Elves were a tall humanoid species with long lifespans, known to be passionate in nature, with dramatic and emotional personalities. Elves let themselves go through the entire range of their emotions with no desire to hide them from others. They viewed their emotions as the truest form of communication without the ability to lie or deceive.

Elves lived their lives to the extreme, and they were known to immerse themselves in the quest for knowledge, art, or simply the experience for decades at a time.

While highly analytical, elves could be spontaneous and unpredictable at times (especially at a young age). Thanks to their extended lifespans, more mature elves had better emotional regulation and were able to communicate their emotions without falling victim to them. Elven success in science was the subject of legend, especially in the sciences of astrophysics, nanoscience, and quantum theory.

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Even Physiology

Elves were tall, expressive humanoids with a fluid manner of movement. They had long ears and tails that protruded from the base of the spines. Although not powerful enough to manipulate objects or be used in combat, the tails helped to aid balance, as well as make subtle or expressive gestures.

Elves' nervous systems were exceptionally complex, with the rapid firing of signals to provide their exceptional reflexes and precision. Their vocal cords and facial muscles were more complex than in most humanoid groups, so they were capable of great vocal control. Their ability to manipulate their vocal cords also allowed them to be naturally skilled at singing and mimicry.

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Elven Languages

When most people across the galaxy referred to the elven language, they were talking about Aelarian, the cultural and ancestral language elven society. It was expressive and full of rhythmic cadence and when within elven society, it was used in everything from poetry to technical reports and academic theory. Every elf was expected to learn Aelarian, regardless of subspecies.

The Selyari, having severed ties with the broader elven culture, developed their own language: Selyarian. This language was a reflection of their rebuilt emotional style. It was deliberate, stark, and stripped down for exactness without expressive inflection. Though it still contained etymological roots with Aelarian, it was an independent language.

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Elven Names

An elf typically had a surname that was given first, then a personal name. Elves didn't divide types of names by sex or gender. Their cultural expression of gender idea was wide, flexible, and highly individualized.

Given names were usually derived from the parents' names, rearranged as a symbolic or poetic branch. In some families, it produced entire branches of the family with phonetic or linguistic similarities in their names. Two elven parents named Aelion and Serenel might have named their children Aerenel, Serlion, Aesere, Serion, Serae, Aelenel etc.

Family names were not automatically inherited by maternal or paternal descent. Instead, the parents chose which family name the child will inherit based on innumerable personal reasons. The process was very thoughtful, and in many cases ritualized with a naming ceremony among extended family or intimate community members.

Given Names. Aelion, Thalyra, Vaeris, Lorion, Saelari, Serenel, Calen, Elyndra, Ryeth, Zhaedin, Nirael, Kyran, Lysithra, Raevan, Maerin, Aelith, Thiryn, Caelani, Anareth, Laevira

Family Names. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown

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Elf Traits

Your elf character is a passionate and brilliant individual, shaped by generations of scientific advancement, expressive culture, and emotional intensity. Whether refined or volatile, their energy fuels invention, artistry, and deeply personal convictions.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Elves typically reach physical and mental maturity between 30 and 50 years. They usually live at least 500 years, and some enhanced lineages have been recorded living past 700.
Alignment. Elves tend toward lawful or neutral alignments, guided by careful thought, long-term goals, or cultural discipline. However, outliers exist in every enclave.
Size. Elves are tall and slender, typically standing between 5’8 and 6’6. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Elegant Reflexes. When an enemy misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to move 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Heightened Senses. You have proficiency in the Insight and Perception skills.
Synaptic Burst. Once per long rest, you may immediately reroll a failed Intelligence or Wisdom saving throw.
Tail Adaptability. Your long, prehensile tail grants you advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks made to maintain balance
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Galactic Common and Aelarian, and one other language of your choice.

Subspecies. Choose one of the following for you subspecies: Aelari, Kyrrathi, Selyari, or Velari.

Subspecies

Aelari

Your Aelari character is among the most commonly encountered elves across the known systems. Your people are explorers, scientists, historians, and diplomats.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma or Intelligence score increases by 1 (your choice).
Emotional Insight. You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made to determine a creature’s emotional state during conversation.
Evasive Reflexes. When you fail a Dexterity saving throw, you can reroll it. You must use the new result. You can use this trait once per long rest.
Silent Strider. You have advantage on Stealth checks made to move silently when unencumbered and not wearing medium or heavy armor.

Kyrrathi

As a Kyrrathi, you are a psionically gifted elf whose mental prowess emerged naturally or through long exposure to psionic currents in deep space. The societies of your people are introspective, quiet, and mentally insular, often forming telepathic enclaves or isolationist vessels.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence or Wisdom score increases by 1 (your choice).
Mind Fortress. You have resistance to psychic damage.
Neural Clarity. You have advantage on saving throws to resist illusions, hallucinations, or false perceptions.
Psionic Channeling. You can communicate telepathically with any creature you can see within 30 feet. They must understand at least one language.

Selyari

As a Selyari, your people diverged from elvenkind long ago, using precise genetic modifications to eliminate emotional volatility by suppressing intense emotion. Your culture is one of discipline and calculated detachment, often viewed with suspicion by other elves who reject genetic manipulation.

Ability Score Increase. Increase one ability score by 1.
Conditioned Logic. You gain proficiency in either Investigation or Medicine. If you are already proficient, your proficiency bonus is doubled for checks using that skill.
Emotional Suppression. You are immune to the frightened condition.
Genetic Clarity. You cannot have your thoughts read unless you choose to allow it, and creatures that attempt to detect your emotional state automatically fail.
Languages. Instead of the one other language of your choice known as an Elf, you know how to speak, read, and write Selyarian.

Velari

As a Velari, your Cybernetic integration is a core aspect to identity. Unlike many other elves, you’ve embraced it as a permanent extension of the self. Your enhancements are elegant, subtle, and may be passed down through generations as inherited implants or nano-constructs.

Ability Score Increase. Increase one ability score by 1.
Cybernetic Augmentations. Choose three Cybernetic Augmentations. You may choose an additional one at 10th level.
Ocular Enhancements. You gain darkvision to a range of 120 feet and have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. You are also immune to the blinded condition caused by flashes, glares, or sudden light changes.

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Characters

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Elf