He was wrong. More than that, the Elves treated the forest with the awe and reverence it deserved and demanded, seeing the essence of their ancestral gods in its seasonal cycles. [lk] In addition, they also worship the The Ancients, for it was they who spoke on behalf of Athel Loren when the pact between forest and elf was made. They are born with skin colors ranging from light brown to pale tan to light green. Before such an onslaught, not even Morghur could endure; Ariel battered through the creature’s defenses and shattered his mutated form. [3], Gnomes and halflings were less frequent guests among the wood elves, but they were generally seen favorably. In that fire-lit glade, beautiful Ariel found herself drawn to the Lord Orion. Feelings of jealousy and possessiveness were as a result viewed by the race as reasons for teasing or mockery. As Allisara collapsed, her dying breath formed the final syllable of the counter-charm. [3], In the eastern High Forest, the wood elves founded the realm of Earlann around −4700 DR. [1c], They are at once capricious and generous, malicious and caring, servants of both the dark and the light. Athel Loren is divided into twelves realms, each ruled by a lord or lady of the great council. Although some wood elves still dreamt of restoring Earlann, they felt that they had learned their lessons and so sought to avoid the empire-building of their kin or of humans, instead maintaining a strong, but largely non-aggressive, role in regional geopolitics. As the frost hung ever heavier on the bough, Ariel’s grief became bitterness, and bitterness became wrath. So close did wood elven villages resemble their surroundings that humans were occasionally known to wander through one without even noticing. The Wood Elves now became ever more aggressive, and at Ariel’s will journeyed far and wide, avenging the hurts of previous seasons. This article is a stub. Ariel screamed and railed at Durthu, but dared do no more. Indeed, the Mage Queen would not have accepted it had her soul not been shadowed by the sorceries she had already employed, but the lure of power was upon her. Some perished whilst warring in other lands, but most sickened and died as the imbalance Ariel had caused in the Weave took hold. Only when the Wild Hunt reached the slopes of the Silverspire was its wrath finally slaked. Grand elves takes two shots per attack.OffBck As the only ranged Rampart creature, the wood elf provides some much-needed … Instead, wood elves largely kept to the lands they already inhabited, fortifying their position rather than expanding into new territories. [1a], As such, the Wood Elves have spent their entire existence bent solely on the preservation of their forested realms, to ensure that it persist throughout the ages and to protect their demi-god rulers from all harms. [1i], What she did not realise was that the more she drew on the forbidden magics, the more damage was done to the Weave and, as a consequence, the weaker Athel Loren — and all who dwelt within it — became. In their enthusiasm, they were heedless of the ancient one’s warning that a great sacrifice would be required. Usually neutral Kurnous had ever been the chief deity of their land, and they were slow to raise weapons against he who wore his aspect. Those wood elves who did become clerics might eventually become hierophants. When the mountain dwellers took revenge, the Wood Elves destroyed several holds in the Grey Mountains, though even they could not breach the mighty fortifications of Karak Norn. In time, she was sure, the living world would heal from the Corruptor’s touch and the Weave would gradually be restored. [1i], Then, at dawn, they saw that the forest was transformed. Wood elves, also known as sylvan elves, are reclusive and seldom seen, living in the ancient hearts of primordial forests. Some spirits wander the paths they walked in life, hidden from the gaze of the most magically intuned, carrying messages and warnings to those who can hear their words. https://warhammerfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Wood_Elves?oldid=125780. It has remade the Dark Elves as selfish despoilers of a world they see fit only for their pleasure. [1c], For much of the Wood Elves’ existence, they spared little thought for the outside world unless it began to encroach on their daily lives. As a result of these perspectives on love, high elves often believed that any relationships engaged with wood elves would be destined to fail from the start. [1b], The Wood Elves are an elite army, formed around a core of highly skilled Elven Archers and supported by the mysterious spirits of Athel Loren. Never has this been truer than in these dark days, where every broken bough or withered leaf carries an omen of darker times to come. Alas for the Hag Sorceress, Malekith had long since learned of his mother’s role in Allisara’s death. Physically strong, frail[1] Wood elves tended to dress in simple clothes, similar to those of the moon elves but with fewer bold colors and a greater number of earth tones that blended into their natural surroundings. Even if they had been capable of grasping the concept, the Wood Elves were certainly not prepared to share their secret guilt. Guided by prophecy and the wisdom of Ariel, their immortal Mage Queen, the Wood Elves seek to prevent the oncoming disaster from claiming their forest home. [1i], Unfortunately, the Wood Elves soon found it was harder to fade from the world for a second time. The Wood Elves, or the Asrai as they are named in some tales, are but one of three Elven races. [1i], The Silverspire was sacred ground to these primitives, and they too now mustered to its defence. Usually, true elves were a naturally slender and athletic race. Gathering to him almost all of the spirits that had survived the invasion of Ulthuan, he returned home. [1i], By this time, the Oak of Ages at the great forest’s heart had spread its roots across many lands, creating a web of worldroots that the spirits of the wood could traverse to reach faraway places. An elf (plural: elves) is a type of humanlike supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore.In medieval Germanic-speaking cultures, elves seem generally to have been thought of as beings with magical powers and supernatural beauty, ambivalent towards everyday people and capable of either helping or hindering them. Thus passed the Season of Redemption, Ariel and Orion were at last reunited, and the Wood Elves' sundered spirits were again made whole. In the ages after, Ariel would never truly know which of her decisions were made out of malice, rather than reason. Most were founded along the shores, but a great many Elves headed inland. Mighty Durthu led the charge, an unstoppable force of nature who sought revenge upon those who had scarred him. Elf The Wood Elves, also known as Feir'Dal, are a race native to the Greater Faydark forest on the continent of Faydwer. Ariel should not have accepted that bargain. Soon Ariel's bitter nature spread to the spirits of the forest, and without the onset of Orion's Wild Hunt to vent-their spite, they began to prey on the Elves in a way that hadn't been seen for centuries. The further afield the folk of Athel Loren plied their sport, the less credence this idea held, but they cared little and continued to foment war in all the lands north of the mountain range known as the Vaults.