Elden

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The Elden race, often referred to as "Eld" or "Elf" in the common tongue, hails from their homeworld of Etheos. Known for their elegance and deep Elden pride, they are a people rooted in tradition and cultural heritage. Elden culture is defined by a profound respect for magic and nature, which they seamlessly incorporate into their societies, architecture, and way of life. Physically, Elden are distinguished by their pointed ears, a universally recognized trait of their kind. Despite their shared origins, the Elden are a diverse race, encompassing many distinct cultures, each with unique traditions and interpretations of their heritage. While they primarily reside on Etheos, Elden communities can be found scattered throughout the Star Wilds, though they often prefer to live among their own kind.

Elden society is united under the rule of their god-queen, the Eldqueen, a divine and eternal figure who serves as both their ruler and spiritual guide. Nearly all Elden hold a deep spiritual connection to the Eldqueen, seeing her as the embodiment of their legacy and a source of purpose. With long lifespans and low birthrates, Elden communities are tightly knit, fostering strong bonds and a shared sense of unity. Their longevity allows them to pursue rich, fulfilling lives, and they take tremendous pride in their ability to live fully, often viewing their lifespans as a gift that sets them apart from other races. While this pride can sometimes be seen as aloofness, the Elden remain deeply committed to preserving their traditions and embracing the beauty of life in all its forms.

Size:
Your size is Medium, standing around 5 to 6 ft tall.

Speed:
Your base walking speed is 3o ft.

Lifespan:
Elden reach maturity around age 20 and can live upwards of 700 years.

Alignment:
Elden typically lean toward lawful alignments, valuing tradition, order, and loyalty. Their cultural values freedom, variety, and self-expression, so they can sometimes lean strongly towards the gentler aspects of chaos.

Languages:
You can speak, read and write in Common and Elden.

Darkvision:
You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Elden Ancestry:
You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep. You don't need to sleep, magic can't put you to sleep, and you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed. You can finish a long rest in 4 hours if you spend those hours in a trancelike meditation, during which you remain conscious. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit a human would from 8 hours of sleep.

As an Elden, please choose from one of the following sub-races to determine additional racial features:

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The High Eld, often also referred to as the Gold Eld, embody refinement, ambition, and sophistication. Their culture revolves around elegance, social class, and personal accomplishment, with their cities standing as architectural masterpieces adorned with golden hues and graceful spires. Said to be direct descendants of the Eldqueen herself, the High Eld see their connection to her as sacred, and their devotion to her divine authority drives their values of elegance, order, and personal accomplishment. High Eld value art, music, and literature, while family lineage and "purity" of blood are sources of immense pride, reinforcing their sense of superiority over other races—and sometimes even other Elden. They dedicate their long lives to self-improvement, pursuing magical mastery, political influence, and social mobility within their rigid hierarchy, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to civility and decorum. Strikingly beautiful, High Eld are known for their with fair skin tinged with a golden undertone, radiant eyes, and hair in shades of gold or platinum. While admired for their beauty and accomplishments, their pride and haughty demeanor garners equal parts admiration and resentment from other races.

Ability Score Increase:
Charisma +2, Intelligence +1

Skill Selection:
You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice from the following: History, Insight, Persuasion, or Arcana.

Eldwyn Elegance:
You know the Prestidigitation cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Superiority Complex:
You have advantage on Persuasion checks when interacting with other High Eld or races that respect High Eld culture (such as other Elden races). However, you have disadvantage on Persuasion checks against races that inherently dislike or distrust the High Eld or Elden people.

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The Wood Eld are deeply spiritual and have a profound connection to nature, often residing in forested areas where they live in harmony with the natural world. While they revere the Eldqueen like most Elden, many also follow deities representing nature, balance, and life. Their culture centers around the values of nature, grace, harmony, and the preservation of the natural order, which they see as sacred. Like other Elden, the Wood Eld carry a strong sense of pride in their heritage but uniquely tie this pride to their coexistence with the natural world. They live simply yet elegantly, placing natural beauty and balance at the core of their lives. Calm and thoughtful, they value community and tradition, fiercely protecting both their kin and the wilderness.

Ability Score Increase:
Intelligence: +2, Wisdom +1

Skill Selection:
You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice from the following: Nature, Survival, Arcana, or Animal Handling.

Spirit of the Wild:
You can cast the Speak with Animals spell once per long rest without expending a spell slot. At 5th level, you can also cast Beast Sense once per long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Natural Camouflage:
When in a forest or similar natural environment, you can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, mist, or other natural phenomena. Additionally, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when moving through forested environments.

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The Night Eld, sometimes called Dark Eld, are an independent subrace of the Elden, named for their nocturnal lifestyle and preference for the quiet and solitude of the night. Their culture differs greatly from other Elden, as they value personal independence and individual journeys over familial ties or community connections. Dating, marriage, and raising children are often seen as things to pursue much later in life, with most Night Eld focusing on their own growth and experiences first. This individualistic mindset can make them seem distant or cold, but those who earn their trust and connection are deeply valued, as Night Eld rarely let others into their lives easily. They worship the Eldqueen, like most Elden, and lightly value elegance and decorum, though far less rigidly than the High Eld. They carry the same deep Elden pride and grace as their kin, but their focus lies on personal responsibility and self-reliance, rather than on lineage or family legacy. Slightly mischievous and sneaky by nature, they often exhibit slight chaotic tendencies, which, combined with their nocturnal habits, sometimes gives them a negative reputation among other races. Despite this, they are often good-natured, though their cunning and playful streaks can make them both unpredictable and intriguing. Their appearance is characterized by skin tones that range from pale lavender to deep violet, with hair that is often white, black, or shades of gray. Their nocturnal nature defines much of their identity, as they thrive under the cover of darkness and prefer the calm and quiet it brings. While their independence and sly demeanor can make them seem aloof, the Night Eld are thoughtful and determined, making their loyalty and companionship rare but deeply meaningful.

Ability Score Increase:
Dexterity +2, Charisma +1

Skill Selection:
You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice from the following: Deception, Persuasion, Stealth, or Insight.

Moonlit Vitality:
While it is nighttime, your hit point maximum increases by +2. If the moon is visible, this bonus increases to +4. When the sun rises, this effect ends.

Silver Tongue:
You have advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks when attempting to lie or mislead others.