High elves are the elves most likely to interact with other peoples of the Flanaess, particularly humanity. High elves dress in pale forest colours when in their villages,typically pastel and of blue or green or violet but often covered by a greenish gray cloak[1], and intense, deep colours when in urban settings. Men wear loose blouses belted over close fitting hose with soft leather shoes or boats. Women often wear frocks with sashes, or blouses over ankle length skirts. When hunting, elves favour neutral brown leathers. They are typically dark haired and have green or hazel eyes. High elves can live up to 1,200 or even 1,600 years. [2]
High elves are considered the standard elves of Greyhawk, and use those statistics where possible.
Habitat and Culture[]
While High elves, more than many other elven kin, are tolerant and open with humans, many of the lands still considered to be High Elven nations are that way through partial elven reclusiveness. High elf Nations like Lendore (Before the cult of Sehanine) and Highfolk communicated and were allied with human nations, but kept the heart of their own communities separate. The Duchy of Ulek is a High elf ruled land, but has a higher human population then elven Aside from the recent developments in Lendore isles, many high elf communities are against strict isolationism, and many elves in the Knights of Luna, a movement in Celene resisting the Grey elven queen's staunch isolationism, are high elves. Most nations with the highest population of high elves are not elven ruled lands, but part of human ones.[3]
Within the Flanaess the Fairdells and Vesve Forest have been occupied by High Elves, long before humans pressed across the mountains from the west, although the Vesve Forest is shared with the more abundant sylvan elves. About 20 high elf clans live around Highfolk. The isles of Lendore were under high elven rule long before they allowed humans to settle there. [3]
High elven architecture seems to adapt to their location. In woodland realms they prefer wooden buildings, with elegant arches and steeples, occasionally elevated into the trees. In other regions they have mountain keeps of stone. [3]
High elves seem more used to horses as mounts than some of their kin, and make great light cavalry as archers and lancers, such as in the army of the Duchy of Ulek and the Knights of the Hart of the ferrond area.[3]
| Places of Notable High Elven Population. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | 576 CY[4] | 591 CY[3] |
| Highfolk | 85,00 | 21,804 |
| Lendore | >7500 | 27,839 |
| Duchy of Ulek | 60,000 | 55,888 |
| Veluna | 50,000 | 60,192 |
| Grand Duchy
of Geoff |
30,000 | <630 |
| Lordship of the isles | <4000 | 23,940 |
| Yeomanry | 10,000 | 15,295 |
Stats[]
| Height | Female: 4'2-5ft, Male:4'8-5'6 [2] |
| Weight | Female: 70-82lbs, Male: 90-120lb[2] |
| Modifiers | Increased Dexterity, reduced Constitution.[5] Minimum Stat reqs: Cha 8, Con 6, Dex 7, Int 8. Max Stats: 16 Str for females, 18/75 for males |
| Traits | Infravision. High resistance to sleep and charm spells. Bonus to hit when using bows, short or longswords. Languages: elvish, gnome, halfling, goblin, hobgoblin, orcish, gnoll, and the “common tongue” of mankind+ additional languages with high intelligence. Better chance to find hidden doors and surprise enemies[5] |
| Classes | Fighter (Max 7th level), Magic User (11), Thief, Assassin (10th). Multiclasss: Fighter/M.U, Fighter/thief, MU/thief, Fighter/MU/Thief. |
| Height | Male: 4'7-5'5, Female: 4'2-5ft [6] |
| Weight | Male:90-120lb, Female: 70-100lb [6] |
| Modifiers | Increased Dexterity, reduced Constitution (Min Req Stats: STR 3, Dex 6, Con 7, Int 8, Wis 3, Cha 8, Max: All capped at 18. [6](Or Con caps at 17, Dex 19)[7] |
| Traits | Infravision 60ft. High resistance to sleep and charm spells. Bonus languages:common, elf, gnome,halfling, goblin, hobgoblin, orc, and gnoll. Bonus to hit when using bows, long/short swords. Better chance of surprising enemies and detecting secret doors.[6] |
| Classes | cleric, fighter, mage, thief, or ranger.Multiclass: fighter/mage, fighter/thief, fighter/mage/thief, or mage/thief [6] |
| Height | 5ft (Same for female and male) (SRD) |
| Weight | 100lb (Males can reach 105lb) (SRD) |
| Modifiers | +2 Dex, -2 Con (SRD) |
| Traits | Immunity to magic sleep effects, and a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects.Low Light Vision. Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword, rapier, longbow (including composite longbow), and shortbow (including composite shortbow) as bonus feats. +2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. A high elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it. Automatic Languages: Common and Elven. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Orc, and Sylvan. (SRD) |
| Classes | Favoured Class: Wizard |
| Height | 5'5–6'1 ft. |
| Weight | 130–180 lbs |
| Modifiers | <nowiki>+2 Intelligence, +2 Dexterity(PHB) or Charisma (Essentials Update) |
| Traits | Training in an additional skill. Proficiency with longswords. +1 racial bonus on will defense. +5 racial bonus on saves vs charm effects. Fey Origins. Trancing: Only need 4 hours rest to benefit from extended rest and remain alert during trance. Can fey step as an encounter power. |
| Classes | Wizard, Rogue, Warlord, Warlock, Bard, Psion, Ranger |
| Height | 4'6-6'2 ft. |
| Weight | 90-170lb |
| Modifiers | Dexterity +2, Intelligence +1 |
| Traits | Proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow. You know one Cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it. You know one extra language of your choice. |
- ↑ Monster Manual 1, Gary Gygax, 1977, 1e
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dungeon Master's Guide (1e), Gary Gygax, 2012 (Premium Edition) ISBN: 978-0-7869-6241-9
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Living Greyhawk Gazeteer, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, Gary Holian, Frederick Weining, 2000, 3e
- ↑ World of Greyhawk (Boxed Set), 1983, Gary Gygax, 1e
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Players Handbook, Gary Gygax, 1978, 1e
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Player's Handbook, Revised, David Cook, 1989, 2e, ISBN-10: 0880387165, ISBN-13: 978-0880387163
- ↑ Complete Book of Elves, Colin McComb, 1992, 2e, ISBN 1-56076-376-0
References[]
- CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
High elf. Great Library of Greyhawk, GreyhawkOnline.com. (view authors)