[1i]. Some elves even believe they have encountered loved ones reborn as wild animals, or as mischievious spite creatures that flit between the boughs. This time the wild horde did not descend upon Athel Loren, but rampaged through the human tribal lands west of the forest. Many wood elven adventurers also became Harpers. Wood Elf Traits Wood elves tend to be some of the wisest of their kind. Skin color(s) The Mage Queen saw now that the balance between her and her consort was crucial to Athel Loren’s survival. [1], Wood elven romantic and sexual relationships were often polyamorous in nature, members of the race freely engaging or ceasing relations with new partners. It was then that a colossal Daemon broke through the Elven lines, bellowing in triumph as it swept aside the last of the Everqueen’s bodyguard with its four mighty arms. It was then that the Elves, always respectful of all things natural, truly embraced Athel Loren as their home. A year later, after a long struggle against the devils of Ascalhorn that severely weakened the nation, Earlann fell to a horde of conquering orcs. [1i], It was late on that last day that Astarielle came to Durthu with a desperate request: that he rescue her children from the coming doom. Some kindreds hold particular rivalries and deeply ingrained mutual suspicion of others, and conflicts between kindreds are not uncommon. The land where it had flourished bore the scars of fire and wild magic that had driven it back, and even then its borders were assailed by Daemons beyond counting. Vision Roots can be seen far above, curving down from the roof of the hall to form elegant, interweaving pillars set with silver and gemstones. A gnarled oak tree, branches twisted like claws, still marks the place where Morghur’s tainted blood was spilt. Given the earlier materials' physical descriptions, it would seem that the originally described sub-race is what 3rd edition referred to as "wood elves". Though the Witch King had publicly forgiven Morathi her transgression, he now saw an opportunity for vengeance for his lost wife, bringing her to heel, and it was with grim amusement that he forbade any aid be sent north. The Bretonnian cities of Parravon and Quenelles suffered most of all, and teetered towards abandonment as peasants and nobles alike fled west to escape the cruelty of the Elves. Ariel saw none of this. Wood elven leather armor also often doubled as camouflage, disguising a wood elven hunter from potential enemies. During the Crown Wars the wood elves did not leave their ancestral homeland and swore to never start a war with their kin again. Others dwell eternally under the night, or in the glory of the noon-day sun. As the prince moved in for the killing blow, Allisara saw plain the madness that Morathi had placed upon him. Many were destroyed, others were driven mad with despair, yet still the spirits of the forest battled on. Thus began the tradition of the Wild Hunt. [1i], The Alter Kindreds, also known as the Kindreds of Laith-Kourn or Alters, Shifters or Wild kin, are Elves who can adopt the aspects of the creatures who dwell within Athel Loren. The Wood Elves are a race introduced in Total War: Warhammer. In a great rage she sped to where the Wild Riders fought for their lives. Finally, even Orion could find no joy in this work; it was no hunt, but a slaughter. Tolkien's Middle-earth of northern Mirkwood and Lothlórien. Many wood elves had a special place in their heart for the gods Silvanus and Mielikki, whose protection of the wilderness was something the wood elves themselves tried to espouse. To carry blooded creatures along the Oak of Ages’ worldroots would no doubt be seen as a dire transgression, and he was minded not to invoke the wrath of his peers, yet in his time in Avelorn, Durthu had seen how the Elves and forest spirits had been far stronger and wiser together than they had been apart — if either survived the darkness, that strength would surely serve the great forest well in whatever world followed. [1i], Ariel's final act before sealing herself away was to return Orion to the world. Desperately, she sought the proper counter-charm that would set the prince free, but the Hag Sorceress was not so easily thwarted. The Season of Retribution was about to begin. After the War of the Blue Divide in the Third Era, in which the Altmer defeated the Bosmer in Valenwood, the Altmer and Bosmer were the core of the newly formed Aldmeri Dominion and its Thalmor forces. Some thought that they had prevented a great evil; others suspected that same evil had been wrought by their own hands. The snows were in retreat and blood-red blossoms had pushed through the hard ground. The unconditional compassion that was once the Elves’ defining trait has long since been extinguished, replaced by a belief in their own preeminence that knows no denial. Back to Races 1 Wood Elf Information Pages 2 Overview 2.1 Pros 2.2 Cons 3 Strategy 3.1 Units 3.2 Buildings 3.3 Heroes 4 Counters 5 Lore Wood Elf Buildings Overview Haven Tower Walls Ramparts Tree of Life Healing Orb Forest Tower Rangers' Guild Nest Hostel Magic Well White Tree Wood Elf Researches Overview Rune of Cielos Eagle Eye Farseeing Healing Elcor's Balm Rune of Animos … The devotees of the trickster god performed their ritual dances, and the seers and prophetesses read the skeins of fate in the stars and patterns of flame. Neither took her throne, but stood in attendance on either side of it whilst the council debated. The name Sethayla has evolved from the Elven root-word Sethai, meaning flight, wind and the cry of the far mountains. They don't preach their superiority over all the races within the Old World, but rather reserve an air of suspicion. Wood Elf may refer to: Silvan Elves, a fictional race in J.R.R. [1i], There she bound the foul creature with all the dark magics at her command, and began the ritual that would make his power her own. Warhammer Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. As Adanhu had promised, the Elves did not fight alone. Others, driven by an undying need to protect their woodland home, take root in deadwood hulks, animating the barren timbers into the battle form known as Tree Kin. Her task complete, the Mage Queen returned home. It is o… Some Wood elves have fair complexions, while other tend to be darker than their High elf kin1, with hair color ranging from … Where it passed, sanity became drooling madness, and measured nobility became wanton abandon. [1a] It is this cause in which they fight, for no land endures long if it cannot take up arms against those