Homebrew Elfling Species Details

Elflings are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it like their elf parents. The have a strong affinity to nature. Most elflings are from the forest kingdom of Alia. As such, they are familiar with the woods there, as well as they feywild that so often intersects with the Great Western Forest.

What Elflings lack in stature, they make up for in personality. With the ethereal grace of their elven heritage and the down-to-earth honesty of their halfling brethren, elflings are a true paradox among half-breeds. They treat others with the kindness and curiosity of their Halfling heritage, but have great patience and wisdom of their Elven heritage.

Elflings enjoy a variety of activities and can have a wide range of interests.  They are great artisans like their elvish kin, and excellent tinkerers driven by curiosity. They do have a knack for magic, but many elflings don't give it much thought.

Beautiful and Small

Elflings have the haunting beauty of elves, with their unearthly grace and fine features, while also possessing round, youthful faces with light skin and rosy cheeks. Elflings hair can come in a variety of colors though shades of blonde, brown and red are the most common, some will possess strands of elven hair color mixed in or even have a full head of elven hair. Their eyes however always show their elven ancestry and can range and any color of Elven eye color depending on their subrace of elf they are decent from. Elflings coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of coppers and bronze although pale or even bluish white shin is not uncommon. Elflings appearance varies greatly based on what elven and halfling subraces they come from.

Standing about 4 - 5 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife. They are inclined to be stouter than elves, weighing between 50 and 100 pounds.

Kind and Curious

Elflings are less affable and cheerful as their pure blood relative. They do not cherish the bonds of family and friendship or the comforts of hearth and home, harbouring dreams of gold or glory. More adventurous, they usually venture into the world for reasons of wanderlust, or curiosity. They love discovering new things, even simple things, such as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.

Elflings are not so easily moved to pity or hate. They are generous though, happily sharing what they have even in lean times.

AFFABLE AND POSITIVE

Elflings try to get along with everyone else and are loath to make sweeping generalizations—especially negative ones.

Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile once in a while?”

Elves. “They’re so beautiful! Their faces, their music, their grace and all. It’s like they stepped out of a wonderful dream. But there’s no telling what’s going on behind their smiling faces—surely more than they ever let on.”

Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. At least some of them are. Step out of the castles and keeps, go talk to the farmers and herders and you’ll find good, solid folk. Not that there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—you have to admire their conviction. And by protecting their own lands, they protect us as well.”

 

 

 

The Lives they Lead

Elflings live around half a millennia. Many struggle to make close friends in other races, living far longer than halflings but far shorter than elves. Nevertheless, they are kind to all they meet, even if they are a bit closed off. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elflings can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make enemies but once someone has become one they are not easily forgotten or forgiven.

Like Halflings they are adept at fitting into a community of humans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth and their unassuming nature helps Elflings to avoid unwanted attention.

Elflings work readily with others, and they are loyal to their friends, whatever the race. They can display remarkable ferocity when threatened.

Most Elflings live among other races, where their hard work and loyal outlook offer them abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some Elflings travel as a way of life, driving wagons or guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no permanent home.

Elf Names

Elflings like their elven parents are considered children until they declare themselves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names.

On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.

Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall

Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

 

Elfling Traits

Elflings has some qualities in common with both their elven and halfling ancestry.

Luck

When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

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 have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry and Halfling Bravery

Due to your Elven heritage You have advantage on saves against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Due to your Halfling heritage You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

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.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Halfling and Elvish.