As one of the Aereni, you walk a different path than the people of Khorvaire. You were born in a realm guarded and guided by ancient and powerful spirits. You have learned lessons from teachers whose bodies died thousands of years ago, and you know that even the centuries of life that may lie ahead of you are just the beginning of your soul’s journey. Your people possess arcane knowledge beyond the grasp of Aundair; the priests of the Undying Court wield powers matched only by the Keeper of the Flame. You are from a land of wonders, a realm literally guided by divine forces. In short, your people have already achieved perfection. As an Aereni elf, you aren’t expected to improve your society; your task is to prove yourself worthy of it and to earn your afterlife.
Aereni elves have a reputation for being arrogant and condescending. Why wouldn’t you be? Humans are like children to you, with their short lives and desperation to do things quickly regardless of the quality of their efforts. Even the elves that settled in Khorvaire have abandoned the traditions of their ancestors and their blessed homeland. It’s easy to be smug... but who wants that character around? An Aereni elf doesn’t
have to be unpleasant. As one of the Aereni, you are a traveler from a mysterious and magical kingdom. You possess ancient wisdom and a tie to divine spirits. Beyond that, the Undying Court is one of the few forces in the world that has a glimpse of the Draconic Prophecy. Have you come to Khorvaire as an emissary of the Undying Court, whether as a diplomat or an agent of prophecy? Are you working on behalf of a noble family, pursuing mercantile interests, or seeking an artifact stolen from your people long ago? Are you an anthropologist fascinated by the behavior of humanity? Are you a paladin in the service of the Deathguard, charged to exterminate undead wherever they can be found? Or are you an exile, driven from your homeland and forced to live among the barbarians?
Whether you play an Aereni character or encounter them as NPCs, this section provides insight into the land of the elves. In addition, chapter 6 presents a feat and subrace for Aereni elves.
A Brief Guide to Aerenal
Aerenal is an isolated nation with little interest in the outside world. They have little fear of conquest; the divine power of the Undying Court has repelled assaults by legions of dragons. But the power of the Undying Court doesn’t extend beyond Aerenal, and the elves have chosen to remain in their haven rather than to expand across the world. From this island sanctuary, they have seen the Empire of Dhakaan rise and fall, and they expect to be around long after the Five Nations have fallen to dust. Here are a few more important things to know about Aerenal.
The Undying Court
Aerenal is ruled by the living. The Sibling Kings lead the nation from Shae Cairdal, and the high priests and lords of the lines are mortal elves. But the dead guide and protect the living. When remarkable elves die, they are preserved beyond death. Most are tied to spirit idols, statuettes that preserve the soul and prevent its dissolution in Dolurrh. But others are raised as deathless, undead similar to mummies but sustained by positive energy. Deathless soldiers guard the catacombs and temples, and deathless sages and councilors share their knowledge and wisdom with their descendants. Over time, the deathless can rise to an even greater state, becoming beings of pure spirit with little need for a body. These sprits, known as ascendant councilors, reside in the great city of Shae Mordai, and it is when their spirits join together in a mystical gestalt that they wield divine power.
Many outsiders assume that the ascendant councilors are the Undying Court, and it’s true they are the source of its power. But the Undying Court refers to all the undead guardians of the island, from the soldiers to the spirit idols. You may not expect to become an ascendant councilor — this is a process of evolution that typically takes thousands of years — but you can aspire to join the Undying Court after death.
As an Aereni, you have a keen awareness of the duty you owe to the Undying Court. The deathless are sustained by positive energy; this can be drawn from Irian manifest zones—such as the one in Shae Mordai—but it is also generated by love and devotion. Unlike many religions in Eberron, the Undying Court doesn’t rely on faith; there’s no question whether the Court exists. But it does depend on devotion. Your prayers and your faith are the offering you give in exchange for all that the Court has done for you and your people—from protecting your land from invasion, plague, and natural disasters to guiding your leaders and training your young. Your ancestors protect you, but they also need your devotion to survive.
