Okay, I created this as part of some changes both minor and major I am planning for a Forgotten Realms campaign. One of the biggest changes is the removal of the Drow. Well they may be there but if so they are going to be extra-planar. More of an invader trying to get a beachhead on Toril from their home plane. A little like the Tiste Andi from the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The existing Drow that is.
I do not think I overpowered them, but adding two cantrips and two spells at 3rd level is a bit questionable balance wise.
Let me know what you think, and what changes I should make. This is my first attempt at this in 5E, so ahhh....please be kind. Also, yes I do realize some of the text borders on the Purple Prose category. 😊
I have not fleshed out the entirety of their backstory, so this is version 1.0.1
Dusk Elf Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it.
NOTE: This race completely replaces the Drow in my Forgotten Realms setting.
——————————————————————— They are the Thil’Tel’Quessir (The Evening People)
They refer to themselves as The Eventide.
Other Elves call them: The Nightfall kin. The Sundown. The Twilight Elves.
The Dwarves call them The Gloaming Elves.
Humans gave them the name: Dusk Elves.
They are the caretakers of beautiful night gardens. Their settlements are mainly deep in the woods within large, serene groves with sunlight and moonlight just filtering through a vast canopy above. Creating an air of closeness and homeyness, while being grand and open. Recently some Dusk Elves have created hamlets near other neighboring villages, towns and cities. Usually just within a nearby forest. To allow trade, education, and assisting their fellow beings.
The Dusk Elves are the most gregarious of all Elves, having a great love of meeting new people. They host elaborate parties not to show off their self-importance, but to share the abundance with friends and strangers alike. They fill the night with talk, food, laughter, music, dance, and drink. They are quick to befriend, defend their friends, and do not suffer those who betray their trust.
Dusk Elves have an rare but well documented tendency to slip into a Melancholy mixed heavily with nostalgia. Reliving in their minds times and friends gone by, regrets, joys, and sorrows. This is called the Quiet or Ahrn‘Dilith (One who wields the Quiet). It can last for a few day, to weeks, months, and in the worst cases decades or centuries. This is usually triggered by a great loss or similar tragedy. The only cure is time, and gentle attentive care given by family and friends.
They tend toward the alignments of Chaotic Good, Neutral Good, and Lawful Neutral.
Dusk Elves favor the worship of Angharradh in her triune forms (Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Celanil, and Sehanine Moonbow) and The Dark Maiden (she, the Goddess of song, beauty, swordwork, hunting, and moonlight).
Dusk Elves favor the classes of: Druids, Bards, Bladesingers, and Rangers. Arcane casters are more common than Divine, though Clerics are afforded a standing similar to that of Druids. Warrior tradition focuses on finesse and agility. Their warrior training is called The Dance and The Hunt (Melee and Ranged combat, respectively).
Dusk Elves appearance: The Dusk Elves skin varies between Dark Blue, Midnight Blue, Purple, Dark Browns, Jet Black, Obsidian, and the like. Hair color ranges from White, Gray, Silver, Periwinkle, Ice Blue, Ultramarine, Purple, and to the highly rare Gold and Fiery Red. Their eyes often match their hair, or are an offset color. Height ranges up to 6 feet tall. With their slighter frames they generally weigh between 100 lbs. and 150 lbs.
Ability Score Increase Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision Your darkvision has a radius 120 feet.
Dusk Elf Magic You know the DruidCraft and Dancing Lights cantrisp. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Plant Growth and Speak with Plants spells once each with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Dusk Elf Weapon Training (The Dance and The Hunt) You have proficiency with: Rapiers, Javelins, Spears, and Longbows.
It looks very nice! However, I would suggest choosing one spell at 1st and 3rd instead of two. You also don't need seven paragraphs detailing the subrace, one to two works just as well. That said, with an unusual race or subrace, a little more explanation can always help a player.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Thank you Astromancer for the reply, and excellent advice! My apologies for taking so long to reply back
I believe that your suggestion if a much better course for the design. I will remove one of the Cantrips and remove one of the 3rd Level Spells. I may move the otherSpell listed at 3rd Level to 5th Level, to keep it more in-line with the original Drow race getting Darkness at that level.
I will move a lot of the background details to a separate section. To move that fluff out of the stats area. But keeping it available, since this is rather substantial departure from the original source.
Again, thanks!
