Elf (CR 1/2)
Medium Humanoid (Elf)
Alignment: Usually chaotic good
Initiative: +1 (Dex); Senses: Listen +2 and Spot +2
AC: 15 (+1 Dex, +3 studded leather, +1 small shield), touch 11, flat-footed 13
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will -1*
Speed: 30 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +1; Grapple +2
Attack: Longsword +2 melee; or longbow +3 ranged
Full Attack: Longsword +2 melee; or longbow +3 ranged
Damage: Longsword 1d8+1/19-20; or longbow 1d8/x3
Special Attacks: Elven traits
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
Special Qualities: Elven traits
Feats: Weapon Focus (longbow)
Skills: Hide +1, Listen +2, Search +3, and Spot +2
Advancement: By character class
Climate/Terrain: Temperate forest
Organization: Company(2-4), squad (11-20 plus 3rd-level sergeants and 1 leader of 3rd-6th level) or band (30-100 plus 20% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 10 adults, 5 5th-level lieutenants and 3 7th-level captains)
Treasure/Possessions: Standard
Source:
Monster Manual
Elves are aloof guardians of the forests, studying magic and sword-play for the duration of their long lives.
Elves are attractive humanlike beings that average 5 feet tall and typically weigh just over 100 pounds. They tend to be pale-skinned and dark-haired, with deep green eyes, and do not grow facial hair. They live on fruits, grains, and occasional hunting. Elves prefer colorful clothes, usually with a green-and-gray cloak that blends well with the colors of the forest. They like beautiful things, from elegant jewelry to attractive flowers to decorated clothing and tools.
Elves speak Elven, and most also know Common and Sylvan. Like dwarves, elves are craftmasters, although they work in wood and metal rather than metal and stone. Elven items are prized by other races, and many elven communities have become prosperous by trading crafted goods with other peoples in and out of the forests.
Most elves encountered outside their homes are warriors; the information in the statistics block is for one of 1st level.
Combat
Elves are cautious warriors and take time to analyze their opponents and the location of the fight if at all possible, maximizing their advantage by using ambushes, snipers, and camouflage. They prefer to fire from cover and retreat before they are found, repeating this maneuver until all of their enemies are dead. They prefer longbows, shortbows, rapiers, and longswords. In melee, elves are graceful and deadly, using complex maneuvers that are beautiful to observe. Their wizards often use sleep spells during combat because these won't affect other elves.
Elven Traits (Ex): Elves benefit from a number of racial traits.
- Proficient with longsword, rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, and composite shortbow, regardless of character class.
- Immunity to magic sleep spell and effects.
- +2 racial bonus to Will saves against enchantment spells or effects
- Low-light Vision: Elves can see twice as far as a humans in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, etc.
- +2 racial bonus to Search, Spot, and Listen checks. An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check as though actively looking for it.
Elf Society
Elves believe that independence and freedom for the individual are more important than the rigid structures of civilization, so they tend to live and travel in small bands. These bands accept the loose authority of a noble who in turn owes allegiance to an elven monarch (who rules his or her own band directly).
Elves live in harmony with nature, building temporary camps that blend into the trees - or are in the branches of the trees, away from prying eyes. They frequently have animal guardians or giant eagles watching their homes. An elven settlement contains noncombatants (mostly children) equal to 20% of the fighting population. Elf society is very egalitarian, males or females may be found in almost any role.
Their long life span gives elves a patient perspective and allows them to take pleasure in the enduring beauty of the natural world. They don't see the point in short-term gains and instead learn things that will provide joy for years to come, such as stories, music, art, and dance. Treasures such as elven music and crafts disguise the fact that elves are dedicated warriors determined to check the spread of evil in the forests.
Elves eat little and although they are omnivorous, they eat more plants than meat. This is partly because of their affinity with nature (they believe a harvested plant causes less disruption to nature than a slain animal) and partly because their fondness for roving requires food that is preserved more easily.
The chief elf deity is Corellon Larethian, who is the creator and protector of the race.