that wish it harm, and the waking woodland of Athel Loren have endured for many thousands of years, so long as the watchful eyes of her protectors continue their loyal vigilance. [5k], Younger Kindreds, known also as the Kindreds of Haroith, tend to attract young Elves. Reckless wizards too see the forest as a wellspring of fuel, but it is not timber they crave, but the magical essence which gives life to the trees and vigour to those that live within the forest’s bounds. Legends tell how their arguments raged for days without meeting resolution, and of how that year the normally glorious autumn months were marred by icy cold. These councils were often advised by local druids, whose influence played no small part in wood elven politics and who frequently served as the webbing that bound any number of villages together as one realm. [ln], Ever since the coming of Chaos, Slaanesh has feasted on the spirits of elven dead, for no other race possesses souls so sweet and filled with sensation. They fought not at their mistress's side, as perhaps might have been expected, but roamed far and free upon the back of a mighty Forest Dragon. In truth, the Mage Queen's soul was still not fully cleansed, and she worried on the wisdom of going forth unhealed. Before long, Morghur arose again, this time in the Forest of Shadows. The horn was winded a second time, and the Greenskins met their doom. It is not unheard of for outsiders, such as Bretonnian Questing Knights, to on occasion join an Elven feast, but it is a foolish individual indeed that would eat or drink the foodstuffs of the Elves without invitation.[1d]. To a wood elf, the wizard's spells were little different from the mason's castle walls or the tiller's plow—a means of controlling the natural world, which was contrary to the common ethic of living in harmony with nature rather than trying to dominate it that so many wood elves espoused. Ironically, so reclusive were wood elven settlements that, despite their open nature, wood elves rarely actually saw people from outside their race. As one, the warherd turned and melted away into the woods. Naestra's purity was anathema to the Beastmen, and her very presence burned them like fire. [5d], The Warrior Kindreds, also known as the Kindreds of Lakoys make up the vast bulk of the armies of Athel Loren. The war would have been dire enough if the Elves and forest spirits had fought as one, but Morghur’s primal nature spoke to the forest’s heart, and parts of Athel Loren rebelled. It can be recruited from the homestead. Arda remained carefully polite whilst in the company of the humans, but removed the gaudy decoration Merovech had pinned upon him as soon as he was out of sight. [3], Earlann was the last of its kind and no new wood elven nations arose since its fall, though attempts had been made before the mid–14th century DR. Wood elves were easily identifiable by their coppery skin and green, brown, or hazel eyes. In 882 DR, a mass summoning of devils by Ascalhorn's mages backfired, resulting in the conquest of the city by the fiends. It happened slowly at first, so slowly that no-one noticed. So did the great forest first discover the summerlands of Avelorn, and encounter the Elves of Ulthuan. Even the spirits of the forest, who had longer memories than the Elves and who had borne the brunt of Ariel's madness, felt joy at her return - though few would admit it. The name Yenayla has evolved from the Elven root-word Yenlui, meaning balance, harmony and chaos. [1i], Thus were the wars of the heavens echoed in the mortal realm. The Silvan Elves of Lórien were the larger part of the Galadhrim or the Tree-people, who were a mixture of elves of Nandor, Ñoldor, and Sindar descent. [1i], Captivated, the Elves attempted to push deeper, but found themselves thwarted at every turn by shifting paths. Dark-maned Naestra's spirit was noble and chaste. Thus did Morelion and Yvraine slumber through the last terrible deeds of that war. [1i], Using her new power, the Mage Queen restored a portion of Athel Loren’s worldroots, and Orion used these pathways to loose a great host of war upon Ellyrion, the land of Prince Valedor’s birth. Eternal Guard and Wildwood Rangers advance next, blades blurring as they strike. The folk of Athel Loren know it is folly to claim guardianship of the entire world, and that it is only arrogance that drives their cousins to make the attempt. As the forest had twisted the advance of the Dwarfs so too did it now guide the footsteps of the Elves. [1i], Alas, scarcely had the last arrow found its mark in Dwarfen flesh when an icy wind whistled through the boughs of the forest and a chill gripped the land like never before. There is no peace, just moments of silence between the clamour of battles. The Wood-elves, however, are a suspicious folk, due to their isolation and the constant presence of enemies on their borders. Neither sibling ever recalled anything of leaving Ulthuan, only that Oakheart had rescued them on the night of their mother’s sacrifice. [1i], When the Beastmen were defeated, the Wood Elves shrouded themselves in mist and slipped away, despite the humans’ attempts to treat with them. [1a], Yet times have changed since that ancient age, and the Wood Elves realise that the fate of Athel Loren is now tied to that of other lands. In an orgy of destruction, the Orcs built great pyres in order to warm their calloused hides. Wood elves are the last elven subrace to live in Faerun. Arrangements were made, and Allisara soon traveled west with an escort befitting her rank. The name Selathoi has evolved from the Elven root-word Sarathai, meaning unyielding defiance. There, they befriended the dwarves of Delzoun and later taught the Netherese about magic, a decision they would later have reason to regret. [5t], The Glamourweave Kindreds, also known as the Kindreds of Yenayla is a Spellsinger kindred that is dedicated to maintaining the correct balance within Athel Loren. [1b], The History of the Wood Elves is tied with those of their former kin, the High Elves, but the forest that they would call their home have existed long before that. [1h], Every Wood Elf holds Kurnous and Isha above all other beings, but beyond that they make little distinction between the Gods of the Heavens and the Gods of the Underworld. The Wood Elves, known as the Asrai in some tales,[1c] or as the Fay Folk of Athel Loren,[2a] are a reclusive, secretive and highly isolationist race of Elves that have long ago voluntarily split off from the rest of their kin, preferring instead to live out their lives in Nature's embrace beneath the enchanted forested canopy of Athel Loren. That summer, the plains of Ellyrion ran red with the blood of its people. The boundaries of the forest were guarded against intruders, the ancient glades were maintained and roving Beastmen warherds were slaughtered. [1i], A month later, as the outside world reckons time, Morghur's warherd was brought to battle in the Forest of Arden. Hastening