Warhammer High Elf (5e Race Variant)

Warhammer High Elf

"Though our fair homeland is beset on all sides, we shall resist, as our forefathers did before us. In these dark times, as our tainted brethren ravage our shores, we stand defiant and shall emerge victorious. For we are the Asur, the true kin of Aenarion, and Ulthuan shall never fall."

-Prince Tyrion, Defender of Ulthuan

Physical Description

Pheonix King Finubar. [1]

All Elves are fair to behold and of them, all the High Elves are the most handsome. High Elves are pale-skinned with refined, aesthetically beautiful features and hair as clean and fine as flax. High Elves are tall and proud in their bearing, indeed it is not uncommon for an Elf to stand a whole head taller than a man. They have a slim build, which has led to the common misconception that Elves are weak or fragile. In fact, the opposite is true, for Elves are surprisingly strong, and though they are not as robust as the races of Orcs or Dwarfs, they more than compensate for that with their dexterity and amazing agility.

For the High Elves, long hair is a symbol of strength, power and nobility -- the clearest token of a real warrior. Just as the Dwarfs find great significance in their beards, so too do the High Elves hold their hair in high esteem. Because of this, locks of hair are also important talismans for the Elves. This ancient custom stems from the greatest heroes of Elven legend, who have always been depicted with long flowing hair, and it is said that it is from here that their might springs. All High Elves decorate their hair with combs made of silver or gold and embellished with bright gems. Each jewel has a different meaning, and reflects the Elf's role in his family, his rank in battle, or can even be a token of favour granted by a betrothed.

Elves are long-lived, some say immortal, and less vulnerable to disease than humans. In truth, elves have a lifespan of around one thousand years (though few ever reach that age). Every movement that an Elf makes is graceful and controlled, their minds are quick and clever with an intensity and depth of insight which makes them seem fey and strange to other races. High Elves convey meaning into the slightest gesture, perceiving a wealth of information in the slightest nod of a head, or narrowing of eyes. More than once the Lords of Ulthuan have made war amongst themselves or upon other races for some real or imagined slight, for though they are a noble people the High Elves can be cold and haughty, unreasoning in the view of other races. The differences between male and female elves are subtle, sometimes confusing other races.

History

The High Elves have fought against the spread of Chaos since it first appeared in the world, but their most bitter struggle is against their own kin, the Dark Elves. While not hostile to their parent civilisation, the Wood Elves are the descendants of High Elf colonists who declared their own independence, remaining in the Old World.

The High Elves were the first to explore the seas and shores of the entire world and their achievements are without parallel. They are usually seen as being arrogant, aloof and overly concerned with beauty and art, a reputation which is not completely unfounded. They generally view themselves as being superior to other races.

Despite the glory of the High Elf civilisation, their power is slowly fading, only to be replaced by the populous and vigorous race of man. The main reason for this development is a falling birth-rate, the causes of which are unknown.

Society

To most outsiders, the High Elves can be described in many different ways; subtle, elegant, graceful, cunning but perhaps above all, arrogant. Elven minds are subtle and clever, possessing an intensity and depth of insight that lies far beyond the ability of other creatures — a single word or gesture, however small, conveys a wealth of information to an attentive Elf. It is said, of the High Elves in particular, that their minds are their finest weapons. This is certainly true, but they are dangerous weapons indeed and can require a lifetime to safely master. Unless he knows discipline, a High Elf's interests can quickly become obsessions — and set his feet on a path that will ultimately see his soul delivered to a thirsting god.

Due to this, Ulthuan's society has become tightly structured, rigidly bound by convention and precedent, ritual and ceremony. For a High Elf to behave out of keeping with tradition is considered a truly shameful matter, able to break the power of a family overnight if proven before the Phoenix Court. Thus, its mere implication is one of the chief gambits in Ulthuan's interminable politics. On the battlefield, it is the combined alacrity of mind and body that makes each Elf so deadly an opponent. His mind is keen enough to read an opponent's intent in the slightest shift of stance, and his body swift enough to deliver a lethal counterblow a heartbeat thereafter. There is no weapon nor form of fighting an Elf cannot master and, even untrained, his skills are formidable. Once properly tutored in his chosen way of war an Elf soldier is lethal grace given form, able to match a hero of lesser blood blow for blow.

Yet it is perhaps the arrogance and pride of the High Elves which can be considered their most defining trait. Almost every High Elf, from the humblest lowborn to the most esteem Lord, will always reserve a bit of self-satisfaction in his own superiority, especially to what the High Elves consider the "lesser races" of Mankind. This arrogance is in many ways the corrupted heart of High Elven society. Though they may not be afflicted with physical mutations as do those of Mankind, Chaos has nonetheless seeped itself into the heart and soul of the Elven races.

Warhammer High Elf Names

High Elf names are haughty and dignified. Males often have "Anar" and "Bel" as part of their name, and many names go back to elves of old, such as Anerion.

Male: Ericrel, Aenac, Taldodrac, Teclis, Tyrion, Alith Anar, Imirik, Aadyarvus

Female: Alarielle, Nesare, Secarnanre, Tilala, Iadelrahe

Warhammer High Elf Traits

High Elves are quick and graceful on their feet and with their hands, but they are also strikingly intelligent and prone to using the magical arts.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. While legend says high elves are immortal, in reality, they tend to live to around 1000 years old.
Alignment. Despite their prideful and even rude attitudes, high elves tend to lean towards the good end of the alignment spectrum. Many high elves are lawful and neutral good, with a few being even chaotic good. There are outliers to this, with some high elves leaning towards evil.
Size. High elves tend to be tall and slender. They are usually around 6 to 6 and a half feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Dangerously Elegant. High elves are fast and elegant in all things, especially on the battlefield. As a reaction, when initiative is rolled, you may draw a weapon and make a weapon attack against a creature within range, provided you are not surprised.
Magically Adept. High Elves are the most magically inclined races of The Old World besides maybe the Slann of Lustria. You know one first level spell of your choice from the Wizard Spell List and can cast the spell once with this trait, requiring no material components. You regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Hardy Lifespans. You are immune to diseases.
Insightful. High elves take in every detail of a conversation and interaction. You are proficient in the Insight skill.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0''	+1d12	80 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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