Other Elven Abilities

Despite their frail appearance and lowered Constitutions, elves have a remarkable resistance to ordinary disease. While it is not on a scale with the paladin's total immunity to non-magical diseases, elves are only rarely afflicted by disease. Although immunity does not easily translate into game terms, the DM has the option of setting elven resistance to disease. Anywhere from 0% to 50% is acceptable and is unlikely to destroy game balance.

On the negative side, there are some purely elven diseases (which are, thankfully, very rare), to which all other races are immune. These include certain nervous disorders, some poxes, and other equally virulent diseases. Elves, although not necessarily ashamed of their afflicted, do try to keep those who are ill from the prying eyes of the rest of the world. They do not want the other races to think of ways to use these diseases against the elves.

Unless a disease is fatal, the effects usually fade simply with the passing of time, for elves have a strong regenerative ability. Scars (not wounds) on their bodies heal more quickly than they do on other races, eventually disappearing almost entirely. Such scars show up only under intense scrutiny or under harsh lighting conditions. This ability works only on scars; elves do not recover hit points more rapidly than any other PC race.

Their regenerative ability does not extend to regrowing lost limbs or organs, although some contend that the elves are the original creators of the magicks that enable this. Elves are, however, on the pioneering edge of creating artificial limbs to replace lost ones (see page 106). In addition, elf crafters are working on ways to replace the more sensitive organs, such as eyes and ears, as well as the heart, stomach, and other internals.

[Complete Book of Elves]