon Master- $!is
boo# o))ers su,,estions )or suc! creation and )or t!e roleB&layin, o) t!ese elves-
Ot!er Com&lete Handboo#s
Li#e The "omplete -ook of Elves, t!e ot!er boo#s in t!e "omplete Handbook
*0H-1+ series o))er use)ul advice on t!e creation o) uniHue c!aracters- Ho.ever, none o)
t!ese boo#s is essential to t!e &lay o) t!e ,ame- All t!at is absolutely necessary )or
&layin, are t!e core rulesG t!e 0layer's Handbook and t!e 2345E!4 .&,TE16 5uide
*2.5+- $!e ot!er 0H-1 boo#s are reca&&ed belo., and t!eir use)ulness to el) 0Cs is
e5&lained-
0HB%8, The "omplete Fighter's Handbook, o))ers several c!aracter #its t!at .or# very
.ell )or elves *suc! as t!e S.as!buc#ler and t!e Cavalier+, suitin, el) tem&eraments
and &re)erences- Ot!er #its are less elven, but still o))er interestin, roleB&layin,
as&ects- Still ot!ers, suc! as t!e Berser#er and BeastB%ider, s!ould be used only by
sava,e elves or t!ose .!o !ave no connection to elven li)e-
The "omplete Fighter contributes im&ortant )i,!tin, styles and o))ers more
.ea&on &ro)iciency rules- $!ese can be es&ecially use)ul to t!e el) 0C, allo.in, !im or
!er to demonstrate absolute mastery o) a .ea&on- @urt!ermore, t!e section on combat
rules adds an interestin, )lavor to a cam&ai,n-
0HB%6, The "omplete Thief's Handbook, is !andy )or t!ose .!o .is! to &lay el) t!ieves-
$!e searc! )or #no.led,e and intri,uin, ne. items o)ten leads elves to a li)e o)
crime, alt!ou,! t!is is o)ten Nust a &!ase t!rou,! .!ic! t!ey &ass- Ho.ever, many o)
t!em )ind a natural talent )or t!ieveryJ as suc!, The "omplete Thief can &rovide
su,,estions on !o. to best deal .it! t!at t!ie)- W!et!er t!e el) ro,ue is sim&ly a
street t!ie) or one .!o leads suc! a li)e as a demonstration o) t!e im&ermanence o)
&!ysical t!in,s to t!e s!orterBlived races, t!ere are myriad ideas )or t!e &layer in t!is
boo#-
0HB%9, The "omplete 0riest's Handbook, does not s&eci)ically deal .it! anyt!in,
&ertainin, to elves- Ho.ever, it is use)ul )or creatin, entirely ne. deities )or elves
and )or desi,nin, a ne. &ant!eon o) ,ods- $!ere are also s&ecialty &riests and ne.
&riest #its, but none o) t!ese are el)Bs&eci)ic-
0HB%<, The "omplete Wi#ard's Handbook- As an e5traordinarily ma,icBoriented race,
t!ere is muc! in t!is boo# t!at &layers o) el) 0Cs .ill )ind use)ul- Any .i3ard, no
matter !is or !er race, .ill )ind t!is boo# a trove o) in)ormation-
0HB%;, The "omplete 0sionics Handbook, is only use)ul i) &sionics are available in a
cam&ai,n- I) t!ey are, t!en t!is boo# is a must-
0HB%F, The "omplete -ook of 2warves, is use)ul to el) c!aracters only as researc! on
t!e d.ar) races- Ho.ever, d.arves and elves do not o)ten e5c!an,e in)ormation o)
t!is sort- A Dun,eon Master *DM+ mi,!t &re)er t!at !is or !er el) &layers not !ave
access to t!is boo#-
0HB%=, The "omplete -ard's Handbook, is not recommended )or t!e el) c!aracter,
alt!ou,! it is a very use)ul boo#- $!e section on /El) Minstrels/ is es&ecially !el&)ul
)or t!ose .!o .is! to &lay a bardli#e c!aracter o) mi5ed elven descent- $!ere is also
a )ine section on musical instruments and s&ells, .!ic! mi,!t &rove use)ul )or
)les!in, out an el) 0C- Ot!er.ise, t!ere is little !ere )or use .it! &ure elves- Hal)B
elves, !o.ever, .ill )ind t!e boo# invaluable-
House %ules
1aturally, everyt!in, &resented in t!is boo# is o&tional to eac! cam&ai,n- ust as
t!e DM !as t!e )inal say on .!et!er any o) t!e rules &resented in t!e core boo#s *t!e
0H- and 2.5+ a&&ly to !is or !er cam&ai,n, so does t!e DM !ave t!e last .ord on
.!et!er to acce&t t!e ideas &resented in t!is boo#-
%emember, t!ere are no ri,!t or .ron, rulesK.!atever )its t!e style o) t!e
cam&ai,n is acce&table- As lon, as eac! rule is reasonable, a&&ro&riate, and )air, any
additional !ouse rules t!e DM cares to im&ose are &ermissible- I) t!e &layers do not li#e
t!ese ne. rules, t!ey !ave t!e o&tion o) discussin, t!em .it! t!e DM or c!oosin,
anot!er cam&ai,n- On no account s!ould &layers or DMs try to )orce t!eir vie.s
re,ardin, o&tional rules do.n anot!er's t!roatKre,ardless o) !o. a&&ro&riate t!at action
may seem to be-
Im&ortant 1ote
Anyone usin, t!is boo# s!ould be a.are t!at it is desi,ned )or use .it! t!e
AD"DI 6nd Edition ,ame- %e)erences to t!e 0layer's Handbook and t!e 2345E!4
.&,TE16 5uide re)er to t!e AD"DI 6nd Edition boo#s- $!ose usin, older boo#s must
consult t!e inde5 o) t!e )irstBedition boo#s to )ind t!e subNect mentioned and i,nore t!e
&a,e numbers mentioned t!erein-
@urt!ermore, many o) t!e rules mentioned in t!is boo# are de&endent on t!e use
o) o&tional &ro)iciency rules- It is stron,ly recommended t!at all &layers and DMs
)amiliari3e t!emselves .it! t!ese rules in order to )ully enNoy t!is boo#- Ot!er.ise, t!ey
are c!eatin, t!emselves out o) t!e o&&ortunity to )ully e5&loit t!e rules contained !ere-
Lastly, since elves ma#e no distinction bet.een male and )emale, t!e &ersonal
&ronouns in t!is boo# alternate bet.een ,enders- 1ot all e5am&les .ill be only o) /!e/ or
/!im/J some .ill consist o) only /s!e/ or /!er-/
But, comeG $!e elves are .aitin,-
C!a&ter 8G $!e Creation o) Elves
From the primordial turmoil at the center of the universe sprang the gods full7
fledged, full7formed. Each claimed )urisdiction over certain effects, all being e8ually
endowed with the power and force of the cosmos. They cooperated for the first 9and the
last: time to create the worlds. -ut some gods used their powers more wisely than their
brethren.
&n early alliance formed among these wiser gods. They knew how to manipulate
their power. This gathering of gods, who called themselves the ,eldarine 9or the -rothers
and ,isters of the Wood:, imparted their very essence into creating certain aspects of the
worlds.
While other gods s8uabbled over )urisdiction and possession of this virtue and
that attribute, the ,eldarine modified some of the lands, making their worlds lush and
green and beautiful. %n addition, they created vessels that would one day hold the spirit of
the first sentient life to set foot upon these worlds+the race of beings known as Elves.
They crafted these vessels with thought and care, and gave them e$traordinary beauty.
The other gods grew black with )ealousy, and they thirsted to imitate the ,eldarine.
These gods hastily fashioned their own vessels, vying against those created by the
,eldarine. -ut they would not invest the time vital to creating a race, and so their results
were flawed+the gods did not care. Their creations were nothing like those shaped by
the ,eldarine. .ost were .onsters, creatures that would one day haunt the dreams of
Elves. !f all the crude creations, only the vessel reserved for .an held a glimmer of
potential, for they would one day have the ability to change the land as would the Elves.
The gods of the new races tried too hastily to reproduce a feat that had taken the
wiser gods eons. -ut neither group's constructs would not come to life until the historic
meeting between "orellon ;arethian and 5ruumsh, leader of the &nti7,eldarine.
BLarian
Son,s!ine,
&riest o)
Corellon
Laret!ian
In t!e subNect o) elven myt!olo,y, t!e ,ods !ave stran,ely little to say, leavin,
one to &onder it as may be-
$!e elves believe t!at t!eir reli,ion is closer to actual !istory t!an are t!e
reli,ions o) ot!er races- $!ere may be some trut! in t!is belie), since t!e elves !ave suc!
lon, li)es&ans, .it! memories to matc!- $!ey !ave )ar )e.er ,enerations bet.een t!eir
creation and t!e &resent day- $!us, t!ey claim, t!ere !as been )ar less dilution o) t!e trut!J
unli#e t!e ot!er stories, t!ey state, t!e elven c!ronicle is &ure-
$!e countless years t!at !ave &assed since t!e be,innin, o) t!e universe !ave
seen !undreds o) ,enerations o) elves- By .ay o) com&arison, t!ousandsKeven millions
Ko) ,enerations o) ot!er races !ave lived and &assed into dust durin, t!at time- Small
.onder, t!en, t!at t!e elves )eel t!eir !istories !ave been less tainted t!rou,! t!e va,aries
o) time t!an t!ose o) ot!er races-
$!ere are )ar )e.er variations on t!e creation story in t!e el) race t!an in any
ot!er- $!e !umans !ave untold numbers, &ractically one )or eac! to.n- $!e d.arves !ave
several more, and t!ey constantly c!an,e t!em to ,lori)y t!eir race and t!eir tribe over
ot!ers- Hal)lin,s and ,nomes, too, !ave e5cessive myt!s, alt!ou,! t!ey are less li#ely
t!an d.arves to e5tol t!eir o.n virtues in suc! a manner- Li#e.ise, t!e orcs and ot!er
evil !umanoids all !ave t!eir )avorite stories to com)ort t!em in t!eir dan#, smo#y caves-
@ollo.in, is a continuation o) t!e elven story o) creation as told by Larian
Son,s!ine- W!ile not necessarily an im&artial retellin,, it does mana,e to ca&ture t!e
essential in,redients o) t!e elven story o) creation-
When the god 5ruumsh saw the creation of the ,eldarine, the Elves, he regarded
it as an abomination+and he became enraged. For the first time, desire for blood pulsed
in a god's veins. 5ruumsh prepared to crush the ,eldarine, and some gods flocked to his
standard while others stood aside. ,till more, such as .oradin ,oul7Forger and 5arl
5littergold, aligned with the ,eldarine, for they had+though not in con)unction with the
,eldarine+set aside areas of the world for their own purposes.
When the inflamed 5ruumsh attacked "orellon ;arethian, the leader of the
,eldarine, a mighty battle began the 5odswar. How long it raged over the pristine fields
of the planets, no one knows. Each combatant drew great wounds from the spirit and the
body of his or her foe. While the other contenders fell by the wayside 9badly hurt, though
not mortally wounded:, 5ruumsh and "orellon would not break off. %nstead, they
continued their fierce combat. They traversed the planes, and they splashed the other's
blood across the lands.
&s night drew near, the powers of 5ruumsh strengthened, while those of "orellon
waned. &ll seemed lost for the ,eldarine. Tears from the moon landed on "orellon's
upturned, stricken face, and they mingled freely with his blood. Then "orellon looked to
his companions+and it was there he found fortitude. He drew back his sword and, with
one fearful blow, clove out the orb of 5ruumsh 9who became known as 5ruumsh !ne7
Eye:. The god howled in pain, black ichor spewing from the wound. 5ruumsh turned and
fled to the netherworld. There he nursed his hate, seeking forever after ways to shape the
enemies of the ,eldarine. &nd the greatest of his creations, made in the burning heat of
rage and the blackness of his blood, was the !rcs. That is why, to this day, the !rcs and
the Elves are such bitter enemies. From the beginning, even before their creation, the
very essences of their gods strove against one another.
With 5ruumsh's defeat, the ,eldarine and their allies continued with their works.
The ,eldarine gathered the moon's tears and the blood shed by "orellon in that great
battle, placed these into the vessels they had created, and infused them with their own
spirit. Each god imparted virtue into his or her creation, feeding and nurturing the newly
formed race. Thus were the Elves born from the blood of "orellon ;arethian, mi$ed with
the soil of the world, blessed with the tears of the moon, and given their nearness to
divinity.
The other gods saw this e$ample and set about infusing life into their own sadly
misshapen vessels, with varied results. &las, all other races were but sad imitations of the
Elves.
$!e tale o) t!e Gods.ar e5&lains some o) t!e elven traits, bot! &!ysical and
mental- Bein, )ormed o) t!e blood o) t!e ,od Corellon Laret!ian accounts )or .!y elves
&ossess suc! lon, li)es&ans- $ears )rom t!e moon &rovide a rationale )or t!e elves'
et!ereal beautyKa beauty t!at o)ten led t!e lesser races to t!in# o) elves as ,ods- $!e soil
o) t!e eart! e5&lains t!e connection all elves )eel .it! t!e land-
$o t!e elves, t!eir le,ends &rovide some measure o) assurance t!at t!ey &lay a
,rand role in t!e sc!eme o) t!in,s- Study o) elven le,ends e5&lains .!y elves are so
certain o) t!eir ri,!t)ul &lace in li)e, and .!y t!ey rarely .orry about a))lictions t!at
.ould be crises )or lesser bein,s-
Ot!er elven myt!s &rovide di))erent insi,!ts into t!e el) c!aracter- @ollo.in, is an
accountin, )rom Sarat!osB$elanit!, .!ic! s!eds )urt!er li,!t on el) !istoryKs&eci)ically,
t!e times t!at .ere res&onsible )or initial )ra,mentin, o) t!e el) nationG t!e Elfwar.
&fter the 5odswar, the deities divided the world among themselves so that their
creations could prosper and grow. The ,eldarine chose the forests for their children, the
Elves, but secretly encouraged them to spread as they would. The other gods did likewise,
and the races fought for land The hatred introduced by 5ruumsh the "ursed !ne had
spread to the mortal species.
The Elves were, at this time, all one people. There were variations, but these were
individual, rather than any sort of societal rift. &ll differences were a matter of personal
inclination, and the Elves lived in harmony with one another.
There were those who lusted for power, and those who could not bear to live within the
confining walls of a city. !thers were rabidly $enophobic, wanting to bar outsiders such
as Humans and 2warves from the Elflands, keeping away the taint of those <unfavored
by the gods.< ,till others, more moderate in most things, were scorned by their brothers
or even despised.
Each Elf thought he knew best, and each tried to impose his views on his brother.
Evil flourished in this atmosphere of distrust and dissent. The great Elf cities of old
deteriorated, and the ,pider =ueen ;olth gained a foothold in the hearts of many Elves.
They used her to gain greater power and influence, and her evil ways led them even
further astray. These Elves practiced dark magic and forbidden lore to make themselves
mighty, and they turned from the light they had loved so much.
The tension grew unbearable. The Elves who had embraced the teachings of ;olth
marched into the cities and slaughtered their brethren. The first attack came under cover
of darkness, and the other Elves could not mount a defense. -ut they had seen the dark
time to come, and they had readied themselves for war. Their preparations were not in
vain. They returned fire.
The Elfwar raged for decades, neither side gaining victory. Thousands of Elves
perished on both sides, and the number of wounded grew ever higher. The Elves of ;olth
took the name 2row to signify their new allegiance, and they took the cities they had
captured as their homes. They massed for the final battle, and ;olth covered the land in
loathsome clouds of black to strike fear in the hearts of mortal Elves. The 2row were
prepared to win+but then the gods themselves intervened.
"orellon ;arethian and his companions struck deep into the heart of 2row
territory. ;ong and hard they fought, seeking the evil in that land. Finally, "orellon
;arethian came upon the dread ,pider =ueen, and he attacked. .agic flared and spat>
blood merged in rivulets. Then "orellon struck ;olth a telling blow, driving her deep into
the earth. With her defeat, the ha#e over the battlefield lifted, allowing the bright light of
the sun to bathe the land in its healing rays.
The 2row turned their faces away from the sun's purification, preferring instead
their fallen goddess. They consciously chose the shadows over light, and "orellon
decreed that such treachery would forever show upon their faces. %t is for this reason that
the skin of the 2row is dark.
"orellon forced the evil Elves into the rift where he had banished ;olth the
,pider. &fter the last 2row was driven underground, he and his fellow gods abandoned
the Elves to their own devices, preferring instead the plane of &rvandor.

$!e ri)ts and turmoil created by t!e El).ar !ave &ermanently scarred t!e el)
&syc!e- Alt!ou,! many )actions .ere a&&alled at t!e brea#in, a.ay o) t!e dro., some
could not contain t!eir discontent- Several suc! ,rou&s c!ose to stri#e out on t!eir o.nG
an event called t!e @ractionin,- $!us, t!e division o) elves, be,un by t!e dro., continued-
$!e elven race divided into t!e ,rey elves, .!o !ad c!osen t!e mountains as t!eir !omeJ
t!e sylvan elves, .!o !ad returned to t!e )orests o) t!eir birt!J and t!e !i,! elves, .!o
c!ose to remain in t!e elven cities and be t!e #ee&ers o) t!e elven .ay o) li)e- Still more
sou,!t )art!er a)ield, roamin, t!e oceans, t!e arctic .astes, and t!e s#ies above-
In time, t!ese elven nations ,re. )urt!er a&art, eac! comin, to develo& s&ecial
c!aracteristics- $!e ,rey elves became ever more aloo), .!ile t!e sylvan elves ,re. as
.ild as t!e )orests- $!e e5&lorers ada&ted t!emselves to ne. lands, re,ardless o) .!ere
t!ey settled- Still ot!ers continued to roam, leadin, a nomad's li)e- In cam&ai,ns, t!ese
nomadic elves are considered !i,! elves-
$!ese nomadic elves encountered t!e ot!er races t!at !ad been so !a&!a3ardly
scattered about t!e .orld- $!e elves .ere o)ten a source o) le,end to t!e d.arves,
!umans, ,nomes, and !al)lin,s- Initial contact .as relatively &eace)ul, &articularly .it!
,nomes and !al)lin,s- But sus&icions remained, and tensions ,re., &articularly bet.een
elves and d.arves-
1one are truly sure o) t!e reason be!ind t!e .ar .it! t!e d.arves- Some claim
t!e dis&ute .as a territorial matter, .!ile ot!ers !old it .as a di))erence in ideolo,ies- O)
course, bot! elves and d.arves name t!e ot!er as insti,ator- W!atever t!e cause, t!ey
)ou,!t brutal, bitter .ars )or many years- $!ey !ave since reconciled to a de,ree, but
t!ere !as never been total trust bet.een t!e t.o races-
$!e )irst elven contact .it! !umans !as been lost to t!e mists o) time- Since t!e
elves .ere )i,ures out o) !uman myt!, t!e !umans .ere more inclined to !old t!em in
a.e- $!is attitude !as carried over even unto t!e &resent day, and t!e elves remain
eni,mas to !umans-
Alt!ou,! elves and !umans !ave not ,one to )ullBscale .ar .it! one anot!er,
t!ere !ave been a number o) small clas!es- Many o) t!ese are over !uman encroac!ment
into t!e )orests and t!eir !eavyB!anded tec!niHues )or lo,,in,- $!e elves ta#e e5ce&tion
to t!e deat! o) vir,in )orest- @urt!er, some !umans, out o) ,reed and Nealousy, !ave ta#en
advanta,e o) t!e elves' trust to slay and destroy t!em-
$!us, elves !ave come to mistrust !umans as .ellJ many !ave .it!dra.n beyond
!uman #en- W!ile some remain in t!e lands #no.n to !umans, more !ave returned to t!e
)abled El)lands-
$!e elves are a &roud &eo&le- $!ey see t!e unbridled t!irsts in t!e !uman raceJ
t!at, cou&led .it! t!eir ama3in, )ecundity, ma#e t!em a serious t!reat to all t!at t!e elves
ori,inally accom&lis!ed- $!e elves .atc! t!e !umans, and t!ere is )ear in t!eir !earts-
C!a&ter 6G ?ariations on a $!eme
There are nearly as many types of Elves as there are Humans . . . perhaps more.
&fter all, you Humans are different only in appearance. We Elves have more substantial
differences, more than slight dissimilarities in philosophy. The &8uanesti, or &8uatic Elf
as you call them, is as different from a 5rey Elf as a dolphin is from a mountain lion, yet
there are no petty racial 8uarrels between us that characteri#e the e$istence of every race
but ours. What is the problem with Humans and 2warves that you cannot live in peace
with your own*
"ertainly, we once had a history of intraracial conflict, but those days are long
since past. We have our disagreements with one another, but we settle them like civili#ed
folk+and % am beginning to believe that Elves are the only civili#ed folk in all the realms
known to mortals.
&lthough we continue to war with the 2row, the cause of that war is far more
than the color of their skin or their beliefs. %t is the fact that their very e$istence is an
affront to ours, that they were created by perversions within our own race. !ur war is
nothing less than sublime effort to undo an error made hundreds of centuries ago.
We do not )udge anything by the color of their skin. 5ranted, we find it tempting
to do so in the case of the 2row, but even we+who have so often been betrayed by our
dark7skinned cousins+find it within ourselves to )udge each of them by their own merits.
3nlike the Humans, the 2warves, and the ,mall !nes, we Elves are not so much
shaped by our heritage as by the way in which we are taught to live. Tales of 2ark Elves
who have the heart of High Elves e$ist, as do tales of treachery and deceit among High
Elves. While both cases are rare, they have happened+and will happen. &lways, we
attribute these to the way in which the Elf was raised, for we know that is more important
than blood. The marked differences in our brethren appear only when grand
conglomerations make their individual traits societal.
BEronion Marat!as, elven
seer
1one are truly certain )rom .!ence t!e )irst elves arose- $!e elves t!emselves
claim t!ey arose )rom t!e blood o) Corellon Laret!ian, .!ile ot!er races !old t!at t!ey
s&ran, )ullB)led,ed into t!e .orld, .it!out divine intervention- One t!in, is certain,
!o.everG 1o matter .!ere t!ey came )rom, t!ey !ave s&read to nearly every .orld on t!e
0rime Material 0lane- $!eir a))inity .it! t!e .orlds on .!ic! t!ey !ave made t!eir
!omes leads one to sus&ect a more elemental nature to t!eir bein,- Ho.ever, since t!ey
!ave o)ten been residents o) t!ese .orlds lon,er t!an !umans !ave e5isted, !uman sa,es
are o)ten inaccurate .!en s&eculatin, about ori,ins-
Elves !ave ada&ted to li)e in nearly every environment &ossible- $!e mountains,
t!e )orests, t!e &lains, t!e .aters, and t!e under,round all #no. t!e taste o) elves- $!e
sno.y .astes !ave )elt t!e li,!t touc! o) elven boots, as !ave t!e !ot sands o) deserts-
$!e elves' curiosity about li)e ma#es it only natural t!at t!ey e5&anded t!eir
!oldin,s to suc! an e5tent- $!ey .is! to be sure o) t!eir .orld, and t!ey cannot
understand it i) t!ey cannot e5&erience it- I) an el) accurately re&orts !er e5&eriences,
ot!er elves can understand t!at .orld intuitively-
Aet elves are notorious )or t!eir desire to see t!in,s )or t!emselves- Even .!en a
&lace !as been e5&erienced and re&orted, many elves .ill still !ave a .is! to see t!e
&lace- Alon, t!e Nourney, t!ey are li#ely to vie. eac! &assin, locale .it! ,reat interest,
sto&&in, to e5&lore anyt!in, t!at catc!es t!eir interest- @or t!is reason, t!e el) race as a
.!ole is li#ely to !ave !eard o) any ,iven location on any o) t!e .orlds t!ey in!abit-
$!rou,! t!eir in!erent connection .it! all t!e .orlds, elves ada&t more easily
t!an many ot!er races- @or t!is reason, t!ey can be )ound in any clime, under almost any
e5treme-
Descri&tions o) t!e standard AD"DI ,ame elves )ollo.- $!ese include aHuatic,
dar#, ,rey, !i,!, and sylvan elves, as .ell as !al)Belves- *Descri&tions o) elves s&eci)ic to
a cam&ai,n .orldKori,inally all !i,! elvesKare )ound later in t!is c!a&ter-+
$ables 8 and 6 list t!e !ei,!ts and .ei,!ts, res&ectively, o) t!e el) subraces- 1oteG
Because )emales tend to be s!orter and li,!ter t!an males, base numbers are divided into
male4)emale values- $!e modi)iers allo. )or a broad ran,e in eac! listed cate,ory-
$ABLE 8G EL@ S>B%ACES HEIGH$
Hei,!t *in Inc!es+
Subrace Base Modi)ier
AHuatic ;74;7 8dO
Dro. ;74;; 8d87
Grey F74;; 8d86
Hi,! ;;4;7 8d87
Sylvan F74;; 8d86
$ABLE 6G EL@ S>B%ACES WEIGH$
Wei,!t *in 0ounds+
Subrace Base Modi)ier
AHuatic O;4=; 6d86
Dro. O74:; 9d87
Grey O;4=; 9d87
Hi,! :74=7 9d87
Sylvan :;4O7 9d86
Any &layer may )eel )ree to c!oose one o) t!ese subraces as a 0C .it! t!e DM's
&ermission- Ot!er.ise, an el) &layer c!aracter is assumed to be a !i,! el) *t!e most
common subrace+-
1aturally, t!e descri&tions contained !ere do not a&&ly to every el)- $!ere are as
many di))erent ty&es o) elves as t!ere are !umans, eac! actin, di))erently )rom !is or !er
)ello.s- W!at )ollo.s is merely t!e tendencies a subrace tends to evince, not t!e actual
&atterns eac! el) must )ollo.- 1ot all ,rey elves are snobs, nor are all dro. elves evil
&ersoni)ied-
AHuatic Elves
Alt!ou,! not as )reHuently encountered as ot!er el) subraces, aHuatic elves *also
#no.n as sea elves+ are actually as common as t!eir landbound bret!ren- $!ey &atrol t!e
dee&s o) oceans and lar,e inland .aters, !oldin, court beneat! t!e .aves- O)ten t!ey are
only seen .!en t!ey )rolic .it! dol&!ins in #el& beds-
AHuatic elves !ave ,ill slits muc! li#e )is!, t!rou,! .!ic! t!ey &rocess o5y,en-
$!ey can also survive out o) .ater )or a s!ort time by breat!in,- $!eir s#in is ty&ically
silverB,reen, matc!in, t!e sea.eed near t!eir territory- Some &ossess a bluis! tin,e to
t!eir s#in, alt!ou,! t!is is Huite rare- AHuatic elves' !air com&lements t!eir s#in and is
also ,reen or blueB,reen- $!e overall e))ect is one t!at ma#es t!em di))icult to discern
under.ater, es&ecially near #el& beds- Because o) t!eir colorin,, t!ey ,ain t!e ty&ical
elven ability to camou)la,e t!emselves in t!eir natural environment-
Alt!ou,! t!eir lives seem s&ent in )rivolous activity, t!ese elves &lay an im&ortant
role in t!e under.ater ecolo,yG $!ey serve to #ee& t!e seas sa)er )or in!abitants- As do
t!e elves o) t!e )orests and t!e mountains, sea elves #ee& t!e devastation o) suc!
creatures as sa!ua,in and i5it5ac!itl to a minimum- $!e sa!ua,in are to t!e aHuatic elves
.!at orcs are to land elvesJ t!ey are a nuisance and a menace, but no. a serious t!reat-
>n)ortunately, t!e sa!ua,in do not see t!in,s t!is .ay and o)ten &lan .ars on t!e sea
elves-
$!ese elves disli#e s!ar#s intensely- Alt!ou,! a natural &art o) t!e ecolo,ical
cycle, elves disli#e any creature t!at is ra&acious and cruel- Additionally, any beast t!at
t!e sa!ua,in identi)y .it! closely *as t!ey do .it! s!ar#s+ is considered to !ave )e.
redeemin, )eatures- Since s!ar#s relis! t!e taste o) sea el), t!e elves or,ani3e !unts
a,ainst t!is menace-
Because t!ey )ear t!e stran,e and terrible monsters t!at d.ell in t!e sea, t!e
aHuatic elves and t!e dol&!ins !ave ta#en it u&on t!emselves to #ee& at least some o) it
sa)e )or t!ose .!o travel across it- In many realms, no one .ould travel on t!e sea
ot!er.ise, )or t!e dan,er .ould be )ar too ,reat- $!us, most seaside communities
severely &unis! t!ose .!o incur t!e .rat! o) sea elves- Only t!e most evil o) &eo&le
encoura,e t!e deat! o) sea elves and dol&!ins- %e&risal )or t!eir murder is al.ays s.i)t
and brutalJ t!e elves tolerate not t!e #illin, o) eit!er bret!ren or )riend-
Alt!ou,! t!ey may survive on land, aHuatic elves &re)er not to do so, )or it causes
t!em immense &ain- $!ey can .al# on land )or a number o) days eHual to t!eir initial
Constitution score- Ho.ever, t!ey endure increasin, &ain as time s&ent out o) .ater
.ears on, and t!eir ability scores and &ro)iciencies are a))ected- Every t.o days, t!ese
scores decrease by E8 until t!e elves return to .ater- I) a &!ysical score *Stren,t!,
De5terity, Constitution+ reac!es 7, t!e el) dies-
In salt .ater, t!e sea el)'s attributes return to normal .it!in 8; minutes- In )res!
.ater, an el) merely sto&s losin, !is or !er scoresJ t!ey do not revert to normal until t!e
el) enters salt .ater- $!e time s&ent in )res! .ater does not count a,ainst time a.ay )rom
t!e sea, and t!ese elves may d.ell in )res! .ater inde)initely- I) t!ey enter t!e .ater
be)ore t!eir attributes are to decrease a,ain, t!e .ater acts as a revitali3in, )orceJ t!e
su))erin, &eriod be,ins ane. .!en t!ey emer,e )rom .ater-

EPAM0LEG Theriatis the sea elf must )ourney to the airlands to aid friends, to whom he
owes a favor. He has a ?@ "onstitution and can therefore stay away from his beloved
ocean for ?@ days, or a little more than two weeks. He travels for four days to where his
friends are to meet him. ,ince he has been away from salt water for four days, he loses
two points from all his attributes, and his proficiencies suffer accordingly.
!n his way back to the ocean, Theriatis must travel another four days. !n the
third day of travel, his scores are at a AB, and he is totally e$hausted and pain7wracked.
He finds a pond in which he can rest and stays there overnight. The ne$t day, when he
begins his travel, he is somewhat refreshed and may travel for two more days before his
scores descend another notch. Finally, he reaches the ocean, and its cool waters wash
over him> the brine clears out his gills, and the rela$ing currents massage his e$hausted
muscles. Within ?C minutes, Theriatis has returned to normal, and he may resume his
usual activities.

Obviously, t!e sea elves do not li,!tly leave t!e sanctuary o) t!eir oceans- $!e
!ars! environment o) t!e land .orld discoura,es any sea el) .!o )oolis!ly .is!es to
leave t!e soot!in, .aves- $!is does not mean t!at t!e sea elves !ave no dealin,s .it!
t!ose .!o breat!e air- Any elves *e5ce&tin, dro.+ are .elcome to visit t!e land o) t!e sea
elves, and t!ey .ill be ,reeted royally- $rade dele,ations are common bet.een land and
sea elves, alt!ou,! it is usually t!e land elves .!o must travel, )or t!ey !ave ma,ic#s
more suited )or t!e )orei,n environs o) .ater-
Sea elves commonly travel .it! elven s!i&s, de)endin, t!ose aboard )rom attac#s
beneat! t!e .aves- Since t!ey are accom&lis!ed at scuttlin, t!e s!i&s o) evil !umans and
!umanoids, aHuatic elves are )eared by &irates and t!ose .!o .ould &rey on elven cra)t-
AHuatic elves o)ten consort .it! dol&!ins and !i&&ocam&i, and t!e latter are bred
as mounts- Dol&!ins and sea elves are usually on t!e best o) terms and easily be)riend
one anot!er- $!ey serve eac! ot!er's needs, ,ivin, mutual &rotection and aid-
AHuatic el) society consists mainly o) t!ose sea elves .!o d.ell in a )iveBmile
area- $!ere is a titular #in, or Hueen to .!om t!ey &ay !oma,e, but !e !as no real &o.er
over daily li)e- Sea elves live as t!ey &lease, comin, to,et!er under a ruler only in times
o) undersea emer,ency or ,reat trouble )or t!e .orld in ,eneral- $!e lords and ladies o)
t!e ocean cities do little ot!er t!an escort visitors and conduct t!e trade t!at aHuatic elves
)ind so enNoyable- $!e rest o) t!e &o&ulation consists o) artists, !unters, and )armers, all
concerned .it! ma#in, survival &ossible and li)e &leasant )or t!e rest o) t!e community-
$!ese elves !ave cities o) livin, coral, su&&lemented .it! ,litterin, crystal
domes- $!eir undersea &aradise is mar#ed by sea el) )armers tendin, sc!ools o) )is!J it is
also mar#ed by t!e &eace one can )ind beneat! t!e .aves- $!e .as! o) blueB and ,reenB
da&&led li,!t !as ins&ired abovesea artists )or yearsKand .ill no doubt continue )or
years to come-
Dar# Elves
$!e dar# elves *also #no.n as drow+ are evil cousins o) t!e ot!er elves- Driven beneat!
t!e sur)ace lon, a,o by t!e li,!tBlovin, elves, t!ese sinister bein,s !ave made a !ome )or
t!emselves in .!at t!ey call t!e >nderdar#, t!e nic!e t!ey !ave brutally carved in t!e
under,round caverns- $!ey !ave become t!e masters and mistresses o) dar# ,rottoes, and
any intelli,ent creature s!uns t!em-
Ori,inally t!e dro. .ere sim&ly elves .!o !eld more .it! t!e tenets o) mi,!t
t!an t!ose o) Nustice- In t!eir Huest )or more &o.er over li)e, t!ey inevitably be,an
dealin, .it! t!e )orces t!at .ould one day corru&t t!em- $!eir elven bret!ren, dismayed
at t!e initial c!an,e in t!eir )ormerly &eace)ul #insmen, sou,!t to reason .it! t!em- $!e
dro., seein, t!is e))ort as a,,ression, res&onded by slayin, emissaries and invadin,
elven cities- Convinced o) t!e evil o) t!e dro., t!e ot!er elves banded to,et!er to drive
t!em )rom t!e land-
A lon,, &ain)ul .ar marc!ed across t!e centuriesJ el) sle. el), and ,reat ma,ic#s
)le.- Muc! o) t!e .orld lay in devastation, soa#ed in t!e blood o) elves- @inally,
!o.ever, t!e ,ood and neutral elves trium&!ed, and t!ey drove t!e dro. under,round-
$!e corru&tion o) t!e dro. ec!oed in t!eir a&&earance, )or t!eir s#in dar#ened and t!eir
!air turned .!ite- $!eir eyes ,lo.ed redK)urt!er evidence o) t!e )ires burnin, .it!in
t!eir breasts-
$!e dro. are re&utedly as .ides&read as t!e ot!er subraces o) elvesK&er!a&s
even more so- 1o one not o) dro. !erita,e #no.s e5actly !o. )ar t!eir under,round
!oldin,s e5tend- It is .ell #no.n t!at t!ey !ave a certain ,ras& on interdimensional
ma,ic, )or t!ey use it to travel lon, distances- $!ey !ate t!e li,!t, and t!ey !ave
e5tensively researc!ed .ays to travel .!ile avoidin, t!e sun, .!ic! is anat!ema to t!em-
$!e dro. !ave e5tensive tunnel net.or#s, .!ic! may or may not canvass t!eir .orld-
Dro. are ty&ically s!orter t!an ot!er elves, and t!ey retain t!e De5terity common
to elves- In all ot!er res&ects, save t!eir !ei,!t and colorin,, dro. resemble t!eir
above,round cousins-
Dro. cra)tsmans!i& is truly a marvel to be!old, .rou,!t .it! stran,e and
intricate desi,ns- >n)ortunately, t!eir .or#s are unable to e5ist outside t!e dro. .orld,
and t!e items disinte,rate, albeit slo.ly, .!en a.ay )rom t!e radiation o) t!e >nderdar#-
$!eir society is usually matriarc!al, .it! t!e )emale dro. !oldin, t!e maNority o)
&o.er- Male dro. are entrusted .it! t!e relatively unim&ortant Nobs o) s.ord&lay and
some sorcery- @emales, on t!e ot!er !and, command t!e im&ortant &ositions in dro.
society- $!ey are t!e &riestesses o) t!eir dar# ,oddess, Lolt! *or sometimes Llot!+, Cueen
o) t!e S&iders-
$!ese )emales .ield t!eir tremendous ,oddessB,iven &o.er mercilessly- >sin,
t!e t!reat o) intense &unis!ment, t!ey #ee& t!e males co.ed and submissive- $!ey are t!e
to& o) t!e social !ierarc!y in t!e >nderdar#J t!ey Nealously ,uard t!eir &o.er a,ainst
lo.ly males .!o mi,!t try to ta#e t!at &o.er a.ay-
Since dro. )emales !ave ,reater &o.er t!an males and are &!ysically stron,er
and more intelli,ent as .ell, t!e dro. !ave a di))icult time believin, t!at males can !old
&o.er in ot!er societies- $!us, t!ey do not believe t!at any t!reat mustered by males
could seriously t!reaten t!e dro.-
Des&ite t!eir c!aotic evil nature, t!e society o) t!e dro. is ri,idly structured and
divided- Social strata and classi)ications are virtually immutable- A dro. can advance in
!er caste, certainly, but cannot advance beyond it- $!e c!aotic nature o) t!e dro. is most
evident .!en one see#s advancementKan advancement ty&ically made t!rou,! deat!-
Dro. constantly see# to im&rove t!eir &osition in society and in Lolt!'s eyes- I) it
comes at t!e e5&ense o) anot!er's li)e, so muc! t!e betterKt!at ma#es one less dro. to
c!allen,e t!e ne.comer, and it ensures ,reater security in t!e ne. &osition-
Dro. !ave an abidin, !atred o) all t!in,s above,round, but not!in, dra.s t!eir
.rat! Huite li#e t!e ,ood elves- $!e dro. ta#e any c!ance t!ey can to destroy ot!er elves
t!ey encounter- Even t!e )e. evil elves above,round are seen as enemies, and t!e dro.
do not !esitate to betray suc! a one .!en !e or s!e !as served a &ur&ose-
Grey Elves
Grey elves are at once t!e most noble and most reclusive o) t!e elves- $!ey !ave
.it!dra.n )rom t!e .orld a)ter ma#in, t!eir mar#, .!ic! .as to ensure t!at t!e .orld
.as .ell on t!e &at! to ,oodness- $!e ,rey elves vie. t!emselves as t!e &rotectors o)
,ood in t!e .orld, but t!ey .ill stir )rom t!eir mountains and meado.s to &rotect t!e
/lesser/ races only .!en t!ey are )aced .it! ,reat evil-
Grey elves act muc! li#e !uman #ni,!tsKsu&ercilious and condescendin,, )ull o)
t!eir o.n im&ortance- $!ey t!in# not!in, o) s&ea#in, t!eir minds, &rovided t!at t!is
remains .it!in t!e bounds o) elven decorum- $!ey are o)ten !au,!ty, disdainin, contact
.it! most ot!ers, includin, all ot!er elves save ,rey elves-
$!is subrace ,arbs t!emselves in .ool tunics o) ,old, silver, .!ite, or yello.-
Over t!ese, t!ey .ear cloa#s o) dar# blue or &ur&le- $!eir dress alone o)ten ma#es t!em
t!e most stri#in, o) t!e elves, and t!eir ele,ant bearin, and &ure beauty ma#e t!em
almost a&&ear as su&ernatural creatures-
W!en armin, t!emselves )or battle, t!ey don s!immerin, suits o) &late or c!ain
mail, &rotectin, t!e !ead .it! .in,ed !elmets- $!eir .ea&ons, created by master el)
cra)ters, s!ine bri,!tly under any li,!t- Mounted .arriors ride ,ri))ons or !i&&o,ri))s into
battle, s.oo&in, do.n u&on t!eir enemies .it! dread)ul &er)ection-
$aller and more slender t!an t!e ot!er elves, ,rey elves ty&ically !ave silver !air
and amber eyes- $!is does not ,ive t!em any s&ecial abilities, but it does serve to
distin,uis! t!em )rom t!eir !i,! elven bret!ren- Some.!at rarer are t!ose ,rey elves .!o
!ave &ale ,olden !air and violet eyes- $!ese elves are o)ten #no.n as faerie and are
&robably t!ose .!o )irst made contact .it! !umans-
W!ile not e5actly bi,oted to.ard ot!er races, t!e ,rey elves do believe in t!e
&urity o) t!e elven line- $!ey are t!e least tolerant o) ot!er races, and t!ey ta#e &ains to
ensure t!at t!ey remain secluded )rom allKsometimes even ot!er elves- Only t!e
mi,!tiest ma,es o) ot!er races are allo.ed .it!in t!eir mountain citadels, and t!ese are
,reeted .it! sus&icion- $!e ,rey elves are not rabid in t!eir disli#e o) t!e s!orterBlived
races, but t!ey do )ear t!e corru&tion t!at t!e ot!er races can brin, to t!e elves-
Because o) t!eir reverence )or t!e sanctity o) elven blood, ,rey elves !ave striven
to maintain t!eir ori,inal ideals- $!ey consider t!emselves to be t!e &urest )orm o) all
elves- $!ey believe t!at, since t!e ot!er elves do not concern t!emselves .it!
maintainin, t!eir &urity, t!eir role in t!e elven .orld is less t!an t!at o) t!e ,rey el)-
$!ese elves )eel t!at t!ey are t!e /true/ elves and t!at ot!ers are some!o. lesser
versions- $!e ,rey elves staunc!ly believe t!is to be true, des&ite t!e )act t!at t!ey are an
o))s!oot o) t!e ori,inal !i,! el) line-
Grey elves dis,uise t!e entrances to t!eir mountain meado.s and remote cities
.it! &o.er)ul ma,ic, ensurin, t!at only t!ose .!o are elves or )amiliar .it! t!e elven
d.eomer can discover t!eir retreats- I) members o) anot!er race )ind t!eir !idea.ays, t!e
,rey elves are not averse to castin, a !i,!Blevel forget s&ell- $!ey !ave .or#ed lon, and
!ard to ac!ieve t!eir !idden lands, and t!ey .elcome not t!ose .!o stumble across t!em-
O) all elves, ,rey elves rely t!e most on t!eir intelli,ence- W!ile ot!er elves are
by no means stu&id, ,rey elves trust less in &!ysical &ro.ess t!an t!ey do t!e mind- $!eir
line breeds more ma,es and ma,e combinations t!an any ot!er, and some o) t!e most
esteemed o) t!eir subrace are sc!olars-
$!eir entire e5istence is based on develo&in, and discoverin, ne. #no.led,e,
and t!ey t!ere)ore s&end less time on t!e &leasurable &ursuits t!at occu&y ot!er elves'
lives- $!eir ma,es are .it!out &eer in t!e elven .orld- Even ma,es o) ,reater &o.er )rom
ot!er races s&ea# o) t!e #no.led,e o) t!e ,rey elves .it! no small measure o)
)ascination-
Because t!e only .i3ard s&ecialties available to elves are Diviner and Enc!anter,
,rey elves usually do not become s&ecialist .i3ards- Instead, t!ey learn more about
ma,ic in ,eneralJ t!eir lon, li)es&ans ensure t!at t!ey are amon, t!e most #no.led,eable
ma,es on any .orld, t!ou,! not necessarily t!e most &o.er)ul-
Ho.ever, li#e all elves, t!eir cra)ters !ave !ad centuries to &er)ect t!eir art- Since
t!e ,rey elves !ave a muc! )iercer dedication to &er)ection t!an ot!er elves, t!eir
&roducts are )iner t!an any ot!ers in t!e .orld- Only some d.arves can rival t!e e5&ertise
s!o.n by ,rey elvesKbut even t!en t!ey cannot rival t!e s!eer beauty e5!ibited in elven
manu)acture-
It is a ,uaranty t!at almost any ,rey elven .or# can !old t!e stron,est ma,ic#s
and enc!antments- $!e very Hualities o) t!e manu)acture .or# subtle c!arms into t!e
item, ma#in, it more rece&tive to .!atever &otent ma,ic a ma,e mi,!t use to en!ance it-
$!e ,rey elves !ave &roduced most o) t!e ma,ical items attributed to elven#ind- $!ey are
&articularly devoted to t!e creation o) tomes and scrolls-
Grey elves o)ten !ave t!e most e5tensive libraries o) anyone in t!e .orld- Any
,rey el) community o) more t!an ;7 years .ill !ave a communal library rivalin, t!ose o)
any maNor city or .i3ard- Suc! libraries are o&en to all elves .!o .is! to better
t!emselves and increase t!eir #no.led,e- Since t!e ,rey elves value t!e constant
e5&ansion o) t!eir stores o) boo#s, many s&end t!eir lives in researc! *eit!er ma,ical or
scienti)ic+, .ritin, learned treatises-
Because t!ey s&end so muc! time in researc!, ,rey elves o)ten !ave little time to
s&are )or &!ysical labor, alt!ou,! t!is does not &reclude cra)tsmans!i&- In order to
maintain t!eir cities, t!ey must rely on /lesser/ elves )or t!e u&#ee& o) t!eir realms- Since
almost all o) t!ese servant elves !ave been brou,!t u& in t!e &articular atmos&!ere o) t!e
,rey elves, t!ey believe t!at t!eir lot in li)e is to serve t!e ,rey elves- Alt!ou,! some do
leave, most do not !ave t!e s&irit to do so- Many are truly !a&&y &er)ormin, tas#s )or
t!eir masters and .ould not dream o) de&artin,- $!e strati)ied society o))ers t!em
security and com)ort-
Grey elves are not !ars! tas#masters, but neit!er are t!ey )or,ivin,- W!en a
servitor el) )ails in a tas# or &er)orms it &oorly, &unis!ment is s.i)t and to t!e &oint- @e.
ma#e t!e same mista#e t.ice-
Grey el) society is amon, t!e most ri,idly de)ined in any .orld- $!ey are ruled by
a !ereditary monarc!, eit!er male or )emale, .!o can be succeeded by any o) t!e ot!er
members o) t!e House %oyal- $!is is subNect to a&&roval by a maNority o) t!e House
1oble- $!e ruler must !ave all decisions rati)ied by suc! a maNority-
Beneat! t!ese t.o Houses are t!e Merc!ant Houses, o) .!ic! t!e Guild Houses
are a &art- $!e House 0rotector is eHual to t!e Merc!ant Houses- Beneat! t!e Merc!ant
Houses are t!e Servitor Houses- Beneat! t!em are t!e casteless elves, .!o !ave almost
no voice in ,rey el) society-
Interestin,ly enou,!, most ot!er elves do not readily be)riend ,rey elves, )or t!ey
see t!e ,rey elves as )ar too serious and arro,ant- Indeed, some elves t!in# t!e ,rey
subrace is )ar closer to t!e .ord /!uman/ t!an /el)-/ $!ey t!in# t!e ,rey elves !ave lost
t!e elven Noy o) li)e, )or t!e ,rey elves &re)er to s&end t!eir time .it! boo#s rat!er t!an
revel in t!e outdoors and t!e ,oodness o) li)e- Instead o) e5&lorin, t!e boundaries o) li)e,
t!ey are learnin, to be serious-
In some elves' eyes, ,rey elves !ave even ,one so )ar as to enslave ot!er elvesKi)
not in )act, t!en at least in s&irit- $!e ,rey elves' /servants/ !ave none o) t!e ty&ical elven
love o) li)e, nor do t!ey !ave t!at s&ar# t!at is so &articularly elven- $!is causes many
elves to s!un muc! contact .it! t!e ,rey elves- Even t!ou,! t!e servitor elves are t!ere
by c!oice, suc! order and la.)ulness in!erent in t!e ,rey el) society seems re&ulsive and
even d.arvis! to most elves-
Hi,! Elves
$!e most commonly seen o) all elves, t!e !i,! elves are also t!e most o&en and )riendly-
$!ey !ave no com&unction about travelin, in t!e .orld outside t!eir lands, and t!ey do
so muc! more o)ten t!an ot!er elves- Since t!ey !ave t!e most contact .it! t!e nonBelven
.orld and since t!eir subrace is more adventurous t!an ot!er elves, most el) 0Cs are !i,!
elves-
W!ile at )irst t!ey may seem aloo) and arro,ant, a ,limmer o) true sel) can be
learned .it! a little e))ort- Hi,! elves #no. t!e value o) )riends!i& and alliance .it! t!e
ot!er ,ood races o) t!e .orld- Ho.ever, t!ey are not al.ays easily be)riended- Many
!i,! elves are cautious about trustin, t!e s!orterBlived racesJ Huite a )e. learned to
distrust !umans and d.arves in t!eir youn,er days- $!us, alt!ou,! !i,! elves serve t!e
cause o) ,ood, one can never be sure o) .!at t!e rece&tion )rom t!em .ill be-
Hi,! elves are very &ale- $!ou,! t!ey s&end a ,reat deal o) time outdoors, t!eir
s#in sim&ly doesn't tan, no matter !o. lon, t!ey are in t!e sun- Ho.ever, t!eir s#in is
less a cor&seli#e &allor t!an t!e color o) ne. cream- $!eir !air and eyes )all into t.o
maNor variations- One is )air not only o) s#in, but o) !air as .ell- $!ese elves ,enerally
!ave blond !air and blue eyes- $!e ot!er variation, eHually numerous, seems )ar more
mysterious- $!ey !ave dar# !air, ran,in, )rom sandy bro.n to s!eerest blac#, and intense
,reen eyes- $!ese t.o varieties o) !i,! elves !ave no ot!er si,ni)icant di))erences, but
t!ey are nonet!eless o)ten treated di))erently sim&ly because o) t!eir a&&earance-
Hi,! elves &re)er li,!t &astel s!ades over t!e colors .orn by ,rey elves- Since
t!ey rely on !untin, and .oodsmans!i&, t!ey o)ten .ear cloa#s o) ,reen )or camou)la,e
in )orests-
$!eir &re)erred .ea&on is t!e bo., but t!ey are also ade&t .it! lon, and s!ort
s.ords- In battle, t!ey .ear t!eir ,leamin, elven c!ain mail beneat! cloa#s /.oven o)
t!e essence o) t!e .oods,/ .!ic! allo.s t!em to move silently t!rou,! )orests, stri#e
Huic#ly, and t!en retreat- Alt!ou,! t!ey may be)riend ,iant ea,les and occasionally use
t!em )or trans&ort, t!ey rarely use mounts because !orses and t!e li#e are too un.ieldy in
t!e )orest- Only on t!e lon,Bdistance Nourneys or on t!e &lains .ill !i,! elves use mounts-
Hi,! el) civili3ation is muc! li#e t!at rumored in c!ildren's )airy tales- Elven
!omes are enc!anted, t!e lands under t!eir Nurisdiction &laces o) ,oodness- $!e realms o)
!i,! elves are )abled in t!e lands o) men, and t!e !i,!est as&iration o) many a !uman is
to sli& into t!e arms o) deat! .!ile bas#in, in t!e serenity o) t!e el) lands-
$!ese elves do not &lace a ,reat deal o) value on society, &re)errin, instead to live
as t!ey .is! rat!er t!an !o. someone tells t!em to- $!eir villa,es are &eace)ul &laces, )or
t!e elves all loo# out )or one anot!er- $!ey !ave a royal bloodline o) sorts, but )e. elves
&ay it muc! !eed- $!ey do not res&ect someone &urely on t!e basis o) birt!-
Hi,! elves live in a constant relations!i& .it! nature, never ta#in, more t!an t!ey
need and ,ivin, bac# ever more- $!ey re&lenis! t!e )orests and t!e &lains constantly,
ensurin, t!at t!ere .ill al.ays be nature .it!in t!eir .orld- As suc!, t!ey are o)ten
re,arded by ot!er ,oodBali,ned races as t!e !i,!est e&itome o) ,oodness- Alt!ou,! t!ose
.!o &re)er la. over )reedom do not al.ays a,ree, t!ey nearly al.ays !ave res&ect )or t!e
Huality o) elven li)e- $!ere is no doubt t!at t!e !i,! elves lead a )ine li)eG @reedom,
nature, and t!e s!eer vitality o) bein, alive com&rise t!e daily e5istence o) a !i,! el)-
$!ese elves !ave )e. cares or .orries, and t!eir lives are o)ten c!aracteri3ed by
idyllic s&lendor- W!ile t!ey )ace &roblems )rom ram&a,in, !umanoids or t!e
encroac!ment o) !umans, t!ey seem to live )ree o) t!e cares t!at so o)ten &la,ue ot!er
elves- Because t!ey live so closely in !armony .it! nature, t!ey !ave little trouble
)indin, sustenance in t!e areas near t!eir !omes- Game &roli)erates near !i,! el)
communities, and t!e eart! is )ertile )or t!em- Ho.ever, s!ould t!e !i,! elves roam
)art!er a)ield, t!ey o)ten discover a di))erent matter entirely- A band o) elves on t!e marc!
must sometimes rely u&on t!e ,enerosity o) ot!ers-
Sylvan Elves
Alt!ou,! .ood elves *as sylvan elves are o)ten called+ are descended )rom t!e same
stoc# as t!e ot!er elves, t!ey are )ar more &rimitive t!an t!eir #in- $!eir lives are ,eared
to.ard t!e sim&le matter o) survival in t!e .oodlands, rat!er t!an enNoyment- Aet sylvan
elves )ind t!at t!is li)e, more t!an anyt!in, else, ,ives t!em t!eir ,reatest &leasure- 1ot
)or t!em t!e so&!istication o) art and delicate music- $!ey &re)er a sim&ler li)e- $!eir
music is t!at o) .ind t!rou,! leaves, t!e !o.l o) .olves, and t!e cries o) birds- $!eir art
Kin t!e )orm o) tattoosKis ins&ired by t!e everc!an,in, cycle o) seasons-
Wood elves, by t!eir very nature, seem more &rone to violence t!an t!eir civili3ed
cousins- $!eir muscles are lar,er, t!eir com&le5ions more )lorid- $!ey !ave yello. to
co&&eryBred !air, .!ic! contrasts .it! t!eir li,!tly tanned s#in- $!eir eyes are ,enerally
li,!t bro.n, alt!ou,! bri,!t ,reen is not uncommon- Ha3el or blue eyes are e5ce&tionally
rare, cro&&in, u& only t.o to ten times in an entire ,eneration- $!e su&erstitious .ood
elves believe t!at t.ins .!o !ave blue or !a3el eyes are an omen o) ,ood )ortune )or bot!
t!e t.ins and .ood elves as a .!ole- $!us )ar, t!ey !ave not been disa&&ointed-
Wood el) clot!in, is muc! less ,audy t!an one .ould normally e5&ect )rom an
el)- $!e )ocus o) t!eir clot!in, is to allo. t!e .earer to blend .it! t!e .oods easily- A
ty&ical out)it is dar# bro.n and ,reen, or tan and russet in )all- Winter )inds sylvan elves
.earin, .!ite leat!er so t!at t!ey can !ide in sno.-
About once every )ive years, t!ese elves indul,e in a )estival o) art and music
more material t!an t!e e&!emera o) nature- W!en t!e summer solstice arrives, t!e
nomadic tribes ,at!er in t!e center o) t!e )orest- @or !al) a moon, t!e tribes celebrate t!e
turnin, o) t!e SeldanHit!, .!erein t!e constellations o) t!e Seldarine are obscured by t!e
nort!ern li,!ts- $!ey claim t!at t!e ,ods come to eart! durin, t!is time to celebrate in t!e
revels o) t!eir c!ildren- Wood el) celebrations involve oa# .ine, bon)ires, dancin, to
.ooden drums, and sin,in,- $!e carousin, is &rimitive, even sava,e, but )iercely e5citin,
to t!em- $!eir every instinct is aroused, ta#in, t!em bac# to t!e roots o) nature-
Wood elves are o)ten described as .ild and tem&eramental- $!is is true to t!e
e5tent t!at t!ese elves are a very emotional &eo&le- $!ey live .it! t!eir !earts, not t!eir
minds as do t!e ,rey elves- W!atever t!ey )eel, t!ey #no. it is t!e ri,!t ans.er- Lo,ic
&lays little &art in t!eir lives, )or lo,ic cannot save one )rom t!e c!ar,in, boar or t!e
)allin, tree- Intuition and stren,t! are all t!at counts in t!e .ild.ood-
Sylvan elves are an inde&endent )ol# and do not li,!tly broo# intruders into t!eir
)orests- Anyone, even anot!er el), .!o even dra.s near to a .ood el) encam&ment
*.it!in t!ree miles+ .ill !ave a constant, unseen escort o) at least t.o .ood elves
*&ossibly more+ until t!e intruder leaves t!e area- >nless t!e cam& is directly t!reatened,
t!e .ood elves .ill leave t!e intruder strictly alone- $.entyB)ive &ercent o) t!e time
.ood elves .ill allo. tres&assers to #no. t!at t!ey are bein, .atc!ed-
I) t!ose encroac!in, t!e encam&ment dra. too near and evince !ostile intent, t!e
.ood elves !ave no com&unctions about utterly destroyin, t!em- Wood elves are
e5traordinarily reclusiveKeven more so t!an ,rey elves- $!ey !ave no .is! to let ot!ers
e5&ose t!em or t!eir li)estyle to t!e !ars! scrutiny o) t!e civili3ed .orld- $!ere)ore, t!ey
may even destroy t!ose .!o bear t!e .ood elves no &articular ill .ill- $!ey )eel t!is is
t!e only .ay to ensure t!eir lives and &rivacy-
Alt!ou,! t!ey are o) elven descent, .ood elves tend to.ard total neutrality- $!is
is not out o) any in!erent evil, but only out o) a desire to be le)t alone- $!ey do not care
about t!e &roceedin,s in t!e outer .orldJ only .!en suc! acts im&act t!eir realm do t!e
.ood elves ta#e interest- Even t!en, t!at interest is only in removin, t!e nuisance and in
returnin, to t!e .ildlands as Huic#ly as &ossible- Only ot!er elves can brea# t!eir solitude
.it!out su))erin, &otential deat!-
Sylvan elves associate more o)ten .it! t!e animals o) t!e )orest t!an .it! any
ot!er bein,s- $!ey !ave ,iant o.ls ,uardin, t!eir tent !omes or, rarely, ,iant lyn5es-
$!eir isolationist tendencies !ave corru&ted t!e only racial lan,ua,e t!ey #no. *Elvis!+J
!o.ever, some do learn t!e lan,ua,es o) various creatures o) t!e )orest-
Wood elves are &robably t!e least )riendly o) all t!e sur)ace elves- $!ey are
certainly not as out,oin, as !i,! elves, nor are t!ey as adventurous as aHuatic elves-
W!ile ,rey elves are Huite arro,ant, t!ey at least .ill not casually #ill intruders- Ho.ever,
it s!ould be remembered t!at .ood elves are not evilJ t!ey sim&ly value t!eir solitude
above all else-