to the Oak of Ages, he slew Morghur before the ritual could be completed. The Dryads were soon scattered or slain, and Durthu, the only ancient not yet at slumber, was wounded near to death by keen Dwarfen axes. The Player's Handbook 5th edition appears to further consolidate wood elves and wild elves in its description of their xenophobia, "In Faerûn, wood elves (also called wild elves, green elves, or forest elves) are reclusive and distrusting of non-elves. Without hesitation, Ariel called cleansing flame down upon the Corruptor and its yowling herd. In return for the elves acting as protectors for the owls, the birds of prey often acted as advance scouts for wood elven warriors. Indeed, she relied upon it. [1i], Blinded by Morathi’s spells and his own desire to regain high station, Valedor gathered what forces he could and brought the Wood Elves to battle on the shores of Bretonnia. Racial Variants: 1. [1c], This arrogance has manifested differently amongst the Elven races. There had been Beastmen in the forest as long as any of the Elves could remember, great warherds that roamed beneath the boughs, hacking and despoiling as they travelled. Little by little, Ariel was able to glean the nature of the creature she sought. Wood Elf is a Subrace of Elf in Baldur's Gate 3. Indeed, many lords and ladies of the queen’s court believed that she had gone mad. Only then do the hunting horns sound, loosing the Wood Elves to the fray. The Elves had long abandoned this land, leaving in their passing only abandoned fortresses and settlements. For millennia, the Wood Elves have lived in this state of harmony, lying in wait and hidden from the prying eyes of the wider World. [1i], Since that day, no Elf has set foot in Coeddil’s prison, for to do so is to walk with death as their only companion. [1i], It would be millennia before the destinies of the Elves and the great forest became entwined once more. At around this time, the Phoenix King of Ulthuan sent ambassadors to Athel Loren in an attempt to heal the wounds of the past. A pack of shadowy hounds was baying at his heels, and all the Elves who looked upon him were filled with fresh vigour. 1 Legendary Lords 2 Lords 3 Heroes 3.1 Melee Infantry 3.2 Missile Infantry 3.3 Monstrous Infantry 3.4 Melee Cavalry 3.5 Missile Cavalry 3.6 Flying Missile Cavalry 3.7 Magical Cavalry 3.8 Monsters and Beasts 3.9 Regiments of Renown {wh_main_brt_chainmail}} Hair color(s) At this time, the entire race was often referred to as sylvan elves, as well as copper elves and green elves. Desperate to learn how to combat this new foe, Ariel took a great risk. Dwarf holds that had sent warriors against Athel Loren found their trade caravans slaughtered and their armies ambushed on the march. Before long, the great forest became aware of itself, and of the blooded life that crawled upon the world like insects. [1i], Initially, the council did not accept Naestra and Arahan at their word, for they were strangers to all living Elves, and the spirits of the forest remained silent on the matter. Within a decade, life in Athel Loren had shifted from symbiotic harmony to a daily battle for survival. The Elves fought with all their might under skies stained with the ashes of living wood, but the Orcs were too many and their forest spirit allies addled by intense cold. Indeed, they said, given the curious passage of time beneath the boughs, it was entirely possible that they fought only the same warherd time and again, its warriors trapped forever in a cycle of defeat. A taint of darkness that can never be fully driven once it has taken root, a burden the Mage Queen would have to bear ever after. Bosmer rejected the stiff, formal traditions of Aldmeri high culture, preferring a more romantic, simple existence in harmony with the land and its wild beauty and … Through it all, the Elders watched with patient eyes, awaiting the opportunity to collect on Astarielle’s debt. No race grew closer to the spirits of the great forest than the Elves, who in their innocence, marveled at its wondrous nature, and whispered with its ancient spirits so that they might learn their secrets. Greenskin tribes were exterminated, or driven from their lairs in the mountains. Yet even this disaster would not turn Ariel from her path, so utterly had the Dark Magic tainted her soul. The outpost that remained, nestled between the shoulders of two great mountain ranges, had held its ground for more than a decade, and was even now spreading outward once more. [1], As a people, wood elves were largely seen as calm and level-headed. They are the most populous elf race. By the time the sun set, not a single Orc remained alive. [1i], Realizing that the forest could not defeat the Dwarfs alone, Durthu bade it draw back from the encroachers, and open up pathways that thrust them onto the fringes of the Elven settlements. Ulthuan suffered greater than any other land, for many amongst the daemonic host thirsted for Elven souls above all others. Few survived long enough to reach their quarry, and those that did had their vile throats slit by Arahan's wicked knives. Wood elves find it useful to know the languages of their enemies and friends alike, always prepared for the day when one might become the other. Forests[1][2] He pledged that the spirits of the forest would fight alongside them if only the battle was brought before winter came. Yet she had little choice - if Yvraine died, the line of the Everqueen would die with her, and the Elves would soon after fade forever. After splitting off from Ulthuan, the Wood Elves had to adapt to a new life within the forest, living and roaming among the trees in search of game and edible vegetation. But the Elves cared not, for the slain were only humans, and therefore of little account. [3], Wood elves were the most common of the elves in Faerûn[3] and could be found in many scattered groups across the continent. Ariel used her sorceries to reinforce many of these attacks. [3] Additionally, wood elves could sometimes seem off-putting compared to other Tel-quessir, with a gruff manner that made them less charismatic, despite their avowed compassion and humility. Upon their return to Athel Loren, Ariel and Orion quarrelled greatly about the deal that had been struck.  1⁄2 As the great forest’s battle for survival had become more desperate, the natures of some of its spirits — particularly those of the striplings — had changed. In particular, many were drawn to the path of the fighter, the ranger, or the rogue, relying on their natural-born skill to overcome obstacles. [1c], No matter what they might like to think, Elves are not immune to the influence of Chaos; they are untouched by physical mutation, but the power of the Dark Gods has seeped into their souls. Another great council was swiftly called, and there, all the lords and ladies of the forest knelt in worship to Ariel and Orion, now and forever the Queen and King in the Woods.