D&D 5E Dwarfs, Elfs, and Memory

[doctorbadwolf]

So, I’ve been thinking about the assumption that elves and dwarves aren’t born knowing how to fight with their weapons, or brew, or smith, and I had an idea that challenges that, and I think makes a lot of sense.

So, Dwarfs. I’ve always seen them as people who naturally view themselves as part of a larger whole, more than as individuals, and that plays a part here. What if the reason they are like that isn’t because of how they live, but rather they live like they do because of their nature, because a dwarf isn’t really a complete individual.

What if dwarves remember their ancestors lives? What if they know how to work stone and use axes because their ancestors did?

And then with elfs, it’s right there in the 5e lore. Elves recall past lives. Why wouldn’t that mean they can pick up a bow and just use it intuitively, if most elves use bows?

Any thoughts?

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

So, I’ve been thinking about the assumption that elves and dwarves aren’t born knowing how to fight with their weapons, or brew, or smith, and I had an idea that challenges that, and I think makes a lot of sense.

So, Dwarfs. I’ve always seen them as people who naturally view themselves as part of a larger whole, more than as individuals, and that plays a part here. What if the reason they are like that isn’t because of how they live, but rather they live like they do because of their nature, because a dwarf isn’t really a complete individual.

What if dwarves remember their ancestors lives? What if they know how to work stone and use axes because their ancestors did?

And then with elfs, it’s right there in the 5e lore. Elves recall past lives. Why wouldn’t that mean they can pick up a bow and just use it intuitively, if most elves use bows?

Any thoughts?

I seem to recall that dwarves have indeed the ability to enter a kind of trance to remember the past and glory of their bloodline, often helped by a lot of alcohol. That's also why Duergars hate to drink (not that they are much of a party people for starter): drinking makes them enter the trance and remember the atrocities their ancestors suffered in the underdark (Illithid enslavement, Devil-lord taking the place of their god to leech their faith, war with anything that moves, etc)

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I seem to recall that dwarves have indeed the ability to enter a kind of trance to remember the past and glory of their bloodline, often helped by a lot of alcohol. That's also why Duergars hate to drink (not that they are much of a party people for starter): drinking makes them enter the trance and remember the atrocities their ancestors suffered in the underdark (Illithid enslavement, Devil-lord taking the place of their god to leech their faith, war with anything that moves, etc)

Interesting. I’d probably decouple it from drinking, but I like the idea.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Interesting. I’d probably decouple it from drinking, but I like the idea.

I think it was in the Duergars chapter of Mordy's Tome of Foes, IIRC. But yeah, I'd think ''working on a masterpiece allows them to tap in the collective memories of their bloodline'' is better than getting drunk

 

[Krachek]

Dont start thinking like that, your DnD gonna collapse.
with the logic of life span of elve, we should give them proficiency in all skills, all weapons, all tools,

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I think it was in the Duergars chapter of Mordy's Tome of Foes, IIRC. But yeah, I'd think ''working on a masterpiece allows them to tap in the collective memories of their bloodline'' is better than getting drunk

Yeah, and other forms of like...impassioned effort? Like a dwarf training montage would have flashes of ancestor memory.

Btw, this would also mean that multiple dwarves share memories, which is really wild to think about.

Dont start thinking like that, your DnD gonna collapse.
with the logic of life span of elve, we should give them proficiency in all skills, all weapons, all tools,

Don’t worry, I only ever let logic or science or whatever other real life thing inspire my fantasy worldbuilding, not restrict it.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

What if really exceptional dwarves can tap into Moradin’s memories?

 

[auburn2]

So, I’ve been thinking about the assumption that elves and dwarves aren’t born knowing how to fight with their weapons, or brew, or smith, and I had an idea that challenges that, and I think makes a lot of sense.

So, Dwarfs. I’ve always seen them as people who naturally view themselves as part of a larger whole, more than as individuals, and that plays a part here. What if the reason they are like that isn’t because of how they live, but rather they live like they do because of their nature, because a dwarf isn’t really a complete individual.

What if dwarves remember their ancestors lives? What if they know how to work stone and use axes because their ancestors did?

And then with elfs, it’s right there in the 5e lore. Elves recall past lives. Why wouldn’t that mean they can pick up a bow and just use it intuitively, if most elves use bows?

Any thoughts?

I think according to FR cannon - elves do remember both the feywild and the lives of their ancestors when they are born (or maybe it is their previous lives?). As they grow older they gradually forget these things and by the time they are adventuring age they have forgotten completely. My understanding is this is when they become adults, when they get to this point that they don't remember any more. When they are in trance they are remembering some of this, but they lose it when they wake.

That is from memory, so I might have a few of the details wrong, but I think that is the gist of it.

 

[auburn2]

Dont start thinking like that, your DnD gonna collapse.
with the logic of life span of elve, we should give them proficiency in all skills, all weapons, all tools,

This assumes their memory can stretch back hundreds of years. I am in my late 40s and memories from my teens and 20s are still there, but they are fading. I don't remember names, specifics etc and I am certainly not "proficient" in things like hitting a baseball or diagram a sentence in English.

My guess is if I live another 940 years I will forget most of that completely ...... If I do live that long, I will come back on this board and post the results .... if I remember to.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I think according to FR cannon - elves do remember both the feywild and the lives of their ancestors when they are born (or maybe it is their previous lives?). As they grow older they gradually forget these things and by the time they are adventuring age they have forgotten completely. My understanding is this is when they become adults, when they get to this point that they don't remember any more. When they are in trance they are remembering some of this, but they lose it when they wake.

That is from memory, so I might have a few of the details wrong, but I think that is the gist of it.

I think you’re right, and to me that is a pretty good argument for them having proficiencies even if raised by humans, and a good reason that elves in different worlds have different proficiencies.