Noble Elves

A subrace of Elves in the Nine-Lands.

When plebs of the world think, “elf,” noble elves are the ones they are calling to mind. Stuffy. Aloof. They tend to revel in their own self-righteous glory. They don’t often mingle with other races, be it for trade or adventure. They consider other races, including other elves, beneath them.

Detached and unapproachable, noble elves tend to exude an air of superiority. They feel they are better than the other races they share the Nine-Lands with, including their cousins. Backed by martial and magical skill and the knowledge gained over a long lifespan, they are capable of raising a fair point.

Noble elves tend to have a rigid caste system in place and each elf knows their place from birth. Noble elves of high birth are the ruling power and run their respective lands.

Beneath them are the learned and pious. With little exception they are the only ones allowed to practice arcane or divine magic past a certain point.

Merchant and crafting castes, consisting of all craftspeople, tradespeople, and places of business, make up the bulk of noble elven society.

Last is the labor caste. These elves tend to menial work, farming, and other services. Because of the skillset they provide they operate within the upper three castes. These elves and derogatively known as “common” high elves by those above them in noble elf society.

Noble elf communities strive to be as self-sufficient as possible, travelling and trading with what they consider lesser races as little as possible. On the best days they are cool and reserved with others, avoiding contact whenever possible. Still, they do prize dwarven craftsmanship and as such they do a rare bit of trade with some small forest dwarf communities, a race they tolerate. They also do some trade with the occasional halfling, valuing their foodstuff and tobacco.

The largest noble elf city is Evernaige, located in the Evernaige Forest of Southwind. They are fiercely protective of their land, and as such strive to keep all but the invited out.

Above all others high elves venerate Quercetum, Patron of the Elves, though many also worship Salvenscence, Solsphere, the Maiden & the Mother aspects of Morrigan, and Viridis.

Age. Noble elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, but have a different concept of what adulthood means in comparison to their long life spans. Noble elves typically claim adulthood and an adult name on their 150th birthday and can live to be 1000 years old.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Magical Heritage. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Elvish (Noble).

Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one extra language of your choice.

NOBLE ELF ADVENTURERS

Noble elf adventurers are exceedingly rare indeed, as they consider adventuring as a profession well beneath them. Most noble elf adventurers are those born to the labor caste or those who have been exiled with nowhere else to turn to for a chance at fortune and fame. Some of the most powerful wizards are counted amongst the noble elves, as are some of the most powerful fighters.