Infernal Elf (5e Race)
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Infernal Elf[edit]
Casted long time ago into the Abyss by the sorcerer that tried to contain them, only the strongest among the elves survived. Everyday struggling with demons of Abyss and evergrowing influence of the plane itself, infernal elves are known as extremly violent warriors and magic users that if ever let out of the Abyss would change the world in one way or another. Those elves are often known from making deals with otherworldy creatures in exchange for freedom from the Abyss. Some turn to gods, some to other but one thing is known - if infernal elf chooses a goal, they will fulfill it even if it costs them their life.
Physical Description[edit]
Facial features of infernal elf, source: https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/85216617936647331/ |
Infernal elves have certain similiarities with normal elves - they are similiar height, have pointy ears. The difference is that infernal elves always have hair ranging from white to red, eyes with red, black or yellow irises and usually short golden-red horns. Additionally each infernal elf has black mark of Abyss on their chest.
History[edit]
Everything began with elven city named Sylbel, and its denizens truly believing in the power of summoning magic. They tried, with shameful looks from their brethren, to use the demons in their military efforts. As their successes piled, so did the brutality of the war they were waging on their enemies. There came the time when Sylbian demons were the most feared soldiers among all the continent as they pillaged, raided and murdered their way. All changed, when one day a vengeful mage in his quest to avenge his family, banished all of Sylbel into the topmost layer of Abyss. From this day onward Sylbians, as such they were called, had to learn to face the horrors of the Abyss on a daily basis. Some died, some turned into different creatures, but strongest of them created clan-like society with emphasis on survival. From stationary Sylbians became wanderers, ever escaping and chasing for food, being cursed to spend the rest of their extremly long lives in hell. In addition to their daily struggle, every Sylbelian has to fight ever increasing wrath that took place inside their souls and as a remainder of sins of their race, each Sylbian is born with mark of Abyss.
Society[edit]
Most of the infernal elves travel in clans or families, never making a stationary base or a city. This clan-like society is based on survival and only the strongest from the Sylbians are allowed to live, weak are simply culled - often in form of monthly held fights. In case the weak link in clan has been detected it has two choices - prove itself as the bait for demons and fight the foe first to prove its worth or leave the clan. Usually the clan is led by the strongest or smartest one and such elf is called Chief or Head in case of family clan. Each clanmate can request to fight the current leader in single combat. If they do so and win the duel to the death, they become the new leader. Aside from leading infernal elves are known from their brutality be it in form of discarding the weak or in combat. Tempered by the Abyss infernal elves developed fighting style that revolved around maximizing bloodshed, often with goal of frightening their oponent. Sometimes a singular warrior wishes to try and leave the Abyss; Sylbians call them Others and fully support them on their future journey - be it in form of providing them with food, weapons or armor. In rare cases, when Other decide they wish to not make a pact with otherworldy being, the only choice left is to travel through river Styx, often losing memories. When it comes to Sylbian relation with denizens of other planes, only one thing matters - usefulness of each individual. For Sylbians there isn't really a stereotype for each race it is simply thinking kill or be killed - if someone isn't my ally, they are most likely my enemy. From the other hand however rare Sylbians are on other planes, they are often feared for their outburst of violence and often thought to be fiends themselves. Many elven mages seek to study the Sylbians in order to revert the influence of Abyss, but none have succeded so far. Because of this curiosity of mages be it good or evil, usually Sylbians conceal their indentity through various means.
Mark of the Abyss |
Infernal Elf Names[edit]
Usually infernal elves only have one name usually based on elven names, but if particular elf is one of the Others, they take the surname from the way of their escape from Abyss e.g Pactmaker, Lightfollow, Ravendebt or in case of traveling through Styx if memory remains - Styxborn.
Male: Dante, Thorel, Yazeen, Istatnyl. Female: Asa, Danzi, Shudji, Zoqe.
Infernal Elf Traits[edit]
Elves living in Abyss, that adapted to it.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Although infernal elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An infernal elf typically claims adulthood around the age of 100 and can live up to 3000 years old as the Abyss changed them forever.
Alignment. Usually infernal elves tend towards neutrality or evil.
Size. Infernal elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Sixth Sense. Used to being cautious to all of your surroundings, you have 20 feet of blindsight. However, you can't sense through the solid walls with this sense.
Trance. You don’t need to sleep, and magic can’t put you to sleep. Instead of sleeping you meditate deeply, remaining semi-conscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive after years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit a human would from 8 hours of sleep.
Hellish Resistance. You are resistant to fire damage.
Adrenaline Rush. Used to fast and dangerous enemies, sylbians had to adapt in their own way. As a bonus action, you can bolster your body. Until the start of your next turn, you gain 10 additional feet of movement speed and choose one damage type from acid, cold, thunder, lightning, psychic or poison - you gain resistance to that type of damage. You can use this feature number of times equal to your proficiency bonus.
You regain all use of this trait after you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Elven and Abyssal.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
When creating a Infernal Elf character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.
d8 | Personality Trait |
---|---|
1 | I am always driven, my goal stands before all. |
2 | As I come from the long line of hunters, I am always collected no matter the situation. |
3 | Curiosity drawn me out of Abyss and it shall guide me in life. |
4 | Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice in all occasions. |
5 | My favor, once lost, is lost forever. |
6 | I connect everything that happens to me to a grand cosmic plan or my deity. |
7 | I always prefer actions over words. |
8 | I always remember every place I went to, enjoying every bit of it. |
d6 | Ideal |
---|---|
1 | Servitude. I shall fullfish wishes of my patron or deity. |
2 | Ambition. I shall become best at my art. |
3 | Power. I shall rule over everyone weaker than me. |
4 | Logic. Emotions only get in the way of my goals. |
5 | Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. |
6 | Glory. I must earn glory in battle, for myself and my clan. |
d6 | Bond |
---|---|
1 | I am in forever debt to my clan, someday I shall help them escape. |
2 | I made family while on material plane, they are my everything. |
3 | I owe my life to mentor that helped me in this strange land. |
4 | I am forever loyal to those who prove themselves as my new clan. |
5 | I am in possesion of long lost text from Abyss, it should never see the light of a day. |
6 | No one else is going to have to endure the hardships I've been through. |
d6 | Flaw |
---|---|
1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
2 | I have trouble trusting in my allies. |
3 | I despise the weak. |
4 | Violence is my answer to almost any challenge. |
5 | I am prone to not care about most things. |
6 | I'd rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. |
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