
Win a set of Elven Rune dice - details at end of post
Q-Workshop sent me a set of orange elven dice. The design and graceful script on their faces would give great luck to any elven PC or NPC, I’m certain. Very nice dice. Continuing on with the series started last month with a random political plot generator, this month we offer you a random high elf generator. At the bottom of this post are instruction on how you can win a set of this dice for yourself.
The elves of this generator are courtly, cultured, stylish. They are noble beings concerned with power and control. They think on a level higher than most, of leadership, influence and strategy. Yet, they are not perfect and have flaws and secrets that create weaknesses. Imagine having a weak point you must guard for 1000 years. How would that affect you? Such is the fate of the careless, unlucky or ambitious.
Create a high elf for your campaign by rolling for:
- Name
- Quirk
- Motive
- Appearance
- Secret
- Power Base
High elf generator thanks to dice generously donated by Q-Workshop
High Elf First Names
 |
Name |
1 |
Aireia |
2 |
Airewen |
3 |
Alalastwen |
4 |
Alneon |
5 |
Aluthol |
6 |
Alwen |
7 |
Amanathstra |
8 |
Amarmara |
9 |
Amendil |
10 |
Amhas |
11 |
Anesariel |
12 |
Anladhiel |
13 |
Annier |
14 |
Arduval |
15 |
Ariloal |
16 |
Ategied |
17 |
Balthinal |
18 |
Cathorthea |
19 |
Conliod |
20 |
Cothuah |
21 |
Curufor |
22 |
Daear |
23 |
Datelhain |
24 |
Daumelya |
25 |
Detabeid |
26 |
Ditelnaer |
27 |
Eccawen |
28 |
Edanguor |
29 |
Edenion |
30 |
Eldillor |
31 |
Elesald |
32 |
Elured |
33 |
Enelaan |
34 |
Enelsacd |
35 |
Enrasr |
36 |
Entaad |
37 |
Entann |
38 |
Erefor |
39 |
Erhuns |
40 |
Eruessa |
41 |
Eruwen |
42 |
Etannotr |
43 |
Ethrihil |
44 |
Etigedn |
45 |
Faeliel |
46 |
Faethorion |
47 |
Filrahiniel |
48 |
Ghilwen |
49 |
Gildiril |
50 |
Gutnuil |
51 |
Gwestiel |
52 |
Halin |
53 |
Hanenseln |
54 |
Helegil |
55 |
Hohlirl |
56 |
Ilagacd |
57 |
Ilriul |
58 |
Imhol |
59 |
Itehalael |
60 |
Lamwethiel |
61 |
Laurenor |
62 |
Legosul |
63 |
Lelegl |
64 |
Lidiah |
65 |
Maethorarn |
66 |
Marwen |
67 |
Mellion |
68 |
Meltinir |
69 |
Nacihtuer |
70 |
Nalath |
71 |
Nalitidt |
72 |
Narien |
73 |
Natior |
74 |
Ninarsaeh |
75 |
Nothaar |
76 |
Nulagebn |
77 |
Nurelr |
78 |
Olanis |
79 |
Oriroan |
80 |
Ormaethor |
81 |
Radgarh |
82 |
Raelairiel |
83 |
Rahatr |
84 |
Raina |
85 |
Rainialiel |
86 |
Ralitnuos |
87 |
Renraniel |
88 |
Sabaranna |
89 |
Singal |
90 |
Thodirien |
91 |
Tirrahiniel |
92 |
Torendil |
93 |
Turathiel |
94 |
Turraniel |
95 |
Tursidhiel |
96 |
Urdithane |
97 |
Valanduil |
98 |
Vanarathien |
99 |
Vanira |
100 |
Yavandir |
Random Quirks
 |
Quirk |
1 |
Absent minded |
2 |
Obsessive about being perfectly clean and neat |
3 |
Tends to fade off into some unknown train of thought |
4 |
Wrings their hands |
5 |
Keeps looking over their shoulder |
6 |
Keeps shifting their weapon from hand to hand |
7 |
Uses the same hand gestures in conversation as they do when casting spells |
8 |
Obsessed with a specific weapon, item, person, place or monster, often telling long, boring stories about it |
9 |
Gossips about other people and makes things up about others |
10 |
Speaks slowly and deliberately |
11 |
Always nervous with darting eyes, wringing hands, quavering voice |
12 |
Speaks in a deep voice, pausing after every sentence to carefully choose their words |
13 |
Near-sighted and squints at whoever is talking to them |
14 |
Nasal voice |
15 |
Whiny voice |
16 |
Speaks fast |
17 |
Everything is a competition to them, and they hate losing |
18 |
Speaks to invisible people (spirits, ancestors or make-believe friends) |
19 |
Hates animals and fears most of them |
20 |
Speaks to those beneath their social class only through worthy third parties |
Random Motives
 |
Motives |
1 |
Discredit their half-elf sibling |
2 |
Family home usurped by another house – wants to take it back |
3 |
Mother and father split 150 years ago and now war with each other – wants to unify family now |
4 |
Some day become Master of Magi |
5 |
Some day lead the Grand Elven Army as general |
6 |
His brother is to wed the one he loves due to custom, but he is determined to win her hand somehow |
