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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DragonTurtle" data-source="post: 2592450" data-attributes="member: 26206">Moon Elves is a 101 page pdf. It has both color and black and white illustrations. The content is written for version 3.0.As I am doing this review, I have to ask myself what is the fascination with elves. No other race gets the same treatment as elves, none have as many subraces, or legends, or unique items. Why does an Elven Bow sound much cooler than a Halfling sling. This book takes the time to give some back ground information so that you can truly know what makes your elves tick.The first chapter of this book details Elven society. One thing worth mentioning is the easy misconception that this book details one subrace of elves known as moon elves. In actuality this book throws the standard subraces out and starts over. The most common type of elf is the wood elf, which is pretty close to your stereotypical elf. Taking the place of the drow are the stone elves, they can be black skinned, but they may also be pale or dark brown. They are not evil just more xenophobic than the other elves. There are also urban elves and high elves, who are the most rare, being of noble blood. No racial traits are given for any of the races so I would assume you would use the standard elven traits from the PHB and use the descriptions as flavor. They do hint about dark vision and climbing ability for the stone elves but never give mechanics for them.All of the elves pretty much share the same lifecycle and ceremonies so the information about elven life is applicable to all. Also included is some flavor text in a journal that continues throughout the book.Chapter 2 is about Elven items. It is a combination of the mundane, alchemical and magical. Particular attention is paid to the outfit types that you would find in the PHB (scholar outfit, explorer outfit, noble outfit, etc) but with an elven flare. Some of the items seem perhaps too powerful, like the assassins’ bane tunic, which will stop one arrow, sword, or dagger strike for 200 gp. It never mentions if magic, adamantine or any other exceptions will get past it. The chapter continues to detail special weapons and armor.Chapter 3 is spells, both arcane and divine. There are a number of new domains here that will work for other races and not just elves. You may want to read some of the effects carefully, for example the Beauty domain allows the cleric to rebuke or command people (vague, I would assume they mean humanoids) instead of undead.Chapter 4 details 7 new prestige classes, including:Elven Forester: A rogue like class that gains sneak attacks and enhanced stealth.Elven Carouser: A strange design choice, this class gets a good BAB but only d6 hitpoints. They are a strong social skill character, and bards looking to buff their social abilities along with their fighting abilities may consider this PrC although doing so would sacrifice Bardic Music and Spells. Noble Warrior: Another warrior class with good BAB and d6 hit points, these PrCs really want you to feel your con penalty! Again a lot of social skill buffs, and a few inspiring abilities. Spotter: Need I say it, good BAB with d6 hit points again.15 ranks in spot needed, although only a +2 BAB requirement. Why the BAB requirement! What 12th level character is going to have less than a +2 BAB. Anyway this class will give you buffs to your perception skills, along with the ability to see invisibility and ethereal. 10th level, which is only possible at character level 22, is meaningless as it is the only level you receive nothing in.Sword Singer: Ok this one has requirements that almost make sense, except for they can only wear light armor and must be a fighter. How many levels of fighter qualifies you? If you have to wear light armor just make the abilities not work in heavier armor it should not be a special requirement. PrCs should never require you to be a class, if you want some levels than make a class ability a requirement. For fighters require proficiency in martial weapons, a lot of feats and a high BAB, don’t state for fighters only. Unfortunately, I am unable to find the advancement chart for this class in the book so cannot comment on the BAB.Runed Blade: Flavor wise, this class is pretty cool. Unfortunately the very first ability ruined it for me. Make a +1 weapon for 8000 gp. That is not a particularly good bargain based on magic item costs in the DMG.Master of tongues: A rogue or bardlike PrC. Interesting idea for spies and diplomats.The book ends with a one page glossary of elven terms.Overview: This is an older book that just hasn’t been updated to 3.5, while that makes it dated it will not effect my score. On the other hand some of the mechanics in this book are unbalanced and really need a lot of tweaking by a DM before they are game ready, that will impact the score. This book really seems to want to present you with an alternative mythology and outlook on elves. I am not sure why that is needed as I think working with the elves from the core handbook would have been fine. Lots of ideas in this book and a lot of details about elven life, all that can be mined by a resourceful DM willing to so some work. Price and amount of material inch this book from a 2 star score to a 3, just be warned that this book shouldn’t be used unmodified.</blockquote>

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