Sylvan Elves

Classes

Backgrounds

Feats

Elves

Though the Elves have lands of their own, there is significant interaction between them and the people of Novaria. The different sub-races of Elves have similar lifespans, speak dialects of the same language and share the pantheon of deities. Despite having these things in common, they also have several different cultural and physical traits.

Base Age: 110 Years
Aristocrat, Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer: +4d4
Bard, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger: +6d6
Adept, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Wizard: +10d6

[ Erian Elves ] [ Grugach ] [ Sylvan Elves ] [ Half Elves ]

Sylvan Elves

Base Height (M/F): 60"/55"
Height Modifier: 1d12
Weight (M/F): 95/80
Weight Modifier: Height Modifier x1d6

Native Languages: Elven
Bonus Languages: Clasbron, Draconic, Orc, Goblin, Sylvan

Ability Adj.: +2 Dex, -2 Int

Base Speed: 30 ft.

Special Abilities

+2 Listen

+2 Search

+2 Spot

Automatic search check when within 5' of secret/concealed doors
Immunity to sleep spells and effects

+2 save vs. enchantment spells or effects

Weapon Proficiency in longsword, rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow and composite shortbow.

Lowlight Vision: 2x far as humans in dim light (moonlight, starlight, torch light, etc.)

Favored Class: Ranger

Religion: Traditional Elven

Description
Sylvan Elves have ruddy complexions, often compared to the color of light cedar. Their hair is black, brown or auburn and they enjoy wearing feathers, leaves and other hair accessories. Sylvan Elves have light green, brown or hazel eyes.

Origins
Sylvan Elves have lived in the vast wooded expanses of their forest kingdom, Sylvanus, for millennia. The current Elf War has brought several Sylvan war bands into Novaria performing hit and run tactics on Novarian troops, particularly in the Forest of Whispers.

Views
Sylvan Elves only maintain any regular contact with the Clasbron that border Sylvanus, whom they trade with for goods. Their dealings with Latinians have been limited to the battlefield and the occasional diplomatic meeting. The only interaction between the Sylvan Elves and the Futhark has been Futhark mercenaries and annoying adventurers. Humans entering Sylvan forests can be sure they are being watched and followed. Those approaching a Sylvan settlement (providing they can avoid the multitude of traps) will usually be given a warning shot and an opportunity to explain their intentions. Failing that, Sylvan Elves have no qualms over killing a human whose intentions are unknown.

Sylvan Elves treat Erian visitors to their forests cordially, but with a bit of disdain due to what they see as human taint. Grugach are only welcome into Sylvan territory under conditions of diplomacy. Grugach incursions into Sylvan lands are not tolerated and perpetrators are driven out by force. Sylvan contempt for the Grugach runs so deep, that Sylvan parents threaten to sell their unruly children to the Grugach. In fact, "grugach" means "ogre" in the Sylvan dialect.

Sylvan Elves have an almost mystical view of Dwarves as agents of fire and destruction, and to that end they have a healthy mistrust of Dwarves, especially near their forests.

Halflings are among the few races that Sylvan Elves let pass into their lands with out worry. Most Sylvan dealings have been with the Tallfellow, due to the Tallfellow practice of wandering, though many Sylvan Elves could not tell one Halfling subrace from another.

Sylvan Elves have little use for humanoids intruding on their lands and refrain from killing them on sight only because they may have useful information. After retrieving that information, most humanoids are kept in prisons or sold as pit fighters.

Culture

Sylvan Elves generally keep to themselves in their Elven forests. More than other Elves, Sylvan Elves have a deep respect for the forest and see themselves as symbiots within the forest system. The entire Sylvan lifestyle is dedicated to learning to live as one with the forest, never taking more than one gives and never giving more than one takes. Sylvan Elves are so dedicated to living as one with the forest that their villages are constructed in the treetops.

In Sylvan society, both males and females are expected to fill all social roles. Both genders are trained in the arts of war as well as the domestic arts. A leader will train their eldest offspring to succeed them, regardless of the gender of the child. While Sylvan Elves generally have one chief consort, it is quite common among them to also maintain several lovers. These affairs are not secretive, and often times it is at the behest of the consort.

All Sylvan Elves pay respect to Corellon Larethian and the rest of the Elven pantheon, but they hold Rillifane Rallathil as their patron and chief deity. While there is no dogma in Rillifane's faith that requires their worshippers to attend ceremonies, clerics of Rillifane often perform ad hoc rituals that are open to any one who wishes to participate. Most worshippers of Rillifane pay homage by planting trees when they can and by protecting the environment from harm.