The Sylvari

The Sylvari

B
orn of a great tree amidst the thick of the Vale, the Sylvari are a race of naturally curious and peaceful plant- like h
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The Newest Race
Being the newest sapient race to walk the planet, Sylvari are
met with caution by some, and curiosity by all, which they
eagerly return. The exact nature of their sudden appearance is
unknown even to them, and as such, the Sylvari strive to learn
their purpose in this world.
As the oldest of the Sylvari, the firstborn, have barely
reached the average age of maturity of the other races, nobody
knowns how long a Sylvari can live naturally.
With so much in common between them due to the dream
they all share, Sylvari cherish experience for creating
uniqueness between them. Despite the kick start of
knowledge they gain from the Dream they are a bit naive, and
there are many things they do not fully comprehend,
particularly tact and emotion. A Sylvari will often state out
loud something politely avoided by other races. Death too is
something not fully understood by the Sylvari, and thus met
with curiosity and a degree of acceptance other races may find
to be disturbing.
The Seven Teachings of
Ventari
I. Live life well and fully, and waste nothing.
II. Do not fear difficulty. Hard ground makes stronger
roots.
III. The only lasting peace is the peace within your own
soul.
IV. All things have a right to grow. The blossom is brother
to the weed.
V. Never leave a wrong to ripen into evil or sorrow.
VI. Act with wisdom, but act.
VII. From the smallest blade of grass to the largest
mountain, where life goes - so, too, should you.
These are the teachings of Ventari, a centaur who fostered the
Pale Tree and its grove, unknowingly paving way for an entire
race to bloom. Most Sylvari take these teachings to heart,
revering and following them, much like the tenets of a god.
However, these teachings are not binding, and a Sylvari may
choose to ignore them altogether.

A distinct lack of Prejudice

Being as new to the world as they are, Sylvari rarely
ever hold prejudices against any person or group of
people for what they are, instead choosing to judge
them by their actions. This, combined with their
innate peacefulness might lead other races,
especially more savage ones such as the
Goblinoids, to view them as inherently weak.

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 The Pale Tree and The A Search For Purpose
Dream of Dreams The uncertain nature of the Sylvari's existence is often the
focus of a Sylvari's life: to search for a purpose in this strange
All Sylvari are born of a mother tree, the so-called Pale Tree. world wracked by conflict. Every Sylvari goes about this quest
This tree holds the combined knowledge of every Sylvari that in a different manner. Some might search for a purpose by
has shared the knowledge of their travels with it, and likewise indulging in the pleasures this world has to offer, others might
teaches all of the newly emerged Sylvari a part of its take a more logical approach and try to unravel the secrets of
knowledge through a dream, which every Sylvari experiences the universe to gain their answer. They will then pass on what
before their birth. they have learned to the Pale Tree, for the benefit of all
Additionally, the Pale Tree can contact a Sylvari in their forthgoing generations of Syvlari.
Dreams. This can happen for one reason or another, but most
often it is to ensure the safety and survival of the Sylvari. Sylvari Names
Sylvari are not born as children, they emerge from golden
pods fully grown, physically and mentally akin to a fully grown Sylvari names phonetically resemble traditional Celtic names,
adult of another species. often with a more soft intonation and less harsh consonants.
The Nightmare Court
A name is given to a Sylvari by the Pale Tree in their dream.
Some Sylvari, through one way or another, come to reject the Male Names:
Dream and the teachings of Ventari. These Sylvari, known as Aedan, Admael, Breanainn, Cadeyrn, Caelhan, Dubhan,
Nightmare Courtiers, believe the Tablet of Ventari to suppress Eoghan, Faelan, Fedelmin, Gwrytheyrn, Haervis, Iudico,
the true potential of the Sylvari. As such, they seek to remove Jodoc, Loegairn, Maedoc, Mael, Nynian, Seisyll, Taeghoc.
its influence through any means possible.
Female Names:
The Soundless
The Soundless are a group of Sylvari that have chosen to cut Aedyl, Amare, Boedicea, Caoimhe, Daewyn, Elisedd, Enewyn,
themselves off from the voice of the Pale Tree in an attempt to Faolain, Gwyn, Gwyndolin, Ionea, Jouwyrth, Luibela, Lanare,
escape from the constant pressure and the burden of it Moghaeryn, Nynniaw, Sylwyn, Taeghwyn, Verae.
through meditation and mental excercises. As such, they do
not recieve the same degree of protection from the Pale Tree
as the other Sylvari would, leaving them vulnerable.
The Wyld Hunt
In their Dream, some Sylvari are assigned with a certain duty,
a Wyld Hunt, which they then strive to complete in their
lifetime. The Wyld Hunt of a Sylvari can range from a task as
menial as defending a Sylvari settlement, to perilous quests of
great importance. Those with a Wyld Hunt are referred to as
Valiants.