A Magical Kingdom
Both arcane and divine magic are woven into Aereni civilization more deeply than in the Five Nations. Every citizen of Aerenal knows at least one useful cantrip; the skills of a master magewright in Khorvaire would be considered a mere apprentice’s training in Aerenal. Here, spell effects of up to 5th level can be found woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Teleportation circles link Aerenal’s great cities, and sending stations allow instant communication across any distance. Buildings are raised using the principles of stone shape. Diviners communicate with other planes, and healers can break curses and reverse petrification. Spell effects of up to 7th level can be encountered in the hands of master wizards and high priests, and Aereni artificers can craft very rare magic items. As you explore Khorvaire and the lands beyond, bear in mind that in your Aereni eyes, it’s little more than a primitive backwater.
Perfection in the Past
At a glance, the people of Aerenal are simply better at everything than their counterparts in Khorvaire, due to their exceptional work ethic and long lifespan. An Aereni artisan can spend multiple human lifespans perfecting their craft. Even while trancing, an elf may be contemplating their work. However, Aerenal lags behind Khorvaire in industry and innovation. The Aereni aren’t trying to find better ways to do things; an elf artisan’s goal is to match the skills of past masters rather than find new techniques. Challenging the past would be an insult to those ancient masters—and in Aerenal, they’re still around and still teaching their techniques. An Aereni artificer can produce a very rare magic item no Cannith forge can match, but it’s a hand-crafted work of art that takes years to produce, while the Cannith forge is churning out a host of common and uncommon items, and constantly searching for ways to innovate. The Five Nations may not match Aerenal today, but over the last thousand years it has evolved dramatically, while Aerenal stands still. You’ve never been encouraged to innovate; you’ve been taught that the old ways are the best ways. Do you agree with this?
Noble Lines
Aerenal is effectively a collection of city-states, united in devotion to the Sibling Kings and the Undying Court. Each region of the country (save for the northern territory of the Tairnadal) is governed by a noble line. The original settlers of Aerenal came from different cultures and environments, and the lines represent this; while all are united by the common customs of Aerenal, each line has its own unique fashions and traditions. A line is an alliance of ancient families governed by a noble house that carries the name of the line. Thus, “the line of Mendyrian” refers to multiple families, but someone who uses the surname—such as Belaereth Mendyrian—is a member of the noble line. The noble line represents the best of the region; it’s not a hereditary family, but rather, a meritocracy whose members are chosen from the people of the region. Similarly, the Sibling Kings—the rulers of the united kingdom—are members of the same line and symbolically brother and sister, but they aren’t blood relatives. So in life, elves aspire to be appointed to their noble line; in death, they hope to be raised to the Undying Court.
In creating an Aereni elf, work with your DM to develop details about your family and the line you owe allegiance to. Since each line is an alliance of multiple families, there’s room for you to add your own details even within an existing line. A few of the noble lines are described below, but look to these as a source of inspiration rather than a limitation.
Spirit Idols
The deathless state isn’t the only way to experience eternity. Most honored dead of Aerenal are preserved in spirit idols that preserve the soul from the dissolution of Dolurrh. This stone bust of a dead elf holds relics of their corpse (bone shards, a lock of hair) embedded within it. While dormant, the spirit within the idol is unaware of the outside world or the passage of time, existing in an ongoing trance — a dreamlike existence built from memories and personal experiences. A spirit idol can be awakened with the speak with dead spell, though some remain conscious indefinitely and can be found serving as tutors, provosts, and judges.
Aereni Names
Aereni names tend to be multiple syllables, and commonly contain the ae diphthong. With foreigners, Aereni often use only their personal name and identify their line; surnames are generally used in introductions to other elves. Only members of the noble line will use the name of their line as a surname.
Male: Aeren, Belaereth, Carden, Dalaer, Dayne, Helaeras, Jhalaer, Jhayne, Maeran, Mazareth, Mayne, Shaeras, Taen, Thaendyr, Tolan, Varaendyr, Varonen
Female: Aeren, Ashaelyn, Erandis, Etrigani, Heladaen, Jhalira, Laeren, Mazalira, Minaera, Serandis, Syraen, Taelira, Tazaera, Thaera, Vadallia, Vaeren
Surnames: Alaraen, Alorenthi, Daelian, Dyraen, Halaen, Jholareth, Jholyr, Maloraen, Mendaen, Mol, Shialaen, Shol, Tolarenthi