Hal)BElves
Alt!ou,! not &ro&erly elves, !al)Belves are included in t!is boo# because t!ey do &ossess
elven ancestry- Hal)Belves !ave at least !al) el) in t!eir bloodJ t!ose !al)Belves t!at breed
bac# .it! elves are al.ays considered !al)Belven, re,ardless o) !o. lon, a,o t!e nonBel)
blood .as introduced- $!ose !al)Belves .!o do not breed .it! elves *t!us dilutin, t!e
elven strain even )urt!er+ are considered by elves to be totally nonBelven- $!ese crosses
!ave none o) t!e abilities normally associated .it! eit!er elves or !al)Belves-
Some !al)Belves are not readily acce&ted in eit!er el) or !uman communities, and
t!ey o)ten become introverted, sullen, and embittered- Luc#y !al)Belves ,ain access to
bot! races, )or o)ten elves and !umans )ind !al)Belves )ascinatin,- Lar,ely, it is a matter
o) t!e !al)Bel) in Huestion and t!e societies .it! .!ic! !e or s!e deals- Hal)Belves are
never acce&ted in ,rey el) society, )or !al)Belves serve as a &al&able reminder o) all t!at
t!e ,rey elves .is! to eradicate-
Alt!ou,! t!ere are rare e5ce&tions, !al)elves are &redominantly also !al) !umanJ
elven ,enes ty&ically cannot cross .it! anyt!in, ot!er t!an !uman ,enes- $!ose
descended o) stoc# ot!er t!an !uman must be s&ecially a&&roved by t!e DM i) t!ey are to
be used as a 0C race-
Most !al)Belves are o) !i,! el) descent- $!e reasons )or t!is are sim&leG AHuatic
elves cannot live .it! !umansJ ,rey elves .ill not #no.in,ly a&&roac! !umans in suc!
)riendly circumstancesJ .ood elves .ould sim&ly )lee or !ideJ and dro. .ould slau,!ter
t!e )ool .!o trusted t!em-
$!ere are al.ays e5ce&tions to t!ese ,enerali3ations, o) course- Some elves .ill
al.ays brea# t!e mold o) t!eir #ind by doin, somet!in, un&redictable- A )e. ,rey elves
consent to s&ea# )reely .it! !umans, and it is &ossible one could consort .it! a !uman
out o) love- 1ot all .ood elves are recluses, nor are all dro. rut!less, evil #illers- AHuatic
elves are not as unreac!able as t!ey mi,!t seem, )or !umans !ave lon, used ma,ic to
visit t!e under.ater realms-
It is entirely &ossible to encounter !al)Belves )rom all t!e maNor subracesJ t!ey are
sim&ly not as common as !al)Belves o) !i,! el) stoc#- Ho.ever, )e. o) t!em !ave
in!erited all, i) any, o) t!eir &arents' abilities- $!is is a matter best le)t to eac! DMJ it is
recommended t!at !al)Belves receive only t!e bonuses delineated in t!e 0layer's
Handbook- Even !al)Belves descended )rom aHuatic elves s!ould not !ave t!e ability to
breat!e under .ater unless t!e cam&ai,n is based around sea)arin, adventures- Even
t!en, it is a matter best considered very care)ully-
Since t!ey are !uman and elven bot! in demeanor, !al)Belves are ,enerally easily
reco,ni3able as suc!- $!ey are taller and !eavier t!an t!e avera,e el), t!ou,! t!eir !air
and eyes o)ten re)lect t!ose o) t!eir !uman &arent- Ho.ever, t!ey also ta#e on some o)
t!e )eatures o) t!e elven &arent-
$!e s#in o) t!ose descended )rom sea elves is a blend o) !uman and elven )les!,
o)ten a&&earin, as a &ale ,reen or a very li,!t blue- $!eir !air ec!oes t!at o) t!eir !uman
&arent, t!ou,! it can contain a !int o) ,reen or blue-
Grey !al)Belves, .!ile e5tremely rare, e5ist only in !uman society, since t!ey
never )ind !omes .it! ,rey elves- $!ey are less easy to s&ot t!an many ot!er !al)Belves,
)or t!e !air and eyes o) ,rey elves are o)ten close to !uman standards- $!e !air and eyes
o) t!ese !al)Belves are o) a li,!ter tin,e t!an many !umans, but aside )rom t!e &ointed
ears, t!ese !al)Belves can be con)used as smaller !umans-
As .it! ,rey elves, t!e descendants o) !i,! elves can easily be mista#en )or
!umans )or a s!ort .!ile- Since t!e !i,! el) coloration is nearly identical to t!at o)
!umans *alt!ou,! t!e s#in is some.!at &aler+, t!eir !al)Bel) c!ildren &ass amon, t!e
s!orterBlived races .it! )e. &roblems- As lon, as t!ey #ee& t!eir ears covered and
&er!a&s do somet!in, to dis,uise t!eir an,ular )eatures, t!ey can usually remain
unnoticed-
$!e !al)Belves o) sylvan blood !ave t!e easiest time &assin, t!rou,! !uman lands-
Since sylvan elves are t!e lar,est o) t!eir breed and t!eir s#in tans, t!e sylvan !al)Belves
can &ass t!emselves o)) as !umans )airly .ell- $!ese !al)Belves ta#e to t!e )orest easily
and o)ten become ran,ersJ since t!ey are on t!e )rin,es o) society any.ay, it is only
natural t!at t!ey .ould ta#e a li)e t!at re)lects t!is-
$!e !al)Bel) c!ildren o) dro. are t!e most unusual in a&&earance o) all !al)Belves-
$!eir s#in is dus#y ,rey, t!eir !air bleac!ed .!ite- $!eir ancestry is &er)ectly obvious to
all, and t!ey ty&ically )ind no solace or sanctuary in eit!er el) or !uman communities-
Even .orse, t!e dro. .ill o)ten see# out t!e individual in order to e5&un,e t!e blot on
dro. !onor-
$!e c!ildren o) t.o !al)Belves ,enerally a&&ear as did t!eir &arents- In cases
.!ere a !al)Bel)'s &arents .ere descended )rom di))erent subraces o) el), t!e results are
varied- @i)ty &ercent o) t!e time, t!e c!ild .ill ta#e on a mi5ture o) t!e &arents'
c!aracteristicsJ 6;Q o) t!e time t!e c!ild .ill resemble t!e mot!er, and 6;Q o) t!e time
resemble t!e )at!er-
Obviously, !al)Belves do not !ave an easy time inte,ratin, t!emselves- $!ey are
o)ten outsiders, &layin, out t!eir roles on t!e borders o) society- $!ere is a &ervasive
racism in!erent in many o) t!e societies in .!ic! !al)Belves ta#e &art, alt!ou,! not many
.ill admit to it- Suc! racism e5ists in bot! !uman and el) lands, and it is o)ten !ard )or
!al)Belves to )orm attac!ments to eit!er race-
Instead, many create t!eir o.n communities, .!ere all are )ree to live as t!ey
.ill- >n)ortunately, many !al)Belves !ave allo.ed t!eir e5&eriences .it! !umans and
.it! elves to sour t!em to.ard bot! racesJ in !al)Bel) communities, t!e members o) t!eir
&arents' races are not al.ays .elcome-
Humans, des&ite t!eir )ascination .it! !al)Belves, !old !al)Belves in some
sus&icion- Since many !al)Belves turn to a li)e o) care)ree adventurin, or even outri,!t
t!ievery, t!ey cannot be trusted .it! ,reat res&onsibility- In addition, t!ey are a min,lin,
o) t!e blood o) t.o dis&arate races, and no one can ever be sure o) .!at t!e result o) suc!
a union .ill be- Many !al)Belves are also t!e un!a&&y by&roduct o) .ar crimes, and t!ey
are )eared to ec!o t!e circumstances o) t!eir conce&tion- $!eir motives are, )or !umans at
least, sus&ect-
Elves, on t!e ot!er !and, ty&ically see t!ese c!ildren as in)erior mon,rels- $!ey
may try to tolerate &resence o) !al)Belves, but t!ey vie. t!em as sim&ly lon,erBlived
!umans- $!us, .!ile !al)Belves are not o)ten driven )rom el) lands, neit!er are t!ey made
to )eel overly .elcome, even as c!ildren, nor are t!ere tears at t!eir de&arture-
1eit!er !umans nor elves seems to reco,ni3e t!e uniHue ,i)ts !al)Belves !ave to
contribute- As bein,s lon,erBlived t!an !umans, t!ey are in a &osition to understand t!e
elven &oint o) vie.- Li#e.ise, as creatures .!o !ave t!e .ei,!t o) im&endin, mortality
over t!eir !eads, t!ey can com&re!end t!e curious s&eed at .!ic! !umans ,o about t!eir
lives- $!ey are t!us &er)ectly suited as ambassadors )rom one country to t!e ot!er- $!ey
are ,uaranteed to be im&artial, as t!ey !ave relations on eit!er side- $!ey can become
virtually any class and are multi)aceted individuals in more .ays t!an can be listed-
Ho.ever, elves and !umans cannot )or,et t!e )act o) &arenta,e, and t!ey lose a valuable
o&&ortunity )or understandin, eac! ot!er-
Since t!ey !ave di))iculty bein, totally acce&ted in eit!er .orld, !al)Belves tend to
be travelers and loners, alternatin, bet.een !uman and el) societies- W!en li)e sours in
one, t!ey move to t!e ot!er )or a time- $!ey !ave come to see t!e best o) bot! .orlds-
Elves o) t!e Worlds
Beyond t!e elves described above, t!ere are elves o) di))erent il#s &o&ulatin, se&arate
.orlds- O))s!oots o) t!e nomadic !i,! elves .!o searc!ed t!e .orlds )ar and .ide, t!e
elves described belo. settled on .orlds t!at struc# t!eir )ancy- In time, t!ey became ne.
subraces o) elves- *A dia,ram on &a,e 6: s!o.s t!e interrelations!i& o) t!ese subraces-+
In some lands, t!e elves are entirely distinct, bearin, little resemblance to t!e ori,inal
!i,! el) stoc#- In ot!ers, t!e elves vary mostly in name and attitude, rat!er t!an t!rou,!
any &!ysical basis- All o) t!em carry a de)inite aura t!at &ervades t!eir .orld, s!a&in, it
as surely as t!ey s!a&e !istory-
One im&ortant t!in, to remember is t!at not all elves o) t!ese areas con)orm to
t!ese descri&tions- $!ere are always e5ce&tions in every land- Any &layer c!aracters )rom
t!ese lands may act as t!ey .is!-
ALBCADIMI Cam&ai,n World
$!e elves o) 2a#!ara, t!e Land o) @ate, are t!e same &!ysically as t!e elves )ound Nust
nort! in t!e @O%GO$$E1 %EALMSI .orld- W!at distin,uis!es t!ese elves is t!eir
attitude to.ard li)e, ot!er races, and t!eir creed-
In 2a#!ara, all races tend to ado&t a more cosmo&olitan &ers&ective to.ard ot!er
races- It is more im&ortant, t!ey )eel, to believe in an enli,!tened ,od t!an to be an el), a
d.ar), or a !uman- What one is, inside, is more im&ortant t!an who one is outside- $!ey
reco,ni3e t!at no one can control t!e circumstances o) t!eir birt!, t!at it is t!e actions and
t!e belie)s t!at ma#e a bein, truly ,ood, rat!er t!an t!e race o) t!at bein,-
@or t!is reason, t!ere is no se&arate el) society in 2a#!ara- $!ere are certainly
t!ose bi,ots .!o &re)er elves over ot!er races, but t!e truly enli,!tened individuals ma#e
no distinction bet.een elves and ot!er races- In 2a#!ara, no one is sur&rised .!en an el)
ta#es a Nob many in t!e ot!er .orlds .ould consider traditionally d.arvis!-
1eit!er is t!ere racial intolerance and anti&at!y- It is &er)ectly reasonable )or an
orc to be ,ood )riends .it! an el) *inasmuc! as elves become ,ood )riends .it! anyone+-
A,ain, races are Nud,ed by t!eir actions and t!eir belie)s- Only in t!e uncivili3ed &ortions
o) 2a#!ara .ill one )ind evidence o) t!e anti&at!ies so &revalent in ot!er lands-
Indeed, t!e elves o) t!e Land o) @ate are considered valuable members o) society-
Because o) t!eir ability to live to a ,reat a,e and t!e )act t!at even youn, elves are o) an
a,e .it! t!e most venerable !umans, t!ey are sou,!t a)ter )or t!eir .isdom- Many o) t!e
8adi *Nud,es+ are, in )act, elves- $!eir li)es&ans ,ive t!em a uniHue vie. o) t!e .orld and
t!e o&&ortunity to serve )or !undreds o) years-
Many elves serve as sa,es )or universities- A,ain, t!eir a,e ,ives t!em an
advanta,e- Any creature t!at lives !undreds o) years can accumulate #no.led,e o) nearly
any to&ic-
1one o) t!e elves native to t!is area .ors!i& t!e ,ods o) t!e elves- Li#e t!e ot!er
citi3ens o) 2a#!ara, t!ey .ors!i& t!e enli,!tened ,ods- Any .!o .ors!i& t!eir ,ods
t!rou,! idols and icons are re,arded as sava,es- Any ,ods )ound in 2a#!ara .ill be
re&resented only in symbols, )or t!ere is no ot!er .ay to )airly re&resent a ,od-
$!e 2a#!aran elves consider t!e nort!ern elves barbarians- $!e nort!ern elves
continue to subscribe to t!e system o) !atred )or ot!er races, .ors!i& t!rou,! t!e idols o)
t!eir &rimitive reli,ion, and #ee& to t!emselves- It is )ar more li#ely t!at a 2a#!aran el)
.ould side .it! a )ello. believer a,ainst a nort!ern el) t!an t!e ot!er .ay around- $!ey
#no. no racial loyaltyJ t!ey #no. only t!e loyalty to one's brot!ers and sisters in belie)-
DA%( S>1I Cam&ai,n World
At!asian elves are entirely di))erent )rom t!e !i,! elves t!at settled At!as eons a,o, )or
t!ey !ave ada&ted to a li)e in t!e burnin, .orld- >nderstandably, t!ese elves do not d.ell
in .oodlands as do t!eir more ty&ical cousins, )or t!ere are )e. )orests on At!as- Instead,
t!ey live on t!e &lains and in t!e barrens, scratc!in, out an e5istence .!ere )e. survive-
$!ey are runners and raiders, disdainin, t!e trans&ort used by t!e .ea#er s&ecies in t!e
desert- $!ey, li#e t!e ot!er races on At!as, are muc! more sava,e t!an t!e ty&ical el)-
$!e elves o) At!as are very tall, o)ten reac!in, !ei,!ts o) = )eet or more- $!eir
lon, le,s ma#e t!em e5cellent runners, and t!ey can cover unbelievable distances in a
sin,le day- $!ey are t!e terror o) t!e deserts, and t!eir !untin, bands are .idely )eared-
1ot only do t!ey &rey on t!ose )oolis! enou,! to &ass t!rou,! t!eir territory, t!ey
e5&loit t!e ,ullible in t!e mar#et&laces o) t!e cityBstates- @e. o) t!ese &laces do not !ave
some sort o) mar#et .!ere t!e elves sell t!eir illB,otten or s!oddy ,oodsJ t!e elves ma#e
an incredible &ro)it )rom t!ose .!o &ass t!rou,! because t!ey are t!e only su&&liers-
Alt!ou,! t!ey act i,nobly to.ard members o) ot!er races and even ot!er el)
tribes, t!e At!asian elves are not an evil &eo&le- $!ey !ave stron, ties to t!eir tribes and
are only as !ars! as t!eir &lanet dictates- $!e bonds t!at unite t!em are ama3in,ly stron,J
elves o) a tribe o)ten !ave no ot!er )riends t!an t!eir tribe members- $!eir lives de&end
on t!eir com&anions, and so t!ey trust only t!ose .!o !ave &roven t!ey can be trusted-
Li#e t!e ot!er in!abitants o) At!as, t!e elves stru,,le to endure- >nder t!e )ires o)
t!e Dar# Sun, only t!e stron,est survive- $!e elves &lan to be amon, t!at number, and i)
t!ey must crus! ot!ers - - - .ell, i) suc! is t!e &at! to survival, t!ey .ill ta#e it-

D%AGO1LA1CEI Cam&ai,n World
$!e !i,! elves settled t!e .orld o) (rynn lon, a,o, and t!eir !istory on t!is .ondrous
.orld is ric!- Alt!ou,! analo,ous to t!e !istory o) elves in t!e AD"DI .orld, it is not
e5actly t!e same- Indeed, some misin)ormed !istorians ar,ue t!at t!ese elves are not
related to t!e el) e5&lorers mentioned earlier in t!is c!a&ter- $!is t!eory seems !i,!ly
im&lausible a)ter readin, t!e !istory o) elves on t!is .orld-
On Ansalon, t!e main branc! o) elves .as called t!e (a,onesti, t!e source )rom
.!ic! ot!er elves s&ran,- $!ese ot!ers Huic#ly abandoned t!e sylvan role, ta#in, u&
more civili3ed &ursuits- $!ey eventually )ormed a realm called Silvanost, a)ter t!eir ,reat
leader in t!e @irst Dra,on Wars- $!e Silvanesti are reminiscent o) t!e ,rey elves in t!eir
attitude and outloo#, )or t!ey are !au,!ty and most concerned about racial &urity-
$!e Cualinesti bro#e )rom t!e Silvanesti centuries later, over a dis&ute o) t!e best
.ay to deal .it! t!e nonBelven .orld- $!e Silvanesti, a 5eno&!obic, casteBridden batc!,
nearly drove t!e Cualinesti )rom t!e land )or t!eir sym&at!etic tendencies to.ard
!umans-
$!e Cualinesti, commanded by (it!B(anan, le)t Silvanost .!en it became
a&&arent t!at t!e Silvanesti !ad sta,nated as a society- $!ey traveled .est until t!ey
)ound a &lace .!ere t!ey could live in )reedom )rom t!e structure demanded by t!e
Silvanesti- $!e relations bet.een t!ese t.o races are strained, at best- $!e Cualinesti
most resemble !i,! elves, and t!ey are by )ar t!e most common elves seen in t!e
D%AGO1LA1CEI cam&ai,n .orld-
$!e sylvan elves o) (rynn are t!e (a,onesti- Alt!ou,! t!ey are o) t!e )irst variety
o) elves t!at ever set )oot on (rynn, t!ey are disre,arded by t!e ot!er races, s!unned as
.ild and uncivili3ed- $!e (a,onesti, !o.ever muc! t!ey disli#e t!is situation, !ave
c!osen to reNect civili3ation and its /corru&tin,/ values- $!ey &re)er, instead, t!e .ild
!armony o) nature, t!e contact .it! t!e eart! t!at t!e ot!er elves seem to !ave t!ro.n
a.ay in t!eir Huest )or ne.er and better )orms o) ,overnment- $!e (a,onesti o)ten .ear
tatoos or &aint t!eir )aces to intimidate t!eir enemies or to blend in .it! t!eir
surroundin,s-
$!e Dimernesti and Dar,onesti are t!e t.o races o) aHuatic elves )ound on (rynn-
Created by t!e c!aotic &assa,e o) t!e Greystone o) Gar,at!, t!ese sea elves &ossess t!e
ability to trans)orm t!emselves into otters or dol&!ins- $!e relations bet.een t!e t.o
races o) sea elves are muc! li#e t!at o) t!e Cualinesti and t!e Silvanesti- $!e Dar,onesti
are only rarely seen and are very reclusive-
$!e elves native to t!e ot!er continent o) (rynn tend to resemble t!e (a,onesti
more t!an any ot!er variety o) (rynnis! el)- $aladan elves o) t!e $amire are nomads and
raiders, distrust)ul o) outsiders- $!ey identi)y t!eir clans .it! totem animals, usin, t!ese
animals as s&irit ,uides and &rotectors-
$!e ot!er race o) elves on $aladas consists o) re)u,ees, elves )rom a Silvanesti
armada driven o)) course to t!e ne. land- $!ey !ave )ounded a land called Armac! and
are tryin, to build a land reminiscent o) Silvanesti-
Ho.ever, t!e !umans o) t!e re,ion &roved too resilient to be driven )rom t!eir
!omeland, and t!ey )orced t!e elves to acce&t t!em into a con)ederation- $!e !umans
!ave t!us become more elven, and t!e elves !ave become more !uman in outloo#-
Ho.ever, t!e elves !ave in)luenced t!e &rimitives o) $aladas muc! more t!an t!ey !ave
been c!an,ed-
A )anatical desire to #ee& t!emselves &urely elven !as &reserved t!ese elves'
culture .ell- Alt!ou,! t!ey d.ell in a loose con)ederation, t!ey !ave clearly delineated
t!e license t!e nonBelves o) Armac! may ta#e .it! t!e elves- $!ey ,uard t!eir ne.
/!omeland/ )iercely, e5ecutin, t!ose .!o cross its borders .it!out consent- Overall, t!e
Armac!nesti *as t!ey !ave come to be called+ are muc! more intolerant t!an t!eir
Silvanesti brot!ers ever .ere- Alt!ou,! t!ey must deal .it! !umans, t!eir li)e !as
become all t!e more ri,id, and some say t!eir in)le5ibility is a direct e))ect o) t!eir
necessary contact .it! !umans-
Bot! races o) elves on $aladas must con)ront t!e Lea,ue o) Minotaurs on
occasion, .!ic! sits sHuarely bet.een t!e t.o- $!e Armac!nesti currently !ave a truce
ne,otiated .it! t!e Lea,ue, but bot! countries #no. t!at t!e truce .ill be bro#en .!en it
is convenient )or eit!er side- $!e elves o) t!e $amire are in more serious dan,er, )or t!e
minotaurs t!in# not!in, o) raidin, t!eir lands to re&lenis! t!eir stoc# o) slaves-
@O%GO$$E1 %EALMSI Cam&ai,n World
$!e elves o) $oril do not )ollo. t!e standards o) most ot!er .orlds- W!at unites almost
all t!e elves o) t!e %ealms is t!eir sel)Bbesto.ed titleG $el'Cuessir- $!is translates to /$!e
&eo&le-/ All nonBelves are #no.n as t!e /1'$el'Cuess,/ or /1otB0eo&le-/
W!ile t!ese elves &ossess t!e standard el) abilities, t!eir a&&earance is mar#edly
di))erent- $!ese elves are o) !uman !ei,!t, t!ou,! t!ere t!e resemblance ends- Li#e t!eir
more ty&ical cousins, t!e elves o) t!e %ealms are muc! more slender and delicate in
a&&earance- Brea#in, do.n t!e el) nation still )urt!er, t!ere are )ive se&arate, distinct
subraces o) elves in t!e %ealms, eac! o) .!ic! is vie.ed di))erently by t!e ot!er races-
$!e )irst subrace is t!at o) t!e ,old elves- Some also call t!em sunrise elves or
!i,! elves, alt!ou,! t!ey do not closely resemble t!e standard !i,! elves and, indeed,
seem more li#e ,rey elves- Gold elves are ,enerally vie.ed as t!e most civili3ed and, at
t!e same time, t!e most contem&tuous o) ot!er races- $!ey are t!e nobility o) elves on
$oril, leadin, t!e ot!er elves in t!e elven .ay- $!ey are t!e eHuivalent o) t!e Silvanesti
on (rynn-
$!e second subrace is #no.n variously as moon, silver, or ,rey elves, alt!ou,!
a,ain t!e name is t!e main similarity to t!e ty&ical ,rey el)- $!ey more closely resemble
!i,! elves t!an ,rey elves, .!ic! is not sur&risin, since t!e nomadic !i,! elves settled
$oril- $!ey are t!e most common o) elves on t!is .orld, or at least t!e variety most o)ten
seen by nonBelves- Because o) t!eir !i,!er tolerance )or ot!er races, t!e moon elves are
more li#ely to become adventurers t!an are t!e ot!er elves- Li#e.ise, most !al)Belves in
t!e %ealms are descended )rom moon elves- Alt!ou,! moon elves are considered less
noble t!an ,old elves, t!e Cueen o) Evermeet is a moon el)-
$!e t!ird subrace is rou,!ly eHuivalent to sylvan elves- $!ey are called .ild,
,reen, or )orest elves- $!ey deal almost e5clusively .it! ot!er elves, #ee&in, any contact
.it! ot!er races to a minimum- Since t!ey try to live )ar )rom !uman#ind, t!ey are one o)
t!e leastBseen races o) t!e elves- Alt!ou,! t!ey do not !ave a #in,dom o) t!eir o.n, t!ey
&ermeate every el) nation-
$!e sea elves com&rise t!e )ourt! subrace- $!ey, too, are )airly uncommon,
alt!ou,! t!ey aren't as reclusive as .ild elves- $!ey s.im in t.o .atersG t!ose o) t!e
Great Sea and t!e Sea o) @allen Stars- $!ere is only a sli,!t di))erence in a&&earance
bet.een t!e t.o- One race breat!es salt .ater and t!e ot!er )res!, but t!ey can survive in
eit!er- Water elves ma#e t!eir !omes any.!ere but are most common near t!e island
retreat o) Evermeet-
$!e )inal subrace on $oril is t!at o) t!e dar# elves- Li#e t!eir dro. cousins, t!e
dar# elves are almost universally s!unned )or t!eir evil- Cruel creatures livin,
under,round, t!ese dro. emer,e only at ni,!t, tryin, to aven,e t!emselves on t!eir
/o&&ressors,/ t!e elves res&onsible )or t!eir under,round retreat-
$!e elves o) t!e %ealms are one o) t!e oldest races native to t!at .orld- W!ile
!umans .ere livin, in t!eir caves, learnin, to !unt eac! ot!er, t!e elves )louris!ed- $!eir
nations s&read across $oril, and t!ey lived in !armony .it! t!e land- But as !umans
became more and more civili3ed and e5&anded t!eir !oldin,s, t!e elves !ad to retreat-
Since t!e elves could not react Huic#ly to t!e constant c!an,e !umans .rou,!t,
t!ey !ad to devise an alternate &lan- @rom t!eir court in Myt! Drannor, t!e elves be,an
ar,uin, t!e virtues o) a %etreat to a land beyond !umans- $!ey ar,ued t!is matter )or
many centuries and, a)ter e5!austin, all t!e evidence available, came to a consensus-
Durin, t!eir debates, t!ey located a land )ar beyond !uman reac!- Called
Evermeet, an island t!ousands o) miles out in t!e $rac#less Sea, it suited t!eir &ur&ose
&er)ectly- Holdin, dee& and ,lorious )orests as .ell as many o) t!e ot!er )eatures elves
consider essential )or a !ome, t!ere .as little doubt t!at t!is s!ould be t!e last !ome o)
t!e El) 1ation-
Only elves are .elcome in Evermeet- All ot!ers *includin, dro. and !al)Belves+
are turned a.ay- Since t!ere seems no .ay o) ma,ically travelin, to Evermeet, it is only
by s!i& t!at anyone can Nourney to t!ere- $!e Elven 1avy, t!e lar,est #no.n, &rotects t!e
sanctity o) Evermeet by destroyin, nonBelven s!i&s t!at come inside Evermeet's
Nurisdiction- $!e navy also &rovides &assa,e )or elves see#in, %etreat or &rotection )or
elves beset by !umans- $!e navy seems to #no. .!en t!eir services are needed-
Alt!ou,! t!ey .ere once t!e most &o.er)ul ,rou& o) t!e %ealms, t!e elves are a
,rou& in sad decline- $!ey retreat )rom t!eir .orld in everB,reater numbers- One day,
!umans .ill )ind t!e %ealms devoid o) elves- $!e ,reater .orld .ill no doubt miss t!eir
&resence-

G%EAHAW(I Cam&ai,n World
$!e elves o) Oert! resemble t!e standard AD"DI elves in nearly every res&ect- $!ey are
very muc! t!e stereoty&ical el), concerned .it! t!ose t!in,s most elven- Some contend
t!at Oert! is t!e elven !omeland, t!e &lace )rom .!ic! all ot!ers s&ran,-
Contestin, t!is claim, !o.ever, are t!e e5istence o) t!e ,ru,ac! and t!e valley
elves- Alt!ou,! t!ese t.o races may be merely o))s!oots o) sylvan elves and ,rey elves,
res&ectively, t!ey are )ound no.!ere outside t!e .orld o) Grey!a.#- Were Oert! truly
t!e elven !omeland, t!en t!ese t.o variants .ould be )ound outside it- 0er!a&s t!e true
birt!&lace o) t!e elves is lost in t!e s!ado.s o) time, or &er!a&s it .as destroyed durin,
t!e ,reat El).ar- W!atever t!e case, it is li#ely t!at Oert! is not t!e ori,in &lanet-
Still, t!e elves o) Oert! tend to be /&urer/ in )orm t!an t!e elves o) many ot!er
.orlds- $!eir ideals and t!eir ,oals are o)ten closer to t!e AD"D standard t!an t!ose o)
ot!er .orlds- In almost every re,ard, t!ey are t!e avera,e el), save )or t!e ,ru,ac! and
t!e valley elves-
$!e ,ru,ac! are muc! li#e sylvan elves, livin, li#e t!em in t!e dee&, &ristine
)orests o) un&o&ulated areas- Li#e sylvan elves, ,ru,ac! tend to be muc! less civili3ed
t!an t!eir ot!er cousins- One area in .!ic! t!ey di))er, !o.ever, is in t!eir sava,ery-
W!ile ordinary sylvan elves are ornery and un)riendly, t!e ,ru,ac! are do.nri,!t
vicious- Sylvan elves resent intrusion into t!eir lands, .!ile ,ru,ac! usually #ill t!ose
.!o do so- Gru,ac! cannot stand t!e com&any o) any ot!er !umanoids not naturally o)
t!e )orest- $!is includes druids and ot!er elves, alt!ou,! it does not a&&ly to nym&!s or
dryads-
On t!e ot!er !and, t!ey &ossess a close #ins!i& .it! t!e animals o) t!e
.oodlands, o)ten dealin, .it! t!em more eHually t!an .it! !umanoids- $!e ,ru,ac!'s
attitude o) brutality )or all outsiders is .ell #no.n- $!eir !atred carries )ar into t!e realm
o) violence- $!e ,ru,ac! ,enerally use tra&s and snares to ca&ture outsiders .!o
a&&roac! too closely to t!eir cam&- $!ese tra&s become more and more cruel t!e closer
one nears suc! a cam&-
$!e ot!er subrace o) el) in t!e .orld o) Grey!a.# is t!e valley el)- $!eir name is
derived )rom t!eir !ome in t!e ?alley o) t!e Ma,e- As servants or allies to t!e Ma,e, t!ey
&rotect t!e land in e5c!an,e )or t!e Ma,e's ability to &rotect t!em )rom outside t!reats-
$!e Ma,e !as, many believe, set u& a net.or# o) valley el) s&ies to &rotect t!e
land and raid nearby &o.ers- Since valley elves are rou,!ly t!e same !ei,!t as !umans,
t!ey can usually &ass in dis,uise t!rou,! !uman lands- >nderstandably, suc! in)iltration
disturbs t!e nei,!borin, &eo&les, and t!ey .ould be !a&&y to see t!e valley elves
eliminated-
Most ot!er elves des&ise valley elves- $!e common elven belie) is t!at t!ese elves
!ave sold out t!eir di,nity and t!eir inde&endence )or t!e )leetin, &rotection o) a !uman
.i3ard-
Since t!e el) li)es&an is so muc! ,reater t!an !umans', t!e elves .ill no doubt
outlive t!eir /&rotector,/ unless !e c!ooses t!e o&tion o) becomin, a lic!- I) t!is is t!e
case, t!e ot!er elves may .ell come and eliminate t!eir .ay.ard bret!ren- $!ey .on't
stand to see more o) t!eir #ind corru&ted by evil- $!e valley elves already live under a
cloud o) sus&icion )or t!eir tendency to )ollo. t!e orders o) t!e Ma,e's dro. lieutenant,
and becomin, vassals o) an undead beast .ould be t!e last stra. )or any ri,!tBt!in#in,
el)-
$!e valley elves !ave ada&ted .ell to t!e dan,erous environment o) t!e Barrier
0ea#s- Even be)ore t!e comin, o) t!e Ma,e, t!ey )ended .ell )or t!emselves in t!e
&erilous lands nearby- A)ter !is arrival, t!ey became a &art o) t!e dan,er in t!e area by
&rotectin, t!eir lord )anatically- Some say t!ere can be )e. better body,uards t!an
3ealous elves- $!e Ma,e o) t!e ?alley is .ell &rotected indeed-
%A?E1LO@$I Cam&ai,n World
$!ere are no #no.n elves native to t!e dar# domains- $!e maNority o) elves )ound in t!e
demi&lane live in t!e domain o) Sit!icus and are ori,inally )rom (rynn- Here, t!ey are
)orced to remind Lord Sot! o) !is crimes, #ee&in, alive t!e memory o) !is !einous &ast-
Alt!ou,! t!ey do not consciously &er)orm t!is service, !e cannot but !el& recall t!e elves
.!o en,ineered !is do.n)all- $!e elves !ere live a tortured, c!eerless e5istence, never
#no.in, .!en Sot! may c!oose to aven,e !imsel) )or t!is o))ense-
$!is domain is not entirely natural, so elves )eel no connection .it! it- $!e )orests
do not res&ond to t!eir merriment, lyin, li)eless instead beneat! t!eir )eet- $!e Noy t!at
elves ty&ically )eel in t!e )orests o) more natural lands is absent )rom Sit!icus, and any
!a&&iness t!ey mi,!t s!o. is )orced- $!eir lives are torturedJ )or t!is reason, elves
e5&eriment e5tensively .it! met!ods to esca&e t!e clutc!es o) Sot!- $!us )ar, )e. *i)
indeed any+ !ave been success)ul-
In t!e ot!er domains revealed at t!e time o) t!is .ritin,, elves and t!eir
derivatives tend to be re,arded .it! intense sus&icion- $!e &eo&le o) %avenlo)t are
usually very !uman and in!erently su&erstitious- Anyt!in, t!at does not )it .it! t!eir
care)ully structured belie)s is an obNect o) )ear and !ate- Only .arily .ill elves ever be
acce&ted by t!ese )ol#, and even t!en t!ey .ill be distrusted-
Most undis,uised elves in %avenlo)t are !unted by )ri,!tened citi3ens- A)ter a )e.
attem&ted lync!in,s, any el) .ort! !is bo. .ill understand t!e need )or dis,uise .!ile
travelin, in t!e dar# lands- $!us, any elves .!o mi,!t be Nourneyin, t!rou,! t!ese
realms .ill not be readily a&&arent, alt!ou,! t!ey .ill ty&ically o))er aid to a )ello. el) in
dan,er- Since undead radiate no !eat, elves can s&ot im&osters easily at ni,!t - - - .!ic!
comes all too )reHuently in %avenlo)t-
S0ELLAMME%I Cam&ai,n World
$!ose elves .!o travel t!rou,! .ilds&ace and t!e &!lo,iston consider t!emselves t!e
Huintessential breed o) el), )or t!ey are t!e lin# bet.een elves t!rou,!out #no.n s&ace-
Because elves do not ty&ically attain !i,!er levels in ma,ic, t!ey are not as a&t to
construct &lanar travel devices- $!us, t!ey rely on t!e Elven Im&erial 1avy to #ee&
contact bet.een t!e scattered settlements across t!e .orlds- 0arado5ically, it may be )or
lac# o) ma,ical &o.er t!at t!e elves are currently one o) t!e stron,est )orces in s&ace-
Some say t!at t!ese descendants o) t!e nomadic !i,! elves !ave develo&ed
cloa#in, tec!nolo,y )or t!eir s!i&s, allo.in, t!em to discreetly observe &otential trouble
s&ots- @urt!er, rumor !olds t!at t!ere is a si3able )leet located at t!e %oc# o) Bral, !idden
.it!in t!e bo.els o) t!e asteroid .it! t!e consent o) 0rince Andru- It is .ell #no.n t!at
t!e elves !ave an embassy located on t!e %oc#, )or it is an im&ortant location in
.ilds&ace- $!us, any el) s&ellNammers can re&ort directly to t!e Elven Im&erial 1avy at
t!e %oc#-
$!e Elven Im&erial 1avy travels to eac! o) t!e maNor el) nations on eac! &lanet
.!ere elves are #no.n to !old &o.er- $!ey carry ne.s )rom ot!er el) nations and o))er
assistance to t!e various rulers- @ortunately, t!ey reco,ni3e eac! monarc! as soverei,n in
t!eir o.n nation, so t!ere is little )riction bet.een s&acebound elves and ,roundlin,s-
$!e assistance t!ey o))er is usually in t!e )orm o) advice as t!e s&ellNammers do
not li#e to ma#e t!eir &resence #no.n to t!e avera,e in!abitants o) a &lanet-
Occasionally, t!ey .ill o))er somet!in, a bit more substantial, but t!is .ill ,enerally only
be in an emer,ency- In return )or t!is !el&, t!ey e5&ect t!at t!e bene)iciary .ill &rovide
aid )or t!e lesser el) nations in an area-
Some say t!at t!e Elven Im&erial 1avy also &rotects t!e el) !ome.orld- $!ey
claim t!at t!ey are a naturally occurrin, race t!rou,!out t!e s&!eres, united in a common
bond .it! t!e universe- Ot!ers &oint to t!e obvious similarities bet.een elves on so many
di))erent .orlds- $!ese )ol# claim t!at t!e elves s&ran, )rom one .orld to s&read across
t!e s&!eres-
I) it .ere true t!at t!e elves did ori,inate )rom one .orld, it s!ould come as no
sur&rise t!at t!ey deny it- Havin, seen .!at ot!er races !ave done to t!eir .orlds and
!o. many o) t!ese .orlds are no. obliterated, t!e elves .ould naturally .ant to ma#e
sure t!at none o) t!ese races .ould discover and t!en destroy t!e el) !ome.orld-
Conversely, anot!er t!eory states t!at elves only learned to live in !armony .it!
t!eir ne. .orlds t!rou,! t!e destruction o) t!eir ori,inal !ome- $!is, t!e critics claim, is
t!e elven s!ame, and t!ey !ide t!e &lanet because t!ey don't .is! it #no.n t!at t!ey
.eren't al.ays as insu))erably &er)ect as t!ey are no.-
It is due to t!e elves t!at so muc! o) traveled s&ace is relatively sa)e )or ,oodB
ali,ned )ol#- $!e elves drove t!e orcis! races )rom t!e #no.n s&!eres in t!e In!uman
Wars, crus!in, t!eir )leets almost entirely- Alt!ou,! t!e ,oblinoids !ave vo.ed reven,e,
t!e elves are not overly .orried- I) t!ey did it once, t!ey can do it a,ain- $!is sentiment,
o) course, occurred &rior to t!e Second In!uman War-
$!e events leadin, u& to t!e destruction o) t!e ,oblinoid )leets stem )rom anot!er
debate, muc! li#e t!e one .!ic! &rom&ted t!e move o) t!e elves o) $oril to Evermeet-
$!is debate, too, too# several !undred years )rom be,innin, to com&letion but, once
decided, t!e doom o) t!e ,oblinoids .as sealed- Wit! relentless &recision and
determination, t!e elves ensured t!at t!e ,oblin races .ould &ose no t!reat )or some time
to come-
Because o) t!eir &o.er and dominance o) many s&!eres, t!e elves !ave ,ro.n
arro,ant- $!ey !ave a&&ointed t!emselves t!e &olice )orce o) s&ace and o)ten decide to
e5tend t!eir Nurisdiction to &lanet sur)aces- Sometimes, it seems, t!e s&ellNammin, elves
embody all t!at is worst in t!e el) race- $!ey use t!eir a,e as &o.er, claimin, e5&erience
and .isdom beyond t!at !eld by ot!ers- $!ey are !au,!ty, !ardly dei,nin, to s&ea# to
/in)eriors-/ $!ey o)ten interact .it! ot!er races only .!en t!ey sus&ect t!e ot!er race o)
.ron,doin, or cons&iracy- $!e actions o) t!ese s&ellNammin, elves contribute to, or even
cause, t!e ne,ative vie. o) elves t!at many races !old-
Elven s&ellNammin, s!i&s are or,anically ,ro.n, bred )or aest!etic beauty and
)unctionality in .ilds&ace- $!us, t!ey are easily reco,ni3able, as are t!ose stolen )rom t!e
elven ,ardens- $!e reNects are o)ten violently colored monstrosities and are visible )or
lon, distances-
Elves )rom all .orlds can be )ound in s&ace, alt!ou,! it is ty&ically only t!e ,rey
and !i,! elves *or t!eir eHuivalents+ .!o travel by s&ellNammin,- AHuatic elves cannot
leave t!eir .atery !omes, and .ood elves !ate to be &arted )rom t!eir )orests )or even a
s!ort .!ile- Dro. cannot abide t!e li,!t o) t!e stars at suc! close ran,e- *@or t!at matter,
dro. can easily travel to ot!er &laces by e5tra&lanar means and so !ave no need to
endure t!e bri,!tness o) s&ace-+
In t!e middle o) t!e Second In!uman Wars, elves are )indin, t!at t!ey !ave been
too la5 too lon,- $!eir inability to c!an,e at t!e same ra&id &ace as ot!er races is leadin,
to t!eir do.n)all at ,oblinoid !ands- $!e elves see t!eir /em&ire/ crumblin, around t!eir
&ointy ears- $!ey !ave become Nust anot!er s&ace)arin, race rat!er t!an t!e )eared &o.er
t!ey !ad been )or so lon,-
C!a&ter 9G 0!ysical Attributes
Well, of course we're different. We live longer, often more than DEE years past the
typical Human. We can function easily and comfortably in places where the only light is
from the heat radiated by our brothers+and our enemies. !ur skill with bow and sword
has been called paranormal by some, while others recogni#e this skill as simply the
mastery and artistry it truly is. We do not even need sleep, instead deriving our rest by
dwelling within our memories and hopes of the past the act of 1everie. ,ome claim this
stagnates us and causes us to live in the past. This is not so. We learn for the future by
reliving the past.
We are the overlords of the forest, and for good reason. We are intimate with the
very soil on which we walk, for our souls are tied to the soil. The ground beneath our feet
holds us up, never betraying us to the enemy. !ur forests embrace us by hiding us in their
branches, ensuring that we do not inadvertently betray ourselves.
We can adapt to any environment anywhere, and there are members of our race in
places most have deemed too inhospitable. &lthough you may not see our brethren, you
may rest assured that they are there watching you . . . making sure you do not do
anything to offend them.
We are, in short, the guardians and keepers of this world. We do not try to prove
that we are naturally better than everyone else. We only know that our abilities far
e$ceed those of most, and our long lives give us the perspective to use these abilities to
their fullest e$tent.
This is not to say that the world should sit at our beck and call. To the contrary,
we do what we can to ensure that we do not interfere with its workings too greatly.
%ndeed, we see our mission as one of restoring the world after you others are done with
it. 3nlike you people, our lives are not devoted to the idea that we must change the
world, for we are fully aware that the world will change itself when it must needs.
BLaranis Callirr, !i,! el) ran,er
Elves ,enerally resemble !umans &!ysically- Alt!ou,! t!ey tend to be s!orter and
slimmer, t!ey can o)ten success)ully dis,uise t!emselves as small !umans- Wit!out t!is
dis,uise, !o.ever, t!eir true ori,ins are readily a&&arent- $!ey are betrayed in t!is
res&ect by t!eir distinctive countenance- Many elves, !o.ever, )ind t!is is not a &roblemJ
t!ey !ave no .is! to be con)used or identi)ied .it! !umans in any .ay-
Elves !ave delicate c!iseled )eatures t!at are ty&ically Huite an,ular and beauti)ul-
$!ere is really no suc! t!in, as an el) born u,lyJ t!ose .!o !ave lo. C!arisma .ere
eit!er scarred accidentally or marred ma,ically- Ho.ever, C!arisma is not only an
indication o) out.ard beauty- $!e )act t!at many elves !ave avera,e C!arisma is a
testament to t!e )act t!at beauty is not, contrary to &o&ular belie), t!e only im&ortant
t!in, about a &erson-
All elves are very slim, !idin, t!eir natural stren,t! under a veil o) )ra,ility- $!eir
sli,!t build belies a &o.er seemin,ly dra.n )rom t!e eart! itsel)- Loo#in, at t!em, one
.ould never believe t!at t!ese creatures .ere some o) t!e most &o.er)ul ever created, or
t!at t!ey very nearly .itnessed t!e birt! o) t!e .orld- Elves sa. t!e rise o) ot!er racesK
t!e cra.l o) !umanity )rom t!e &rimordial oo3e- $!ey are older t!an many trees and .ill
live to see ,enerations o) trees and !umans ali#e- Aet t!ey !ide t!is innate &o.er beneat!
a delicate e5teriorJ many t!us assume t!ey are !armless-
Elven !air and eye color varies by subrace- $!is is, in )act, !o. many &eo&le
identi)y t!e se&arate ty&es o) el) at )irst ,lance, most es&ecially ,rey and !i,! elves- Wit!
ot!er elves, t!e di))erences are o)ten immediately obvious- Ho.ever, it is still use)ul )or
any c!aracter to be )amiliar .it! t!e various traits t!at distin,uis! t!e el) subraces-
One interestin, elven c!aracteristic t!at )e. are a.are o) is t!e elves' lac# o)
canine teet!- Since t!ey s&ran, )ullB)led,ed into t!e )orm t!ey no. occu&y, t!ey s#i&&ed
t!e evolution &rocess under,one by so many ot!er races- $!us, alt!ou,! t!ey are
omnivores and t!eir teet! are all stron,, t!ey !ave no &ointed, canine incisors-
Elven s#in is usually Huite &ale- $!e obvious e5ce&tions are, o) course, t!e dro.
and t!e aHuatic elves- Even !al)Belves are rat!er )air .!en com&ared to t!eir !uman
&arents-
O) course, all elves !ave &ointed ears- $!is a))ords t!em sensitive !earin,, and
t!ey can !ear sounds un!eard by !uman ears- Ho.ever, t!e ran,e is not really ,reat
enou,! to ma#e a si,ni)icant di))erenceJ it is only enou,! )or elves to distin,uis! certain
tones, .!ic! enables t!em to &ass messa,es not meant )or !uman ears-
$!is c!a&ter discusses t!e &!ysical as&ects o) elves, includin, innate abilities,
sta,es o) li)e t!ey ,o t!rou,!, diet, and )ertility- It also discusses t.o uniHuely elven
HualitiesG t!e elven bond and elven music- $!ey are included !ere rat!er t!an in C!a&ter
@our because o) t!e &!ysical rami)ications eac! !as on elves-
0!ysiolo,y
Elves !ave certain abilities not accessible to most !umans e5ce&t t!rou,! &o.er)ul
ma,ic#s- $!ey are a.are t!at ot!er races do not !ave t!ese )aculties, and t!ey ta#e ,reat
&ride in #no.in, t!at t!ey are t!e only mortal race blessed .it! t!em- Ho.ever, most
elves do not treat ot!er races as in)erior sim&ly because t!ey .ere born .it!out t!ese
abilitiesJ rat!er, t!ey reNoice in t!eir o.n uniHueness- $!e elves )eel truly blessed-
Amon, t!e abilities all elves are born .it! are communion, elvensight,
manifestation, the reverie, and a limited resistance to !eat and cold- Eac! o) t!ese is more
)ully e5&lained in t!e )ollo.in, te5t-
Communion
All elves !ave t!e inborn ability to s!are t!eir e5&eriences, t!eir )eelin,s, and t!eir lives
.it! t!ose elves t!ey love or trust im&licitly- $!is s!arin,, called communion, can only be
underta#en by )ully .illin, elves- It does not .or# .it! !al)Belves, nor does it )unction
.!en one o) t!ose &artici&atin, !as even t!e sli,!test reservation- $!is includes t!ose
under t!e in)luence o) charmBrelated s&ells, )or t!ey !old Hualms dee& in t!eir !earts,
even i) told t!ey do not-
Communion reHuires all elves involved *to a ma5imum o) )our+ to be in a state o)
total rela5ation- $!ey must be in a &lace o) &eace, &re)erably .!ere t!e .orld is not li#ely
to intrude .it! its troubles and its cares- A natural surroundin, .or#s best )or t!is
o&eration-
Communion reHuires t!e &artici&atin, elves to be totally serene, t!in#in, only o)
t!e ot!ers in t!is most intimate bond- *$!us, communion is not an e))ective met!od o)
relayin, messa,es o) any ur,ency-+ All t!e elves must )ree t!emselves o) Nud,ments and
&reNudices about t!e ot!ers, .!ic! may ta#e some time- Indeed, some communions !ave
been #no.n to ta#e a )ortni,!t or more merely in &re&aration )or t!e bondin,-
W!en t!e &artici&ants !ave su))iciently calmed and retreated )rom t!e ri,ors o)
t!e .orld, t!ey li,!tly touc! &alm to &alm, )in,er to )in,er- $!ey o&en t!eir minds to t!e
ot!ers, )reely and com&letely Noinin, to,et!erJ i) even a tiny reservation remains, t!e
bond )ails- Durin, communion, t!e elves e5&lore all t!e )acets o) t!e ot!ers' &ersonality
Kt!e loves, !atreds, !o&es, and )ears-
W!ile in t!is trance, communin, elves are totally vulnerable to anyt!in, t!at
mi,!t !a&&en to t!em &!ysically, )or t!ey cannot de)end t!emselves a,ainst any attac#s
.!ile communin,- Mentally, t!ey are even more vulnerable to attac#, savin, at E< a,ainst
most mental attac#s, )or t!eir minds are totally un,uarded-
Interestin,ly enou,!, t!e very act o) communion o))ers a &rotection o) sorts-
$!ose in communion are de)ended a,ainst bein, s&ied u&on, eit!er mentally or
&!ysicallyJ t!is de)ense ta#es t!e )orm o) an invisible barrier surroundin, t!e communin,
elves- It is s&eculated t!at t!e elves are so enra&t .it! eac! ot!er t!at t!ey &roNect a
mental s!ield t!at #ee&s discovery to a minimum- O) course, t!is o))ers no &rotection
a,ainst an attac# )rom someone .!o #no.s o) t!e time and .!ereabouts o) a
communion-
$!e bene)it o) communion is not only t!at elves learn t!e most secret )acets o)
ot!ers- Because o) t!e s!arin,, t!ey also become intimately acHuainted .it! ot!ers'
!abits, )i,!tin, styles, and .ays o) t!in#in,- @or t!e day immediately )ollo.in,
communion, t!e bonded elves can )i,!t in &er)ect !armony, one's .ea&on )ollo.in,
t!rou,! .!ere anot!er le)t an o&enin,- I) )i,!tin, side by side a,ainst common )oes, t!ey
,ain a R6 to attac# rolls and a E8 to AC )or t!e ne5t day only, and only i) t!ey .or#
to,et!er- All t!e elves must !ave at least one &artner )rom t!e communion at t!eir sides i)
t!is bonus is to be brou,!t into &lay-
Communion can only be e))ected once a .ee#- $!ose .!o try it more o)ten .it!
t!e same &artners )ind t!emselves s!arin, .it! essences t!at are essentially t!emselves,
)or t!ose .!o !ave &artici&ated to,et!er !ave s!ared enou,! o) t!eir s&irits t!at t!ere is
little di))erence bet.een t!em- @urt!ermore, communion tends to be some.!at drainin,
even .!ile it invi,orates- Bondin, so totally is sim&ly too muc! o) a drain on one's
&syc!e to be attem&ted li,!tly and )reHuently- Communion .or#s best .!en t!e
&artici&ants !ave somet!in, to learn or ,ain )rom one anot!er-
Elvensi,!t
Elves !ave e5tremely #een eyes- Alt!ou,! t!ey are not as s!ar&Beyed as most birds o)
&rey, t!eir eyes are still s!ar&er t!an t!ose o) t!e avera,e !uman- In addition, t!eir eyes
!ave t!e ability to see )urt!er into t!e in)rared s&ectrum, allo.in, t!em to )unction in
most unli,!ted &laces- In most landbound elves, t!is si,!t e5tends only to a ran,e o) F7
)eet- AHuatic elves, as described belo., !ave an entirely di))erent sort o) si,!t-
1aturally, t!ere must be no ot!er li,!t at all )or elvensi,!t, or in)ravision, to
)unction- I) a ,reater intensity o) li,!t t!an starli,!t *includin, moonli,!t )rom a !al) )ull
or )uller moon+ is .it!in t!e el)'s line o) si,!t u& to 877 )eet a.ay, !is or !er elvensi,!t
.ill not .or# at all- Alt!ou,! t!e ran,e o) in)ravision is ty&ically F7 )eet, bri,!t li,!t
)art!er a.ay a))ects t!em adversely-
El) eyes must, o) course, adNust to a c!an,e in li,!t- $!ey can no more
immediately use t!eir elvensi,!t any more t!an a !uman can immediately adNust to t!e
sunli,!t a)ter s&endin, a time in dar#ness- As .ell, i) t!ey are e5&osed to bri,!t li,!t
.!ile usin, t!eir in)ravision, t!ey su))er a E6 &enalty to all actions )or 8d< rounds .!ile
t!eir eyes adNust to t!e c!an,e-
$ABLE 9G EL?E1SIGH$ I1@%A?ISIO1

