Alantri

Myrthia’s breath came in short bursts as she moved through the flowing forms of the Shandri, her body a harmony of grace and tension. Each movement was a dance, a balance between control and speed, as her slim, powerful form melded with the mist swirling around her. The autumn leaves shimmered in the light, their crimson hues reflecting in her cat-like eyes, while the steady roar of the waterfall filled the grove, an ever-present reminder of the quiet power that coursed through her homeland.
“Feel the flow, Myrthia,” Master Arthen’s voice cut through the sound of the water, calm and steady. “The Shandri is more than a weapon—it is the breath of your spirit, the motion of your body. Let it move through you.” She closed her eyes, sensing the weight of the blade as it became an extension of her being. Her steps grew lighter, her movements fluid as she surrendered to the rhythm of the Weave, each motion a part of its ancient dance. Her mentor watched, his aged eyes approving, seeing not only her mastery of the blade but her deepening bond with the essence of life itself—the Weave.

Guardians of the Weave

The Alantri are an ancient race of elves from the Isles of Stars, where perpetual autumn bathes their homeland in golden and crimson hues. Known for their mastery of swordsmanship and magic, the Alantri blend physical grace with arcane elegance. Living for centuries, they dedicate their lives to perfecting their craft and deepening their connection to the Weave, the mystical force that binds all life and magic together.
Tall and slender, with cat-like eyes and intricate tattoos marking their connection to the Weave, the Alantri are a striking people. They embody balance in all things—between sword and spell, creation and destruction, and life and death. The weight of their long history and past tragedies lends a quiet melancholy to their existence.

Of Family and Loss

Family lies at the heart of Alantri society, where lifelong partnerships are the norm, and couples typically have only one or two children. The slow rate of reproduction, combined with the tragedies their race has endured—most notably the Khenari rebellion—has led to a steady decline in their population. This awareness of their diminishing numbers instills a quiet, melancholic resolve, strengthening their commitment to preserving their legacy. Elders pass down values, while multi-generational households foster deep respect for family, ancestors, and tradition.
Despite their elegance and longevity, the Alantri live under the constant shadow of loss. Their dwindling numbers have not weakened their spirit but instead deepened their resolve to protect the Weave and their cultural heritage. For the eldest among them, who lived through the Rebirth, the weight of centuries has taken its toll, leaving some with fractured minds and a deep sense of melancholy. Family, tradition, and honor guide every aspect of their lives as they strive to maintain balance in the face of inevitable decline.

Faith and the Weave

The Alantri's spiritual life centers on their devotion to the Weave and their reverence for Sune, the Seeker, goddess of magic, knowledge, and mysteries. Sune embodies their ideals of arcane mastery, artistic perfection, and the responsible pursuit of knowledge. The Alantri see Sune's imprisonment in Mystaria as a cautionary tale, reminding them of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the need to balance wisdom with restraint. They strive to learn from her mistakes, honoring her teachings while remaining vigilant against falling into obsession.
The Alantri maintain a long-standing relationship with the Fey, marked by mutual respect rather than worship. Recognizing the Fey's ancient connection to the Weave, the Alantri see them as beings deeply intertwined with the Weave. Over centuries, many Alantri have interacted with the Fey, acknowledging their shared role as stewards of magic and balance.

The Court of Stars

The Alantri are governed by the Court of Stars, a council made up of their most ancient and wise members. The court not only makes decisions on governance but serves as spiritual leaders, guiding the Alantri in interpreting the flow of the Weave. The court’s wisdom is revered, and their deliberations are thoughtful, often taking days or weeks to reach a decision. Balance, harmony, and protection of the Weave are always at the heart of their choices.
The court also oversees major decisions regarding alliances, war, and the reintegration of the Returned into Alantri society. The Court of Stars is also tasked with overseeing and regulating the study of Sune's teachings and arcane knowledge, ensuring that the wisdom they possess is not used irresponsibly. Their rulings are final, ensuring the Alantri remain aligned with the Weave.

The Isles of Stars and Mytheas

The Isles of Stars are the true homeland of the Alantri, a realm of eternal autumn where the Weave’s energy flows strongest. Golden forests, shimmering lakes, and towering trees create a landscape of unmatched beauty, reflecting the Alantri’s deep connection to the mystical force. Sacred groves, scattered throughout the land, serve as places of meditation, training, and magical practice. These groves, considered focal points of the Weave’s power, are fiercely protected as they are central to the Alantri’s way of life.
While most Alantri remain in the Isles, some venture beyond, including those who have established the settlement of Reyllone on Mytheas. This outpost symbolizes a new chapter, where a younger generation engages with the wider world while honoring their heritage. Reyllone offers a contrast to the traditional ways of the Isles, embracing peaceful trade and connection with other islanders as the Alantri adapt and uphold their legacy in new lands.

The Khenari and the Returned

Once a unified people, the Alantri were torn apart by the betrayal of Dashiva, the dark goddess of corruption and decadence. A faction of their race, led by Calrile Shranzudum, succumbed to Dashiva’s promises of immortality, resulting in a civil war that left the Alantri shattered. These traitors became the Khenari, exiled and twisted by their allegiance to Dashiva.
Though some Khenari, known as the Returned, have broken free from Dashiva’s influence, the Alantri are cautious in accepting them back. The rift caused by this betrayal still haunts their people, serving as a constant reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the fragility of balance within the Weave. The Returned are seen by the Alantri as embodying the struggle for redemption—a struggle that aligns with their own efforts to uphold the Weave against corruption.

