Building a "special" elf

[Palskane]

I thought I would put this in House Rules since I figured it would be the best place for it.

I am running an NPC monk in my group and I've come up with something I think is a bit different. He is an elf who was the result of a drow raping an avariel. Without getting into backstory, how can I stat him out and keep from having a +1 ECL?

Thank you for any input!

 

[The Lost Muse]

Are you trying to create a drow/avariel hybrid? You could rule that the gene combinations cancel each other out (i.e. no wings, no levitation or other drow powerz) and keep the stat bonuses of one race. Or just use a half-elf instead.

 

[Palskane]

Well, before I'd decided to have the avariel/drow hybrid, I'd statted him using human/drow. Basically, the half-drow out of Races of Faerun.

I do like the idea of having the combination of the two cancel out many of the inherent benefits. He was born with wings, but his avariel mother had them skived. So, he only has about 6-8 inches sticking out of his shoulders.

I saw something like this at the wizards boards named a "auvathyrri", but saw nothing more than the name. No stats or anything. I'm sure my idea is not terribly unique, but I just am not sure exactly how I want to handle it.

 

[GreatLemur]

I'd just use the racial traits for a standard elf, personally. Avariel and drow are both elven races with some additional gifts, so if you want a +0 ECL midpoint between the two, that seems like the most sensible thing to do.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

If you're going for the "cool" factor, you could have him have ragged, destroyed wings like Soul Reaver...

 

[Bryon_Soulweaver]

Low-vision, darkvision 60 ft., sr 7 + class level, wings with speed 50 ft., and fairy light with the caster level the same as character level. My thought about it anyways. ELC is +2, or +3 if you wanna be mean about it.*sticks tounge out*

 

[Palskane]

Well, I could run him as a +2 or +3 ECL, but since he is an NPC and the PC's are 1st level, I don't want him to overshadow them in any way. The story is supposed to revolve around them and I don't want to steal their thunder if they have to rely on him too much.

As far as the ragged wings go, I might do that. Maybe just have a bit more wing there, but terribly tattered and broken and of no use. He wouldn't even be able to glide like Raziel. That would give him a lot of advantage over the PC's.

I think I'll just go with the elven traits and drop the +2 bonuses down to +1. Then, give him 60' darkvision as a half-drow. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks for all your input everyone!

 

[Sammael]

Racial ability bonuses must be even. This is one of the core concepts of D&D 3.x.

Just replace the low-light vision with darkvision and remove the automatic weapon proficiencies.

 

[GreatLemur]

Racial ability bonuses must be even. This is one of the core concepts of D&D 3.x.

Yeah, but I've never really seen a reason why.

 

[sfedi]

Well, I could run him as a +2 or +3 ECL, but since he is an NPC and the PC's are 1st level, I don't want him to overshadow them in any way. The story is supposed to revolve around them and I don't want to steal their thunder if they have to rely on him too much.

Why not make him more powerful?
Flavor and story wise it makes sense.
What you need to come up with is a reason for him not to use it's full potential. You can even make that part of the plot of your adventures.