Should there just be one sort of elf?
- Thread starter Whizbang Dustyboots
- Start date
Nyeshet
First Post
First, one should divide all 'racial' traits into those that are truly innate to the species and those that are instead culturally derived.
Then, the core traits of the elven species should remain the same, while various elven cultures can be defined through changes to the culturally derived traits.
Drow, in some respects, is a true sub-race, for they have been so long apart from the elven people (in terms of interbreeding) that they have developed in a differing direction from their surface world kin. This does not take into affect alterations brought about via direct divine intervention, of course, which would further deviate the drow from their surface kin. As they can still breed with surface elves (some stories giving evidence of this), it suggests that they are not yet a totally different species.
So, if the species have been somehow prevented from breeding with each other for thousands of years (if not longer), then they merit differing racial traits. Cultural traits can be used to define any other differences.
One last thing: why are elves granted things such as +2 Str, -2 (whatever) for being wild when similar human tribes are not? We do not see human sub-races for woodland humans, jungle humans, desert humans, wild / savage humans, etc. In fact, I think some people would take offense if such sub-races of humans were suggested, as we do not notice consistent and major differences in the RW between humans raised in a desert tribe and those raised in a major modern city - or in the forested mountains, etc. So why should we see the same for elves? That has been my main quibble with the whole 'multitude of sub-races for every possible environment' situation.
Then, the core traits of the elven species should remain the same, while various elven cultures can be defined through changes to the culturally derived traits.
Drow, in some respects, is a true sub-race, for they have been so long apart from the elven people (in terms of interbreeding) that they have developed in a differing direction from their surface world kin. This does not take into affect alterations brought about via direct divine intervention, of course, which would further deviate the drow from their surface kin. As they can still breed with surface elves (some stories giving evidence of this), it suggests that they are not yet a totally different species.
So, if the species have been somehow prevented from breeding with each other for thousands of years (if not longer), then they merit differing racial traits. Cultural traits can be used to define any other differences.
One last thing: why are elves granted things such as +2 Str, -2 (whatever) for being wild when similar human tribes are not? We do not see human sub-races for woodland humans, jungle humans, desert humans, wild / savage humans, etc. In fact, I think some people would take offense if such sub-races of humans were suggested, as we do not notice consistent and major differences in the RW between humans raised in a desert tribe and those raised in a major modern city - or in the forested mountains, etc. So why should we see the same for elves? That has been my main quibble with the whole 'multitude of sub-races for every possible environment' situation.
funkysnunkulator
First Post
all hail keebler elves!! with the power to tempt you with chocolaty treats!!
just thought of something. not sure if wotc ever "got rid of" dark sun.
athasian desert elves seemed a different thing. kinda like drow different.
things like this may affect "canon" decision to make unified species and races.
just brainstorming.
really liked dark sun. still making stuff for it.
just thought of something. not sure if wotc ever "got rid of" dark sun.
athasian desert elves seemed a different thing. kinda like drow different.
things like this may affect "canon" decision to make unified species and races.
just brainstorming.
really liked dark sun. still making stuff for it.
Malhost Zormaeril
First Post
JVisgaitis said:
http://www.birthright.net/
Oh, and the 2e Dragonlance campaign setting had different modifiers for different barbarian human tribes and civilized humans, as well...
JVisgaitis
Explorer
Malhost Zormaeril said:
I only saw the rules for one human subrace and they were the same as humans in 3e.
Malhost Zormaeril said:
The Tales of the Lance Boxed Set? I don't remember that...
Scribble
First Post
Scarred Lands did it... They let you give up the extra feat in favor of region flavored ability modifiers.
That pretty much explains why I think sub races exist... Humans are just a bit more customizable with that extra feat... With the various non-human races, you have a set bonus... Sub races offer a little more option.
That pretty much explains why I think sub races exist... Humans are just a bit more customizable with that extra feat... With the various non-human races, you have a set bonus... Sub races offer a little more option.
Malhost Zormaeril
First Post
JVisgaitis said:
So it is. Well, the 2e boxed set sure had them.
- Anuirean: +1 WIS, -1 DEX
- Brecht: +1 DEX, -1 WIS
- Khinasi: +1 INT, -1 CON
- Rjurik: +1 CON, -1 CHA
- Vos: +1 STR, -1 INT
JVisgaitis said:
Hmm, I remember them, perhaps not quite as clearly as I'd like...
Brown Jenkin
First Post
Scribble said:You can get rid of sub races as long as the one true elf that remains is Santa's Elf...
I don't want a world with no presents.
I'm sorry but the only Elves that should be left are the Drow.
One Elf to rule them all, One Elf to find them, One Elf to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
JVisgaitis
Explorer
Malhost Zormaeril said:
Its very possible they were there... Can anyone give us a definitive answer on that?
Similar Threads
Recent & Upcoming Releases
-
June 16 2026 -
June 16 2026 -
September 16 2026 
Arcana Unleashed(Dungeons & Dragons)
Rulebook featuring "high magic" options, including a host of new spells.
Replies (250) -
September 16 2026 -
October 1 2026 -
October 6 2026 -
January 1 2027 -
January 1 2027
