Homebrew Arkos Wild Elf Species Details

"I believed myself wizened on matters of the world, having lived so very long in it before the Ascension. Yet I never found the Ubario jungle to be of any import back in those days when I served short-sighted kings and made war on others. Sure, the Wild Elves had made hospitable homes in such a place for themselves, but they lived as heathens in woven branches I thought of like birds' nests. Wore clothing that was seen as vulgar by my people and spent their time making merry and singing rather than honing weapons and talents for slaughter. It was only after the cataclysm that my eyes and heart were opened. 

These elves have mastered the art of appreciation for their surroundings, they have heard the song of the trees and of their hearts, they know this world and themselves like no other. Contentment, the very thing the Herald of Dragons preached in her time is only echoed here. They are a mirthful people with ancient songs and playful ways and a wisdom I shall only now, with whatever time I have left, attempt to cultivate within myself."

— The Great Chronicler 

 

Wild and Whimsical 

Just as Aether intended Wild Elves are lithe and agile, even more so than their Empyrean Elf brethren, they have become more than adept at leaping from branches, swinging from vines, and, for those that call themselves riders, walking their dragons back midflight like a tightrope walker. They are on average more slender than the other races. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females. They often match humans when it comes to height, unlike the Empyrean Elves, though they usually have decorations or antlers that make them appear taller. 

Wild Elves’ coloration ranges from the palest gold to the boldest bronze to the deepest copper. Their hair is typically black or deep browns, though outliers are not so uncommon as to be labeled foreign. What can mark them as a Wild Elf from afar however is the wings, tails, and beautiful additions to their faces or heads. Some bear antlers like great stags, while others are endowed with the antenna of bugs, and even more wield the plumage of birds to dazzling affect. To match they often have wings that correlate to their natural headdresses, anything from scaled or veiny membranes to delicate insectoid outgrowths to feathered limbs.

 

Songmates and Soulmates

Wild Elves believe fiercely that there is music to be found everywhere in the world if one only listens. The creation of the world came from the songs the elements made when they met with each other, creating new songs in the Scion Elements and then the music of the planet itself. Every Wild Elf has what they call a "Heartsong" a sound that only they know upon birth and that they sing throughout their entire lives, whether they are particularly gifted of voice or not. It is said that songmates are elves whose heartsongs weave together beautifully and they often become life partners after discovering such a pairing.

It is said that soulmates are when an elf is born with only half a song and only hears its conclusion when they lay their hand upon a dragon egg, the hatching teaching them the rest of their song, making them whole again. Thus, Wild Elves are one of the only races who know they are riders long before the hatching. 

 

Green Music and Garden Theaters 

These elves' dwell in a sprawling city known as Rainmire made from the ancient weaving of the branches of the mighty Cantio trees. Rainmire is one of the largest providers of food after The Ascension. They are famous for their gardens nestled in the same branches that they call home. It has dazzled many a foreigner to see fully grown trees with roots who grip onto the boughs of another, much larger tree. 

Some of these Gardens are not built with cultivation nor beauty in mind but instead the symphony that such a collection of plants can make, an orchestra that only elven ears and those of their dragons may enjoy. 

 

Bonding Rituals and Blossoms

When Wild Elves come of age and master their song, they take a certain blossom or plant as their "Fluerame" or soul flower. This flora is often used to decorate their clothing or headdresses and when the elf chooses to bond themselves to another for life it is used in the marriage ritual of weaving the pairs flowers together. The weaving is typically made around the couple's hands but is sometimes crafted into crowns instead. There is only one other ritual like it and that is the binding of a new dragon and rider into a Conclave. Unlike other places Rainmire has a unique view on how to go about the hatching and bonding of riders. Places like Konnen and Gagaroth hold special festivals every fifty years to replenish their Auravis, this is due to the burden of sustaining dragons through their younger years as well as preparing for the space they will take up as adults. Rainmire however allows elves who claim to be riders touch all the eggs available to them and thus hatches dragons randomly. Wild Elves claim it would be cruel and wicked to keep a rider from their dragon and are often horrified to learn how other cities hide their eggs under lock and key, refusing to allow anyone to see and touch them before another half century passes. And oftentimes other cities are just as horrified to learn how carelessly Wild Elves take on new riders. 

Yet Rainmire is the one place in all of the known land left in Arkos that could manage such a thing. The rainforest and the many gardens held there within provide immense amounts of food. Even as limited as they are in the trees, the Wild Elves have more "farmland" than any other city and not only that, but they are steadily weaving more and more branches together to not only expand their city but when the fusing is strong enough, they will grow more and more crops for exporting. Most would still wonder what this has to do with Dragons though as they are carnivorous and though even carnivores still enjoy vegetables and fruits from time to time their diets still demand immense amounts of meat. Uniquely however Rainmire dragons are omnivores and can maintain themselves on plant life if need be. Regardless due to this large food supply Rainmire need not fret over exceeding a certain number of expected dragons. Thus, their Conclaves actually have dragons of vastly different ages and sizes within them, each one agreeing to care for the young new rider and dragon and train them as a Conclave. It is a strange but lovely way of doing things. 

 

Wild Elf Names

These elves are typically named after flora, fauna, types of weather, forms of movement or heavenly bodies. Upon reaching adulthood at around thirty years old they add to their name with a new word to speak on the life they have chosen for themselves. Some go even as far to name themselves something completely new. If a Wild Elf lives permanently amongst those who do not speak elvish, they will often translate their names, so the meaning is not missed. (Elvish is loosely based on the French language in this setting)

Child Names: Allume (Alight), Etoile (Star), Olea (Flower), Moin (Sparrow), Tiss (Weave), Volti (Flit), etc.

Adult Names: Lunetis (Moonweaver), Moipel (Sparrow's Call), Stellume (Starlight), Voltemp (Flitting Storm), etc. 

Arkos Wild Elf Traits

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

Age

Wild Elves of Arkos reach maturity around age thirty and live for around another hundred and twenty years on average. Not nearly as long lived as their Empyrean cousins but noticeably longer than humans and orcs. Like dragons elves do not show their age until their natural death is only a decade or so away. It is said when "the passing" comes that Wild Elves wander across the branches of the cantio trees and never return. Dying and becoming one with the rainforest again rather than waste away in their nests. 

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit jungles 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.

Kin of the Wind

Wild Elves dance through the trees much the same as they do life, as if made from the wind itself. You are proficient in acrobatics.

Air Sprite Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Mask of the Forest

While surrounded by flora and foliage, such as under brush or in a tree, Wild Elves have advantage on stealth checks. 

Wings for Gliding

Wild Elves have wings that are disproportionate to their body compared to most other flying creatures. While they often tend to be longer than a wild elves' arms they don't stretch far enough to allow for true flight. Instead, wild elves may use them to glide comfortably and if the need arises, they may choose to fly short distances at great strain to themselves. For gliding you can travel horizontally half of the movement down that you make. For flight you must make an athletics check to fly no more than 30ft, if you make any extra movement beyond the first thirty you will gain a point of exhaustion and one for every following thirty after. If you fail your athletics at any point, you will fall due to your wings giving out, taking half damage upon impact as long as your wings are still whole. 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Elvish and one other language. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.