Dark Elf

> *“There are not enough words in your simple tongue to express our hatred for them, Human. Killers, despoilers, slavers, and thieves we name them, but not one of these oft-earned titles begins to describe the depths of their depravity. They have neither mercy nor honour. They roam and kill in darkness called up by their foul sorceries. They are so base as to specifically target children for their depredations. We are truly, truly disgusted to have once called them kin.” -* Anteia, High Elf trader.
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Though they have the same ancestry, the Dark Elves are nothing like their High Elf cousins. Where the High Elves are elegant and intricate, the Dark Elves are raw and blunt. Where High Elf cities are known for shimmering spires and beautiful, marble architecture, Dark Elf cities are known for their black, shadowy design and spiked towers. In many states, the Dark Elves have a bad reputation as evil, savage, slavers, cannibals and practitioners of blood sacrifice. Though many of these descriptions are not necessarily untrue, the Dark Elf traditions (and the Dark Elves themselves) are a lot more complex than simple ‘evil.’

## **Physical Description - Pale and Scarred**

Though their physicality is very similar to that of the High Elves, they do not appear anywhere near as light or elegant. An average Dark Elf typically stands at about 6 to 6 and a half feet and weigh only lightly less than a Human of the same height. Like High Elves their builds are slender, though some of their kind are known to be thin to the point of appearing almost skeletal, likely a result of some tradition or ritual. On average, male Dark Elves are heavier than females - though not usually by much.

Despite being called ‘Dark’ Elves, the skin colouration of Dark Elves are actually extremely pale. Indeed, their skin is almost always some variation of grey or off-white- and, in rarer cases, a Dark Elf’s skin can appear almost like snow. Their eyes also have all the typical colourations, but can also be pure black or even purple. The hair of the Dark Elves is typically black, though not exclusively, and facial hair is a rarity amongst their kind. As a result of their ritual blood letting and self-mutilation, it is common to see scars at various points on a Dark Elf’s skin.

## **Mentality - Tradition and Sacrifice**

Like High Elves, Dark Elves live for up to 1000 years, granting them a perspective of longevity that many shorter-lived races lack. However, where the High Elves put themselves on a pedestal and observe the world from a sense of heightened authority, the Dark Elves look at the world with an almost nihilist viewpoint. They do not see life as important or worth preserving as many others do, a belief applicable to both themselves and to others. Many Dark Elf traditions and religious rituals revolve around blood sacrifice, both of themselves and of others. When applied to others, this typically involves the murder of prisoners or slaves. When applied to themselves, this often involves self-mutilation or self-harm.

Dark Elves do not fear their own deaths, and will openly put themselves in harms way if they deem it necessary to do so. In the most extreme forms, a Dark Elf might even be willing to disregard their life entirely. This also applies to others, though. Mercy is often not given to the enemies of a Dark Elf and the bodies of the dead are equally defiled in ritual flesh consumption. Indeed, the Dark Elves routinely practice cannibalism as they see the consumption of a dead enemy’s flesh as a way of obtaining their power - including their own kind.

That is not to say that Dark Elves are wholeheartedly evil or sadistic, however. They are still capable of kindness and selflessness. The Dark Elves can and do cooperate with other groups, nations and races when it is advantageous to do so. Many of their more bloody traditions simply stem from their proud culture and deep history - a history that involves the High Elves a lot more than the Dominion would want you to believe.

## **Society - Pride of the Past**

Dark Elf society is a heavily structured one. If you are born into a certain class, you are expected to remain a part of that class. A good Dark Elf will not rise above their station nor lower themselves to a lesser one. The Dark Elf Empire is also one of the few nations that still practice slavery on a national level - the practice being essentially woven into their cultural fabric. Interestingly, in many ways, it actually somewhat resembles High Elven society - though don’t let a High Elf hear you say that. The reason for this is because the Dark Elves are actually descendants of High Elf ultra-traditionalists. In fact, many of their rituals of sacrifice are actually leftovers from incredibly ancient Elven traditions, long before their race splintered into the groups we know today.

Dark Elves are looked at with an eye of scepticism in most other lands, and are outright hated in the High Elf Dominion. Many that attempt to live in other lands eventually make their way to mercenary companies, crime organisations and bandit gangs - some through choice, some through desperation.

## **Dark Elf Adventurers - Fortune and Faith**

Dark Elves that take up adventuring might seek personal fortunes and glory for themselves. This is a large motivator for many adventurers and the Dark Elves are no different. In more ‘complex’ cases, they might do so to find worthy sacrifices for their god - or for personal pain and struggles that are considered just as sacred. For others, they might be pushed to such a life due to the rejection of other nations or their rejection of the Dark Elves’ culture and traditions.

## **Dark Elf Names**

Though they might not be matured yet, a Dark Elf is considered an adult at birth. Therefore, they are beholden to the same laws and most (though not all) privileges. Dark Elf children are given a single name at birth and are expected to retain this name throughout their entire lives, never changing it or shortening it in any way. Unlike High Elves, who have little distinction between male and female names, gendered names are acknowledged and enforced. To name a male with a female name is considered taboo - and vice verca. The only exception to this are those that identify outside of their birth gender - a concept that the Dark Elves, perhaps surprisingly, accept and accommodate.

**Example Male Names -** Porphyrius, Amlethus, Catotigernos, Creon, Faustus.

**Example Female Names -** Iantha, Flora, Mneme, Pompeia, Hecate.

## **Dark Elf Traits**

Your Dark Elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of blood rituals and old traditions.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Charisma score by 1.
* ***Age -*** physically, Dark Elves mature at about the age of 100, however they are considered adults from birth. They typically live to be about 1000 years old, like all Elves.
* ***Alignment -*** living in such a rigid and structured society, most Dark Elves are lawful in nature and respect the laws and traditions of their homeland. These traditions, however, mean many see them as evil - though they might not actually be evil.
* ***Size -*** like High Elves, you stand at about 6 to 6 and a half feet tall. Your build is also quite slender. Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Superior Darkvision -*** your heightened senses grant you superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***Keen Senses -*** you have proficiency in the Perception skill.
* ***Magical Blood -*** you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
* ***Trance -*** Elves don't need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
* ***Sunlight Sensitivity -*** accustomed to dark and dreary conditions, you have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Perception checks that rely on sight when, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in excess light.
* ***Dark Elf Magic -*** you know the *dancing lights* cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the *faerie fire* spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the *darkness* spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
* ***Dark Elf Weapon Training -*** you have proficiency with rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read and write Common and Elvish. Unlike High Elves, who speak selectively and intricately, Dark Elves are typically quite forward and blunt in their speech. They see little point in concealing true intent or emotion, though they are still more than capable of lying.