Elves making people Aware

[Byronic]

I'm perplex about something. Elves and Half Elves seem to have racial powers that revolve giving their allies increased awareness about matters.
For example:

Elven Racial Power:
Group Awareness: You grant non -elf allies within 5 squares a +1 racial bonus to Perception checks.

(don't know if this one is entirely correct, the PHB-lite gives two versions)

Half-elf Racial Power:
Group Diplomacy: Grants allies within 10 squares a +1 bonus to Diplomacy

Half-elf Racial Feat:
Group Insight: You grant your allies within 10 squares of you a +1 racial bonus to Insight checks and initiative checks.

Now, as we remember Elves and Half-Elves have had bonuses in perception based abilities in previous editions so I can understand how they like the theme. However what I do not understand is why their their race now gives bonuses to OTHER people.

How is this explained in game?

If group awareness makes sense then this would mean that in a group of 6 vs 6 adventurers where one group consists entirely out of Elves and the other one which includes one Dwarf, the one with the Dwarf would statistically win in contests which benefit from Perception.

How is this explained fluff wise?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

It is the idea that the Elf having natural heightened senses can pick up things easier. As such, given this early warning the others get a Perception bonus since they react from the Elf's reaction.

So in-game, it could be the Elf tensing up, it making a hand gesture, a quick word, etc. (It only works with non-Elves since other Elves would notice as well and not need to be warned).

For Half-Elves, since they are more adapt at diplomacy/reading people given their background this translates to the rest of the party in various ways.

A whisper in the ear, a quick gesture, various code-words the group may have, readying their weapon before the enemy strikes, etc.

 

[IanArgent]

Don't these skills key off of stats that the elves/half-elves get a bonus in? If so, that's why they hand them out to others, but not themselves - they already have it in their stats.

 

[Kordeth]

How is this explained in game?

"Legolas! What do your elf-eyes see?"

If group awareness makes sense then this would mean that in a group of 6 vs 6 adventurers where one group consists entirely out of Elves and the other one which includes one Dwarf, the one with the Dwarf would statistically win in contests which benefit from Perception.

How is this explained fluff wise?

Your assumption is incorrect. Assuming for the sake of argument that all members of both parties are trained in Perception and have the same Wisdom scores, the elves still have the advantage. The all elf party has 6 members operating at +2 Perception above the base, the 5 elves and a dwarf party has 5 members operating at +2 and one operating at +1. Remember, racial bonuses don't stack.

 

[Yaezakura]

Well, I kind of assume it's the party picking up on subtle clues and mannerisms of the elf/half-elf.

After a while of hanging with your elf friend and noticing his head snaps up just before something dangerous draws near, you come to recognize that sign and immediately strain your senses to pick up whatever set the elf off. But without the elf there giving that tell-tale sign of impending trouble, you're on your own.

Similarly, Half-Elves are so naturally good at communicating with and reading people, you begin to play off the threads of conversation they start, and come to recognize subtle facial features or body positions they make when they believe someone's lying to them. But without the half-elf there, you're left to work on your own knowledge and reasoning alone.

 

[MrGrenadine]

Yeah, it certainly seems like the dwarf would benefit from a +5 to his or her Perception check in a group of 5 elves and a dwarf. That is odd.

On the other hand, the half-elf abilities would benefit all members of the party, so in terms of Initiative, at least, it looks like every member of a group with 6 half-elves would get +5 to their Initiative checks, and the group with 5 half-elves and a dwarf the half-elves would get +3 and the dwarf would get +4. I think.

Also, it also feels like 10 squares is a pretty far distance to benefit from Diplomacy or Insight, doesn't it?

 

[Nifft]

It's because around elves, you can never relax.

, -- N

 

[Kordeth]

Yeah, it certainly seems like the dwarf would benefit from a +5 to his or her Perception check in a group of 5 elves and a dwarf. That is odd.

No he wouldn't, because named bonuses don't stack. Elves give a +1 racial bonus to Perception.

On the other hand, the half-elf abilities would benefit all members of the party, so in terms of Initiative, at least, it looks like every member of a group with 6 half-elves would get +5 to their Initiative checks, and the group with 5 half-elves and a dwarf the half-elves would get +3 and the dwarf would get +4. I think.

Ditto above. Racial bonuses don't stack.

Also, it also feels like 10 squares is a pretty far distance to benefit from Diplomacy or Insight, doesn't it?

It basically means as long as the group is more or less together, they all get the bonuses.

 

[divinenathanica]

One thing that I've been trying to find a way around is the situation where the elf bombs his perception check -- how then does he provide the 'subtle hints' to the other pcs that something is up.

A way to look at that case is that, the party knowing the elf is keeping a general watch, are able to scout in smaller areas. I think of it like how special forces teams are shown in movies, tactically entering a room with each member 'covering' a specific area. It could be something as simple as the elf telling everyone 'be careful'.

 

[Torchlyte]

I recommend houseruling it into a +2 bonus for just the elf. Using it RAW, it tends to be too small and fiddly.