Homebrew Athasian Elf (Dark Sun JH) Species Details

The elves of Athas are long-limbed sprinters who lead lives of thievery, raiding, trading, and warfare. They stand between 6½ and 7½ feet tall, with slender yet muscular builds. They have deeply etched features, with skin that has been made rugged by the baking sun and the scouring sand. The color of their skin is as varied as that of the other races of Athas, and as affected by the rays of the sun. They grow no facial hair, but the locks atop their heads come in shades of lightest blond to darkest black. They dress in garb designed to protect them from the desert and the elements.

Elves are tireless wanderers forged in the endless desert-burned dark by the sun, toughened by the swirling sand, and given strength and speed by the constant wind. There’s no racial unity among them. Within a given tribe, all elves are brethren, but outsiders - even other elves - are regarded as potential enemies. Outsiders can be accepted and perhaps even become friends, but trust takes time to develop and is often associated with tests and great sacrifice.

Elves are seen as lazy and deceitful, and in most ways they are. They desire to lead short, happy lives as opposed to long, sad ones. The future, to an elf, is a dark, deadly place. This compels them to strive to make every moment as full and enjoyable as possible. They call this concept of the moment “the Now.” Elves do work, however, and in some ways they work harder than members of other races. They won’t farm, but they’ll spend a lot of time and energy hunting and foraging. They detest hard labor, but they’ll spend hours on end haggling and negotiating with potential customers.

The Open Desert

Elves crave free, open spaces in which to run, so elf slaves wither in captivity if they can’t escape. Travelers often see whole tribes of elves running swiftly across the sandy wastes. Only rarely will a member of this race ride an animal. To do so is dishonorable unless wounded and near death. The custom of the elves is to keep up or be left behind.

Most elf tribes make a living through herding, but merchants and raiders also ply the desert roads. Elf culture, while savage, is also rich and diverse. They have turned celebrating into an art form, and elf song and dance is some of the most beautiful and captivating in all of Athas.

When found in the company of others, elves tend to keep to themselves. They fabricate tests of trust and friendship constantly until such time as they are ready to bond with their companions—or leave them for other pastures.

Athasian elves are a distinct subtype of Elf, and the only subtype available in this campaign setting; there are no wood elves or high elves on Athas.

 

Athasian Elf (Dark Sun JH) Traits

Athasian elves possess the following abilities and traits, which differ only slightly from those found in the Players Handbook.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Athasian elves live only up to 140 years. They live brief, joyous lives, somewhat longer than humans but without the ageless vigor associated with faerie folk.

Alignment

Elves are free as the wind, roaming from place to place, loyal only to those who have shown that they can be trusted. Elves tend to be Chaotic Neutral.

Size

Athasian elves range from 6½' to 7½' tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Elf Run

Elves of Athas run everywhere—animal mounts are reserved only for the sick, the elderly, or the deeply gravid. During an elf run, the elf enters a trance-like state of mind that lets the body flow tirelessly for days while running nonstop. When the elf run flows, an elf can run up to 50 miles in a day, can run for up to three days without exhaustion. After this time, the elf becomes subject to normal limits of fatigue. Even if an elf run is interrupted, it can be resumed later without hindrance.

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. (unchanged from PHB)

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

(unchanged from PHB)

Temperature Tolerance

As nomads who travel through the harsh desert terrain, elves are resistant to extremes of natural heat and cold. Elves don't have to make saving throws against exposure to inclement heat or cold, as described on p. 110 of the Dungeon Master's Guide. This does not protect against magical heat or cold.

Distant Ancestry

Any connection that the elves of Athas may have once had to faerie creatures is long gone. Athasian elves do not gain any special bonuses against charm effects or magic 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.

(unchanged from PHB)

Languages

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