d20 Mythic Press Lost Lineage Volume I - Phantom Elves.pdf - Mythic Press - R5700

Lost Lineage vol. I

Phantom Elves

of the common elves with their lost kin, broaden your PC

race choices, or just to spice up your own version of

elves, this product is for you. We hope you enjoy

discovering the phantom elves!

Introduction

Phantom Elves

High in the mountains, in summit cities that

overlook all the world below, there dwells a hidden race

of elves. They are the Lythain, but their elven kin call

them phantom elves. Stalking the high tree lines clad in

gray, they move silently among the rocks and snow,

slipping between the trees like ghosts. But that is not why

they are called phantoms.

To look upon the Lythain is to see the spark of

immortality gone from elven flesh: Pale skin in shades of

sallow gray and white; hair blonde and light brown faded

into washed out tones like aged cloth; eyes deep and

dark, brown, green, stormy blue and black. Their

haunting music sweeps down the mountains on the

winds, like the songs of the forgotten dead. But for all of

this the phantom elves are very much alive, stripped of

the grace of their god, left to wander in sorrow to

consider the fate of their souls.

Phantom elves are an enigma, even to other elves. It

is unclear just exactly why they sundered themselves

from their kin and their way of life. Reasons and rumors

vary. Some elves claim that the ancestors of the phantom

elves could not feel the essence of the natural world, and

so they left it behind and went in search of a new way of

life. The phantom elves do not speak of it though, and as

the generations pass, the truth slips farther from memory,

and deeper into myth.

The Lythain, as they call themselves, have left the

ancient forests behind and carved cities of stone in the

faces of mountains. These beautiful places pay homage to

elven ancestry with graceful arches and an undeniable

sylvan style. Nestled within the rocks just above the tree

line, these Lythain cities enjoy a safe, defensible position

with a breathtaking view.

Lythain are stealthy, frighteningly so, stalking the

timber lines clad in gray raiment. Their warriors are

legendary scouts and trackers, quiet and sure footed on

the rocky slopes. They tend to patrol their borders in

groups, packs of rangers who go out on season-long

patrols, living in the wild until the next patrol relieves

them.

Welcome to the first installment of Lost Lineages

from Mythic Press(TM).

Lost Lineages brings both players and Gamemasters

new and unique variant races and additional PC choices

for d20 fantasy games. Gamemasters can use the

information in this product to introduce a new race to

their campaigns, adding depth to the existing racial

makeup of a world, replace standard races with these

variants, or give the players more options than playing

yet another generic” member of a standard” race.

Players can, with their GM s permission, create

characters that hail from these races, using the in-depth

background that Lost Lineages provides to breathe life

into their characters, or just to get a break from the norm

- much more rewarding than recreating the same

characters again and again.

This installment of Lost Lineages focuses on the

Lythain, commonly referred to as phantom elves. The

Lythain are significantly different from the common

elves presented in the core rules, but great effort has gone

into making sure that they can exist in the carefully

woven fabric of your campaign without the GM having

to put in undue effort or use a shoehorn. That effort

notwithstanding, if phantom elves do not fit into your

campaign per se, you can still use the items and classes

presented in this product to give a bit more depth to your

own elven cultures.

So whether your desire is to explore the relationship

Personality

Lythain lack the joy that other elves posses. They

tend to be stead fast and staunch, and have a grim

outlook on life. That is not to say that there is no laughter

or happiness in these people, for they enjoy a broad range

of games and leisure activities. But the general

melancholy of the race is easy to see and hear. Poets,

minstrels and musicians are a valued part of Lythain life,

but tragedy fills their poetry and sorrow makes their

music haunting.

Even the festivals and celebrations of these people

tend to be somewhat somber in nature, and the mirth of

such occasions is in striking contrast to the Lythain s

serious way of life.

legal disputes are decided solely by an impartial council.

And in a matter of law, such as when one member of the

race is accused of wronging another, the dispute is much

more likely to be decided according to what is right ,

rather than what is the law” or other objective criteria.

Lythain Lands

Phantom elves no longer call the forests home.

Instead, they live in stone cities carved out of mountain

slopes, always just above the timber lines. Most people

find this habitat too dangerous and uncomfortable to risk

trespassing. The cold temperatures and thin air are a

deterrent for most, but the Lythain have adapted to it

very well.

These summit-cities are typically only the size of a

village, and are home to only a few hundred people. They

hunt the timber lines for wild game to eat, as well as

raiding the hives of large bees.

Lythain are rarely encountered outside of their own

lands. They seldom sell their crafts, and do not instruct

outsiders in their martial styles. Most people find their

poetry and song, though beautiful, to be depressing. Thus

few travel as bards. Phantom elves make excellent

rangers, however, and are most of those encountered

outside of their homeland are likely to be members of

their own variant of this class.

Physical Description

Phantom elves have the same build as most elves,

light frames, low body fat, and lean muscle. But the

Lythain have a distinct look all their own. Their hair

tends to be washed out shades of dirty blonde or light

brown, white occurring occasionally. Even clean, healthy

hair has little luster or body and is straight and flat. Their

skin is pale but sallow, not sickly per se, but simply

lacking the glow of life. Their eyes are pale green, gold,

or blue, though they can range to brown or even black.

