Elf

As an ancient people, elves have seen great change and have the perspective that can come only from watching the arc of history. After leaving Golarion in ancient times, they returned to a changed land, and they still struggle to reclaim their ancestral homes. Elves value kindness, intellect, and beauty, with many elves striving to improve their manners, appearance, and culture. Their studies delve into a level of detail that most shorter-lived peoples find excessive or inefficient. Elves are often rather private people, steeped in the secrets of their groves and kinship groups. They’re slow to build friendships outside their kinsfolk, as elves who spend their lives among shorter-lived peoples often become morose after watching generations of companions age and die. These elves are known as Forlorn among their fellow elves.

If you want a character who is magical, mystical, and mysterious, you should play an elf.

You might…

Carefully curate your relationships with people with shorter lifespans.
Adopt specialized or obscure interests simply for the sake of mastering them.

Others probably…

Focus on your appearance, either admiring your grace or treating you as if you’re physically fragile.
Worry that you privately look down on them, or feel like you’re condescending and aloof.

Physical Description

While generally taller than humans, elves possess a fragile grace, accentuated by long features and sharply pointed ears. Their eyes are wide and rounded, featuring large and often vibrantly colored pupils that make up the entire visible portion of the eye. These pupils give them an alien look and allow them to see sharply even in very little light.

Elves gradually adapt to their environment and their companions, and they often take on physical traits reflecting their surroundings. An elf who has dwelled in primeval forests for centuries, for example, might exhibit verdant hair and gnarled fingers, while one who’s lived in a desert might have golden pupils and skin. Elves reach physical adulthood around the age of 20, though they aren’t considered to be fully emotionally mature by other elves until closer to the passing of their first century. A typical elf can live to around 600 years old.

Society

The inborn patience and intellectual curiosity of elves make them excellent sages, philosophers, and wizards, and their societies are built upon their inherent sense of wonder and knowledge.

Elves hold deeply seated ideals of individualism, allowing each elf to explore multiple occupations before alighting on a particular pursuit or passion that suits her best. Elves bear notorious grudges against rivals, which elves call ‘ilduliel,’ but these antagonistic relationships can sometimes blossom into friendships over time. An elf keeps their personal name secret among their family, while giving a nickname when meeting other people. This nickname can change over time, due to events in the elf’s life or even on a whim. A single elf might be known by many names by associates of different ages and regions. Elven names consist of multiple syllables and are meant to flow lyrically—at least in the Elven tongue.

Sample Names: Aerel, Amrunelara, Caladrel, Dardlara, Faunra, Heldalel, Jathal, Lanliss, Oparal, Seldlon, Soumral, Talathel, Tessara, Variel, Yalandlara, Zordlon

Beliefs

Elves are often emotional and capricious, yet they hold high ideals close to their hearts. They prefer deities who share their love of all things mystic and artistic. Desna and Shelyn are particular favorites, the former for her sense of wonder and the latter for her appreciation of artistry. Calistria is the most notorious of elven deities, as she represents many of the elven ideals taken to the extreme.

Popular Edicts find beauty in nature and art, explore things others would keep hidden, demonstrate superiority to your rival

Popular Anathema abandon your own path, force another creature to do something

Hit Points

Size

Medium

Speed

30 feet

Attribute Boosts

Dexterity
Intelligence
Free

Attribute Flaw

Constitution

Languages

Common
Elven
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from Draconic, Empyrean, Fey, Gnomish, Goblin, Kholo, Orcish, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

Traits

Elf
Humanoid

Low-Light Vision

You can see in dim light as though it were bright light, so you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.

Elf Heritages

Elves live long lives, have multitudes of experiences, and adapt to their environment after dwelling there for a long time. Choose one of the following elven heritages at 1st level.

Ancestry Feats

At 1st level, you gain one ancestry feat, and you gain an additional ancestry feat every 4 levels thereafter (at 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level). As an elf, you select from among the following ancestry feats.

Elf