Subrace Distance $y&e o) Si,!t
AHuatic elves 9F7' AHuatic vision
*sonar+S
Dro. 867' In)ravisionSS
Grey elves F7' In)ravision
Hal)Belves F7' In)ravision
Hi,! elves F7' In)ravision
Sylvan elves F7' In)ravision
S AHuatic elves do not !ave in)ravision, &er se, above t!e .aterJ !o.ever, t!ey can locate
t!eir .ay or t!eir enemies t!rou,! dar# and even stormy .aters by a version o)
in)ravision ada&ted to under.ater environments- $!ey do not see !eat or cold, but rat!er
t!e movements o) .ater currents-
SS Dro. in)ravision is so intense t!at t!eir eyes actually radiate !eatJ someone vie.in, a
dro. t!rou,! in)ravision sees t.o burnin, eyes ato& a normally ,lo.in, torso-
Mani)estation
Des&ite t!e )act t!at elves are s!orter t!an !umans and o)ten a&&ear c!ildli#e because o)
t!eir !ei,!t, t!ey are usually not discounted as suc!- $!ere are t!e rare occasions .!en
t!ey are, !o.ever, and it is at suc! times t!at t!ey invo#e t!e elven ability manifestation-
W!en elves .is!, t!ey !ave an im&osin, &resence- Suddenly, t!ey can seem )ar
lar,er, more there, t!an t!eir actual !ei,!t and .ei,!t .ould indicate- $!ey use t!is
ability to ,ood e))ect a,ainst im&ressible !umansJ it #ee&s t!e credulous ones at a
distance and occasionally attracts necessary attention to t!e el)-
$!e mani)estation ability is &urely a result o) t!e elven connection .it! t!e landJ
t!e only tric# involved is in demonstratin, t!is connection- 1aturally, mani)estation does
not .or# on &lanes ot!er t!an t!e 0rime Material- @urt!ermore, it )unctions only .!en
t!e el) is in a natural environment or in one t!at t!e elves !ave s!a&ed, in .!ic! case t!ey
,enerally do not .is! to ma#e t!eir &resence #no.n- @inally, mani)estation .or#s only
on an el)'s !ome .orld or a)ter an el) !as lived on a .orld )or more t!an ;7 years,
.!ereu&on t!e el) !as ,ro.n used to t!e natural r!yt!ms o) t!e .orld-
I) an el) )rom $oril .ere to travel to Oert!, !e could not mani)est )or !al) a
century- A)ter suc! time, !e .ould !ave made t!e &lanet !is !ome- $o do t!e
mani)estation bac# on $oril, !e .ould !ave to return to t!at land and become reattuned to
t!e &lanet-
Any el) a.ay )rom !is !ome .orld )or ;7 years, no matter .!ere !e is, loses t!is
ability until !e reattunes !imsel) to t!e land- 1ote t!at it ta#es only )ive years to readNust
to an ori,inal !ome .orld, unless an el) !as attuned !imsel) to anot!er- In t!is case, !e
must endure t!e entire ;7Byear &rocess, )or !e !as made !imsel) a native o) t!at ot!er
land, and must entirely readNust to t!e cycles o) !is !ome .orld o) old-
Mani)estation !as no real de)inition in ,ame terminolo,y- It is su,,ested t!at t!is
ability allo. a R9 on reaction c!ec#s *reactions )or enemies .ould be E9+, as .ell as
dra. attention to t!e el) in Huestion- $!is mi,!t be use)ul .!en tryin, to distract a band
o) orcs )rom an inNured &arty member or .!en attem&tin, to im&ress a sim&le .oodsman-
Aside )rom im&ressin, &eo&le, t!e &o.er is lar,ely useless- Elves are immune to t!is
ability and any dis&lays o) it- $!ey are a.are o) its &resence .!en it is used and may
admire t!e timin, i) &articularly note.ort!y-
$!e %everie
Aet anot!er di))erence bet.een elves and t!e ot!er !umanoids o) t!e .orlds t!ey s!are is
t!at elves do not slee& in t!e ty&ical sense, t!ou,! t!ey can enter t!at state i) t!ey desire-
Instead, t!ey ,ain t!eir rest t!rou,! a &rocess #no.n as the reverie- $!e reverie is a#in to
slee&, yet is very muc! unli#e it- W!en elves enter t!is state, t!ey vividly relive &ast
memories, t!ose bot! &leasant and &ain)ul- Li#e t!e dreamin, o) !umans, elves !ave no
control over .!ic! memories rise to t!e )ore .!en t!ey relinHuis! t!eir bodies to t!e
reverie- Occasionally, elves do actually dream, but t!is is not a )reHuent occurrence and
mostly occurs only .!en t!ey truly slee&-
Elven dreams, .!en t!ey !a&&en, are sometimes &ro&!etic- W!et!er t!ese dreams
are an indication o) some sort o) &reco,nitive ability on t!e &art o) t!e elves or ,ranted by
t!eir ,ods is a matter o) debate- Ho.ever, not all elven dreams are &ro&!etic- Indeed,
enou,! o) t!eir dreams are li#e t!ose o) !umans t!at t!ey cannot rely on t!eir dreams )or
,uidance- Still, all o) t!eir dreams are !i,!ly symbolic, &rovidin, insi,!t into eac!
individual's c!aracter-
In a very real .ay, t!e reverie accounts )or t!e elven desire to lead !a&&y, Noyous
lives- W!o .ould loo# )or.ard to relivin, un&leasant memories every ni,!tL ?ery )e.,
t!ou,! t!ere are some truly noble elves .!o ta#e on t!e &ain and su))erin, o) ot!ers so
t!at t!ey relive t!e memories .it! eac! reverie instead- $!ese elves !ave acce&ted t!is
sacri)ice )or t!e ,ood o) t!eir &eo&le, ta#in, u&on t!emselves t!e burden t!at could not
*or s!ould not+ descend to t!e lives o) ot!er, more innocent elves- $!ey &er)orm t!e
un&leasant tas# o) dra.in, into t!emselves t!e su))erin, o) t!eir &eo&le-
W!en t!ey enter reverie, elves do not usually close t!eir eyes unless t!ere is a
bri,!t li,!t &resent- $!ey rela5 t!eir bodies entirely, eac! muscle losin, its ri,idity, until
t!ey are absolutely calm- $!eir )aces rela5 into a da3ed and distant loo# as i) t!ey .ere
seein, anot!er land or anot!er time-
Durin, t!is time, t!ey are a.are o) t!eir surroundin,s, but t!ey cannot act to
in)luence t!em any more t!an a !uman can .!ile aslee&- Only by an act o) .ill can an el)
tear !ersel) )rom reverie, and s!e .ill be con)used )or a s!ort time, Nust as a !uman .ould
be .!o !as torn !imsel) )rom slee&-
Alt!ou,! t!e reverie &rovides rest, it is &rimarily an im&ortant memory tool t!at
!el&s t!e el) maintain a stron, sense o) identity- Since t!eir li)es&ans are so ,reat, elves
must &eriodically recall t!e events in t!ose !undreds o) years t!at .ere inte,ral to t!e
ma#in, o) t!eir &ersonality-
$!e )act t!at elves ,o into t!is reverie, rat!er t!an enter actual slee&, could !el& to
e5&lain t!eir natural resistance to sleep s&ells- Since slee& is, )or t!e most &art, alien to
t!eir nature, t!ey can .ard o)) its e))ects easily- But since t!e reverie is a#in to slee&, t!ey
su))er no ill e))ects .!en t!ey do )all victim to slee& s&ells and li#e ma,ic#s-
$!e combination o) reverie and mani)estation may also account )or t!e elves'
nearBimmunity to charmBrelated enc!antments- $!e reverie im&arts a stron, sense o) sel),
,ivin, t!em a secure identity- $!ey are intimately attuned to t!eir o.n lives, .ants, and
needs and are t!ere)ore not easily misled about t!eir ,oals- $!ey allo. only t!emselves to
determine t!eir course o) action-
$!eir innate mani)estation ability ma#es t!em .ell a.are o) e))orts to in)luence
t!em t!rou,! e5tranatural means- Since t!ey can s.ay ot!ers, t!ey are conscious o)
attem&ts to mani&ulate t!em and can resist t!ese endeavors .it! more aut!ority and
success t!an most ot!er races-
%esistance to Heat and Cold
Elves are #eenly attuned to t!e .orld and its meteorolo,ical cycles- As suc!, t!ey are less
a))ected by e5tremities o) tem&eratures t!an are many ot!er races- $!e bla3in, sun o) t!e
desert and t!e c!ill o) t!e arctic cause elves discom)ort, but not nearly as muc! as suc!
e5tremes do ot!ers-
Elves can .it!stand u& to 877T@ .it! only mild discom)ort- Li#e.ise, t!ey can
remain clad in t!eir usual clot!es to a lo. o) t!e )ree3in, &oint o) .ater and be only
mildly uncom)ortable- Belo. 96T@, t!ey su))er t!e same ill e))ects as anyone else, but
until t!at &oint t!ey )eel little di))erent- Above 877T@, t!ey su))er as do ot!ers but e5!ibit
no undue stress until t!at tem&erature is sur&assed- $!ey lose no body .ater to s.eat, nor
do t!ey need to li,!ten t!eir clot!in,-
It !as been surmised t!at t!is is .!y elves !ave &ale s#in and only rarely tan-
$!eir resistance to t!e elements &revents muc! o) t!e s#in dama,e t!at ot!er races su))er-
Only t!ose elves .!o are constantly e5&osed to t!e elements su))er even t!e sli,!test
amount, and even t!en t!ey do not tan as dee&ly as some !umans and d.arves-
$!e elves' immunity to a ran,e o) tem&eratures does not e5tend to )ire or sno., or
anyt!in, t!at simulates t!ese conditions- @or e5am&le, an el) could not stic# !is !and into
a )ire and be undama,ed, nor could !e .al# t!rou,! )ree3in, rain .it!out e))ect- 1eit!er
are elves immune to s&ells t!at rely on )ire, ice, .ind, and ot!er .eat!erBrelated e))ects- It
is only to natural tem&eratures t!at elves !ave even t!e sli,!test resistance- A cone of
cold or a fireball !as t!e usual adverse e))ect on an el)-
Ot!er Elven Abilities
Des&ite t!eir )rail a&&earance and lo.ered Constitutions, elves !ave a remar#able
resistance to ordinary disease- W!ile it is not on a scale .it! t!e &aladin's total immunity
to nonma,ical diseases, elves are only rarely a))licted by disease- Alt!ou,! immunity
does not easily translate into ,ame terms, t!e DM !as t!e o&tion o) settin, elven
resistance to disease- Any.!ere )rom 7Q to ;7Q is acce&table and is unli#ely to destroy
,ame balance-
On t!e ne,ative side, t!ere are some &urely elven diseases *.!ic! are, t!an#)ully,
very rare+, to .!ic! all ot!er races are immune- $!ese include certain nervous disorders,
some &o5es, and ot!er eHually virulent diseases- Elves, alt!ou,! not necessarily as!amed
o) t!eir a))licted, do try to #ee& t!ose .!o are ill )rom t!e &ryin, eyes o) t!e rest o) t!e
.orld- $!ey do not .ant t!e ot!er races to t!in# o) .ays to use t!ese diseases a,ainst t!e
elves-
>nless a disease is )atal, t!e e))ects usually )ade sim&ly .it! t!e &assin, o) time,
)or elves !ave a stron, re,enerative ability- Scars *not .ounds+ on t!eir bodies !eal more
Huic#ly t!an t!ey do on ot!er races, eventually disa&&earin, almost entirely- Suc! scars
s!o. u& only under intense scrutiny or under !ars! li,!tin, conditions- $!is ability
.or#s only on scarsJ elves do not recover !it &oints more ra&idly t!an any ot!er 0C race-
$!eir re,enerative ability does not e5tend to re,ro.in, lost limbs or or,ans,
alt!ou,! some contend t!at t!e elves are t!e ori,inal creators o) t!e ma,ic#s t!at enable
t!is- Elves are, !o.ever, on t!e &ioneerin, ed,e o) creatin, artificial limbs to re&lace lost
ones *see &a,e 87F+- In addition, el) cra)ters are .or#in, on .ays to re&lace t!e more
sensitive or,ans, suc! as eyes and ears, as .ell as t!e !eart, stomac!, and ot!er internals-
Sta,es o) Li)e
Elves !ave t!e lon,est #no.n li)es&ans in t!e #no.n .orlds- $!e len,t! o) t!eir lives
o)ten sur&asses even t!e ancient trees, alt!ou,! t!e elves ty&ically leave t!e lands #no.n
to !umans be)ore reac!in, F77 years- Some !ave been #no.n to stay )or as lon, as =;7
years, but very )e. remain a)ter t!at time- $!e siren call o) t!e un#no.n bec#ons to
t!em, and t!ey leave t!e .orld in t!e ca&able !ands o) t!eir successors-
Elves live lon, enou,! to see t!e c!an,es t!e .orld !as to o))erKto see t!in,s
!umans re,ard as &ermanent deteriorate into dust- One ,eneration o) elves can see t!e
rise and )all o) a mi,!ty !uman em&ire, t!e birt! and deat! o) a )orest, t!e ,radual
erodin, o) a mountain ran,e- $!e )ace o) t!e eart! can c!an,e dramatically durin, t!e
time an el) s&ends on t!e .orld- $!is ,ives t!em a )ar broader ran,e o) values t!an
!umans are usually ca&able o) understandin,-
Elves do not )eel t!e e))ects o) a,e as !umans #no. t!em- A)ter an el) !as ,ro.n
to maturity, !er )eatures cease to c!an,e or, at least, c!an,e very slo.ly- $!ere is very
little di))erence bet.een t!e .ay a 877Byear old el) and a <77Byear old el) a&&ear- $!e
only .ay to tell bet.een youn, and old is t!e de,ree o) e5uberance, s&ontaneity, and
ent!usiasm eac! e5!ibit- Only at venerable a,e do elves be,in to s!o. t!eir years, yet
t!ey still a&&ear youn,er t!an most !umans do at a,e ;7-
Older elves are less li#ely to c!ar,e o)) to do ,reat deeds ras!ly, &re)errin, instead
to t!in# t!e matter t!rou,! a bit more- Aoun,er elves, on t!e ot!er !and, !ave not yet
discovered t!e value o) &atience- $!ey das! !it!er and yon in an e))ort to sHuee3e t!e
most )rom li)e, reali3in, but not Huite understandin, t!at t!ey !ave !undreds more years
in .!ic! to do so-
Elves ,o t!rou,! several sta,es o) li)e, includin, childhood, adolescence,
adulthood, middle age, old age, and venerable age- Once elves !ave tired o) t!e .orld,
usually by t!eir F77t! year, t!ey &ass on to a &lace called Arvanait!- Because t!is )inal
rite o) li)e is suc! an im&ortant &art o) t!e elven .ay, C!a&ter Seven is devoted entirely to
Arvanait! and t!e &assin, on o) elves-
$able < belo. s!o.s t!e a,es at .!ic! el) subraces )all into t!e sta,es o) li)e
cate,ories described in t!is c!a&ter- $!e table is also use)ul to calculate any c!an,es to
abilities due to t!e e))ects o) a,e- 0lease note t!at t!is table varies sli,!tly )rom $able 86G
A,in, E))ects *)ound on &a,e 6< o) t!e 0layer's Handbook+ in order to re&resent t!e
variances bet.een t!e el) subraces and ot!er races- $!at table noted t!at t!e ma5imum
ability scores an el) could !ave is 8O- 1e. ma5imums )or eac! subrace are ,iven in
C!a&ter $enJ t!ese are initial ma5imum ability scores and do not re)lect t!e bonus a,e
besto.s on Intelli,ence and Wisdom- Because all elves live suc! lon, lives, t!ey !ave t!e
o&&ortunity to increase t!ese t.o attributes to 67, &urely by observin, li)e- $!is
adNustment is re,ardless o) subrace-
$ABLE <G EL@ S>B%ACES BA CA$EGO%IES O@ AGE
Middle ?enerable
Ma5imum
Subrace C!ild!ood Adolescence Adult!oodS A,eSS Old A,eU A,eV A,e
AHuatic 8E;: F7E:: 877E8;: 8F7E68: 667E6:: 977R
977R9d877
Dro. 8E<: ;7E=: O7E89: 8<7E8O: 8:7E66< 66;R
66;R9d877
Grey 8E=: O7E88: 867E67: 687E6:: 977E<6< <6;R
<6;R;d877
Hi,! 8E=< =;E87: 887E8=< 8=;E6<: 6;7E9<: 9;7R
9;7R<d877
Sylvan 8EF: =7E87< 87;E8F: 8=7E66: 697E96< 96;R
96;R<d877
S @ull normal abilities
SS E8 Str, E8 Con, R8 Int, R8 Wis
U E8 Str, E8 Con, R8 Wis
V E6 Str, E6 De5, E6 ConJ R6 Int, R6 Wis
1oteG Modi)iers to abilities are cumulative &er a,e cate,ory- @or e5am&le, t!e total ability
adNustments to a ,rey el) o) venerable a,e .ould be as )ollo.sG E< Str, E6 De5, E< Con,
R9 Int, and R< Wis- Ho.ever, elves' Intelli,ence and Wisdom abilities can never be
increased beyond 67, e5ce&t by ma,ical means- Li#e.ise, all t!eir abilities can never
deteriorate belo. certain minimums, a,ain e5ce&t by ma,ical means- Minimum statistics
)or all el) subraces are as )ollo.sG Stren,t! 9, De5terity F, Constitution =, Intelli,ence O,
Wisdom 9, and C!arisma O-
C!ild!ood
Elves remain c!ildren )or a&&ro5imately F; to =; years- $!ey ,ro. slo.ly t!rou,!out
t!ese years, ac!ievin, a !ei,!t o) < )eet at most- It is durin, t!is sta,e o) li)e t!at t!ey
learn .!at it means to be an el)- $!ey learn t!e basics o) arc!ery and s.ord&lay-
Ho.ever, t!ey are still essentially c!ildren and continue .it! t!eir c!ildis! .ays until
t!ey reac! adolescence-
Adolescence
At about a,e =;, elves enter adolescence- W!et!er male or )emale ma#es no di))erenceJ
bot! se5es mature at rou,!ly t!e same time and at t!e same rate- $!is is t!e time o) li)e
.!en elves be,in ,ro.in,, some to a !ei,!t o) ;W )eet or more, alt!ou,! t!e norm is
o)ten a&&ro5imately ; )eet-
$!e end o) t!is &eriod is also t!e a,e at .!ic! t!ey are inducted )ully into elven
societyKt!e a,e .!en t!ey must bear t!e res&onsibilities o) adult!ood- It is durin,
adolescence t!at older elves teac! youn,er ones !o. to continue )indin, Noy in t!e years
to come .it!out succumbin, to t!e crus!in, boredom t!at advanced years o)ten brin,-
$!ose elves .!o .ere not &re&ared )or t!e &ros&ect o) centuries stretc!in, be)ore
t!em may )ail to mana,e t!e .ei,!t o) t!ose years- Indeed, suc! elves *not to mention
ot!er bein,s ,iven suc! lon,evity+ o)ten come to a terrible end i) )orced to live t!ose
!undreds o) years- $!e most common e5am&le o) t!is mis)ortune is an el) .!o ,ro.s u&
in a !uman community- Suc! elves do not let t!e years slide &ast as do ot!er elvesJ
instead, t!ey try to cram as muc! livin, as &ossible into as s!ort a time as &ossibleKas do
t!eir !uman teac!ers- $!ese elves don't learn t!e true value o) rela5ation and merriment,
and t!ese are o)ten t!e elves .!o become insane or suicidal-
O) course, t!is isn't true o) all non el)Braised elves, or even many o) t!em- Most
elves !ave an instinctive ,ras& o) t!e .ay t!ey s!ould live so t!at t!ey can enNoy t!e
entirety o) t!eir lives-
Adult!ood
W!en elves reac! a,e 887, t!ey are considered adults- $!ey are allo.ed to ma#e t!eir
o.n .ay in society, !uman or ot!er.ise, and are )ree to ma#e all &ersonal c!oices- $!ey
are also ready to ta#e res&onsibility )or t!eir actionsK.!et!er ,ood or bad- Adult elves
can no. e5&erience li)e )ully, )or t!ey are )ully ,ro.n and are in t!e &rime o) li)e-
$!is is t!e a,e .!en many elves be,in adventurin,- @ree o) t!e constraints o)
c!ild!ood and )ree to )ollo. t!eir o.n ,uidance, t!ey relinHuis! t!eir role in society )or a
time- $!ey yearn to satis)y t!eir boundless curiosity about t!e universe-
$!is is, un)ortunately, also t!e a,e .!en many o) t!ese adventurin, elves die-
Havin, !ad no true e5&erience o) t!e .orld outside t!eir !omelands, t!ey are usually
un&re&ared )or .!at lies beyond t!e )ields t!ey #no.-
Less t!an oneB)ourt! t!e adult &o&ulation o) elves ,oes adventurin,- MostK
alt!ou,! curious about t!e .orldK)ind enou,! Noy and beauty ri,!t .!ere t!ey are-
$!ose .!o ta#e u& t!e s.ord and t!e bo. to cam&ai,n in t!e outerlands o)ten )eel some
drivin, need- $!ey are not ostraci3ed by t!eir )ello.s )or t!e .is! to e5&erience moreJ
indeed, t!ose .!o stay at !ome may )eel a little .ist)ulness t!at t!ey !ave c!osen to
remain be!ind-
Middle A,e
At t!e a,e o) 8=;, elves reac! middle a,e- $!ey !ave slo.ed some.!at and become
sli,!tly more vulnerable to disease and a,e- In trade, t!ey #no. muc! more about t!e
.orld and its .or#in,s, !avin, a))irmed t!eir connection to t!e land countless times-
Elves o) t!is a,e !ave t!e .isdom to #no. .!at t!eir abilities are and t!e intelli,ence to
not &us! t!emselves beyond t!eir means-
Many elves cease adventurin, at t!is &oint- More t!an F7 years o) one's li)e
devoted to &ursuin, )leetin, treasure and )ame is Huite enou,! )or most elves- $!e &riests
settle in one community, t!e .i3ards retire to &er)orm ma,ical researc! )ull time, t!e
.arriors train ot!ers, and t!ieves establis! t!eir o.n ,uilds-
$!ere are a )e. elves .!o never cease t!e cam&ai,nin, li)e- $!ey are li#ely to
remain actively adventurin, )oreverKor until t!eir enemies catc! u& .it! t!em- O)ten,
t!ey !ave some e&ic Huest or some inner need drivin, t!em- $!ese are t!e elves most
o)ten s&o#en o) in le,ends, )or t!ey .ill not retreat )rom .!at t!ey &erceive as t!eir duty-
$!ey do .!at t!ey must, not al.ays .!at t!ey .ant- $!ey are amon, t!e most admired
bein,s on .!atever .orld t!ey e5istJ t!eir most !ated enemies !old t!em in ,rud,in,
res&ect- Decades and even centuries !ave ,iven t!ese elves a re&utation o) mi,!t and
&o.er- Even i) t!ese elves !ave no ,reat ability, t!at re&utation is enou,! to co. most
o&&onents-
Old A,e
Around t!e a,e o) 6;7, t!e el) !as entered /old a,e-/ He still !asn't become visibly old,
but !e )eels t!e e))ects o) a,e- He slo.s !is activities, &re)errin, less strenuous ones-
%at!er t!an s&rint t!rou,! t!e )orests as !e mi,!t !ave as a youn, el), !e sits in t!e rays
o) sunli,!t and com&oses son,s- He !as ta&&ed into t!e mystic r!yt!ms o) t!e eart! and
become ever more attuned to its cycles-
@e. elves continue adventurin, u&on reac!in, old a,e- $!eir bodies and minds
evolve into somet!in, more suited )or a Huiet, contem&lative li)e- Still, t!eir bodies do
not a&&ear any di))erent t!an t!ey did 877 years be)ore, and t!eir s#ills are still as s!ar&
as t!ey ever .ere- $!ere is a sli,!t slo.in, in t!eir limbs, but t!at is all-
?enerable A,e
Here t!e el), at a,e 9;7 or older, be,ins to s!o. si,ns o) a,e- Wrin#les start ma&&in, !er
)ace- Her &!ysical condition deteriorates still )urt!er, but !er #no.led,e and !er .isdom
continue to ,ro. ever ,reater- 0!ysically, s!e can still e5ert !ersel), but not nearly as
muc! as a youn,er el)- @ortunately, no one e5&ects !er to do so- S!e !as earned t!e ri,!t
to be called elder, and ot!er elves de)er to !er .isdom and vast e5&erience-
>nli#e !umans, even t!e very old elves do not lose muc! vitalityKonly
endurance- $!eir .ill&o.er ,ro.s to &!enomenal mi,!t, and t!ese elves can )orce
t!emselves to ,reat deeds i) need be- As a rule, venerable elves &re)er to lead a rela5ed
li)estyle, &layin, music and sin,in,, and listenin, to ot!ers do t!e same- $!ere is no suc!
t!in, as a naturally senile el)-
Diet
Elves can subsist on any )ood &alatable to !umans, alt!ou,! t!eir tastes are ,enerally
more discernin,- $!eir &re)erences are clearly to.ard delicate )oods and .ines,
&articularly t!ose t!at &ossess a ,reat de,ree o) subtlety- Heavier )oods, suc! as bee) and
coarse bread, distress t!e el) stomac!-
Humans usually )ind elven )ood unsatis)yin,, )or t!e &ortions are too small-
Elves, o) course, reHuire less )ood t!an do !umans- $!ey very rarely !unt )or or ma#e
more )ood t!an t!ey can eat in a day- Ho.ever small t!e &ortions, t!e )ood elves do ma#e
is suc! t!at t!e )inest !uman c!e) blus!es in s!ame at !is inadeHuacy- Indeed, many
!umans .!o .ould be ,ourmet coo#s try to &rocure an a&&rentices!i& amon, elves-
$!ose .!o learn t!e elven tec!niHues !ave a ri,!t to boast o) t!eir ac!ievements-
Elves tend to be more ve,etarian t!an !umans, )or t!is !as less o) an im&act on
t!eir environment- W!en t!ey do eat meat, it is care)ully culled )rom t!e e5cess animal
&o&ulation o) t!eir area and done in suc! a .ay t!at it doesn't disru&t t!e land-
Elves almost never #ee& !erd animals- 1ot only do t!ese creatures ta#e u& s&ace
t!at could more &ro&erly be )orest, animals reHuire almost constant maintenance and
)eedin,- 1o el) .ants to be saddled .it! t!e Noyless burden o) .atc!in, animals eat all
day lon,-
Let t!e !umans ra#e in t!e &ro)its to be !ad )rom ranc!in,J elves can survive on
t!e )ruits o) t!e )orest- Besides, elves don't believe in raisin, animals sim&ly to #ill t!em-
$!at is not nature's .ay and t!ere)ore not t!e elves' .ay-
@or drin#, elves mostly subsist on s&ar#lin, .aters )rom cold mountain s&rin,s-
Ho.ever, t!ey are not averse to .ine and bevera,es o) a similar nature, and many el)
cities and to.ns cultivate t!e ,ra&es and ,rains necessary to t!e ma#in, o) suc!
re)res!ments-
Elves enNoy drin#in, mead, or )ermented !oney- $!is delicate drin# a,rees .ell
.it! t!e elven &alate and ,ives t!em a &leasant )eelin,- Greater Huantities act on elves
muc! as alco!ol does on !umans- @ortunately, elves )eel none o) t!e ill e))ects !umans do
.!en drin#in, t!is bevera,e- Ho.ever, elves are susce&tible to !uman bre.s suc! as ale
and beer-
$!e elves )avorite drin#, !o.ever, is a nectar created )rom t!e Nuice o) )lo.ers,
mi5ed .it! !oney and an additional, secret in,redient- $!is nectar is o) ancient ori,in and
is called feywine- W!at its secret in,redient mi,!t be !as lon, been a mystery to !umans,
d.arves, and t!e demi!umans, as .ell as most elves- @ey.ine is used liberally at elven
)estivals- It induces )rivolous be!avior, lastin, )or days or even .ee#s-
Elves can, !o.ever, turn o)) )ey.ine's e))ects .!en necessary *)or e5am&le, .!en
de)endin, a,ainst ram&a,in, orc !ordes+- Humans, d.arves, and ot!er races are not so
luc#y- $!e e))ects o) )ey.ine on t!ese races is muc! ,reater t!an it is on elves, and lar,e
Huantities can ma#e a !uman lose all sense o) sel) )or mont!s- $oo muc! )ey.ine is t!e
cause be!ind stories o) !umans .a#in, a)ter revelin, .it! t!e elves, only to discover t!at
mont!s !ave &assed since t!eir last memory-
Because o) t!is, elves rarely allo. !umans to consume )ey.ine- $!e side e))ects
are sim&ly too ,reat, and consum&tion only increases enmity a,ainst t!e elves- Any
!uman attendin, an elven )estival can e5&ect .ater, mead, or nectarJ only .!en t!e elves
are &articularly misc!ievous or .!en t!eir Nud,ment is some!o. im&aired .ill t!ey allo.
a !uman to sam&le )ey.ine- Since )ey.ine doesn't #ee& .ell, elves never carry it on t!eir
travels-
Elven Inter)ertility
Elves !ave been #no.n to &roduce c!ildren .it! bein,s o) ot!er races- Most o) t!ese are
t!e o))s&rin, o) a union bet.een elves and !umans- El) )emales sometimes )ind
t!emselves dra.n to !uman men )or a brie) .!ile, and !uman .omen cannot resist t!e
c!arms o) certain el) males- $!e c!ild o) t!ese unions is usually born and reared in t!e
civili3ation o) its mot!erJ el) males rarely .ant !umans in t!eir lands, and most el)
)emales don't .ant to bear a c!ild outside t!e elven realms, nor to abandon it to !umans-
W!ile elves may dally .it! members o) ot!er races, t!ere is usually no o))s&rin,
)rom suc! unions- Somet!in, in t!e natures o) t!e races involved ma#es suc! a c!ild
distinctly im&robable- Only .it! t!e aid o) stron, ma,ic#s or un)oreseen coincidences
!as t!ere been any result )rom t!ese dalliances-
A&art )rom t!e &!ysical di))erences, elves )ind most ot!er races una&&ealin, in
a&&earance- D.arves !ave t!eir beards, and !al)lin,s !ave t!eir !airy )eet and
considerable ,irt!s- W!ile elves may ,et alon, .it! t!ese races, t!ey do not, )or t!e most
&art, see# to ,ro. any closer t!an ,ood )riends .ould-
$!us, .!ile elves may be &!ysically inter)ertile .it! ot!er races, t!ey ,enerally
c!oose not to be- W!ile t!ere are many !al)Belves in e5istence, most o) t!ose #no.n are
o) !uman descent- One or t.o !al)Bel)4!al)Bd.arves !ave cro&&ed u& in le,ends, but little
remains o) .!at t!eir abilities .ere li#e or .!at t!e circumstances o) t!eir birt!s .ere-
$!e Elven Bond
?ery rarely, an el) .ill )orm a mystical and unbrea#able bond .it! anot!er bein,,
.!et!er el), !uman, d.ar), or ot!er.ise- Some si,ni)y t!is bondin, t!rou,! t!e ,ivin, o)
,i)ts desi,ned to demonstrate one's love- Ot!ers merely )or,e t!e bond Huietly, .it!out
any out.ard si,ns- W!atever t!e &rocess t!rou,! .!ic! t!is bond is )ormed, t!e elves
involved and t!eir c!osen can sense t!e stron, emotions o) eac! ot!er- $!ey )eel t!e Noys
and sorro.s o) t!e ot!er, t!eir trium&!s and an,ers as .ell- S!ould distance se&arate t!e
t.o in t!is bond and one &ass a.ay, t!e ot!er can )eel t!e deat! t!rou,! t!e brea#in, o)
t!e bond- $!is is an even stron,er version o) t!e communion ability elves s!are, )or t!is
is a li)elon, bond and not li,!tly bro#en-
@or t!is one &erson, elves become truly altruistic- $!eir lives are )ocused around
ma#in, t!eir loved one !a&&y, even to t!e e5tent o) sacri)icin, t!eir o.n li)e- W!en t!is
bond is bro#en, .!et!er t!rou,! betrayal or deat! o) one o) t!e &air, it is a tremendous
s!oc# to t!e ot!er member o) t!e union- Elves can die )rom t!e ,rie) caused by suc!
&artin,s-
Because t!ey can enact t!is union only once *or t.ice, in e5tremely rare cases+ in
t!eir lives, elves are very care)ul about t!ose to .!om t!ey attac! t!emselves- Many
elves ,o t!rou,! li)e .it!out Noinin, t!eir s&irits to anot!er, )or many )ind no mates
suitable )or or deservin, o) suc! an im&ortant union-
@e. elves besto. t!is ,i)t on !umans, )or !umans are so s!ortBlived t!at t!e bond
.ould be all but .asted on t!em- Still, t!ere are some .!o consider t!is a small sacri)ice
)or t!e love o) a &articular !uman- $!e very number o) !al)Belves attests to t!is, )or
alt!ou,! most !al)Belves aren't c!ildren o) t!is union, t!ere are enou,! .!o are- $!e
blin# o) an el)'s eye s&ells an end to t!ese ties, but t!e love t!ey ,ain lasts )or t!e rest o)
t!eir li)e-
$!is bond a&&lies, to a lesser e5tent, to t!e eart! itsel)- I) con)ined or #e&t a.ay
)rom t!e land or t!e com&any o) ot!er elves )or too lon, a time, an el) can die )rom ,rie)
and loneliness- Even i) bein, !eld &risoner near nature or .it! ot!er elves, t!e el) can
lose !o&e andK.it!out sustainin, &!ysical inNuryK)orce !is or !er o.n deat!- $!is is
done only in t!e dar#est o) times, and only .!en t!ere is no !o&e le)t at all to t!e el)-
$!is ability to c!oose deat! over li)e is one t!at de)eats ca&tors and .ouldBbe
torturers, )or t!ey are unable to maintain t!eir ,ri& on t!eir victim )or lon, s!ould t!e el)
c!oose t!is met!od o) /esca&e-/
Elven Music
Son, and dance &lay an im&ortant &art in everyday elven li)e- $!ey )ind t!at music
&rovides an outlet )or t!eir centuries o) e5&erience, &ain, and Noy- $!e el) t!at does not
!ave at least some e5&erience .it! an instrument or some &ro)iciency in dancin, is a rare
bein,, and one mi,!t sus&ect t!at !e or s!e is some!o. emotionally stunted-
Elven music is an incredibly com&le5 and beauti)ully cra)ted art, alt!ou,! it is not
o)ten &layed around nonBelves- Elves !ave learned t!at t!eir tunes !aunt anyone .!o !as
an ear )or music, )or it leaves t!ese &eo&le .it! a va,ue, unsatis)ied yearnin, t!at can
never be )illed .it! anyt!in, but elven music-
It is )or t!is reason t!at t!ere are very )e. travelin, el) bards- @or one t!in,, t!ey
don't .ant to destroy t!e enNoyment !umans )ind in t!eir o.n music- @or anot!er, t!ey
#no. !umans .ould never leave t!e el) cities alone i) t!ey #ne. o) t!e sublime beauty
elves are ca&able o) &roducin, .it! music-
$!ose .!o !ave been )ortunate enou,! to !ear elven music claim t!at !umans
learned music )rom t!e elves- Alt!ou,! !uman music is but a &oor imitation, t!e !umans
continually strive to.ard t!e ultimate musical e5&erience t!at t!e elves &rovide- $!e best
!uman and !al)Bel) bards are t!ose .!o !ave learned )rom el) masters, yet even t!ey can
only ec!o t!e elves- $!is is t!e reason, some sa,es surmise, t!at so many .onder)ul
musicians remain dissatis)ied .it! t!eir .or#-
Elven son,s o) ,rie) are o)ten aca&&ella .ordless melodies- $!ose listenin, to
suc! son,s .!o are nonBelves .ill )ind t!emselves in tears be)ore t!e elves are !al).ay
t!rou,!, )or t!e an,uis! e5&ressed in t!e liltin, voices o) t!e elves transcends t!e !uman
e5&erience o) !eart)elt &ain- $!ose .!o !ear t!e elven mournin, rituals are never Huite
t!e same, returnin, to t!e &resent sadder and some!o. .iser- $!e sorro. t!at t!e son,s
e5&ress o)ten !aunts t!e listeners )or t!e rest o) t!eir lives-
C!a&ter <G Mental Attributes
%n the not too distant past, a dwarf bounty hunter made a terrible mistake. While
pursuing a fleeing half7elf foe, he came upon an elf hamlet. He wrongly assumed it to be
the home of the half7elf culprit. 4othing would satisfy him that this was not the case, and
he grew ever more enraged that the elves were <hiding< his rightful prey from him.
%n the dwarf's anger and his lust for the reward money, he cruelly slew a
woodsman+using the elf's own a$e to cleave the widower in two. The elf's four children,
who had been playing nearby, fro#e in fear. %gnoring the grief7stricken children, the
ruthless dwarf turned once more to the woods. There he found old tracks made by the
fleeing half7elf, and the dwarf set off after his foe again.
Elves being elves, the children were taken in and nurtured as best the hamlet
could. .ost were eventually fostered away to other villages, for the hamlet couldn't
support children whose provider had passed on. 2espite being separated, the four
children nursed a private longing for vengeance in their hearts. Each trained diligently
to understand the ways of the forest and of tracking, learning its subtle nuances that they
might avenge their father.
Fifty years passed after the death of their father before the young elves deemed
they were ready. They reunited and swore a solemn oath not to rest until they found the
slayer of their father. The four then split off, each heading in a direction of the compass.
-urned in their minds was the image of the dwarf. They 8uestioned all they came across,
and some sought certain magical items. Finally, one of them found a lead and left word
for her siblings to follow as soon as possible.
The old dwarf had retired from bounty hunting to live alone in the mountains. The
four elves swooped into his house and stole him from his do#e by the fire. 4one ever saw
the dwarf again, but his house still stands. Hacked limbs are left on the doorstep every
few years+the hacked limbs of an old dwarf. To date, there have been ?B arms and ?F
legs.
& rin, o) re,eneration can work wonders in vengeance.
$!e #ey to understandin, t!e elven mind is com&re!endin, t!e years an el) must
)ill- Most races do not *and cannot+ understand t!e &ers&ective !undreds o) years o) li)e
lend an el)- $!is incredible li)es&an o)ten ,ives t!e el) a terrible, drivin, ambition-
0arado5ically, it can also ,ive elves a lac#adaisical attitude-
Above all, elves are &atient- $!ey !ave years to com&lete any tas#, and t!ey don't
mind t!e .ait- A)ter all, t!ey !ave created many .ays to .ile a.ay time- $!ey )ind
im&atience to be an es&ecially amusin, vice &ossessed by t!e ot!er races- I) t!e need )or
!aste is ur,ent, !o.ever, elves can move )aster and more decisively t!an most o) t!e
ot!er races-
Elves tend to be very clever and devious, !avin, !ad years to &ractice t!eir s#ills
and !one t!eir minds- $!eir conversation and t!eir ,ames &ossess many de,rees o)
subtlety, most o) .!ic! ,oes un!eeded by nonBelves-
Elves deli,!t in &arado5 and !umor, )or it is t!rou,! t!ese attributes t!at t!ey
e5&ress t!emselves most )ully- $!ese t.o Hualities allo. t!em to communicate .it! one
anot!er and a))ords ,reat verbal &lay as elves try to out.it eac! ot!er- Alt!ou,! elves are
&rimarily !a&&y )ol#, t!ey are ca&able o) ,reat emotions o) a muc! dar#er nature-
An an,ry el) is a terrible )oe- An el) bent on ven,eance is even .orse- As
mentioned, elves !ave an ine5!austible store o) &atience- $!ey can .ait )or years be)ore
e5actin, reven,eKa)ter t!eir &rey !as been lulled into a )alse sense o) security- Or t!ey
can !unt t!eir enemies over t!e years, never )alterin, or slo.in, in t!e &ursuit o) t!eir
Huarry-
Occasionally, elves .ill ma#e a &retense o) t!e !unt and let t!e &erson /esca&e-/
A)ter t!e &erson !as ta#en to )li,!t, t!e el) is li#ely to a&&ear at random intervalsKa
tactic desi,ned to #ee& )ear instilled in t!e !eart o) t!e &erson- $!is can ma#e )or a li)e o)
an5iety )or anyone .!o !as earned t!e .rat! o) elves, )or t!at &erson never #no.s .!en
t!e el) may stri#e to claim ven,eance- $!is is one reason t!at t!e elves are so )eared as
)oes, )or no one .is!es to live a &aranoid li)e )earin, elven .rat!-

Outloo#
$!eir li)es&an ,ives elves a uniHue &ers&ective on li)e t!an most ot!er races can't s!are-
Elves don't .orry about not e5&eriencin, enou,! in t!eir livesJ rat!er, t!ey loo# )or t!e
ne5t ne. t!in, to e5cite t!eir curiosity and ent!usiasm-
$!is li)es&an also means t!at elves develo& an attitude and a c!aracter t!at is
uniHuely t!eir o.n- 1o one can tell e5actly !o. t!eir years .ill a))ect eac! individual el)-
$y&ically, elves be,in t!eir lives as care)ree, )unBlovin, s&irits- As t!ey ,ro. older, most
o) t!em become sli,!tly more cautious, yet still retain t!e .armt! and vitality necessary
)or elves to )ully enNoy t!eir lives-
Still, some o) t!em start li)e .it! a more serious attitude, believin, *des&ite t!e
advice o) t!eir elders+ t!at t!eir time is too s!ort to be s&ent )ritterin, it a.ay on suc!
)oolis!ness as dancin, and sin,in,- As t!ese elves ,ro. older, t!ey o)ten become
obsessed .it! )indin, a meanin, to everyt!in,, see#in, t!e )undamental trut!s o)
e5istence- Some )e. reali3e t!at t!eir years are enou,! )or bot! trut! and )un- Most,
!o.ever, continue on in a some.!at Noyless e5istence, s&endin, t!eir years associatin,
e5clusively .it! sa,es and elder bein,s- Eventually, t!ey loc# t!emselves a.ay )rom true
li)e- In see#in, t!e /trut!,/ t!ey lose t!e meanin, and &ur&ose o) t!at .!ic! t!ey value
mostG t!eir lives-
Most elves, as !as been noted, are more interested in livin, li)e )ully- $!ey can
be,in several &roNects .it!in t!e s&an o) a year, suc! as .ritin, son,s, creatin, .or#s o)
art, learnin, s.ord&lay, and so )ort!- $!ey t!in# not!in, o) settin, aside eac! &roNect
.!en somet!in, more interestin, comes alon,- A)ter all, .it! centuries at one's dis&osal,
ta#in, a decade or t.o on a tas# is not!in, to .orry about- I) t!ey lose interest in t!e
&roduct in t!e intervenin, time, t!ey can al.ays i,nite interest by relivin, it t!rou,! t!e
reverie-
Obviously, elves see no need to !urry t!emselves t!rou,! anyt!in,- I) t!eir s!ortB
lived )riends le,itimately need somet!in, Huic#ly, elves .ill rus! to )ill t!at need- I) le)t
to t!eir o.n devices, !o.ever, elves .ill ta#e a muc! lon,er time t!an mi,!t ot!er.ise
be a&&reciated by a !uman- El) lives sim&ly aren't s!ort enou,! to .orry about !aste- But
elves are )ar )rom la3y- $!ey are almost constantly active durin, daytime, en,a,ed in
some &roNect or anot!er- I) t!ey .ant to s&end a day lyin, on a ,rassy !illside .atc!in,
birds or Nust rela5in,, .!o com&lainsL
Elves do not re,ard material acHuisitions as anyt!in, im&ortant, instead &re)errin,
to cultivate music, art, and &oetry t!at .ill outlive t!e years and t!e treasured &ossessions
o) ot!ers- Elves do not t!ere)ore try to accumulate ,old or ot!er treasures, e5ce&t as a
means to acHuire t!e t!in,s t!at t!ey truly treasure- Even t!e ,reatest &aintin,s eventually
)all to t!e .eat!erin, e))ects o) time, becomin, useless and valueless-
On t!e ot!er !and, elves love to ,a3e at .or#s o) beauty and true cra)tsmans!i&-
Oddly enou,!, elves are rat!er bad &ortrait artists- 0er!a&s because t!ey try so !ard to
ca&ture t!e inner el) t!at t!ey !aven't mastered t!e !uman met!od o) &aintin,, .!ic!
combines t!e outer s!ell .it! inner beauty- As suc!, elves !ave been #no.n to locate
master&ieces o) !uman artists, ta#e t!em to t!eir !omes, and t!en use a secret tec!niHue
to &reserve t!em t!rou,! t!e years- Alt!ou,! t!is is not a &er)ect means o) &reservin,
t!ese &ieces, it does ,ive t!e art many more years o) li)e-
Elves !ave develo&ed ot!er ma,ical met!ods o) &reservin, suc! .or#s but .ill
not s!are t!ese .it! ot!er racesJ t!e ot!er races do not !ave a &ro&er a&&reciation )or t!e
intricacies o) art, and t!us t!e &reservation .ould be .asted on t!em- Ho.ever, any o)
t!ese races are )ree to Nourney to t!e el) cities to ,a3e on t!e .or#s elves !ave )elt
im&ortant enou,! to save )rom t!e rava,es o) time-
Alt!ou,! t!ey &lace little im&ortance on material &ossessions, elves do !ave a
clearly de)ined sense o) o.ners!i&- $reasured items, suc! as ma,ic or )ine .ea&onry,
scul&ture or )avored instruments, are de)initely t!e &ro&erty o) t!eir o.ners- $!ievery o)
suc! items is !i,!ly )ro.ned u&on- Most el) t!ieves ta#e t!eir s#ills to t!e cities o)
!umans or to t!e under,round, .!ere t!ey may be &ut to use by adventurin, &arties-
Elves cau,!t stealin, t!e treasures o) ot!er elves are cast a.ay )or !al) a centuryK
&re)erably to learn &ro&er loyalty to one's race-
Items t!at aren't im&ortant to t!eir o.ners are usually )reely loaned to ot!er elves
or to t!eir nonBel) )riends- As lon, as t!e item is available .!en t!e ori,inal o.ner needs
to use it, t!ere is no &roblem- Most elves !ave learned t!at bic#erin, over small Huestions
o) o.ners!i& and &ro&erty are one o) t!e surest .ays to lose )riends- $!ey do t!eir best to
i,nore t!e )iner &oints o) o.ners!i& and to s!are t!e )ruits o) t!eir labors .it! ot!ers *as
.ell as s!are t!e )ruits o) ot!ers' labors+-
Individual Wort!
Elves care very little )or structured society, &re)errin, instead to )ocus on t!e needs o) t!e
individual- $!ere is not!in, so im&ortant to elves as t!e )eelin,s and t!e needs o) t!e
individual- $!is doesn't mean t!at one individual's needs out.ei,! t!ose o) t!e rest o) t!e
elves- Instead, t!e maNority o) elven society and la. is ,eared so t!at t!e ri,!t o) eac! el)
is to become as !a&&y as !e or s!e may need to be- Elves don't inter)ere in t!e lives o)
ot!er elves unless t!ere are ot!er elves .!o .ould be !armed by inaction- All elves are
believed ca&able o) dealin, .it! t!eir o.n &roblems- Alt!ou,! ot!er elves may be
curious about a certain el)'s c!oices, t!ey .ill not intervene in t!e action- @ree .ill is allB
im&ortant to t!e el) mind- Still, t!ere are )e. aty&ical elves .!o are so &urely sel)is! as to
rea& t!e love and understandin, o) t!eir )ello.s .it!out returnin, any love- A ty&ical el)
in an el) community &uts t!e needs o) ot!ers be)ore !is or !ers, reco,ni3in, t!at .it!out
t!ese ot!ers, li)e means less-
W!ile elves are stron,ly individualistic creatures, t!ey also !ave a stron, sense o)
duty to.ard t!eir #indred- ust as t!e !uman ran,er believes in )urt!erin, t!e cause o) !is
&eo&le even .!ile avoidin, most o) t!em in t!e .ilderness, so too do elves- $!ey #no.
t!at all t!eir )ello.s are essential )or a balanced li)e, and so t!ey loo# out )or t!eir &eo&le
as a .!ole as .ell as individually-
Emotion and Lo,ic
Some consider elves to be totally emotional creatures, driven by t!e .!im o) t!e moment-
Ot!ers see t!em only as coldly calculatin, creatures .!o do not!in, .it!out )irst
considerin, t!e bene)it to t!emselves- 1eit!er o) t!ese is really true- Elves are o)ten seen
as distant and sel)Bservin, creatures, &robably because o) t!eir le,endary !au,!tiness-
Once one can ,et &ast t!eir e5terior, t!ey )ind t!at elves are a )reely emotional, intuitive
&eo&le-
On t!e ot!er !and, elves do not let t!eir emotions rule t!eir lives- $!ey !ave a
)inely develo&ed lo,ical system and use it daily- Since it is a lo,ic t!at is based on t!eir
lon, lives and t!e elven mindset, it can )reely incor&orate all as&ects o) elven li)e- Lo,ic
naturally includes )eelin,s- Humans and d.arves cannot seem to ,ras& t!at emotion is an
im&ortant &art o) one's li)e, to be cut o)) only at ris# o) losin, one's &ersonality- $!ose
.!o live solely by t!e .ord o) !eartless lo,ic i,nore )ully !al) o) t!eir lives, to t!eir
detriment- Or so say t!e elves-
Alt!ou,! elves )ear very little in t!is .orld, t!ose t!in,s t!at t!ey do )ear t!ey
re,ard .it! utmost terror- $!ey conceal t!eir )ears )rom t!e ot!er races, not .is!in, to
a&&ear .ea# be)ore t!em- Also, t!ey .is! to a&&ear invincible to suc! &etty t!in,s as
)ear, )or to do so mi,!t e5&ose a .ea#ness to enemies-
Elves don't really )ear deat!, but i) closeted a.ay )rom nature, t!at )ear is li#ely to
surround t!em- W!en t!ey encounter a s&iritBdestroyin, creature *suc! as a tanar'ri or a
.rait!+, t!ey su))er mortality &an,s o) t!e .orst #ind, )earin, as des&erately )or t!eir
lives as any !uman .ould-
Elves !ate and )ear undead- $!ey see t!em not only as &erversions o) nature, but
also as nearly immortal )oes to be dreaded and loat!ed- Since undead can live even lon,er
t!an elves, t!ese creatures are a serious t!reat to t!e elven .ay o) li)e- $!eir &lans can
s&an centuries, t!eir mac!inations o) &urest evil-
Elves t!ere)ore o)ten become !unters o) t!e undead- $!e elves !ave set
t!emselves as t!e natural adversaries o) undead- $!e undead are a blemis! on t!e )ace o)
t!e .orld, an ot!er.orldly &erversion o) t!e li)e )orce- Elves, embodyin, t!e li)e )orce,
)ind t!e undead )ar more re&u,nant t!an most ordinary &eo&le do- *$o become an undead
el) is, to elves, truly a )ate .orse t!an deat!-+ Only ,oodB or neutralBali,ned lic!es may
even !o&e to esca&e elven !atred, and t!ese are )eared-
$!e elves' ability to !unt t!e undead is im&ressive, es&ecially in older elves- Many
adventurin, elves !ave ,ained t!e e5&erience necessary to )i,!t monsters, and t!ey brin,
t!is .ealt! o) #no.led,e .it! t!em .!en t!ey be,in !untin, undead- Elves some!o.
seem able to sense t!e very )oulness in t!e air .!en undead are &resent, and t!is leads
t!em to t!eir &rey- Alt!ou,! t!is ability is not easily a&&lied in ,ame terms, t!e DM
s!ould be more lenient in allo.in, elves to )ind undead- >ndead lairs are suc! ran# !oles
o) unBnature t!at el) senses are acutely a.are o) t!e evil aura le)t by t!ese )oul beasts-
Elves are never necromancers *eit!er ma,e or &riest+, e5ce&t )or t!ose .!o !ave
turned to evil- $!ese elves resemble t!e dro. in attitude and, as suc!, do not mind t!e
)oulness and corru&tion associated .it! t!e undead- $!e only time an el) associates t!eir
name .it! necromancy is .!en t!ey study necromancers' tomes )or clues about t!ose
t!ey see#-
Generational S&lits
$!ere are no serious troubles bet.een members o) se&arate ,enerations, as is o)ten t!e
case .it! !umans, but t!e variations in vie.s !eld bet.een el) ,enerations are !u,e-
Indeed, because o) t!e uniHue nona,in, &!ysiolo,y o) elves, one o) t!e )e. .ays to tell
bet.een youn, and old elves is t!e di))erence in &ersonality- O) course, t!is is still not a
clearly de)inin, test, )or elves !ave as varied &ersonalities as !umans-
$!e &ersonality o) youn,er elves is c!aracteri3ed by curiosity, a stron, strea# o)
individualism, and a .illin,ness to learn- $!ey are Nust ,ettin, used to t!eir lon, lives-
Aoun, elves are o)ten )ound .anderin, into &laces .!ere )e. .ould e5&ect an el) to be-
$!ese are t!e elves .!o ma#e )riends .it! !umans and t!e s!ortBlived races, )or t!ey
!ave not yet reali3ed t!e s&eed o) years )or !umans-
Older elves, on t!e ot!er !and, lean to.ard isolation and Huiet enNoyment o) t!e
.orld- @e., i) any, elves o) more advanced a,e leave t!e el) lands, )or t!ey !ave seen
enou,! o) t!e .orld to last t!eir li)etime- W!ile t!ey don't become entirely inactive, t!eir
activities are o) a contem&lative nature, rat!er t!an t!e more boisterous activities o)
youn, elves-
$!is di))erence in outloo# creates a ,enerational ,a&, but t!e older elves do not
attem&t to restrict t!e yout!s- $!ey remember all too .ell t!eir .ilder, youn,er days and
!ave no .is! to re&ress t!at .!ic! t!ey valued t!emselves- Because elves are so closely
connected to t!eir o.n &asts, t!ey never .onder at t!e motives o) yout!- $!e reverie
!el&s older elves remember t!e e5citement and &assion o) yout! and t!e need to be
inde&endent and e5&lore t!e .orld-
Attitudes $o.ard Ot!er %aces
Elves ,enerally do not !ate ot!er races- Alt!ou,! t!ey may disli#e t!ese races, t!ey still
)eel a #ins!i& .it! t!em as livin, bein,s- Humans never understand t!is, )or t!ey !ave
not t!e time to ma#e a true connection .it! t!e li)e )orce o) t!e .orld- Only t!e true
mystics o) ot!er races can understand t!e a))inity elves !ave )or all li)e-
$!ose races t!at !ate t!e elves .it! an allBconsumin, &assion are not .ort! any
suc! emotion )rom elves- Irritatin, as t!ese s&ecies may be, t!e elves re,ard t!em .it!
not!in, more t!an stron, anti&at!y- Only t!ose .!o routinely de)ile t!e )orest )or t!eir
o.n evil ends arouse muc! an,er in elves-
$!e elves reserve t!eir dar#est emotionK!atredK)or t!e dro.- $!e dro. !ave
t!ro.n a.ay all t!at t!e elves consider sacred and !ave instead embraced )oulness,
corru&tion, and deat!- $!ey !ave betrayed t!e !erita,e t!at .as t!eirs by ri,!t and
)orsa#en t!e li,!t o) t!e sun to live .it! &ure evilG Lolt!-
1ot only do most o) t!e sur)ace elves )ail to com&re!end t!is c!oice, t!ey don't
understand !o. bein,s created )rom t!e blood o) a ,od could descend to t!e de&t!s o)
evil as !ave t!e dro.- $!ey do understand, !o.ever, t!at t!e dro. mean only to destroy
t!em- $!e dro. dreams o) .orld conHuest and domination are secondary to t!eir !atred
)or sur)ace elves- $!e elves o) sunli,!t #no. t!is !atred .ell and return it in )ull
measure-
Wit! re,ard to ot!er races, elves !ave been accused o) bein, !au,!ty, arro,ant,
and contem&tuous- $!is accusation is not entirely true- W!ile elves do !old t!emselves
a&art )rom t!e ot!er races, t!ey do not !old t!em in contem&t- *Granted, d.arves do
come close-+ Most elves, !o.ever, don't be)riend t!ese ot!er races because o) t!eir s!ort
lives, not because o) any in!erent disli#e- W!ile t!e elves believe in livin, li)e to its
)ullest, t!ey don't relis! t!e idea o) .atc!in, myriad )riends ,ro. old and die-
Since elves can live t!rou,! t.enty !uman ,enerations be)ore leavin, )or
Arvanait!, many see no &oint in be)riendin, t!ose .!om t!ey .ill only lose immediately-
*W!ile d.arves are lon,er lived, t!ey don't a,ree .ell .it! t!e elven dis&osition-+
Aoun,er elves are sometimes .illin, to acce&t t!e sure &ain o) im&endin, deat! )or t!e
Noy )riends!i& .it! t!ese vital bein,s brin,s- A)ter a )e. decades, !o.ever, t!ey see t!at
t!eir com&anions are a,in, at an absurd rate .!en com&ared to el) )riends- $!is is al.ays
a s!oc# to t!e youn, elves- @or t!e )irst time, t!ey must come to ,ri&s .it! t!e conce&t o)
mortality and deat!- $!is &roves more di))icult )or some t!an )or ot!ers, t!ou,! it comes
to almost all )inally-
Des&ite t!eir s!ort lives, eac! o) t!e ot!er races !olds a uniHue &lace in t!e elven
!eart- Outlined belo. are ty&ical dynamics bet.een elves and !umans and demi!umans-
D.arvesG Alt!ou,! elves and d.arves bot! )i,!t on t!e side o) ,oodness, t!ey o)ten )ind
t!emselves at odds over everyt!in, else- $!e main &oint o) contention bet.een t!e t.o is
t!e de)inition o) a ,ood li)e- D.arves stron,ly believe in t!e .or# et!ic *elves do not+-
D.arves don't )eel t!at !a&&iness is essential to a ,ood li)e *elves certainly do+- D.arves
believe li)e s!ould be or,ani3ed and .ell cared )orKnot !a&!a3ard and s&ontaneous as
elves &re)er- $!ese vie.s, so contrary to t!e elven enNoyment o) li)e, don't allo. d.arves
to see t!in,s on t!e elven level-
Aet eac! race secretly a&&reciates t!e ot!er, and some o) t!e stron,est bonds in
t!e .orld are bet.een elves and d.arves- $!e t.o races are actually a ,ood com&lement
to eac! ot!er-
GnomesG Elves and ,nomes ,et alon, .ell .!en t!ey meet- Gnomes !ave an a&&reciation
o) !umor and a 3est )or li)e t!at a&&eals to t!e elves- In elven o&inion, ,nomes ta#e .!at
is best about t!e d.arves and combine it .it! a !ealt!y dose o) elvendom- Indeed, some
ancient elven le,ends say t!at ,nomes .ere created by crossin, elves .it! d.arves-
$!is is not to say t!at ,nomes are entirely loved by t!e elves- $!ey ta#e t!eir
obsession .it! di,,in, into t!e eart! a little too seriously, and t!ey seem to re,ard elves
.it! some sus&icion- Elves return t!at re,ard- Still, as .it! d.arves, t!e t.o races .ill
de)end eac! ot!er i) necessary-
Hal)lin,sG Elves ,enuinely li#e !al)lin,s, alt!ou,! in a some.!at &atroni3in, .ay- $!ey
re,ard !al)lin,s as an amusin, race and treat t!em )or t!e most &art as c!ildren- $!e
!al)lin,s don't !ave enou,! curiosity )or elven tasteJ !al)lin,s are usually content to
remain in t!eir burro.s and com)ortable little )armsteads .it!out ever e5&eriencin, t!e
outside .orld- Elves are very im&ressed .!en a !al)lin, mana,es to amount to somet!in,
more t!an a connoisseur o) )ood and drin#-
Hal)lin,s sometimes resent t!e elven vie. t!at t!e !al)lin,s are li#e c!ildren, but
t!ey are very muc! in a.e o) elves and so rarely s&ea# out a,ainst t!em- $o associate
.it! an el) is all t!e e5citement a !al)lin, needs in !is or !er li)e- $o travel a time .it!
elves is more t!an many !al)lin,s can bear-
Elves re,ard !al)lin,s as c!ildren and are very &rotective o) t!em- $!ey don't
a&&reciate attem&ts to !arm !al)lin,s in any .ay and .ill do t!eir best to aven,e any
.ron,s-
HumansG Elves !ave a di))icult time classi)yin, !umans- Many !umans are )riendly and
even a little in a.e o) elves- Ot!ers are bi,oted and un)riendly, even do.nri,!t !ostile-
W!ile ot!er races !ave variations in t!eir racial ma#eu& and ,eneral vie.s, none are as
varied as t!e !umans- $!is means t!at elves .ill re,ard every !uman t!ey meet .it!
some de,ree o) sus&icion until t!at !uman !as &roven !imB or !ersel) a )riend-
Elves, des&ite t!eir many accom&lis!ments, are ama3ed at !umans- Humans are
&roli)ic &roducers o) c!ildren, and many !ave incredible innate ability- Humans !ave
mana,ed to convert lands elves !ad once t!ou,!t unlivable into !omes- $!e elves are
im&ressedKand &er!a&s a little )ri,!tened-
Des&ite t!eir constant bic#erin, and .arli#e nature or &er!a&s because o) it,
!umans no. dominate t!e .orld- $!ey !ave accom&lis!ed in a )e. s!ort years .!at it
too# elves !undreds o) years to ac!ieve- It is because o) t!e !umans' soarin, &o&ulation
and e5&ansionistic tendencies t!at elves )ind t!emselves retreatin, to t!e )orests and
secludin, t!emselves )rom t!e .orld-
$!e vast variance o) !uman nature is enou,! t!at elves !ave no set reaction to
t!em- $!eir variety con)uses elves, and t!ey stay a.ay )rom !umans as muc! as &ossible-
C!a&ter ;G Elven Society
!f all the festivals %'ve been to over the years, none compares to the elven 1ite of
,pring, which celebrates the return of spring. % am a ranger and a lover of the forest, but
% am only human. -eing human+no matter how close to nature+% did not e$pect the
honor of being invited to witness one of the finest elven festivals known to mortal man.
0erhaps my years of service to the good of the forest earned me the goodwill of the elf
lords.
&s % traveled to the designated meeting place, % heard the sounds of elven
laughter shimmering through the woods. The light of a huge bonfire shone through the
night, guiding revelers to their destination. When % arrived at the feasting site, many of
the elves were already well into the celebrations. .y host, one &larrain .istraveler,
guided me to my place and bade me en)oy the festivities. The mead and elfwine, or
feywine as they call it, flowed freely even before the meal properly began.
% cannot do )ustice to the food by describing it. ,uffice to say that normal human
food is forever ruined for me, for % shall never again taste anything as heavenly as that
which was served to me those many years ago. &lthough some elves tried to make
conversation with me, % could not return the compliment. % was as dumbstruck as a miser
in a gold mine. % had never known that such perfection as was around me could e$ist.
&fter the meal came the dancing and the singing. &lthough % admit % was giddy
from the elfwine, % can reliably swear that no mortal will ever be able to duplicate the
beauty % saw and heard that night. The graceful forms of the elves twisted in a huge
celebratory dance around the bonfire to the tune of elf musicians harmoni#ing with the
wind, the sky, and the stars. The last thing % remember is being dragged into the dancing
circle and losing myself to the wilderness.
% awoke in the morning covered with dew. &lthough % would swear % was in the
same place as the celebrations held the night previous, % found no sign that there was
anyone in that clearing that night save me.