[1i]. The name Arahain has evolved from the Elven root-word Arhain, meaning shadows, night, stealth, secrets, and perfidious. Alignment However, the details of these beliefs have varied … After splitting off from Ulthuan, the Wood Elves had to adapt to a new life within the forest, living and roaming among the trees in search of game and edible vegetation. That winter, Coeddil and his Dryad handmaidens did not sleep, but bided until Ariel began her own long slumbers within the Oak of Ages. The humans did not so swiftly forget, and began to tell stories of the fair folk who had ridden to their champion’s aid. It was these Elves who first encountered the great forest, and they were intrigued by what they found. Wood elves, also known as copper elves, or Or-tel-quessir are the most populous of the elven races. [3], While wood elves felt it better to have a minimal impact on their surroundings, the race had no particular aversion to meat-eating and were passionate hunters. Immunity to magic sleep effects, and a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells or effects. As Avelorn burned, Durthu and his kind fought alongside the Elves - they could have fled back to the great forest, but chose to stand with their allies. 3rd Edition Statistics[1][2] In time, Aenarion took the Everqueen Astarielle as his wife, and she bore him two fine children: Morelion, and Yvraine. Each battle they fight, whether upon the borders of their own realm or in the lands beyond, serves to protect Athel Loren and preserve the balance of the Weave upon which all living things depend. For the passage of many seasons the forest was riven with bitter warfare. Following its victory in the Great War, the Third Aldmeri Dominion experienced increased prestige and power that the Mer had not … The elven name for themselves was Sy-Tel-Quessir[7] and it was not entirely clear whether this continued to apply to both of the new sub-divisions, or only one and, if so, which one. Wood elves were roughly identical to other elves in height and build, with males larger than females. [1j], The humans see the forest as a brooding and malicious foe. This callous action drove the forest into a fury, but its spirits had ever been sluggish during the months of frost. Had great heroes not arisen to meet the challenge, the Elves would have been utterly destroyed and their land made over into a court of pandemonium. The Corruptor was gravely wounded, his hide pierced by many arrows, but still the will of the Dark Gods drove him to defiance. Then the Daemons came.[1i]. [3], Wood elves were generally uncomfortable with most forms of magic, viewing wizards and other arcane spellcasters with no small amount of distrust. The Wood Elf has a 9% + (1% x level) chance to shoot 2 arrows when using a normal attack. Subtype(s) But Avelorn could neither be saved by valour nor by strength of arms. Biologically, the Bosmer are cousins of the Dunmer, or Dark Elves, Orsimer, or Orcs, and the Altmer, or High Elves. By the Season of Revelation, there were not only the twelve great kindreds whose lords and ladies ruled Athel Loren alongside Ariel and Orion, but also hundreds of lesser kinbands, each dedicated to a unique way of life. Like much that came to exist in that halcyon time, the forest was the work of the mysterious Old Ones, who planted its seeds and saplings as part of their grand experiment. Many hours of a typical wood elf's life were spent on the hunt, which was both a practical activity and a pleasurable one. They soon brought Morathi’s fortress of Ghrond under siege. With much of the forest quiescent, and the Elves unaware of his intent, the ancient strode to King’s Glade and slaughtered all he could find, for if no Wild Riders survived to lead the ritual of rebirth, Orion would be severely weakened — if indeed he could be summoned at all. [1i], Great was rejoicing that day. To stay too long within the kindred of Talu is particularly dangerous, for one cannot leave the kindred without fulfilling the reasons he or she entered for. Distinctions Battle then broke out in the heart of Athel Loren, though afterward none could say which side struck the first blow. Wood elves did not, however, commonly keep pets, but instead formed bonds with local wildlife in a manner similar to those of a ranger. Such acts could only hasten the restoration of the Weave, and strengthen Bretonnia to a point where it could again serve as Athel Loren’s shield. Most lauded of these was Scarloc, the archer whose arrow had finally felled the Master of Skulls; but there was glory aplenty in which all the Elves could share. There would never be lasting friendship between the two, but neither would there be enmity; each was too wary of the other’s power for that. This would surely have brought Orion to quarrel with his queen, had not Ariel finally shattered Morathi’s enchantments, revealing at last the Hag Sorceress and her wicked schemes. , a wood elf . At first, Adanhu agreed with Coeddil, but eventually relented. Countless times, the Elves would be on the brink of victory, only to have it snatched from their grasp as madness seized spirits that moments before had been their allies. Seldom did the twins speak, except to counteract the prevailing mood. Many Elves leave this kindred when they are older, though other wilder Elves will stay within the kindred. [1i], In all, Ariel spent more than three centuries hidden from the world. For a short time thereafter, Avelorn knew a golden age that would eclipse any that followed. He was not merely a despoiler of bodies, but a devourer of spirits; his cruel embrace brought not death but the oblivion of the soul. At the battle’s height, Ariel directed a great convocation of Spellsingers to snare Morghur and transport him through the worldroots to the Oak of Ages. [lm], The Wood Elves speak a form of Eltharin known as Fan-Eltharin, a mixture of their older languages mixed in with new ones that were learned during their time within Athel Loren. The King in the Woods instantly recognized the essence of his queen in the twins and, though he disliked the rebuke that their presence implied, grudgingly confirmed their authority. [1c], Unlike their brethren to the west, the attitude of the Wood Elves is in stark contrast to the arrogant nature of the High Elves and Dark Elves. The battle had been won, but the forest would ever bear the taint of Morghur’s passing. [1i], As the living god plunged deeper into the Greenskin lines, the Elves joined the charge, eyes and blades afire with their god’s furious power. Ariel knew this as a site of ancient power, and knew also that Morghur could not be permitted to befoul its waters. Wood elves see themselves as guardians of the Tel-quessir forest homes that were largely abandoned after the Crown Wars and before the Retreat, but unlike most Tel-quessir they do not view themselves as a people apart from the rest of Faerûn. Yet the Hag Sorceress had tasted the sorceries which Ariel had woven about herself, and now Morathi’s serpentine tongue offered deeper insight into dark lore, if only Ariel would spare her life. Copper, tan[1] Despite Ariel’s absence, the cycle of life continued. Their skin color is a mixiture of green, and brown, to better blend into the forest with their hair color matching the seasonal color the leaves of trees. Since last the Elves had striven with Morghur, the rough humans of the western lands had united under the banner of a mighty champion. Following the Netherese discovery of the Nether Scrolls, Netheril blossomed into a mighty empire that soon overshadowed the elves who had helped it find its feet. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Unchecked, the spirits of the great forest would become an enemy as dire as that which they had fought, and Durthu’s bargain presented some small hope that such a destiny could be prevented. On those rare occasions which they were not locked in vendetta with their hated cousins, their colossal arrogance sparked conflict elsewhere, chiefly with the Dwarfs of the mountains. [1b], Thus does the host of Athel Loren march to war, hidden by skeins of sorcerous mist. The Wood Elves are the residents of Grahtwood in ESO, and focus on hunting and a connection to vegetation via the Green Pact. The Wood Elves had all but given up their queen for lost, and now welcomed her without reservation. Wood elves see themselves as guardians of the Tel-quessir forest homes that were largely abandoned after the Crown Wars and before the Retreat, but unlike most Tel-quessir they do not view themselves as a people apart from the rest of Faerûn. The wood elves ignored the call of the Retreat, staying on the mainland to look after their small villages and protect their forests. The name Talu has evolved from the Elven root-word Thalui, meaning hatred or vengeance. This means they will use some combination of martial weapons like Bows, Swords and Daggers.. Stealth is not particularly useful for PvE content outside of questing, but is useful … Durthu, instigator of the current situation, remained silent through it all. Lithe Dryads rip through their foes, their quicksilver forms given purpose by the seething malice in their thorny hearts. Wood Elves stand out as the branch most similar to their ancient form, when Saria descended upon the war-torn world and created them to safeguard paradise. Members of the Eternal Kindreds tend to have learnt their trade in a Warrior Kindred and have proved time and again that their skills and courage are worthy. Worse, Morghur had taken her measure just as she had taken his. Temperate[1][2] Thereafter, Naestra and Arahan took Ariel's place upon the council. [ll] The Wood Elves also believe in the Weave, the web of life and death that bind all living things. It was they who drove the Corruptor to devour her and Orion, to consume the godly essence of Isha and Kurnous as his dark masters had all but consumed the Elven gods. She had come to Athel Loren shortly before Malekith began his rebellion, and had ever since dwelt in solitude, seeking to still her troubled heart. For an at-a-glance summary of the differences between Elves and Wood Elves, see Racial Variant differences. [1i], Ariel's emissaries were twin maidens named Naestra and Arahan; only by the shade of their hair and their manner could they be told apart. This insanity was not always lasting, but seemed to afflict the Dryads worst of all, for they had ever been the most capricious and malevolent of all their kind. The Elder had felt the disturbance as the Corruptor had been brought along the worldroots, and was outraged that their sanctity could be so violated. Until backed up with deeds, words are just empty prophecies that speak to possible outcome; sometimes, even the Wood Elves do not know what they intend until the moment of action. The forest did not resist, and the Elves wondered why. As it was, the midwinter snows laid heavy on Athel Loren; Orion was naught but a memory and a hope, so cooler heads than his prevailed and an alliance was struck. Despite these precautions, folk occasionally vanished into the forest, driven by strange visions or lured by ghost-like nymphs. Having been forced to confront the darkness within her own soul, Ariel had lost her fear of Morghur and had accompanied her folk to war. Wood elves even developed a number of specialized arrows, including those that flew further than usual as well as some that were used as signal devices. Eladrin. This kindred is typified as being impatient and impulsive. Coeddil may silently contemplate his fate, but his handmaidens have been driven mad by their exile, and restlessly stalk the glades with cruel desires in their hearts. In the Empire, they are often referred to as Wood Elves, but Bosmer, Boiche, or the Tree-Sap people is what they call themselves. While wood elves did not wander like wild animals as the wild elves did, wood elves did their best to have a minimal impact on their natural surroundings, a fact reflected in their architecture. [1i], In time she came to learn much of Malekith’s deeds, and came to feel guilty for the path her husband had taken. As such, they are typically tall and lithe in body, and are elegant and graceful in movement as well as being quick and agile. Though the Wood Elves fought without fear, it was a battle that they could not win. At the close of each year, the Wild Riders brought Orion's ashes to the Oak of Ages, and each spring the King in the Woods was reborn. However, wood elves were among some of the world's finest carpenters and stoneworkers, masters in the crafting of bows and arrows as well as in leather tanning. [1i], Each summer, when the battles ‘twixt men and greenskins were at their most sprawling, Orion led the most hot-blooded of his folk across the Wild Heath and into the barbarous lands beyond, hunting their two-legged quarry as they would any other prey. [1i], Now it was Astarielle’s turn to fall silent, for there was something ominous in Durthu’s tone. Even deluded as she was, the Mage Queen knew better than to harm one of the Elders, so she let him depart, claiming ever after that it was mercy, rather than weakness, that stayed her hand. They did so with heavy hearts, for they did not believe that they could win, but knew there was no choice save to fight. A mistrusted kindred by other Wood Elves, most regard them as not understanding balance, and therefore making them dangerous to all others, often the first to react violently. Worse, he recovered from even the most heinous of wounds. They generally include Glade Guard warriors, and will sometimes include Glade Riders, Warhawk Riders and other warrior castes. Orion himself tore Morghur limb from limb, and tossed the corrupt remains into a cleansing Starwood pyre. Indeed, they could feel the forest withering and dying around them, and knew that disaster could only be averted if the taint in Ariel’s soul could be cleansed. Ulthuan’s power was now at its height, and Elven colonies were established in many lands. It would