Elven Equipment (CBE)

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: How and why feywine—that elixir to gladden the heart and encourage the soul of every Elf—came to be is a tale ancient in age. Some of you say it is merely mead, that Human drink. You say it is nothing more than flowers and honey, left to ferment and age in oak barrels. You are, in part, correct, but you know not the full story. Let 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 enjoy. These Elves had the blood of gods burning bright in their veins. The tears of the Moon and the soil of the land also coursed through their blood.
: Little remains of those early years of our existence. Certainly there are no remnants of the original vessels made by the Seldarine, which they created to house our spirits. Those First Elves existed solely through the life-giving form provided by the Seldarine. Then they joined with one another, and they begat children.
: Although 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. And the First Elves beseeched the gods, crying out as their children lay dying, for they did not understand why. The Seldarine saw their creations' sorrow, and they were moved to act.
: They asked the Moon to bless the land with her tears a second time, as she had when Corellon Larethian fought in the Godswar, and she did. The tears fed the children of the First Elves, and the children lived.
: In time, the Elves learned to take nourishment from other sources, and they can now survive without the gods' gift. But 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.
:: — Firiel Anani'Mahs, Keeper of Feywine
Most of this equipment is available only to elves, for they are not willing to sell the best of their stock to humans or dwarves. There are countless more items that the elves have invented; the following list is only a sample of what they are capable.
The chapter contains beverages, weapons, and other items elves find useful. Most items have multiple uses, for the elves hate to restrict anything to but one purpose.
Finally, please note that few of these items are forged or constructed in great quantities. Elves believe in the unique qualities of each item and, unlike dwarves, do not enjoy mass-producing anything, no matter how good it is.
==Feywine==
This is a fermented mixture of crushed flowers, honey, and an ingredient that some claim is distilled moonbeams. It is available only through elves, and most elves will not allow members of other races to drink it. The sole exception to this rule is the race of halflings, who appreciate all good things in life. Humans become far too stuporous, and dwarves do not appreciate the subtleties inherent in the taste, preferring instead to swill it. It simply does not affect them. Gnomes have their own variant, which they prefer, and they rarely ask for feywine.
Although feywine lasts only two days when bottled away from fresh air, some elves carry it with them for such a period to use as a secret weapon against unsuspecting foes. While their enemies are sleeping off the effects, the elves can make good their escape. Otherwise, elves drink it only when they are celebrating some victory or festival.
Cost: Unavailable
Weight: As water
==Elven Harp==
These masterworks are highly prized in the musical communities of any culture. The elven harp produces a clear, dulcet tone, unheard of in any non-elven crafted instrument.
Not only does it produce a sound rivaled only by the gods of music, the elven harp is a beauty to behold as well. Intricately carved, with attention paid to the smallest detail, the elven harp is almost as beautiful to look at as it is to hear it.
There are several different sizes of elven harp. Some can be carried by adventuring elves, while others are clearly intended only for stationary use. Whatever the size, they are well worth their cost.
Cost: 500–2,500 gp
Weight: 10–100 lbs.
==Honey Leather==
Honey leather is really a light canvas used as protection against rain and dampness. Elves use it for tents and to protect camping gear. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer much protection against snags, and it tears easily. However, as long as it is used only in camp, it is a fairly durable canvas. It is also completely waterproof, and it is highly valued because of that.
Cost: 50 gp/sq. yard
Weight: 1 sq. yard=1/10 lb.
==Sashling==
This broad, billowing sash was the precursor and the inspiration for the girdle of many pouches, for its seemingly small exterior hides a great many interior pockets. Ten pockets are sewn into the folds of the sashling, each capable of holding about a fourth of a pound.
The nature of the sashling is such that, unless the item inside is too bulky, it will conceal most of what the elf is carrying. It is thus ideal for carrying hidden coins, spell components, or other easily concealable items.
For those who need to carry more supplies, many sashlings are made with hooks on the outer side. This enables the wearer to hang pouches and other things from the outside of the sashling as well.
Cost: 10 gp
Weight: 1 lb.
 
==Thistledown==
This is the grayish material from which cloaks of elvenkind are made. It is a light, downy material that does not snag on branches. Since it is a fine quality material, it can easily be enchanted with the spells that enable the elves to produce their woodswear.
Cost: 100 gp/sq. yard
Weight: 1 sq. yard=1/10 lb.
==Elven Bow==
During their years of experience, elves have found that often archers are attacked without much chance to defend themselves. They have therefore created the elven bow. It is designed to fire with the same rate of fire and accuracy, and yet the elves can use it to fend off attacks until they can defend themselves with a better weapon or spell.
The elven bow is a beautiful piece of work, carved mostly from wood, and is highly decorated and polished. To fully fulfill its function, the elf crafters have also given it metal inlays. These enable the bow to be used as a parrying weapon until the elf can draw a more suitable weapon. Meanwhile, the elf's bow has not been damaged by the attack and can be used again.
