Leisure Time: Orcs, Humans, Elves, Dwarves

[Jürgen Hubert]

The utility of a long bow in a forest isn't very great, not against a sentient target (even a not-too-bright one). Lots of cover, lots of chances to advance in cover.

It is generally assumed that elves know the forests they call home really well. This means they will know all the best ambush spots - places where they can channel the orcs to and can use their bows effectively.

Of course, while forests provide cover for the archers, too, there's a decent way to get rid of that pesky cover: fire. Hiding in a forest, hoping the enemy comes in so you can shoot them with your bow, is basically digging your own grave. It's the reason so few battles happen in forests -- the forest is your enemy.

That's what one or two people who can change the weather and call up rain are for.

For good or ill, when talking armies, we're talking fields.

There's no reason why elves should commit themselves to fighting field battles when they have the home field advantage in the forests. Especially if these field battles might endanger the elven reputation of invincibility...

Additionally, it gets worse in the long run. Consider a decade of war. 1/4th of the elvish population has been destroyed and 1/2 the orcish population has been destroyed. In fifty years, the first generation of elves will only be halfway to maturity while there will have been three generations of orcs to reproduce their numbers.

This is why the elves probably use a few skilled individuals - especially illusionists - to keep the orcs occupied with each other.

"You said me smell nice!"
"Me never did! You stupid!"
(Kill, Smash)

Somehow, the orcs seem to be falling for this every time...

In summary, there is no reason for elves to "fight fair".

Plus, consider: one of the creatures in question is a <i>dryad</i>. Okay. Even if everything goes "as planned" and the dryad falls in love with the elves . . . how does this make them good workers? I mean, someone gooey in love with a person isn't necessarily an inducement to working hard. Plus, what about . . . jealousy.

They don't love male elves, they lust after male elves (and humans). Big difference. Don't believe for a moment that dryads are basically gorgeous humans who live in trees - they are not. Indeed, they might not even the very concept that humans describe as "love" (and European legends often give the fey this trait) - they probably feel far more emotional attachment to their particular corner of the forest than any of their lovers. They do all the sex for fun, and not for love.

Being clever beings, they would certainly adapt -- and would have much time to reflect on the nature of their bondage to the elves, and their kin's bondage. A dryad Martin Luther King and a pixie Nelson Mandela, anyone?

Again, you are assuming that dryads, pixies and the whole lot have basically human personalities. But that's not neccessarily true. For example, the fey of European legends were often believed to be incapable of any kind of innovation - which is why they abducted human artists all the time.

Is it so inconcievable that there could be species in a fantasy world that were completely incapable of even considering "freedom" from their part in the "order of things"? Take Middle-Earth, for example - in this world, only humans are completely free to choose their own destinies.

Perhaps species could be created with such fundamental limitations - after all, fantasy worls aren't limited by real-world genetics...

And that would, I think, neatly tie up most of your arguments.