serve the Wood Elves poorly if Orion’s unchecked fury repeated the previous season’s mistakes. [1i], At the very heart of Athel Loren, Ariel, foremost amongst the Elven magi, spoke with the forest for the first time and before long, many Elves learnt this art of treesinging. [3], Wood elves were the last of the elven subraces to appear on Faerûn, though not through the same method as the other subraces. Thus began a tumultuous friendship between the ancient realm of Athel Loren and the nascent kingdom of Bretonnia. None of these were ever seen again. Ulthuan was torn apart in the battles that followed and, by the time Malekith led his defeated followers to the chill land of Naggaroth, the shattered nation was but a shadow of its former self. Though Coeddil railed angrily against the decision, Adanhu agreed that Astarielle’s heirs could remain within the great forest until their homeland was safe once more — provided that they never awakened from their magical sleep whilst within its bounds. In time, Ulthuan grew in power and glory, establishing many colonies overseas. He sought to turn the Mage Queen aside from the path she had taken, but she denied him, and saw only an army come to dethrone her. Some realms are permanently locked in time, and only ever experience a single season as the years pass. Forgotten Realms Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. The superstitious and ignorant barbarians avoided these places, fearing that they were haunted, and fought hard to drive the Orcs and Goblins out of other domains. Though Ariel dearly wished to slay the spirits for the damage they had caused and the blood they had shed, Ariel could no more end their existence than sever a portion of her own soul, for Coeddil was still bound to Athel Loren, and Ariel was bound to the forest. Wardancers dart and spiral through their bewildered opponents, their every cut and parry an act of worship to their trickster god. Despite this resistance, the Elves never once considered settling elsewhere. Type In her arrogance, she believed that Morghur’s threat was ended. [5s], Over time, smaller kindreds - known as Kinbands - arose as bloodlines combined and recombined, and as new traditions evolved from those that had been brought from Ulthuan. Here they discovered the enthroned figures of Ariel and Orion, now become avatars of Isha, the mother goddess, and Kurnous, the hunter. Instead, they worship  according to the callings of their own natures, embracing the wildness of Khaine as readily as the compassion of Lileath. Wood elves are more reserved than gray elves, and do not mix with the organized societies of other races on a regular or recurring basis. [3], Compared with other Tel-quessir, wood elves had a notable disinterest in the arcane arts. Green, brown, hazel[1] Ariel was loath to grant this request but, seeing her sister’s determination, relented. [3], Like other Tel-quessir, the wood elves largely worshiped the Seldarine, but unlike their kin, they did not do so exclusively. Instead she imprisoned the Elder, and the Dryads who had followed him, in the Wildwood — the dark southeastern corner of Athel Loren where no Elves dwelt. Some were guided by dreams and visions, or by urges not easily explained. Now, their hosts march with a purpose not seen for millennia. Yet, though Avelorn became ever more wondrous and beautiful, its trees remained silent. Moreover, they often finished one another's sentences - though whether the original intent was maintained when this happened, or was twisted to match the speaker's will, it was impossible to say. [1i], The Wood Elves were distraught that they should be so abandoned by she who was at once both mother and queen to them, but no amount of prayer or pleading would bring Ariel forth. Wood elves, also known as copper elves,[1] or Or-tel-quessir were the most populous of the elven races. The Wood Elves are a faction from the Age of Fantasy universe. Under Ariel’s careful guidance, Elves and forest grew closer than ever before, and the wounds of the previous season were healed. To wood elves, the trappings of civilization, including the mightiest of fortresses or tallest walls, were transient and impermanent things that would eventually be overcome by the long processes of nature. Alas, that selfless act was Adanhu’s last — the burden which Ariel had borne those long years was too great for the mighty Elder, and he perished instantly. Such is a fate fit to shake even the Wood Elves from their millennia of isolation. After long months of tracking the creature’s spoor into lands no mortal Elf could tread without harm, she finally discovered the beast capering madly in the company of other abominable things. In 4th edition, wood elves and wild elves were revised once again to become separate cultures of the single race known as "elves". [1i], Ariel was determined to discover the identity of those responsible for her sister’s death, and bent all the energies of Athel Loren’s seers to the task. When a Wood Elf perishes, the forest he has tended for so long absorbs his soul and keeps it safe from Slaanesh's hunger. Elven souls lucky enough avoid Slaanesh's hunger must then reside in Mirai, the realm of Ereth Khial in eternal torment. [1i], Great was the feasting in Athel Loren when the host returned. What Ariel did not realize was that Morghur was not so easily destroyed. Some Highborns may have certain kindreds within his realm, such as the Lord of the Peaks, whom has many kindreds of Warhawk Riders at his disposal while the Lord of the Southern Glades have many Glade Rider kindreds of his own. As such, they are typically tall and lithe in body, and are elegant and graceful in movement as well as being quick and agile. Unlike many of their kin, wood elves felt that their fates were inextricably tied to those of Faerûn's other races and they made no effort to pull away or isolate themselves. The folk of Athel Loren crave nothing so much as to be left alone, to tend the groves of their woodland home in peace. Wood Elf Background/Changes The skills of forestcraft and of negotiating have served wood elves well throughout the centuries. Even as the Mage Queen turned to leave, the beast’s wounds had begun to heal. No Wood Elf had yet seen the beast and lived to speak of the encounter, but the works it left behind were testament to its unspeakable ways. The name Sehenlu has evolved from the Elven root-word Senlui, meaning swiftness and accuracy. By the time the Wood Elves awoke to the danger, it was too late — Morghur was upon them. When Phoenix King Caradryel finally gave the order that all loyal folk of Ulthuan should abandon their colonies and return home, only the Elves of Athel Loren refused, and they soon declared their independence from the Phoenix Throne. [3] Wood elves were not nomadic, however, as was common amongst the wild elves and instead they were organized into scattered, carefully concealed villages united under a gerontocratic hierarchy composed of