Relations

Phantom elves like their privacy and fiercely defend

their borders. However, they have no hard feelings

towards those who stumble unknowingly into their lands.

They often prefer to watch as strangers make their way

through the realm, and let them leave it without

revealing themselves. Those who are lost or in need of

help find the Lythain to be a gracious and friendly people

anxious to rid their lands of troublemakers.

Phantom elves tend to treat most other races with

respect, and do not seem to make any differences between

them. They dislike orcs and approach half-orcs with

caution until their true disposition can be determined.

Religion

The phantom elves are a people without a god, and

this is the source of the Lythain melancholy. Their

ancestors became decadent and destroyed the land around

them, cutting down entire forests to build their lavish

mansions and halls. They hunted the woodlands until

nothing remained. But worst of all, when no timber

remained to build a shrine to gods of fortune, power and

wealth, they tore down their temple to their patron deity.

They took the materials to build temples to other gods.

They stole the treasures from his stores and laid them on

the altars of idols. Since that time, no phantom elf has

ever heard the voice of his god. He has severed himself

from the Lythain. As such, clerics and paladins among

the Lythain do not serve him. Those who do become holy

men often devote themselves to ideals rather than serving

any deity. Other times, clerics and paladins find gods

among the other races and other lands in which to place

their faith.

Alignment

Lythain don t seem to feel one way or another about

order or chaos. They like their freedom and value the

freedom of others. In their own society laws are put in

place more to provide a sense of community respect then

as a strict code to be enforced. So most Lythain lean

toward neutrality rather than either law or chaos.

It is believed, however, that each person must

someday answer for all wrongs, both legal and moral,

and this instills in the Lythain a sense of morality that

usually develops into concern for the well being of

others. Also, most phantom elves have little tolerance for

those who would oppress or enslave others. Therefore,

many more Lythain are good than evil.

This neutral good outlook on life colors all aspects

of Lythain society. Even the phantom elves’ court system

embodies this outlook. They have no judges, but rather

Lythanos

In most campaigns, elves already possess gods of

their own, and any of them can serve as the former

-2-

patron for the phantom elves. However, some worlds

might not yet have a deity whom the Lythain, or indeed

any elf, may revere as their own.

In such a world Lythanos serves the purpose of the

chief deity of the elves, or at least of phantom elves.

Information about Lythanos is given below in the popular

format from the core rules.

pronounced sheh-noon-dee-ul. Poetry is often performed

in this manner, but song is usually composed in proper

elven. The written form of Shenundiel uses the elven

alphabet.

Names

Lythain are given a single name when they are born.

These names have no real meaning. More or less, they re

just pretty sounds and a way to identify the baby.

When a phantom elf reaches puberty, he or she is

given a new name. There is both masculine and feminine

nomenclature, and the sexes are named accordingly.

These names have simple meanings, like Clever Child,

for a youth who is good at solving riddles, or Yellow

Flowers for a youth who is often seen wearing a necklace

of wild flowers. Again, these names are simply an

identification process, more like a nickname than

anything else.

When a phantom elf chooses an occupation, achieves

a victory in combat, or even makes a successful kill on

his first hunt, then he is given a new name by his family

elders to mark the occasion, and sometimes an honorific

that follows it. All names that came before it are

forgotten, and this new name is a more permanent one.

For example, when Clever Child is taken on his first

hunt and manages to kill a bear, he is given his

permanent name. He is now Sheruun, the Bear Killer. As

time passes, if he has another great accomplishment,

then another title may be added, and he may be called by

either or all of them. If Sheruun the Bear Killer slays an

evil mage who was trying to destroy the summit city,

then he might now be called either Sheruun, Bear Killer,

Mage Smiter, or some combination of the three.

Male Names: Almaril, Anolin, Aunust, Enais,

Hainan, Ibelin, Luthain, Roshiell, Sheruun, Threshal,

Vardin.

Female Names: Arastia, Arealea , Dureslan, Edain,

Eniel, Ilissialiss, Iniss, Ixsidris, Lyniel, Sephra, Siluri.

Family Names: Akiir, Arestiani, Cionelis, Gilocia,

Mylanii, Nyhonhondel.

Lythanos

The chief deity of

the elves, Lythanos is

lawful good. In ages

past, th e Lyth ain

forsook his worship. In

a n g er over t h ei r

d e c a d e n c e a n d

irreverence, he has

removed his grace from

them. Now Lythanos no

longer hears their

prayers. It is for this

reason that he is known

as the Scorned One.

As the generations

come and go, the truth

of this fall from grace is

being forgotten by the

phantom elves, though

i t i s b i t t e r l y

remembered by others of the elven lines.

In worlds where Lythanos serves as the deity of

all elves, his current worshipers include elves of

other bloodlines, half-elves, and some members of

other races raised in elven lands. In worlds where

Lythanos is the deity of the phantom elves only, he

has no current worshipers aside from a few clerics

devoted to the elven pantheon as a whole.