KEiri# Lea).al#er, !uman ran,er
General statements .ill be made about various elven tendencies in t!is c!a&ter-
1ote t!at t!ese are not absolutes )or all elven societiesJ ,rey elves and dro. in &articular
do not !ave t!e vast ran,e o) )reedoms available to most ot!er elves- Alt!ou,! ,rey elves
are not evil li#e t!e dro., t!e movement .it!in t!eir society is care)ully restricted- Grey
elves tend to be more la.)ul t!an c!aotic in nature and ali,nment and t!ere)ore do not
value individual )reedoms as muc! as ot!er elves mi,!t- Li#e.ise, .!ile dro. are
c!aotic in nature, t!ey .ill brutally crus! any .!o see# to s!o. any semblance o) )ree
.ill-
Because o) t!e vastly di))erent .orld vie.s bet.een t!ese t.o el) subraces and
t!eir #in, many o) t!e descri&tions belo. a&&ly only to aHuatic, !i,!, and sylvan elves-
$!ere may certainly be e5ce&tions *a city o) ,ood dro. or a ,rey el) realm .!ere
strati)ied society is reNected+, but t!ese .ill be o) t!e utmost rarity-
As a rule, most elves are t!e e&itome o) all t!at c!am&ions t!e individual's cause
)or ,oodness- $!ey believe a sin,le stron, individual, )ocused on ma#in, t!e .orld a
better &lace, is )ar better t!an an entire .ea# society determined to do t!e same t!in,-
Elves see# to be as &o.er)ul as t!ey can )or t!e side o) ,oodness-
$!ere is no discrimination based on ,ender in elven society- @emale elves are
considered on an eHual basis .it! male elvesKin all t!in,s and in all .ays- As o)ten as
not, it is el) .omen .!o rise to &ositions o) &o.er, )ame, and ,lory- At least !al) o) elven
le,ends revolve around )emale !eroes, and !istorically t!ere !ave been more el) Hueens
t!an #in,s- More t!an any ot!er race, elves reco,ni3e t!e value o) .omen and t!eir )ull
&otential-
$!e Elven Lan,ua,e
$!e elven lan,ua,e is melodic and )luid, consistin, o) musical .ords t!at are a Noy to
!ear- $!ere are nuances and liltin, intonations, all o) .!ic! combine to ma#e Elvis! a
lovely lan,ua,e- Even Dro. Elvis! is an attractive lan,ua,e, )ull o) dar# mystery and
secrets-
W!en s&o#en by nonBelves, Elvis! seems stran,ely brutali3ed, alt!ou,! it is !ard
to de)ine e5actly .!y- Elves #no. t!at t!is is because t!e subtleties in!erent in Elvis!
only )ully translate )or t!em *or )or t!ose usin, ma,ic to communicate+- Elves, because o)
t!eir #een !earin,, &erceive an additional current in t!eir ton,ue, one .!ic! also conveys
emotion s!ould t!e s&ea#er .is!-
Because o) t!is !idden )eature, elves can carry on a conversation .it!in a
conversation- $!e subtleties o) t!e lan,ua,e and t!e nuances available allo. elves to &ass
on t!e substance o) an entirely di))erent to&ic &rovided, o) course, it is not a di))icult or
con)usin, one- $!is ability also allo.s elves to &ass !idden messa,es to one anot!er even
in )ront o) a !uman .!o understands Elvis!, .!ic! is one reason .!y elves ma#e suc!
e5cellent s&ies- $!ey can s&ea# o) inconseHuentialities, yet &ass alon, vital in)ormation
to ot!er elves- 1o one !earin, t!em .it!out ma,ical aid can discern t!e additional
messa,e t!at is carried on t!e .in,s o) t!e conversation-
$!e intricate care involved in t!e structure o) t!e elven lan,ua,e e5tends to
namin, c!ildren- Elven names, alt!ou,! t!ey o)ten sound some.!at similar, are all
individual- 1o t.o elves !ave ever s!ared t!e same name, save as a matter o) c!oice, )or
elves are )ar too individualistic to stoo& to usin, identical names )or t!eir c!ildren-
Elves &re)er names t!at )lo. o)) t!e ton,ue li#e .ind t!rou,! trees- Sibilants and
/t!/ sounds are common, as are ot!ers o) t!e so)ter consonants- Occasionally, to add
interest to a name, elves .ill include a !ard consonant, suc! as a /#/ or a /t-/ Overall,
t!ey &re)er to allo. t!e name to remain )luid and melodic, muc! li#e t!eir lan,ua,e-
Liveli!ood
Elves earn t!eir liveli!oods t!rou,! .!atever cra)t &leases t!em most- O)ten, t!is .ill be
somet!in, t!at is bene)icial to t!e entire community- Sometimes t!e ,oods are traded
.it! !umans )or manmade .ares but, more o)ten t!an not, t!e items remain .it!in t!e el)
community-
Since elves need not be concerned .it! money to t!e e5tent !umans are, t!eir
!ome lives are rarely mar#ed .it! .orry about .!en t!e ne5t meal is comin,- As lon, as
t!ey &roduce somet!in, o) value )or t!eir community *and &robably even i) t!ey did not+,
t!e ot!er elves .ill su&&ort t!em- Givin, somet!in, as e&!emeral as !umor or lau,!ter to
bri,!ten t!e days o) ot!ers .ould be re.ard enou,! )or t!e easy,oin, elves-
Even in t!e !ars!est .inters and t!e driest summers t!ere is &lenty o) sustenance
)or all elves- Because t!ey are so closely connected .it! nature, t!ey #no. .!en bad
seasons are bre.in, and t!us &lan .ell a!ead to meet t!e demands o) suc! troublin,
times-
%ituals
Elves !ave no end o) )estivals to li,!ten t!e .ei,!t o) &assin, years- $!ey create many
occasions to celebrate li)eKso many, in )act, t!at ot!er races !ave sometimes concluded
t!at elves do not!in, but en,a,e in revelry- O) course, t!is isn't true, but t!ey do !ave a
dis&ro&ortionate number o) celebrationsK&articularly .!en com&ared to d.arves-
Alt!ou,! elves &re)er sim&le revels to structured rituals, t!ere are times in t!eir
lives .!en t!ey )eel t!e need )or more )ormal, serious ceremonies- $y&ically, t!e &riests
o) t!e elven ,ods &reside over suc! ceremonies- $!ey are t!ere to )ul)ill t!e )unction o)
t!e ceremony and to instill t!e &ro&er res&ect and solemnity reHuired )or t!at ceremony-
Because elves lead suc! lon, lives, t!e ceremonies eac! villa,e and city
celebrates are eHually uniHue- Alt!ou,! di))erent, all are based on certain traditional
milestones in elven li)e and so retain an air o) similarity- $!ese events include birt!,
adult!ood, marria,e, t!e Nourney to Arvanait! *.!ic! is covered in C!a&ter Seven+, and
blood oat!-

Celebration o) Birt!
Since el) c!ildren are )e. *or at least )ar )e.er t!an !uman c!ildren+, t!e birt! o) an el) is
a cause o) ,reat celebration- Birt!s are al.ays times o) ,reat Noy- $!e villa,e turns out in
&ro)usion, settin, aside t!e day's .or# to celebrate .it! t!e in)ant's &arents-
@ollo.in, a t.oByear &re,nancy, el) .omen are ,lad to celebrate t!e li,!tenin, o)
t!eir burden- $!ey !a&&ily Noin in t!e )estivities !onorin, t!eir ne.born- Suc!
celebrations ty&ically last several days and conclude .it! t!e namin, o) t!e in)ant-
C!ildren are ,iven a &rivate name by t!eir &arents and t!en ,iven a &ublic name- $!e
secret name is #no.n only to t!e el), !is or !er &arents, and t!e &riest &residin, over t!e
ceremony- W!ile #no.in, t!e name ,ives no &o.er over an el), it is a si,n o) love and
res&ect .!en an el) reveals !is or !er true name-
Gi)ts and .is!es are o)ten besto.ed u&on an el) c!ild at birt! by )amily and close
)riends o) t!e &arents- Suc! &resents usually !ave a lastin, im&ression on t!e el), )or
)avors ,iven to an in)ant are )ar )rom ordinary- One c!ild .as ,iven t!e ability to s&ea# to
dra,onsJ s!e later used t!is ,i)t to ,reat advanta,e .!en s!e averted a .ar bet.een !er
villa,e and a nest o) ,reen dra,ons livin, nearby- Anot!er c!ild .as ,i)ted .it! al.ays
#no.in, .!en someone lied to !im-
0assa,e to Adult!ood
%ites o) adult!ood are common in many cultures, and t!at o) t!e elves is no e5ce&tion-
W!en elves reac! t!e a,e o) 887, t!ey are considered youn, adults, .it! all t!e )reedoms
and res&onsibilities t!at entails- $!ey no lon,er live in t!e !ouse o) t!eir &arents, )or it is
time to ma#e t!eir o.n .ay in t!e .orld-
El) )amilies !old a ceremony to )ormally announce t!e youn, el)'s &assa,e into
adult!ood- 1e. adults are ,iven ,i)tsKmost o)ten adventurin, ,ear i) t!ey are so
inclined- $!e older elves re,ale t!e )amily .it! tales o) t!eir &ursuits, and t!ey .is! luc#
u&on t!ose .!o )ollo. t!eir ste&s-
I) t!e ne. adult isn't inclined to.ard t!e adventurin, li)e, t!ey are ,iven tools o)
t!eir c!osen trade and a !ouse o) t!eir o.n- @rom t!is &oint on, t!ey ma#e t!eir o.n .ay
in li)e, .or#in, .it! ot!er elves to ma#e a li)e )ull o) !a&&iness and Noy-
Celebration o) Marria,e
Marria,e is an occasion )or ,reat Noy amon, elves, )or t!e union symboli3es t!e
continuation o) t!e el) race- $!ose .!o disru&t t!is ceremony to #ill t!e betrot!ed earn
t!e .rat! o) t!e elves )orevermore, and t!ey .ill !unt suc! marauders and t!eir #in )or
eternity- Marria,e is a rarer occurrence )or elves t!an t!e s!ortBlived races, and t!ere are
)e. t!in,s so dan,erous as to &ro)ane t!e sanctity o) t!is ritual- Sometimes .eddin,s
occur to seal treaties and )or ot!er di&lomatic &ur&oses, but more o)ten it is t!rou,! love
t!at elves ac!ieve a state o) marria,e-
Marria,e bet.een elves lasts until one &artner dies- *$!ere !as been only one
#no.n divorce in t!e last t!ree t!ousand years, and t!at .as bet.een t.o e5tremely
o&inionated ,rey elves-+ Elves rarely ta#e a ne. &artner a)ter t!e deat! o) a mate- $!eir
vo.s bind more t!an !onorJ t!ey bind t!e s&irit and !eart o) eac! to t!e ot!er- By ta#in,
t!is ste&, many elves ,ive u& some measure o) t!eir individualism- O)ten, only t!e most
ardent and devout lovers c!oose t!e &at! o) marria,eJ ot!ers &re)er a less )ormal
arran,ement-
$!e marria,e ceremony itsel) is ty&ically )ormal *alt!ou,! it can be as in)ormal as
t!e lovers li#e+ and is &resided over by el) &riests o) Helani Celanil- $!e &riests
t!emselves serve no &ur&ose at t!e ceremony ot!er t!an as .itnesses, )or it is t!e &artners
.!o &er)orm t!e ritual and t!e bindin, vo.s-
In a true elven marria,e o) love, vo.s tie t!e s&irits o) t!e loved ones to,et!er,
allo.in, t!em access to t!e ot!er's inner sel)- $!is is a )orm o) t!e elven ability
communion- Wedded elves become )ully a.are o) t!eir &artner's needs and emotions,
allo.in, t!em to antici&ate and )ul)ill t!ese needs- $!ey are not a.are o) t!e ot!er's e5act
t!ou,!ts-
Because elves relive t!eir &ast t!rou,! t!e reverie, t!e circumstances attractin,
one el) to anot!er are al.ays )res!- $!us, elves seldom )all out o) love- Only t!e ,ravest
o) tra,edies and disloyalties can tear an el) cou&le a&art- Alt!ou,! t!ey mi,!t !ave
disa,reements and even )i,!ts, t!ey continue to love eac! ot!er-
But elves can ,ro. tired o) a &artner, even .!en t!ey are Noined s&iritually and
!ave become more intimate t!an any nonBel) could sus&ect- Elves rei,nite t!e s&ar# o)
&assion and love t!rou,! absence- @or stretc!es o) time, one &artner in an elven marria,e
.ill live a&artJ t!is allo.s bot! elves to ,ain time to t!emselves so t!at t!ey mi,!t ,ro.
as individuals- W!en t!e t.o reNoin, t!ey s!o.er com&lete love and a))ection u&on t!e
ot!er-
Elves also tend to s&end time a.ay )rom t!eir loved ones in order to ma#e t!eir
time to,et!er t!at muc! more &recious- A)ter all, t!ere are )e.er sure .ays to ,ro. bored
o) a &erson t!an to s&end !undreds o) years .it! !im or !er- $ime alone allo.s t!em to
t!in# on t!e relations!i& and to e5&erience ne. t!in,s to s!are .it! t!eir mates, t!us
#ee&in, t!e marria,e )res! and vital-
$!e Blood Oat!
Elves are not al.ays &eace)ul )ol#- I) t!ey or t!eir )riends !ave been ,rievously insulted
or inNured, t!ey s.ear t!e sacred oat! o) vendettaKa ceremony carried out in t!e dar#est
!our be)ore da.n- W!en t!ey s.ear t!is terrible &romise, t!ey )orsa#e all ot!er &astimes
to see# retribution- Elves understand t!is oat! and .ill release t!e aven,in, el) )rom !is
or !er tas#s-
$!e aven,in, elves !unt do.n t!e o))ender to e5act some )orm o) ven,eance, be
it merely a sincere a&olo,y )or an insult or somet!in, more severe- $y&ically, a time o)
service ,iven to t!e inNured el) is enou,! to satis)y t!is oat!- Ho.ever, t!ere are
occasions .!en not!in, less t!an deat! .ill satis)y t!e demand o) t!e blood oat!-
Elven Holy Days
Every day is a day o) celebration )or elvesJ t!eir love o) music, &oetry, and son, imbues
t!eir lives .it! a )estive air- Ho.ever, t!ere are &articular days t!at elves traditionally
commemorate- $!ese celebrations, des&ite t!eir rituals *or &er!a&s because o) t!em+, are
t!e most antici&ated days o) t!e year-
1aturally, t!ese days !ave a s&ecial si,ni)icance attac!ed to t!em, )or t!ey mar#
events in t!e !earts o) elves- $!e )ollo.in, is a list o) t!e maNor )estivals elves celebrate
eac! year, alt!ou,! it is by no means com&lete- Eac! ,at!erin, o) elves .ill !ave ot!er
celebrations in addition to t!ose belo., eac! .it! its o.n uniHue observance- $!e !oly
days are &resented in c!ronolo,ical order-
AeartideG Aeartide ta#es &lace durin, t!e .inter solstice, mar#in, t!e end o) t!e deat! t!at
autumn brin,s- Durin, t!is time, t!e elves believe t!e eart! is &uri)ied .!ile s!e lies
underneat! !er blan#et o) sno.- Even in t!ose re,ions .!ere t!e sun doesn't rise and t!e
sno. lies eternally across t!e land, t!e .inter solstice is seen as t!e c!an,in, o) t!e old
year into t!e ne.-
Elves celebrate Aeartide .it! Huiet meditation on t!e year &ast and on t!in,s to
come- $!ey re,ard t!e !uman &ractice o) us!erin, in t!e ne. year .it! )eastin, and
drin#in, senselessly barbaricKt!e mar# o) &eo&le unable to truly understand t!e &assin,
o) time-
@aerieluc#G $!is is a day in early s&rin, .!en elves celebrate .it! t!eir cousinsKt!e
&i5ies, le&rec!auns, and so )ort!- $oo o)ten elves )or,et t!eir #ins!i& .it! t!ese ot!er
races, and t!is )estival reminds t!em all o) t!eir relations!i&- It is a day s&ent in &ractical
No#es and merriment, and &artici&ants try to demonstrate t!eir cleverness at t!e e5&ense
o) anot!er- $!e ,ames are never acrimoniousJ t!ey dra. to a close lon, be)ore any
irre&arable dama,e can be done to one's &ride-
S&rin,riteG Alt!ou,! .inter is seen as t!e turnin, &oint o) t!e year, t!e vernal eHuino5
*s&rin,+ re&resents a time o) )ertility amon, t!e elves, .!o s&end t!is season en,a,ed in
t!e &ursuits o) romance and son,- Elves s&end t!e .ee# around t!e eHuino5 dancin, and
sin,in,, involved in not!in, but merriment- All im&ortant decisions and actions are
&ost&oned until t!e .ee# is over- $!is is t!e time o) year .!en most cou&les bond in
marria,e or announce t!at t!ey are &romised-
A,elon,G A,elon, is t!e celebration o) t!e elven creation, t!e observance o) t!e
le,endary battle bet.een Corellon Laret!ian and Gruums! OneBEye- $!is !oly day
serves to remind t!e elves o) t!e &resence o) t!eir enemies- Held at t!e summer solstice,
A,elon, is t!e &er)ect elven e5cuse to ,o orcB!untin,- On t!e ni,!t o) t!e !unt, elves
nic# t!emselves .it! obsidian da,,ers and let t!eir blood )lo. into t!e eart!, simulatin,
t!e bloodlettin, t!at made t!eir e5istence &ossible- $!ey t!en s.oo& do.n )rom t!eir
!omes and #ill as many orcs as t!ey can )ind durin, t!is ni,!t-
@allriteG As S&rin,rite is to birt!, so is @allrite to deat!- Held durin, t!e autumnal
eHuino5, @allrite is a .ee# lon, &eriod .!en elves contem&late t!e s&irits o) t!eir
ancestors, t!e &assa,e to Arvanait!, and t!e immediacy o) deat! even in a nearly
immortal li)etime-
>nli#e some races, elves do not !ide be!ind merriment to avoid )acin, deat!,
because t!ey )eel t!at deat! is merely a &assin, on to a di))erent sta,e o) li)e- $!e most
im&ortant duties o) t!e year and t!e most di))icult decisions are reac!ed durin, @allrite-
$!e el) #in,s and Hueens traditionally sit in Nud,ment at t!is time o) year to !ear any
ca&ital cases-
C!a&ter FG Elven Myt!s
$!e Le,end o) @ionna Casilltenirra
When the Elves all lived in the forests and had not yet spread to the seas or the
mountains, there was a beautiful Elf named Fionna "asilltenirra. -arely past ?EE years
old, she met a Human who intrigued her completely. ,hy and retiring at first, she grew
more open and let herself be seen when he traveled in the woods.
Their elders swore to them that such a match would never work, but Fionna and
Gillian had eyes only for each other. They wed in secret. Five years of bliss passed before
Fionna saw that Gillian was aging far more rapidly than she. The lovers searched for
some way to avoid the cruel hand fate would one day deal them, but they could find no
answer. %n ab)ect despair, Fionna went to a Human Vampire of whom she had heard. ,he
begged Vasily for his help, asking that Gillian be made a Vampire so the two could share
life for the length of her days instead of Gillian's.
The Vampire was overwhelmed by Fionna's beauty and agreed to her plans, with
one stipulation that she, too, consent to become a Vampire. %n her love for Gillian,
Fionna never thought of the danger to her very spirit+she agreed to Vasily's dastardly
re8uest. The Vampire took Fionna in his arms and told her he would bestow upon Gillian
the <gift< of eternal life. He drained her, then laid her on the floor of his catacomb. He
looked at Fionna and marveled at her beauty> desire coursed in him, as did treachery,
and he vowed that none but he should possess her. When Vasily found Gillian, he snapped
the Human's neck instead of making him anew in Vampire form.
When Fionna discovered Vasily's treachery, she flew at him in rage. "onfident
that she was his thrall, Vasily was amused rather than alarmed. That proved a fatal error
on his part, for his head was ripped from his shoulders by the grieving Elven Vampiress.
-ereft of her love and her life, Fionna wandered the world searching for someone
new to take the place of her beloved, but only hatred and fear met her advances. &nger
and malice found their way into her heart, and she gave herself wholly to evil.
Elves, li#e ot!er races, venerate t!e names and deeds o) t!eir !eroes- @reHuently,
some o) t!e !eroes )rom ot!er races !ave been )abricatedKmostly to illustrate some
reli,ious &oint or anot!er- 1ot so .it! t!e elves- Alt!ou,! t!eir !eroes also serve to ma#e
a &oint o) some sort, all o) t!em e5isted in some )orm or anot!er-
Heroes suc! as @istilant!us Wood!elvin and !is !al)Bel) brot!er Gilant!us *bot!
o) .!om )aced t!e dread &it )iend Marli#ora at t!e cost o) t!eir o.n lives and saved t!e
el) lands+ live on in t!e ,lorious tales o) storytellers- Elven le,end tells t!at t!ey .ill
someday return .!en t!e elves most need t!em and t!at t!ey .ill aid certain blessed
elves or !al)Belves in times o) ,ravest need- $!eir bravery and coura,e t!us ins&ires t!ose
in mortal &eril-
Ot!er !eroes, li#e @eradar aralmus, serve as e5am&les o) elven li)e- Alt!ou,! in
!is li)e !e neit!er sle. terrible beasts nor sin,le!andedly )ou,!t o)) menaces )rom t!e
&lanes beyond, !is love and com&assion saved t!e elves )rom )ractionin, still )urt!er,
teac!in, t!em t!e value o) li)e and tolerance- Many ot!er !eroes once lived *and, indeed,
still live+ in t!e !alls o) t!e sa,es, ins&irin, and teac!in, t!ose .!o !ear t!e tales-
Elven lore is not solely concerned .it! tales o) ,oodnessJ t!ere are also tales o)
dar#, t.isted evil- @ionna Casilltenirra, t!e )irst el) vam&ire, still !aunts t!e dreams o)
romantic youn, elves see#in, deli,!t in t!e arms o) !umans- And t!e story o) Besat!an
%idire, t!e el) .!o made a &act .it! t!e S&ider Cueen Lolt! and su))ered eternal torment
at !er !ands, is told every no. and t!en to s!o. c!ildren t!e Huestionable value o)
dealin, .it! evil-
All elven le,ends ma#e a &oint o) some sort, .!et!er t!ey deal .it! an
ins&irational story o) !eroics and valor or .it! more !umble values suc! as com&assion
and sim&le c!arity- In bot! li)e and deeds, elves strive to teac! and to learn- $!ey see
t!eir lives as Huests )or understandin,, and t!ey do t!eir best to com&lete t!eir &ersonal
HuestsJ elven le,ends o)ten !el& &oint t!e .ay to )ul)illin, t!ose dreams-
Sometimes t!ere is more to an elven myt! t!an meets t!e !uman eye- $!e moral
,em !idden .it!in a tale may be )ar too subtle )or !umans to understand com&letely- $!is
c!a&ter &resents but a )e. o) t!e tales t!e elves !ave collected over t!eir millenia o)
e5istence-
arsali and t!e $reant
@ollo.in, a similar, t!ou,! ultimately contradictory, vie. to t!e tale o) @ionna
Casilltenirra, t!e story o) arsali and t!e $reant ,lori)ies love o) any sortK&rovided t!at
love is true and ,ood- W!ile some elves re)use to ac#no.led,e t!e trut! o) t!is story,
claimin, it is truly myt! and !as no basis in )act, ot!ers believe it !olds t!e ,erm o) trut!-
$!ey clin, to it as a Nusti)ication )or t!e &at!s t!ey !ave ta#en t!emselves-

Harsali !aklimbs was a sylvan elf of the truest grain+even to the point of
shunning others of her race, preferring instead the company of the woodlands well over
that of her fellows. How her heart came to be full of suspicion and bitterness at her
mortal comrades, no one knew> they only knew that Harsali was a strange girl, even for
an elf.
4othing assuaged the sorrow in her soul save the nearness of the primordial
trees. Her wanderings from camp took her deeper and deeper into the virgin forest, to
places where even few elves had ever set foot. %n the heart of the wood, she found a living
tree holding court with his minions. Her shock was great.
1emember, this was a time before the elves had spread across the world, and they
knew little of all its races. Few had ever heard of a treant, much less seen one. &lthough
her tribe had, Harsali had never heeded the lessons of her compatriots, for she had no
desire to learn from their e$periences.
Entranced by the sight of the treant, she crept closer to investigate. ,uddenly,
great bark7covered limbs from a nearby <tree< lifted her from the ground and held her
captive. The animated oak brought her before its liege.
Harsali stood prisoner before the treant lord, and something in her heart cracked
and was set free. The elf maiden fell instantly in love with the enduring beauty of the
craggy wood before her. The treant eyed Harsali's flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
,uthurithidan, the son of 5aranahil the First Treant, saw hidden behind the elf's
truculent air a spirit of fire that could not be 8uenched. %t was the treant's first true look
at an elf, and he was entranced. With a silent flicker of his twiggy finger, he commanded
the tree to release the elf maid. The two stared at each other, sunlight filtering through
the dappled leaves> then ,uthurithidan turned and melted into the forest.
Harsali returned to her camp. Her companions were ama#ed at her newly softened
manner, so changed was it from her usual self. They wondered what could have happened
on her latest e$cursion into the woods, but none said anything, feeling only gratitude and
not caring the cause. When Harsali crept away a week later, unable to forget the treant
,uthurithidan, some few smiled, thinking perhaps she had found a lover with a nearby
tribe. !ne elf, however, did not smile+he frowned. &#alarer had thought to wed Harsali
himself, for he lusted after the elf maid. The words of his people were an irritant to his
pride.
Harsali found again the treant lord, and this time neither could deny the truth of
how well their souls matched the other. The initial e$hilaration inspired by their first
meeting provided the impetus for the rest of their relationship, and the feelings between
two such dissimilar beings deepened. %n time, they found that they were truly in love,
each unwilling to continue life without the other beside them.
-ut &#alarer grew suspicious of Harsali's continued change. He and his cohorts
followed her into the depths of the forest. %ntent only upon meeting her love, Harsali's
ordinarily sharp hearing did not warn her of this pursuit. &#alarer and the others found
her then, and they beheld a sight none had ever thought to witness in all their years &n
elf maid embraced by a living treeI
&#alarer's heart grew black. He taunted Harsali cruelly and incited the pre)udices
of his comrades. %n righteous wrath, they tore Harsali from the arms of the surprised tree
lord and spirited her back to camp. There &#alarer fanned the flames of $enophobia. The
elves had never heard of such a strange coupling> they were outraged that Harsali's
chosen was not even humanoid, much less elven. They locked her behind a stout wood
stockade and angrily began debating what to do with her.
Harsali called upon all the elven gods of the forest and of love, and she called
upon the gods of ,uthurithidan, too. ,he prayed for both release from the stockade and
from her elven form, that she might not have to endure the cruelties the elves inflicted
upon her in the name of racial purity. The gods heard her pleas They gave her the
answer to one by granting the other.
%nside the stockade, Harsali's body stiffened. Her hair grew long and turned
green, and her limbs became limbs of wood and not flesh. Her feet sought the cracks in
the ground, and she e$tended her new roots into the soil beneath. ,houldering aside the
flimsy blockade, she forced her way into the sylvan camp. The elves scattered before her.
,ome prostrated themselves in ab)ect terror, fearing for their lives.
&#alarer, along with those who had been deliberating Harsali's fate, came forth
from the council chambers. The elf's heart turned ever more black and cracked with
rage> he grabbed a firebrand but the council restrained him. With utmost respect, they
bowed to Harsali and bade her good speed and clean water, for her transformation
showed them that her love was real+that nothing they could say or do would change this
simple fact.
With only the faintest bow, Harsali turned to the forest and was reunited with her
true love. The elves watched her go with a newfound respect> to this day, the sylvan elves
and the treants share the custody of the woods.

MoralG $rue love transcends raceKand sometimes even s&ecies-
Halimat!'s 0ride
$!e story o) Halimat! Arnuanna is a cautionary tale relatin, t!e dan,ers o) &ride and
arro,ance, even in t!ose .!o !ave a,ain and a,ain &roven t!eir su&eriority o) s#ill-

Halimath was a smith who had transcended all boundaries of metalworking in his
craft. & true master with the hammer and tongs, each piece of precious metal
commanded his complete attention, each blow of the hammer comprised his entire world.
His creations were truly marvelous and inspired such awe in others. With each passing
year, his skill grew ever greater. Elves traveled the world over to see his works of art.
"enturies passed, and the grey elf decided that his life's work should culminate in
the creation of one truly magnificent artifact+preferably a sword+to be wielded in the
cause of good. He had no doubts about his skill, and he had the costly metals and gems
with which to make and ornament this sword. -ut the grey elves had banned the making
of any more weapons of power. They wanted no reminder of the Elfwar or the
Fractioning, and they forbade Halimath to make such a sword. The elf would neither
listen nor obey> breaking the laws of his land was but a small price to pay for the glory of
the magic he would wrought.
Thus commenced Halimath's destruction.
The rituals the elf sought to enchant the blade were dark and arcane, their powers
hardly more than he could contain. Halimath continued without regard, believing that the
creation of the ,word of Hustice would atone for any evils he committed while creating it.
The first spell he cast almost cost him his life, so strong were the magicks within it. This
spell ensured life to the wielder of the blade for as long as the ,word was held. & second
spell enchanted the weapon so that it could only be used on the side of goodness, and the
third ensured the ,word would strike down the foes of the wielder with but a single blow.
1umors of Halimath's transgressions reached the ears of the grey elf elders. The
wisest and most )ust of them, &ndriana, confronted Halimath and demanded the truth. To
her folly, she held up the ,word to emphasi#e her point. The master smith flew into an
insane rage at his creation being so touched. His massive fist struck the frail elf woman,
and she crumpled to the floor. -lood splattered across the blade in &ndriana's hands and
stained the carpet beneath her still7breathing form. Halimath stared down at the woman
in horror, his senses returning to him in the cold light of what he had done. He knew the
other elders would never allow him to finish the ,word of Hustice, and that thought alone
consumed him. He grabbed the ,word and fled.
,hortly after, the grey elf elders discovered Halimath's misdeeds. Though
&ndriana lived, the elders swore the blood oath against Halimath. They hounded the elf
day and night, until they finally cornered him> though bruised in body and spirit, he was
still unrepentant.
Halimath let out a great cry and raised the ,word of Hustice in defiance against
the elves who harried him. He leaped to attack, but the blade crumbled to dust in his
hands. When the arrows pierced his body, Halimath fell dead.

MoralG Obsession destroys everyt!in,-
Haranavei (oe!lanna
Alt!ou,! many !uman cultures !ave ada&ted t!is )amiliar story )or t!eir o.n use, t!e
elves claim ori,inal credit )or it-

&n elf village was destroyed by an orc raiding party+the only survivor an elf
woman, great with child. ,he fled into the burning forest and forded a swollen stream. !n
the other side, she found refuge in a tiny human village. There, she gave birth to her
child, for labor was brought on by her traumas. With her dying breath she named her
infant daughter Haranavei Goehlanna, and she bade a woodcutter care for her child. The
elf woman perished that night.
3nder the care of the villager, who was now the mayor, Haranavei grew into a
child of ama#ing beauty. The human women of the household took e$ception to this
beauty, and they did their best to ensure that such loveliness would never show. The
mother and her daughters made Haranavei clean the middens, the sties, and the
fireplaces every day. The poor elf child worked from before dawn to after dusk. The
people whom she called <family< sought always to humiliate her for her pointed ears and
thin features, and to belittle her beauty. Their taunts hurt an innocent heart.
&nd so matters went for many years, until one day a prince rode through the now
prosperous village. He was an elf prince, this much is true, and he stopped at the human
village to water and feed his stallion. The mayor's daughters were smitten with his charm
and elegance> in him they praised the very features they taunted in Haranavei.
The elf amused himself at the human girls' e$pense+until he saw the thin figure
of Haranavei trudge by, bearing her heavy burden of firewood. The prince grabbed the
elf maid by the arms and stared long and hard into her eyes. Then, slowly, he smiled, for
his search was over. 2rawmi) Goehlanna had found his sister. The two wept with )oy
when the truth was revealed, though 2rawmi) was saddened at the news of his mother.
He disclosed that he had been away at the time of the orc attack> he had returned to
discover his home in flames. -ut there was no sign of his mother, whom he knew to be
pregnant, and so 2rawmi) went in search of her and her child.
.ore truth was revealed at the house of the mayor's, for the elf prince saw that
the humans had made a slave of his sister. He retaliated by slaying the mayor's wife and
daughters, only )ust sparing the man's life at the re8uest of Haranavei.

MoralG Su))er not t!e vanity o) ot!ers-

Caelestis
$!e elven love o) creation !as e5tended itsel) into t!eir stories, as !as t!eir uniHue
&ers&ective on t!e nature o) time- 0er!a&s t!is story !el&s to e5&lain .!y elves are so
.illin, to devote years to a sin,le &roNectKand .!y t!ey can ta#e years a.ay )rom a
venture be)ore returnin, to it .it! a )res!, ne. &ers&ective-

.alissin &riessus was a high elf architect and artist of e$ceeding vision, though
he had no e$ceptional skill. His dream was to one day create the perfect tree town, where
all elves could live in harmony and peace in a setting of unimaginable splendor+and
improbable engineering.
.alissin did, indeed, create his city within the trees. "aelestis e$ceeded even
.alissin's dreams, and the city e$cited all who saw it. Even the gods were filled with
wonder at the magnificent tree town. &las, .alissin forgot to weave the final
enchantment on his city.
For many years it stood tall and proud, a monument to one elf's dream. .alissin
passed on to &rvanaith, happy and secure that his tree city was all that he had hoped it
would be. & great storm brewed the night of .alissin's death+a storm so great it tore
asunder even the mightiest oak trees. .alissin's city was destroyed for lack of the binding
spells that would have made his structures permanent+an oversight in an otherwise
flawless creation.
Though the architectural principles .alissin employed are long since lost, his
dream lives on in all of us. The desire to design perfection that is beloved by the gods
burns in the breast of all who create, and the urge for such immortality is often
irresistible.

MoralG Love o) creation is t!e element o) &er)ection- 0atience and love o) creation
are t!e &ermanence o) &er)ection-
C!a&ter =G $!e Deat! o) Elves
&fter the 5odswar, "orellon ;arethian walked the world of mortal Elves, hoping
to gain knowledge and e$perience of our lives so that he could give us the aid that a true
god should. 2uring his )ourneys, he came across an Elf woman of such beauty and
generosity of soul that he was stricken with love. Elana returned that love. Two years
later, a child was born Eliara ;arethian. "orellon's daughter was the most perfect Elf
ever born. .en and Elves alike hoped to win her favor.
Eliara could not oblige them all with her love+nor could she choose who was
worthy of her. For a time she spurned them all and devoted her life to the bow> as the
daughter of "orellon, her skill was uncanny. The .en and Elves fought between them to
see who could carry her golden 8uiver, and war threatened to break out between the
races. "orellon and Elana turned to their daughter, and she agreed that such s8uabbling
must stop. &nd so Eliara held a contest to )udge her suitors' skills. & hunt there would be
to see who could match her ability with the bow> the winner should have her as his bride.
2uring the hunt, a great red dragon was drawn to the noise and bustle of the
hunting party. ,eeing the .en and Elves, it opened its maw and poured forth a great gout
of fire+slaying half the party outright. Eliara drew her bow and let loose an arrow. The
shaft entered the beast's eye, killing it instantly. The dragon's body crashed to earth,
uprooting trees as it did. The massive limb of a falling oak caught Eliara in the chest and
she was crushed beneath its deadly weight.
& great funeral was held in Eliara's honor, with all her suitors in attendance. !ne
of these, an Elf master singer named "lain Windsong, threw back his head and let forth a
melodic cry of sheer, wordless anguish. &s if on a cue, the other Elves took up the cry,
their voices mingling and harmoni#ing in an outpouring of overwhelming grief. The
Humans in the party, overcome by the terrible beauty of the music, died of heartbreak.
The tradition of the elven mourning song continues to this day, and it is song of
such anguish as to break a listener's heart.

$!ere are t!ose .!o consider t!e elves to be virtually immortal- W!ile t!ey can
die t!rou,! accident or violence, no one !as ever seen an el) die o) /old a,e-/ $!at is
because no truly old elves remain in t!e .orld #no.n to !umansJ /old/ elves !ave le)t t!e
.orld and Nourneyed on to a &lace called Arvanait!- At about a,e ;;7 years old, elves )eel
an irresistible ur,e to ma#e one last Nourney- An el) can de)y t!is ur,e only mar,inally
more t!an a man can de)y deat! .!en it comes-
0C elves, .it! t!e &ermission o) t!e DM, can continue adventurin, rat!er t!an
succumbin, to t!e siren call o) t!e beyond- O) course, i) t!ey do, t!ey stand t!e c!ance
t!at t!e doors to t!e ot!er.orld .ill be )orever closed to t!em- I) so, t!ey .ill never
#no. t!e deli,!ts t!at a.ait t!em t!ere in Arvanait!- $!e DM s!ould stress t!at )e.
elves ma#e t!is c!oice a)ter !avin, e5&erienced all t!at t!e .orld !as to o))erJ c!an,eK
by .ay o) Arvanait!Kis an attractive o&tion at old a,e-
Wit! t!e s&ells available )or &rolon,in, one's li)e, elves do !ave t!e c!oice o)
tem&orarily )orestallin, t!e inevitable- Ho.ever, because o) t!eir attac!ment to t!e
natural cycles o) t!e .orld, most elves )eel disdain )or t!ose .!o attem&t to avoid t!e
unavoidable- Only t!ose elves .!o )eel no res&ect )or t!e tu,,in,s o) t!e seasons or t!ose
.!o !ave crucial tas#s yet un)inis!ed ta#e t!is o&tion- Ot!er.ise, old elves travel to
Arvanait!, t!e !idden elven !omeland- 1o el) .!o !as traveled to Arvanait! !as ever
.illin,ly le)t t!at land, nor !as any el) re,retted suc! a Nourney- $!e sylvan ,lory
a.aitin, all elves t!ere is beyond any ever e5&erienced by !umansKand is barely
conceivable by t!e elves t!emselves-
Arvanait! is a &lace )ull o) natural beauty, !idden a.ay )rom all but elves- Some
!uman sa,es !ave s&eculated t!at t!is &oc#et is a &iece o) Arvandor on t!e 0lane o)
Olym&us, but none !ave ever been able to reac! itKsave t!rou,! deat!- $!ose sa,es .!o
!ave made suc! a Nourney and .ere able to return to t!eir ori,inal &lane are unable to
s&ea# o) Arvanait!- $!e memory o) t!e beauty is too intense )or t!eir !uman minds to
bear- It is truly a realm only )or t!e el)-
$!ose elves .!o !ave &assed into its .ooded ,lories can e5&erience anyt!in,
t!ey've ever .anted )or as lon, as t!ey .ant- >nima,inable !a&&iness lies in t!is realm,
and every el) can e5&ect to enter Arvanait! u&on !is or !er de&arture )rom tem&oral
#in,doms-
$!e only .ay to return )rom Arvanait! is t!rou,! reincarnation, resurrection, or
some .ay o) retrievin, t!e s&irit )rom t!is realm- *$!e last t.o met!ods are al.ays done
a,ainst t!e el)'s .ill-+ A very )e. return voluntarily, !avin, s&ent millenia enNoyin, t!e
s&lendor o) Arvanait!J t!ey volunteer to be reincarnated, and t!eir souls be,in ane.-
$!ose .!o leave seldom re,ain t!eir ori,inal bodies- $!ey )ind t!emselves reincarnated
in t!e )orm o) any animal ran,in, t!e s&ectrum o) t!e animal #in,dom- Sometimes t!ese
elves return as creatures so lo. on t!e evolutionary scale t!at t!ey lose t!eir elven s&irit
alto,et!er-
Only a le,endary )e. !ave ever returned t!rou,! time to t!eir ori,inal )orms-
$!ese elves !ave returned to com&lete Huests o) e&ic valor and salvation- More li#ely,
t!ose truly !eroic elves .!o !ave reHuested to be reincarnated are reborn as a ne. el)-
Some elves are ri&&ed )rom Arvanait! by t!e s&ells or &rayers o) t!ose still on t!e
mortal &lane- A very )e. o) t!ese survive t!e s!oc# o) returnin, to t!eir old bodiesJ t!ey
re,ain t!eir mortal lives, albeit t!eir s&irits are no. touc!ed .it! a stran,e sorro.- Most
elves, !o.ever, )i,!t to remain in Arvanait!- $!eir s&irits do not .illin,ly leave t!e
,lorious )orests o) t!is most ancestral land- S!ould &o.er)ul ma,ic#s )orce t!em a,ainst
t!eir .ill, t!e elves .ill returnKbut at ,reat cost- Suc! elves usually succumb to madness
and des&airJ a )e. cannot survive t!e return and are trans)ormed into bans!ees-
In Arvanait!, all t!in,s are &ossible- Anyt!in, elves mi,!t .ant, includin,
)or,et)ulness or even oblivion, is available- $!e .inds o) Arvanait! are enou,! to soot!e
even t!e most troubled s&irit, causin, it to set aside !is or !er )ears and torments- Only
t!ose )e. .!o re)use to ,ive u& t!eir sorro.s retain t!e memory o) )ormer troubles-
Instead, memories o) )riends and !a&&y times ma#e u& an el)'s ne. li)e, alon,
.it! ne. dreams and c!allen,es- $roublin, memories remain lar,ely in t!e bac# o) an
el)'s mind, servin, only as a reminder and measure )or t!e ,oodness o) e5istence in
Arvanait!- Most elves are !a&&y to relinHuis! t!e memories o) t!eir su))erin,, retainin,
only t!e #no.led,e o) its &assin, to more )ully a&&reciate t!eir current !a&&iness-
O) course, no el) is )orced to stay in Arvanait! a,ainst !is or !er .ill- Ho.ever,
only a )e. elves !ave c!osen to return to t!e mortal &laneKand t!en only a)ter centuries
!ave been s&ent in Arvanait!- It is lar,ely inconceivable t!at any el) .ould not .ant to
remain in t!e eternal lands-
It s!ould be noted t!at elves don't die t!e .ay ot!er mortal races doJ in )act, elves
only rarely su))er true deat!- $!ose t!at do are mourned )or mont!s, )or t!eir s&irits can
never return to nouris! t!e eart! once a,ain- $!eir c!ildren are c!eris!ed in !o&es t!at
t!ey .ill carry on t!e .or#s o) t!eir &arents, &rovided t!e &arents did not die
dis!onorably-
$!ere are only a )e. .ays t!at elves can su))er t!is )ate- $!e attac#s o) certain
undead, suicide, dyin, in an unnatural &lace, and ot!er e5traordinary circumstances can
com&letely eradicate t!e e5istence o) an el)- $!e only .ay to recover t!ese brave elves is
t!rou,! ma,ic#s no less &o.er)ul t!an a .is!-
$!e bodies o) t!ose .!o !ave died t!e true deat! are o)ten burned- $!is &revents
t!e undead li)e )orce )rom occu&yin, t!e body- El) villa,es !ave learned )rom e5&erience
t!at an un.!ole s&irit is .orse t!an an undead one-
Accidental or ?iolent Deat!
Seemin,ly unli#e many ot!er races in t!e .orlds, elves try to avoid violence- $!eir
actions are ty&ically more cautious, des&ite t!e )act t!at t!ey seem im&etuous- $!is is
more true o) older elves t!an youn,er ones- W!en embar#in, on a course o) action, elves
remind t!emselves t!at it could be t!eir last- $!is !as soberin, e))ect on even !ot!eaded
elves-
Elves live lon, enou,! t!at t!ey don't .ant to ris# t!eir lives on an insi,ni)icant
issue- Only truly eart!Bs!atterin, events and dire emer,encies .ill stir older elves )rom
t!eir retreats in t!e )orests or mountains- 1ot!in, less .ill entice t!em to ris# t!eir livesJ
alt!ou,! t!ey are not co.ards, t!ey !ave no desire to lose a li)e )or somet!in, &etty-
$!is is one o) t!e reasons .!y elves !ave become le,endary )or t!eir s#ill .it!
t!e bo.J it #ee&s t!eir )oes at a sa)e distance, a))ordin, t!e elves little dan,er- At closer
distances, elven trainin, .it! t!e s.ord is &ro)icient enou,! t!at )e. need .orry- Still,
elves !ave no )oolis! notions about #illin, an o&&onent /!onorably-/ $!e met!od o) least
resistance is more li#ely to &reserve &recious lives-
>nli#e most races, elves !ave no in,rained )ear o) deat!- $!eir lon,evity ensures
t!at t!ey !ave a !ealt!y res&ect )or t!e cycles o) li)e andKbecause o) t!eir
interrelations!i& .it! natureKt!ey acce&t deat! in nature- Indeed, elves loo# )or.ard to
t!eir /deat!,/ )or it si,ni)ies t!e Nourney to Arvanait! and a ne. .ay o) li)e rat!er t!an
t!e surcease o) li)e- Ho.ever, elves do )ear deat! by ot!er means-
Elves also )ear t!e violation o) t!eir s&irits and t!eir )ree .ill, )or t!ese are
essential in enterin, Arvanait!- Any creature t!at )eeds on t!e li)e)orce o) anot!er is
3ealously avoided *or slain, i) t!e means are available+ by elves, )or t!ese creatures are
amon, t!e )e. .!o can in)lict true oblivion u&on an el)- Even t!ose elves .!o live under
t!e s!ado. o) evil )ind no #ins!i& in t!ese creatures-
I) an el) su))ers a )atal accident or is murdered, s!e cannot reBenter t!e ,rand
cycle, t!at mystical r!yt!m t!at !urtles t!e eart! t!rou,! t!e s&!eres- Instead, !er body
lies cold and useless .!erever t!e &!ysical deat! occurred, !er s&irit cast out and
s.allo.ed by t!e nameless void surroundin, !er- I) !er body is returned to t!e land o)
!er birt!, t!e story is anot!er matter- Only t!en can t!e el)'s deat! once a,ain !ave
meanin,, )or t!ere !er &!ysical )orm can contribute to t!e .ellBbein, o) !er .orld,
nouris!in, t!e &lants and animals o) !er birt!land- Her s&irit is )ree to enter Arvanait!
and &arta#e in its ,lories-
Any el) o) ,ood or neutral ali,nment is allo.ed in Arvanait!- Even dro. so
ali,ned are .elcomed and allo.ed to s!are in t!e beauties o) s&irit )ound in Arvanait!- In
Arvanait!, subrace is not im&ortant as lon, as t!e soul is ,ood or neutral- Any s&irit
residin, t!ere !as earned t!e ri,!t to do so, re,ardless o) .!at it mi,!t !ave been in li)e-
$!is is truly a re.ard )or t!ose .!o lived t!eir lives under a &all o) sus&icion sim&ly
because o) t!e circumstances o) t!eir birt!-
AHuatic elves, too, are .elcome in Arvanait!- Alt!ou,! t!ey &robably !ad no real
contact .it! t!e sur)aceBd.ellin, elves in li)e, t!ey can revel in t!e com&any o) t!ese
elves in t!e a)terli)e, )or in Arvanait! all t!in,s are &ossible- AHuatic elves and land elves
min,le in a .orld .!ere t!e air is .ater and .ater is airJ t!ere is no di))erence to t!em-
@unereal Ceremonies
Since most elves &ass on to Arvanait!, t!eir &assin, is not mourned )or lon,- Alt!ou,! it
is unli#ely t!at t!ey .ill return to t!e eart! in t!e same )orm as t!ey !ad assumed be)ore
or even .it! t!e same &ersonality, t!eir s&irit continues on- As suc!, deat! rituals are
more o)ten a celebration t!at t!e el) !as ac!ieved t!e Noys o) Arvanait!- W!ile t!e el) may
be missed )or a .!ile, ot!ers #no. t!eir com&anion !as &assed on to somet!in, better-
$!e ceremony surroundin, eac! el) )uneral varies even )rom villa,e to villa,e-
Some ,at!er .it! ,reat &om& to .atc! t!e body be interred in t!e ,round, .it! s&ea#ers
e5&oundin, on t!e merits o) t!e deceased- Ot!ers bury t!e body .it! dis&atc!J t!ey
re,ard it as a mere !us# )rom .!ic! t!e li)e )orce !as de&arted- A)ter riddin, t!e s!ell,
t!ey celebrate t!e s&irit o) t!e el) .!o once resided t!ere- Still ot!er elves believe t!at
burnin, is t!e only .ay to truly rid t!e s&irit o) its eart!ly tiesJ not only does it )ree t!e
s&irit )or Arvanait!, it &revents anyone )rom usin, t!e body )or ne)arious &ur&oses- Eac!
burial is ty&ically related to t!e nature o) t!e el), so t!at t!e burial is &ersonali3ed and t!e
&oint made t!at t!e s&irit !as le)t t!e body-
C!a&ter OG Elven D.ellin,s
.y first glimpse of the grey elf city "elenaress was nothing special %t appeared
as a city of e$ceptional beauty, even under the cloudy night, but certainly no place that %
would lose my soul to. %, .aster Thief 5erril Haka, have seen a thousand sights of
beauty in my life, and this was merely another.
% had easily avoided the patrols wandering the nearby mountainside> their
wakefulness was obviously a sham, for only % noticed the few admittedly minor mistakes %
made in approaching the city. % had no trouble with the sentries when % entered, for my
pet mage shielded me from all prying eyes. % crept through the arched marble gates with
catlike stealth, hugging the shadows all the way to the base of the towering spire that was
my target. The white streets glowed with an inner radiance as they spiraled up the
hillside, but my ability to move through the slightest shadow held true, and % encountered
no resistance.
% climbed the tower as would a spider, hardly pausing to admire the carvings that
decorated its entire surface, appreciating them only for their usefulness in ascending to
the upper rooms. !nce inside the obelisk, % found it ridiculously easy to overcome the
magical wards that had been set in place to guard against the incursions of those such as
myself. % retrieved the Hewel of 2a)armarak, and % found myself mesmeri#ed by the beauty
surrounding me. This was only a momentary pause, however, and % resumed my business.
&s % climbed out the tower's uppermost window, % cast a glance below to ensure
that no prying eyes watched my descent. &t that e$act moment, gods be cursed, the moon
chose to show her face from behind the clouds and illuminate the city. ,o awestruck was %
by the symmetry and form of the city, the e$8uisite perfection of its design that % must
have fallen into a trance.
.y ne$t memory is of lying on the cobblestones surrounded by the "ity 5uard, my
mangled body twitching. .y last thought was that % only hope other would7be thieves
never enter another grey elf city so unwarned as was %, for the city itself was literally my
downfall and may lead to theirs.

