The avariel, or winged elves, are without a doubt the most reclusive and least numerous of the elven subraces. Many scholars have long dismissed them as creatures of myth. In truth, small numbers of avariel still dwell in Therafim, concealed in hidden enclaves and remote regions.
Physical Description
The most striking feature of the avariel is their soft, feathered wings. These wings have spans of anywhere from twelve to sixteen feet and are usually white, but may also be gray, brown, black, or speckled. Avariel take great pride in their wings and spend long hours grooming them. Their skin is pale, often porcelain white, with tinges of blue or faint silver. They have silverwhite or black hair, with other shades being rare but not unheard of. The avariel's eyes are rather large and more expressive than those of other elves, and they tend to be brilliant shades of blue or green. A few avariel have scintillating violet eyes as pure as amethysts. Avariel stand 5'9" tall on average, with thin, graceful limbs and angular facial features. They are the most beautiful and striking of the elven races, although too often this beauty is marred by haughtiness and condescension toward their landbound kin, whom they often pity.
Avariel are even more delicate than other elves, and their movements are quick, calculated, and graceful. They prefer to wear loose fitting, diaphanous clothing that catches the wind in flight and ripples and weaves in the air. Armor is almost never worn, because it tends to weigh the avariel down and hinder their graceful motion.
Avariel age more quickly than most elves, having the starting age and life expectancy defined for gnomes
About Avariel
Winged elves combine a tradition of vigilance and skill at arms with a joyous reverence for the sheer peaks and open skies of their homelands. Many become fighters, rangers, or clerics.
Avariel civilization is old and established, so avariel barbarians are almost unheard of. Winged elves lean toward the divine rather than the arcane, but a small number take up the study of wizardry and generally excel at it.
Avariel Abilities and Racial Features
- +2 Dexterity, –2 Constitution. Avariel have hollow bones and, as a result, are more fragile than humans. At the same time, they are gifted with an almost otherworldly grace.
- Medium: Avariel are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Normal Speed: Avariel have a base speed of 30 feet.
- Low-Light Vision: Avariel can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
- Elven Immunities: Avariel are immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
- Keen Sight (Ex): Avariel gain a +4 racial bonus on all Spot checks.
- Wing-Aided Movement: Avariel can use their wings to help with movement even if they can’t fly yet. The extra lift from her wings gives an avariel a +10 racial bonus on Jump checks.
- Proficient with either rapier or longsword; proficient with lasso and bolas.
- Gliding (Ex): An avariel can use her wings to glide, negating damage from a fall of any height and allowing 20 feet of forward travel for every 5 feet of descent. Avariel glide at a speed of 40 feet (average maneuverability). Even if an avariel’s maneuverability improves, she can’t hover while gliding. An avariel can’t glide while carrying a heavy load.
If an avariel becomes unconscious or helpless while in midair, her wings naturally unfurl and powerful ligaments stiffen the wings. The avariel descends in a tight
corkscrew and takes only 1d6 points of falling damage, no matter what the actual distance of the fall.
- Flight (Ex): When an avariel reaches 5 Hit Dice, she becomes able to fly at a speed of 40 feet (average maneuverability). An avariel can’t fly while carrying a heavy load, wearing heavy armor, or while fatigued or exhausted. Avariel can safely fly for a number of rounds equal to their Constitution modifier (minimum 1 round). They can exert themselves to fly for up to twice as long, but then they’re fatigued at the end of the flight. Avariel are likewise fatigued after spending a total of more than 10 minutes per day flying. Because avariel can glide before, after, and between rounds of actual flight, they can remain aloft for extended periods (even if they can only use flight for 1 round at a time without becoming fatigued).
When they reach 10 Hit Dice, avariel have enough stamina and prowess to fly for longer periods. They can fly at a speed of 40 feet (average maneuverability), and flying requires no more exertion than walking or running.
An avariel with flight can make a dive attack. A dive attack works like a charge, but the avariel must move a minimum of 30 feet and descend at least 10 feet. An avariel can make a dive attack only when wielding a piercing weapon; if the attack hits, it deals double damage.
An avariel with flight can use the run action while flying, provided she flies in a straight line.
- Languages: Avariel start speaking Common and Sylvan. Bonus languages include Auran, Carnivon, Celestial, Discordian, Draconic, Goblin, and Wildlander.