7 |
Make rival lose face before the Elders |
8 |
Destroy the wood elf peoples |
9 |
Disown their people and join the wood elves as a ranger |
10 |
Gain great riches to buy court favours and be deeded their own elven stronghold |
11 |
Grow their Minor House and make it a Major House |
12 |
Become High Priest and begin a new era of Inquisition to clean the corruption they see |
Random Appearance
 |
Appearance |
1 |
Long dour face with prominent ears, average build but strong; wears breast plate and leathers to all but royal functions; long black hair and diamond hard green eyes; when not carrying a sword is making a fist. |
2 |
Bone-thin face and emaciated body from disease early in life; long cloak with hood that hides face hangs loosely on their thin frame; grey hair and piercing blue eyes when face does get revealed; carries a staff for support as much as a magical device. |
3 |
Bright round face, portly build and big smile helps them make friends easily; dressed in court finery but on the practical side and often with a few grease stains on their doublet; Coarse brown hair a bit too long for current fashion and happy green eyes invite everyone to laugh with them. |
4 |
A red birth mark mars the cheek and neck of their sturdy face with a chin too broad to consider attractive, average build carries too many nights of drinking; workman’s clothes announces their lack of ambition; blond hair is tied into a ponytail a bit too close to wood elf style, green eyes always assessing; often wears a tool belt or has some broken thing in hand they are mending. |
5 |
Delicate bone structure and learned face gain reserved respect, light build offers fluid movements and easy gestures; normally carries a book or scroll tucked in robes pocket, and tasseled cap completes the scholar’s look; brown hair tidily kept to the back, but brown eyes are glassed with wine often enough to start rumours. |
6 |
A plain face, strong build and warrior’s stance meshes well with their combative demeanor; always in light armor well maintained and broken in, two weapons dangle at hips with more likely out of sight; long blonde hair and squinting blue eyes. |
7 |
Pink eyes, pale skin, hairless body, slight build and raspy voice triggers warding gestures in others; garbed in white robes unless they mean business, in which case the scarlet robes are donned to further unsettle; more likely to make enemies than friends, some mutter about curses and taints. |
8 |
The face of the gods, strong and confident, commanding and inspiring; strides in kingly silks, bedecked in fine jewels, though the enchanted longsword at their side gains respect from those not impressed by appearance alone; has a loyal following with several hangers on around at most times; fine blonde hair allowed free reign and bold blue eyes. |
Random Secrets
 |
Secret |
1 |
Fought for both sides in the war |
2 |
Is in love with their sibling |
3 |
Is a member of the court secret police |
4 |
Is the offspring of a tryst with a servant |
5 |
Unwavering loyalty to an ambitious parent, secret enemy of the other |
6 |
Is on the brink of bankruptcy |
Random Power Base
 |
Power Base |
1 |
Power and influence derived from family wealth |
2 |
Power and influence derived from high birth status |
3 |
Power and influence derived from skill at arms |
4 |
Power and influence derived from cunning charisma |
Win a set of Q-Workshop Elven Rune dice
Post a random table in the comments below of either d4 Appearance or d4 Secrets.
For appearance, try to follow the structure I used: face and build; garb; hair and eyes.
For secrets, try to think up items that would derail a high elf, ones that would gnaw and fester.
Contest ends quickly: Thursday, September 23, so enter now while you are on this page and thinking about it. Winner will be drawn at random.
Have fun with it.
September 20th, 2010 at 8:57 am
d4 Appearance:
1 – Skinny face and slim build; elegant appearance dressed in white and light blue. Long blond hair and glacial grey eyes.
2 – Smart face and well hidden musculature, dressed in large dark gray clothes, Long blond hair and green eyes.