$!ose .!o !ave visited an el) city .ill o)ten .onder .!y any el) )eels t!e need,
or even an ur,e, to leave- $!e &eace and beauty o) t!ese &laces is le,endary amon, t!e
youn,er races, so muc! so t!at t!eir ideas o) &aradise are o)ten modeled on )abled el)
cities- Some say t!at eac! el) city, tree to.n, and encam&ment is a )ra,ment o) t!e elves'
Homeland, suc! is t!e ma,ni)icence o) t!ese &laces-
W!et!er it is a sylvan el) encam&ment, a !i,! el) tree to.n, or one o) t!e ,rey
elves' cities, eac! o) t!ese &laces radiates a c!arm and s&lendor unrivaled any.!ere else-
W!ile !uman cities and d.ar) stron,!olds can as&ire to t!e beauty and !armony o) t!e
el) !omes, t!ey can never truly rival t!ese &laces-
W!ile el) cra)ters can still learn )rom t!e d.arves re,ardin, stren,t! and
durability o) masonry, t!ey need no suc! tutela,e in unloc#in, t!e beauty )rom t!e
stones- Wit! t!eir lon, )amiliarity .it! t!e eart!, t!e elves seem to #no. instinctively
!o. best to carve a roc# to reveal its beauty- One mi,!t t!in# t!at elves .ould t!en be
t!e &rimary s!a&ers o) stone in t!e .orldJ d.arves !ave al.ays !eld t!at &osition and
al.ays .ill- W!ile elves do )eel an a))inity )or .or#in, in stone, it is t!at a))inity .!ic!
!olds t!em bac#- Most elves cannot .or# .it! stone t!at !as been ri&&ed )rom t!e eart!,
)or it seems to scream under t!eir )in,erti&s- ?ery )e. elves .ill &ull a&art t!e eart! to
&ull out a c!un# o) roc#-
W!en elves .or# .it! stone, t!e roc# is almost al.ays a &art o) t!e livin, eart! or
a &iece t!at !as become detac!ed- $!us, elven statues are o)ten subNect to t!e movements
o) t!e eart!- In ,eneral, )e. elves ot!er t!an t!e ,rey elves devote muc! time to
stone.or#in,, alt!ou,! all elves #ee& t!e cra)t alive-
Elves )ar &re)er .or#in, .it! livin, .ood t!an .it! stone- Wood is more )le5ible,
)or it .ill s!a&e to bot! t!e elves' needs and t!e needs o) t!e tree- Elves do not .is! to
cause unnecessary stress to any livin, bein, in t!eir .orld, and t!ey try to #ee& t!eir
im&act on t!e trees to a minimum-
Eac! o) t!e sur)aceBd.ellin, elves !as a di))erent &ers&ective on !o. t!e layout
o) a !ome s!ould &roceed- @ollo.in, is a brie) descri&tion o) a ty&ical ,rey elves' city, a
!i,! elves' tree to.n, and a sylvan elves' )orest encam&ment- $!e descri&tions are
necessarily brie), allo.in, t!e re)eree to )les! out t!e d.ellin,s as a&&ro&riate )or !is or
!er cam&ai,n- Bear in mind t!at t!e vastness and )ullness o) li)e in el) settlements ma#es
t!em nearly im&ossible to )ully describe-
$!e Grey Elves' City
$!e ,rey elves !ave an abidin, love )or all t!in,s &ermanent- In t!eir mountains, t!ey
!ave )ound not!in, so &ermanent as stone, and so t!ey ma#e virtually all o) t!eir
beauti)ully scul&ted buildin,s )rom t!is material- Alt!ou,! t!eir s#ill is not t!at o) t!e
d.arves, ,rey elves !ave learned a tric# or t.o .it! stone.or#in,, and t!ey &ut t!em to
,ood use in t!eir cities- W!en t!e rare d.ar) is admitted to t!ese lands, tears !ave .elled
u& in !is eyes at t!e beauty t!e ,rey elves !ave .rou,!t in ,ranite and s!ale and t!e ot!er
stones com&risin, t!eir mountains-
$!e ,rey el) cities are strictly divided by caste- $!ose o) lo.er social level are
#e&t .ell a.ay )rom t!ose o) !i,!er social class- Still, even t!ose o) lo. social standin,
!ave &ermanent !ousin,- Grey elves #no. o) t!e im&ortance o) a secure !ome, and t!ey
&rovide it )or all .!o d.ell in t!eir cities-
Grey el) cities are also divided into at least )ive .alled concentric rin,s, .it!
t!ose o) !i,!er classes closer to.ard t!e secure center- On t!e outer rin,s live t!ose o)
t!e noncaste, or o) e5tremely lo. class- As one &ro,resses t!rou,! t!e rin,s, t!e )inery in
construction and ornamentation increases as .ell, until one reac!es t!e &alace and
,overnment buildin,s in t!e center o) t!e city- $!e )e. !umans and ot!er races .!o !ave
seen t!e center o) a ,rey el) city !ave o)ten s.orn t!at t!ere .as no more lovely si,!t in
all t!e .orld, and t!at t!ey must be in t!e !ome o) t!e ,ods- W!ile it is true t!at t!e
central &ortion o) a ,rey el) city is elaborate, even t!e meanest sections o) t!e city are
stunnin,ly beauti)ulKcra)ters .or# on t!ese sections in t!eir )ree time-
1ot only does t!is arran,ement #ee& eac! social class &!ysically distinct, it
allo.s )or tremendous &rotection o) t!e most im&ortant &arts o) t!e city- @urt!er, all ,rey
elves are trained in at least t!e rudiments o) .ea&onry, and t!e &eo&le t!emselves &rovide
an ideal de)ense a,ainst any un.anted visitors-
$!e Hi,! Elves' $ree $o.n
$!e !i,! elven &!iloso&!y is some.!ere bet.een t!at o) t!e ,rey and sylvan elves-
W!ile t!ey value &ermanence and .or#s o) art, t!ey also try to stay .ell in touc! .it!
nature- $!ere)ore, t!ey do not build many stone edi)ices- $!ey &re)er to stay .it!in t!e
)orest, receivin, its bounties and creatin, a &ure synt!esis bet.een t!e t.o ot!er elven
&ers&ectives on d.ellin,s-
Instead o) t!e stone cities o) t!e ,rey elves and t!e tents o) t!e sylvan elves, many
*alt!ou,! not all+ !i,! elves create tree towns- >sin, only t!e mi,!tiest o) trees in t!e
ancient )orests as a base, t!ey build t!eir !omes !i,! above t!e ,round- Alt!ou,! many
!ave t!ou,!t t!is mi,!t ma#e !i,! elves es&ecially vulnerable to )ire, t!ose .!o !ave
tried to e5&loit t!is !ave )ound ot!er.ise- $!e elves al.ays #ee& liHuids and .ater s&ells
!andy to &rotect t!eir beloved trees, and bo.s are al.ays near to !and to disci&line t!ose
.!o !ave t!e audacity to try to burn t!em-
$ree to.ns are usually based around t!e tallest and stron,est o) t!e trees in t!e
)orest- One must #ee& in mind t!at t!ese are vir,in .oodsK)orests t!at !ave never been
lo,,ed- $!us, t!ese )orests are old beyond measure, and t!eir trees are tall .it! a,e- One
could )all )rom t!e lo.est level o) a tree to.n )or &er!a&s 877 )eet be)ore !ittin, t!e
,round-
%o&es and ladders connect t!e levels- $!ere are &ulleys and risin, &lat)orms to aid
t!ose .!o aren't as s&ry on t!e ro&es as t!e elves, suc! as t!e )airly )reHuent visitors-
%ails and balconies surround t!e !ouses, #ee&in, one )rom inadvertently &lummetin, to
t!e ,round-
Alt!ou,! t!ese !i,! elves live in t!e trees, t!ey are Nust at !ome on t!e ,round as
t!ey are in t!e !ei,!ts- $!ey conduct most o) t!eir )estivals and meetin,s on t!e ,round,
so t!at t!eir nonBtreeBd.ellin, bret!ren may attend-
$!e Sylvan Elves' Encam&ment
Sylvan el) encam&ments are built .it! bot! de)ense and admiration o) nature in mind-
Lo., mottledB,reen tents are &itc!ed in a circle, .it! t!e o&enin,s to.ard t!e central
)ires- Occasionally, t!e elves .ill en,a,e in s!i)tin, t!e eart! about to &rovide added
&rotection- $!ese encam&ments re&resent t!e only !ome sylvan elves #no.- $!e land
readily returns to normal .!en t!e elves continue on t!eir nomadic course-
In t!e .inter or .!en t!ey intend to stay )or a year or more, .ood elves build
semi&ermanent .ood lod,es, rat!er t!an use tents- Many barbarian !uman tribes !ave
emulated t!is &ractice, )or t!ey and t!e .ood elves .ould rat!er not endure !ars! .inters
.it! only a t!in canvas se&aratin, t!em )rom t!e elements- Still, even t!e sylvan elves'
.ood tents are .ell dis,uised, and casual travelers &assin, .it!in 877 yards .ill not s&ot
t!e cam&site- Even i) t!ey did, t!e .ood el) ,uards .ould dissuade t!em )rom advancin,
any nearer .it! some .ellB&laced arro.s-
$!e bivouac is nearly al.ays establis!ed in a clearin, or on a !ill, or bot!, i)
&ossible- $!e esca&e routes and battle tactics are t!orou,!ly establis!ed at t!e same time
a cam& is, so .ood elves are never cau,!t una.ares- $!ey usually move only t.ice a
year-
W!atever t!eir sc!edule, t!e .ood elves !ave as ,reat a love )or im&ermanence
and c!an,e as t!e ,rey elves !ave )or &ermanence- W!ile a ,rey el) city radiates a )eelin,
o) timelessness, com)ortin, its citi3ens .it! t!e #no.led,e t!at it .ill never c!an,e, a
.ood el) encam&ment al.ays ,ives t!e im&ression o) constant readiness to c!an,e-

C!a&ter :G O&tional %ules
"ylithera ,wanflight had but one driving ambition as she grew ,he would be the
finest swordswoman the world had ever seen. From the tender age of DC until she was
?CE years old, "ylithera practiced obsessively every day, neglecting even her studies of
other sub)ects.
<&ll anyone need know of me is that % have the fastest sword arm,< she scoffed. <%
do not need to bother with other learning, for the historians would never recount how %
knew !rcish. ;egends of me will only tell of my genius with the sword+not the dusty
facts my elders would have me learn.<
&nd so "ylithera continued to sidestep true education. For <variety,< she studied
under the finest archers in elvendom, honing her archery skills to perfection. Her every
waking moment was filled with bow and sword practice> her only purpose to one day
become a legend. &lready stories were being told of her single7mindedness in pursuing
her goal 9not all of them complimentary:. Her skills surpassed those of her masters, and
she knew the day had come.
"ylithera traveled to a forest alone, seeking some monster to test her abilities.
What she encountered was far different than her e$pectations. 1ounding a bend in a
path, she came across an elf sitting atop a rock. He was of ama#ing beauty, but even to
her untutored senses he stank of evil. 2rawing her bright sword, "ylithera immediately
challenged him to a duel. ,mirking, he stepped from his perch, made a mocking
obeisance to her, and gestured idly. ,uddenly unable to move even her fingers, "ylithera
could only watch as the older elf sauntered toward her. He struck the sword from her
hand, scrawled a note on a piece of parchment and impaled it on her dagger, then
plunged the blade into her back.
&fter "ylithera recovered, she found the courage to look at the parchment. %t
read <%gnorance is sometimes bliss, but more often death.< From that moment forth, she
devoted herself to studying the unknown and eventually became a sorceress of great
repute. The stories told now of "ylithera ,wanflight praise her for the vast knowledge
she came to learn.

Given .!at is #no.n about elves, it may seem lo,ical t!at t!ey be allo.ed
various alternatives not normally ,ranted in t!e core rules &resented in t!e 2.5 and t!e
0H-- $!eir incredibly lon, li)es&ans ma#e a )e. o) t!ese rules seem Huestionable-
$!is c!a&ter s!ould address some o) t!ese concerns- Ho.ever, t!e reader must
understand t!at any c!an,es &ro&osed in t!is c!a&ter are &urely optional- $!e DM may
allo. or )orbid any o) t!ese rules as is a&&ro&riate to !is or !er cam&ai,n-
Since t!e rules &resented in t!is c!a&ter e5&and t!e abilities o) elves .it! only
minor dra.bac#s *t!ereby u&settin, ,ame balance to &otentially unmana,eable de,rees+,
eac! addition o) t!ese o&tions must be .ei,!ed care)ully to determine to .!at de,ree t!e
cam&ai,n .ill become imbalanced- $!e Dun,eon Master s!ould eit!er disallo. t!e rule
or, i) !e or s!e .is!es to use t!e o&tion, com&ensate )or any imbalance it causes- Many o)
t!ese o&tional rules .ill add s&ice to a cam&ai,n *&articularly an allBel) cam&ai,n+, butK
a,ainKt!e ,ame re)eree must determine .!et!er t!e &rice to be &aid is .ort! t!e ,ain-
1aturally, in an allBel) cam&ai,n, t!ese rules .ill not really a))ect t!e c!aracters
overall- In any ot!er cam&ai,n, !o.ever, t!e advanta,es and disadvanta,es must be
care)ully considered to determine t!e rami)ications- Balance must be &reserved so t!at
t!e ,ame remains enNoyable to &lay any sort o) c!aracter- $!at's .!y t!e various rules are
t!ere-
A ,ood idea .!en considerin, t!e o&tions &resented !ere is to )i,ure out
disadvanta,es to accom&any eac! advanta,e- $!is .ill )orce t!e &layers to decide
.!et!er t!ey .ant t!e advanta,e so badly t!at t!ey .ill &ay )or it- I) t!ey do, and t!e DM
is .illin, to include suc! alternatives, by all means ,ive t!e o&tional rule a try- I) it
doesn't .or#, retire t!e rulin,-
O&tions &resented in t!is c!a&ter include e5&andin, level limits, allo.in, e5tra
&ro)iciencies, modi)yin, combat and arc!ery s#ills, usin, bo.s as .ea&ons, and
adNustin, arro. brea#a,e-

Level Limit E5&ansion
As an o&tion to consider, i) t!e DM &ermits, el) c!aracters may &ro,ress in t!eir levels as
)ar as a !uman mi,!t- $!is o&tion re)lects t!e )act t!at elves !ave many e5tra years in
.!ic! to &rove t!emselves- Alt!ou,! a ty&ical el) may become bored .it! an e5tended
soNourn in any one class and .ould &re)er to retire t!an continue in !is or !er vocation,
t!ere are al.ays e5ce&tions- 0Cs are, o) course, t!e most notable e5ce&tions to any rule-
1aturally, ,iven t!e lon, li)e o) t!e standard el), t!is could ra&idly lead to elves
dominatin, t!eir cam&ai,n .orld- $!is may or may not be desirable to t!e DM,
de&endin, on t!e )lavor o) t!e cam&ai,n- I) t!e elves are t!e dominant race o) a &articular
.orld, !avin, built or )ostered ot!er civili3ations, t!e Dun,eon Master mi,!t .is! to
t!in# about t!is o&tion- I) t!e ot!er races !ave develo&ed le,ends about t!e s#ill, .isdom,
and sa,e counsel o) t!e elves, t!e elves most li#ely do not !ave level limitations-
I), on t!e ot!er !and, t!e DM &re)ers t!e elves to )ollo. t!e AD"DI ,ame
standard as Nust anot!er 0C race, !e or s!e may .is! to some!o. limit t!e elves' levels-
0lease note, !o.ever, t!at t!is does not mean !altin, t!eir advancement in t!eir c!osen
class entirely- %at!er, as su,,ested in t!e 2ungeon .aster's 5uide, sim&ly slo. t!eir
advancement- %emember t!at time is a )ar di))erent matter to elves t!an to !umansJ
ta#in, lon,er to ac!ieve somet!in, is natural to elves-
C!ar,in, elves double t!e e5&erience &oints necessary to ac!ieve levels beyond
t!eir ma5imums seems a reasonable com&romise- $!is re)lects t!e ent!usiasm elves )eel
.!en )irst enterin, an enter&rise, as .ell as t!eir subseHuent diminis!in, commitment to
t!eir c!osen class- Eventually, most elves ,ro. bored .it! t!e re&etition t!at adventurin,
as a )i,!ter *or as a &riest, ma,e, or ro,ue+ &rovides- Suc! lac# o) concentration is
indicated in t!e additional time it reHuires an el) to advance in levels-

