Dark Elf

Banished from the light of elven society, Dark Elves walk a lonely path of exile, bearing magical blindness and the burden of redemption—or embracing the darkness that claimed them.

Culture & Society

The dark elves of Vaeria are kin to the regular dusk and dawn elves of the realm; however “dark elves” have been banished from elven society as punishment for some crime they have committed.  These actions have been judged to warrant the most severe punishment available to their people, being cast from the light, the source of all elven inspiration. 

Some actions that may warrant such a punishment would include:

• The study of necromancy
• The worship of dark deities
• The making of pacts with dark powers (demons, undead, hags, etc.)
• Committing crimes against nature
• Committing a particularly violent crime

This banishment results in regular elves refusal to acknowledge the presence of a dark elf in any social setting.  They will not look directly at a dark elf nor will they acknowledge anything they say or do.  They will however defend themselves and their property against a dark elf.

Both elven societies have decreed that those who have been banished shall never again see the light of the sun, moon, or stars.  As a part of this casting into darkness, a magical ritual is performed that transforms the subject’s eyes into jet black orbs.  Frequently these blackened eyes are covered by blindfolds as a feeble attempt to hide their shame.

While these elves have been cast from the light and had their vision taken from them, the elvish people do not wish to be cruel.  As such, a part of the ritual that darkens their vision also bestows upon them magical blindsight that will allow them to function out in the world they must now survive in.

Only a handful of those who have been cast into darkness have been redeemed in the past millennia.  Therefore it is possible to return to the light, but it is a VERY difficult task to accomplish.  Only the most dedicated and fervently repentant souls have a chance to overcome the challenges involved.

Racial Traits

• Blindsight – You are able to perceive you surroundings without relying on sight, within a 10’ radius.
• Keen Hearing – You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing. 
• 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.