3 – Round and happy face, a little fat and lazy for his race, dressed in a clean worksuit (probabily a innkeeper), shirt brown hair and brown eyes
4 – face full of scars, one goes from hair to left ear to the upper right corner of the lips, dressed in a shiny armor (probabily a hero or a evil elf), grey hair and black eyes
d4 Secrets
1 – His second name is xxxxxx (enter a dwarfish or human name)
2 – As a child, he/she had an immaginary friend called Halyei, who’s like a little angel.
3 – He/She is a traitor, who gave secret information to the xxx (put the name of a opponent faction)
4 – He/She is the highest priest of a dark and obscure sect or lodge.
Hope you like them ^_^
September 20th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I have one of each:
Secret:
Has documents proving place as rightful holder of the throne
Appearance:
Narrow, long-nosed face atop a build slightly bulked from a love of good food; finely textured clothes cut to hide the build, in deep jewel tones rather than bright colors; despite friendliness and approachable demeanor, carries a couple of hidden knives, for defense; pale blond hair and pale blue eyes, a cool complexion that belies a warm personality.
September 20th, 2010 at 8:46 am
A beautiful set, this would look nice next to my Crystal Set.
d4 Secrets
1 – Not the gender being portrayed
2 – Born without typical Elven natural abilities (sight, dexterity, etc.)
3 – Is aging faster than normal.
4 – Is completely tone deaf and color blind. No concept of music, art etc.
September 20th, 2010 at 8:53 am
d4 secrets
1- Is guilty of murder, although the crime may be years ago.
2- Has human blood, although it may be 25% or less.
3- Parents were related.
4- Owes a favor to a powerful underworld figure.
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September 20th, 2010 at 9:02 am
d4 Secrets
1 – Discovered a party of dwarven mineral experts who were prospecting near the elven homeland. After the dwarves discovered that there was a rich vein of mithril near the surface and would require surface disruption. The elf slew the entire party.
2- Knows the location of a Roc Aviary.
3- Has been having a century long affair with a Dyrad in the forest.
4- Was part of a guard unit that stumbled upon an encampment of orcs. After easily dispatching the able bodied fighters, the commander ordered the slaughter of the orc women and children. The muders have haunted him ever since.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:16 am
d4 Secrets
1 – Owns a phylactery belonging to a (recent?) ancestor; must continuously expend magical energy to prevent his lich great-grandfather from resurrecting.
2 – Has evidence of the unlawful shenanigans committed by an elven prince, noble, or politician; shenanigans that could be enough for a kingdom-wide revolt that would cost many lives
3 – Is actually a dwarf transformed into an elf by an over-reacting vengeful demigod as punishment for a trivial, minor transgression.
4 – Has a gambling addiction; even simple riddle games represent an irresistible temptation to bet life savings.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:47 am
d4 Secrets
1 – Is destined to die on the fourth day of the fourth month, but does not know which year or how.
2 – Took the blame for the death of a sibling to protect a secret lover.
3 – Is agoraphobic.
4 – Is a virgin.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:43 am
d4 Secrets
1 – Has been driven insane by a mind flayer while guarding the crypts of his ancestors and has been secretly poisoning elf fortress’ water supply in advance from the mind flayer’s minions.
2 – Is tired of the high minded aloofness of the elves and is secretly planning to slip away during an upcoming battle and start his life over in a human settlement far away.
3 – Was attacked by a lycanthrope while on patrol. While having dispatched what he thought was only a dire wolf, he’s come to realize that his wounds have led to a beast that is growing within and the next full moon is fast approaching.
4 – Having been unlucky enough to lead multiple patrols to their doom and be the sole survivor each time, he is tired of the side long glances he receives and constant snickering that goes on behind his back. A rage that can only be fueled by enduring such character attacks over a mortal man’s lifetime has grown and he’s finally been broken. Now, he plots for revenge.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
D4 SECRETS:
1 – Born as an Orc, reincarnated as an Elf
2 – Mother was victim of a drow rapist
3 – Only magic is keeping his/her skin smooth and beautiful. Uses young humans to distill the magic potion.
4 – Loves his sister, who has a high-seat in the council.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Appearance:
1. Shaven head or very close cropped hair, the tips of your ears have been clipped. You keep your eyes half close so as to hide the shine in them. You wear dull fabrics and leathers so as not to draw attention to yourself.
2. Sharp aristocratic features, waist length golden hair, purple eyes and extra long ears (even for an elf). You bear the features of high Elven nobility (whether you are or not). You wear brightly colored, silken fabrics with patterns that draw the looker’s eyes up to your face and a dueling saber at your hip. You bedeck yourself with expensive looking baubles; rings, necklaces and earrings.
