Elves and Eldarin
Note: As of Nov 30, 2018, Elves have been altered slightly. Which canon race is which Earth race varies slightly than my original, mostly to incorporate Tome of Foe version of the Eladrin. This applies to Eladrin and Faerie, mostly.
Note 2: Another update in November of 2019.
Elves are always over complicated. I tried to simplify them, I failed. I really, truly failed. I may have even made them more complex in trying to get the feel for different myths and legends translated to the setting.
Here is what I have: There are 7 elven subraces, occurring in 6 related (and frequently opposing) pairs. The seventh is Sea Elves, which are, at this time, outside the scope of the setting, although included as half elves of aquatic descent may be born here and there.
Around Yggdrasil (ie: In Norse areas):
The Alfar
Losalfar: Light elves: basically High elves, from Alfheim.
Dokalfar: Drow: From Svartalfheim.
In the British Isles:
The Sidhe:
Daoine Sidhe: The civilized elves of Erin. Use Eladrin from the DMG. They are the source of the Celt Gods, although they see no reason to actually worship them. They tend to have few, if any, Arch Fey. Instead those that reach that level of power tend towards deification, instead. They tend to cities, or as close as the Feywild comes to cities. also tend more towards Eldritch Knight over Ranger for warrior types. They prefer Wizardry over Sorcery, but could go ether way.
Aos Sidhe: Wood Elves. They are the main source of Elven related Archfey in the Isles. Rural, and frequently Rangers or Ranger/Sorcerers
France:
The Faerie:
The Seelie: Eladrin, MPMotM variation (Dex+2, Chr+1 total). Barbarians, Druids, Rangers, and Wild Magic Sorcerers exclusively. They roam throughout Erin, Britain, and France, although are rarely seen and never spoken to. They are the original people that produced most of the arch fey. Especially those unlike the Vanir or some Tuatha De Danann (which became actual Deities). They're purists, which can make them quite dangerous. Oberon and Titania rule them and are the main known Arch Fey, along with their Jester, Puck.
The Unseelie: Shadar-Kai, from MPMotM (Dex+2, Con+1 total). Followers of the Queen of Air and Darkness (An Arch Fey). They don't have clerics, but may produce the occasional Warlock (Hex Blade patron, Blade pact only). Their sorcery is Shadow Magic.
For classes:
Losalfar can have clerics. They worship the Vanir (basically any elven god listed, as well as the 3 listed Vanir from the Norse pantheon).
Only the Seelie are barbarians. Path of Wild Magic or Totem Warriors generally, and they often appear sporting bits of their totem animals which can often look like part of them, explaining Antlered elves running through the forest, for instance.
The Sidhe may well be Bards of any sort except Whispers. Alfar of either sort are limited to Skald (Valor) and Sword.
Fighters are often Arcane Archers, although Eldritch Knight is more common amongst the Daoine.
Paladins are rare and exclusively Green.
Ranger is generally preferred over Fighter, but Eldritch Knights are not uncommon.
Rogues are invariably Arcane Tricksters or Scouts.
Warlocks are considered...unnecessary. The one notable exception is an Unseelie Blade pact Hex Blade.
Sorcerers are, mostly, Storm (Seelie use Wild Magic, LosAlfar use Divine Soul), and Wizards tend to avoid Necromancy (except for Dokalfar and Unseelie who default to Shadow Sorcery, and may well learn Necromancy whether Sorcerer or Wizard).
Half elves are found wherever elves are found, and often are called Fey Touched or Fey Blooded. They are, without exception, raised as and by humans. Half elf variants from SCAG page 116 are allowed, and recommended.
-The Half elven Skill Versatility is the default, but, depending on race, substitutions may be made for it.
-A half-elf of Seelie or Aos Sidhe descent can choose the wood elf's Fleet of Foot, or Mask of the Wild.
-A half-elf of Losalfar descent can choose the high elf's Cantrip.
-A half-elf of Dokalfar descent can choose the drow's Drow Magic.
-A half-elf of aquatic heritage can choose a swimming speed of 30 feet. Aquatic Elves are extremely rare. Half elves of this breed are occasionally born to Atlanteans.
Elven Weapon Training is barred, simply because it takes an elf to do the training, and half elves are human raised.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:55, Mon 13 June 2022.