Shadow Elves

Shadow Elves: The Official AD&D(R) Game Statistics

by Monte Cook, TSR, Inc.
(C)1995 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
(R) and (TM) indicate trademarks of TSR, Inc.

   This file is a rules addition to the D&D(R) accessory GAZ13 <The
Shadow Elves>, created by Carl Sargent and Gary Thomas, edited by
John Nephew (1990). As the MYSTARA(R) folder here shows, shadow
elves are a very popular facet of the Known World. Now that the
MYSTARA campaign has become an AD&D(R) setting, here is what you
need to know to play shadow-elf player characters. As usual, it's
assumed that the character you play will not be evil and will
probably be an outcast from his less-than-lovable (at least as far
as most surface-worlders are concerned) society.

Ability Score Modifications
+1 to Intelligence
+1 to Dexterity
-1 to Constitution
-1 to Charisma

Racial Ability Requirements
Strength       3/18
Dexterity      7/18
Constitution   3/18
Intelligence   9/18
Wisdom         4/18
Charisma       3/18

Class and Level Limits
          Maximum Level
Warrior
     Fighter   15
     Ranger    N/A
     Paladin   N/A
Priest
     Cleric    15
     Druid     N/A
Wizard         18
Rogue
     Thief     10
     Bard      N/A

(Note that these levels are higher, in most cases, than those for
standard elves.)

Multi-class Options: Fighter/Mage, Thief/Mage, Cleric/Mage

Warriors
   Fighters are commonly found in any society, of any race, and
these elves are no exception. However, there are no shadow-elf
rangers or paladins.

Priests
   Shadow-elf clerics are called shamans (not to be confused with
the shamans of the humanoids in the <Complete Book of Humanoids>,
or shamans in the upcoming <Shaman> product). These individuals are
among the most respected members of their society. Shadow elves
have no equivalent to the druid class (nor any need for such).
Shamans have access to a broad base of spells, including the
following spheres: All, Charm, Divination, Elemental, Healing,
Necromantic, and Protection. They do not worship standard gods,
instead following the Immortal Rafiel alone (see GAZ13 for
details).

Wizards
   Magic and wizards are very important to shadow-elf society.
Shadow elves can be mages, or else specialists in the Conjuration,
Enchantment/Charm, Alteration, and Illusion schools.

Rogues
   Though a few thieves exist in the realms of the shadow elves, it
is not a profession that they excel at, nor is it one they respect.
Thieves are at the lowest rung of their society, but they do exist.
There are no shadow-elf bards.

Special Abilities
   Infravision for shadow elves extends 90 feet, half again as far
as that of their surface cousins. Like all elves, they are 90%
resistant to <sleep> and <charm> spells, but in addition they are
completely immune to the paralyzing effect of any undead creature.
Other types of paralysis does work against them.
   Shadow elves find secret and concealed doors with the same skill
as other elves. Their language is a dialect of surface world elves
(since they descended from them centuries ago), and many are
familiar with the languages of the other underworld races such as
gnolls, orcs, and hobgoblins.
   Shadow elves have the same chance to surprise foes as normal
elves, but only in underground settings, or at night above ground.
Unlike surface elves, these elves do not get a +1 bonus with a
sword or bow.

Age and Appearance
   Shadow elves have the same standard life span and age
requirements as normal (high) elves. They are slightly smaller and
slimmer. Their ears are larger and their flesh is extremely pale.
Their hair is often white, following a general trend toward
albinism from their long subterranean existence.

Role-Playing Suggestions
   Despite their reputation, shadow elves don't have to be evil. As
a general rule, however, they don't like surface world elves, or
for that matter, any surface worlder, or for that matter, anyone
else but other shadow elves. They are an insular society, but a few
outcasts or exceptional individuals could break their societal
norms to adventure with a group of surface worlders. A negative
reaction adjustment of, say, -4 applies to any surface worlder
meeting a shadow-elf PC, and one of -6 is gained from other elves
from the MYSTARA campaign. For the most part, shadow elves must
skulk in the shadows (no pun intended) of surface-world society,
unless they really make a good reputation for themselves as
individual heroes.

Last Notes (from Roger E. Moore)
   Shadow elves are unknown on any other world in the AD&D game
multiverse except the MYSTARA campaign, though individuals can
travel wherever they like, using spells, devices, magical
interworld gateways, or elements of the SPELLJAMMER(R) or
PLANESCAPE(TM) campaigns.
   In addition, note that the MYSTARA campaign has undergone major
geopolitical changes in recent years, following the events in the
<Wrath of the Immortals> boxed set, the three <Poor Wizard's
Almanacs>, and <Joshuan's Almanac> (due out December 1995). Shadow
elves have fought their way to the surface world and now control
their own kingdom, Aengmor, which is completely surrounded by
Darokin. (Aengmor was formerly known as the elven kingdom Alfheim.)
Consider the information in this file and GAZ13 to be the most
accurate "pre-WotI" data available.