3. You have a square chin for an elf, exceptionally so. You keep your hair in tight braids so as not to let it get in your way. Scandalously you clad yourselves only in sarongs and/or skirts to show off your muscular physique which you’ve covered in bright body paint in swirling patterns.
4. You have long, rough hair with bits of odd metals and decorations twisted into it. Whatever color your eyes are they’re so dark so as to be almost black. If you’re a male elf you have a bit of light beard, though it’s only visible up close. You hide your straw like hair with rough spun full length robes and a deep hood.
Secrets:
1. You have no skill at magic what-so-ever. Any bonuses elves normally get related to magic are non-existent for you. Replace them with bonuses to skills that allow you to fake it (sleight of hand, disguise, etc.).
2. You were born indebted to a devil. One of your ancestors made a dark deal centuries ago and you’ve been born into the pact. You owe it something…
3. You witnessed one of your leaders committing a terrible crime. Speaking out against them could bring chaos to the streets and your people, as well as making, multiple dangerous enemies for you.
4. You are not an elf at all. But a human, mysteriously born with elf-like features. You were switched with an actual elf shortly after birth, changeling style.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
d4 Secrets
1- Is an impostor.
2- Hordes a very specific kind of magical weapon.
3- Runs an underground fighting contest.
4- Can’t read.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
d4 Secrets
1) You’re really a dwarf in disguise.
2) You have a fetish for goblins, and make your lovers dress up like them.
3) You have a third nipple
4) You’re a dyslexic spellcaster
September 20th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
d4 Secrets:
(1) You are deluded into thinking that others see you as having both legs when in fact your left leg is obviously a carved wooden leg.
(2) You are a coward and hate the merest suggestion of confrontation.
(3) You actually delight in the shedding of blood and torture small woodland animals for fun.
(4) You believe that you should have been born a gnoll and consider them to be quite lovely; the epitome of evolutionary perfection.
September 20th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Silly me, I misunderstood, I was adding to the present tables, now I’ll come up w/ 3 more
Secrets
1- Has documents proving place as rightful holder of the throne
2- Due to treacherous (& thieving) ancestor, has location of the old crown
3- ancestor was an orc reincarnated as an elf
4- responsible for the death of the ruler’s favorite mount
appearance
1- Narrow, long-nosed face atop a build slightly bulked from a love of good food; finely textured clothes cut to hide the build, in deep jewel tones rather than bright colors; despite friendliness and approachable demeanor, carries a couple of hidden knives, for defense; pale blond hair and pale blue eyes, a cool complexion that belies a warm personality.
2- Face that’s broad of brow and narrow of chin with a slight, lithe frame; wears snug clothing to show off form and elegant accoutrement; dark brown hair tightly braided and to show off deep brown eyes.
3- Squared off face and barrel-like build; clothes resemble that of a rich, practically-minded merchant more than any noble, the better to be underestimated; russet hair pulled back in 2 tails, one over the other and dark green eyes with long lashes.
4- Round, cheerful face that seems at odds with the wiry build; clothes are fluttery and ornamented enough to border on non-functionality, lots of lace, embroidery and cut-outs, in bright or contrasting colors; scarlet hair and bright blue eyes
September 21st, 2010 at 4:47 am
d4 Secrets
1 – Murderer and twisted soul. In the tradition of one of the most famous High Elves of all Elric you brutally murdered your parents and wife. You are tormented by this tradgedy. Why did you do it?
2 – A true ancient. It is often said by other races that elves do not die. Most of your bretheren know this to be false, but in some cases it is true. You have lived on this ‘earth’ for thousands of years, you have seen your race cycle through glory and decline, and you sense a great change coming.
3 – Touched – you have been touched by a god and given a mission. Whether in your sleep or a lucid dream this god comes to you driving you forward.
4 – Changeling – When you were only a babe of 6 months old the fey folk took the real you from your parents and replaced that baby with you. A changeling, one of the fey folk. You have always wondered why and who it is that you replaced and what both of your lives would be like if that swap so many years ago didn’t happen.
@windsorgaming
September 21st, 2010 at 4:56 am
Secrets:
1 – You have been approached several times in the last eighteen months by a group of scholars who claim that you are legally the land-owner of a small strip of land, in the former territories, now lost to the wilderness. They urge you to mount an expedition there, but you are wary – the land is now overrun with monsters, and surely what was there belonged to the royal family anyway. What do these scholars really want? And are they telling the truth?
