All elven races are related, though it may be a distant relationship. Once, all elves were of one race, many thousands of years prior to the emergence of humans, when they were a slave race to mysterious and dark masters of whom they do not willingly speak. Over the aeons of their bondage, they splintered into sub-racial groups, which further split after the events leading to the disappearance of their masters and the breaking of their slavery (events in which the elves took no part, and have no more knowledge of than any other race). All elves have an innate ability to recognise another elf, and identify which sub-type they belong to. This applies even when an elf has not encountered a particular sub-type for centuries (or, indeed, ever). This ability is an instant recognition that works even if an elf is masquerading as another sub-type through disguise or other non-magical means. This ability even has a chance to pierce magical disguises (such as illusions, and polymorph, though not shapechange). The elf who sees another elf under any form of magical disguise makes a Will saving throw against a DC of 15 + caster level of the magical disguise effect, less their Intelligence modifier.

Imir are an offshoot of the elven race with a militant (some would say homicidal) bent. They are the ultimate warrior, being more suited to the martial arts than any other race, though whether they choose the path of the blade, the unarmed disciplines of the noh-li or the battle techniques of the Sublime Way is up to each individual. Imir of other classes exist, and are only slightly less homicidal than their warrior peers, though they also tend to occupy a slightly lower social status. Imir have a knack for moving extremely quietly and not being noticed until they are ready for you to see them. Many people don’t even see an Imir in any given situation until the Imir suddenly decides to be visible, often while carving out the liver of the person who didn’t see them to start with. Imir that are not warrior types tend to lean towards the psionic classes. There are typically few Imir san-li, vraedun, draetha or selusids, though such characters are by no means unheard of.

   Personality

Imir are cold and calculating, always working any situation as though it were a field strategy exercise. Their thoughts always lean toward the hostile when dealing with new people or situations, and they do not make good diplomats. Once someone has an Imir’s trust, they had best make sure to maintain it, for Imir do not tolerate treachery, even of the most minor sort. They are generally bristly and abrasive at first, but winning the loyalty of an Imir is something worth writing home about; they make loyal and dogged companions and will always cover the retreat of their companions, preferring to be the last to leave the battlefield. Imir champions are widely feared by anybody with any sense. The Citizen’s Council, cognizant of this, works to maintain the loyalty and secure the services of as many Imir tribes as they can, valuing their performance in combat even against The Fallen. Without Imir units, The Unification would probably be in much worse condition than it currently is today.

   Physical Description

Imir are quite tall, ranging from about 6’5” through to about 7’6”, and they rarely wear shoes or boots. Their feet are, instead, quite tough-soled and fairly large, accounting for their enhanced balance. Their skin is a sallow yellow, and their hair is generally green, though the shade varies. Their eyes lack pupils or irises and are instead red orbs staring forth from within a gaunt face. In spite of their considerable height, Imir look sort of “stretched”, appearing as though they were a 5’ tall individual stretched out to fit their actual height. All in all, they are the strangest of all the elven races in appearance.

   Relations

Imir get on best with Imir, though there is always tension and risk of challenges and duels escalating to take over a group. After their own kind, Imir get on reasonably well with all other elves, regardless of background and alignment. Next, they favour warriors, rendathi, noh-li and Illumanis. Other than that, their relations with others are coloured with hostility and mistrust until some sort of accord is reached.

   Alignment

Imir strongly favour the chaotic or neutral alignments. They are not often of lawful alignment, largely because their society is not based on laws, as such, but rather on codes of behaviour which, while sacred, are not strictly binding and apply differently to different races. With respect to good or evil, Imir tend toward neutral, but slightly prefer good to evil, though there are not many of either good or evil.

   Imir Racial Traits

• +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, -4 Charisma. Imir are strong, dextrous and hardy, as befits their warrior heritage, but they lack somewhat in social graces, being given to the opinion that a sharp, icy stare, or a sharp, icy blade are the best way to resolve things. They are also cunning and intelligent, being masters of battle strategy, but lack the wisdom and will to resist a challenge.
• Medium: As Medium creatures, Imir have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Imir base land speed is 40 feet.
• Immunity to magic sleep effects.
• Darkvision: Imir can see in the dark to a range of up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and Imir can function just fine with no light at all.
• Imir gain a +5 racial bonus to Balance, Concentration, Hide, Move Silently, and Tumble checks due to their intense control of movement, strong focus and general ability to be unnoticed (which is quite an achievement for such an odd-looking creature).
• Inborn Power: Imir gain 6 extra power points at 1st level, regardless of whether they choose a psionic class or not. They can use the power points provided to manifest their Biofeedback and Body Equilibrium powers. If they take levels in a class that offers a repertoire of psionic powers, simply add the 3 points to the class’s power point total and add the inborn power to the list of powers known. Imir use their inborn power at a manifester level equal to their ECL. They use Intelligence to set the save DC unless they have levels in a psionic class such as psion or psychic warrior that uses a different ability to set the save DC. In that case, they choose either Intelligence or the psionic class’s relevant ability to set the save DC.
• Level Adjustment: +1.