Elves

Elves are among the longest lived species of Azeroth, and are well known for their innate grace, perception, and magical abilities.

History

All elves began with the Kaldorei—a powerful race whose history extended all the way back to ancient times. They were among the forerunners of civilization and culture in ancient Kalimdor, and ultimately an elite caste known as the Highborne, the favored of Queen Azshara, emerged as they pursued an understanding of the Well of Eternity and the power that could be gained by siphoning the arcane energy from the Well's depths. However, their usage of the Well and their careless arrogance attracted the attention of the Burning Legion. The Highborne ultimately opened a portal into the Twisting Nether, which allowed the demons of the Burning Legion to spill into Azeroth. While the Kaldorei were able to triumph over the demonic forces in the great battle that was known as the War of the Ancients and banished them back into the Twisting Nether, the Well of Eternity was destroyed and the continent of Kalimdor was sundered into the continents that exist in the present day.

The destruction of the War of the Ancients ultimately led to the distrust of the Highborne—the Quel'dorei—by the remainder of the Kaldorei who had abandoned arcane magic in order to pursue the druidism of the natural world. The Quel'dorei were ultimately banished and forced into exile, but eventually found their way to the Eastern Kingdoms and settled in a new home they called Quel'Thalas. Over time, the resemblance the "high elves" had to their nocturnal kin faded as their skin lightened and they began to walk in the warmth of the sun instead of the cool glow of the moon.

However, as generations continued, the origin of the Quel'dorei was hidden away, and ultimately the original connection they held to the Kaldorei of Kalimdor was mostly forgotten.

Age. Elves are very long-lived. Most high elves can expect to live no longer than about 3000 years. Night elves, on the other hand, are immortal, thanks to the blessing of Nordrassil, the World Tree.

Alignment. High Elves tend to lean towards chaos, as their inquisitive natures into the secrets of the universe lend them towards it, and while they can be reclusive, it is not unnatural for them to be good in nature. Night elves ally themselves with nature, and so are often found to be in the neutral spectrum.

Size. Elves are much taller than humans. High elves average around 6 feet tall and weigh between 100 and 175 pounds usually, while night elves average 7 feet tall, and usually weigh between 150 and 250 pounds.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Subrace. Two subraces of elves exist: quel'dorei, and kaldorei.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Keen Senses. You are proficient with the Perception skill.

Elder Knowledge — {$$elderknowledge}. Choose Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. Whenever you make an Intelligence check of the chosen skill related to magic, magical items, magical creatures, or similar things, you are considered proficient in the chosen skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.

Elven Combat Training. You have proficiency with the longsword, longbow, rapier, and shortbow.

Quel'dorei

The high elves of Quel'Thalas, otherwise known as the Quel'dorei—or "High Born"—are descended from a group of Highborne night elves that were banished from Kalimdor long ago after the catastrophe of the War of the Ancients. They have completely forgone their Kaldorei roots and instead embrace the light of the sun and the powers of arcane energy, though their connection to nature still remains in the number of skilled woodsmen and rangers that make up their population.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Cantrip — {$$cantrip}. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Arcane Mind. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Thalassian, and one other language of your choice.

Appearance

High elves stand slightly taller than an average human and are typically a little over 6 feet tall while weighing anywhere between 100 to 175 pounds. They are frequently slim with sharp, angular features that may be regarded as beautiful, or at least an exaggeration of conventional beauty. They are typically pale skinned with hair that comes in shades of white or blonde, though other colors are known. Quel'dorei eyes appear to glow with a constant inner light, which indicate the race's connection to magic, and high elves typically have eye colors in shades of blue. However, violet have also been observed, and some also have naturally green eyes even without being victims of fel corruption.

Language

The native tongue of the high elves is Thalassian.

Kaldorei

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1

Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.

Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, darkness, and other natural phenomena.

Shadowmeld. At night or in low-light environments, gain advantage on stealth checks as long as you are not moving.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Darnassian.

Appearance

Night elves stand taller than their quel'dorei brethren and typically average around 7 feet tall in females or 7.5 feet tall in males with a weight of between 200 to 250 pounds. Kaldorei have a wide range of skin colors, and while they typically come in shades in the purple spectrum, some individuals may have skin that appears more blue or pale, milky white. Likewise, the natural shades of their hair color can be anything from violet, azure, green, or even silver as well as more conventional colors. In addition, male kaldorei are more well-known for growing large, bushy beards, which tends not to be the case with the quel'dorei.

Most night elves have bright, glowing, silver eyes, though shades of amber or gold have also been noted. In addition, to emphasize the more bestial appearance they possess, night elves have longer canines than the quel'dorei which seem to resemble fangs.

Notable elves

Quel'dorei

Kaldorei

Unknown.