What are wood elves?

Sometimes called wild, green, or forest elves, wood elves were among the most prolific elven races in all of Faerûn. The namesake comes from their position as self-appointed guardians of the world's most sprawling and captivating forests. Though reclusive and suspicious of other races, wood elves believe themselves a part of the larger collective of the realm's people—a belief not many of their kin shared.

The skin of wood elves is often copper-colored with occasional hints of greenish hues. Their hair is similar to most humans, though usually brown or black, and their eyes typically echo their surroundings, with colors like green, brown, or hazel. Wood elf clothing is practical and straightforward. They prefer earth tones over bright colors to better blend in with their surroundings and commonly wear their leathers as a part of their everyday attire. Their build was typical of most other elves, though the centuries spent among the forests gave them excellent senses, keen intuition, and exceptionally fleet footing.

Wood elves are calm and level-headed, rarely expressing strong emotions. Although, many have an intense distaste for great cities and the trappings of civilization. Regardless of how mighty a fortress, tall a tower, or expansive a metropolis, wood elves see the constructs of other humanoids as impermanent creations destined to be overcome by nature. This aversion to the imposition of settlements made many wood elves seem harsher than their more sophisticated cousins. They lack the charisma and charm of a high elf or eladrin, though they still have considerable humility and empathy for others.

What makes wood elves unique?

Though proud and strong, wood elves often value compassion over force. Typical elven domains rarely seek to expand territory, preferring peaceful and mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring their lands. Despite this compassionate nature, wood elves prefer to stay hidden from most other races, carefully scattering their villages throughout the realm. These makeshift towns come together under a council consisting of the most respected families' eldest members and local druids who provide additional aid and advice.

Unlike most of their cousins, wood elves commonly have a particular distaste for arcane practices. They believe manipulating Mystryl's weave to be as unnatural as the sprawling castles and farms that most humanoids destroy their environment to build. The desire to control the surrounding natural world through magic conflicts with the ethics of most wood elves, who seek to live in harmony with nature rather than dominate their realm. As a result, most pursue careers that use their more practical skills, finding success as incredible fighters, rangers, and rogues.

While most wood elves hold the same belief around the use of magic, not all agree. Some become inspired by neighboring humanoid cultures, learning the way of barbarian tribes or training with wandering clerics and druids. One significant exception is the growing faction of arcane archers who use magic to enhance their innate skills. Still, this alternative approach to the arcane does not come without consequence. This choice can cause friction between those who adopt the practice and their more naturalistic kin. When conflict arises, some wood elves choose a life of ambulatory adventure or join guilds that share their passion for the environment, like the Harpers.

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