Moon Elf

Introduction

The most common of the elven subraces on Faerun are the moon elves. Thay have fair skin, sometimes tinged with blue, and hair of silver-white, black, or blue; humanlike colors are somewhat rare. Their eyes are blue or green, with gold flecks.

Moon elves prefer to dress in rustic clothes of simple cuts and fashions that are nevertheless of find and exquisite make. They adorn their dress with embroidered patterns, beads, and similar trappings, preferring earthen colors for everyday wear, hues that makie ti easy to conceal themselves in foliage. In place of safety or int times of revelry, moon elves enjoy dressing in bold colors – the more brightly colored, the better. Hair is worn in braids or ponytails, twinned with wires or beads. Moon elves sometimes wear body paint or tattoos in mystic patterns, although not to extent the wild elves do.

Outlook

Moon elves are more impulsive than the other elves, and dislike remaining in one place for any significant amount of time. Most moon elves are happiest when traveling, especially across the expanses of untrodden wilderness that still survive in Faerun. This is probably the single greatest reason why they are so much more friendly and accommodating to other races than many other elves. They do not isolate themselves from the human lands behind impervious defenses. Moon elves have watched humankind for much longer than their sun or wood elf kin, and they know that nonelves aren't as foolish an unimportant as most other elves think. They feel that engaging promising human realms such as Silverymoon and instilling elven values and culture in these young lands is a better way for the elven race to survive and thrive than hiding away and avoiding all contact with ambitious, grasping humans.

Moon elves are drawn to adventure through sheer wanderlust. They desire to see and do everything possible during their long lives. Like their allies the Harpers, moon elves believe that a single person of good heart who stands up to injustice or evil can make a big difference. The typical moon elf adventurer tends to be a wandering protector of the common folk, not a dungeon-plundering slayer of monsters.

Characters

More so than other elves, moon elves are drawn to a variety of paths. They have a great love of music and make excellent bards. Moon elves do not possess the depth of reverence to the Seldarine the sun elves do, nor the bond with nature of the wood elves, but clerics and druids are not uncommon among the subrace. Many moon elves are skilled warriors and have at least some levels in the fighter class, as they have long made up the bulk of the elven armies. But moon elves prefer stealth over strength, and often choose to become rangers or rogues instead. Finally, like all elves, moon elves are enamored of magic, and a great number take up the wizard's arts.

Society

Moon elves are nomadic spirits who rarely settle down for long in one place. They are comfortable living among sun elves and wood elves, but just as often they live in areas dominated by humans, halflings, or even gnomes. Their homes tend to be simple, unassuming, and comfortable.

Moon elves are much less solemn and serious in their ways and actions than sun elves. Their songs and poems are lighter and often quite humorous; tragedies have their place but the moon elves prefer to balance such things with light-hearted and often bawdy tales and songs. They also enjoy a wide variety of art styles, including paintings and sculpture. Moon elves are fond of games of chance and gambling. Drinking, feasting, and reveling are all a strong part of their society.

A more serious side of the moon elves emerges in times of trouble. Moon elves are just as skilled with weapons and magic as their fellow subraces, and do not hesitate to act if a situation calls for violence as a solution. Even in warfare, they try to find hope and humor, for it is during these dark times that levity and joy are most valuable.

Moon elves gather in loose bands, composed of a dozen or so extended families. Leadership is democratic; all elves of the band have a say in important decisions, although the voices of one or two of the wiser and more experienced family heads tend to carry the day. In times of danger, the band chooses an elder or warleader to see them through the peril. Moon elves travel light and travel often, rarely staying in the same place for more than a season or two before moving on.

Deities

Moon elves worship the Seldarine. A moon elf identifies with all the elven deities, but usually chooses one as a patron deity above the others. Unlike their sun elf cousins, many moon elves worship the elven deity Angharradh, who they believe to be a melding of the three goddesses Sehanine, Aerdrie Paernya, and Hanali Celanil. The moon elves view her as equal in power to Corellon Larethian, who is often regulated to the status of consort. Moon elf religious ceremonies are exuberant, joyful, and loud. Even deeply religions moon elves recognize that some ceremonies and festivals are simply excuses for revelry.

Relation with Other Races

Of the elven subraces, moon elves are the most tolerant of nonelves. They travel extensively, and a moon elf can expect to interact with hundreds of different races throughout her life. Moon elves find the diversity of Faerun's races to be intoxicating and forever surprising, and they especially value the insights of other races because they often think of things no elf would ever consider. This openness and willingness to accept new ideas is regarded as foolish and dangerous by other elves, so ironically their own kin often give moon elves the coolest receptions.

Despite their open minds, moon elves have little patience or interest in the various evil beings, and they hold orcs and gnolls in particular contempt. They avoid regions where such cultures hold sway, although moon elf adventurers often infiltrate these areas to spy on them. The moon elves share with the other elven subraces a hatred and loathing for the Drow.

Creating new character on Arelith

Base race

Elf

Sleeplessness: Immune to spells and effects of the 'Sleep' subtype.

Hardiness vs. Enchantments: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells.

Bonus Proficiencies (Longsword, Rapier, Shortbow, Longbow)

Skill Affinity (Listen): +2 racial bonus to listen checks.

Skill Affinity (Search): +2 racial bonus to Search checks.

Skill Affinity (Spot): +2 racial bonus to Spot checks.

Keen Senses: Elves make active Search checks automatically and with no movement penalties.

Low-light Vision: Allows them to see better than normal in the dark.

Classes

Favoured Class: Wizard

Great number takes up the wizard's class. They have great love of music and make excellent bards. Many are skilled warriors and have at least some levels in the fighter class, but Moon elves prefer stealth over strength, and often choose to become ranger or rogue instead. Clerics and druids are not uncommon.

Favoured Prestige Class: They often become Arcane Archers or Harper scouts

Unlike their more disciplined kins, Moon Elves frequently pursue two or more paths at the same time, combining the study of magic with the arts of the swordmaster or the rogue.

Alignment

Usually chaotic good

They lean strongly toward the gentler aspects of chaos. Generally, they value and protect others' freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not.

Appearance

• Skin: Fair, sometimes tinged with blue
• Hair: Silver-white, black, or blue. Humanlike colours are somewhat rare.
• Eyes: Blue or green, with gold flecks.

Aging

Age		Bonus
Adulthood	110 Years	+4d%
Middle Age	175 Years
Old	263 Years
Venerable	350 Years

Racial Crafting

Elfblade

Notes

• Bonus language: Elven
• Starting city: Cordor, Sencliff or Skal