The domains that Lythanos can grant are Law,

Protection, Strength, and Travel. His favored

weapon is the longsword.

Lythanos’ dogma centers around protection of

the wild lands and its creatures, combating evil

where it can be found, and safeguarding peaceful

travelers in the wild.

Eat & Drink

The Lythain raise bees for their honey. Honey is a

large part of their diet, included in breads, heavy creams,

candies, mead, and even a very sweet wine. They grow

what crops that will tolerate the harsh environment,

including herbs, roots such as potatoes, and mushrooms.

Their foods are seldom heavy, and are usually preceded

with sweet bread and honey. The actual meal itself is

typically a thick soup made of herbs and potatoes, served

with flat portions of bread designed to be eaten with a

Culture

Language

Over the ages, the original Lythain tongue has

evolved into a pidgin language involving a polyglot of

true elven and rhyming slang words that produce a

sing-song sound. This language is called Shenundiel,

-3-

heavy cream sauce made of sheep s milk and honey.

Deserts are usually spun honey candies or, if a

celebration is in order, thin, sweet cakes. Clean water,

mead and honey wines are served for drink.

Skilled hunters among the Lythain bring home meat

for the table. A single large mountain sheep, high

ranging elk or deer can feed a family and their friends

and neighbors for a long time.

The Lythain also use honey to make enorath, a sort

of thick nectar that can be rationed in place of several

meals and which has restorative abilities, refreshing the

drinker as though he had taken a long, peaceful rest.

a formal ceremony during which they choose their future

path in life.

Adulthood is the time during which the phantom

elves establish themselves as members of their

communities. As mentioned earlier, their adult lives are

split into four walks.

The first three walks each last for one century,

during which time the Lythain forges his own road,

choosing his allegiances, class, and profession, all of

which may change in the next walk.

The final walk of life begins in the 410th year of life

for a phantom elf. Those who are judged worthy become

elders of their community and leaders of its people.

Those who are not are still valued for their accumulated

experience, though their words do not carry the same

weight as those of an elder proper.

Games & Entertainment

The Lythain enjoy a wide variety of games. Among

their favorites are riddle-solving and dice throwing.

Many phantom elves also like to play rhyming word

games or limerick-style jokes that work on the double

meaning of many words. Youngsters engage in foot races

and play at make-believe melees, while older competitors

engage in formalized combat contests.

A time-honored tradition among the phantom elves

is the village dance, which may be held in celebration of

holidays, festivals, or simply to commemorate special

events.

Crime & Punishment

Few real laws exist in Lythain society. Stealing is

punishable by serving a sentence of imprisonment. Oddly

enough, it is also a serious offense to be smudge the good

name of another. Slander is not at all appropriate within

summit cities and carries a heavy fine. Murder can be

rewarded with imprisonment as well, but with a longer

sentence. The Lythain do not execute even murderers.

The worst punishment administered for such a crime is

banishment into the caverns below, where the criminal

must spend the remainder of his days in dark exile.

Clothes, Fashion, & Jewelry

Males and females share a variety of clothing styles.

Both wear breeches with long tunics, or a long, fitted

robe under a loose, flowing robe of the same length. They

seldom wear any color other than various shades of gray.

Males and females alike tend to wear their hair long and

pulled back from their eyes.

Phantom elves adorn themselves with silver beads,

barrettes, and jewelry. The most common device or

symbol of Lythain jewelry is a triskell, an odd image

resembling a fluid triangle with curled corners that

represents the continuous motion of the sun. It

encompasses the idea of eternal renewal. Jewelry and

decorative items bearing a triskell are the most common

trinkets found in Lythain homes.

The Lythain Calendar

The Lythain calendar is made up of twelve months.

Each month encompasses its own holy days and

observances. Some months include festivals, all of which

are detailed below.

The first month in the Lythain calendar is Sarnosis,

which is late autumn. The last day of this month is

Sarnain, a celebration of magic. This festival and

concludes with a village dance under the full moon.

Dummanis is the second month. This entire winter

month is celebrated with games, specifically combat

games. Men of all ages compete against one another for

prizes of money, recognition and feasts in their honor.

The third month, called Riros, is very near the end

of winter. In fact, the festival of Imbolic celebrates the

beginning of the end of winter.

The fourth month is Argantis. As winter comes to

an end, most Lythain do not dare venture out into the

treacherous softening snows. Argantis is considered a

time to be at home with family.

Orgonis, the fifth month, is at the beginning of

spring. A succession of festivals is held during this

Rites of Passage

There are several stages of life to the Lythain.

Childhood proceeds to adulthood, and adulthood is

separated into four walks. At the beginning and end of

each adult walk of life, a ceremony commemorates the

past deeds of a phantom elf and honors the duties still to

come.

Young phantom elves enter adulthood during their

110th year, like other elves. The occasion is marked by

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d20 Mythic Press Lost Lineage Volume I - Phantom Elves.pdf

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