E5tra 0ro)iciencies
$!is section s!ould only be used i) t!e DM uses t!e o&tional &ro)iciency system- I) t!e
DM doesn't use t!at system, &layers may .ant to s#i& t!is section- Or, t!ey may .ant to
)amiliari3e t!emselves .it! t!e system and t!en read t!is section-
>sin, t!e o&tional &ro)iciency system, all el) 0Cs ,et a number o) s#ills t!ey can
use to round out a c!aracter- Addin, e5tra &ro)iciencies )or older el) c!aracters is a
natural ste& in t!e evolvin, 0C-
Addin, &ositive modi)iers to e5istin, &ro)iciencies )or older el) c!aracters is also
a &ossibility to consider- A bein, .!o !as more t!an 877 years to &ractice a s#ill .ill
certainly be one o) t!e better &ractitioners o) t!at s#ill to be )ound any.!ere-
Ho.ever, it's unli#ely t!at elves .ould s&end t!eir yout! &racticin, .ea&on s#ills
e5clusively- 0arents .ould rat!er t!ese youn, elves learned more o) li)e's many )acets
be)ore devotin, time to a sin,le &ursuit, includin, .ea&onry- More li#ely t!an not, a
youn, el)'s li)e is dominated by music, dancin,, and learnin, cra)tsmans!i&- @e. el)
&arents .ould ever .ant t!eir c!ild to ,ro. u& to be an adventurerJ .!ile t!ey value )ree
.ill, t!ey .ould de)initely discoura,e t!eir c!ild )rom suc! a &at!- $!ey .ould .ant
t!eir c!ild to e5&eriment .it! all o&tions available in li)e, and most .ould &re)er t!at t!e
c!ild concentrate on t!e ,entle, lovely side o) e5istence-
@or t!is reason, elves s!ouldn't be allo.ed e5tra adventurin, &ro)iciencies suc! as
blindB)i,!tin, or endurance- Only t!ose a&&licable to an el)'s youn, li)e s!ould be
considered- Even t!e more ru,,ed &ro)iciencies, suc! as survival and )ireBbuildin,, are
Huestionable c!oices )or an el)'s early years-
Instead, t!in# about a !uman c!ild's li)e- Human c!ildren are tau,!t sin,in,,
musical instruments, or art- @e. o) t!em learn t!e intricacies o) ,amin, or )or,ery- Only
t!e most e5ce&tional o) c!ildren .ould be allo.ed &ro)iciencies suc! as t!ese-
$!e same is true )or el) c!ildren- $!ose .!ose destinies are in a certain cra)t *suc!
as blac#smit!in,, !untin,, or study+ .ill learn t!e s#ills a&&licable to t!eir cra)t as .ell as
t!ose necessary to become a .ellBrounded el)- I) t!ey .ant to develo& ot!er s#ills *suc!
as t!ose t!ey mi,!t need )or an adventurin, li)e+, t!ey .ill !ave to develo& t!em in t!e
)uture as .ould anyone else-
$!us, it is su,,ested t!at elves be allo.ed t.o or &ossibly t!ree e5tra non.ea&on
&ro)iciencies *suc! as Dancin,, Musical Instrument, and Sin,in,+, as t!ey be,in &lay-
$!ose elves .!o start &lay at a later a,e mi,!t ,ain one )or every 87 years over a,e 877-
Combat Modi)ication
Elves are )iercely interested in any art to .!ic! t!ey may dedicate t!emselves )or decades
or even centuries- $!is includes t!e )i,!tin, arts- $!e o&tional modi)ication described in
t!is section, t!e bladeson, )i,!tin, style, re)lects t!at interest-
W!en an el) !as devoted !imB or !ersel) to im&rovin, &ro.ess in combat, t!e
result can o)ten be a )ri,!tenin,ly e))icient individual- $!e services o) elves .!o !ave
e5clusively trained )or battle are in !i,! demand in !uman lands, )or t!e elves'
#no.led,e o) tactics, strate,y, and s.ord&lay o)ten rivals t!at o) t!e most accom&lis!ed
!uman ,enerals-
Bladeson, @i,!tin, Style
Dedicated el) .arriors ta#e t!eir cra)t seriously enou,! to !ave created a uniHuely elven
)i,!tin, style- >nli#e t!e martial arts o) ot!er races, t!e elven )i,!tin, style, also #no.n
as t!e bladesong, em&!asi3es beauty and economy o) movement over s!eer destructive
&o.er- Ho.ever, t!e elven bladeson, is dece&tively dan,erous, )or all its seemin,
,entleness and a&&arent ,race-
$!ere are t.o ty&es o) bladesin,ersG t!ose .!o learn it as an additional s#ill
*described belo.+, and t!ose .!o !ave made it t!eir lives- $!ose in t!is second cate,ory
are #no.n as Bladesin,ers, and t!ey are described in C!a&ter $en-
Bladeson, is so named )or several reasons- $!e )irst and most obvious is because
o) t!e .!istlin, o) t!e blade as it slices t!rou,! t!e air .!en t!is style o) )i,!tin, is used-
$!e second is )or t!e !auntin,, .ordless tune many o) its &ractitioners sin, as t!ey )i,!t-
$!ose .!o &ractice t!e bladeson, a&&ear as i) t!ey are dancin, .!en t!ey )i,!t-
$!eir movements seem misleadin,ly slo. and ele,ant, de)lectin, o&&onents' blades
.!ile la3ily dri)tin, bac# to score !its t!emselves- $!e tec!niHue reHuires, above all,
misdirection and subtlety- $!e bladesin,ers do not believe in smas!in, blo.s or stron,
and crus!in, o))ense, but rat!er in ,uidin, t!eir o&&onents to antici&ate a di))erent attac#
entirely, t!us overbalancin, t!e )oe and ma#in, !im seem clumsy-
Bladesin,in, can be done .it! any SmallB or MediumBsi3ed melee .ea&on,
alt!ou,! t!e maNority o) &ractitioners &ractice t!eir art .it! t!e s.ord- Due to t!e
a.#.ardness o) &olearms and t.oB!anded .ea&ons, t!ere are no #no.n students o)
bladesin,in, &ro)icient in t!ese .ea&ons-
$o ta#e advanta,e o) t!e bladesin,in, tec!nical bene)its, t!e c!aracter *.!o must
be a member o) t!e .arrior, &riest, ro,ue, or .arrior4ma,e classes+ must devote at least
t.o .ea&on &ro)iciency slots to t!e style- Ot!er.ise, t!e c!aracter can ,ain no bene)its
)rom t!e tec!niHue- $!is cost does not include t!e initial slot devoted to learnin,
rudimentary use o) t!e .ea&on, so t!e total cost is t!ree .ea&on slots-
Obviously, ro,ues and &riests cannot &ic# u& t!is tec!niHue until t!ey reac! t!e
<t! level or !i,!er, since t!ey start out .it! only t.o .ea&on &ro)iciency slots and don't
acHuire a t!ird until !avin, &ro,ressed in levels- *As noted above, ma,es cannot learn t!is
style at all-+ Even i) ro,ues and &riests devote all t!eir initial slots to a .ea&on and t!e
)irst !al) o) t!e bladeson, &ro)iciency, t!ey must ta#e a si,ni)icant amount o) time a.ay
)rom adventurin, to learn t!e second !al)- >nless t!eir com&anions are remar#ably
understandin, and .illin, to .ait some years, t!is could cause &arty )riction- $!us, t!e
style is usually &racticed only by .arriors and .arrior4ma,es-
0lease noteG Elves never teac! t!is style to nonBelves, includin, !al)Belves and
dro. *t!e latter o) .!om !ave t!eir o.n teac!ers and t!eir o.n style any.ay+- Elves
ma#e no e5ce&tions to t!is rule, even )or t!ose .!o !ave &roven t!emselves eternal
)riends to t!e elves or even t!ose .!o !ave married into t!e elven li)e- Elves !ave several
reasons )or not doin, so-
$!e )irst is t!at t!is style could be a terrible .ea&on a,ainst t!e elves s!ould any
nonBel) students c!oose to use it t!at .ay- $!ou,! t!ey may trust someone .it! t!eir
lives, t!e teac!in, o) t!e bladeson, is most de)initely a racial secretKa secret t!at .ill
not be revealed even under &ain o) deat!- $!e only conceivable .ay )or a nonBel) to ,ain
t!is #no.led,e is by usin, &o.er)ul ma,ic#s to )orce it )rom a &ractitioner- In suc! a
case, elves .ould s.ear t!e blood oat! and do,,edly !unt t!e t!ie) until !e or s!e is
destroyed- $!ey .ould not !esitate to use every tric# at t!eir command-
$!e second is t!at t!ere are so )e. teac!ers o) bladesin,in, t!at t!ey !ave no
desire to devote t!e time reHuired to any ot!er t!an elves- Alt!ou,! t!is is biased a,ainst
nonBelves, bladesin,in, masters are adamant about not teac!in, any ot!er t!an elves-
W!ile a )e. ot!er creatures mi,!t !ave t!e ,race necessary )or t!e intricacies o) t!e
bladeson,, t!ey certainly do not !ave t!e Nud,ment and discernment most elves &ossess-
@inally, and most com&ellin,ly, )e. ot!er bein,s !ave t!e time necessary to
&ro&erly learn bladesin,in,- In t!e years it ta#es to master even t!e rudiments o) t!e
bladeson,, a !uman could raise a )amily, build a success)ul business, and retire a .ealt!y
man- $!ere are numerous ot!er .ays to become a )ierce )i,!ter, all o) .!ic! demand less
time t!an learnin, t!e bladeson,- Even most elves are not .illin, to ta#e t!e time
necessary to learn t!is tec!niHue- Only t!e most )iercely devoted .ill s&end t!e decades
reHuired )or t!is )i,!tin, style-
Advanta,es
Alt!ou,! t!e cost is rat!er stee& to learn bladesin,in,, its &ractitioners s.ear by it- Its
.ide versatility o)ten astounds t!ose .!o are not )amiliar .it! its intricacies- $!e t!in,s
even an amateur bladesin,er can do .it! one blade ec!o tric#s t!at accom&lis!ed
.arriors can do .it! t.o, or .it! a .ea&on and s!ield-
$!ose elves .illin, to devote t.o slots to learnin, t!e rudiments o) bladesin,in,
,ain t!e use o) t!e )ollo.in, bene)itsG
8- $!ey may ,ain a R8 bonus to t!eir AC or, i) t!ey .is! to s&end an e5tra
slot, may boost t!is bonus to R6 to t!eir AC- $!at is t!e !i,!est bonus t!ose .!o
c!oose bladeBsin,in, as an additional s#ill can attain- or
6- $!ey may ,ain a R8 to !it or, i) t!ey .is! to s&end an e5tra slot, may boost
t!is to a R6 to attac#- As .it! t!e AC bonus, R6 is t!e best t!ey can !o&e )or- or
9- $!ey may attac# and &arry in t!at same round, .it!out .astin, any
additional attac#s-
1ote t!at t!ese t!ree bene)its are not cumulativeJ t!at is, &ractitioners cannot use
all t!ree at once- Ho.ever, t!ey do !ave t!e o&tion o) varyin, bet.een t!ese t!ree
o&tions durin, t!e course o) a combat-
EPAM0LEG &maranth ,ilversword, a @th7level fighter fully proficient in the
bladesinging weapon style with three slots, encounters a band of FE orcs while he is
walking well ahead of his party. He immediately shifts into a defensive posture, giving
himself a JF bonus to his &" so that he may gauge the orc band's capability.
When they fail to hurt him appreciably in the first e$change of attacks, &maranth
places his back to a tree so that fewer of them can approach. He shifts to a slightly
offensive stance, going with one attack and one parry. He dispatches an orc, and the rest
still have failed to harm him severely.
4ow that he has fully learned their measure, he goes totally on the offensive and
whirls through their midst with deadly capability. When the rest of his party finally
catches up with him, hurried by the sound of clashing blades, they find &maranth
standing atop several dead orc bodies, calling elaborate and inventive insults after those
who have fled.
Disadvanta,es
$!e most obvious disadvanta,e to acHuirin, t!e bladesin,in, .ea&on style is t!at a
c!aracter cannot carry a s!ield and &ractice t!e style at t!e same time- $!is tec!niHue
reHuires )ar too muc! concentration on movement and )lo., and t!e s!ield ,ets in t!e
.ay o) t!e ,race and balance necessary to success)ully use t!e style-
A more esoteric disadvanta,e is t!at t!is style is most o)ten used by lonersK
solitary individuals .!o !ave no desire to be &art o) a ,rou&- %arely, t!is tec!niHue may
be &racticed by someone .!ose com&anions .ill &art com&any .it! t!e 0C )or a decade-
Since bladesin,in, is a very demandin, style, t!e trainin, is intense, di))icult, and, above
all, lon,- $!ere)ore, a 0C .ould be .ell advised to study t!is style in !is or !er early
years be)ore Noinin, u& .it! a ,rou& o) adventurersKor else develo& some lon,Blived
and understandin, )riends-
Arc!ery Modi)ications
Elves are, .it! )e. e5ce&tions, t!e undis&uted masters o) t!e bo.- $!ey !ave develo&ed
t!eir art to a state o) true e5cellence- $!is section details several tec!niHues elves !ave
devised to !one t!eir arc!ery s#illsK)or )un, &ro)it, and &rotection- Many ot!er races
!ave seen t!ese tric#s, and t!ose t!at .ere not on t!e receivin, end o) t!em !ave
dili,ently tried to &ractice t!ese arts-
Seven o&tional tec!niHues )or )irin, a bo. are outlined in t!is sectionJ t!ese
modi)ications are cumulative .it! any ot!ers t!at a c!aracter mi,!t !ave- Also, most o)
t!ese tric#s are usable only .it! lon, or s!ort bo.s *or t!e com&osite versions t!ereo)+- A
)e. can be used .it! t!e crossbo., but because most elves disdain t!e use o) t!at
.ea&on, its modi)iers are not included-
An im&ortant note re,ardin, elven arc!eryG Elves may, because o) t!eir a,ility,
)ire t!eir bo., move, and )ire once a,ain- Alternatively, t!ey may c!oose to move, )ire
t!eir bo., and t!en move a,ain-
$!e Bro#enBC!ar,e S!ot
One o) t!e most e))ective .ea&ons o) a mounted enemy is t!e ability to c!ar,e- One o)
t!e most e))ective .ays to rid )oes o) t!is advanta,e is to ta#e out t!eir mounts )rom
underneat! t!em- Alt!ou,! t!is isn't a met!od elves ,enerally em&loy because t!e mount
usually isn't a t!reat, t!ey .ill use t!e tactic i) t!in,s are loo#in, ,rim on t!e )ield o)
battle- Elves .ill also use t!is o&tional maneuver i) t!e mount itsel) &oses a t!reat-
>nless suc! animals are .ell trained in t!e .ays o) combat and in dealin, .it!
&ain, a !it by an arro. .ill brea# t!e c!ar,e- %iders must ma#e a LandBBased %idin,
c!ec# to see i) t!ey retain t!eir seatin, ato& an inNured mount- I) t!ey )ail t!is c!ec#, t!ey
must )ollo. .it! a De5terity c!ec#- $!ose .!o don't !ave t!e &ro)iciency may only do
t!e De5terity c!ec#J i) t!is c!ec# )ails, t!e rider is !urled to t!e ,round )or 8d< &oints o)
dama,e-
$!e DoubleBArro. S!ot
Anot!er tric# t!at is im&ressive *t!ou,! ,ood )or little else+ is t!e doubleBarro. s!ot- By
addin, a R8 &enalty to initiative and ta#in, a E8 to attac# rolls and dama,e, t!e arc!er
may )ire t.o arro.s )rom t!e bo. .it! one &ull o) t!e strin,-
$!e arro.s can be directed to.ard a sin,le tar,et or at t.o se&arate tar,ets .it!in
a F7Bde,ree arc i) t!e attac#er is .illin, to ta#e an additional R8 &enalty to initiative and
anot!er E8 to attac# rolls and dama,e- $!is re)lects t!e time t!e arc!er ta#es to adNust t!e
)letc!in, and arran,e t!e arro.s on t!e strin,-
$!is s!ot does not allo. more t!an t.o arro.s on a sin,le strin,- Lastly, i) t!is
o&tion is ta#en, no more t!an one additional arro. may be )ired in t!e same round-
EPAM0LEG Ganali, a Krd7levelLKrd7level high elf fighterLmage, faces two ogres. ,he has
e$hausted her spells and must rely only on her archery skills. Taking two arrows from her
8uiver, she rips the fletching a bit, nocks them both on the string 9taking a JF to
initiative:, and lets loose the arrows. To hit the ogres' &" D, she rolls a ?@ and a ?K.
Taking all her modifiers into effect 9J? for being an elf, AF for the difficulty of the shot:,
her total modifier is A?. Her modified rolls are then ?C and ?F. ,ince she needs ?K to hit
&" D, she hits one of the ogres, inflicting ?d@ AF points of damage. %f she had focused
both shots on one ogre, the damage would have been greater. ,he still has one shot left
this round, and she'd better not waste it.
$!e @oot S!ot
In some situations, an arc!er may )ind one o) !er arms unable to ,ri& t!e strin, or s!a)t o)
a bo.- 0er!a&s t!e ot!er !and is !oldin, onto somet!in, to #ee& t!e el) )rom )allin,, or
&er!a&s t!e arm !as been inNured- Or maybe t!e el) Nust .ants a bit o) e5tra &ull on t!e
bo., to in)lict Nust a little more dama,e-
In a case li#e t!is, i) a s!ot is absolutely reHuired, elves !ave develo&ed t!e )oot
s!ot- $!e el) must !ave a secure &lace to rest !er !indside and at least one arm )ree-
>sin, t!e )eet as a base a,ainst .!ic! to &ull, t!e el) aims t!e bo. and &ulls bac# t!e
strin, .it! t!e )ree !and *or bot!, i) &ossible+- Alt!ou,! t!ere is a E8 &enalty to attac#
rolls, t!e dama,e is increased by R8 because o) t!e e5tra &ull ,ranted by usin, !er )eet-
$!e Han,in,B$ree S!ot
Because elves s&end so muc! time in and around .it! trees, t!ey obviously !ave )ound a
need to incor&orate trees into t!eir arc!ery- El) scouts and s&ies es&ecially !ave learned to
use trees e))ectively- $!ey dro& )rom branc!es to land in )ront o) t!eir enemies or use
trees as concealment-
One o) t!e tric#s el) arc!ers are most &roud o) is t!e dan,lin, s!ot- In t!is s!ot,
t!e el) .ra&s !er le,s around a sturdy tree branc! and dro&s do.n.ard .!ile
simultaneously )irin, ri,!t into t!e )aces o) !er oncomin, enemies-
>n)ortunately, t!e disadvanta,es to t!is s!ot are numerous- $!e most obvious is
t!at anyt!in, on t!e el) t!at isn't tied do.n or stra&&ed in *arro.s, da,,ers, loose c!an,e,
et cetera+ .ill )all to t!e ,round- Anot!er disadvanta,e is t!e E9 to attac# rolls- Lastly, t!e
el) can't )ire !er usual t.o s!ots-
Ho.ever, t!e el) can still ta#e an action, suc! as s.in,in, bac# u& into t!e tree or
Num&in, to t!e ,round- @urt!er, t!e enemy su))ers a EF to !is sur&rise rollM $!is advanta,e
alone o)ten out.ei,!s t!e dra.bac#s, and t!e !an,in, tree s!ot is a )avorite tric# o) elves
ambus!in, lone outriders-
$!e Cuic#BDra. S!ot
Every once in a .!ile, t!ere arises a situation .!ere an arc!er must )ire more t!an t.o
arro.s a round or .!ere t!e arc!er must brin, a bo. to bear very Huic#ly- In res&onse to
t!is need, elves !ave develo&ed t!e Huic# dra. s!ot- $!eir a,ility and t!e nearBconstant
com&anions!i& o) t!eir bo.s !as !el&ed t!em ac!ieve t!at end admirably-
Because o) t!e s&eed involved in )irin, )rom a Huic# dra., t!e el) !as less time to
aim- $!ere)ore, accuracy o) t!e s!ot is severely a))ected- $!e )irst s!ot in a round is made
at no &enalty- @rom t!ere, &enalties add u& Huic#ly- $!e second s!ot is at E6- $!e t!ird is
at E<- $!e )ourt! is at EO- I) t!e el) .is!es to attem&t a )i)t! s!ot, t!e &enalty )or it is E8F-
$!e arc!er ,ets o)) t.o s!ots on !is )irst attac# seHuence- W!en all combatants
!ave )inis!ed t!eir )irst attac#s, t!e arc!er may ta#e t!e ne5t t.o, i) so desired- @inally,
a)ter everyone !as com&leted second attac#s, t!e arc!er may ta#e one )inal s!ot-
Alt!ou,! t!is s!ot is almost ,uaranteed to miss, it may be t!e last !o&e o) a &arty, so
many try it in moments o) des&eration-
A si5t! s!ot in a round is virtually im&ossible unless t!e el) !as been !asted or !as
ot!er.ise been made e5ce&tionally s&eedy- In suc! ma,ically en!anced cases, t!e )irst
t.o s!ots are .it!out &enalty- $!e t!ird and )ourt! are at E6- $!e )i)t! and si5t! are at E<-
$!e sevent! is at EO- $!e ei,!t! *and )inal+ s!ot is at E8F-
$!e Sta&lin, S!ot
W!en an el) .ants to disarm or ot!er.ise inca&acitate someone, !e can attem&t a sta&lin,
maneuver- By ma#in, a called s!ot *R8 &enalty to initiative, E< to attac# rolls+, t!e
c!aracter can sta&le some &art o) t!e tar,et's clot!in, to a nearby obNect, as lon, as t!at
obNect is o) a material t!at is reasonably subNect to &enetration by an arro. *suc! as .ood
or &laster+- $!e tar,et must be standin, near suc! an obNect or t!e s!ot is .asted-
I) t!e s!ot is success)ul, t!e tar,et is &inned to t!at obNect- $!e tar,et must s&end a
round tearin, )ree, alt!ou,! t!is reHuires no roll- 0inned tar,ets de)end .it! a E6 to AC
and to attac#s rolls- A)ter t!ree rounds, i) t!ey !ave not ta#en t!e time to )ree t!emselves,
t!ey brea# )ree due to e5ertion- Durin, t!ese t!ree rounds, t!e &enalties to Armor Class
and attac# rolls still a&&ly-
$!e sta&lin, s!ot is not only ,ood )or &reventin, various actions on t!e &art o) a
!ostile &erson, it serves to demonstrate t!at t!e elves are )ar )rom de)enseless-
@urt!ermore, many elves li#e to embarrass tar,ets by a))i5in, t!em to t!e nearest &iece o)
/)urniture-/
$!e $ric# S!ot
Elves do not al.ays c!oose to nail an o))ensive &erson to t!e nearest tree- O)ten, t!ey
&re)er anot!er means to convey t!eir disdain or enmity- $!us, elves !ave &er)ected t!eir
aim so t!at t!ey can ma#e a s&ectacular retaliatory s!ot t!at says to an enemy t!at !e is
not needed nor, indeed, .anted in t!e elves' &ortion o) t!e .orld-
$ric# s!ots o) t!is sort include #noc#in, o)) !ats, sendin, an arro. an inc! a.ay
)rom an intruder's ear, or &lacin, an arro. in interestin, and amusin, &laces *suc! as t!e
be!ind o) an orc+- Deliberate tric# s!ots also include s!ots intended to be clearly .arnin,
s!ots and not sim&ly missed tar,ets- $!ese tric# s!ots reHuire t!e el) to ta#e a R8 to
initiative and a E< to attac# rolls-
I) t!e attac# roll is made, t!e arro. can do e5actly .!at t!e el) .anted-
Ot!er.ise, it .ill eit!er )ly a.ay !armlessly *in)ormin, victims t!at someone is s!ootin,
at t!em+, or it .ill actually !it t!e one )or .!om t!e .arnin, .as intended- I) so, t!e
arro. in)licts 8d9 &oints o) dama,e- I) t!e tar,ets .ere not &reviously enemies, t!ey
certainly .ould be by no.-
>sin, Bo.s as Wea&ons
W!en arc!ers .ieldin, a bo. are attac#ed in melee, t!ey !ave little c!oice but to de)end
t!emselves .it! t!e bo.- In t!e &ast, t!is ty&ically s&elled t!e destruction o) t!e bo., but
elves !ave learned !o. to de)lect some o) t!e )orce o) a blo.Kt!us ma#in, t!e bo.
re&arable- @urt!ermore, elves !ave develo&ed bo.s t!at are more resistant to t!is sort o)
dama,e-
Elves can attem&t to turn aside t!e .orst o) crus!in, blo.s, and t!eir bo.s are
allo.ed to ma#e a save vs- crus!in, blo. *as t!ic# .ood+ at R8- 0iercin, .ea&ons are
easily de)lected as lon, as t!e el) succeeds in t!e &arry, and t!ey cause no dama,e to t!e
bo.- Ho.ever, a &arry a,ainst a slas!in, .ea&on is a sure .ay to destroy a .ood bo.-
More im&ortantly, arc!ers occasionally can't reac! t!eir melee .ea&ons .!en
someone en,a,es t!em in close combat- In t!ese cases, t!ey must resort to usin, t!eir
bo.s as clubs a,ainst t!eir attac#ers- $!e dama,e caused is 8dF E8 a,ainst S or M
creatures, 8d< a,ainst L- I) used in t!is .ay, a .ood bo. must save vs- crus!in, blo.s at
E8-
Arro. Brea#a,e and Loss
Alt!ou,! most )letc!ers ma#e t!eir .ares .it! ,reat care, t!e )orce o) bo. s!ots is o)ten
enou,! to induce brea#a,e- And, alt!ou,! most arc!ers .ill deny it, occasionally t!ey do
miss- $!is section &resents an o&tional rule to cover suc! situations-
W!en an arro. or bolt is )ired and t!e missile stri#es its tar,et, t!e missile must
ma#e a savin, t!ro. vs- crus!in, blo. at RF .it! ot!er a&&licable bonuses *or &enalties+
to t!e save- I) t!e save )ails, t!e s!a)t is bro#en and cannot be used a,ain- I) t!e save is a
success, t!e missile can be reused-
I) t!e missile misses its tar,et, it travels out to its ma5imum ran,e *i) t!ere are no
obstacles to im&ede its movement+, .!ic! is 6;Q ,reater t!an lon, ran,e- It s#ids across
t!e ,round, ricoc!etin, a,ainst roc#s, ,ravel, &lants, etc- $!ere is a 87Q c!ance to )ind a
lost missile t!at !as reac!ed its ma5imum ran,e, unless s&ecial &recautions !ave been
ta#en .it! &ro&er modi)iers )or di))erent terrains at t!e DM's discretion- Certain ty&es o)
terrain .ill, o) course, ma#e recovery im&ossible- Aerial and naval battles are t.o
e5am&les o) suc! terrains- Even i) t!e missile is )ound, it still must roll a savin, t!ro. vs-
crus!in, blo. at R9 to be unbro#en-
1ot only does t!is o&tional rule ma#e )or more realistic ,ame &lay, it also allo.s
c!aracters .it! t!e Bo.yer4@letc!er &ro)iciency to ma#e use o) t!eir s#ills- @urt!ermore,
t!is rule .ill allo. c!aracters to s&end )ar less time searc!in, )or &ossibly bro#en arro.s-
C!a&ter 87G C!aracter Creation and (its
%andom El) Generator
The 1andom Elf 5enerator allows the 2. to create believable elf 0"s and 40"s 8uickly
and easily. He or she should feel free to ad)ust the results to suit a campaign and playing
style. The ;evel "ompared to 0"s Table is only for 40"s.
A,e *8d877+ Class *8dO+
8E97 877E677 8 @i,!ter
98E;7 678E6;7 6 %an,er
;8E=; 6;8E977 9 Ma,e
=FE:; 978E9;7 < 0riest
:FE877 9;7E=77 ; $!ie)
F @i,!ter4Ma,e
= @i,!ter4$!ie)
O @i,!ter4Ma,e
SubraceS *8dF+ Ali,nment *8d67+
8 AHuatic el) 8E= C!aotic ,ood
6 Dro. OE87 1eutral ,ood
9 Grey el) 88E86 La.)ul ,ood
< Hal)Bel) 89 C!aotic evil
; Hi,! el) 8< 1eutral evil
F Sylvan el) 8; La.)ul evil
S Modi)y as needed 8FE8= C!aotic neutral
)or terrain- 8OE8: $rue neutral
67 La.)ul neutral
Se5 *8dF+ 0ersonality *8dF+
8E9 @emale 8 Com&assionate
<EF Male 6 Cruel
9 Hau,!ty
< @rivolous
; 0roud
F Obsessed
Level Com&ared to 0Cs *8d9+
8 Lo.er *9 or )e.er+
6 EHual *.it!in 6+
9 Hi,!er *9 or more+
I) c!aracters may be .arriors, .i3ards, &riests, t!ieves, or multiclass
combinations- I) t!ey are multiclassed, t!ey may select )rom )i,!ter4ma,e, )i,!ter4t!ie),
ma,e4t!ie), or )i,!ter4ma,e4t!ie) #its- I) a &layer c!ooses a multiclass #it, !e or s!e
s!ould be )amiliar .it! t!e abilities and limitations o) t!e classes in t!e 0layer's
Handbook- $!e c!aracter's abilities .ill be )urt!er modi)ied by subrace, as noted in t!is
c!a&ter- 1oteG El) 0Cs may become bards only i) t!ey ado&t t!e Elven Minstrel (it-
Standard El) Abilities
>nless ot!er.ise stated, eac! el) !as t!e )ollo.in, abilitiesG
Elves are :7Q resistant to sleepB and charmBrelated s&ells- Even i) t!ey )ail a c!ec#,
t!ey ,et t!e save usual )or suc! s&ells-
Elves ,ain a s&ecial bonus to )ind secret or concealed doors- 0assin, .it!in 87 )eet o)
a secret door, elves .ill detect it on a roll o) 8 on a 8dF- I) t!ey searc! a 87B)ootE
sHuare area, elves can )ind a secret door on a roll o) 8 or 6 on a 8dF- Elves )ind
concealed doors on a roll o) 8, 6, or 9 on a 8dF-
Elves ,ain a s&ecial bonus .it! bo.s, e5cludin, crossbo.s- W!en )irin, a bo., an el)
,ains a R8 to attac# rolls- $!is does not a&&ly to dama,e unless a s&ecially made
bo. is used t!at ta#es advanta,e o) a Stren,t! bonus-
Elves are es&ecially ,ood .it! s!ort and lon, s.ords- Li#e t!eir abilities .it! bo.s,
t!ey ,ain a R8 to attac# rolls *but not on dama,e+ .!en usin, one o) t!ese
.ea&ons- $!is is in addition to any bonuses o) t!e .ea&on itsel)-
Elves move t!rou,! )orests and ot!er natural terrain silently and almost invisibly- As
lon, as elves are not attac#in,, t!ey can only be s&otted by someone .!o can s&y
invisible obNects- W!en elves move t!rou,! t!e .oods, i) t!ey are care)ul, t!ey
.ill a&&ear only as s!ado.s o) t!e leaves o) trees, dancin, in t!e under,ro.t!-
$!is is o) immense value to elves, .!o can t!us ,at!er in)ormation about t!eir
enemiesKenemies .!o o)ten do not even sus&ect an elven &resence-
@inally, elves !ave t!e ability to ,ive t!eir enemies a E< &enalty to a sur&rise roll i)
t!e el) isG 8+ movin, alone, 6+ is :7 )eet a.ay )rom t!e rest o) t!eir &arty, or 9+ is
.it! ot!er elves or !al)lin,s and all are in nonmetal armor- I) t!e el) must o&en a
door or screen to ,et to t!e enemy, t!e &enalty is reduced to E6-
$!e El) Subraces
Eac! el) subrace !as di))erent talents and !indrances in an adventurin, career- Eac!
ac!ieves levels di))erently and at a di))erent rate t!an t!e ot!ers-
Some, suc! as t!e dro., !ave a lar,e number o) bene)its .!ile su))erin, )e.
disadvanta,es- *O) course, t!e maNor disadvanta,e to bein, a dro. is bein, a dro.-+
Subraces t!at !ave more advanta,es reHuire more e5&erience &oints to advance to t!e
ne5t level t!an t!ose .it! )e. advanta,es-
A &layer c!aracter created )rom a s&eci)ic el) subrace .ill !ave a number o)
adNustments to t!e standard c!aracter abilities- $!ese are de)ined as )ollo.sG
Ability Score AdNustments- AdNustments to be added to, or subtracted )rom, t!e base
ability scores .!en creatin, c!aracters in a subrace-
Ability Scores- $!e minimum and ma5imum scores c!aracters o) a subrace may !ave
a)ter t!e initial adNustments !ave been made- A c!aracter .!o does not meet t!e
minimum reHuirements o) a subrace cannot be a member o) t!at subrace- Scores
over t!e ma5imum must be reduced-
Lan,ua,es- $!e lan,ua,es members o) a subrace ty&ically #no.- Elves may s&ea#
eit!er a s&eci)ic )orm o) Elvis! or /Elvis! common,/ de&endin, on t!e cam&ai,n-
Even i) t!ey are s&ea#in, a s&eci)ic )orm o) Elvis!, elves can usually understand
most o) .!at is bein, said in anot!er dialectJ &ronunciation and usa,e o) some o)
t!e .ords may be di))erent, but Elvis! is basically Elvis!-
In)ravision- $!e ran,e o) t!e subrace's in)ravision-
S&ecial Advanta,es- Abilities o) a ,iven subrace t!at set t!em a&art )rom ot!ers-
S&ecial Disadvanta,es- $!e disadvanta,es o) a subrace t!at o))set its advanta,es-
Additional E5&erience Cost- $!e &enalty )or &layin, a naturally &o.er)ul subrace-
Because certain subraces !ave a number o) advanta,es t!at ot!er subraces do not,
t!ey must .or# !arder to become better in t!eir c!osen &ro)essions- E5&erience
adNustments )or !i,! ability scores cannot be ta#en by races .it! additional
e5&erience costs-
A R87Q e5&erience cost means t!at a c!aracter o) t!at subrace must earn an
additional 87Q o) e5&erience &oints normally reHuired to increase in levels- Multiclass
c!aracters must ,ain t!e necessary &oints &er level &lus an additional 87Q )or eac! class-
As .it! any multiclassed 0Cs, t!ey may advance in one level .!ile remainin, )i5ed in
anot!er-
AHuatic El)
Ability Score AdNustmentsG AHuatic elves, because t!ey need t!e ability to move
Huic#ly under.ater, ,ain R8 to t!eir De5terity- Ho.ever, since t!eir undersea .orld is
)undamentally oneBdimensional, t!ey su))er a E8 &enalty to Intelli,ence-
$ABLE ;G AC>A$IC EL@ ABILI$A SCO%ES
Ability Minimum Ma5imum
Stren,t! 9 8O
De5terity F 8:
Constitution O 8O
Intelli,ence = 8=
Wisdom 9 8O
C!arisma O 8O
Lan,ua,esG AHuatic Elvis!, #uoBtoa, sa!ua,in, dol&!in, merman, abovesea
common, undersea common-
In)ravisionG 9F7 )eet-
S&ecial Advanta,esG AHuatic elves !ave ,ill slits t!at enable t!em to )ilter air )rom
.ater- Im&ure .ater, li#e )ouled air )or sur)ace d.ellers, is di))icult )or t!em to breat!e-
S&ecial Disadvanta,esG $!ese elves cannot be out o) .ater )or e5tended &eriods
because t!eir ,ill slits close .!en e5&osed to air- $!is o))sets t!eir under.ater breat!in,
ability-
$!ey do not ,ain a R8 to attac# rolls .it! bo.s- Since bo.s are ine))ective
under.ater, t!ey !ave !ad no c!ance to learn t!e intricacies o) t!ese .ea&ons- Only an
el) .!o !as traveled to t!e u&&er lands may learn t!e use o) t!e bo., and even t!en t!is
does not ,ain t!e bonus con)erred by a li)etime o) &ractice-
Additional E5&erience CostG 1one-
Dro.
Ability Score AdNustmentsG Dro. are e5traordinarily de5terous and intelli,ent-
$!ey ,ain a bonus o) R6 to De5terity and a R8 to Intelli,ence- Ho.ever, t!eir
&ersonalities can be described as ,ratin, at best *alt!ou,! not usually to t!eir )aces+, and
t!ey !ave t!e ty&ical el) Constitution- $!us, t!ey !ave a E6 &enalty to C!arisma and a E8
to t!eir initial Constitution scores-
$ABLE FG D%OW ABILI$A SCO%ES
Ability Minimum Ma5imum
Stren,t! 9 8O
De5terity O 67
Constitution = 8=
Intelli,ence : 8:
Wisdom 9 8O
C!arisma F 8F
Lan,ua,esG Dro. Elvis!, Elvis!, duer,ar, svir)neblin, dee& d.ar), illit!id,
undercommon, si,n lan,ua,e, #uoBtoa, bu,bear, orcis!-
In)ravisionG :7 )eet-
S&ecial Advanta,esG Once &er day, all dro. can use t!e s&ells dancing lights,
faerie fire, and darkness. $!ey ac!ieve t!is t!rou,! )orce o) .ill, rat!er t!an s&ell
com&onents- A <t!Blevel dro. can cast levitate, know alignment, and detect magic once
&er day- In addition, dro. &riests can cast clairvoyance, detect lie, suggestion, and dispel
magic once a day-
At t!e start, dro. are ;7Q ma,ic resistant, and every level t!ey rise increases t!e
resistance by 6Q *to a ma5imum o) O7Q+- Multiclassed dro. use t!e !i,!er level to
determine t!is bonus-
In addition to t!eir !i,! ma,ic resistance, dro. also receive a R6 bonus on all
saves involvin, ma,ic- $!is includes t!ose devices t!at emit ma,ical e))ects or are
&o.ered by ma,ic- $!is ma,ic resistance does not !am&er t!eir ability to use ma,ic
t!emselves, !o.ever-
S&ecial Disadvanta,esG $!e maNor disadvanta,e o) t!e dro. is t!eir inability to
see in bri,!t li,!t- Any li,!t ,reater t!an t!at o) torc!es or continual light s&ells
*includin, bri,!t sunli,!t+ .ill blind t!em and severely a))ect t!eir ability to )i,!t- Wan
li,!t, li#e t!at o) a light s&ell, does not tri,,er t!is disadvanta,e-
Bri,!t li,!t causes t!e dro. to su))er, tem&orarily, E6 to De5terity- Attac# rolls
are made at a E6 &enalty, and o&&onents ,ain a R6 save a,ainst dro. s&ells i) t!ey are
.it!in t!e li,!t- W!en a dro. is in dar#ness and !is o&&onents are in t!e li,!t, !e retains
!is De5terity and sur&rise advanta,es but still su))ers a &enalty on attac# rolls-
I) t!e dro. s&ends more t!an t.o .ee#s a.ay )rom t!e subterranean caverns o)
t!e >nderdar#, t!e s&ecial advanta,es )ade at t!e rate o) one &o.er a day- $!is starts
)rom t!e most innate s&ellcastin, and .or#s do.n to t!e least &o.er)ul- $!us, a dro.
&riest .ould )irst lose dispel magic, )ollo.ed by suggestion, clairvoyance, and detect lie-
Dro. ma,ic resistance is lost at a rate o) 87Q &er day- $!is &rocess can be !alted and t!e
&o.ers re,ained i) t!e dro. returns to t!e >nderdar# and s&ends one day t!ere )or eac!
.ee# s&ent above,round-
@inally, all ot!er elves !ate t!e dro., and reactions to t!em are .it! at least a E<
&enalty- $!is modi)ier is cumulative to any #its t!e dro. &layer mi,!t be usin,- Only
a)ter a &articular el) comes to acce&t a &articular dro. as a )riend, does t!is &enalty
disa&&ear-
Additional E5&erience CostG 67Q-
Grey El)
Ability Score AdNustmentsG Grey elves are t!e most intelli,ent o) all t!e elves and
are more de5terous t!an most- $!ey receive a R6 bonus to Intelli,ence and a R8 to
De5terity- Ho.ever, because t!ey s&end so muc! time studyin,, t!eir &!ysiHue is )rail-
$!ey !ave a &enalty o) E6 to Constitution and a E8 to Stren,t!-
$ABLE =G G%EA EL@ ABILI$A SCO%ES
Ability Minimum Ma5imum
Stren,t! 9 8=
De5terity = 8:
Constitution ; 8F
Intelli,ence O 67
Wisdom 9 8O
C!arisma O 8O
Lan,ua,esG Grey Elvis! and all ot!er lan,ua,es reHuirin, s&eec! or ,estures-
Since ,rey elves s&end so muc! time in t!eir libraries and .it! t!eir sa,es, t!ey can learn
virtually any lan,ua,e t!ey desire-
In)ravisionG F7 )eet-
S&ecial Advanta,esG Grey elves !ave unlimited access to t!eir o.n libraries and
sa,es- Any in)ormation t!e ,rey el) council determines to be ,ood )or t!e el) race may be
)urnis!ed to ,rey el) 0Cs )or a c!ea&er &rice t!an t!ey .ould )ind else.!ere- $!is is
&urely discretionary on t!e &art o) t!e DM and s!ould be &layed accordin,ly-
S&ecial Disadvanta,esG Because o) t!eir !au,!tiness and arro,ance, ,rey elves
receive a E9 on all reaction adNustments .!en dealin, .it! nonBelves- $!eir disdain,
.!et!er intentional or not, communicates itsel) to ot!ers and leads to very &oor relations-
Wit! ot!er elves, ,rey elves su))er a E8 on reaction adNustments- $!is adNustment
re)lects t!eir irritatin, and condescendin, attitude, even to.ard ot!er elves- Wit! ot!er
,rey elves, o) course, t!ere is no reaction adNustment-
Additional E5&erience CostG 8;Q-
Hal)BEl)
Hal)Belves, as noted earlier, are not truly a subrace o) elves- $!ey !ave no
adNustments or advanta,es and disadvanta,es to note !ere, alt!ou,! a DM may .is! to
ma#e an e5ce&tion in s&ecial cases-
Hi,! El)
Ability Score AdNustmentsG $!e most common ty&e o) el), t!e !i,! el) !as only
t!e standard ability adNustments, .!ic! are a R8 to De5terity and a E8 to Constitution-
$ABLE OG HIGH EL@ ABILI$A SCO%ES
Ability Minimum Ma5imum
Stren,t! 9 8O
De5terity F 8:
Constitution = 8=
Intelli,ence O 8O
Wisdom 9 8O
C!arisma O 8O
Lan,ua,esG Hi,! Elvis!, ot!er )orms o) Elvis!, d.arvis!, ,nomis!, !al)lin,,
common, orcis!, !ob,oblin, and ,oblin-
In)ravisionG F7 )eet-
S&ecial Advanta,esG 1one-
S&ecial Disadvanta,esG 1one-
Additional E5&erience CostG 1one-
Sylvan El)
Ability Score AdNustmentsG Because t!eir lives are s&ent in constant e5ertion,
.ood elves are stron,er t!an ot!er elves- Ho.ever, t!ey are less sociable because o) t!eir
u&brin,in,- $!ey !ave bonuses o) R8 to Stren,t! and De5terity and &enalties o) E8 to
Constitution and C!arisma-
$ABLE :G SAL?A1 EL@ ABILI$A SCO%ES
Ability Minimum Ma5imum
Stren,t! F 8:
De5terity F 8:
Constitution = 8=
Intelli,ence O 8O
Wisdom 9 8O
C!arisma = 8=
Lan,ua,esG Sylvan Elvis!, Hi,! Elvis!, centaur, &i5ie, dryad, treant, and ot!er
.oodland creatures- Wood elves only rarely learn commonJ t!ey are tryin, to #ee&
!umans and ot!ers a.ay )rom t!eir .oods, and t!ey t!in# learnin, t!ose lan,ua,es
.ould Nust encoura,e visitors to t!eir realm-
In)ravisionG F7 )eet-
S&ecial Advanta,esG Sylvan elves !ave an instinctive, natural connection to t!e
land- $!eir s#ills in dealin, .it! t!e .oodland are sur&assed only by ran,ers, .!ose
bonds .it! t!e )orests are le,endary-
Sylvan elves easily be)riend natural .oodland creatures- >nli#e ran,ers, !o.ever,
.ood elves can only &er)orm t!is tric# .it! .oodland creaturesJ a,ainst a desert lion,
t!ey must be as care)ul as any ot!er bein,-
Wit! t!e natural creatures o) t!e .oodlands, t!e .ood elves' &o.er is es&ecially
use)ul- >nless t!e animal is already !ostile, sylvan elves can automatically s!i)t its
reaction by t.o cate,ories- $!is ability a&&lies only to natural )orest creatures- It is not a
charm s&ell and cannot be used to ent!rall creatures o) t!e )orest- Creatures )riendly to
t!e el) .ill not accom&any !im unless &ersuaded some!o.- $!e ability does not .or# on
monsters-
S&ecial Disadvanta,esG Because o) t!eir &rimitive li)estyle, .ood elves !ave no
s&ecial abilities .it! secret doors- $!ey !ave no e5&erience .it! t!is sort o) door and do
not ,ain t!e ty&ical bonus )or )indin, t!em-
Above all, .ood elves never try to leave t!eir )orests- $!ey .it!dre. into t!e
.oods to esca&e t!e outer .orld, and .!enever t!ey leave t!ey rediscover .!y t!ey
.it!dre. in t!e )irst &lace- Wood elves ta#e a dim vie. o) t!ose .!o try to )orcibly
remove t!em-
In ,eneral, .ood elves are un)riendly and un!el&)ul- Any .ood el) 0C .!o is
)riendly to &eo&le !e or s!e !as Nust met *.it!in t!e &ast )ive years or so+ s!ould be
doc#ed e5&erience &oints )or bad roleB&layin,-
@inally, .ood elves !ave an aversion to most settin,s t!at are not o) t!e .oods-
$!ey !ate t!e sea *alt!ou,! t!ey can travel on la#es+ and .ill not .illin,ly board a
sea,oin, s!i&- $!ey !ate t!e under,round and become claustro&!obic beneat! t!e soil-
$!ese elves are even .orse in t!e cities and lands o) ot!er races, includin, t!ose
o) ot!er elves- Sylvan elves re,ard cities as a &erversion- $!ey cannot deal .it!
tec!nolo,y and civili3ation, )or it .as civili3ation t!at drove t!e .ood elves into t!eir
isolation-
Additional E5&erience CostG 1one-
El) 0C (its
(its are o&tional additions to t!e cam&ai,n, allo.in, a &layer to add detail to !is or !er
0C- $!ese #its are collections o) various abilities and disadvanta,es t!at can !el& a &layer
better de)ine !is or !er c!aracter-
Most o) t!ese #its are uniHuely elvenJ alt!ou,! ot!er races may !ave similar #its,
t!e #its in t!is boo# are )or elves only- $!e #its in t!e ot!er "omplete 0layer's Handbook
series are also available )or elves to ta#e, unless e5&licitly stated ot!er.ise-
Be)ore usin, one o) t!ese #its, a &layer must )irst ,enerate t!e c!aracter's initial
statistics- @irst, roll ability scores and c!oose an el) subrace, an ali,nment, and a class-
$!en, c!oose t!e #it t!at's most a&&ealin, and assi,n &ro)iciencies, money, eHui&ment,
and ot!er details-
Once a &layer !as c!osen a &articular #it )or a 0C, !e or s!e cannot e5c!an,e it
)or a ne. one- 1eit!er can a c!aracter !ave t.o #its- It is only &ossible to !ave one #it at
a time-
I) c!aracters .ant to abandon a #it )or any reason, t!ey cannot select a ne. one,
)or t!e #it describes t!eir develo&ment and ,ro.t!- $!ese 0Cs can abandon t!e #it's
!indrances, but t!ey also loses any bene)its as .ell-
C!aracters can only use a #it t!at is s&eci)ic to t!eir class- $!at is, .arriors may
ta#e one o) t!e .arrior #its, but cannot use t!e .arrior4ma,e #its- Multiclass c!aracters
c!oose #its t!at are &art o) t!eir class- @or e5am&le, a ma,e4t!ie) can use a ma,e #it, a
t!ie) #it, or a ma,e4t!ie) #it- A .arrior or a .arrior4t!ie) #it could not be selected,
!o.ever, because t!ey contain elements t!at are totally )orei,n to t!at c!aracter-
In addition, alt!ou,! a &layer mi,!t .ant a multiclass c!aracter to s&eciali3e in a
.ea&on, t!is is not &ossible- W!ile some o) t!e #its may ec!o .ea&on s&eciali3ation, no
one .!o is not a &ure )i,!ter can !ave a .ea&on s&eciali3ationKincludin, ran,ers-
Eac! #it &resented in t!is c!a&ter is made u& o) t.elve di))erent &arts- $!e )irst is
a ,eneral descri&tion o) t!e #it and t!e reHuirements o) entry into t!at #it- Any .!o do not
meet t!e reHuirements cannot ta#e t!e #it )or t!eir c!aracterK4o E$ceptionsI $!e
remainin, eleven &arts are as )ollo.sG
%ole- $!is is t!e role o) t!e 0C in ,eneral and in elven society in &articular- 1ote t!at
t!e e5clusion o) eit!er male or )emale &ronouns does not mean t!e #it is restricted
to ,ender- All #its are available to bot! se5es-
Secondary S#ills- I) a cam&ai,n does not use t!e &ro)iciency rules, t!e c!aracter must
ta#e !is secondary s#ills )rom t!is section rat!er t!an randomly rollin, )or t!em-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- $!ese are t!e .ea&on &ro)iciencies reHuired o) t!e el) to )ill
t!e slots available- >sually, not all o) t!ese slots .ill be )illed by t!e reHuired
.ea&ons, leavin, some de,ree o) c!oice- 0lease note t!at .ea&on &ro)iciencies
are not bonus &ro)iciencies unless s&eci)ied as suc!- Most are sim&ly reHuired, not
actual bonuses-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Most #its &rovide some non.ea&on &ro)iciencies-
$!ese are )reeKeven i) t!ey belon, to ot!er c!aracter classes- 1oteG All civili#ed
elves #no. %eadin,4Writin,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- $!ese non.ea&on &ro)iciencies are
recommended, but are not bonus slots- I) an el) c!aracter .is!es to ta#e one o)
t!ese &ro)iciencies, !e must &ay t!e )ull cost o) t!e &ro)iciency- A,ain, t!ese are
recommended to maintain #it )lavor, but are not reHuired-
EHui&ment- $!is is a list o) eHui&ment t!at t!e #it ty&ically uses- Some #its use
s&ecial eHui&ment, .!ile ot!ers reHuire t!at t!eir users re)rain )rom usin, certain
items-
Distinctive A&&earance- As i) elves .ere not distinctive enou,!, certain #its
accentuate a&&earance- $!ey ma#e t!e c!aracter easily reco,ni3able as a certain
ty&e-
S&ecial Bene)its- Most o) t!e #its allo. certain &rivile,es to t!eir users-
S&ecial Hindrances- $o counterbalance t!e bene)its received )rom t!ese #its, most #its
also !ave some s&eci)ic !indrances-
Wealt! O&tions- $!is is t!e limit on !o. muc! money a 0C receives .!en created
and !o. .ealt! ,ained must be s&ent-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Alt!ou,! any el) subrace can ta#e any o) t!e #its listed
belo., certain el) subraces are more li#ely to ta#e some #its t!an ot!ers- $!is
&rovides clues )or t!e selection o) #its by t!e various subraces-
0riest (it
Alt!ou,! all races claim a s&ecial connection .it! t!eir ,ods, t!e elven claim !as,
&er!a&s, t!e ,reatest trut!- $!ey s&ran, )rom t!e blood o) Corellon Laret!ian, united .it!
t!e tears o) Se!anine Moonbo., and min,led .it! t!e soil o) t!e very eart!- $!e s&ecialty
&riests o) t!e elven ,ods !old s&ecial &o.ers and even ordinary elven &riests are )oes to
be )eared-
HE%BALIS$
Even .!en t!ese &riests !ave run out o) !ealin, s&ells, t!ey are not useless as !ealers-
$!e el) Herbalist can soot!e )evers and mend .ounds .it! t!e utmost ability and s&eed-
%ole- Eac! Herbalist must c!oose a terrain in .!ic! to be &ro)icient- His or !er
abilities are not nearly as e))ective outside t!is terrain-
Secondary S#ills- @armer, @orester-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus Sic#le- 1ecommended Blunt instruments, lon, bo.,
lasso, net-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Healin, and Herbalism-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- @ireBBuildin,, %eli,ion, %o&e >se,
Weavin,-
EHui&ment- Aside )rom vials and &reservatives, t!e Herbalist carries t!e same
eHui&ment as anyone else-
Distinctive A&&earance- Herbalists are notable only )or t!eir lac# o) a distinctive
a&&earance- $!ey seem to be unassumin, and sc!olarly )ello.s, un&re&ossessin,
in nature and dedicated to t!eir art-
S&ecial Bene)its- I) in t!eir c!osen terrain, Herbalists )unction nearly &er)ectly- $!ey
can restore 8d< &oints o) dama,e to a .ounded creature i) t!ey can reac! it .it!in
)our rounds a)ter bein, .ounded- >nder t!e Herbalist's ministrations, t!e creature
.ill recover t.ice as )ast t!an it normally .ould *see t!e 0layer's Handbook, &-
;:+-
Herbalists are very #no.led,eable about t!e various !erbs )ound in t!eir
domains- $!ey can locate even t!e !ardBtoB)ind ones, alt!ou,! t!at mi,!t ta#e
some searc!in,- $!eir !erb lore is unsur&assed, e5ce&t by druids-
A Herbalist can, at ;t! level, identi)y &lants and &ure .ater .it!out error,
so lon, as t!e items are .it!in !is c!osen terrain- $!is ma#es t!e Herbalist's
tas# muc! easier and means t!at t!ere is little c!ance o) inadvertently
&oisonin, a )riend-
@inally, Herbalists can add a ne. terrain every )ive levels- $!at is, i) t!ey
!ave traveled )ar enou,! outside t!eir o.n terrains t!at t!e DM )eels t!ey
.arrant an additional terrain, t!ey may ta#e one- $!e ne. terrain con)ers all
t!e abilities mentioned above, alt!ou,! t!ey must a,ain .or# t!rou,! )ive levels
be)ore t!ey can identi)y its &lants .it!out error-
S&ecial Hindrances- Herbalists are !i,!ly trained .it!in t!eir o.n )ield-
>n)ortunately, .!en t!ey venture beyond t!at )ield, t!ey may ma#e mista#es-
W!en outside t!eir c!osen terrain and attem&tin, to !eal a )riend nonma,ically,
Herbalists must ma#e an Herbalism &ro)iciency c!ec# at E6- @ailure indicates t!e
&ossibility o) !avin, &ic#ed a &oisonous &lant *6;Q c!ance+-
Herbalists may never bre. &oison- Alt!ou,! t!ey !ave t!e #no.led,e
necessary to do so, t!ey )eel t!at t!eir s#ills are better suited )or !ealin,
t!an )or #illin,- $!e only time t!ey .ill e5&eriment .it! &oison is to test antidotes
a,ainst it- Any Herbalist .!o bre.s &oisons )or use a,ainst ot!ers loses all
t!e abilities in t!is #it-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e Herbalist be,ins .it! 97 to 8O7 *9dF587+ ,&- $!ere are no
restrictions on !o. t!e money may be s&ent-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- AHuatic el), !i,! el), sylvan el)-
Warrior (its
Many o) t!e less sc!olastically inclined elves lean to.ard t!e .arrior .ay o) li)e- $!ey
are t!e &rotectors and ,uardians o) elven society, and &lay a vital role advancin, elven
interests-
A%CHE%
$!e Arc!er is t!e e&itome o) elven s#ill .it! t!e bo.- I) t!ere is a di))icult s!ot to ma#e,
s!e .ill ma#e it- W!et!er t!e tar,et can only be reac!ed by )irin, t!rou,! !i,! .inds or
is totally concealed, t!e Arc!er is con)ident o) !er ability to ma#e t!e s!ot-
%ole- $!e Arc!er easily )its in as a border ,uard )or el) to.ns- S!e's also e5cellent )or
ma#in, !er o.n .ay as an adventurer- Her s#ill .it! a bo. is !i,!ly &ri3ed
any.!ere-
Secondary S#ills- Bo.yer4@letc!er-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus $.o &ro)iciency slots .it! lon, or s!ort bo.-
1ecommended Continued s&eciali3ation .it! .ea&on, &ro)iciency .it! anot!er
ty&e o) bo.-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Bo.yer4@letc!er, Huntin,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Animal Lore, Endurance, @ireBBuildin,,
um&in,, %unnin,, Survival, $rac#in,-
EHui&ment- $!e Arc!er carries .!atever ot!er eHui&ment s!e deems necessary-
Distinctive A&&earance- Arc!ers !ave no distinctive a&&earance, aside )rom t!eir
trademar# bo.s, .!ic! ,leam .it! &olis! and lovin, care-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e Arc!er is an e5&ert .it! !er style o) bo.- In combat, t!e Arc!er
may elect to do one o) t.o t!in,s- S!e may eit!er )ire )aster t!an most are able to,
or s!e may use a bonus on tric# s!ots-
I) s!e elects to )ire )aster, s!e may ta#e an e5tra s!ot every t.o rounds-
$!at means t!e rate o) )ire becomes ;46, rat!er t!an t!e usual 648- $!is still
includes !er movement- I) s!e c!ooses to stand still and )ire, s!e may increase
!er rate o) )ire to 948J !o.ever, t!is enables enemy arc!ers to tar,et !er more
easily-
I) s!e elects to ,o .it! tric# s!ots, s!e not only ,ains t!e usual bonus )or
s&eciali3ation and !i,! De5terity, s!e also ,ains a R8 to eac! s!ot )or every
)our e5&erience levels-
I) t!e Arc!er #ee&s and cares )or a bo. )or more t!an a mont! and #ee&s
!er arro.s s!ar&ened to a #een ed,e, s!e may cause 8 !& o) additional
dama,e .!en usin, t!ese items- I) usin, a di))erent bo. or ne. arro.s, s!e
does not ,ain t!e bonus- It can only be used .it! )amiliar, .ellBcaredB)or
eHui&ment-
S&ecial Hindrances- $!e Arc!er is limited in !er c!oice o) melee .ea&ons, since s!e
disdains t!em so muc!- S!e may c!oose only a lon, s.ord, s!ort s.ord, and
da,,er- Even t!en, t!e Arc!er !as a E8 &enalty to attac# rolls .!en usin, one o)
t!ese .ea&ons because s!e is un)amiliar .it! anyt!in, but t!e )li,!t o) an arro.-
Later .ea&on &ro)iciencies may be devoted to ot!er .ea&ons, but t!e
Arc!er .ill never ,ain a bonus to attac# rolls .it! t!ese .ea&ons, des&ite any
Stren,t! or &ro)iciency bonus- $!is includes losin, t!e normal elven R8 to
attac# rolls .it! t!e lon, or s!ort s.ord-
$!e Arc!er must al.ays be concerned about t!e Huality o) !er bo. and
arro.s- I) any are )aulty, s!e must re&air t!em or re&lace t!em .it! eHui&ment
o) !i,!er Huality- S!e can never use missile eHui&ment o) in)erior HualityK
e5ce&t .!en in mortal dan,er or .!en necessary )or t!e success o) a mission-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e Arc!er starts .it! ;7 to 677 *;d<587+ ,& and must buy !er bo.
at 8;7Q o) t!e normal cost- $!is re)lects t!e !i,! Huality and )ine .or#mans!i&
o) t!e bo.- S!e may use t!e rest o) t!e money as s!e .is!es to out)it !ersel)-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Grey el), !i,! el), sylvan el)-
WILDE%1ESS %>11E%
$!ere are ran,ers, and t!en t!ere are ran,ers- Elves are uniHuely connected .it! t!e
r!yt!ms o) t!e )orests, some more dee&ly t!an ot!ers- Only t!ose .!o !ave c!osen to
become ran,ers may elect to become more )ully &art o) t!e )orest- $!ey are called
Wilderness %unners-
%ole- Wilderness %unners !ave cast aside t!e tra&&in,s o) even elven society to serve
t!e needs o) t!e .ood- Alt!ou,! t!ey still res&ect and serve t!eir o.n society,
t!ey ta#e no &art in its )unctions- $!ey may serve as scouts or advance ,uards )or
el) cities, but t!ey .ill not .illin,ly enter civili3ation-
I) t!e Wilderness %unner is a !i,! el), !e is )ar less civili3ed t!an !is
bret!ren and demonstrates t!e tendencies o) sylvan elves-
Secondary S#ills- $ra&&er4@urrier-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus Cuartersta)), lon, bo.- 1ecommended $.oB!anded
style, da,,er, or,anic .ea&ons-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Endurance, %unnin,, Set Snares-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- @ireBBuildin,, @is!in,, Huntin,,
Mountaineerin,, Survival, S.immin,-
EHui&ment- $!e Wilderness %unner is notable )or !is lac# o) encumbrance- He travels
li,!t .!enever &ossible, &re)errin, to o.n distance rat!er t!an material ,oods-
Distinctive A&&earance- Wilderness %unners never .ear /civili3ed/ clot!es,
&re)errin, instead to dress in leat!er- $!ey also tend to bat!e only .!ile
s.immin, or i) cau,!t in a do.n&our- $!ey do not care )or t!e &etty !abits and
concerns o) city )ol#-
S&ecial Bene)its- Wilderness %unners, li#e all ran,ers, ,ain t!e $rac#in, &ro)iciency-
Ho.ever, because o) t!eir &ro5imity to t!e land, t!ey ,ain a R6 bonus and are
usually )ar better trac#ers t!an t!eir cousins-
Because o) t!eir constant e5&osure to t!e elements, t!ey !ave inured
t!emselves to all but t!e most e5treme tem&eratures- >nless t!e air is belo.
96 de,rees @ or above 877 de,rees @, Wilderness %unners )eel not!in,- $!e
variation in tem&erature is merely a &leasant c!an,e-
%unners can use t!e Set Snares &ro)iciency to entra& &eo&le as can
t!ieves- $!eir understandin, o) t!e .ays to lure &eo&le and animals into t!ese
tra&s is rarely e5ceeded-
Wilderness %unners never run out o) eHui&ment- Alt!ou,! t!ey carry very
little and need even less, t!ey can )as!ion .ea&ons and ot!er .or#in, ,ear
)rom or,anic materials .it! astoundin, s&eed- W!ile t!eir .or# may seem crude, it
is )unctional and .or#s as .ell as, or better t!an, muc! o) t!e eHui&ment
manu)actured by civili3ed )ol#-
S&ecial Hindrances- Wilderness %unners are acutely uncom)ortable in civili3ation-
$!eir need )or )res! air and t!e )reedom o) t!e )orest over.!elms t!em .it!in one
day unless t!ey can ma#e a Wisdom c!ec# at E<- 0ast t!e second day, t!ey cannot
remain .it!in .alls and must .ait outside )or t!eir com&anions-
Li#e.ise, t!ey )ind it di))icult to remain .it!in dun,eons, cry&ts, or ot!er
unnatural caverns )or lon,- I) a cave is natural, Wilderness %unners .ill be
able to remain inside .it!out !avin, to ma#e a Wisdom c!ec#- Even t!en, t!ey
do retain t!eir claustro&!obia and lon, )or t!e o&en air-
Wilderness %unners never use mounts- @or one t!in,, mounts cannot
move t!rou,! t!e )orests Huic#ly enou,! )or t!em- @or anot!er, t!e
%unners res&ect animals too muc! to abuse t!em in suc! a )as!ion-
Wilderness %unners are ,reeted .it! some contem&t by civili3ed elves
.!o, alt!ou,! t!ey res&ect t!e abilities o) t!e Wilderness %unners, sneer at
t!eir /bac#.ard/ .ays- Most civili3ed elves react at a E6 to Wilderness %unners- $!ey
.ill not be overtly !ostile, but t!ey .ill be un)riendly to any un.as!ed
elves- Sylvan elves and t!eir allies, !o.ever, .ill react to t!eir un.as!ed
Wilderness %unner cousins at a R6-
Wealt! O&tions- Wilderness %unners start .it! 9 to 97 *9d87+ ,&- $!ey must create
t!e rest o) t!eir ,ear )rom natural sources- $!ey sco)) at material .ealt! and are
unli#ely to !ave more t!an 87 or 67 ,& at any time-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Hi,! el), sylvan el)-
WI1D%IDE%
@e. mounted cavalry are as ,lamorous and e5citin, as t!e Windriders- $!e elite o) t!e el)
)orces, t!ey are ,reatly envied by common elves and ,reatly )eared by )oes-
%ole- $!e Windrider is t!e #ni,!t o) t!e air, de)endin, el) lands a,ainst aerial attac#s-
In times o) .ar, t!ey are bot! s!oc# troo&s and scouts-
$!e DM may not .is! to allo. Windriders in a cam&ai,n, )or t!ey vastly increase
t!e sco&e o) a 0C's o&erations- $!en, too, t!e Windrider's mount may very .ell ma#e a
lo.Blevel 0C )ar more &o.er)ul t!an !e or s!e ou,!t to be- It is recommended t!at DMs
t!orou,!ly )amiliari3e t!emselves .it! Windriders be)ore allo.in, t!em into a
cam&ai,n-
Secondary S#ills- Groom-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus Lance *Li,!t, Medium, or HeavyKone only+-
1ecommended S!ort bo., )lail, lon, s.ord-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- AirBBased %idin,, Animal Handlin, *)or mount's
s&ecies only+, Animal $rainin, *)or mount's s&ecies only+-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Astrolo,y, 1avi,ation, Direction Sense,
Weat!er Sense-
EHui&ment- Windriders must, o) course, #ee& saddles and )ood )or t!eir mounts-
Ot!er.ise, Windriders are )ree to carry .!at t!ey .ill i) t!eir mount can bear t!e
burden-
Distinctive A&&earance- W!en se&arated )rom t!eir beloved mounts, Windriders do
not a&&ear muc! di))erent )rom ordinary elves- $!ey may be more !au,!ty, but
ot!er.ise t!ey a&&ear as normal elves-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e Windrider is one o) t!e )e. #its .!ere &layers receive no
bene)its until reac!in, !i,! levels- Li#e.ise, t!ey do not su))er t!e !indrances
until t!ey !ave reac!ed t!is level, .!ic! is ty&ically <t! to Ft! level, alt!ou,! it
can be later *or earlier, i) t!e c!aracter is es&ecially .ort!y+- $!ose as&irin, to be
Windriders must &rove t!emselves .ort!y o) t!is #it be)ore actually bein,
allo.ed entrance- $!ey may not !ave a #it be)ore becomin, a Windrider-
Alt!ou,! t!ey do not ,ain many bene)its, t!e Huality o) t!eir bene)its is
enou,! )or t!e Windrider- @irst is t!e reaction bonus t!ey receive )rom
members o) t!e !i,!er classes in bot! elven and !uman society- W!en t!ey are travelin,
.it! t!eir mounts, Windriders ,ain a R6 reaction bonus .!en dealin, .it!
t!em-
A more im&ortant bene)it, !o.ever, is t!e mount- W!en admitted to t!e
ran#s o) t!e Windriders, c!aracters receive intensive trainin, .it! a mount o)
t!e s&ecies available- $!ey are e))ectively out o) commission )or one year .!ile
learnin, to be a Windrider- A)ter t!at time t!ey are )ull Windriders, and t!ey ,ain
a .in,ed mount )rom one o) t!e )ollo.in, racesG ,ri))on, !i&&o,ri)), or
&e,asus-
$!eir c!oice o) mount con)ers no ot!er s&ecial ability e5ce&t t!e ability to
communicate, in a very basic )as!ion, .it! t!e members o) t!e mount's s&ecies-
$!ey also ,ain t!e mobility o) )li,!t and a com&anion .!o is &re&ared to de)end
t!em .it! its li)e-
S&ecial Hindrances- W!ile t!ey are res&ected by t!e !i,!er social classes in elven
society, Windriders are t!e obNect o) ,reat NealousyKsometimes even !atredK
)rom t!e lo.er classes- $!eir arro,ant manner and disre,ard )or bein,s o) a lo.er
social status earn t!em t!e enmity o) t!e lo.er classes- $!ey su))er a E9 &enalty to
t!eir reaction rolls .!en dealin, .it! t!ese )ol#-
$!ou,! able to stri#e a.e into t!eir !earts, Windriders can also earn t!e
enmity o) !umans- A)ter t!e initial a.e !as .orn a.ay, Windriders su))er a E9
&enalty )or reactions )rom lo.erBclass !umans-
I) !is animal dies, t!e Windrider is tem&orarily .it!out t!e bene)its o) t!is
#it- Alt!ou,! !e may eventually re,ain a mount, t!e loss is suc! t!at it causes
!im to su))er all o) t!e !indrances .it!out ,ainin, any o) t!e bene)its o) t!is #it-
$!e maNor !indrance o) t!e #it is also t!e maNor bene)it- $!e Windrider
must al.ays be concerned .it! t!e .el)are o) !is mount, )or !e .ould not
be a Windrider .it!out it- Constantly .orryin, about one's mount is t!e c!ie)
occu&ational !a3ard o) t!e Windrider-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e Windrider be,ins .it! F7 to 6<7 *Fd<587+ ,& and can s&end
t!ese as !e &leases- Ho.ever, !e must ensure t!e care o) !is mount by )indin, it
)ood and s!elter or else lose t!e bene)its o) t!e #it .!en t!e animal )lees its
master to ta#e care o) itsel)-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Grey el), !i,! el), sylvan el)-
Ma,e4$!ie) (its
Alt!ou,! t!ey are not e5actly common, el) ma,e4t!ieves !ave t!eir o.n nic!e in elven
society- $!eir ma,ical abilities allo. t!em to enter &laces normally denied to mere
t!ieves, and t!eir s#ills .it! &!ysical obNects can o)ten s&ell t!e di))erence bet.een li)e
and deat! )or many .!o de&end on t!em-
EL?E1 MI1S$%EL
Alt!ou,! not actually a ma,e4t!ie), t!e elven minstrel #it t!at ori,inally a&&eared in The
"omplete -ard's Handbook !as c!aracteristics o) bot! classes- In t!e interest o)
conservin, s&ace, it is not re&rinted !ere- $!is el) version o) t!e bard does e5ist )or t!ose
.!o !ave been yearnin, to &lay Nust suc! a c!aracter-
S0ELL@ILCHE%
$!is ma,e4t!ie) is ade&t at brea#in, into .i3ard's domiciles to &urloin ma,ical ,oods,
&articularly s&ellboo#s and rare s&ell com&onents- $!rou,! a stran,e inner talent, t!e
s&ell)ilc!er !as an ama3in, ability-
%ole- W!en t!ere is a ma,ical tra& to be disarmed or ma,ical treasure to be ,otten,
t!e S&ell)ilc!er is t!e one to do it- $rained )rom !er early years, t!e S&ell)ilc!er
uses an innate ma,ical ability to locate and disarm tra&s t!at .ould victimi3e
anot!er-
Secondary S#ills- e.eler, Scribe-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus 1one- 1ecommended S!ort bo., da,,er, darts, s!ort
s.ord-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- A&&raisin,, S&ellcra)t, $i,!tro&e Wal#in,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Dis,uise, Gamin,, Gem Cuttin,, um&in,,
%o&e >se, $umblin,-
EHui&ment- $!e S&ell)ilc!er al.ays carries at least a minimal set o) loc#&ic#s and
usually a )ull !ousebrea#er's !arness-
Distinctive A&&earance- S&ell)ilc!ers, by t!eir very nature, do not .ant a distinctive
a&&earance- $!ey ,o out o) t!eir .ay to ma#e t!emselves loo# li#e avera,e elves,
deliberately riddin, t!emselves o) any identi)yin, !abits-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e S&ell)ilc!er is a s&ecial breed, selected )rom birt! to be a
ma,e4t!ie) because o) an e5ce&tional inborn talent- $!is talent, which can only be
nurtured by the ,pellfilcher 5uilds, allo.s t!e S&ell)ilc!er to detect ma,ic once
&er day, &er e5&erience level- In)ant elves are tested )or t!eir latent sensitivity to
ma,ic, somet!in, .!ic! only t!e masters o) t!e S&ell)ilc!in, Guilds can
determine- I) t!e in)ant s!o.s &romise, s!e is ta#en )rom !er &arents *.it! t!eir
&ermission+ and t!e talent is nurtured into a usable s#ill-
$!e S&ell)ilc!er learns to identi)y and circumvent ma,ical tra&s- Alt!ou,!
t!ey cannot remove t!ese tra&s .it!out a dispel magic s&ell or similar item,
t!ey can o)ten ,et around t!em lon, enou,! to remove t!e items t!ese .ards .ere
&rotectin,- $!us, S&ell)ilc!ers ,ain a R;Q c!ance to @ind4%emove $ra&s
o) a ma,ical nature- $!is c!ance increases by R;Q every )our levels- $!ey do
not actually remove t!e tra&s but disarm t!em )or 8d< rounds, R8 round &er t!ree
levels, .!ic! s!ould be enou,! )or t!em to retrieve t!e item t!ey see#-
S&ecial Hindrances- $!e S&ell)ilc!er's )irst loyalty must al.ays be to !er ,uild- $!e
,uild demands total com&liance .it! its rules, )or it serves t!e el) race in its o.n
.ay and demands t!at its members do so as .ell- >n)ortunately, t!is service
occasionally reHuires t!at t!e S&ell)ilc!er be called a.ay )rom .!atever s!e may
.is! to do- I) t!e S&ell)ilc!er )ails to !eed t!e call, t!e .rat! o) t!e &o.er)ul ,uild
descends u&on !er !ead-
$!e S&ell)ilc!er's Guild .ill not, on t!e ot!er !and, call a S&ell)ilc!er
a.ay )rom a mission o) dire im&ortance to t!e el) race or a mission t!at t!e
S&ell)ilc!er claims is o) e5treme im&ortance- Since S&ell)ilc!ers o&erate on an !onor
system, t!ey trust !er- I), !o.ever, too many e5cuses #ee& !er )rom !er
duties, t!e Guild !as a ri,!t to demand coo&eration and .ill not tolerate e5cuses-
$o !el& #ee& disci&line, t!e S&ell)ilc!er must as# &ermission o) t!e
,uildmaster be)ore leavin, on adventures- De&endin, on t!e S&ell)ilc!er's &ast
record and loyalty to t!e ,uild, t!e ,uildmaster may a,ree or disa,ree-
$!e S&ell)ilc!er c!aracter !as a !ard time dealin, .it! nonBel) ma,es-
Once t!ey discover .!o s!e is and .!at s!e does )or a livin,, t!ey sim&ly do not
trust !er near t!eir &recious s&ellboo#s and valued items- El) ma,es trust
S&ell)ilc!ers, )or t!ey #no. t!at t!e S&ell)ilc!er does it )or t!e ,ood o) t!e race
and .ould not !arm an el) .i3ard- Ot!er .i3ards, !o.ever, are not so sure o)
t!is- @or t!is reason, S&ell)ilc!ers ta#e ,reat &ains to dis,uise t!emselves and
t!eir intentions-
S&ell)ilc!ers also ta#e ,reat &ains to dis,uise t!emselves because t!ey are
!unted by bot! ven,e)ul .i3ards and ,reedy t!ieves- $!e .i3ards desire
t!e return o) t!eir &ro&erty and &er!a&s reven,e on t!e one audacious enou,! to
steal )rom t!em-
Connivin, t!ieves .is! to )ind a S&ell)ilc!er to eit!er recruit !er into t!eir
,uild or to ,et !er to .or# )or t!em- @ailin, t!at, t!ey .ant to discover t!e secret
to t!e S&ell)ilc!er's success and to e5&loit t!at secret- $!ey .ill not acce&t t!e
)act t!at !ers is an inborn talent- $!ieves can ma#e a S&ell)ilc!er's li)e c!aos i)
s!e is discovered by t!eir ,uild-
Wealt! O&tions- S&ell)ilc!ers receive 97 to :7 *6d<R8587+ ,&, .!ic! can be s&ent as
t!e S&ell)ilc!er desires- $!ere are no limits, but it is su,,ested t!at t!ey &urc!ase
t!ieves' tools-
Su,,ested Elven Subraces- AHuatic el), dro., ,rey el), !i,! el)-
@i,!ter4Ma,e (its
Combinin, t!e o))ensive &!ysical &o.er o) t!e .arrior and t!e intelli,ence and ma,ical
abilities o) t!e ma,e, t!ese are truly )earsome )i,!ters- $!ey !ave #no.led,eKnot only
o) strate,y and tacticsKbut o) ma,ical t!eory and o))ense- $!ey are vital to t!e elves-
It is im&ortant to note t!at )i,!ter4ma,es can cast s&ells only .!en unarmored or
clad in elvenmade or ma,ical armor- All ot!er armor is too unres&onsive to t!e .ays o)
ma,ic )or ma,ic to )lo. t!rou,! it &ro&erly-
BLADESI1GE%
O) t!e rovin, elves, t!ere are )e. as deadly as t!e Bladesin,er- $!ey are masters o) t!eir
.ea&ons and !ave s&ent t!eir lives in t!e study o) t!eir c!osen .ea&ons- $!ey !ave also
learned to cast s&ells .!ile en,a,ed in combat, and t!us t!ey double t!eir mi,!t-
$o be a Bladesin,er, a c!aracter needs at least a 89 Stren,t! and Constitution, as
.ell as a 8; De5terity and Intelli,ence-
%ole- W!ile some c!aracters may stay at !ome to de)end t!e elven .ay, Bladesin,ers
,o out and actively &romote it- $!ey do t!is by see#in, out t!eir race's )oes and
eliminatin, t!em, eit!er t!rou,! .ords or actions- Actin, as bot! di&lomats and
oneBel) armies, t!ey insure t!e sa)ety o) t!e el) race-
Secondary S#ills- Hunter, $rader4Barterer, $ra&&er4@urrier-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus 1one- 1ecommended OneB.ea&on style )or use in
combat and s&ellsJ t.oB!anded style )or use .!en s&ells run out-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- BlindB@i,!tin,, Dancin,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- EtiHuette, u,,lin,, Sin,in,, $umblin,,
Wea&onsmit!in,-
EHui&ment- $!e Bladesin,er is al.ays identi)iable by !is .ea&on o) c!oice- Suc! an
item is al.ays ornate and beauti)ul, en!ancin, t!e Bladesin,er's a&&earance in
battle-
Distinctive A&&earance- 1ot only are t!ey easily identi)iable by t!eir .ea&on o)
c!oice and catli#e ,race, Bladesin,ers are decorated .it! t!eir .ea&on ,uild's
distinctive tattoo- Eac! ,uild !as a se&arate and uniHue tattoo de&ictin, its style o)
.ea&on t!rou,! an animal re&resentation- Lon, s.ords are o)ten re&resented by
,reat cats suc! as lions or &ant!ers, a .!i& .ould be s!o.n as a stri#in, sna#e,
and so )ort!-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!ere are )our s&ecial bene)its to t!e Bladesin,er #it, as )ollo.sG
8- $!e Bladesin,er c!ooses one .ea&on and &ractices .it! it e5tensively, to t!e
e5clusion o) most ot!er .ea&ons- I) &ractice ma#es &er)ect, t!e Bladesin,ers are very
.ell &racticed in t!eir .ea&on o) c!oiceK)or t!ey are virtually &er)ect-
$!e &oised ste&s o) t!e bladeson, *t!e act o) attac# by a Bladesin,er+ not only
reveals t!e Bladesin,er to be a creature o) beauty even durin, battle, but t!e ste&s also
carry !im into advanta,eous &ositions )or eit!er o))ense or de)ense- He can
instinctively ,ras& t!e )lo. o) t!e battle around !im, and !is )eet .ill carry !im
t!rou,! t!e intricate maneuvers necessary to o&timi3e !is attac#-
Suc! is t!e intensive trainin, o) t!e Bladesin,er t!at !e ,ains an automatic
R8 to attac# rolls as .ell as a R8 )or dama,e- $!is is in addition to t!e normal elven R8
)or use o) t!e lon, or s!ort s.ord *i) a&&licable+- Des&ite any additional, )urt!er
trainin,, t!is is as !i,! as t!e bonus can be-
6- Bladesin,ers receive a s&ecial bonus .!en t!ey .is! to try an unusual
maneuver .it! t!eir blade- $!is bonus is eHual to R8 )or every )our levels t!e
Bladesin,er !as attained- $!e bonus only serves to cancel t!e &enalties normally a&&lied
)or suc! a maneuver- All ot!er &enalties and bonuses still a&&ly-
EPAM0LEG Vilana 0yreen, a Cth7level -ladesinger proficient in the long sword, attempts
to disarm her opponent 9a special maneuver:. 4ormally, this gives her a J? to initiative
and a AD to attack rolls. ,ince she is a Cth7level -ladesinger, however, her bladesinging
ability gains her a J? on her disarm maneuver. ,ince she is an elf, she gains an
additional J? because she is using her sword. Finally, she gains a J? for her blade7
singing ability with her sword. Her total is only a A? to disarm her foe. %f she were ?Fth
level, she would have a J? on her disarming attack.

9- Bladesin,ers !ave been tau,!t )rom an early a,e to ,ras& t!e )lo. o) ma,ic
around t!em and to turn it to t!eir advanta,e- $!ey can cast s&ells even .!ile in t!e
)ront lines- Alt!ou,! t!ey cannot actually attac# .!ile castin, t!eir s&ells, t!ey may
de)end t!emselves a,ainst incomin, melee attac#s-
$!eir de)ense is eHual to t!eir level divided by 6, &lus 8- All )ractions are
rounded do.n- $!us, a Ft!Blevel Bladesin,er ,ains a R< to AC *Ft! level46X9R8XR<
AC+- $!e same ,oes )or =t!Blevel Bladesin,ers *=46X9-; E-;X9R8XR< AC+- $!is does
not a&&ly to rear or missile attac#s, )or it is nearly im&ossible to de)end a,ainst t!ose
.!ile castin, a s&ell-
Bladesin,ers !ave &racticed t!e somatic &ortion o) t!eir s&ells .ell
enou,! t!at t!ey may cast t!eir s&ells oneB!anded, su))erin, only a sli,!t &enalty- It
adds R6 to t!eir castin, times, ma#in, it easier to disru&t t!eir s&ells- Li#e any ot!er
s&ellcaster, i) t!ey are !it t!ey lose t!e concentration necessary )or maintainin,
t!eir s&ellsJ t!ey lose t!e s&ell- $!eir s&ells are, t!ere)ore, usually o) an o))ensive nature
.it! very s!ort castin, times-
<- $!e trainin, is !ard enou,! t!at only a 9rdBlevel Bladesin,er can be,in to teac!
even t!e rudiments o) t!e bladeson,- I) anot!er el) .is!es to learn t!e bladeson,, !e
must see# one o) t!e masters o) t!e blade- Bladesin,ers c!ar,e a !i,! &rice )or
s!arin, t!eir s#ills-
S&ecial Hindrances- $o o))set t!eir abilities, Bladesin,ers su))er some severe
&enalties- 1ot only must t!ey attem&t to advance t!e cause o) elvendom some!o.
at all times, t!ey must also lend aid to any el) in need- >nless t!e el) is &roven to
be an enemy o) t!e elven .ay o) li)e, t!e Bladesin,er must sacri)ice li)e and limb
to save t!at el)'s li)e-
O) course, t!e Bladesin,er is )ree to determine .!et!er t!ere is, in )act, an
el) in dan,er- $oo many times ot!er races !ave tried to eliminate t!e
Bladesin,er menace t!rou,! illusion and tric#ery- $!e Bladesin,ers !ave ,ro.n .ary
and !ave, un)ortunately, allo.ed )ello. elves to &eris! .!ile tryin, to
determine t!e trut! o) t!e t!reat- $!us, most Bladesin,ers carry at least one detect
magic s&ell in order to avoid &ossible errors-
Bladesin,ers are so devoted to t!eir c!osen .ea&on t!at t!ey can never
learn anot!er one- >nli#e ot!er elves, t!ey do not ,ain a R8 to attac# rolls .it! a
bo.- Wit! all ot!er .ea&ons, t!ey su))er a E8 &enalty to attac# rolls, even i)
t!ey !ave ta#en it as a &ro)iciency- I) t!ey !ave not devoted t!e slot to learn t!e
.ea&on, t!e Bladesin,er su))ers t!e ordinary non&ro)iciency in addition to t!e E8
&enalty-
I) t!e &layer is usin, The "omplete Fighter's Handbook, !e may not allo.
!is c!aracter to s&eciali3e in .ea&on ,rou&s- $!e Bladesin,er )ocuses on a sin,le
.ea&on only-
Bladesin,ers may .ear no armor !eavier t!an elven c!ain or studded
leat!er- Bul#ier armor restricts t!e Bladesin,ers' movement enou,! t!at t!ey
!ave at least a E6 &enalty to attac#s i) t!ey try to use t!eir bladesin,in, ability .!ile
.earin, suc! armor- $!e &enalty is ,reater )or !eavier armor, alt!ou,! t!is
is at t!e DM's discretion-
Bladesin,ers rarely use .ea&ons ot!er t!an s.ords- Wit! only rare
e5ce&tions, t!ey never learn t.oB!anded )i,!tin, styles- $!ey may not use
s!ields or t.oB!anded .ea&ons, )or t!ese inter)ere .it! t!e bladeson,- Even .!en t!ey
!ave run out o) s&ells, Bladesin,ers .ill )i,!t oneB!anded or .it! bot!
!ands on t!eir sin,leB!anded .ea&on- $o do ot!er.ise ne,ates all bladesin,in,
bonuses-
Wealt! O&tions- Bladesin,ers start t!eir adventurin, lives .it! 97 to 8O7 ,&
*9dF587+, and only one restrictionG $!ey must &urc!ase t!eir .ea&on o) c!oice-
Any monies le)t a)ter buyin, t!eir initial eHui&ment must be returned to t!e
Bladesin,er's Guild- Later in t!eir adventures, t!ey must ta#e o&&ortunities to
u&,rade t!eir .ea&ons- Ot!er t!an t!ese restrictions, t!ey are )ree to do as t!ey
.is! .it! t!eir money-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Grey el), !i,! el)-
WA% WI2A%D
Alt!ou,! elves do not desire .ar, &re)errin, instead to live t!eir lives in &eace and idyllic
!a&&iness, t!ey reco,ni3e t!at t!e .orld is )ull o) races !ostile to elves, all o) .!om
.ould love to see t!em driven into t!e dirt- A War Wi3ard is one .!o !as devoted !er li)e
to de)endin, a,ainst suc! attac#s-
%ole- $!e War Wi3ard is usually t!e &erson in c!ar,e o) de)ense )or any ,iven el)
to.n- W!en t!ere is a &roblem .it! an enemy, t!e War Wi3ard is t!e one to call-
Even i) not associated .it! a to.n, t!e War Wi3ard is an invaluable asset
to any ,rou& t!at e5&ects to )ace trouble- Sim&le strate,ic #no.led,e is !er
bread and butter, but !er e5&ertise does not end t!ere- S!e can .or# o))ensive
marvels &!ysically, and !er s&ellcastin, s#ills are e5cellent-
Secondary S#ills- Scribe, $actician-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus Lon, bo., lon, s.ord- 1ecommended S!ort bo.,
s!ort s.ord, .ea&on style s&eciali3ation *)rom The "omplete Fighter's
Handbook+-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- S&ellcra)t, &lus En,ineerin, or Survival-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- BlindB@i,!tin,, Heraldry, LandBBased
%idin,, Lan,ua,es *Ancient or Modern+, Set Snares, Weat!er Sense-
EHui&ment- A War Wi3ard can carry .!atever eHui&ment s!e li#es-
Distinctive A&&earance- War Wi3ards !ave no distinctive a&&earance- $!ey may dress
as t!ey &lease on t!eir o.n time- Ho.ever, t!ey o)ten !ave a military aura- W!en
in a military ca&acity, t!ey must .ear a uni)orm-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e War Wi3ard, because o) !er #no.led,e o) strate,y, can enable
!er side to add R8 to t!eir attac# rolls )or t!e duration o) a battle- $!is bonus
a&&lies only i) all t!e )ollo.in, conditions are metG 8+ $!e War Wi3ard !as !ad a
c!ance to survey t!e area and ma& it- 6+ $!e War Wi3ard !olds a strate,y meetin,
.it! all .!o ,ain t!e R8 bonus- 9+ All members o) t!e War Wi3ard's side .!o are
to ,ain t!e bonus success)ully ma#e an Intelli,ence c!ec# t!at !as been modi)ied
by t!e di))iculty o) t!e instructions and c!an,es in t!e terrain- $!ose .!o )ail do
not ,ain t!e bonus, and t!ey run t!e ris# o) destroyin, anot!er team member's
bonus durin, battle- I) t!ese conditions are met, t!e War Wi3ard's side ,ains t!e
bonus- I) any &art is le)t out or i,nored, t!e bonus is ne,ated-
$!e War Wi3ard is allo.ed a .ea&on o) c!oice- S!e ,ains a R8 to attac#
rolls .it! t!is .ea&on, cumulative .it! all ot!er a&&licable bonuses-
S!e also ,ains a /s&ell o) c!oice,/ once every )our levels- $!is s&ell is
usually a lar,eBscale, o))ensive s&ell or it may be a !andy de)ensive s&ell- Only
rarely are t!ey &ersonal in sco&e and, even t!en, it must !ave some a&&licability to a
lar,er &arty- $!e s&ell can be o) any level t!e War Wi3ard can cast at t!e
time s!e c!ooses t!e s&ell- $!us, at t!e <t! level, a War Wi3ard can c!oose
s&ells o) t!e 8st or 6nd level- At t!e Ot! level, s!e can c!oose s&ells o) u& to t!e <t!
level-
$!e c!osen s&ell is not a bonus s&ell )or t!e War Wi3ard- It must still be
memori3ed as .ould a normal s&ell- Ho.ever, t!e s&ell can be eit!er cast more
Huic#ly, )irin, at a R8 to initiative, or )orce t!e o&&onent to ta#e a E8 on !is
save- @or every )our levels t!e War Wi3ard !as &racticed t!is s&ell, s!e ,ains a R8 bonus
to eit!er side- @or e5am&le, i) a 86t!Blevel War Wi3ard !ad c!osen sleep as
!er s&ell at t!e <t! level, s!e .ould no. ,ain eit!er R6 to initiative .!en
castin, it or .ould cause !er o&&onents to save at E6-
S&ecial Hindrances- $!e War Wi3ard is limited in !er c!oice o) .ea&ons- Alt!ou,! a
.arrior4ma,e ordinarily receives t!e )ull ,amut o) .ea&ons, a War Wi3ard may
only ta#e certain .ea&ons- Any o) t!e normal .i3ard's .ea&ons, any blade, any
bo., or a lance may be c!osen- $!e selection cannot e5tend beyond t!ese,
!o.ever-
War Wi3ards !ave a Code o) Conduct t!at t!ey must abide by at all times-
Even .!en t!ey are a&art )rom t!eir units, t!e code may never be bro#en- I) it is
and t!ey are discovered, t!ey .ill be drummed )rom t!e unit- It is u& to t!e DM
and t!e &layer to determine .!at t!e Code is )or eac! unit, but it s!ould )ierce,
demandin,, and restrictive-
@inally, t!ere are demands t!e unit .ill &lace on t!e War Wi3ard- S!e must
com&ly .it! t!ese demands or lose !er bene)its- $!e unit .ill ty&ically ta#e
u& about one mont! &er year o) t!e War Wi3ard's time-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e War Wi3ard !as 97 to 8O7 *9dF587+ ,& initially, .!ic! can be
s&ent !o.ever s!e li#es-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Dro., ,rey el), !i,! el)-
@i,!ter4$!ie) (it
$!ese are t!e tou,!est elves around *and t!e most Huintessentially elven+, )or t!ey rely on
s#ill rat!er t!an muscle- Alt!ou,! .arrior4t!ieves may not be truly ade&t .it! any
.ea&on, t!eir t!ie) s#ills more t!an ma#e u& )or t!at- @i,!ter4t!ieves are very use)ul in a
cam&ai,n based more on subtlety t!an )orce-
H>1$SMA1
Alt!ou,! some call t!em bounty !unters, t!e Huntsmen #no. better- $!eir c!ie) Noy in
li)e is t!e !unt, and t!ey !ave trained t!emselves in t!e .ays o) li)eG )i,!tin, and stealt!-
%ole- A Huntsman is at !ome in bot! t!e city and t!e .ilderness- His Nob is to trac#
do.n errant .ron,doers and brin, t!em to Nustice- He can be ,ood, evil, or
neutralJ !e may et!ically brin, criminals to )ace t!e la. or !unt t!em Nust )or
money- W!et!er !e is ,ood or not ,ood, !is motivation is more t!e t!rill o) t!e
!unt t!an material ,ain-
Secondary S#ills- $ra&&er4@urrier-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus 1et- 1ecommended Blo.,un, lon, bo., lasso, lon,
s.ord-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Huntin,, $rac#in,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- BlindB@i,!tin,, Dis,uise, Endurance,
Intimidation, u,,lin,, um&in,, %unnin,, Set Snares, $umblin,-
EHui&ment- $!e Huntsman, li#e t!e ran,er, does not li#e bein, !eavily encumbered-
He carries only t!ose t!in,s !e cannot Huic#ly and c!ea&ly re&lace and is usually
&re&ared to ma#e t!e t!in,s t!at cannot be easily re&laced- His most valuable
&iece o) eHui&ment is !is mind-
Distinctive A&&earance- $!e Huntsman !as no distinctive a&&earance-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e Huntsman ,ains an automatic R87Q to bot! !is Move Silently
and Hide in S!ado.s s#illsJ t!is a&&lies to bot! city and .ilderness settin,s-
Because !e !as s&ent so muc! time learnin, stealt!, t!is is in addition to !is
re,ular modi)iers )or !i,! De5terity and race-
$!e Huntsman also ta#es a smaller &enalty to !is $rac#in, &ro)iciency
t!an ot!er nonran,ers- His li)e !as been s&ent in t!e !unt, and !e t!ere)ore
is more )amiliar .it! t!e si,ns o) t!e )orest t!an many ot!ers-
S&ecial Hindrances- Alt!ou,! t!e Huntsman )etc!es t!ose .!o need )etc!in,, !e is
not re,arded .ell- His trade is in )les!, and &eo&le disli#e !is com&any- He
receives a E6 reaction &enalty .!en dealin, .it! ,oodBali,ned &eo&le- In evil
society, t!ey !ate !im, even i) !e is evil, because !e and !is #ind are res&onsible
)or t!e ca&ture o) )riends and allies- He receives a E6 &enalty t!ere as .ell-
$!e Huntsman may never ta#e t!e %ead Lan,ua,es ability available to
most t!ieves- His style o) li)e does not reHuire learnin, ne. lan,ua,es and,
indeed, )orces !im to be constantly on t!e move- He !as not t!e time-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e Huntsman be,ins &lay .it! 97 to 8O7 *9dF587+ ,&- He can
s&end t!is money !o.ever !e .is!es-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- All-
@i,!ter4Ma,e4$!ie) (its
$!e most eclectic o) el) 0Cs, t!e .arrior4ma,e4t!ie) class is bot! t!e most )ree and t!e
most limited- W!ile o&tions are nearly limitless )or t!ese #its, it ta#es a lot o) doin, to ,et
t!ere- But elves !ave muc! time on t!eir !ands, and t!ey don't mind t!e /s!ort/ .ait
reHuired to reac! t!ese ,oals-
COLLEC$O%
Occasionally, !umans .ill come into &ossession o) items t!at eit!er aren't t!eirs or are
too dan,erous )or t!ese s!ortBlived bein,s to !ave- $!e Collector is t!ere to ma#e sure
t!ese t!in,s return to el) !ands-
$!e Collector must !ave a 89 Intelli,ence and 8; C!arisma, )or s!e must deal
.it! bot! esoteric #no.led,e and &eo&le-
%ole- $!e Collector's role in li)e is to retrieve t!in,s )rom dan,erous &laces- W!et!er
t!is item is a stolen suit o) elven &late armor or an ancient, uneart!ed arti)act, t!e
Collector .ill ,et it bac#- W!en !umans seem in dan,er o) destroyin, t!in,s o)
beauty or o) !istorical &o.er, t!e Collector ma#es sure t!ose obNects are s&irited
a.ay to sa)ety-
$!e Collector is not only a t!ie), but an arc!aeolo,ist as .ell- S!e uses all
!er classes' s#ills to retrieve t!e items )rom .!erever t!ey lie, even dee& beneat!
t!e eart!, t!en #ee&s t!em )rom t!e !ands o) t!e elves' enemies-
Secondary S#ills- Any- Artist, e.eler, and Historian4Sa,e are es&ecially a&&ro&riate-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus 1one- 1ecommended S!ort bo., da,,er, s!ort s.ord,
.!i&, and small .ea&ons t!at can )it into t!e ti,!t &laces into .!ic! a Collector
must sometimes venture-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Ancient History, En,ineerin,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- A&&raisin,, Artistic Ability, Gem Cuttin,,
um&in,, Modern Lan,ua,es, Musical Instrument, %o&e >se, Stonemasonry,
$i,!tro&e Wal#in,-
EHui&ment- $!e Collector is never )ar )rom !er arc!aeolo,ical tools and bur,lary
eHui&ment- S!e is &re&ared to di, in t!e eart!, venture into a )ortress, or s.in,
bet.een t.o tall to.ers- S!e is ready )or nearly any eventuality in t!e Huest o) !er
&ri3e-
Distinctive A&&earance- Alt!ou,! t!ey mi,!t ima,ine t!ey are s!ar&ly dressed,
Collectors are o)ten rum&led and dis!eveled, more t!an li#ely covered .it! t!e
dust and muc# o) t!eir most recent adventure- $!ou,! t!ey may .ear )as!ionable
clot!in,, Collectors sim&ly cannot #ee& clot!in, neat and clean- $!ere are al.ays
e5ce&tions but, )or t!e most &art, Collectors a&&ear musty and dirty-
S&ecial Bene)its- $!e Collector, because o) !er researc! into t!e !istories o) arti)acts
and ancient civili3ations, !as a c!ance to #no. somet!in, about nearly every
im&ortant ma,ic item on !er .orld- I) s!e can lay !er !ands on an obNect and
study it, s!e can attem&t to identi)y it, muc! li#e t!e bard's ability-
Collectors !ave a ;Q c!ance &er t.o levels *t!at is, ;Q at 8st to 6nd level,
87Q at 9rd to <t! level, and so )ort!+ to identi)y an item's !istory, &ur&ose,
and ali,nment *i) it !as one+- $!e only idea a Collector !as o) an item's &o.er lies
.it!in t!e &a,es o) t!e !istories t!e Collector !as read-
$!is c!ance increases *at t!e DM's discretion+ i) t!e Collector !as access
to a researc! )acility .it! an e5tensive collection o) boo#s on ma,ical items
and arti)acts- I) not, t!ere is no bonus- $!e Collector s&ends 8d9 days )indin,
t!e &ertinent in)ormation-
Li#e.ise, t!e Collector can )ind in)ormation leadin, to t!e discovery o)
suc! ma,ical items, .!ic! is t!e main &art o) !er Nob- I) s!e s&ends a .ee#
or more in researc!, de&endin, on t!e rarity o) t!e item and t!e di))iculty o) )indin, it,
s!e can discover t!e ,eneral area in .!ic! to be,in !er searc!-
$!e Collector is an e5&ert at rumor ,at!erin,- By s&endin, 87d877 ,& and
ma#in, a success)ul Intelli,ence and C!arisma c!ec#, t!e Collector can usually
,et a lead on .!ere an item lies- Sometimes t!e in)ormation received is as va,ue
as a ,eneral locationJ sometimes it is as s&eci)ic as t!e e5act !idin, &lace- 1o. all t!e
Collector needs to do is to )ind a .ay &ast all t!e &rotections- - - -
@ortunately, Collectors ,ain a R87Q bonus to t!eir @ind4%emove $ra&s
s#ill- It is im&ortant to remember t!at )indin, a tra& and removin, a tra&
reHuires t.o se&arate rolls- Because so many o) t!e old &laces are )rau,!t .it! &eril, t!e
Collectors !ave )ound t!is bene)it to be o) inestimable value-
@inally, Collectors are rat!er luc#y elves- Once a day, t!ey may R8 or E8
)rom one o) t!eir rolls, i) t!ey desire- $!e modi)ication may be to any roll,
includin, attac# rolls, dama,e rolls, savin, t!ro.s, and so )ort!- It cannot be used in
c!aracter creation, nor can it be saved )rom day to dayM $!e &layer must
declare t!at a modi)ication is bein, used be)ore t!e roll is actually made or t!e
roll is void-
S&ecial Hindrances- Alt!ou,! Collectors are, )or t!e most &art, decent &eo&le, t!ey
receive a E6 reaction &enalty- $!e &enalty re)lects t!eir tendency to lecture,
)or,ettin, t!at ot!ers do not s!are t!eir &assion )or di,,in, in t!e eart!-
@ar more !inderin, is t!e )act t!at Collectors .ill never #no.in,ly use a
ma,ically c!ar,ed item- $!ey are a)raid t!at t!e use o) suc! items mi,!t de&lete
its last c!ar,eJ t!eir &ur&ose is to ensure t!e &reservation o) suc! items- $!ey are
cautious around all ot!er ma,ical items unless certain t!ey are not c!ar,ed or are
!eavily c!ar,ed-
@urt!ermore, Collectors .ill never &er)orm an action t!at is &otentially
destructive to a ma,ical item unless it is t!e only .ay to save t!eir o.n lives and
t!e lives o) t!eir com&anions- Even t!en, t!ey .ill !esitate, a,oni3in, over t!e
loss to t!e .orld-
Collectors even !ave a di))icult time destroyin, sentient, eart!Bs!a#in,
arti)acts o) utter evil- Alt!ou,! t!ey #no. t!e arti)act is irredeemably evil,
t!ey can barely brin, t!emselves to destroy an item t!at !as &la,ued t!e !istory o) t!e
.orld-
I) s!e !as been &ersuaded to eliminate an item or a)ter s!e !as destroyed
an item to save a li)e, t!e Collector .ill ,o into a state o) dee& un!a&&iness,
lastin, )or at least a .ee#- Durin, t!is time, s!e is not ca&able o) intelli,ent
discussion and !er saves and attac# rolls are all at E6- 1ote t!at t!is de&ression
!as a basisG I) t!e Collector destroys more t!an )ive items durin, !er career or
sim&ly allo.s )ive suc! items to be destroyed, s!e .ill lose all o) t!e bene)its
o) t!is #it-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e Collector be,ins .it! 97 to 6<7 *9dO587+ ,&- At least !al) o) t!is
money must be s&ent on !ouseBand loc#Bbrea#in, eHui&ment and on e5cavatin,
tools suc! as s!ovels and &ic#s- $!e rest o) t!e money can be s&ent as t!e
c!aracter desires-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- AHuatic el), ,rey el), !i,! el)-

