Homebrew Ancient Falmer (Snow Elf) Species Details

The peace was short-lived, as an attack by Snow Elves destroyed the rapidly growing settlement of Nords in Saarthal. As they considered the humans to be a lesser species, the elves had little qualms about the slaughter they committed. The ensuing genocide was known as the "Night of Tears" and the raid on Saarthal caused the demise of the entire population of the city. However, Ysgramor and his two sons managed to escape the attack, who then fled back to Atmora. The death of his countrymen prompted Ysgramor to summon his Five Hundred Companions — the namesake and forebears of the Companions in Whiterun — and vow to return and drive the Snow Elves from Skyrim.

―Night of Tears

"We had always maintained an uneasy alliance with the underground-dwelling dwarves, and when faced with extinction we turned to them for help. Surprisingly, they agreed to protect us but demanded a terrible price... the blinding of our race. There were splinter groups that resisted the agreement, and even some that sought alternate alliances. But when it was all said and done, those elves were either slaughtered, vanished or gave up and took the dwarves' bargain."

―Knight-Paladin Gelebor

"In the time before man, they were known as the Snow Elves. They lived in the sunlight and had a very prosperous society."

―Enthir

Snow Elves (also known as Ancient Falmer to distinguish them from their devolved modern counterparts) are a largely extinct race of mer that once inhabited the province of Skyrim. They were mostly wiped out by the Five Hundred Companions of Ysgramor after the infamous Night of Tears, which to this day is still debated upon who began the conflict in the first place. 

Pale and Ashamed

Ancient Falmer, or Snow Elves, are very similar in appearance to Altmer, holding many of the same features. They differ in their skin tone, which tends to range from a pale blue-grey to a snowy white. They almost always have silvery-white hair and blue eyes, with few variations. The Snow Elves are tall and lean. A typical Snow Elf is between five and a half and six and a half feet tall, and weighing around 130-150 pounds.

Snow Elves are typically paranoid and ashamed at their race's history, having fallen victim to the Dwemer and being associated with the monstrous modern Falmer. Their race is so rare that other races no longer recognize them, and simply mistake them for Altmer.

 

A Timeless Perspective

Snow Elves can live up to 4,000 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with vengeance.

Forgotten Vales

After being attacked and nearly wiped out by the Nords of the land, all surviving snow elves who didn't take the Dwemer's deal fled to the mountains, hidden caves, and valleys. Unbeknownst to the rest of Tamriel, very few small snow elf settlements are still hidden within Skyrim's seemingly uninhabitable mountains. Most snow elves dwell in underground cave systems or hidden vales. They tend to prefer not to interact with other races. They can survive on very little food, eating small animals and mushrooms as their main diet. They are talented artisans, crafting finely worked clothes and art objects. Their contact with outsiders is usually limited.

Snow Elves are rarely encountered above ground, with the vast majority of inhabitants of Tamriel being able to easily claim to have never met one, or even be aware that they still exist. 

Burn the Dwarves

All Ancient Falmer have a burning hatred and vengeance towards Dwemer, who betrayed them in their time of need when the Nords of the land began killing them off. They despise Dwarven architecture and anything Dwarven― especially the Dwarves themselves.

---

 

 

HAUGHTY BUT GRACIOUS

Although they can be haughty, elves are generally gracious even to those who fall short of their high expectations—which is most non-elves. Still, they can find good in just about anyone, save for the Dwemer.

Dwemer. “Dwarves are all filthy, traitorous swine. They don't deserve the time of day, or even a single breath in their name.”

Bretons. “Bretons are people of simple pleasures, and that is not a quality to scorn. They’re good folk, they care for each other and tend their gardens, and they have proven themselves tougher than they seem when the need arises.”

Nords. “Nords are usually greedy, impulsive, and prejudiced. They lack self-control, but they tend to make up for it in passion and hard work."

Elf Names

 

Male Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

Female Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

 

 

Ancient Falmer (Snow Elf) Traits

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

Proficiencies

You have Proficiencies in Arcana, Survival, and Deception. 

The Forgotten Winds

You gain the Ray of Frost cantrip upon reaching third level, and Ice Storm upon reaching fifth. 

Born of Snow

You have resistance to cold, but are vulnerable to fire.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom or Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Although snow elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. A snow elf is typically considered an adult around the age of 100 and can live to be 4,000 years old.

Alignment

Snow elves typically do not care to interact with other races or meddle in their affairs. They tend to be more neutral alignments. 

Size

Elves range from 5 and 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to dark caves and hidden lands, 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.

Dark Eyes

When underground or in a dark area (including nighttime), you have advantage in Perception and Insight. When above ground or in light (including daylight), you have disadvantage. 

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against 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 Celestial.