History of the Elves of Trinalia

    I decided to type up the notes on elves that I've had on loose leaf for some time now mainly to support my page on planar elves. While this is really a history of the elves on my campaign on Trinalia, it is also central to the background of their planar cousins. Accordingly, those interested in my Trinalia campaign (or elves in general) may find this article of interest as well as planescape fans who like my planar elves on my Planescape page.
    Elves are one of the three primary races on the continent of Trinalia (along with humans and gnolls.) This came about as a result of the fact that there is typcically a large proportion of elf PCs in campaigns I run. Most DMs try to fight this on the premise that elves are relatively rare. I decided "why fight it?" I'm historically the type of DM who likes players to play characters that they are going to like to play. So I worked the preponderance of elves into my campaign background.

History and Politics of the Elves

The Elven Races and Great Houses of Trinalia:

• Silver (including Platinum): 6 (including house Atira, currently vacant, plus one house considered lost.)
• High (Sea and Sun elves):
• Sun: 3 Houses (plus 1 considered lost.)
• Sea: 2 Houses (plus 2 considered lost.)
• Shared (between Sea & Sun elves): 1
• Forest: 4 (plus one lost)
• Dark: 4 total (including 2 lost and 2 vacant)
• Farisae: ? (possibly one of the lost houses)
• Vanir: 2 (one of which is considered to have formerly been counted among the houses of the Silver.)

The Elves of Trinalia in AD&D terms:

• Silver elves: Grey elves.
• Sea and Sun elves: High elves
• Forest elves: Wood elves
• Dark elves: Drow elves

Farisae Elves:

    The Farisae, or "Plains Elves", are a dour race of elves that tend towards a neutral alignment. They are ill thought of by human settlements in the frontier, as they occasionally participate in outright banditry. Other elven races think of them as being "tainted" and look on farisaes with disdain. Fortunately, farisaes usually live far enough from the homes of humanity that they are generally little known. This keeps them from feeling the wrath of the larger human kingdoms who would otherwise squash them for their banditry.
    Not all farisaes are bandits; few races can survive on banditry alone. But most farisae have participated in raids in hard times.
    The farisae are generally taller than most elves, about the height of a half elf, and have pale hair and complexions. They are typically excellent archers.
Standard Abilities: Bow Bonus(5), Infravision(10), Resistance(10), Sectret Doors(5), Spear Bonus (5), Aim Bonus (10)
Farisae racial penalties: Farisae suffer a -1 reaction penalty when dealing with humans and a -2 reaction penalty dealing with elves.

Vanir (or Frost) Elves

    The Vanir are said to have first given Turanian humans the knowledge of magic. That is a gift they learned to regret giving. The east Turanians used magic to form the Barean empire over 300 years ago; during the reign of the emporer Barion the Gray, the frost elves recieved inequitable treatment.
    The Vanir live in the bitter cold highlands in northeastern Trinalia. They are a hardy breed, and have become somewhat reclusive over the years. After their experiences with the Barean empire, frost elves prefer to choose themselves what races they have dealings with.
Standard Abilities: Cold Resistance (5), Bow Bonus (5), Spear Bonus (5), Infravision 90' (10), Resistance (10), Stealth (10)
Vanir Racial Penalties: Their distrust of other races causes them a -1 penalty to reaction modifiers to all non-Vanir until the frost elf gets to know the individual(s).