Should there just be one sort of elf?

[Nifft]

I seem to recall someone posting in House Rules a thing about Elves being one race, but being so attuned to nature that they magically adapted to wherever they were born. So if you were born on a boat at sea, you'd be an aquatic elf; if you were born in the woods, you'd be a wood elf; if you were born deep underground, you'd be a gnome tiefling -- well, something.

Cheers, -- N

 

[EyeontheMountain]

I sure hope so, as the ability to choose one subtype of elf for each character build or rules loophole was one of the most ridiculous parts of that whole race's package.

I think the subraces should be fluff, except with drow. I do not like drow and do not use them, but will concede that they are very popular and deserve a place in 4E, but only with a fe skill bonuses changed around and darkvision. Nix the spell-like abilities and SR please. Or fix LA, either would be good.

 

[drothgery]

With the exception of drow, which are far too popular ever to get rid of, I'm all for it. But then, I've never liked the notion of races having 2,497 sub-races each.

What he said.

 

[Korgoth]

Sub-races should be fluff-only in difference. So you're a Mountain Dwarf instead of a Hill Dwarf? Good for you. So you're a Moon Elf instead of a Tokhes Elf? You go, girl. But you don't need different mechanical adjustments.

This nonsense got started in 1e and I don't think it has ever been necessary. So your Halfling is a "stout" rather than a "tallfellow"? Big, fat, hairy-footed deal. You're a halfling: go smoke your pipe and hide from the ogre.

I guess Drow are a special case, given the cool stuff Gary did with D1-3, etc. However, strictly speaking, we already had "dark elves", right? They're called "dwarves". Still, spiders and whatnot. But I don't see the point in a bunch of extra mechanics for which color your dwarf is or how fat your halfling is. Just make up a suitable description and run with it.

 

[Brennin Magalus]

Should there just be one sort of elf?

Yes, the Birthright kind .

 

[TwinBahamut]

I think there should only be one set of stats for all kinds of elves. This goes for Drow too. With Racial Feats or however they intend to handle the new racial mechanics, there should be plenty of flexibility to put them all under the same racial description. I never understood why Drow had different stats than "normal" elves, because thematically they are just elves with a different culture who have dark skin.

 

[Shade]

As long as the decades of flavor is preserved, I'd have no problem with one basic mechanic for the race.

As others have pointed out, drow are different enough to warrant a separate entry. In fact, I hope they finally kick the "elf," out of their entry and become an entry all their own.

 

[Klaus]

YES!

Eberron did a Good Thing by getting rid of all elf subraces (drow are a separate race).

And please, no more of that "Wood Elves are as strong as Half-Orcs" nonsense. Wanna play a strong character? Play a half-orc. Wanna play an elf? Then you're lithe and agile.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I agree there should be one 'Elf' race, and echo the sentiment that culture should affect the character more than race does...

THere was also a HR thread that never fully developed about 'Underdark' races should all simply be a template applied to the surface dwelling race, so Drow are 'Underdark' Elves, etc...

It made a lot of sense to me but I am not good at stats for templates

 

[Moon-Lancer]

I seem to recall someone posting in House Rules a thing about Elves being one race, but being so attuned to nature that they magically adapted to wherever they were born. So if you were born on a boat at sea, you'd be an aquatic elf; if you were born in the woods, you'd be a wood elf; if you were born deep underground, you'd be a gnome tiefling -- well, something.

Cheers, -- N

I like this idea.

I like elfquest and its clear that those elves all have different physical and mental abilities. I don't mind multiple kinds of elves. I don't know why people have problems with them. can anyone provide a good argument why its a bad thing, rather then venting?