I1@IL$%A$O%
$!e In)iltrator is t!e very model o) an el) scout- W!et!er in urban or .ilderness
situations, t!e In)iltrator is t!e master o) stealt! and dis,uise-
%ole- W!en elves need Huic# and reliable in)ormation .it! a minimum o) )uss, t!ey
call on an In)iltrator- $!e In)iltrators' motto is /I) it's a secret, it's not-/ Sometimes,
t!e In)iltrator .ill ,ain in)ormation sim&ly )or t!e s!eer Noy o) #no.in, it-
Alt!ou,! t!is is a ty&ically elven trait, only t!e In)iltrators ,o to suc! an e5tent to
learn a secret-
Secondary S#ills- Any-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- $!ere are no bonus .ea&on &ro)iciencies )or t!is #it-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Dis,uise, @or,ery, In)ormation Gat!erin,,
Observation, $i,!tro&e Wal#in,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Ancient History, EtiHuette, Modern
Lan,ua,e, %eadin, Li&s-
EHui&ment- Every In)iltrator must !ave a ,ood dis,uise #it- Ot!er.ise, t!ey are )ree
to c!oose .!atever eHui&ment t!ey li#e-
Distinctive A&&earance- $!e only t!in, distinctive about t!e a&&earance o) an
In)iltrator is t!at !e !as no distinctive a&&earance- Elves can, by .ord o) mout!,
sometimes )ind out .!o t!e In)iltrators are, but only i) t!e In)iltrator .is!es to be
)ound-
S&ecial Bene)its- One o) t!e s&ecial bene)its t!e In)iltrator receives is t!e lar,e
number o) bonus non.ea&on &ro)iciencies- 0lease note t!at some o) t!ese a&&ear
in The "omplete Thief's Handbook. $!ese all enable !im to carry out !is Nob more
e))ectively, and !e is so &racticed in t!ese &ro)iciencies t!at !e ,ains a R8 bonus
.!en !e uses one o) t!em-
W!en an In)iltrator .is!es to a&&ear as a member o) anot!er race, !e can
usually &ass !imsel) o)) as a tall d.ar) or a s!ort !uman .it! only a E< &enalty-
$!is bonus increases by R8 )or every )our levels t!e In)iltrator obtains in !is most
e5&ensive class- $!at is, it increases .!en !e reac!es 87,777 e5&erience &oints in
all t!ree classes, ma#in, t!e In)iltrator a <t!Blevel )i,!ter4<t!Blevel ma,e4;t!B
level t!ie)- 1ote t!at t!is a&&lies only to t!e bonus &ro)iciencies ,iven by t!e
#itJ it doesn't a&&ly to eit!er t!e recommended or t!e c!aracterBc!osen &ro)iciencies-
$!e In)iltrator also ,ains a R87Q bonus to t!e t.o t!ie) s#ills o) !is
c!oice- $!is is a oneBtime only bonus and cannot be c!an,ed later in t!e
In)iltrator's career-
S&ecial Hindrances- $!e In)iltrator s&ends so muc! time ta#in, on t!e roles o) ot!er
&eo&le t!at !e may be,in to lose !is o.n sense o) identity- Even t!e reverie,
.!ic! ordinarily rein)orces an el)'s identity, may not !el& &revent !is sense o) sel)
sli&&in, a.ay-
$!ere)ore, )or eac! level an In)iltrator acHuires, !e loses 87Q )rom !is
ordinary resistance to charmBrelated and sleep s&ells- $!is decreases !is
:7Q resistance do.n.ard, to a minimum o) 97Q- $!us, until t!e &oint .!en t!e Ot! level
is ac!ieved, In)iltrators .ill lose 87Q o) t!eir resistance at eac! level-
Suc! loss o) sel) means t!at t!e In)iltrator .ill never be as sure o) !imsel)
as an ordinary el), alt!ou,! !is sense o) sel) .ill still be stron,er t!an t!at o) a
!uman- >nless !e is actin, a role, t!e In)iltrator .ill be some.!at unsure o) !imsel)
and may Huestion !is o.n motives-
Wealt! O&tions- $!e In)iltrator be,ins &lay .it! <7 to 8<7 *6dFR6Y87+ ,&- $!is
money can be s&ent !o.ever desired-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- Dro., !i,! el), sylvan el)-
A (it )or Any Class
Every el) !as t!e ca&ability to ac!ieve some o) t!e same ends, alt!ou,! in di))erent .ays-
$!e )ollo.in, is a class.ide #it t!at any el) can ta#e, re,ardless o) &ro)ession, class, or
multiclass combination-
>1DEAD SLAAE%
As elves loat!e t!e undead, it is only lo,ical t!at t!ey develo& met!ods to combat t!e
undead menace- W!et!er t!ey stay be!ind to &rotect el) !omes )rom ravenin, undead
!ordes or actively see# out t!e unlivin, to destroy t!em in t!eir )oul nests, t!e >ndead
Slayers learn all t!ey can about t!eir .retc!ed )oes-
%ole- $!e >ndead Slayers are sc!ooled in t!e .ays o) t!e undead, see#in, to destroy
undead monsters .!erever t!ey can )ind t!em-
Secondary S#ills- Any- >ndead Slayers are dra.n )rom all lots in li)e-
Wea&on 0ro)iciencies- -onus One blud,eonin, .ea&on o) Medium si3e, as lon, as it
is allo.ed by t!e initial class- 1ecommended A &iercin, or slas!in, .ea&on to
com&lement t!e blud,eonin, .ea&on-
Bonus 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- BlindB)i,!tin,-
%ecommended 1on.ea&on 0ro)iciencies- Healin,, Herbalism, Ancient History, Local
History, Ancient Lan,ua,es, Survival-
EHui&ment- Every >ndead Slayer carries t!e common items necessary )or t!is trade-
Most o) t!em carry bac#&ac#s containin, at least a mirror, t.o vials o) !oly .ater
*i) not more+, several s!ar&ened sta#es, !oly symbols, tinder )or torc!es, and so
)ort!- @or .ea&ons, i) t!eir class allo.s, t!ey carry at least t.o silver .ea&ons,
one eac! o) &iercin, and blud,eonin, ty&e, as .ell as ordinary .ea&ons-
Distinctive A&&earance- Most >ndead Slayers !ave a ,rim, determined loo#Kt!e
result o) t!e ,risly nature o) t!eir .or#- $!ese elves !ave lost t!e ty&ical elven
enNoyment o) li)e, )or t!ey !ave become obsessed .it! deat! and t!e undead-
S&ecial Bene)its- >ndead Slayers !ave c!osen a &articular )orm o) undead to combat
and !ave researc!ed it t!orou,!ly- $!ey #no. every nuance and variation
bet.een t!e various members o) t!at s&ecies- @or t!is reason, >ndead Slayers, i)
&ro&erly &re&ared, ,ain a R6 to attac# rolls and to dama,e a,ainst t!eir c!osen
undead )oes-
>ndead Slayers !unt t!e undead more easily t!an most- $!ey #no. t!e
si,ns o) undead in)estations and can trace t!em bac# to t!eir sources- $!eir
#een elven senses are !oned to detect t!e unnatural r!yt!ms o) undead, and t!ey
can t!ere)ore )ind t!eir lairs-
$!is does not mean t!at t!ey can )ind a distant vam&ire's secret lair-
Instead, by listenin, to rumors and observin, t!e local &!enomena, t!ey can
)ind t!e ,eneral area .!ere t!e lair mi,!t be- $!en t!ey may searc! )or t!e creature more
&ersonally-
S&ecial Hindrances- Alt!ou,! t!ey can )i,!t ot!er )oes, t!e Slayers .ill never turn
do.n a c!ance to eliminate an undead enemy- W!ile t!is does not mean c!ar,in,
blindly into battle, t!ey .ill not !esitate to sacri)ice t!eir lives i) it means t!e
undead .ill &eris!- $!ey .ill never bac# a.ay )rom t!e o&&ortunity to rid t!e
.orld o) t!ese blas&!emous creations, re,ardless o) t!e cost to t!emselves-
Mindless undead are rat!er lo. on t!eir list o) &riorities )or destruction-
S#eletons and 3ombies do not arouse t!e !atred and loat!in, o) t!e >ndead
Slayer as muc! as sentient undead do- Anyt!in, .it! a mind raises t!e !ac#les and
t!e an,er o) t!e >ndead Slayer-
Suc! is t!e >ndead Slayers' devotion to t!eir cause t!at t!ey .ill &lan
.ays to destroy even t!ose undead .!o !ave &roved t!emselves )riendly-
Dealin, .it! a ,ood or neutral lic!, )or e5am&le, is im&ossible )or an >ndead Slayer-
Sim&ly #no.in, o) t!e e5istence o) suc! an abomination is enou,! )or t!is
c!aracter to see# .ays to anni!ilate it-
Wealt! O&tions- >ndead Slayers start out .it! t!e same amount o) .ealt! as any
ot!er &layers .it!in t!eir class-
>ndead Slayers must &urc!ase at least t.o vials o) !oly .ater and a silver
mirror be)ore buyin, any ot!er eHui&ment- @or .ea&ons, t!ey usually carry an
ed,ed .ea&on *i) allo.ed+ as .ell as a blud,eonin, .ea&on- A)ter t!ey !ave
satis)ied t!is minimum reHuirement, t!ey may s&end t!eir money as t!ey .is!-
Ho.ever, it is recommended t!at at least !al) o) t!eir )unds be s&ent on
eHui&ment )or locatin, and !oldin, undead at bay-
Su,,ested El) Subraces- All-
C!a&ter 88G Elven EHui&ment
How and why feywine+that eli$ir to gladden the heart and encourage the soul of
every Elf+came to be is a tale ancient in age. ,ome of you say it is merely mead, that
Human drink. (ou say it is nothing more than flowers and honey, left to ferment and age
in oak barrels. (ou are, in part, correct, but you know not the full story. ;et me recount
for you the truth of feywine's origin.
The First Elves roamed the land, well pleased with all they saw and all that the
gods gave them. They had no need for sustenance then, those First Elves+no need for
bread, and meat, and fruits and vegetables that we now so much en)oy. These Elves had
the blood of gods burning bright in their veins. The tears of the .oon and the soil of the
land also coursed through their blood.
;ittle remains of those early years of our e$istence. "ertainly there are no
remnants of the original vessels made by the ,eldarine, which they created to house our
spirits. Those First Elves e$isted solely through the life7giving form provided by the
,eldarine. Then they )oined with one another, and they begat children.
&lthough still nourished by the earth and the stars, these children were a step
removed from the gods. They had needs that could not wholly be satisfied by their fathers
and mothers. &nd the First Elves beseeched the gods, crying out as their children lay
dying, for they did not understand why. The ,eldarine saw their creations' sorrow, and
they were moved to act.
They asked the .oon to bless the land with her tears a second time, as she had
when "orellon ;arethian fought in the 5odswar, and she did. The tears fed the children
of the First Elves, and the children lived.
%n time, the Elves learned to take nourishment from other sources, and they can
now survive without the gods' gift. -ut an Elf who is routinely deprived of feywine turns
into but a pale imitation of his or her self . . . an Elf who has lost the soul of the gods.
K@iriel Anani'Ma!s, (ee&er o) @ey.ine
Most o) t!is eHui&ment is available only to elves, )or t!ey are not .illin, to sell t!e best
o) t!eir stoc# to !umans or d.arves- $!ere are countless more items t!at t!e elves !ave
inventedJ t!e )ollo.in, list is only a sam&le o) .!at t!ey are ca&able-
$!e c!a&ter contains bevera,es, .ea&ons, and ot!er items elves )ind use)ul- Most
items !ave multi&le uses, )or t!e elves !ate to restrict anyt!in, to but one &ur&ose-
@inally, &lease note t!at )e. o) t!ese items are )or,ed or constructed in ,reat
Huantities- Elves believe in t!e uniHue Hualities o) eac! item and, unli#e d.arves, do not
enNoy massB&roducin, anyt!in,, no matter !o. ,ood it is-
@ey.ine
$!is is a )ermented mi5ture o) crus!ed )lo.ers, !oney, and an in,redient t!at some claim
is distilled moonbeams- It is available only t!rou,! elves, and most elves .ill not allo.
members o) ot!er races to drin# it- $!e sole e5ce&tion to t!is rule is t!e race o) !al)lin,s,
.!o a&&reciate all ,ood t!in,s in li)e- Humans become )ar too stu&orous, and d.arves do
not a&&reciate t!e subtleties in!erent in t!e taste, &re)errin, instead to s.ill it- It sim&ly
does not a))ect t!em- Gnomes !ave t!eir o.n variant, .!ic! t!ey &re)er, and t!ey rarely
as# )or )ey.ine-
Alt!ou,! )ey.ine lasts only t.o days .!en bottled a.ay )rom )res! air, some
elves carry it .it! t!em )or suc! a &eriod to use as a secret .ea&on a,ainst unsus&ectin,
)oes- W!ile t!eir enemies are slee&in, o)) t!e e))ects, t!e elves can ma#e ,ood t!eir
esca&e- Ot!er.ise, elves drin# it only .!en t!ey are celebratin, some victory or )estival-
CostG >navailable
Wei,!tG As .ater
Elven Har&
$!ese master.or#s are !i,!ly &ri3ed in t!e musical communities o) any culture- $!e
elven !ar& &roduces a clear, dulcet tone, un!eard o) in any nonBelven cra)ted instrument-
1ot only does it &roduce a sound rivaled only by t!e ,ods o) music, t!e elven
!ar& is a beauty to be!old as .ell- Intricately carved, .it! attention &aid to t!e smallest
detail, t!e elven !ar& is almost as beauti)ul to loo# at as it is to !ear it-
$!ere are several di))erent si3es o) elven !ar&- Some can be carried by
adventurin, elves, .!ile ot!ers are clearly intended only )or stationary use- W!atever t!e
si3e, t!ey are .ell .ort! t!eir cost-
CostG ;77E6,;77 ,&
Wei,!tG 87E877 lbs-
Honey Leat!er
Honey leat!er is really a li,!t canvas used as &rotection a,ainst rain and dam&ness- Elves
use it )or tents and to &rotect cam&in, ,ear- >n)ortunately, it doesn't o))er muc!
&rotection a,ainst sna,s, and it tears easily- Ho.ever, as lon, as it is used only in cam&, it
is a )airly durable canvas- It is also com&letely .ater&roo), and it is !i,!ly valued
because o) t!at-
CostG ;7 ,&4sH- yard
Wei,!tG 8 sH- yardX8487 lb-
Sas!lin,
$!is broad, billo.in, sas! .as t!e &recursor and t!e ins&iration )or t!e girdle of many
pouches, )or its seemin,ly small e5terior !ides a ,reat many interior &oc#ets- $en &oc#ets
are se.n into t!e )olds o) t!e sas!lin,, eac! ca&able o) !oldin, about a )ourt! o) a &ound-
$!e nature o) t!e sas!lin, is suc! t!at, unless t!e item inside is too bul#y, it .ill
conceal most o) .!at t!e el) is carryin,- It is t!us ideal )or carryin, !idden coins, s&ell
com&onents, or ot!er easily concealable items-
@or t!ose .!o need to carry more su&&lies, many sas!lin,s are made .it! !oo#s
on t!e outer side- $!is enables t!e .earer to !an, &ouc!es and ot!er t!in,s )rom t!e
outside o) t!e sas!lin, as .ell-
CostG 87 ,&
Wei,!tG 8 lb-

$!istledo.n
$!is is t!e ,rayis! material )rom .!ic! cloaks of elvenkind are made- It is a li,!t, do.ny
material t!at does not sna, on branc!es- Since it is a )ine Huality material, it can easily be
enc!anted .it! t!e s&ells t!at enable t!e elves to &roduce t!eir .oods.ear-
CostG 877 ,&4sH- yard
Wei,!tG 8 sH- yardX8487 lb-
Elven Bo.
Durin, t!eir years o) e5&erience, elves !ave )ound t!at o)ten arc!ers are attac#ed .it!out
muc! c!ance to de)end t!emselves- $!ey !ave t!ere)ore created t!e elven bo.- It is
desi,ned to )ire .it! t!e same rate o) )ire and accuracy, and yet t!e elves can use it to
)end o)) attac#s until t!ey can de)end t!emselves .it! a better .ea&on or s&ell-
$!e elven bo. is a beauti)ul &iece o) .or#, carved mostly )rom .ood, and is
!i,!ly decorated and &olis!ed- $o )ully )ul)ill its )unction, t!e el) cra)ters !ave also ,iven
it metal inlays- $!ese enable t!e bo. to be used as a &arryin, .ea&on until t!e el) can
dra. a more suitable .ea&on- Mean.!ile, t!e el)'s bo. !as not been dama,ed by t!e
attac# and can be used a,ain-
I) used as an o))ensive .ea&on, t!e elven bo. acts as a club, causin, 8dF &oints
to SBor MBsi3ed creatures, 8d9 to LBsi3ed or lar,er creatures-
CostG 8;7 ,&
Wei,!tG O lbs-
Arro.s *>se)ul+
As .it! t!eir bo.s, elves !ave )ound t!at t!e initial, sim&le desi,ns are not al.ays .!at
is needed in a ,iven situation- Sometimes, an arro. must be able to do more t!an sim&ly
dama,e a )oe- $!ere)ore, t!ey !ave desi,ned t!e )ollo.in, arro.s, eac! .it! a s&eci)ic
&ur&ose- $!ese are certainly not t!e limit o) t!e s&eci)ic arro.s t!at t!ey !ave desi,nedJ
t!ey are but a small sam&le o) s&ecialties- $!e list !ere is merely a re&resentation-
CostG ?ariable
Wei,!tG ?ariable
@lare Arro.
Desi,ned so t!at t!e arc!er may be more easily )ound or so t!at a distraction )or enemies
can be created, t!e )lare arro. &roduces an intensely bri,!t li,!t in t!e s#ies, visible )or
lon, distances on clear ni,!ts-
$!e arro.!ead is a s&ecial detac!able &iece- It !ouses a small airBcatc!in, device
t!at slo.s t!e arro. on its descent, allo.in, it to dri)t to t!e eart! instead o) &lummetin,-
$!e interior o) t!e arro. is )illed .it! a slo.Bburnin,, elven &o.der t!at )lares bri,!tly
.!en i,nited- $!is &o.der is a closely ,uarded secret o) t!e el) cra)ters-
$o send a )lare arro., one sim&ly touc!es a )lame to t!e )use trailin, be!ind t!e
)letc!in, and s!oots t!e arro. into t!e s#y- $!e !ead detac!es .!en t!e arro. reac!es
t!e to& o) its )li,!t, releasin, t!e &arac!ute, .!ic! i,nites t!e &o.der- $!e arro. burns
merrily all t!e .ay to t!e ,round- 1aturally, )lare arro.s can only be used once-
>n)ortunately, t!ey are some.!at )ra,ile, and t!ey brea# rat!er easily-
I) )ired at an enemy, a )lare arro. s!atters, causin, 8d< &oints o) dama,e and
s&readin, its load o) &o.der all over t!e tar,et's body- $!ere is a ;7Q c!ance t!at t!e
arro.'s )use .ill li,!t t!e &o.der on t!is enemy, causin, 8d< &oints o) dama,e &er round
)or t!ree rounds- It can only be e5tin,uis!ed by immersin, one's entire body in .ater-
Sim&ly beatin, at t!e )lames or t!ro.in, .ater on t!em .ill not e5tin,uis! t!em-
$!e )lare arro.'s ran,e is SG ;, MG 87, and LG 8;- I) )ired strai,!t u&, it can ,o as
!i,! as 867 yards-
CostG 87 ,& eac!
Wei,!tG 84; lb-
Messa,e Arro.
Sometimes, one needs to ,et an ur,ent messa,e to a distant com&atriot in a !urry- $!e
elves develo&ed messa,e arro.s )or Nust t!is &ur&ose- $!ey resemble normal arro.s
out.ardly, alt!ou,! t!e !ead is rat!er more rounded t!an most ot!er arro.s- It is t!e
interior t!at ma#es t!e messa,e arro. s&ecial- $!e s!a)t is !ollo., enablin, t!e arc!er to
)it a ti,!tly rolled scroll inside- $!e arro. can accommodate no more t!an one s!eet o)
&a&yrus or &a&er-
I) used as a .ea&on, t!e messa,e arro. .ill cause 8dF &oints o) subdural dama,e,
only a Huarter o) .!ic! is &ermanent- Because o) its )ra,ility, it .ill most li#ely brea# i) it
is used o))ensively- In suc! cases, it must ma#e a save vs- crus!in, blo. as t!in .ood or
be &ermanently s&lintered- Its ran,es are SG F, MG 89, and LG 67-
CostG 6 s&
Wei,!tG 8487 lb-
Elven 0late Armor
W!ile d.arves and !umans certainly !ave t!e ed,e on constructin, various ty&es o) &late
armor, it is !ardly a )orbidden science to t!e elves- Alt!ou,! t!ere are even )e.er suits o)
elven &late t!an t!ere are o) elven c!ain, intre&id e5&lorers !ave turned u& several
variations- $!e DM s!ould #ee& in mind t!at elven &late is rare enou,! t!at )e. 0Cs .ill
run across it and, i) t!ey do, it .ill li#ely belon, to an el) .arrior-
Elven &late is mostly used as ceremonial armor, )or elves do not li#e t!e lac# o)
mobility &late a))ords- $!is means t!at virtually every suit o) elven &late is ornately
decoratedJ it is not o)ten t!at el) armorers are ,iven a c!ance to combine suc! utility .it!
beauty-
Still, des&ite its decorative a&&earance, elven &late &rovides as muc! &rotection as
any !uman suit o) &late armor- And because o) t!e s#ill o) el) armorers, it is li,!ter t!an
most &late armor, .ei,!in, only as muc! as ty&ical !uman c!ain mail- >n)ortunately,
elven &late does not allo. t!e silent movement t!at elven c!ain does, and it cannot be
.orn by any but )i,!ters, clerics, and t!eir multiclass variations-
Multiclassed s&ellcasters )ind elven &late to be a s&ecial boon )or, li#e elven
c!ain, it allo.s its user to cast s&ells and still .ear armor- Ho.ever, as mentioned be)ore,
elves do not .ear t!is armor as o)ten as t!ey do elven c!ain, )or it !am&ers t!e )reedom
o) movement t!ey relis!-
El) cavaliers are t!e main users o) elven &late- It ins&ires !umans, t!ey )ind, and
t!ey savor t!e im&ressions made on t!ese &eo&le- Ot!er races also tend to be im&ressed
by elves .earin, elven &lateJ )or .!at reason t!e elves )ail to )at!om- Many elves
ca&itali3e on t!is e))ect, !o.ever-
Elven &late, o) .!atever variety, is e5traordinarily rare- In reality, &er!a&s ;Q *i)
even t!at+ o) elven c!ain )ound is actually elven &late- Eac! suit is &ersonali3ed, and t!e
o.ner .ould not be !ard to ascertain by t!e decorations on t!e armor- %est assured t!at
t!e o.ner or any !eirs .ould be very !a&&y to see t!e armor returnedJ li#e.ise, t!ey
.ould ta#e serious o))ense i) anot!er bein, !ad stolen it or .as .earin, it-
I) it is di))icult )or a !uman to earn elven c!ain, it is im&ossible to earn elven
&late- Only elves can .ear it, )or eac! suit is customBmade and uniHue- >nless a !uman is
e5ce&tionally sli,!t, t!ere is no c!ance o) )ittin, into a suit o) elven &late- Hal)lin,s,
d.arves, and ,nomes cannot .ear it eit!er, unless t!ey are es&ecially tall and slender-
Only !al)Belves can reasonably e5&ect a suit to )it t!em, and even t!ey can sHuee3e in
only .it! discom)ort- In most cases, it is )ar easier sim&ly to return elven &late to its
ri,!t)ul o.ners and !o&e )or a to#en o) a&&reciation-
C!a&ter 86G $!e Ma,ic o) Elves
The First Elves re)oiced in the goodness of their life. The ,eldarine showed the
First Elves the ways of the world that had been created for them. The vessels that had
been created for them+their bodies+were strong. They knew each thought and emotion
of the world around them, for they were as intimately connected with the land as if they
were a part of it.
These Elves e$plored their world, re)oicing in the trees and flowers, in the rocks
and the earth, and in the wind. They bore their children and fed them nectar and
moondrops. They crafted their pieces of silver and gold, encasing the gems of the earth to
display their beauty. They played with magic and wrought many a wondrous, whimsical
item. The Elves laughed, for life was good.
Then came the stirring of ;olth.
The Elves' thoughts grew dark, and they mistrusted their brother. .any turned to
the sanctuaries of home and hill, seeking to understand what was happening. Whispers
spread, promising dark power should some follow the ,pider =ueen's tenets.
,ome Elves were wise and foresaw the terrible war to come. They 8uietly began
to gather their people to forge items of might armor, to protect the heroes they must send
to battle> helmets, to inspire faith and trust in all who see them> and swords, to smite
their foes. They constructed, too, other weapons of force subtle arrows of defense and
attack, not7so7subtle rings of power, and awesome spells of destruction designed to fight
the coming of the 2row.
The Elfwar began, and brother fought brother, daughter against mother. .ages
from all sides unleashed their powers. ,parks lit each clash of sword against plate,
pointing the way for arrows to seek and wound+hoping to kill.
;ong and bloody was the Elfwar. %n the end, the True Elves won. The 2ark !nes
retreated to the underground. 2isheartened, sick with shame at the parting of their
people, the Elves abandoned their weapons, their armor, their rings and staves of might.
They left them littering the battlefields, for they could bear no more the taste of war.
,ome say those items are still there.
Ma,ic is an inte,ral &art o) t!e elven li)estyle- Elves' very lives are in!erently ma,icalJ
t!e blood o) a ,od )lo.in, t!rou,! one's veins tends to ,ive t!at &erson a muc! di))erent
&ers&ective on t!e .or#in,s o) ma,ic-
Ma,ic )ascinates elvesKno one &articular s&ell, certainly, but ma,ic as a .!ole-
Alt!ou,! t!ey are limited by t!eir very nature as to !o. muc! &o.er t!ey can attain via
ma,ic, elves )ind t!e .!ole &rocess absolutely mesmeri3in,- 1o ot!er race, aside )rom
!umans, can attain as muc! ma,ical &o.er- And !umans, .!ile t!ey can ,ro. more
&o.er)ul, understand ma,ic less &er)ectly t!an elves-
Some sa,es t!eori3e t!at elves are naturally less &o.er)ul ma,icians t!an !umans
are sim&ly because t!eir )railer )rames cannot c!annel as muc! ener,y- $o &rotect t!eir
o.n best interests, t!e !i,! levels o) s&ellcastin, are denied to t!em- Ho.ever, t!is does
not mean t!at t!e elves' insi,!t into suc! ma,ic is any t!e less- Indeed, t!e understandin,
o) t!ose elves .!o !ave devoted t!eir lives to t!e study o) ma,ical t!eory sur&asses t!at
o) t!e ,reatest o) !uman enc!anters- Elves' .ea&ons and ma,ical items are certainly
amon, t!e most &o.er)ul in any .orld, and !umans .!o see# &o.er in t!e ma,ical arts
o)ten turn to elves )or tutela,e-
Elves !ave an aversion to nonma,ical tec!nolo,y, !o.ever, )or t!ey !ave no real
inclination to.ard invention- One .ould t!in# t!at .it! t!e lon, lives available to elves,
t!ey .ould researc! and create tec!nolo,ically advanced items- Aet t!ey avoid doin, so
in all areas save t!at o) &rost!eses-
$!e reason )or t!is is lost in times lon, since &ast, recollected only by el) sa,es
and !istorians- A&&arently, durin, t!e time o) t!e El).ar, el) inventors .ere )airly
common- Ho.ever, most o) t!em Noined ran#s .it! t!e S&ider Cueen, seein, in !er t!e
one to ta#e t!e elves into a ne. a,e- Since t!en, most elves !ave been some.!at leery o)
bot! inventors and inventions-
$!is c!a&ter details a )e. s&eci)ic s&ells and ma,ical items t!at elves !ave
develo&ed over t!e yearsJ t!ey 3ealously ,uard t!is ma,ic, and t!ey .ill not trade t!e
secrets o) t!ese s&ells or t!e .!ereabouts o) t!ese items to ot!er races under any
circumstances- $!is ma,ic is meant )or elves alone-
1e. El) S&ells
Camou)la,e *Alteration+
LevelG Wi3 or 0r 6
%an,eG 67' radius
Com&onentsG M, S
DurationG 8 turn4level
Castin, $imeG 6
Area o) E))ectG One &erson4level
Savin, $!ro.G 1e,-
$!e elves Nealously ,uard t!is s&ell- It allo.s t!e ma,e to instantly and com&letely !ide
t!e number o) &eo&le allo.ed by t!e s&ell, concealin, t!em a,ainst even t!orou,!
searc!es- $!is s&ell )unctions only in t!e .ilderness, !o.ever, )or it c!an,es t!e
a&&earance o) t!e a))ected c!aracters into a )acsimile o) natural surroundin,s- It is
e))ective even a,ainst in)ravision and is t!ere)ore &er)ect )or use by s&ies and in)iltrators-
C!aracters in t!is )orm still !ave all t!eir )aculties and abilities, and t!ey can emer,e
)rom t!is cover at any time t!ey desire-
It is even &ossible )or c!aracters to move .!ile .it!in t!is )orm- $!ose a))ected
may move u& to 87 )eet in a sin,le round, cree&in, more closely to t!eir tar,ets- I) t!ey
travel )aster t!an t!is, t!e s&ell dissi&ates- As lon, as t!e movement is surre&titious and
stealt!y */Loo#, $!ra,M $!at bus! movingM/+, t!ey s!ould be sa)e- As .it! t!e invisibility
s&ell, i) t!e ens&elled c!aracters attac# t!ey ,ain t!e initiative and a R< bonus to attac#
rolls because o) total sur&rise, yet lose t!e bene)its o) t!e s&ell-
$!e c!aracters cannot be detected e5ce&t by ma,ic or by movin, stu&idly- >ntil
t!e s&ell .ears o)), t!e c!aracters can enNoy nearBtotal invisibility and ,ain muc!Bneeded
in)ormation- $!e material com&onent )or t!e s&ell is a mistletoe berry-

Conduit *Enc!antment, Invocation+
LevelG Wi3 ;
%an,eG $ouc!
Com&onentsG ?, S,M
DurationG S&ecial
Castin, $imeG ;
Area o) E))ectG ; missiles
Savin, $!ro.G 1one
>sin, t!is s&ell, t!e caster can tem&orarily enc!ant )ive missiles .it! anot!er s&ell o) a
level no !i,!er t!an <t!- $!is s&ell combines t!e best as&ects o) )i,!ters and ma,es, )or
t!ey can .or# in !armony to ma5imi3e bot! t!e e))ects o) t!e s&ell and t!e dama,e o) t!e
missile-
$!e conduit s&ell e))ectively e5tends t!e ran,e o) t!e second s&ell, castin, t!at
s&ell out to its )ull ran,e from the target point .!en t!e missile !its t!e tar,et- >nless
ot!er.ise s&eci)ied .!en t!e s&ell is cast, t!e e))ects o) t!e s&ell radiate )or.ard )rom t!e
&oint t!e arro.!ead stri#es-
Missiles a))ected by t!is s&ell must be,in to be )ired .it!in one turn a)ter t!e last
is enc!anted, and t!ey .ill not !old t!e s&ells )or lon,er t!an an !our- Since t!e missiles
are not s&ecially &re&ared to !old enc!antments )or lon,er, t!e s&ells tend to bleed o))
.it! t!e &assa,e o) time-
$!e s&ells cast on t!e missiles must be se&arate ones t!at t!e caster !as
memori3ed t!at day- @or e5am&le, i) a sorceress !as memori3ed conduit and a sin,le
fireball, s!e can &lace a fireball only on one o) !er arro.s, not on all )ive-
$!e loaded s&ells are tri,,ered .!en t!e !ead o) t!e missile stri#es somet!in,,
.!et!er t!at be t!e tar,et, t!e ,round, a tree, a roc#, or .!atever- $!is is ,ood )or radius
attac#s, suc! as a fireball, alt!ou,! it does no ,ood )or s&ells suc! as burning hands or
shocking grasp-
$ar,ets are allo.ed normal saves a,ainst t!ese s&ells, as i) t!e .i3ard .ere ri,!t
t!ere castin, t!e s&ell- Ho.ever, i) t!e missile carries t!e ens&elled arro. beyond t!e
s&ell's normal ran,e, t!e .i3ard !as no more control over t!e s&ell-
@or e5am&le, web and dimension door s&ells reHuire t!e caster to mani&ulate t!e
s&ell, and casters cannot do so unless t!e ran,e o) t!eir s&ell can reac! bac# to t!em-
>nless suc! .i3ards .ant to ma#e t!e necessary calculations be)ore castin, t!e s&ell into
t!e missile, t!ese s&ells usually .on't .or#- I) a caster .is!es to do so, )ine, but t!is is
assumin, a lot o) )ait! in t!e ability o) .!oever )ires t!e bo., )or t!e arc!er must ma#e a
success)ul attac# roll a,ainst AC F *includin, modi)iers )or ran,e+ to !it t!e area-
$!e castin, time does not include t!e castin, time o) t!e loaded s&ells- $!e
material com&onent is a co&&er .ire t.isted into t!e s!a&e o) an arro.-
See#in, *Enc!antment, Invocation+
LevelG Wi3 or 0r 6
%an,eG 877 yards
Com&onentsG ?, S
DurationG 8 turn
Castin, $imeG 6
Area o) E))ectG 8 missile49 levels o) t!e caster, u& to a ma5imum o) )ive
Savin, $!ro.G 1one
$!e seeking s&ell ta#es t!e normal la.s o) momentum and ,ravity, and t!en t.ists t!em
sli,!tly in a .ay t!at is )avorable to t!e caster o) t!e s&ell-
$!e caster can ensorcel a number o) normal, nonenc!anted missiles no lar,er t!an
a Navelin, eHual to oneBt!ird !is level, to a ma5imum o) )ive missiles- W!en t!ey !ave
been enc!anted, t!e caster may eit!er use t!em or distribute t!em to !is or !er
com&anions-
W!en s!ot or !urled at a tar,et, t!e missiles unerrin,ly see# t!e tar,et- $!ey .ill
!it not!in, else but t!at tar,et- $!e missiles can ,o around obNects o) corners i) t!e tar,et
.as visible .!en t!e s&ell .as cast, but t!e missiles cannot &ass t!rou,! solid
obstructions- @or e5am&le, i) t!e tar,et closes a door, t!e missiles slam into t!e door and
cannot be removed until t!e s&ell .ears o))-
$!e normal ran,e can be e5tended to t!e distance o) t!e tar,et creature as lon, as
t!e o&&onent uses only ordinary met!ods o) esca&e- I) t!e tar,et plane shifts, teleports,
blinks, or uses some ot!er means o) instantaneous trans&ort, t!e missile can no lon,er
!ome in on its tar,et- It )alls to t!e ,round, useless-
$!is s&ell is not an automatic ,uarantee o) success- %at!er, it ensures t!at arc!ers and
slin,ers, .!en )irin, into melee, .ill not accidentally !it t!ose .!o are on t!eir side- $!is
s&ell is es&ecially use)ul )or battles or s!ots in narro. corridors- I) t!e &erson )irin, t!e
arro. or bullet can see t!e tar,et, !e can )ire )or normal dama,e .it!out )ear o)
dama,in, comrades-
Ma,ical Items
Most o) t!e ma,ical items listed in t!is c!a&ter are rare and .ill not be )ound lyin,
around in Nust any !oard- Instead, t!ey can be incor&orated into a cam&ai,n *&re)erably
.it! elven overtones+ to suit t!e Dun,eon Master's &ur&oses- $!ese items s!ould never
be Nust random treasure- I) t!ey are ,oin, to be used in a cam&ai,n, t!ere must de)initely
be a reason )or t!eir inclusion-
S.ords and Armor
Des&ite bein, relatively &eace)ul )ol#, elves !ave a tremendous #no.led,e o) .ar and
.ar)are- But even in .ar, t!e elves )ind time to be artisticKas evidenced by t!e stunnin,
beauty o) t!eir .ea&onry and &rotection-
Elven s.ords are o)ten le,endary, es&ecially t!ose &roduced by t!e cra)ters o) t!e
early millenia- $!ese .ere ori,inally created to battle titanic bein,s o) old, creatures .!o
could be slain only i) &o.er)ul ma,ic#s .ere cast u&on a blade and armor ,iven mi,!ty
&rotections-
Because o) t!e t!reat t!ese bein,s &osed to t!e .orld, el) cra)ters rose to t!e
c!allen,e, creatin, arti)acts o) .ondrous &o.er- Even t!ou,! t!e monsters t!ey .ere
created to destroy !ave lon, since &assed )rom t!e .orld, t!e blades t!emselves are
rumored to !ave survived t!e toll o) t!e a,es- Even no., some )ind t!eir .ay into t!e
!ands o) !umans-
Some races !ave s&read t!e rumor t!at, because o) su&erior elven cra)tsmans!i&,
t!ese blades continue to grow in &o.er t!rou,! t!e a,es, rat!er t!an decrease as so many
ma,ical items do- I) t!is is indeed true, t!en a .ea&on )rom t!e lon,Ba,o El).ar .ould
!ave since become a .ea&on o) a.esome mi,!t- In t!e ri,!t !ands, suc! a .ea&on could
.or# .ondrous ,ood- And in t!e .ron, !andsL - - - >ntold devastation-
Helms o) ?alor
$!is item a&&ears as a ty&ical elven .in,ed !elm, but .ill radiate enchantmentLcharm i)
a detect magic s&ell is used on it- Ori,inally ins&ired by t!ose battle leaders .!o .al#ed
un)linc!in, t!rou,! !ails o) enemy arro. )ire, a helm of valor enables its .earer to
i,nore missile )ire- Ho.ever, in order to do so, t!e users o) suc! !elms must !ave im&licit
trust in bot! t!emselves and t!eir helm-
W!en a .earer )irst tries to use a &articular helm, !e or s!e must ma#e a
success)ul Wisdom c!ec# to attune .it! it- In unsuccess)ul, t!at helm .ill not )unction
)or t!e user until t!e individual's Wisdom score !as c!an,ed )or eit!er better or .orse
*t!us allo.in, anot!er c!ec#+-
A user .!o succeeds at t!e Wisdom c!ec# may t!en attem&t to !arness t!e helm's
&o.ers- $!e ne5t time someone success)ully attac#s t!e .earer .it! a missile .ea&on, !e
or s!e may ma#e anot!er Wisdom c!ec# to avoid all but 8 &oint o) dama,e, no matter t!e
usual dama,e o) t!e missile-
I) t!is second Wisdom c!ec# )ails, t!e .earer su))ers t!e ma$imum dama,e t!e
missile can in)lict- $!is c!ec# is made )or every missile )ired at t!e .earer durin, t!is
combat, and t!e modi)iers listed belo. do not a&&ly until t!e ne5t combat-
I) t!is second Wisdom c!ec# is success)ul, t!e .earer ,ains a R8 to t!e Wisdom
c!ec# )or t!e ne5t combat- 1oteG This applies only to the ne$t combat in which enemies
attempt to harm the user. $!e !elm does not .or# durin, s&arrin, &ractice or trainin,- A
user .!o )ails a Wisdom c!ec# &ic#s u& a E8 &enalty )or t!e ne5t t!ree combats, .!ile !e
or s!e learns to trust in t!e &o.ers o) t!e !elm a,ain- 1o matter !o. o)ten t!e user
succeeds in t!e Wisdom c!ec#, t!e bonus can never e5ceed 8:J a roll o) 67 al.ays )ails-
Helms of valor &rovide no de)ense a,ainst melee .ea&ons *alt!ou,! !urled
da,,ers, a5es, and ot!er &ro&elled melee .ea&ons count as missile .ea&ons+, nor do t!ey
o))er any &rotection a,ainst s&ells suc! as ma,ic missile- Ma,ical missiles, includin,
enc!anted arro.s, a))ect t!e Wisdom c!ec# by E8 &er R8 o) t!e enc!antment-
$!e helm is usable by .arriors, &riests, and &sionically em&o.ered individuals-
As .it! all !elms, it is not usable by eit!er .i3ards or t!ieves .!o .is! to &ractice t!eir
cra)ts-
Arro.s *Ens&elled+
@or untold centuries, t!e elves !ave used or modi)ied various &riest and ma,e s&ells )or
use .it! arro.sKs&ells )or .!ic! t!ey !ave )ound Huite interestin, alternative uses- By
&lacin, a sim&le s&ell on t!e arro., t!ey are able to si,ni)icantly increase t!at s&ell's
ran,e, e))ectiveness, and e))iciency- $!is is not to s&ea# o) t!e conduit s&ellJ t!ese are
s&ells t!at can be cast on t!e arro.s t!emselves-
Indeed, any ty&e o) s&ell t!at reHuires a s&ecial )ocal &oint can be cast on an
arro. in order to deliver t!e s&ell to a ,reat distance a.ay- $!e &ermanent s&ells ma#e
t!ese arro.s )ar better )oci )or ma,ic, but t!at is not al.ays )easible-
Alt!ou,! suc! ens&elled arro.s are not, in t!e main, &ermanent ma,ical items,
t!ey are included !ere to ,ive some additional ideas to t!e &layers )or e5&eriments t!ey
mi,!t li#e to try- Some e5am&les o) ens&elled arro.s include t!e )ollo.in,G
Avoidance4Attraction- $!is ;t!Blevel .i3ard s&ell is an es&ecially nasty one to &lace
on an arro., es&ecially .!en t!e reversed version, attraction, is used- &ttracted
arrows, i) t!ey !it, cannot be removed )rom t!e victim's body until a dispel magic
is cast u&on t!at &erson- Mean.!ile, t!e arro. be,ins to )ester .it!in t!e .ound,
causin, in)ection and even deat! to t!e un)ortunate-
Dar#ness or Li,!t- $!ese are amon, t!e most &ermanent and most used o) ens&elled
arro.s- I) a continual light or a continual darkness s&ell is cast u&on t!e s!a)t o)
an arro., it can t!en be used to eit!er s&otli,!t or blind an enemy- $!ese arro.s
are common amon, el) scouts, .!o carry t!em s!eat!ed until t!ere is a use )or
t!em-
@ire Seeds- Li#e t!e fire trap arro. *belo.+, t!is one reHuires a s&ecial !ollo. &ottery
ti&, .!erein t!e )ire seeds are &laced- W!en t!e arro. stri#es t!e tar,et, t!e seeds
detonate, in)lictin, 6dO &oints o) dama,e to all .it!in 87 )eet o) .!ere t!e arro.
)alls- I) t!e arro. actually !its someone, t!at &erson su))ers 8d< &oints o) dama,e,
as .ell as t!e 6dO &oints )rom t!e fire seedJ t!e victim doesn't even ,et a savin,
t!ro. to ta#e only !al) dama,e-
@ire $ra&- By castin, a fire trap s&ell on a tiny and delicate bo5, t!en sealin, t!is bo5
inside a s&ecial, )ra,ile arro.!ead, an el) &riest can create an e))ective )lame
arro.- In t!eory, .!en t!e arro. !its a )irm enou,! tar,et *anyt!in, !arder t!an
.ater+, it tri,,ers t!e s&ell, en,ul)in, its tar,et in a sudden bla3e o) )lame- In
,ame terms, t!e !ead and bo5 must ma#e a sin,le savin, t!ro. a,ainst crus!in,
blo. *as &ottery+ in order )or t!e fire trap to detonate- Ot!er.ise, t!e arro. is a
dud, t!ou,! it could &ossibly be reused a,ainst t!e arc!er-
$!e dama,e caused by t!is arro. is 8d<R8 &lus t!e variable dama,e caused by
t!e fire trap- Even i) t!e arro. misses its tar,et, it .ill still create a con)la,ration in t!e
area i) t!e !ead crac#s o&en-
Arro.s *Ma,ical+
By )ar t!e most common o) ma,ical elven .ea&ons, ma,ical arro.s are still )airly rare
)or cam&ai,n &ur&oses- Wor#mans!i& on elven ma,ical arro.s is suc! t!at t!e missiles
are not al.ays destroyed .!en t!ey !it t!eir tar,et- @urt!ermore, i) t!ey miss t!eir tar,et,
t!ese arro.s brea# only 6;Q o) t!e time- I) a ma,ical elven arro. !its its tar,et, it .ill be
destroyed =;Q o) t!e time- Ot!er.ise, it can be used re&eatedly until it is )inally
destroyed-
Ancient el) arro.smit!s !ave created some ama3in, combinations o) t!e
)ollo.in, arro.s, but t!ey are e5tremely rare- Le,ends tell o) wooden arrows of seeking
andKrarest o) allKa wooden arrow of seeking and e$tended range- I) t!ese could be
)ound, t!ey .ould ma#e t!e o.ner a most !a&&y individual-
Some e5am&les o) elven ma,ical arro.s include t!e )ollo.in,G
Arro. o) E5tended %an,e- $!ere are t!ree versions o) t!is arro., .!ic! allo. t!e
user to double, tri&le, or even Huadru&le t!e normal ran,es )or any ty&e o) bo.-
$!e )irst version, .!ic! allo.s double ran,e, is encountered about F7Q o) t!e
time- $!e tri&leBran,e version is )ound about 97Q o) t!e time, and t!e Huadru&leB
ran,e arro. is c!anced u&on only 87Q o) t!e time-
Alt!ou,! t!ese arro.s do not !ave an attac# bonus, t!ey are e))ective a,ainst
creatures .!o are immune to all but ma,ical .ea&ons *u& to R8+- In addition, t!ese
arro.s cancel out t!e normal ran,e modi)iers o) t!e bo. bein, used, usin, instead t!e
modi)ied, multi&lied ran,e )or &ur&oses o) )i,urin, modi)iers-
$!ese arro.s are usually )ound in bunc!es o) 6d87-
Arro. o) See#in,- $!is is a more &o.er)ul version o) an arro. imbued .it! t!e
seeking s&ell- 1ot only does it round corners in &ursuit o) its &rey, it also ,ains a
bonus o) R6 dama,e- $!ese arro.s are usually )ound in ,rou&s o) 8d87, alt!ou,!
sometimes as many as 6dO can be )ound-
Wooden Arro.- $!is is a totally or,anic arro.- Made com&letely )rom .ood and
carved .it! ornate runes, it a&&ears as not!in, more t!an a novelty, or &er!a&s a
.oodcarver's doodle- In reality, t!is arro. is a most dan,erous .ea&on, and it
radiates stron, enc!antment ma,ic-
$!is .ea&on com&letely i,nores all nonor,anic armor- $!us, metal armor o))ers
no &rotection a,ainst t!is missile, .!ile leat!er, !ide, and scale mail made )rom a
creature's s#in o))er t!eir normal bonus- Studded leat!er &rotects only as leat!er armor-
$!ose .earin, metal armor are considered to be AC 87 a,ainst t!is arro.-
Ma,ical &rotection still a&&liesJ t!us, plate mail JD, alt!ou,! normally AC E8, .ould
instead be only AC F a,ainst t!e .ooden arro.-
$!ese arro.s are never )ound in bunc!es- I) encountered, t!ere .ill be but a
sin,le s!a)t- @urt!ermore, t!e wooden arrow is an e5ce&tion to elven arro.s in t!at it .ill
always be destroyed .!en )ired, re,ardless o) .!et!er it !its- $!e .ood necessary to t!e
enc!antment is suc! t!at it can )unction no ot!er .ay-
Arti)icial Limbs
Wit! suc! incredibly lon, li)es&ans, one t!in, elves )ear more t!an nearly anyt!in, is
&ermanent maimin,- Even some ma,ic#s are not &o.er)ul enou,! to restore limbs to
t!ose .!o !ave lost an arm or a le, t!rou,! accident or misadventure- $!us, t!e sur)ace
elves, li#e t!e dro., nurture a number o) cra)ters .!o .or# re&lacin, lost limbs- $!ere
are very )e. o) t!e elves .!o com&re!end t!is e5traordinary tec!nolo,y o) t!eirs, )or t!e
desi,n o) arti)icial limbs is somet!in, beyond t!at o) ma,ic- Most elves do not
understand invention or even t!e desire to create somet!in, not in!erently ma,ical, but
t!e e5istence o) t!ese limbs &roves t!at some )e. do, and do so very .ell-
1evert!eless, arti)icial limbs are e5ce&tionally rare- Since t!ey must be
individuali3ed and t!eir creation o)ten ta#es years, t!ey are not ty&ically )ound lyin,
about a dun,eon- More li#ely, t!ey .ill be discovered on t!e s#eletons o) el) .arriors, or
in t!ose &laces .!ere .arrior elves once )ou,!t- %e,ardless o) .!et!er t!eir s#eletons
!ave turned to dust over t!e a,es, t!eir ma,ical limbs remain-
Wit! e5tensive *and e5&ensive+ retoolin,, t!ese devices can be .or#ed so t!at
t!ey )it ot!er races .!o !ave lost limbs- Li#e.ise, i) a 0C can some!o. convince t!e
elves t!at it .ould be in t!eir best interest to )or,e a limb )or t!e 0C, !e or s!e mi,!t ,ain
one- Ot!er.ise, t!e c!ances o) )indin, a device suc! as t!ese are &ractically none5istent-
Made o) mit!ril or an es&ecially stron, alloy, arti)icial limbs can du&licate nearly
any action t!e ori,inal )les!BandBblood limb could &er)orm- $!ey are more versatile,
!o.ever, )or t!ey can be )itted .it! s&ecial attac!ments t!at enable t!eir o.ner to
e5ecute myriad )unctions-
Arti)icial )eet, )or e5am&le, could !ave t!e toes re&laced .it! s&i#es )or ease in
climbin, or use as a secret .ea&on durin, combat- @in,ers can be re&laced .it! a variety
o) tools and &ic#s )or loc#s, or t!ey can be combined to )orm a sin,le, deadly blade-
0ossibilities are limited only by t!e ima,inations o) t!e cra)ter and t!e c!aracter, by t!e
a&&lication o) ,ood sense, and by t!e realities o) en,ineerin, t!e devices- @inally, i) t!ey
are o) &articularly )ine ma#e, t!ey can !old an enc!antment-
W!ile nearly any limb can be re&laced i) lost, elves !ave not yet been able to
develo& internal or,ans o) any sort- Ho.ever, t!ey can rebuild a &erson i) !is or !er vitals
remain intact-
Lest any 0Cs t!in# t!at a body ,iven over to suc! tec!nolo,y .ould be a ,ood
idea, let t!em consider t!e )ollo.in, !indrancesG @irst, t!e c!aracter must be an el), )or
elves .ill not &er)orm t!is service )or any but an el)- Second, elves neit!er revere nor
res&ect t!ose .!o !ave lost many limbs- $!eir ,enerals and t!ose o) t!e .arrior Houses
may .ear u& to t.o arti)icial limbs .it!out s!ameJ anyone inNured beyond t!at &oint
must, to t!e elven mind, be a total incom&etent- Suc! a &erson's bun,lin, and s!eer
stu&idity !as obviously led to t!at state, and t!at &erson commands no res&ect )rom t!e
elves- Suc! individuals are actively avoided, )or t!eir mere &resence is vie.ed as bad
luc#-
@inally, and &er!a&s most im&ortantly, elves are not &roud o) t!eir scars as
members o) t!e lesser races so o)ten are- Elves .!o !ave t!ese limbs ta#e &ains to !ide
t!em, )or t!ey are as!amed t!at t!eir lives !ave not )ollo.ed t!e elven .ay- $!ese
individuals .ear lon, ,loves, !eavy tunics, or t!ic# breec!es to !ide t!e )act t!at t!eir
bodies are not &er)ect-
$!ose .!ose bodies !ave been totally altered ,o to even ,reater len,t!s to !ide
t!eir restructurin,- $!eir bodies !ave become somet!in, t!at are not natural, and so t!e
muc!Bvaunted elven connection to t!e eart! seems a !ollo. moc#ery o) t!e .ay t!ey
once .ere- Indeed, most elves are )ar too &roud to allo. t!emselves to be /&reserved/ in
suc! a .ay, &re)errin, instead .!at t!ey &erceive as t!e sanctity o) deat!-
$!is is not to say t!at elves re)use t!ese limbs outri,!t- %at!er, t!e arti)icial limbs
are a convenience, a last resort .!en re,eneration and ot!er natural met!ods o)
re&lacement are e5!austed-
@or t!e sa#e o) &lay balance, t!e dama,eBcausin, &otential o) t!ese limbs s!ould
not e5ceed 8dF, &lus Stren,t! bonuses- Alt!ou,! ot!er ty&es o) abilities mi,!t be sli,!tly
en!anced *suc! as t!e t!ie)'s 0ic# Loc#s ability+, t!ese bonuses s!ould not e5ceed R87Q-
0layer and DM ali#e s!ould #ee& in mind t!at ,ood tools are no substitute )or s!eer
talent, e5&ertise, and e5&erience-