village councils consisting of the most distinguished families' eldest members. Neastra addressed the council most often in the summer months, and sought only to temper wildness, while Arahan made outburst only in winter's dull months, when needless caution and lethargy were rife. Many of the newly-created worldroots withered and could not be healed, no matter what the Mage Queen tried. Slowly but surely, Morghur’s meandering path began to creep southwards to Athel Loren. Determined to discover the truth, the Mage Queen took council with the Elders of the forest, and sent her canniest scouts to scour distant realms. They skins are tinged an oaken color and they blend with their natural surroundings in the forests. [1i], If that meant fighting alongside filthy Dwarfs, then his soul would bear that burden. Unlike the others, they did so before acts of jealousy and spite shattered that great nation and its traditions. With the passing of the Daemons, Durthu was finally able to keep the promise he had made to Astarielle. Dwarfen traders entered the Pine Crags, and were slaughtered without mercy. They even began to manipulate the two sides into ever-escalating confrontation — though in truth the greenskins needed little encouragement. Under the combined stewardship of Elves and forest spirits, the woods and meadows blossomed into incredible life. Unable to defeat a foe upon which they could not lay honest steel, the remaining Dwarfs retreated. The Tower of Prophecy’s defences had been wrought to guard against attack from the frozen north, not one that had emerged from the forests of its own heartlands, and its outer walls soon shattered under the fists of Treemen. Wood elves are easily identifiable by … Most notable, they are not eligible for the Dragonmark. This Greater Word carries the following meanings: grace, power, music of the stars. This page lists all Wood Elves units. Many turnings of the world later, this theory seemed to be all but proven. He would not, he said, hold back the fury of the Wild Hunt in service to his queen’s whim. The Wood Elves are a mysterious race of fickle elves and their forest-spirit allies, who dwell in the magical forest of Athel Loren. They are a rather humble people, more interested in being left alone in their forest than anything else. Language(s) Wood Elves Physical Description . Each reflects how it relates to physical influences such as their surroundings, as well as the way they relate to other Elves, Athel Loren and its many and varied fey inhabitants and the attitudes of the individual. Like the others, they sprang from the cradle of Ulthuan. Wood elves saw themselves as guardians of the Tel-quessir forest homes that were largely abandoned after the Crown Wars and before the Retreat, but unlike most elves they did not view themselves as a people apart from the rest of Faerûn.[3]. The one major exception to the wood elven taboo on arcane magic was the arcane archers, who counted among their number several wood elves. Such a radical departure from tradition wasn't liking to the taste of the lords and ladies, but a compromise was struck. Kissing her children once last time, the Everqueen now gave them hurriedly into Durthu’s keeping. This is an unusual kindred in that those who join it only do so for the fulfilment of a particular vendetta, and they then return to their former Kindred. It seemed he had exchanged one hopeless battle for another, yet appearances were deceptive. Morghur was again reborn in the lands west of Athel Loren, and was drawn to the Silverspire once more. [1i], When Durthu returned to the great forest, he was dismayed that his home had fared little better than Avelorn. The Wood Elves looked with amusement upon these battles between primitive tribes, content to let one set of barbarians eradicate the other. The site of Morghur’s death was known ever after as the Glade of Woe, for it was home only to twisted and withered life thereafter. She would have succeeded in this disastrous plan had it not been for Durthu. The 2nd arrow causes 47% + (3% x level) damage to the target. And perhaps this was true. They broker little trust with those that live beyond the borders of their realms, and only take action should the fate of their forest come under threat. Yet for many long years he ruled alone. Many were the battles won, but the greatest without doubt were when the Skaven emerged from their Under-Empire and besieged the cities of Brionne and Quenelles. Allisara saw none of this, for her soul had already fled. This time, the Mage Queen was determined that the creature be destroyed, so she drew not only on her own power, but that of the forest as well. Such a state of affairs could not last, however. [1i], Five hundred years after the Battle of Anguish, Athel Loren once more knew internal strife. Again, the Wood Elves marched to thwart Morghur’s advance. Yet such bountiful peace could not last. [3], In keeping with their naturalistic inclination, wood elves were not particularly fine metalworkers and had no interest in developing any such skills. Wood Elf or Bosmer are a Race in the Elder Scrolls Online. As Ariel begins her descent into darkness, so too did her madness infect the Wood Elves of Athel Loren. Morathi smiled inwardly as the deal was struck; she had no intention of giving up her greatest secrets, but if a portion of her knowledge must be shared to ensure survival, it was a price worth paying. But, he cautioned, there would be a price to pay. The name Kakoys has evolved from the Elven root-word Lacoi, meaning might, glory, and fear of death. Wood elves, also known as copper elves, or Or-tel-quessir are the most populous of the elven races. [5] Taking responsibility for Netheril's beleaguered people, the wood elves allowed many of the empire's refugees to settle in Ascalhorn. Only when summer cooled to autumn, and Orion returned to the forest, was the matter settled. [5t], The Wardancer Kindreds, also known as the Shadow Dancers of Loec, Feast Masters, Bladesingers, Deathdancers or the Kindreds of Caidath, are a cult Kindred dedicated to the Elven trickster god Loec, the god of laughter, dance and music. The folk of Ellyrion were slow to respond. The twins were treated with cautious respect, but barred from the King's Glade. The great greenwood that had once sprawled across the world was now but a fraction of its former size. The name Laith-Kourn has evolved from a combination of the Elven root-word Lathain, meaning storm, wrath, and gently falling rain that brings eternal sleep, and the name of the Elven god Kurnous. It was added as part of Realm of the Wood ElvesDLC. Their military features elite elven units who tend to be only lightly armoured, along with forest spirits such as Dryadsand som… Nevertheless, different societies of Wood Elves within the Forest of Athel Loren also have their own distinct appearance, with some resembling close in appearance to the High Elves while others appear more savage and feral in comparison.