Melnoboneans and Elves

[Edena_of_Neith]

The Melniboneans remind me of the land of Dambrath, where the Crinti (half-elf/half-drow) rule under the banners of Lolth (aggression, violence, tyranny) and Loviatar (physical pain, psychological pain, dark pleasure.)
The Melniboneans also remind me of one logical path elves could take, with their long life spans, if they went the way of Rome (or, for that matter, the fantasy realm of the Suel Imperium.)

Torture? What the Melniboneans need is a Ring of Regeneration or two. THEN their victims would learn the True Meaning of Suffering. The Endless Death, anyone?

If the drow ever organized under Vhaeraun (sp?), I could see them going this route also.

If evil characters, especially lawful and neutral evil characters, and elves, are your cup of tea, the Melniboneans are for you.
In my other thread, I commented about wizards. Everything I said about wizards and multiclassing and overthrowing the system and ruthlessness, goes TRIPLE for Melnibonean elves.
Balance? That's for those Inferior Races. Melniboneans are the Masters and Mistresses of the World and Multiverse (I honestly believe a Melnibonean and an Illithid could sit over cups of tea, and have a congenial discourse. They have about the same mindset (except the illithid are less sadistic.)

 

[Byronic]

This is turning out to be very tricky. Let's see... enhance the fey qualities of the Eladrin and bring them closer to the Elves. Make the difference between the two less genetic and more social. If a child from Eladrin parents were raised by Elves they would have Elf characteristics and visa versa. Maybe put a more Tolkien twist to it. Elves and Eladrin who stay in their roles (or even switch between races..) slowly become more like "spirits" they become more like their role and embody certain qualities. Elves become a part of the forest forever as tree's and dryads and such. Adventurers amongst such races break from such cycles and live a shorter life and become in some ways more like men, and then to die a true death like men.

This will help distance them from Melniboneans (and for that matter humans with pointy ears). Melniboneans can be emphasised on their traditional culture (aka they get benefits towards rituals) but also their callous mindset and catlike nature. This should provide plenty of difference.

Now I simply have to wonder why I don't simply try to get my players to play "Elric!"

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

I remember the Hobbit, and how friendly the Noldorian elves of Rivendell (High Elves) were to the dwarves. I remember their silly song.
What a difference from the Melnibonean elves! They might sing to Thorin and Company too, but the song would be slightly different.

Ask your players to concoct such a song. That might get their minds off of Elric and his mighty, lethal Stormbringer.

 

[Byronic]

I remember the Hobbit, and how friendly the Noldorian elves of Rivendell (High Elves) were to the dwarves. I remember their silly song.
What a difference from the Melnibonean elves! They might sing to Thorin and Company too, but the song would be slightly different.

Ask your players to concoct such a song. That might get their minds off of Elric and his mighty, lethal Stormbringer.

At least one of my players is completely and utterly tone deaf. Having them sing would cause me to drop off my chair convulsing in laughter.

Besides which they don't read Moorcock so they don't need to forget anything. Hell, I don't think most read Tolkien either.

 

[hong]

By-the-book 4E tieflings fill the conceptual space that would otherwise be taken by Elric: survivors of a corrupt, decadent elder empire that consorted with demons/devils.

The reason they don't LOOK like Elric is because 4E already has 3 bishi races: elves, half-elves and eladrin.

 

[Byronic]

By-the-book 4E tieflings fill the conceptual space that would otherwise be taken by Elric: survivors of a corrupt, decadent elder empire that consorted with demons/devils.

The reason they don't LOOK like Elric is because 4E already has 3 bishi races: elves, half-elves and eladrin.

Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but this doesn't change the fact that Melniboneans seldom care about what the world thinks of them for past "crimes" and I don't think they look so kindly to other Melniboneans called themselves "Charity". I'm pretty sure they've invented special tortures just for such occasions.

At least now when the town people yell "Devil" they'll be right for once ^_^

 

[Tarek]

I don't see that they'd care about what another Melnibonean does, even if it is to be nice/gentle/compassionate. Unless that other Melnibonean is in a position of power.

About the only time they did care was when it was the Emperor himself who wasn't completely amoral, i.e. Elric.

Remember, amoral. They didn't just not have morals. Melniboneans are, in general, incapable of comprehending the concept of morality.

 

[Terwox]

So, if you do decide to replace tieflings with Melniboneans, how will you replace the powers? I'm not so sure infernal wrath is out of place (Perhaps change the name from infernal,) but hellfire blood, fiery rebuke, and perhaps even ferocious rebuke seem a bit out of context.

This largely only matters if you do have a PC playing one of these, though!

 

[RandomCitizenX]

So, if you do decide to replace tieflings with Melniboneans, how will you replace the powers? I'm not so sure infernal wrath is out of place (Perhaps change the name from infernal,) but hellfire blood, fiery rebuke, and perhaps even ferocious rebuke seem a bit out of context.

This largely only matters if you do have a PC playing one of these, though!

The demonic theme isn't necessarily out of place with the Melniboneans, since they were depicted as being closely tied with the lords of chaos, who were in turn shown in a demonic context. I think that the Melniboneans could easily be subbed in for tieflings and would make them rivals and enemies of the Eladrin (in the same way that tieflings and dragborns are enemies).

 

[Byronic]

I don't see that they'd care about what another Melnibonean does, even if it is to be nice/gentle/compassionate. Unless that other Melnibonean is in a position of power.

About the only time they did care was when it was the Emperor himself who wasn't completely amoral, i.e. Elric.

Remember, amoral. They didn't just not have morals. Melniboneans are, in general, incapable of comprehending the concept of morality.

Actually I was joking when I mentioned that last post I was giving Tieflings one last mock for the road. I'm going to have to be very clear on the Melnibonian psyche though, including that "good" Melniboneans do exist, even if they are rare. I'm going to have to read the Elric saga once more to properly understand the psyche myself.

Makes me wonder though, while Elric could arguably be seen as "good" what is the general Melnibonean?

So, if you do decide to replace tieflings with Melniboneans, how will you replace the powers? I'm not so sure infernal wrath is out of place (Perhaps change the name from infernal,) but hellfire blood, fiery rebuke, and perhaps even ferocious rebuke seem a bit out of context.

This largely only matters if you do have a PC playing one of these, though!

Well I don't have a player playing a Tiefling yet so thats not a problem. I might look into their planescape version though... maybe for NPCs or simple people who've meddled with too much magic.

In anycase making a Melnibonean isn't that easy, they're good in quite a few things. At the end I think I'll keep the +2 in intelligence and Charisma (it was a battle between Charisma and Wisdom) and I'll give them some bonusses in Rituals (probably as a feat available only at Character creation).

I don't know what else I can give them though. I'll have to think it over and make up something. I want to give them some kind of special power to make them more mechanically distinct.