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Okay, I created this as part of some changes both minor and major I am planning for a Forgotten Realms campaign. One of the biggest changes is the removal of the Drow. Well they may be there but if so they are going to be extra-planar. More of an invader trying to get a beachhead on Toril from their home plane. A little like the Tiste Andi from the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The existing Drow that is.
I do not think I overpowered them, but adding two cantrips and two spells at 3rd level is a bit questionable balance wise.
Let me know what you think, and what changes I should make. This is my first attempt at this in 5E, so ahhh....please be kind. Also, yes I do realize some of the text borders on the Purple Prose category. 😊
I have not fleshed out the entirety of their backstory, so this is version 1.0.1
Dusk Elf
Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it.
Racial Traits
+2 Dexterity, Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance
NOTE: This race completely replaces the Drow in my Forgotten Realms setting.
———————————————————————
They are the Thil’Tel’Quessir (The Evening People)
They refer to themselves as The Eventide.
Other Elves call them:
The Nightfall kin.
The Sundown.
The Twilight Elves.
The Dwarves call them The Gloaming Elves.
Humans gave them the name: Dusk Elves.
They are the caretakers of beautiful night gardens. Their settlements are mainly deep in the woods within large, serene groves with sunlight and moonlight just filtering through a vast canopy above. Creating an air of closeness and homeyness, while being grand and open. Recently some Dusk Elves have created hamlets near other neighboring villages, towns and cities. Usually just within a nearby forest. To allow trade, education, and assisting their fellow beings.
The Dusk Elves are the most gregarious of all Elves, having a great love of meeting new people. They host elaborate parties not to show off their self-importance, but to share the abundance with friends and strangers alike. They fill the night with talk, food, laughter, music, dance, and drink. They are quick to befriend, defend their friends, and do not suffer those who betray their trust.
Dusk Elves have an rare but well documented tendency to slip into a Melancholy mixed heavily with nostalgia. Reliving in their minds times and friends gone by, regrets, joys, and sorrows. This is called the Quiet or Ahrn‘Dilith (One who wields the Quiet). It can last for a few day, to weeks, months, and in the worst cases decades or centuries. This is usually triggered by a great loss or similar tragedy. The only cure is time, and gentle attentive care given by family and friends.
They tend toward the alignments of Chaotic Good, Neutral Good, and Lawful Neutral.
Dusk Elves favor the worship of Angharradh in her triune forms (Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Celanil, and Sehanine Moonbow) and The Dark Maiden (she, the Goddess of song, beauty, swordwork, hunting, and moonlight).
Dusk Elves favor the classes of: Druids, Bards, Bladesingers, and Rangers. Arcane casters are more common than Divine, though Clerics are afforded a standing similar to that of Druids. Warrior tradition focuses on finesse and agility. Their warrior training is called The Dance and The Hunt (Melee and Ranged combat, respectively).
Dusk Elves appearance: The Dusk Elves skin varies between Dark Blue, Midnight Blue, Purple, Dark Browns, Jet Black, Obsidian, and the like. Hair color ranges from White, Gray, Silver, Periwinkle, Ice Blue, Ultramarine, Purple, and to the highly rare Gold and Fiery Red. Their eyes often match their hair, or are an offset color. Height ranges up to 6 feet tall. With their slighter frames they generally weigh between 100 lbs. and 150 lbs.
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision
Your darkvision has a radius 120 feet.
Dusk Elf Magic
You know the DruidCraft and Dancing Lights cantrisp. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Plant Growth and Speak with Plants spells once each with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Dusk Elf Weapon Training (The Dance and The Hunt)
You have proficiency with: Rapiers, Javelins, Spears, and Longbows.
It looks very nice! However, I would suggest choosing one spell at 1st and 3rd instead of two. You also don't need seven paragraphs detailing the subrace, one to two works just as well. That said, with an unusual race or subrace, a little more explanation can always help a player.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Thank you Astromancer for the reply, and excellent advice! My apologies for taking so long to reply back
I believe that your suggestion if a much better course for the design. I will remove one of the Cantrips and remove one of the 3rd Level Spells. I may move the otherSpell listed at 3rd Level to 5th Level, to keep it more in-line with the original Drow race getting Darkness at that level.
I will move a lot of the background details to a separate section. To move that fluff out of the stats area. But keeping it available, since this is rather substantial departure from the original source.
Again, thanks!