2 – During the usual round of court intrigue, you became careless and were poisoned by a minor noble. The poison is slow acting and resists all attempts at magical curation. Without a monthly antidote, your flesh will wither and die. He enjoys the control he has over you, and your status at court has dropped as you have been forced to side with his motions and suggestions. Nobody knows about the situation, but some close to you have begun to suspect that you are not yourself. Do you tell them? And what price does this noble have, in order to buy your freedom back?
3 – Desperate to raise your standing in the social circles, you have been paying a seasoned fighter to dress as you and partake in the duelling contests at the academy. For some months now you have been enjoying the praise and attention that this newfound “battle prowess” has given you. But with war looming, and the fighter making you more enemies by the day, how will you handle yourself when it inevitably becomes time to really wield the blade?
4 – (STOP! If you roll this, tell your GM, and show it to them instead! Do not continue reading!)
During a battle with drow elves, you were captured alive. Tortured for every last scrap of information, your mind was wiped by magical means before you were dumped back into your homeland above ground. Unknown to you, a magical trigger has been buried deep within your brain, for the drow to activate at their own discretion. What do the strange flashes of suppressed memory mean? What dark purpose do the drow have in mind for you? And worst of all – why were you too cowardly to take your own life when they came for you?
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September 21st, 2010 at 5:19 pm
D4 High Elf Secrets
1. Belongs to a secret cult of Lloth.
2. Has numerous half-elf offspring out in the
3. Is an expert herbologist, especially in regards to mind-altering plants and fungi out in the forests; in short, this elf is a junkie.
4. Is plotting a coup d’etat.
September 21st, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Secrets
1 Knows the secrets of many important people
2 Is a much better fighter than he/she lets on
3 Is not nearly as powerful as he/she appears
4 Is of a different bloodline than commonly believed
I’m a big believer in generic tables, obviously. More reusable.
September 21st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Loving these great entries! Keep ’em coming.
September 21st, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Secrets:
1- Is truly a low elf doppelganger standing in for a high elf on an extended vacation to Branson.
2- Secret subscriber to Franklin Mint Lord of the Rings plate series. Must regularly bribe gnomes with shiny objects.
3- Wishes to be a drow after years listening to the other high elves drone on about the curse of near-immortality.
4- Holds a lifelong dream of producing an all high elf cast production of Nunsense.
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
More secrets, cause I’m having fun.
1- believes self to be a dwarf born in an elf body. Fascinated with all things dwarven, prefers beer to wine, etc. Wants to be killed and reincarnated into the correct body.
2- Is not the heir, is actually the younger twin
3- not the true heir; parent’s real heir is an older, lost sibling born to wild elf tribe
4- suffering a curse, gradually transforming features to that of horrible, if humanoid monster. So far, make up and illusion have concealed this. But for how much longer?
Appearances
1- Slightly sunburned prominent nose and high cheekbones and a blocky build; wears brightly colored, loose, flowing clothes to disguise the un-elf-like build; dark-hair with sun-lightened streaks, worn long with clips and bands to hold it off the face and out of deep purple eyes.
2- elegantly oval face with a snub nose and wiry build; prefers tight-fitting garb with cut-outs to show off build; gold hair worn elaborately and often looks sleepy due to half-closed eyelids, hiding muddy brown eyes.
3- heavy-browed, square-jawed face atop a muscular form; wears armor, or at least-armor looking clothing, at all times with some form of blade at the hip; pale hair dyed dark brown worn in braids at either temple, deepset black eyes
4- Willowy build with entirely nondescript, almost bland, features; clothes as forgettable as the face, as if to blend with whatever woodwork is nearby; shoulder-length pale brown hair pulled back into a tail, and dark grey eyes
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Secrets
d4
1: made pact/ found ancient dark as is learning long forgotten magicks
2: has encountered a Drow in youth and has developed a fanatical obsession/attraction to them
3: longs for the firmament of stone, detests the mutlitude of wilderness calls/voices/sounds [agoraphobia]
4: utterly baffled by magic and very clumsy
September 26th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I rolled my dice this morning, and the winner of the Q-Workshop elven runes dice set is Greg Howley. Congrats Greg. Email me johnn@roleplayingtips.com with your address and I’ll mail out the dice to you.
Thanks to everyone who entered.
Campaign Mastery has more dice sets to give away. So stay tuned for the next contest in October.