Dark Elf
PHB
Dark Elf (Drow)
Drow not only bare the weight of history on their backs, but in their appearance as well. These pale-haired dark elves are descended of high elves that hundreds of years ago, made a bargain that afflicted them with shadow magic, an aversion to sunlight, and altered their appearance. Generations later, Drow are a people at home in shadow, and thanks to their innate magic, learn to conjure forth both light and darkness.
As a drow you have inherited the repercussions of your ancestors choices, not only physically, but magically as well. Traditionally, drow pass on the legend of their creation through story, as to remember who they are and how they came to exist. Centuries ago, a cult of high elves who worshipped Lolth, Matron of Spiders, struck a bargain with the demon through depraved ritual. She was pleased with her followers and wished to shape them in her image, and so she corrupted not only the evil elves of the cult, but their families too, despite their innocence. The cult's secret courtship with Lolth could not be hidden after that, and all drow were banished from their homeland.
These elves, most of whom shunned the actions of their guilty kin, became refugees who fled their homeland for the Cantara Isles. Those who opposed the actions of the cult of Lolth settled in the Montipalan Islands, where the thick jungle canopies gave them shelter from the sun, while those still true to their demon lord fled beneath the surface and settled the dark recesses of the world. Generations later, much has changed but the drow are forever defined by the touch of Lolth.
"To spot a drow in a crowd you need not spot their hair, eyes, or skin, only the breadth of their hat!"
ability score increase:
Increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1.
age:
Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.
Size:
Medium
speed:
30
Languages:
Common and Elvish (or a different language of your choice based on your character's backstory)
race features:
Superior Darkvision. Your Darkvision has a radius of 120 feet.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on Saving Throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (the common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually 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.
Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of the attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Drow Weapon Training. You have Proficiency with rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows.
Drow Magic. You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd Level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a Long Rest. When you reach 5th Level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a Long Rest. Charisma is your Spellcasting ability for these spells.
In Cantara
As a drow of Cantara you likely come from one of two places:The Montipalan Islands. Most drow settled here to take advantage of the shade the thick jungle provides. They have become much like the Sea Elves and other Montipalans in culture, taking to the sea, cultivating large plantations, or becoming some of the most notorious rogues in history.
The Underdark. In the vision of their patron, the descendants of the cult of Lolth still live in settlements deep in the caverns and crevices below the surface. Many uphold their depraved religious devotion to their mistress, but there are also those who turn their backs on the evil. Communities of dark elves not under Lolth's influence thrive in the Underdark, while some others have found their way to the surface.
Appearance
Drow tend to be smaller and thinner than most elves. Their skin color ranges from a fairer grey to a black that resembles polished obsidian, and hair of stark white, silver, charcoal, or even blue. They commonly have very pale eyes in shades of lilac, silver, pink, red, and blue.Sunlight Sensitivity
It's a common misconception by those who haven't met many dark elves that their aversion to sunlight is harmful much like a vampire, which leads to surprise when they find one walking the streets on a cloudless day. Drow are not harmed by sunlight, but it does cause discomfort and can be painful to their eyes. While they are quite fine going about their business in daylight, you will find that they seek shade wherever possible, live in regions with reliable cover from the sun, prefer nocternal lifestyles, and favor hoods or wide brimmed hats.Names
Drow naming conventions differ based on where they come from. If they are from the Montipalan Islands, then they will have Montipalan names much like their neighbors. If they are from the underdark, then they will tend to have more traditional elven naming conventions, though the stylings of names have changed over generations.For more information on Montipalan names for Drow, see the "Names" section of the Sea Elf article.
Underdark Given Names: Ardunae, Calor, Etheva, Imbros, Istorinn, Jarlyn, Kharith, Lesvyr, Micarnium, Nedylene, Nymraen, Olorra, Phyrdra, Solaunan, Tathlyn, T'rismyra, Urllanna, Vhumet, Xildan, Xunlin, Zilvryne
Underdark Surnames: Arkenviir, Baenraerth, Beltune, Fresek, Illykur, Kro'ntir, Maeath, Naerth, Orlyarn, Rilynai, S'sune, Telyrr, Toavae, Vrammyr, Yauntyrr, Zuiryn
Name Generators