C!a&ter 89G Elven Cam&ai,ns
Hidden in the leafy undergrowth, 5aranahil and her five companions watched the
orcs fell yet another dryad's tree. The dryad's scream of agony echoed bitterly in their
ears.
The orcs were intent on savaging this land of trees and green. This was the tenth
dryad home they had destroyed this week> the orcs laughed wickedly, heedless of any who
might hear them. Who would attack the thirty of them*
The elves were slowly being crushed under the orcish boot. They were too few and
too far apart to countermand the fast7breeding orcs. &ttacks such as this were now
common. 5aranahil and her comrades were all that remained of a village of more than
CE elves.
&s the tree crashed to the ground, 5aranahil gritted her teeth in anger. They had
harried the orcs for days, unleashing arrows at stragglers and slitting the throats of those
few who wandered too far from their encampment. 4ow the elves were out of arrows, and
none of the trees nearby were of suitable 8uality. %f the tiny band paused to make more,
they would surely lose the remaining orcs to the open plains less than a day's travel
away.
The answer was simple for the maddened elves. They followed the orcs through
the rest of the day, planning to catch the humanoids when they least e$pected an attack.
The elves' hand was forced but hours later, when the orcs found another dryad tree and
slew the dryad before she could protest. 3nable to contain their rage, the elves rushed to
attack.
The battle was short but fierce. The elves eliminated all save four of the orcs
before they breathed their last of the autumn air. 5aranahil fell near the dryad's body.
Then 5aranahil's blood )oined with the dryad's and seeped into the ground. Their
blood infused the tree with mad despair, and a sudden, primal groan oo#ed through the
soil and into the surrounding air. The sound of snapping roots filled the forest as the tree
lifted its ponderous bulk from the earth and moved. The remaining orcs stood, full of fear,
unable to move. 5aranahil the Treant crushed the orcs instantly and went in search of
more.
$!is c!a&ter is )or re)erees .!o &lan to run elven cam&ai,ns- W!et!er t!ese cam&ai,ns
are all elven, mostly elven, or even Nust based around elven#ind, t!is c!a&ter s!ould ,ive
t!e DM a )e. ideas )or creatin, a settin,-
@irst, t!e DM must consider t!e im&ortance o) t!e !istory o) t!e .orld- W!at is
itL W!yL W!at !a&&ened to ma#e it t!e .ay it isL Ho. do t!e elves interact .it! t!e
ot!er races o) t!e .orld i), indeed, t!ere are ot!er racesL I) not, .!y notL Did somet!in,
!a&&en to t!emL
1e5t, t!e DM must decide on t!e ty&e o) cam&ai,n t!at !e or s!e .ill be runnin,-
A)ter all, not all cam&ai,ns are t!e standard adventurin, scenario- Some )ocus on
&olitical intri,ue, .!ile ot!ers )ocus &urely on combat- Ot!ers rely on &roblemBsolvin,,
.!ile still ot!ers )ocus on e&ic Huests instead o) sim&le dun,eon cra.ls-
$!e re)eree can consolidate all o) t!ese or can run one sin,le ty&e- $!e im&ortant
t!in,, t!ou,!, is t!at t!e DM decides on t!e ty&e o) cam&ai,n !e or s!e is ,oin, to run-
$!is .ill determine muc! o) .!at )ollo.s !erea)ter-
$!e World
@irst, t!e DM must create t!e .orld in .!ic! t!e cam&ai,n is to be &layed- Its ,eo,ra&!y,
its seas, and its oddities are all t!in,s t!at must be ta#en into account- Ho. .as t!e .orld
createdL Was it s&un )rom t!e very )abric o) reality by t!e ,ods, or .as it sim&ly a blob
!urled )ort! )rom &rimal matterL 0er!a&s it .as a combination bet.een t!e t.o, .!ere
t!e birt! o) t!e .orld s&a.ned t!e ,ods-
W!atever t!e cause o) creation, it !as s!a&ed t!e events t!at .ill become t!e
&lanet's !istory and &er!a&s &roduced some o) t!e most im&ortant arti)acts- It is vital )or
t!e DM to create a believable story o) creation )or t!e .orld- @or added interest, t!e DM
can !ave t!e maNor reli,ions and races o) t!e .orld disa,ree on its ori,ins, leadin, to vast
internecine con)licts t!at !ave s!a&ed t!e )ace o) t!e .orld still )urt!er-

$!e History
1o. t!at t!e .orld !as been created, t!e DM must create t!e .orld's !istory- W!at are
t!e im&ortant events in t!e .orld's &ast, and .!at caused t!emL Most im&ortantly, .!ere
do elves )it in t!e &ictureL
Maybe t!ey .ere created as t!e Story o) Creation in C!a&ter One su,,ests, )rom
t!e blood o) Corellon Laret!ian as !e battled t!e evil orc ,od Gruums!- Maybe t!e elves
sim&ly s&ran, )rom t!e .orld and are t!e true c!ildren o) t!e eart!- W!atever t!e trut!,
t!e DM must e5&lain t!e e5istence o) t!e elves and !o. t!ey !ave come to be as t!ey are
and .!ere t!ey are today-
$!e World's %aces
1e5t, t!e re)eree must decide )rom .!ence t!e various ot!er races s&ran,, t!e order in
.!ic! t!ey .ere born, .!ere t!ey .ere born, .!ere t!ey moved, and .!at t!ey did- A
timeline is use)ul !ere, as t!e re)eree must create eac! race's !istory, its notable
ac!ievements, and its .ars- W!at !ave t!ey inventedL Have t!ere been any tra,edies in
t!eir &asts t!at t!ey as a race #ee& loc#ed a.ay in s!ame or sorro.L
W!at is t!e role o) elves in t!is .orldL Is t!ere a di))erence bet.een t!e elves o)
t!is cam&ai,n and t!e standard AD"DI ,ame elvesL I) so, .!at is itL 0er!a&s t!ese
elves are taller, or s!orterBlived, or lon,erBlived, or !ave some im&ortant distinction t!at
ma#es t!em vastly di))erent- Alt!ou,! it is not necessary to ,ive eac! el) race )rom .orld
to .orld a di))erence, it does add to t!e )lavor o) ,ame &lay and can t!ere)ore en!ance
everyone's enNoyment-
More im&ortant, .!at are t!e dominant races o) t!e .orldL W!at are t!e el)
c!aracters most li#ely to beL W!at are t!eir belie)sL $!e ,ods .ill &lay some &art in t!is,
but i) t!ey are not im&ortant to t!e elves, t!eir divine in)luence is ,reatly undercut- Also,
a Dun,eon Master sim&ly must determine .!at all t!e civili3ations are li#e in t!e .orld
and .!o !as t!e ,randest-

0ossible Con)licts
In a standard AD"DI ,ame cam&ai,n, t!e various races o) t!e .orld do not al.ays live
in &eace- Indeed, circumstances in )antasy .orlds are usually suc! t!at t!ere is almost
al.ays .ar)are bet.een at least t.o ,rou&s, and o)ten )ar more t!an t!at- $!e
&ossibilities and variations o) an,er eru&tin, into armed con)lict bet.een di))erent ,rou&s
are nearly endless-
$!ere are several con)licts t!at s&rin, immediately to mind involvin, elves- $!ere
are so many &!iloso&!ical and &!ysical di))erences bet.een elves and ot!er races t!at
con)lict seems almost &redestined- 1ot all o) t!ese need be used in a cam&ai,n nor,
indeed, must any o) t!em- Ho.ever, suc! con)licts are certain to add s&ice to a cam&ai,n
or at least &rovide interestin, diversions )or t!e &layers-
@or e5am&le, in el) a,ainst el) scenarios, &layers could ta#e t!e role o) c!aracters
at t!e da.n o) time, be)ore t!e ,reat El).ar, see#in, to avert t!e catastro&!e o) t!e dro.
sunderin,- As an alternative, t!ey could &lay more modern elves, tryin, to unite all t!e
races o) t!e .orld des&ite t!e utter stubbornness o) t!e ,rey elves-
0Cs could also be involved in one o) t!e ,reatest rivalries in )antasyG t!e d.ar)4el)
anta,onism- Alt!ou,! it is true t!at bot! sides serve t!e cause o) ,ood, t!eir radically
di))erent vie.s on li)e o)ten lead to serious, sometimes violent disa,reements- $a#in, t!is
one ste& )urt!er, t!e t.o races could eac! so des&ise t!e ot!er )or its &!iloso&!y t!at t!ey
clas! on a re,ular basis-
$!ere is also t!e &ossibility o) elves a,ainst !umans- Su&&ose t!at !umans be,an
destroyin, t!e elven )orests and #illin, t!e elves t!ey met- $!e elves, sic# o) t!e .anton
anni!ilation t!e !umans insist on continuin,, )inally decide to stri#e bac#- Elves be,in
#illin, .ay.ard !umans, and t!e !umans retaliate by ra3in, elven villa,es- $!e
escalations continue, and t!e &layer c!aracters can eit!er ta#e &art in t!e .ar itsel) or
attem&t to tal# some sense into t!e !eads o) t!eir leaders-
$!ere is also t!e scenario .!erein t!e elves are a,ainst everyone but t!emselves-
Because o) t!e natural elven &redilection )or arro,ance, t!ey !ave mana,ed to
inadvertently unite everyone a,ainst t!em- $!is is a cam&ai,n o) stru,,lin, .!ere t!e
0Cs must attem&t to &lacate all sides be)ore .!ole civili3ations are s.e&t a.ay by t!e
tides o) .ar-
@inally, t!ere is t!e old el) vs- orc con)lict- Alt!ou,! t!ey are t!e !ereditary
enemies o) t!e AD"D ,ame, t!ere are .ays to ma#e t!e con)lict more interestin,- A)ter
all, not all orcs are t!e smelly #ind t!at live in caves- Orcs could !ave a bustlin, culture
o) evil and &erversion, ri,!t ne5t to an elven &aradise o) sylvan beauty- 1aturally, t!e orcs
.ould .ant to des&oil t!is beauty, not to mention ca&ture some slaves and sacri)ices )or
t!eir ,ods- At )irst, t!e t.o sides maintain ,uerilla tactics, not .illin, to commit to a )ullB
scale .ar- Mean.!ile, t!e &layer c!aracters could !ave t!e unenviable tas# o) !avin, to
in)iltrate t!e orc settlements in order to )ree t!eir ca&tured comrades-
1aturally, t!e &ossibilities )or adventure and e5citement are nearly endless- $!ey
are limited only by t!e ima,inations o) t!e DM and t!e &layers-
Cam&ai,n Worlds
Most o) t!e &ublis!ed AD"D cam&ai,ns !ave a )airly even mi5 o) t!e various races,
alt!ou,! t!ey tend to allo. !umans to &redominate more o)ten t!an any ot!er race- Since
!umans !ave t!e most drive and ambition o) any o) t!e establis!ed !umanoid races, it is
only natural t!at t!eir &o.er al.ays be ta#en into account .!en considerin, .!o controls
t!e .orld-
Ho.ever, it's &ossible to create a cam&ai,n .orld .!erein !umans are not t!e
dominant race- W!at )ollo.s is an outline o) &ossibilities )or ot!er races' dominance and
!o. suc! c!an,es .ould a))ect t!e lives o) elves on t!ese .orlds-

$!e El) Cam&ai,n
On t!is .orld, elves are clearly t!e dominant race- $!eir .orldBs&annin, civili3ation !as
control o) t!e &ortions o) t!e .orld t!e elves )ind desirable- $!e race is )airly
isolationistic, &re)errin, to let t!e rest o) t!e .orld run its course, rat!er t!an inter)erin,
.it! it in any .ay - - - usually- I) somet!in, comes alon, t!at .ould disru&t t!e normal
)lo. o) nature, t!e elves .ill certainly be Huic# to ste& in to ma#e sure it doesn't become
too ,larin, a &roblem-
Most o) t!e elves !ere !ave little contact .it! ot!er races because t!eir scouts and
border ,uards #ee& t!e ot!er races a.ay )rom t!e el) sanctums- $!e elves .ill allo. a
rare )e. to Nourney unmolested &ast t!e borders o) t!e el) lands, but usually only invited
,uests are allo.ed inside- $!e &erimeter system is very t!orou,!, .it! )e. livin, or
unlivin, bein,s ,ettin, t!rou,! unobserved-
Because t!ey do not !ave to .orry about ot!er races t!reatenin, t!eir &o.er, t!e
elves o) t!is .orld s&end Huite a bit o) time in ma,ical researc!J t!e ma,ical content o)
t!e .orld is t!us very !i,!- Most o) elven civili3ation !as become very muc! li#e t!at o)
t!e )amiliar ,rey elves, alt!ou,! t!eir intolerance )or ot!ers !as not reac!ed t!ose
&ro&ortions-
Indeed, t!e elves are )aintly amused by t!e antics o) t!e ot!er races, and t!ey
enNoy .atc!in, t!e ot!ers' ra&id ascents and declines in )ortune- Elves are ,uaranteed to
live in com)ort *i) not outri,!t lu5ury+ on t!is .orld and .ould ta#e u& adventurin, only
to &rovide t!emselves .it! e5citement or to Huell t!e incursions o) ot!er races- Most o)
t!e Huests .ould be alon, t!e nature o) e&ic adventures, )or t!ere .ould sim&ly not be
anyt!in, else t!at .ould rouse el) interest enou,! )or t!e elves to ta#e &art-
$!e time &eriod o) t!is cam&ai,n .orld .ould &robably be near t!e time o)
creation, be)ore !umans became too &o&ulous- I) not t!en, it .ould &robably be a)ter
some .orldB.ide .ar, .!erein t!e &o&ulations o) t!e ot!er races .ere decimated, .!ile
t!e elves re&elled t!e .orst o) t!e catastro&!e )rom t!eir )orests and survived-
$!ese elves mi,!t very .ell see !umans to be as t!reatenin, as orcsJ bot! are
&roli)ic breeders, bot! are e5&ansionistic, and bot! encroac! into t!e el) lands readily-
W!ile t!e elves !ate neit!er o) t!ese races, t!ey .ill !unt t!em to #ee& t!em a.ay )rom
t!e el) lands-
$!e Human Cam&ai,n
On t!is .orld, because o) t!e !uman &ro&ensity )or ra&id ,ro.t! and t!eir e5&ansionist
tendencies, t!e once mi,!ty elven civili3ation !as been driven into decline- $!e elves
!ave abandoned t!eir )abled !omes in t!e !earts o) t!e ancestral )orests, see#in, re)u,e in
lands untouc!ed by !uman taint- Alt!ou,! t!e elves do not !ate t!e !umans at t!is &oint,
t!ey &ity t!em )or t!eir total misunderstandin, o) nature's )orces and )or t!eir s!ort lives-
$!e elves !ere !ave eit!er mostly retreated )rom t!e .orld or !ave set secure
stron,!olds &ast .!ic! no ot!er races may &ass- W!ile t!eir intolerance is no more t!an
usual, t!ey do not admit outsiders to t!eir lands, .!ic! t!ey consider inviolate- In s!ort,
t!e elves o) t!is .orld are similar to standard sylvan elves, alt!ou,! t!ere may be
e5ce&tions *as t!ere al.ays are+-
$!e D.ar) Cam&ai,n
In t!is sam&le .orld, t!e elves !ave been nearly e5terminated by t!e orcs and t!eir
!umanoid allies- $!ey )ou,!t a ,ood )i,!t, stru,,lin, mi,!tily and nearly !oldin, t!e
orcs bac#- In t!e end, !o.ever, t!e s!eer numbers o) t!e orc !ordes s&elled disaster )or
t!e elves-
Ho.ever, t!e el) resistance mana,ed to severely .ea#en t!e evil !umanoids,
ma#in, t!em easy &ic#in,s )or t!e d.arves )rom t!e mountains, .!o )inally marc!ed a
little too late to aid t!e elves- Ho.ever, t!ey banis!ed t!e last o) t!e orc !ordes )rom t!e
el) .oods and o))ered assistance to !el& t!e elves rebuild t!eir cities-
Alt!ou,! t!e elves acce&ted t!e d.arves' ,enerous o))er, t!ey remained
sus&icious o) t!e d.arves' timin,- W!en t!e d.arves be,an lumberin, o&erations in t!e
)orests, cuttin, do.n t!e very trees t!e elves !ad once &rotected a,ainst orc !ordes, t!ey
)elt t!eir .orst sus&icions re,ardin, t!e d.arves .ere con)irmed- $!ese elves .atc!ed in
s!oc#ed outra,e as t!e d.arves ,re. .ealt!y o)) t!e trees, livin, lives o) lu5ury once
&aid )or by t!e blood o) elves-
$!ere .ere ot!er elves beyond t!ose .!o !ad survived t!e Battle o) t!e Woods-
$!ose .!o .ere o)) adventurin, or actin, as merc!ants returned !ome no. to )ind t!e
)orests devastated and t!e d.arves lumberin, t!e remains, .it! little re,ard )or t!e sacred
and valued &laces o) t!e elves-
$!e elves Noined to,et!er and s.ore an oat! t!at t!ey .ould not rest until t!ey
!ad re&aid t!e d.arves )or t!eir monstrous deed-
$!ese elves be,an !arryin, d.ar) lo,,ers, )irin, arro.s at t!e miscreants and
disru&tin, d.arven trade in ,eneral- $!e d.arves retaliated a,ainst t!ese /un,rate)ul
elves/ by increasin, t!eir lo,,in, e))orts and #illin, t!e rene,ade elves .!o .ere #illin,
&recious d.arves- $!ey also rounded u& t!e )e. remainin, el) villa,ers and enclosed
t!em in closely ,uarded cam&s, usin, t!e t!reat o) violence a,ainst t!e innocents as a
coldB!earted means o) Huellin, t!e el) rebels' actions-
$!e 0Cs !ave t!e o&tion o) tryin, to discover .!o .as res&onsible )or t!e delay
in t!e marc! o) t!e d.ar) army and .!o is ultimately res&onsible )or t!e ra&e o) t!e
)orests- Since d.arves are essentially ,ood bein,s, t!ere s!ould be some mystery and
intri,ue involved in t!is cam&ai,n as .ell as t!e e5&ected outBandBout )i,!tin, a,ainst
t!e o&&ressive d.ar) )orces-
0er!a&s t!e )ault lies in t!e messen,er system t!at ran bet.een t!e elven and
d.arven civili3ations, or maybe a corru&t d.ar) ,eneral acce&ted bribes )rom an oily
e5tortionist to be,in t!e d.ar) army's marc! so late- I) t!e &layer c!aracters discover t!e
mystery be!ind t!e late arrival o) t!e army and mana,e to restore relations bet.een t!e
elves and t!e d.arves, t!ey .ill still !ave t!eir !ands )ull tryin, to rebuild t!e el) race to
its )ormer ,lory- Considerin, t!e years o) culture destroyed by t!e battles, it .ould not be
an easy tas#-
$!is .orld, too, is &robably eit!er .it!out !umans *set at some &oint be)ore t!e
time .!en t!ey came into &o.er+ or !as very )e. !umans *&er!a&s set sometime a)ter
t!eir in)luence !ad .aned+- %emainin, !umans could be eit!er on t!e d.arves' side, on
t!e side o) t!e elves, or !an,in, on t!e brin# o) e5tinction t!emselves- W!atever t!eir
role, t!ey .ill need some clearly de)ined relations!i& to t!e elves-
$!is is not, o) course, t!e only scenario t!at could be &layed in t!is .orld- $!e
d.arves could sim&ly be t!e dominant race because t!e .orld is situated so t!at every
)orest is rin,ed by mountains- $!e d.arves t!us #ee& t!e el) &o&ulation )rom ,ro.in, too
lar,e, alt!ou,! t!ey may not be entirely conscious o) t!is )act- %e,ardless o) t!e
circumstances, t!e elves are li#ely to be resent)ul t!at t!e d.arves &ros&er .!ile t!e elves
su))er- Alt!ou,! t!ey .ill not necessarily be )illed .it! venom .!en d.arves are
mentioned, t!ey .ill certainly not ,o out o) t!eir .ay to be)riend t!e little runts-
$!e Evil World Cam&ai,n
In t!is cam&ai,n, t!e )orces o) evil !ave some!o. ta#en control o) t!e .orld- As a result,
t!e )orces o) ,ood !ave been driven under,round- $!e evil ones, .!o mi,!t be orcs or
some ot!er !umanoids, may !ave been dominant ri,!t )rom t!e be,innin, o) t!e .orld's
!istory, or t!ey may !ave sei3ed &o.er only as recently as t.enty years a,o, &er!a&s .it!
t!e aid o) some &o.er)ul ma,ical arti)act-
$!e 0Cs &lay el) c!aracters )rom t!e Wild Lands, .!ere t!e ,ood )ol# !ave been
ca&tured- $!eir Nob, naturally, is to restore t!e .orld to t!e side o) ,ood- $!ey !arry
travelers and )i,!t t!e !eroes o) t!e orcs- Eventually t!ey underta#e eart!Bs&annin,
Huests in searc! o) t!e &o.er t!at .ill enable t!eir side to overt!ro. t!e orc em&ire's
brutal re,ime-
$!e tone o) t!e cam&ai,n is, naturally, rat!er dar#- $!e situation mi,!t seem
some.!at !o&eless initially, as t!e orcs are breedin, t!e sort o) adventurers t!e &layers
are used to &layin, t!emselves- But in t!is cam&ai,n, t!e &layers ,et to see .!at t!e orcs
and ,oblins must routinely e5&erience in ot!er .orldsKt!at is, .!en 0Cs trounce them in
searc! o) adventure- $!is s!ould ,ive t!e &layers a better &ers&ective on t!e adventurin,
li)e and t!e e))ects o) t!eir ram&a,in, t!rou,! t!e lands o) !umanoids-
An interestin, variation on t!is t!eme .ould be to !ave t!e elves and !umans in
t!e Wild Lands revert to a sava,e bestiality, .!ile t!e orcs and t!eir allies come to
)louris! in t!e cities- ConseHuently, t!e orcs ,ro. ever more civili3ed, learnin, t!e value
o) coo&eration, .!ile !umans and elves be,in a descent into sava,e evil, )i,!tin, amon,
t!emselves only )or t!eir o.n individual bene)it-
$!e AHuatic World Cam&ai,n
1ot all cam&ai,ns !ave to ta#e &lace on dry land- Since landbound elves !ave t!eir
aHuatic cousins, t!ey )ind it easier t!an most to receive a .elcome beneat! t!e .aves and
to ,ain a base )rom .!ic! to o&erate- $!e &layers need not necessarily &lay landbound
elves, eit!er, )or t!ey !ave t!e o&tion o) &layin, aHuatic el) c!aracters-
$!ere are at least t.o viable o&tions )or t!e under.ater cam&ai,n- In one, t!e
&layers ta#e t!e &art o) landbased elves .!o !ave ,one beneat! t!e .aves to combat a
menace to t!e u&&er .orld- W!ile t!ere, t!ey can learn to understand t!e undersea lands
and )i,!t t!e creatures t!at &ose t!reats to t!eir allies, t!e aHuatic elves- I) or .!en t!ey
de)eat t!e t!reat to t!e u&&er .orld's &eace, t!ey !ave t!e o&tion o) remainin, belo. t!e
.aves .it! t!e aHuatic elves or o) returnin, to t!eir sunlit lands above t!e .aves-
$!e second cam&ai,n !as t!e c!aracters &layin, aHuatic elves t!emselves, ,ivin,
t!em more mobility under.ater- $!is cam&ai,n, naturally, !as little c!ance o) ,oin, to
&laces beyond t!e sea, but t!at is Huite all ri,!t- $!ere is enou,! t!at is un#no.n about
t!e sea t!at t!e &layers s!ould constantly be ama3ed by .!at is ,oin, on around t!em- I)
t!e DM t!ro.s in )antastic monsters, t!e undersea li)e .ill be doubly interestin,-
$!e Outcast Cam&ai,n
Everyone #no.s !o. most elves )eel about !al)Belves- But !o. do t!ey )eel about t!e
&arents o) !al)Belves, es&ecially t!ose .!o .illin,ly created t!eir c!ildrenL W!at about
t!ose elves .!o disre,ard t!e )e. elven la.s, &re)errin, to ma#e t!eir o.n .ay in li)eL
$!ere are numerous ot!er &ossibilities )or c!aracters in t!e outcast cam&ai,n,
most o) .!om !ave been e5iled )rom t!e el) lands- $!ey .ander t!e .orld, see#in, eit!er
to atone )or t!eir crimes or to ma#e t!e el) nations &ay )or t!e indi,nity o) e5ile-
$!is is a ,ood cam&ai,n to &lay )or bot! roleB&layin, and t!e tone o) t!e e&ic
Huest, )or t!e outcasts .ill constantly be tryin, to &rove t!emselves to t!e realms t!at
reNected t!em- $!ey .ill al.ays see# to be bi,,er and better t!an t!eir &eers t!ou,!t t!ey
could be, .!et!er to &rove t!em .ron, or to see# readmittance to t!eir ancestral !omes-
But t!e cam&ai,n is also, un)ortunately, some.!at limited, )or t!ere are only so
many roleB&layin, o&&ortunities .it! outcasts- Certainly, t!ey !ave as muc! o&&ortunity
)or adventure as ot!er c!aracters, but t!eir attitudes all tend to be rat!er similar- Still, an
outcast cam&ai,n could be used to introduce a &layer to a ,amin, ,rou&, a &erson .!o
!as c!osen to &lay a !al)Bel)-
W!atever cam&ai,n .orld a DM c!ooses to desi,n, !e or s!e s!ould #ee& in mind
t!e sim&le need )or &lausibility- A .orld can be as )antastic and as ori,inal as a re)eree
desires, &rovided it .or#s )or t!e &layers- $!is, a)ter all, is .!at ,amin, is all about-
Inde5
Ability scores
Ability score adNustment
AD"DI elves
Adolescence
Adult!ood
A,e *cate,ories and e))ects+
ALBCADIMI elves
AHuanesti
AHuatic elves
AHuatic vision
Arc!ery
Bro#enBc!ar,e s!ot
DoubleBarro. s!ot
@oot s!ot
Han,in,Btree s!ot
Cuic#Bdra. s!ot
Sta&lin, s!ot
$ric# s!ot
Armac!
Armac!nesti
Armor
Arro. brea#a,e
Arro.s *ens&elled+
Avoidance4attraction
Dar#ness or li,!t
@ire seeds
@ire tra&
Arro.s *ma,ical+
E5tended ran,e
See#in,
Wooden
Arro.s *use)ul+
@lare
Messa,e
Arti)icial limbs
Arvanait!
Arvandor
At!as
At!asian elves
Attitudes to.ard ot!er races
Avariel
Bladesin,er
Bladeson, )i,!tin, style
Bonus to attac# rolls, bo.
Bonus to attac# rolls, s.ord
Bo.s
"amouflage s&ell
Canine teet!
C!ild!ood
Collector
Combat
Communion
"onduit s&ell
Coos!ee
Corellon Laret!ian
Dar,onesti
Dar# elves
DA%( S>1I elves
Deat!
Diet
Dimernesti
Disease
D%AGO1LA1CEI elves
Dro.
D.arves
El)lands
El).ar
Elven Im&erial 1avy
Elvensi,!t
Elves o) t!e Great Sea
Elves o) t!e Sea o) t!e @allen Stars
Evermeet
E5&erience cost
@aerie
@ey.ine
@i,!ter4ma,e #its
@i,!ter4ma,e4t!ie) #its
@i,!ter4t!ie) #it
@ind concealed doors
@ind secret doors
@orest elves
@O%GO$$E1 %EALMSI elves
@ractionin,
@unereal ceremonies
Gnomes
Gods.ar
Gold elves
Green elves
Grey elves
City
G%EAHAW(I elves
Gru,ac!
Gruums! OneBEye
Hal)Belves
Hal)lin,s
Hei,!t by subrace
Helm of valor
Herbalist
Hi,! elves
$ree to.n
Holy days
A,elon,
@aerieluc#
@allrite
S&rin,rite
Aeartide
Humans
Huntsman
In)iltrator
In)ravision
Inter)ertility
Invisibility
(a,onesti
(rynn
Lan,ua,e
Level limits
Li)es&an
Lolt!
Ma,e4t!ie) #its
Ma,ical items
Mani)estation
Middle a,e
Minstrel
Moon elves
Mournin, son,
Myt! Drannor
1'$el'Cuess
1omadic !i,! elves
Oert!
Old a,e
O&tional rules
Orcs
0C #its
Bonus non.ea&on &ro)iciencies
Distinctive a&&earance
EHui&ment
%ecommended non.ea&on
&ro)iciencies
%ole
Secondary s#ills
S&ecial bene)its
S&ecial !indrances
Su,,ested subraces
Wealt! o&tions
Wea&on &ro)iciencies
0!ysiolo,y
0riest #it
0ro)iciencies
Cualinesti
%A?E1LO@$I elves
%esistance to !eat and cold
%esistance to sleepLcharm
%everie
%ituals
Blood oat!
Celebration o) birt!
Celebration o) marria,e
0assa,e to adult!ood
Sea elves
,eeking s&ell
SeldanHit!
Seldarine
Silvanesti
Silvanost
Silver elves
S&ell)ilc!er
S0ELLAMME%I elves
S&ells
S&ider Cueen
Subraces
Ability score adNustments
Ability scores
Additional e5&erience cost
In)ravision
Lan,ua,es
S&ecial advanta,es
S&ecial disadvanta,es
Sunrise elves
Sur&rise
S.ords
Sylvan elves
Encam&ment
$aladan elves
$aladas
$amire
$amirnesti
$el'Cuessir
$oril
>ndead slayer
?alley o) t!e Ma,e
?alley elves
?enerable a,e
War .i3ard
Warrior #its
Wei,!t by subrace
Wild elves
Wilderness runner
Windrider
Wood elves
2a#!ara
2a#!aran elves
Avariel *Win,ed El)+

CLIMA$E4$E%%AI1G $em&erate to subtro&ical mountains, )orests
@%EC>E1CAG %are
O%GA1I2A$IO1G Bands
AC$I?I$A CACLEG Any
DIE$G Omnivore
I1$ELLIGE1CEG Hi,! to Su&raB *8<E67+
$%EAS>%EG 1 *G, S, $+
ALIG1ME1$G 1eutral or c!aotic ,ood
1O- A00EA%I1GG ;E67
A%MO% CLASSG O *87+
MO?EME1$G :, @l 8O *C+
HI$ DICEG 8R8
$HAC7G 8:
1O- O@ A$$AC(SG 8
DAMAGE4A$$AC(G By .ea&on
S0ECIAL A$$AC(SG R8 .it! lasso, bolo, or s.ord, .in, bu))et
S0ECIAL DE@E1SESG See belo.
MAGIC %ESIS$A1CEG 1il
SI2EG M *;'R tall+
MO%ALEG C!am&ion *8;+
P0 ?AL>EG F;7
$!e avariel, or .in,ed elves, is a rare race o) reclusive elves t!at d.ells !i,! in t!e
mountains or )orests a.ay )rom ot!er civili3ations- $!ey a&&ear even more delicate t!an
t!eir landbound bret!ren, t!eir )acial )eatures even more c!iseled and an,ular- $!e
c!aracteristic o) t!e avariel t!at is most stunnin,, !o.ever, is t!eir beauti)ul, so)t .in,s-
Alt!ou,! t!ese .in,s are ,enerally .!ite, avariel !ave been seen .it! .in,s .!ose
colors ran,e to blac#- $!e .in,s are t!eir &ride and Noy, and an avariel .!o !as lost !is
.in,s is intensely &itied by t!e ot!er avariel- Since elves do not ,enerally acce&t t!e &ity
o) ot!ers, a .in,less avariel o)ten leaves t!e community to )ind a li)e else.!ere-
Avariel eyes tend to be a little lar,er t!an most elves', alt!ou,! t!ey are t!e same
color t!at most ,rey and !i,! elves &ossess- $!eir !air is most o)ten .!ite or blac#, but
t!ere !ave been numerous e5ce&tions- $!e avariel !ave a tendency to ado&t a )arBo)) loo#
in t!eir eyes .!en t!eir immediate attention is not reHuired- $!ey are very muc! at !ome
in t!e outdoors, and t!ey a&&ear out o) &lace indoors or under,round-
Avariel clot!in, is most reminiscent o) to,as, )or ot!er ty&es o) clot!in, o)ten
sna, on t!eir .in,s- $o,as and t!eir li#e .ra& easily around t!e avariel's body and .in,s-
CombatG $o t!ose not bred to aerial combat, t!e avariel are a con)usin, o&&onent- W!ile
most !umanoids tend to t!in# t.oBdimensionally in combat, t!e avariel t!in# in a t!ird
dimension, .!ic! t!ey utili3e to devastatin, e))ect-
$!ey !ave incredible eyesi,!t- 1ot only do t!ey !ave t!e standard elven
in)ravision, .!en )lyin, or outdoors t!ey can )ocus t!eir vision to notice details at over a
mile a.ay or t!ose obscured by underlyin, )orest- $!ey use t!is incredible &erce&tion to
ma5imum advanta,e and t!us are e5cellent scouts-
@rom a distance, avariel in )li,!t a&&ear as lar,e birds- $!us, .!ile o&&onents
may notice t!eir sil!ouettes, t!ey usually disre,ard t!em- $!is !as, more t!an once,
resulted in t!e nearly total elimination o) enemy )orces- Since t!e avariel are e))icient
!unters, t!ey rut!lessly stal# t!ose .!o !ave esca&ed t!e battle)ield, more o)ten t!an not
)indin, and destroyin, t!ose .!o .ould re&ort t!eir &resence-
In combat, avariel &re)er to use li,!t .ea&ons, )or !eavier ones in!ibit t!eir )li,!t-
$!e lasso, bola, and s.ord are t!eir .ea&ons o) c!oice, and t!ey ,ain a R8 to attac# rolls
and dama,e .!en usin, t!ese .ea&ons- 1ote t!at t!e momentum ,enerated by any s.ord
lon,er t!an a lon, s.ord inter)eres .it! )lyin,- @or t!is reason, t!ey use bastard s.ords
and t.oB!anded s.ords only in )oot combatJ t!ey do not ,ain t!e R8 bonus- Avariel,
unli#e ot!er elves, !ave a di))icult time usin, ordinary bo.s- $!eir .in,s inter)ere .it!
t!e smoot! movements reHuired to )ire a bo., and t!ey t!ere)ore do not ,ain t!e R8
bonus ot!er elves !ave .!en usin, bo.s-
$!e stren,t! o) t!e avariel is also t!eir do.n)all- I) t!ey lose more t!an ;7Q o)
t!eir !it &oints in dama,e, t!ey become too .ea# to )ly and must continue t!eir battle on
,round- >ntil t!ey lose =;Q o) t!eir !it &oints, !o.ever, t!ey can still ,lide )or s!ort
distances- $!ey can also Num& to a !ei,!t o) 87 )eet-
$!eir .in,s are susce&tible to )ire, and t!ey burn Huic#ly once set abla3e- Only
several .ee#s o) recu&eration .ill restore .in,s to )lyin, condition- A )avorite tactic o)
t!eir enemies is to launc! a fireball into t!e midst o) a ,rou& o) !i,!B)lyin, avariel and
.atc! t!em &lummet to t!eir deat!s- Because o) t!is, avariel are !i,!ly sus&icious o) )ireB
usin, ma,es- $!e .in,ed elves .ill never )ully trust t!ese individuals, even i) t!ey are
elves-
Anot!er .ea#ness avariel !ave is claustro&!obia- $!ey cannot bear to be in closed
&laces, most es&ecially under t!e eart!- I) con)ined in suc! a &lace, avariel must ma#e a
Wisdom c!ec# every day t!ey are so con)ined- @ailure s&ells tem&orary insanity, and t!e
avariel .ill become violent, catatonic, or &anic#ed- Suc! insanity lasts until t!e avariel
reac!es o&en air- I) t!e .in,ed el) )ailed more t!an )our Wisdom c!ec#s, !e or s!e !as
,one &ermanently insane- $!is can only be cured by a heal or remove disease s&ell-
Win,ed elves can carry a mass eHual to t!eir o.n body .ei,!t be)ore t!eir .in,s
.ill not su&&ort t!em- Eac! !al) o) t!eir body .ei,!t t!at t!ey carry reduces t!eir
maneuverability class by 8J i) t!ey carry more t!an li,!t encumbrance, t!eir
maneuverability becomes Class D-
Avariel can become )i,!ters *not ran,ers or &aladins+, ma,es, and clerics, as .ell
as t!e multiclass combinations available to t!ese t!ree- $!ere are no recorded instances o)
avariel ro,ues- @or every )ive avariel in a ,rou&, t!ere .ill be at least one )i,!ter o) at
least 9rd level- @or every 87, t!ere .ill be a ma,e o) eHual level to t!e )i,!ter- Grou&s o)
67 !ave a =t!Blevel .arrior4=t!Blevel ma,e leadin, t!em, as .ell as a Ft!Blevel )i,!ter, a
;t!Blevel ma,e, and a Ft!Blevel cleric- $!is roster also includes t!e )our ,rou&s o) ; and
t!e t.o ,rou&s o) 87-
Habitat4SocietyG In some areas, t!e avariel are #no.n as /Al (ara# Elam,/ and nonBel)
races !ave built myt!olo,ies around ,lim&ses o) t!ese reclusive bein,s- $o &ro&a,ate t!is
)oolis!ness, certain misc!ievous avariel !ave contacted !umans, &retendin, to be a,ents
o) a !i,!er &o.er- $!e older avariel obNect to t!is because it leads t!e !umans to searc!
)or t!em, but t!is ban !as not yet sto&&ed any o) t!e youn,er .in,ed elves- Ho.ever, as
t!e avariel become more common, t!e instances o) t!is activity !ave lessened
dramatically-
As amon, t!e ot!er elves, t!e avariel !ave ada&ted t!emselves and t!eir
communities to t!eir environments- $!ere is no e5clusion based on ,enderJ )emales o)ten
!old as many, i) not more, &ositions o) &o.er .it!in an avariel community-
$!ere are t.o ty&es o) avariel society t!at are es&ecially common no matter .!at
t!e environment- Bot! !ave dra.n on as&ects o) t!eir elven !erita,e, to t!e e5clusion o)
ot!ers- Ho.ever, t!ese t.o ty&es o) society are never )ound )ar )rom one anot!er, so t!at
t!ey may more easily communicate-
It seems t!at many o) t!e avariel !ave bred t!emselves )or combat- Muc! o)
avariel society is based on a .arrior code o) !onor, see#in, ,reater ,lory )or t!emselves
and t!eir allies- $!eir lives are ,eared around .ar and battle, and t!ey ans.er to t!eir .ar
c!ie)s- $!ese are t!e avariel t!at are )eared by t!e !umanoid nations, )or t!ey are a deadly
)oe- $!ey !ave little o) t!e res&ect )or lives o) ot!ers t!at landbound elves !aveJ instead,
t!e avariel live )or t!e )i,!t and t!e destruction o) t!eir o&&onents- $!ey are a &roud,
!earty ,rou&, and t!ey )orm eternal )riends!i&s .it! t!ose .!o earn t!eir trust- $!ou,!
t!ey care little )or t!e lives o) t!eir enemies, t!ey try to live t!eirs to t!e )ullest-
$!e ot!er !al) o) avariel society #no.s little o) .ar- $!ese avariel !ave )ocused
mainly on t!e arts and t!e intellectual as&ects o) li)e rat!er t!an t!e .arli#e )acets- W!ere
t!e ot!er avariel ma#e muc! o) .ar and man!ood ritual, t!ese avariel rely solely on t!eir
brains and di&lomatic ability to ,et by- $!ey are a &o&ulation o) artists and &!iloso&!ers,
creatin, )or t!e s!eer Noy o) creation-
$!e relations bet.een t!e t.o !alves o) avariel community are &er)ectly
!armonious, and t!ey stay in constant communication- Bot! res&ect t!e ot!er ,reatly,
o)ten tradin, t!eir yout!s in cultural e5c!an,e &ro,rams- Since t!eir c!ildren are o)ten
curious about t!e ot!er as&ect o) t!eir culture, t!ey are ,iven t!e c!ance to &artici&ate in
t!at )eature )or a time, leadin, to a .ellBbalanced el)- Stran,ely, a)ter e5&eriencin, t!e
ot!er side o) li)e )or a )e. decades, most avariel are ea,er to return to t!eir ori,inal
!omes and lead t!e lives to .!ic! t!ey .ere born-
O) course, t!ere are more t!an Nust t!ese t.o avariel societiesJ t!ese are Nust t!e
most common- $!ere are ot!ers t!at !ave a more eHual )ootin, bet.een t!e as&ects o)
t!eir societies, ot!ers t!at are better balanced- Ho.ever, none o) t!ese seems to !ave
)louris!ed so .ell as t!e .arrior4t!in#er combination- $!ese t.o !ave some!o. ac!ieved
a !armony t!at ma#es t!eir civili3ations ,reater t!an ot!ers- $!e creative and destructive
im&ulses, .!en &aired, ma#e t!e avariel a )ormidable o&&onent-
$!e avariel are a &articularly reli,ious sect o) elves, alt!ou,! t!ey are not
)anatical about &romotin, t!eir belie)s- $!ey .ors!i& Aerdrie @aenya, t!e elven ,oddess
o) air and .eat!er, almost e5clusively- $!ey believe t!at it is due to !er intervention t!at
t!ey are able to survive at all, and t!ey ma#e t!eir obeisance to !er accordin,ly- $!ey
also believe t!at s!e ta#es a more direct involvement in t!eir lives t!an t!e ,ods o) ot!er
elves- It is due to .ors!i& o) !er t!at t!e .arrior avariel do not become enamored o) la.
and t!us remain elves at !eart-
$!e .ea&ons cra)ted by avariel are usually o) ,lass or obsidian- $!e o&en )or,es
used by ot!er races to s!a&e metal can sin,e t!eir .in,)eat!ersJ t!e avariel tend to avoid
t!ese- $!us, t!ey use )urnaces to s!a&e ,lass into .or#able, durable .ea&ons- Avariel
,lassmit!s are master cra)ters- Any metal .ea&ons t!at t!e avariel !ave are t!e result o)
trade .it! ot!er races or ot!er elves- Glass .ea&ons desi,ned by avariel may
occasionally brea# in combat- *On a natural roll o) 8, roll 8dFJ t!e .ea&on s!atters on a
roll o) 8E9-+
Ecolo,yG 1o one #no.s .!et!er t!e avariel are a natural o))s!oot o) t!e elven line or t!e
result o) &o.er)ul ma,ic#s- $!ere are t!ose .!o claim t!at t!e avariel are t!e ori,inal
elves and t!at t!e ot!er elves !ave )allen )rom t!is !i,! state- Most, !o.ever, maintain
t!at t!e avariel are t!e result o) ma,ic t!at combined elves .it! t!eir beloved ,iant
ea,les- Some )e. t!in# t!e avariel are sim&ly t!e o))s&rin, o) elves .!o !ad wings of
flying &ermanently attac!ed to t!eir bac#s-
$!e avariel #ee& in contact .it! ot!er elves, but t!e .in,ed elves tend to be
some.!at above t!e a))airs o) t!e .orld- 1ot!in, concerns t!em overmuc!, unless it
im&in,es u&on t!em- $!ey usually try to avoid contact .it! ot!er races, des&ite t!e )act
t!at some insist on seein, t!e .orld-
Avariel do not lay e,,s, contrary to &o&ular s&eculation- Ho.ever, li#e birds t!ey
do !ave !ollo. bones, ma#in, t!em more )ra,ile t!an a ty&ical el)- $!is is t!e &rice t!ey
&ay )or t!eir .in,s )or, .it!out !ollo. bones, t!ey could not )ly- Even )lyin, causes
some discom)ort because it is strenuous e5ercise to #ee& so muc! .ei,!t alo)t- Ho.ever,
t!ey )ind t!e &ain a minor inconvenience, )or t!e s!eer Noy o) )li,!t is so into5icatin,-
Eac! !our o) )li,!t, t!e avariel must ma#e a success)ul Constitution c!ec#- I) t!ey )ail,
t!ey cannot continue to )ly )or at least !al) an !our )or eac! t.o !ours o) )li,!t &revious
to t!e c!ec#-
Avariel .in,s are sou,!t a)ter by ma,es and evil ,iants- $!e ma,es &re)er to use
t!ese .in,s in creatin, &otions and wings of flying, and t!ey .ill &ay !u,e amounts )or
any brou,!t to t!em- $!e ,iants, on t!e ot!er !and, use t!e avariel's .in,s as decorations
)or !ead,ear- $!ey t!in# it loo#s &articularly )ine to !ave a beauti)ul &air o) .in,s on
t!eir .ar !elmets-
Avariel do not remain in t!e .orld as lon, as most elves- $!eir ty&ical li)es&an is
only 977 years because t!ey )eel t!e call o) t!e un#no.n so muc! more clearly t!an ot!er
elves- $!us, t!ey tend to act more !uman t!an ot!er elves because t!ey #no. t!at t!ey
!ave less time t!an ot!er elves- $!ey ta#e t!in,s more seriously and try to )it as muc!
livin, in as &ossible- $!is is not to say t!at t!ey are as )rantic as !umans, but t!ey do try
to accom&lis! many t!in,s be)ore t!eir de&arture-
Wit! t!e DM's &ermission, t!e avariel may be used as a 0C race- $!eir ability
adNustments are B6 Con, due to t!eir !ollo. bones, and R6 De5 )or t!eir s&eed-

The &variel originally appeared in D%AGO1I .aga#ine, issue MC?, as <The Winged
Folk.< The race has been modified here.
Coos!ee

CLIMA$E4$E%%AI1G Elven Lands
@%EC>E1CAG %are
O%GA1I2A$IO1G 0ac# or Solitary
AC$I?I$A CACLEG Any
DIE$G Carnivore
I1$ELLIGE1CEG SemiB*<+
$%EAS>%EG 1il
ALIG1ME1$G 1eutral *,ood tendencies+
1O- A00EA%I1GG 8EO
A%MO% CLASSG ;
MO?EME1$G 8O, S&rint 6<
HI$ DICEG 9R9
$HAC7G 8=
1O- O@ A$$AC(SG 9 *cla.4cla.4bite+
DAMAGE4A$$AC(G 8E<48E<46EO
S0ECIAL A$$AC(SG Overbearin,
S0ECIAL DE@E1SESG Camou)la,e
MAGIC %ESIS$A1CEG 1il
SI2EG M *<' at s!oulder+
MO%ALEG Steady *86+
P0 ?AL>EG 6=7
$!e coos!ee, or elven !ound, is a !u,e, lon,Blived do,- It is most commonly )ound in t!e
com&any o) sylvan elves, .!o use it )or bot! !untin, and ,uard duties- Occasionally,
!i,! or ,rey elves .ill #ee& #ennels o) t!ese do,s, but t!ese are ,enerally )e. and )ar
bet.een-
$!e coos!ee !as a t!ic# ,reenis! coat, o)ten s&otted .it! lar,e bro.n s&ots or
&atc!es- $!is coat allo.s it to conceal itsel) in t!e )orests and )ields near its !ome .it! a
=;Q e))iciency- W!ere most do,s cras! t!rou,! t!e )orest, t!e coos!ee moves as silently
as its el) masters, ,ainin, a R< bonus on sur&rise rolls-
Coos!ee .ei,! more t!an 8F7 &ounds and o)ten .ei,! as muc! as 977 &ounds-
$!eir !u,e &a.s !ouse eHually !u,e cla.s, .!ic! are curved to ensure better traction in
t!e so)t loam o) t!e )orestlands- $!eir tails ,enerally arc over t!eir bac#s, t!ou,! t!ey
!an, bet.een t!eir le,s .!en t!ey are bein, scolded- $!eir ears come to a &oint on to& o)
t!eir !eads, ,ivin, t!e coos!ee an attentive, intelli,ent loo#-
CombatG In combat, t!e coos!ee is a )earsome o&&onent- Its &o.er)ul Na.s are enou,! to
)ri,!ten any normal &ersonJ cou&led .it! its )ierce cla.s and demeanor, t!e coos!ee is a
very e))ective )i,!tin, mac!ine- Wit! a &arty o) elves &rovidin, distraction .it! t!eir
arro.s, t!e coos!ee can become a creature )rom a ni,!tmare )or its &rey- Elves say t!at
one coos!ee is .ort! )ive orcs-
Alt!ou,! coos!ee can ,o !eadBtoB!ead .it! many creatures, t!eir stren,t! lies in
t!e c!ase- W!en t!ey are &ursuin, an o&&onent, .!et!er it be ,ame or !umanoid, t!e
coos!ee can be,in an allBout s&rint, increasin, its s&eed to 6</ )or )ive rounds- At t!e end
o) t!is time, i) it didn't catc! its &rey, it slo.s do.n to 8;/ )or at least )ive additional
rounds .!ile it catc!es its breat!-
W!en t!ey dra. .it!in ran,e o) t!eir )oe, coos!ee may attem&t to overbear t!eir
enemy- I) t!is o&&onent is )leein,, t!e coos!ee ,ains a oneBround si3e bonus- $!at is, it
becomes Si3e L )or t!e &ur&ose o) t!e overbearin, attac# roll and t!us ,ains R< to attac#
rolls *see /Overbearin,/ in t!e 0layer's Handbook, &- :O+- I) it rolls a success)ul attac#
roll, t!e coos!ee !as success)ully dra,,ed or #noc#ed its o&&onent to t!e ,round-
I) it attem&ts to overbear, it must )or)eit all its ot!er attac#s durin, t!at round- In
t!e round )ollo.in,, it automatically &ins t!e Huarry and may ma#e its )erocious bite
attac# on t!e !el&less &rey- $!e victim may attem&t to brea# t!e &in by ma#in, a
success)ul Stren,t! c!ec#- I) it )ails, t!e victim loses any De5terity bonus to !is or !er
Armor Class- @urt!er, t!e coos!ee ,ains a R< to attac# tar,ets so &inned- $!ey tend to
)avor t!e t!roat o) t!e creature over any ot!er tar,et- I) t!e coos!ee !ave been ordered to
subdue t!eir tar,et, t!ey sim&ly close t!eir Na.s over t!e Huarry's t!roat, restin, t!eir
teet! a,ainst its s#in- $!is tends to be an e))ective met!od o) )orcin, surrender-
Habitat4SocietyG Coos!ee mate )or li)e- I) one o) t!e &air is #illed, t!e ot!er ,enerally
.astes a.ay- Coos!ee &u&&ies bond stron,ly to t!eir &arents, and t!e &arents are !i,!ly
&rotective o) t!eir o))s&rin,- Only a )ool comes bet.een an adult coos!ee and its
c!ildren-
Coos!ee tend to avoid ot!er /normal/ do,s, seemin, to )ind t!em in)erior- In t!is
re,ard, t!e coos!ee ec!o t!eir el) masters, re)rainin, )rom muc! contact .it! ot!er races-
$!e coos!ee !ave an incredibly loud bar# t!at can be !eard more t!an a mile
a.ay- Ho.ever, t!ey only bar# to .arn t!eir masters or &ac#mates- In almost no ot!er
circumstances .ill a coos!ee emit noise-
Coos!ee o)ten live to be more t!an 877 years old-
Ecolo,yG 1o one seems to #no. .!et!er coos!ee are a naturally occurrin, creature or i)
t!ey are a creation o) t!e elves- $!e coos!ee seem almost too &er)ectly desi,ned )or t!eir
tas#s to be anyt!in, but created beasts- Ho.ever, t!eir a))inity .it! nature, closely
mirrorin, t!at o) t!e elves, leads one to believe t!at t!ey are, in )act, entirely natural-
Alt!ou,! elves !ave !ad muc! success in ,ainin, t!e trust o) t!e coos!ee, )e.
ot!er races !ave been able to establis! a ra&&ort .it! t!e !ound- Even e5&erienced
animal !andlers o) ot!er races )ind it incredibly di))icult to a&&roac! one o) t!ese
ma,ni)icent creatures- $!us, unless t!e coos!ee !as been ma,ically charmed *it saves at
R9 vs- any charm s&ell+, it .ill only be )ound in t!e com&any o) elves-