Homebrew Dusk Elf Species Details

Dusk Elves are a rare, secretive society descended from the bastard children of forbidden high elf and drow couplings. In high elf society, such children were viewed with disgust, as half their blood came from their mortal enemies. In drow society, the children experienced the racism only inhabitants of the Underdark can bestow upon others. Hated on both sides, the families left the Underdark and surface societies to find a place all their own. A struggle to survive defines this race, shunned by even the most accepting towns of Illythia. After decades of wandering, the dusk elves finally settled above both natural environments in the White Wolf Mountains.

Light and Shadow

Dusk elves, with their mixed blood, have eerily beautiful physical features. They are taller than the average elf, ranging from about 6 feet to 7 and a half feet. They tend to range from 150 to 200 pounds, with females being slightly larger than males. This is a race with a strange grace despite their unusual size. They are often well-muscled, but tend to prefer lighter weapons and armor.

The skin color of Dusk elves is the defining feature that separates them from high elves and drow. It can range from a light, ashy tan to a silvery gold to a dull silver. Their eyes take on the glowing aspect of drow, but range in color from silver to dark gold. Their eyes suffer from their parentage, neither taking from the darkvision of the drow, nor the perceptiveness of high elves.

Struggle and Survive

Dusk elves inherited the long lives of their ancestors, living up to 700 years. Due to their larger size, the average life span of a dusk elf is closer to 600 years, with only powerful magic users attaining that extra century. Set above and away from their cousins, dusk elves have grown substantially hardened by the elements of the mountains. They are able to survive in more extreme temperatures, with a natural affinity for long treks in poor weather. They revel in the struggle of living in the mountains, though the society today lives far more comfortably than they did at the beginning of their history.

Dusk elves, particularly those more martially inclined, value tests of endurance and rites of passage that center on surviving for days, or even weeks, out in the wild mountains. Adolescents or young adults who refuse the right of passage or give in to fear are thought to be the weakest of the society and relegated to lesser positions, such as servants or slaves. Those who perish, or at least do not return, during the trials are forgotten and erased from society.

Dark Casters

The magic users of society are considered the highest contributing members. Magic runs stronger in the female line, a gift from the drow blood, creating a matriarchal society. Males, however, are not regarded as expendable as the drow consider them. Instead, they can choose to make their own way, as casters or warriors, without depending on their female family member.

Dusk elves tend towards the darker schools of magic, particularly illusion, divination, and enchantment. They abhor the use of necromancy and holy magic, preferring deception and cunning than dealing in gods or death.

Names

Dusk elves tend to age more quickly than high or drow elves, and reach adulthood typically around age 50. Adulthood is often determined by some rite of passage in society, whether martial in nature or magical. Societal roles are often determined within the first ten years of life, based on the skills that show most prominently early on. Children are given the first part of their name at birth, usually one syllable similar to a family name, such as Mu', Is', Ti', or Sa'.

Once a child successfully completes their rite of passage, the leaders of society bestow upon them the second part of their first name. This is typically defined by the personality of the elf, adding to their family name. Dusk elves who complete their rites with exceptional ability may be awarded a surname, such as Winterknife, Wolfenheart, or Skybloom.

Child/Family Names: Mu, Is, Sa, Ti, Al, Eo, Ty, Se, Mil, Ain, Sec, Tel

Male Adult Names: Pan, Faer, Tak, Kan, Onk, Ser, Tek, Pih, Lut, Asl, Pau

Female Adult Names: Tia, Leri, Aya, Pe'a, Una, Hu'ea, Myu, Lyi, Freay, Lio, Pery, Kyiu

Common Names: Is'Tia, Sa'Pan, Eo'Tak, Se'Onk, Mil'Hu'ea, Sec'Lut, Tel'Pau, Ayn'Una, Ti'Lin, Tel'Faer.

Dusk Elf Traits

Dusk elven characters value survival and martial or magical prowess above all else.

Levitation

Dark elves passed on to their bastard offspring the ability to Levitate. The ability eventually evolved to be used in daylight, where previously it could only be used in dim light or darkness.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Dusk elves age slightly quicker than dark or high elves. They reach adulthood around 50 years and typically live around 600 to 650 years. Occasionally, more powerful magic users can reach up to 700 years.

Alignment

Dusk elves tend to hold themselves above other elves and races. They have little contact with normal society, preferring to live in small groups in secluded, mountainous areas. They are generally mistrusting of other races, going back to the beginning of the dusk elves being shunned by cities and towns of all races. They have a particularly strong hatred of other elves. They follow the laws set down by their elders, often forgoing what many communities considered basic rights and responsibilities. They believe in a loose caste system, defined by natural and learned skill.

Size

Dusk elves are slightly larger than typical elves, ranging from 6 to 7ft. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Despite the superior vision of the dark elves, dusk elves cannot see as well and only have a range of 20 feet of darkvision.

Fey Ancestry

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

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, Elvish and Undercommon. 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. Undercommon is the harsh language of the Underdark, coarse and alien.