Language & Naming

The Alantri language is melodic and rich in abstract concepts, particularly those related to magic and the Weave, with a flowing, musical quality that reflects its lyrical intonations. Alantri names are typically long, multi-syllabic, and often share a first syllable among family members to signify their lineage. Gender is usually denoted by the ending of the name, though this convention is flexible, and family names are seldom used, as individual accomplishments and personal traits hold greater significance than lineage.
Male Names: Thaloren, Lirien, Arthen, Eadren, Altharion, Corien
Female Names: Myrthia, Lyndia, Eirien, Kaelia, Niamhia, Rhiannonia

Alantri Traits

Your Alantri character has the following racial traits.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age: Although Alantri reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, they are considered adults around the age of three centuries and can live to be over a thousand years old.
Alignment: Alantri are extremely disciplined, acting with great deliberation and care. They often seem narrow-minded due to their strict worldview. They tend toward lawful neutral or lawful good alignments.
Size: Alantri are tall, standing around 6 feet, with slender builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision: Accustomed to twilight forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
Disciplined Mind: Due to your rigorous training and disciplined upbringing, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.
Keen Senses: You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Trance: Alantri do not need sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; these dreams are mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
Alantri Weapons Training: You have proficiency with the Shandri and the Thandri, the iconic weapons of your people. Your natural grace and agility allow you to move fluidly in and out of combat.
Innate Spellcasting: Your connection to the Weave grants you innate magical abilities. You can cast the following spells innately, without requiring material components or spell checks, once per long rest: Detect Magic, Identify, Disguise Self.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common (Landrian) and Alantri.

Playing an Alantri

To play an Alantri is to embody the elegance, patience, and wisdom of a people shaped by their long lives and deep connection to the Weave. Every action is deliberate, every word carries weight, and your presence reflects centuries of mastery in both magic and the blade. Yet, underlying this grace is the quiet sorrow of a people in decline. The awareness of your dwindling numbers and the tragedies that have befallen your race lends a melancholic edge to your existence, pushing you to protect what remains and ensure your people’s legacy endures.

Personality

Alantri are measured and thoughtful, rarely rushing into decisions. They value family, tradition, and mastery of their chosen arts, approaching life with a calm resolve. Beneath their reserved demeanor is a deep loyalty to their people and the Weave, driven by the knowledge that their race is fading. Their words are few but meaningful, and their actions are graceful and precise, reflecting their pursuit of balance. The sense of loss that permeates their culture does not make them passive, but rather strengthens their resolve to protect the Weave and their kin.

Roleplaying an Alantri

As an Alantri, your culture and the sense of decline that haunts your people shape how you see the world:
Measured and Deliberate: You take time to weigh every option before acting, always considering the long-term consequences.
Guardians of the Weave and Legacy: Your role as a protector of the Weave and your people’s legacy is central to your identity. Every decision is made with the knowledge that your race is in slow decline.
Masters of Sword and Magic: Whether through martial prowess or magical ability, you seek perfection in your craft, knowing that each achievement reflects the legacy of your people.

Why Venture Out?

Alantri rarely leave the Isles of Stars without a profound reason. The awareness of their diminishing numbers makes each departure a serious decision:
Protect the Weave: You may be tasked with defending the Weave from corruption or investigating disturbances that threaten its balance.
Seek Redemption or Legacy: Some Alantri venture out to restore family honor, right a personal wrong, or leave a lasting impact that will contribute to the preservation of their people’s legacy.
Pursuit of Knowledge: A few travel to uncover lost magical knowledge or hone their skills, knowing that the survival of their race may depend on these rare talents.

Alantri in a Party

In a party, you bring grace, wisdom, and mastery to the group. Whether through your magic or swordsmanship, your abilities make you a powerful ally. Your calm and deliberate nature can serve as a stabilizing force in chaotic situations. While your quiet resolve might stand in contrast to more impulsive members of the group, your deep loyalty to your companions ensures that you will stand by them, determined to protect the Weave, their legacy, and the bonds that hold you together.

Example Heroes

The following are some example character ideas for player heroes.
Myrthia, the Fighter
A Shandri master, Myrthia embodies the fluidity and power of the Weave, each step echoing her people’s disciplined elegance. Crimson tattoos snake across her skin, glinting like autumn leaves as she maneuvers with her blade in swift, lethal arcs. Trained by her mentor, Master Arthen, she has honed her skill to strike as the Weave directs, with controlled intensity. Myrthia’s journey leads her beyond the Isles to confront dark forces, her spirit a quiet yet unbreakable bulwark against those who threaten the balance her people hold dear.
Eirithra, the Wizard
With striking auburn hair and vibrant green eyes, Eirithra is a seeker of knowledge, driven by the mysteries of the Weave. Revering Sune’s teachings, she ventures into forgotten ruins and ancient libraries, safeguarding arcane secrets to keep them from reckless hands. Her spellwork is a reflection of her devotion, each cast precise and steeped in Alantri tradition. Her travels bring her face-to-face with corrupted magics, where her mastery over the Weave serves not only as a tool of protection but as a reminder of the beauty and purpose her people find in wisdom.
Lyradan, the Cleric of Sune
Lyradan’s calm, reflective gaze is reminiscent of his devotion to Sune, The Seeker. His alabaster skin and silver-tinged hair bear the mark of Divine Taint, a visible sign of his connection to Sune’s vast knowledge. Lyradan is both historian and healer, traversing Tavomia to recover lost lore and share the lessons within, yet wary of delving too deeply into forbidden mysteries. Known for his patient counsel and gentle authority, he acts as a guide to those seeking purpose, his words and divine light illuminating the way for those shadowed by despair or ignorance.