Stained Elf (5e Race)

Stained Elf

A tall, hooded figure walks into the chapel, sitting down on a pew in the back. The church of Rao was seldom visited at this hour, but the half elf priestess was happy to offer the blessings of her faith. She begins to read scripture from her prayer book aloud, praising the name of her god, the lord of peace and reason. As she spoke the holy words, the hooded figure's silhouette began to give off a dim glow. He began chanting with the priestess, increasing in radiance with every spoken word. As the priestess drew the prayer to an end, she approached the hooded man and gave a blessing to him. As she did so, she saw in his eyes a comforting glow. She never would have believed that she would meet one of them: the Stained Ones.

Physical Description

Stained elves appear very similarly to high elves. With alabaster skin and proud postures and features, they appear very statuesque, just as the high elves do. It is for this reason they were called elves erroneously, and the name has stuck. Unlike high elves, however, stained elves are born with grey or blue arcane runes adorning their bodies. Their eyes tend to dimly glow, matching the vibrant colors of their iris.

History

The stained elves are better known for their culture as arcane warriors. They have claimed the title of elves since it helps stave questions about what or who they really are. They rarely share their true origins with outsiders, though it is believed their true history lies somewhere beyond the stars, in the Far Plane. Supposedly, they are a race of refugees from another place, another plane, likely. They are essentially the "elves" of that world. They have made their home in abandoned and secluded areas of worship and gathering, where they hone their skills in peace and quiet.

Society

Stained elves are rarely encountered in common society as they prefer seclusion or the company of their own kind. They are, however, very drawn to subjects of faith. When they are found among other humanoids, it is often because they are protecting a place of prayer or a bastion of study. Far more commonly, they can be found on the countryside, hunting down and slaying corrupt magic users. Same as how some races cannot tolerate aberrant influences, stained elves cannot bear to be around forces they define as corrupting what is "true arcane" power.

Stained Elf Names

These elves do not have names typical of Elvish dialect. This further corroborates their origin being not of this world.

Male Names: Dyrran, Galvis, Errevan, Korris, Venris, Frennik

Female Names: Su-Valin, Hystra, Urassi, Lummis, Olanis, Nustili

Stained Elf Traits

Branded with arcane power
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Stained elves grow to adulthood by age 20, but their aging slows considerably from that point on. They begin to grow frail by 700 years and tend to die by age 800.
Alignment. Stained elves, unlike their more chaotic brethren, tend towards lawful alignments. It is also fairly rare to find an evil stained elf, though it is not unheard of.
Size. Stained Elves stand between 5'6" and 6'8" on average and weigh between 120 and 180 pounds. You are considered Medium sized.
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.
Far Focus. Because they are not real elves, stained elves do not have the same mental traits as elves. In fact, their minds are somewhat more powerful with a psionic ward, hinting at their Far Realm origin. You are immune to being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.
Inborn Magecraft. Stained elves have natural abilities to alter the world around them in the form of magic. You know and can cast magic missile as a 1st level spell without components once. At 3rd level, you may cast it as a 2nd-level spell, and as a 3rd-level spell when you reach 5th level. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell. You regain the ability to cast magic missile in this way after you finish a long rest.
Arcane Eyes. More than just faith, stained elves are interested in the magics commonly associated with faith. You are proficient in the Arcana skill.
Languages. Stained Elves can read, write and speak Common, Elven and one additional language of your choosing.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 8''	+1d12	120 pounds lb.	× (2d20) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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