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Sylvari Traits Brother to the Weed
Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to
Ability Score Increase. the origin of plants, you are considered proficient in the
History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the
Your Wisdom score increases by 2. check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Age. Living Sap.
Only having first arrived in this world twenty years ago, it is Your resilient, plant-like skin regenerates at an accelerated
not known how old a Sylvari grows to be. In the eyes of most pace. At will, without requiring a short rest, you can expend
races, you will be considered to be a young adult. one of your hit dice and immediately regain half the roll
Alignment.
(rounding up, with a minimum of 1) plus your constitution
modifier as hit points and regain the ability to do so when you
Being naturally compassionate and kindhearted, Sylvari tend finish a long rest. This feature improves at at level 5, 10, 15
towards good. There are exceptions however, with some and 20, letting you expend an additional hit dice per level of
adapting a more neutral view on life and some completely this feature.
turning to the dark side.
Heart of Thorns.
In the rare case that a Sylvari has fallen to the Nightmare, You know the thorn whip cantrip. When you reach 3rd level,
they are evil. you can cast the barkskin spell as a 2nd-level spell once with
Size. this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long
Sylvari range from just short of 5 feet to 6 feet tall, with a rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the speak with
slender and elegant build. Your size is Medium. plants spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so
when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting
Speed. ability for these spells.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Languages.
Attuned to Nature. You can speak, read and write Common and Sylvan.
You are accustomed to life in the wilds. You are proficient in Subrace.
the Nature skill. Four subraces of Sylvari are found in the worlds of D&D:
These are based on the cycles of day when a Sylvari awakens,
which largely decides their nature and personality. Choose
one of these cycles.

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 Cycle of Dawn
These sylvari are typically diplomatic and friendly, and are Inspiration
naturals when it comes to planning and conversing with This race was specifically made for me to use in my DM's
others. current campaign, after I noticed that there was no official
Ability Score Increase. race of plant people.
Your Charisma score increases by 1. After a tiny bit of searching I found pandm101's Sylvari.
They didn't feel quite right, so I set out to make my own
Natural Diplomat. rendition, taking inspiration from pandm101's version.
You are proficient in the Persuasion skill.
Note for DMs
Cycle of Noon
Those born at this time are fighters, skilled combatants who I tried to keep this whole thing as vague as possible, to make
prefer actions over words. They prefer to experience things it easier for DMs to integrate them into their own campaigns.
firsthand and attack problems head-on. Just replace "the Vale" with whatever location you want the
Pale Tree to be situated in, and "Rivari" to the name of the
Ability Score Increase. continent/planet from your own setting.
Your Strength score increases by 1.
Athletic Prowess.
Get Creative!
You are proficient in the Athletics skill. You don't have to perfectly adhere to my version of it. Feel free
to expand on this base as you wish. Maybe add subraces for
Cycle of Dusk different climates? Maybe an entirely new subclass or class
Sylvari born during Dusk are usually intelligent and thats exclusive to the Sylvari? The sky's the limit.
philosophical, and enjoy studies and puzzles over physical
pursuits.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Scholarly Disposition.
You are proficient in the History skill.
Cycle of Night
These sylvari are inclined to be secretive and self-contained,
preferring to travel alone.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Rogueish Nimbleness.
You are proficient in the Stealth skill.

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are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
 Credits
Homebrew Designer - Santer
Inspiration - pandm101's Sylvari Race
Feedback - Several Friends on Discord

Art Credits
GM Binder Thumbnail - Unknown Artist, taken from the Guild Wars 2 Wiki
Cover - Olga Pakskina
Grove Art - Unknown Artist, taken from the Guild Wars 2 Wiki
Brisban Wildlands Art - Unknown Artist, taken from the Image Sample Code Document
After the Storm Art - Unknown Artist, taken from the Guild Wars 2 Wiki
Sylvarvi Druid Art - Unknown Artist, taken from the official Guild Wars 2 Website
Soulbeast Specialization Art - Unknown Artist, taken from the official Guild Wars 2 Wiki

Additional Credits
Sample Codes for Images - Unknown Author

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
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