Homebrew Athasian Elf Species Details
"Honor? The word does not exist in the elven language.” – Tharak, human guard
“Better to die with a spear in your hands than to live with shackles around your wrist.” – Elven adage
Athas’ wilderness is home to the long-limbed elves, a race of traders, herders, and fast moving raiders. Running is the key to acceptance and respect amongst them. Elves who are injured and cannot run are often left behind to die. Most rarely stay in one place for long, both physically and emotionally, and this is seen as a sign of strength in their people - an absolute freedom.
Elf culture, while savage, is also rich and diverse. They have turned celebrating into an art form, and elf song and dance is captivating and seductive to non-elves. Elven war parties are greatly feared in the deserts, for they are a deadly force of endurance and maneuverability.
Others see elves as dishonest and lazy; generally, a fair assessment. Elves idle for days until compelled to exert themselves, but they can run for days without complaint. No self-respecting elf will ride an animal, the only exception is when they need the animal to haul loot they have pilfered. Custom dictates those who cannot keep up are left behind, and this includes the pregnant and the elderly. Elves prefer to live short, happy lives rather than long, boring ones. Unlike traditional settings, Athasian elves rarely live past 140 years. Seeing the future as a dark, deadly place, they prefer to live in the “here and now.” They thrive in open spaces and tend to wither in captivity, making them poor choices on the slave block.
LONG AND LEAN
Elves are long-limbed sprinters who stand between 6 ½ and 7 ½ feet tall with slender yet muscular builds, averaging 175 pounds. They have deeply etched features with rugged skin as varied as the other races of Athas. They grow no facial hair but the locks atop their heads comes in from lightest blond to darkest black. They dress in garb designed to protect them from the elements.
TRUST IS FOR FOOLS
Elves keep to their own tribe – there is no racial unity - and the rare friend, unless there’s an angle to be gained. Strangers are potential enemies waiting to take advantage of an elf, so they look to get the advantage first. If a companion shows promise, the elf devises a series of “tests” of trust that allows them to prove their friendship is “stronger than the bonds of death,” as elves say. Once gained, one is forever a friend, but if that trust is betrayed, it is gone forever. In the tribe, elves are all equals, except the Chief. The Chief is elected and rules for life, making all major decisions for the tribe, and elves are expected to tithe a choice piece of loot. Holding out suggests a lack of loyalty to the tribe. Your natural enemy are the thri-kreen who view your people as a delicacy.
HOME IS WHERE YOU RUN
Elves are nomads by nature, though they maintain semi-permanent settlements in the wilderness. Their ability to cover vast distances makes them master raiders, and they consider anywhere their legs can take them as their territory to take from as they see fit.
Elves may flippantly adventure for wanderlust, but those who persist often do so for a desire for profit, glory, revenge, or loyalty. They like to boast about their accomplishments, weaving these into song. Elves often take keepsakes from memorable raids and sew these into their cloaks. Elves are pleased by flaunting a stolen item before an owner. Elven custom dictates the victim congratulate the thief on his possession of such an attractive item (those who don’t are poor sports).
Athasian Elf Traits
Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of harsh desert evolution.Burst of Speed
Your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed. When you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of the turn. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you move 0 feet on one of your turns.
Mask of the Wild
You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by terrain, weather or other natural phenomena.
Elven Resilience
You have advantage on forced march saves, and also have advantage on all saves related to extreme heat or cold.
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2. And choose to increase either your Intelligence or Charisma score by +1.
Age
Elves on Athas reach maturity at age 18 and live for at most 140 years, although very few make it that long.
Size
Elves range from 6 to over 7 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 40 feet.
Infravision
You can see in infrared out to 60ft, in low light conditions.
Keen Senses
You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Languages
Choose Two city state languages to know.