[](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. [[Elf|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 [[Elf|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 [[Elf|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. [[Elf|Elves]] who live outside [[the Luxon]]’s cycle of rebirth are viewed with pity, for they have not yet seen the true path. [[Elf|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 [[Elf|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]].