Elf, High
High Elf Upbringing
A High Elf not raised by or among their people may have different traits than those described below. If you wish to have a different upbringing for your character—an Elf raised by Halflings, for example—consult with the DM.
- Arcane Lineage – High Elves learn one cantrip from the Wizard spell list at level 1, which can be cast a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus without using a cantrip slot, and they regain all expended uses upon completing a Short Rest or a Long Rest. This cantrip can be replaced by another from the Wizard spell list at subsequent level advancements. They then learn additional spells at levels 3 (Detect Magic) and 5 (Misty Step); Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is their spellcasting ability for these spells, chosen at character creation. Each is always prepared and can be cast once per Long Rest without using a spell slot.
- Elven Weapon Training – High Elves have Proficiency with longbows, longswords, sabers, scimitars, and shortswords.
- Naturally Gifted – High Elves are Proficient with one musical instrument or artisan’s tool of their choice.
A High Elf raised among their own kin will 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 cultures. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires. The written form of Elvish uses a flowing script called Espruar.
Elven Names
High Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults sometime after their hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names. On declaring adulthood, an Elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each Elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every Elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some Elves traveling among Humans translate their family names into Common.
Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall
Male Adult 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 Adult 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)
With their unearthly grace and fine features, Elves appear hauntingly beautiful to most other humanoids. They tend to be more slender than Humans, weighing between 75 and 250 pounds. Male and female High Elves are about the same height, with male Elves often only marginally taller and heavier than their female counterparts.
Elves typically have no facial hair and little body hair. High Elves favor elegant clothing in bright colors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.
Elves of the Sword Coast
Elves in Faerûn come in a few different subtypes—some more common on the Sword Coast than others—and they each have different traits and outlooks on the role their people play in the world. Elves are descended from creatures who left the realm of Feywild many thousands of years ago, but still bear with them some of that magical and otherworldly heritage.
In the Sword Coast, the most common subtype of High Elves are the Moon Elves, who are generally seen as more friendly to the shorter-lived heritages than their Sun Elf and Wood Elf kin, but are often seen as flighty for their tendency to form only short attachments before moving on to their next relationship or experience. Sometimes called Silver Elves, they tend to be between 4½ and 6 feet tall with fair skin ranging from light brown to ivory to pale blue, and silver, blue, or black hair, though blond, brown, and red hair are also possible. Most have eyes in hues of green or blue, often flecked with gold, though purple and golden eyes are not unheard-of.
A little less common than Moon Elves are Sun Elves, who are often viewed as arrogant and self-important by other cultures—including other Elven subtypes—and they are far less likely to leave the beautiful and magical communities they’ve built for themselves than are Moon Elves. Sometimes called Gold Elves, they tend to be a little taller than their Moon Elf counterparts—between 5 and 6½ feet tall—with golden or bronze skin and blond, brown, or red hair. Most have eyes which are gold, silver, copper, or black, though some also have green or hazel eyes.
High Elven Traits
An Elf has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of Elven refinement.
Age
Although 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 High Elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and live an average of 750 years, though wizened examples have reached a millennia.
Size
High Elves range from under 5 to just over 6 feet tall. Their size is Medium.
Speed
A High Elf’s base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
A High Elf has Darkvision to 60 feet.
Fey Ancestry
High Elves have Advantage on saving throws against being Charmed.
Keen Senses
High Elves have Proficiency in the Insight, Perception, or Survival skill.
Reverie
Elves typically enter a state of meditation called reverie instead of sleeping. Under normal circumstances, an Elf doesn’t need to sleep—though they can choose to do so—but they often do sleep when injured badly enough that they lack the mental capacity to reach reverie, such as beginning a Long Rest with the Unconscious condition or if stricken with a spell effect which has reduced their Wisdom modifier.
If an Elf spends 4 hours in reverie, they gain the benefits of a Long Rest. They can choose to spend that time in a dream-like state of meditation, or they can enter a trance-like state and retain consciousness throughout.
Sleep Immunity
Under most circumstances, a High Elf is immune to magical sleep.