Where does a High Elf get their Wizard cantrip? Is it innate? If innate, is it hereditary (so that an Elf would have the same cantrip as one of its parents, and share it with siblings)? Or is just the ability to cast a cantrip innate, and the one they have is just the one they have a natural affinity for?
Or is the cantrip learned, so that it's more akin to their Elf Weapon Training, and they have been trained to cast a certain cantrip?
In other words, are High Elves innately magical like Drow are, or does the cantrip come from their society place a large emphasis on learning magic?
Best Answer
High Elves most likely learn their cantrip.
Per the High Elf's Cantrip trait description (PHB 5e),
Per Using Each Ability, Intelligence (PHB 5e),
Based on this, High Elves have studied their cantrip. If it were innate, we could expect them to gain a Sorcerer cantrip instead, or use Wisdom or Charisma for their spellcasting ability. In addition, choosing a Wizard cantrip could imply that the cantrip is learned, since Wizards gain their spell through rigorous study.
Of course, this is usually up to DM discretion.