If used as an offensive weapon, the elven bow acts as a club, causing 1d6 points to S-or M-sized creatures, 1d3 to L-sized or larger creatures.
Cost: 150 gp
Weight: 8 lbs.
==Arrows (Useful)==
As with their bows, elves have found that the initial, simple designs are not always what is needed in a given situation. Sometimes, an arrow must be able to do more than simply damage a foe. Therefore, they have designed the following arrows, each with a specific purpose. These are certainly not the limit of the specific arrows that they have designed; they are but a small sample of specialties. The list here is merely a representation.
Cost: Variable
Weight: Variable
==Flare Arrow==
Designed so that the archer may be more easily found or so that a distraction for enemies can be created, the flare arrow produces an intensely bright light in the skies, visible for long distances on clear nights.
The arrowhead is a special detachable piece. It houses a small air-catching device that slows the arrow on its descent, allowing it to drift to the earth instead of plummeting. The interior of the arrow is filled with a slow-burning, elven powder that flares brightly when ignited. This powder is a closely guarded secret of the elf crafters.
To send a flare arrow, one simply touches a flame to the fuse trailing behind the fletching and shoots the arrow into the sky. The head detaches when the arrow reaches the top of its flight, releasing the parachute, which ignites the powder. The arrow burns merrily all the way to the ground. Naturally, flare arrows can only be used once. Unfortunately, they are somewhat fragile, and they break rather easily.
If fired at an enemy, a flare arrow shatters, causing 1d4 points of damage and spreading its load of powder all over the target's body. There is a 50% chance that the arrow's fuse will light the powder on this enemy, causing 1d4 points of damage per round for three rounds. It can only be extinguished by immersing one's entire body in water. Simply beating at the flames or throwing water on them will not extinguish them.
The flare arrow's range is S: 5, M: 10, and L: 15. If fired straight up, it can go as high as 120 yards.
Cost: 10 gp each
Weight: 1/5 lb.
==Message Arrow==
Sometimes, one needs to get an urgent message to a distant compatriot in a hurry. The elves developed message arrows for just this purpose. They resemble normal arrows outwardly, although the head is rather more rounded than most other arrows. It is the interior that makes the message arrow special. The shaft is hollow, enabling the archer to fit a tightly rolled scroll inside. The arrow can accommodate no more than one sheet of papyrus or paper.
If used as a weapon, the message arrow will cause 1d6 points of subdural damage, only a quarter of which is permanent. Because of its fragility, it will most likely break if it is used offensively. In such cases, it must make a save vs. crushing blow as thin wood or be permanently splintered. Its ranges are S: 6, M: 13, and L: 20.
Cost: 2 sp
Weight: 1/10 lb.
==Elven Plate Armor==
While dwarves and humans certainly have the edge on constructing various types of plate armor, it is hardly a forbidden science to the elves. Although there are even fewer suits of elven plate than there are of elven chain, intrepid explorers have turned up several variations. The DM should keep in mind that elven plate is rare enough that few PCs will run across it and, if they do, it will likely belong to an elf warrior.
Elven plate is mostly used as ceremonial armor, for elves do not like the lack of mobility plate affords. This means that virtually every suit of elven plate is ornately decorated; it is not often that elf armorers are given a chance to combine such utility with beauty.
Still, despite its decorative appearance, elven plate provides as much protection as any human suit of plate armor. And because of the skill of elf armorers, it is lighter than most plate armor, weighing only as much as typical human chain mail. Unfortunately, elven plate does not allow the silent movement that elven chain does, and it cannot be worn by any but fighters, clerics, and their multiclass variations.
Multiclassed spellcasters find elven plate to be a special boon for, like elven chain, it allows its user to cast spells and still wear armor. However, as mentioned before, elves do not wear this armor as often as they do elven chain, for it hampers the freedom of movement they relish.
Elf cavaliers are the main users of elven plate. It inspires humans, they find, and they savor the impressions made on these people. Other races also tend to be impressed by elves wearing elven plate; for what reason the elves fail to fathom. Many elves capitalize on this effect, however.
Elven plate, of whatever variety, is extraordinarily rare. In reality, perhaps 5% (if even that) of elven chain found is actually elven plate. Each suit is personalized, and the owner would not be hard to ascertain by the decorations on the armor. Rest assured that the owner or any heirs would be very happy to see the armor returned; likewise, they would take serious offense if another being had stolen it or was wearing it.
If it is difficult for a human to earn elven chain, it is impossible to earn elven plate. Only elves can wear it, for each suit is custom-made and unique. Unless a human is exceptionally slight, there is no chance of fitting into a suit of elven plate. Halflings, dwarves, and gnomes cannot wear it either, unless they are especially tall and slender. Only half-elves can reasonably expect a suit to fit them, and even they can squeeze in only with discomfort. In most cases, it is far easier simply to return elven plate to its rightful owners and hope for a token of appreciation.