72 CHAPTER 3 | DWARVES
ELVES
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Elven culture began on the distant continent of
Xen’drik. Tens of thousands of years ago, the
elves rose up against the giants who ruled that
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settled the island nation of Aerenal. There they
split into two distinct cultures: the introspective
Aereni and the warlike Tairnadal. While
neither of these cultures have much interest in
human activities, a small number of elves have
immigrated to Khorvaire over the years and have
integrated with the cultures of the Five Nations.
As a whole, elves are driven by tradition
and respect for the past. Where humans value
innovation, elves strive to perfect the techniques
of their ancestors. With centuries to devote to
their studies, the elves are masters of their chosen
crafts; at the same time, their society has changed
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Khorvaire is constantly evolving. As an elf,
consider your relationship with the past. Do you
value the traditions of your ancestors? Or do you
fear that your people are too mired in the past,
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Aerenal is ruled by the Undying Court, a council
of undead elves sustained by positive energy.
The Undying Court wields godlike power and
has protected your island home for thousands of
years. The greatest heroes of your people join the
Undying Court after death; if you achieve great
things in your life, you too could achieve this
immortality.
The Aereni are isolationists who have little
interest in the world beyond their island. The
Five Nations are a place of chaos and war. With
this in mind, what has caused you to leave your
island and wander the world? Are you in search
of a power that could earn you your place in the
Undying Court? Have you been given a quest by
one of your own deathless ancestors? Or are you
an exile, banished from your homeland for some
crime against the Undying Court?
As one of the Aereni, think about your history.
What is your family known for, and how can you
prove yourself to be a master of these skills? Do
you have ancestors in the Undying Court, and if
so, what’s your relationship with them? Do you
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challenge, or are you patient with them?