Homebrew High Elf (Altmer) Species Details

"We Altmer are proud, wise, and beautiful. The Empire is built on the arts, crafts, and sciences of the High Elves. Our pure blood protects us from disease, and makes us superior spellcrafters."

―Generic Dialogue from Altmer

 

Altmer are the light-skinned and tall Elves of the Summerset Isles. In the Empire, the name "High Elves" is given to the Altmer, with the word "High" being used to describe the Altmer as tall, proud, and culturally snobbish. The Altmer consider themselves the perfect race.

Pure and Proud

The Altmer consider themselves the most civilized culture of Tamriel, a claim which holds some merit. The common tongue of the Third Empire, Tamrielic, is based on their speech and writing. Most of the crafts, arts, and sciences used in the Empire are derived from Altmeri tradition. The clothing, manners, arts, and crafts of the Altmer are refined. While their achievements are admired by the races of Tamriel, their culture is considered less important, as they focus on their glories in martial tradition and their mastery of sorcery and enchantments.

The feudal monarchy in place in Summerset has a long history of conflict and instability, and the Altmer believe themselves to be proud, wise, and beautiful, and believe that their pure blood protects them from disease and makes them superior spellcrafters. Over hundreds of years, the Altmer have formed pure bloodlines. They reproduce as often and as quickly as humans do, but always killed nine out of ten of their newborn in order to keep their bloodlines pure. Uniforms and high speech are also regarded as important in Altmeri culture, and their wildlife and trees have, much like the Altmer themselves, been bred to be as perfect as they can be.

High and Mighty

Altmer stand taller than most races, towering over them at an average of 6'4" although they are not build as strong as others, having much leaner muscle mass. Their skin tones are are much fairer than their other elven cousins, with golden shades as opposed to the darker colours of other races. Their eyes are bright topaz with very little variation.

Due to their strict culture, Altmer dress opulently, with bright colours being in high fashion.

Altmer Names

Male Names: Angorirtel, Tauroon, Fanirteril, Talandil, Ciranamar

Female Names: Celanya, Iirinwen, Marnenyen, Sorcalinwe, Aranyari

High Elf (Altmer) Traits

Altmer are born with the following traits

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Altmer reach physical maturity at the same rate as humans, but can live to be 400 years old without the aid of magic.

Alignment

Altmer are very loyal to the Altmeri Dominion and so are typically Lawful in nature, though this is not a hard and fast rule.

Size

Your size is Medium, with your stature being slightly taller than Humans (Imperials).

Speed

You base walking speed is 30 feet.

Highborn

Once per long rest as an action, you can make you magic more effective. If you make an attack with a spell, add +2 to the spell attack bonus to hit. If the spell requires a spell save, increase the DC by 2.

High Magic

You know the mage hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person 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 hold person spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Mental Resistance Training

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

Languages

Altmer can speak, read, and write in Common and Aldmeri.