Homebrew Gelf Species Details

Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, the gelf combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and goblin parents: goblin curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined senses, raw creativity, and artistic tastes of the elves. Some gelf live among goblins, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching generations pass by in others while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood quickly in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many gelf, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Of Two Worlds

To goblins, gelf look like beautiful green skinned elves, and to elves, they look like tall goblins. In height, they’re on par with both parents, leaning more towards their elven side, though they’re as slender as either side. They range from around 5 feet to about 6 feet tall, and from 80 to 150 pounds, with men only slightly taller and heavier than women. Gelf do not grow facial hair, but so have long colourful hair on their head from their elven side. Gelf have the height, smooth skin, and ears (although slightly longer than normal) of their elven heritage. They always have shades of green as their skin color with a longer nose and eyes from their goblin side.

Creators Or Destroyers

The Gelf have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in goblin cities and rarely welcome in elven forests. In large cities in regions where elves and humans interact often, the gelf can sometimes blend in. They enjoy the company of other half-breed like half-elves, the only other people who truly understand what it is to live between two worlds.

In most parts of the world, though, the gelf are a very rare sight, enough that one might live their entire life without meeting another. Some gelf prefer to avoid company altogether, wandering the wilds as trappers, inventors, hunters, or builders and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. While others, in contrast, throw themselves into the thick of battle and society, putting their inventions and desire to destroy to great use in battle or as swindlers.

A lot of gelf will end up joining a tribe of Goblin's or Orcs as a "wise" shaman, or an inventor for both their village designs and destructive implements. Living so long gives them great insight into battle and creation in these cultures; and as such they are highly respected from Goblins as a "beautiful/handsome shaman" or by the Orcs as a "Smart Warmaker"

Gelf Names

Gelf use either goblin or elven naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, gelf raised among goblins are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take goblin names.

EXCELLENT INVENTORS

Many gelf learn at an early age to create, invent, break, and build up again. As a race, they have elven creativity without elven aloofness and goblin drive without a goblin's lack of inhibition. They often make excellent blacksmiths, artisans, and tinkers (except for elves, since they assume they'll give into their goblin tendencies).

 

Gelf Traits

Your Gelf character has some qualities in common with elves, with goblins and some that are unique to gelfs.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma  score increases by 2. Your Dexterity and Constitution scores increase by 1.

Age

Gelf mature at a very strange rate because of such mixed blood and reach adulthood around the age of 10. They live a long time, often exceeding 200 years.

Alignment

Gelf share the chaotic bent of their elven and goblin heritage. They value both personal freedom and creative expression, demonstrating neither love of leaders nor desire for followers. They chafe at rules, resent others’ demands, and sometimes prove unreliable, or at least unpredictable. Their goblin side often follows their creation with a need for destruction.

Size

Gelf are about the same size as humans, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium. A Counterbalance between goblin and elf heights.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your elven and goblin blood, 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.

Fey Ancestry

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

Nimble and Quick

You can take the disengage or hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.

Languages

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