Homebrew Dunmer Species Details

The Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, are the ash-skinned, typically red-eyed elven peoples of Morrowind. "Dark" is commonly understood as meaning such characteristics as "dark-skinned", "gloomy", "ill-favored by fate" and so on. The Dunmer and their national identity, however, embrace these various connotations with enthusiasm. In the Empire, "Dark Elf" is the common usage, but among their Aldmeri brethren they are called "Dunmer". Their combination of powerful intellects with strong and agile physiques produce superior warriors and sorcerers. On the battlefield, Dunmer are noted for their skill with a balanced integration of the sword, the bow and destruction magic. Dunmer live two to three times as long as humans; with a 200-year-old Dunmer being old and a 300-year-old Dunmer being very, very old. In character, they are grim, aloof, and reserved, as well as distrusting and disdainful of other races.

Dunmer distrust and are treated distrustfully by other races. They are often proud, clannish, ruthless, and cruel, from an outsider's point of view, but greatly value loyalty and family. Young female Dunmer have a reputation for promiscuity in some circles. Despite their powerful skills and strengths, the Dunmer's vengeful nature, age-old conflicts, betrayals, and ill-reputation prevent them from gaining more influence. Those born in their homeland of Morrowind before its devastation were known to be considerably less friendly than those who grew up in the Imperial tradition.

Known to be strong, intelligent, quick, aloof, and reserved, Dunmer natives of Morrowind harbor a bitter distrust and disdain for other races, considering themselves superior. The Dunmer were once the Chimer (Changed Folk, or Changed Ones), who were several clans of mer who the Daedric Prince Boethiah convinced to abandon the customs and laws of the Summerset Isles, and later angered the Prince Azura who cursed them with ashen skin and red eyes. Dunmer culture and religion has developed much differently from the other races of Tamriel, from the open worship of Daedric Princes and eventually the worship of the "Living Gods," to the condoning of legal assassination in the form of the Morag Tong. Many Dunmer even practice slavery, enslaving the Argonians from Black Marsh to the south. Needless to say, the Dunmer do not get along with their neighbors, and tend to maintain constant skirmishes on their borders as infighting between clans sows political discourse in the interior.

Dunmer Traits

Like all elves, Dunmer are magically gifted. They also are generally more resilient than other elves due to the harshness of Morrowind.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Dunmer reach physical maturity at around the same time as humans, but boast a lifespan of about 3 centuries.

 

Proficiencies

Dunmer religion is unique, blending ancestor worship and daedric influences. Dunmer are some of the most accomplished wizards in Tamriel.

Heat of Red Mountain

Morrowind's landscape in dominated by the effects the volcanic activity of Red Mountain. As such, Dunmer are not as vulnerable to the boiling heat and choking ash of the province. You have resistance to fire damage.

Ancestor's Wrath

Many Dunmer can call on the spirit of an ancestor to aid them. Once per long rest as an action, cloak yourself in fire for 1 minute. Each creature that starts it's turn or moves within 5 feet of you takes 1d4 fire damage. This effect can be cancelled without any actions.

Blood of Mer

Elven blood gives them an affinity for magic. You know the produce flame cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the scorching ray spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

 

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Alt Redoranis, and you can read/write Daedric.