In the distant past, the elves were one people. Powerful and mysterious, elves routinely lived to a millennium or more. However, factions in Elven society rose up and overthrew their Royals, demanding the right to rule themselves. Infighting then followed, with elves fractioning into air, earth, fire, and water peoples. In the process, some great magic was lost, and elves began to die earlier and earlier. Nobody knows why. Lifespans currently set at 250 years. All the Elven nations want the secret to long life, and any rumor of a member of the royal family is ruthlessly pursued.
While elven lifespans dwindled, their rate of reproduction remained unchanged. Elves can only reproduce under very, very specific mystical circumstances. This is tied to the alignment of heavenly bodies, which only will happen every 75 years. This results in a sort of frenzy of mating, with the result that elves are always born in a huge cohort. The generation gap is huge, as is competition. Newly born elflings seem to their parents to wither and die before their eyes, and none of the new rulers can tell them why.
Each of the different nations has most traits in common, including the fact that they are born with wings. These don't allow for flight, as even an elf is too heavy for that. However, each of the Elven people has cosmetic and cultural traits that set them apart.
After the overthrow of the Royals, the four peoples agreed on a common system of government. Each nation is led by a Kaani, or voice of the people. The Kaani is helped by a Neuvot, or Council of advisors. Beyond this very basic framework, each nation has been able to work out its own details.
Ilma are the sky elves. They live in the tops of broadleaf trees, with their feet rarely needing to touch the ground. Ilma have multicolored plumage, like tropical birds, though the snowy winged Royals were Ilma as well. The Ilma allow their elders to serve as their Neuvot, and these advisors choose a Kaani who will serve for life.
Lika are the stone elves. They dwell in dense, dark pine forests, and in caverns below them. Lika plumage is black, gray, or dappled. Their skin ranges from pale, through grey, to black; those spending more time above ground are lighter, and are said to be sun-bleached. The Lika select a new Neuvot every 10 years, and a new Kaani every four. No elf may serve two terms in a row. Every elf casts a vote, with parents voting on behalf of their children.
Meri are sea elves. While most dwell on the coasts, some have settled on lakes and rivers. Their plumage can be golden or pale blue, often with a gray stripe across the back. The Meri choose their Neuvot by lot, with every adult eligible to serve. Terms are two years, with some of the advisors beginning, serving, and ending their service at any given moment. The Kaani is chosen by the high priests of the 16 great gods, and serves for 25 years.
Valta are the flame elves. They make their homes on the slopes of hills and mountains, including volcanoes. Their wings have the brown and rust plumage of raptors, some with white or gray spots. Half of the Neuvot are nobles, who owned land and titles from centuries ago. The other half are elected by the adult elves and serve for 10 year terms. The Kaani is elected from among the noble houses, but is chosen by the elected members. They serve for life.
There are also the Kainen, or Common Elves. This is not common as in ordnary, but common as in shared. These elves are wingless, and their bodies and souls are made up of multiple elements. They live among the other peoples, respected no more or less. However, they are uniquely suited to resolving conflicts between the peoples and aiding them in working together.
Being a somewhat chaotic folk, the elves tend to favor small villages over large cities. However, the teaching of magic demands bringing together a large population in one place, and so de facto cities have sprung up around the Elven universities. Four of these universities serve a single people, offer no particular specialty, and also house the seat of government. The others are smaller, have mixed populations, and focus resources in a few select areas, although they are still considered to be the territory of one people.
RPGlink
For Kainen, use the "Elf" species from Dungeons & Dragons 5.24. For other elves, adapt the "Genasi" or "Eladrin" species from Dungeons and Dragons 5.24. If you choose an Eladrin, you may only choose the Season appropriate to your elf's people, and may not change it when you trance. Ilma: Air Genasi/Spring Lika: Earth Genasi/Winter Meri: Water Genasi/Autumn Valta: Fire Genasi/Summer
Note: Homebrew species and feats for Astarian Elves are available on D&D Beyond.
Articles under Elves
- Common Elf: Kainen
- Flame Elf: Valta
- Sea Elf: Meri
- Sky Elf: Ilma
- Stone Elf: Lika