[](https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/egtw/yDOyqyOocErRgYJK/04-02.png) ## Elves When [[Exandria]] trembled at the gods’ footfalls, the ancient elves of the north pleaded with [[Corellon|the Arch Heart]] to save them from the world’s ending. [[Corellon]] did not respond, for it is said that their divine ears still rang with pain after their duel to the death with [[Gruumsh]], [[the Ruiner]]. Desperate and panicked, the greatest mages of the elves performed a ritual powerful enough to encase their entire civilization in ice, in hopes of protecting it from the wrath of the warring gods while the elves escaped into [[the Feywild]]. It is said that the ashes of [[the Calamity]] still blew upon the breeze when, centuries later, the barriers of ice melted and the elves of [[Wildemount]] emerged from [[the Feywild]] once more. On their return to the world, they found that their ritual had not held fast. [[The Calamity]] had wiped almost all traces of elven civilization from [[Exandria]]. With only the ruined husks of their mighty cities still standing, the elves began to rebuild. Even though the human-majority civilizations of [[the Dwendalian Empire]] and [[the Clovis Concord]] view elves as reclusive relics of the ancient past, most elves view themselves as newcomers to the world, for their return to [[Wildemount]] is only a generation or two removed from the present day. The notable exception are the dark elves of [[Xhorhas]], who have lived in [[Eastern Wynandir]] since time immemorial. Still, it is only in the past few centuries that they have abandoned the labyrinthine caverns of the Underdark and emerged to live on the surface. ### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#ElvesintheDwendalianEmpire)Elves in the [[Dwendalian Empire]] Though the dark elves of [[Xhorhas]] are the subject of imperial propaganda and widespread prejudice, elves of other kinds living within the empire are generally treated as friends and allies. Imperial [[humans]] love to revere elves as ethereal, flawless beings, and to express shock when elves reveal the ways that they are all-to similar to humans. Elves who maintain their “exotic mystique” are most likely to become respected members of society, and many hold great social power within cities such as [[Zadash]] and [[Rexxentrum]]. ### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#ElvesontheMenagerieCoast)Elves on the [[Menagerie Coast]] Elves are commonplace in [[the Clovis Concord]] and among the pirates of the [[Revelry]], and people living on this part of the continent most often laugh at tales of elven grace and beauty. “An elf bleeds just like everyone else” is a common saying on [[the Menagerie Coast]], used to dismiss the fanciful sense of wonder common in [[the Dwendalian Empire|the Empire]]--and the saying has evolved into a dismissal of all overwrought tales, even if the idiom doesn’t quite fit. Savvy buyers of curios and souvenirs might say, “Your wares bleed, just like everyone else’s” to a merchant who has exaggerated the quality of their goods. Most elves on [[the Menagerie Coast]] are descended from travelers from the desert continent of [[Marquet]], but this area is also home to two rare subraces of elf. The seas off the coast are inhabited by secluded civilizations of water-breathing sea elves, who trade with underwater enclaves of merfolk. All but the most idealistic or mercenary of these ocean dwellers see the petty squabbles of the “boat-riders” of the surface world as beneath their notice. At another geographic extreme, the moon-worshiping pallid elves of [[the Cyrios Mountains]] are new to the world, and are generally viewed with cordial curiosity by the denizens of [[the Concord's]] cities. ### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#ElvesinXhorhas)Elves in Xhorhas The largest elf-majority civilization in [[Wildemount]] is [[the Kryn Dynasty]] of [[Xhorhas]], which is made up primarily of dark elves. The drow of [[Xhorhas]] are respectful toward people of all races--including other elves--as they believe that their holy cycle of rebirth allows them to be reborn into non-drow bodies. The empathy to be gained by experiencing life in another body is crucial to their religion and their culture. Elves who live outside [[the Luxon]]’s cycle of rebirth are viewed with pity, for they have not yet seen the true path. Elves who dwell within [[the Dwendalian Empire]] are a notable exception, their imperial allegiance earning them only the cold bite of a blade. ### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#ElfSubraces)Elf Subraces At the DM’s discretion, players have access to the pallid elf and sea elf subraces described below, in addition to the elf subraces in the [Player’s Handbook](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/phb). _**Height and Weight.**_ Here’s how to randomly determine the height and weight of a pallid elf or sea elf, starting with rolling a size modifier: Size modifier = 2d10 Height = 4 feet + 6 inches + your size modifier in inches Weight in pounds = 90 + (1d4 × your size modifier) #### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#PallidElf)Pallid Elf The pallid elves are a mystical and insightful people with skin as pale as the surface of [[Exandria]]’s largest moon. They emerged from [[the Pallid Grove]] this century and wander the world with childlike curiosity. _**Ability Score Increase.**_ Your Wisdom score increases by 1. _**Incisive Sense.**_ You have advantage on Intelligence ([Investigation](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/playing-the-game#Skills)) and Wisdom ([Insight](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/playing-the-game#Skills)) checks. _**Blessing of [[the Moon Weaver]].**_ You know the [light](https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2166-light) cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the [sleep](https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2254-sleep) 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 [invisibility](https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/2159-invisibility) spell (targeting yourself only) once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Casting these spells with this trait doesn’t require material components. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells. #### [](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/egtw/character-options#SeaElf)Sea Elf Sea elves are a reclusive and deeply territorial people who have as much in common with merfolk as they do with other elves. Most sea elves view the people of [[the Clovis Concord]]--even other elves--with mistrust. _**Ability Score Increase.**_ Your Constitution score increases by 1. _**Sea Elf Training.**_ You have proficiency with the spear, trident, light crossbow, and net. _**Child of the Sea.**_ You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water. _**Friend of the Sea.**_ Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed. _**Languages.**_ You can speak, read, and write [[Aquan]].