Elves

Elves, once the dominant race in Thedas, have seen their ancient empire—centered on Arlathan—shattered by human expansion. Centuries ago, they were renowned for their longevity, close connection to magic, and remarkable artistry. However, the rise of the Tevinter Imperium led to the fall of Arlathan and mass enslavement of elven survivors.

Now, most elves endure persecution, subjugation, a life on the run, or have found sanctuary in the Dales. Small enclaves of free elves maintain vestiges of their lost heritage, while others struggle to carve out new identities in a war-torn world.

Biological Traits

Elves have a similar range of complexions to humans. Elven hair is dark, either brown or black, with copper red or blond hair also found amongst them. Elven eyes are commonly brown, hazel, or emerald green, although orange or even green and blue hues are not completely unheard of. Gold and silver eyes can also be found, but it is extremely rare. Elves have pointed ears and no body hair except eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair. Elves mature at the same rate as humans, but the effects of age are slower.

Height & Build: Elves are often slender and lithe, generally shorter than humans.
Facial Features: They typically possess delicate features, pointed ears, and angular faces.
Hair & Eye Color: It varies but is often green, brown, or amber, while hair spans a broad spectrum, from pale blond to deep ebony.
Affinity with The Fade: Even stripped of much of their ancient lore, elves often display a natural attunement to magic. Yet, widespread slavery and oppression mean few get the opportunity to study arcane arts formally. Those who do may face suspicion or exploitation from Tevinter or other human powers.

Elves differ also based on their environment and upbringing.

Enslaved Elves: Still bound in Tevinter or scattered among other human lands, they labor in fields, mines, or households, surviving at the mercy of their masters. Cultural identity often fades in these harsh conditions, though some maintain hidden traditions.
Freed / Hiding Elves: Nomadic bands or small enclaves of freed elves roam forests or remote areas. They retain scraps of old elven lore, passing down stories of Arlathan and the Creators. Subsisting on hunting, gathering, or mercenary work, their communities remain vulnerable to raiders, slavers, or darkspawn.
Urban Elves: Some elves, though not fully enslaved, live in human-dominated cities—often in impoverished districts. They do menial labor or trades, blending in to survive. Urban elves may adopt local customs, languages, or faiths, risking the erasure of their own cultural roots.

Cultures

The closest to an 'official' nation is those Elves in the Dales. Many Elves outside of that protective forest must adapt to certain urban environments or endure the slavery they are subject to. The following Cultures are available to Elves and can be explored further on the Cultures page.

Racial Traits

Lifespan: Usually less than a century

Height: 155 - 185 cm

Languages: Common

Physique: Medium Humanoid

Movement Rate: 6 Tiles

Features

Standard Skills +5: Evade, Stealth
Available Cultures: Anderfels, Antiva, Dalish, Free Marches, Orlais, Nevarra, Rivain, Tevinter
Unity: Starts with the Rally and Mounted Combat traits

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HISTORY

The earliest accounts of Thedas suggest that the elves possessed a grand civilization long before humans arrived. Centered on the majestic city of Arlathan, the elven empire flourished in peace and prosperity, with tales claiming that elves once did not age and shared an unparalleled bond with the Fade.

Elven society consisted of numerous clans and city-states under Arlathan’s cultural umbrella. Their mastery of arcane arts, architecture, and artistry rivaled anything seen since, fostering a thriving civilization that viewed magic as an integral part of life. This era is often described as a golden age, now remembered in fragments of oral tradition and hidden lore.

However, the arrival of humans—and more specifically, the rise of the Tevinter Imperium—brought conflict to the elves. As Tevinter expanded, led by powerful mages called magisters, relentless campaigns and the use of blood magic overwhelmed elven defenses. In a catastrophic turn, the Imperium destroyed or sank much of Arlathan, effectively shattering the elven empire and subjugating countless elven survivors.

With Arlathan in ruins, Tevinter enslaved many elves, using them to build monumental cities and bolster a mage-led aristocracy. Although some elves escaped into remote forests or hidden enclaves, the majority remained under Tevinter’s yoke, their cultural unity and heritage eroding under oppression.

In -395 Ancient, Tevinter’s magisters attempted to enter the Golden City of the Maker—an act of arrogance that unleashed the darkspawn. The ensuing First Blight devastated the Imperium, yet it also further imperiled the elves: enslaved elves were left even more vulnerable as Tevinter struggled to hold its crumbling territories. Some elves fled amid the chaos, but most were forced to endure the horrors of both enslavement and the Blight.

In -203 Ancient, the Arlathan Enclave, a group of refuge holds in the Arlathan Forest, made great attempts in undermining the struggling Imperium. It was through a ceasefire that the Imperium and Enclave worked together with the Grey Wardens and defeated Archdemon Dumat in the Battle of Silent Plains.

Today, while human factions fracture or reorganize, elven communities remain scattered—those still enslaved by Tevinter suffer greatly, others must adapt to other cultures not their own, and the lucky few have managed to find sanctuary among the Dales. In the Dales, elven tradition slowly returns to what it once was, but some of it will be forever lost.