AD&D - Elf Subraces from UA
Have you ever wondered about elves and their exciting world? Well, let’s explore the different types of elves and what makes each one special. Elves are fascinating creatures that often appear in fantasy stories, and they come in many shapes and colors.
First up are the Gray Elves. They are kind of unique and not very common. They have all the cool abilities that high elves do. This means they can resist spells that make them sleep or charm them, and they can be really stealthy! Gray elves are also excellent with swords and bows, and they can see in the dark. They have a cool bonus that lets them have a higher intelligence score, which can go up to 19. With their slender bodies and shiny hair that can be silver or gold, Gray Elves also have pretty eyes in shades of amber and violet. However, they usually don’t hang out with other races, sticking mostly to their own kind.
Next, let’s talk about the Wood Elves, also known as Sylvan Elves. They are a bit more reserved than Gray Elves and enjoy living separately from organized societies. They share similar skills, like being resistant to charms and sleeping spells, but they have a different bonus. Wood Elves get a +1 to their strength score, making them quite powerful in physical tasks, but they lose a bit in their intelligence score. They are unique because they can talk to woodland creatures and speak several languages, including one that sounds like the chatter of woodland animals! With their fair skin and hair that can be copper red or blonde, Wood Elves have eye colors in light brown, green, or hazel.
Now, let’s jump to Wild Elves, who are sometimes called Grugach. These elves are very shy and don’t like outsiders at all, even other elves! Wild Elves are super strong, getting an amazing +2 bonus to their strength score, although they can only reach a maximum of 18, just like Wood Elves. They are great at setting traps in the wilderness and have good relationships with woodland animals. Wild Elves typically only speak the Elvish language, so they can be a bit harder to communicate with. They look similar to Wood Elves, but they are smaller and have even bigger eyes that reflect their fair complexion.
Next, we have the Valley Elves. These elves are thought to be a type of Gray Elf and share many of their powers, but they have something extra: they can speak Gnomish too! They are also very tall, and some of them can even grow as tall as humans. Unfortunately, other elves don’t really accept them as “true elves,” but that doesn’t stop Valley Elves from thriving in their own area known as the Valley of the Mage. They are good at fitting into places where other elves might avoid.
Now let’s meet the Dark Elves, also known as Drow. These elves look different from the others because their skin is black like a moonless night and their hair is usually white or silver. Dark Elves tend to be viewed as evil and chaotic, yet player characters can be different. Drow in the game have access to several character classes like clerics, fighters, and magic-users. Males and females have different abilities, and some Drow may even find themselves outcasts. Outcast Drow have left their underground homes for various reasons and are trying to make a name for themselves in the world above. They might lack the special powers typical Drow have, like magic resistance, but they can still be quite powerful and clever.
It’s important to remember that Dark Elves don’t get the same bonuses as surface elves when it comes to combat skills, but they have some tricks up their sleeve. For example, they can fight with two weapons and be very sneaky! This dual fighting style makes them dangerous opponents.
In conclusion, elves come in many forms, each with their unique strengths and quirks. Whether you find yourself drawn to the calm nature of Wood Elves, the hidden strength of Wild Elves, or the mysterious ways of the Dark Elves, there’s always something exciting to learn about these magical beings. The world of elves is full of wonder, and each sub-race adds something special to the folklore and fantasy that make our stories vibrant. Who knows? You might even find a favorite among them!
