D&D General So how do Half-Elfs feel different to Elfs?

[GobHag]

So is there any way of depicting the different mentality of another species or should we just throw in the towel and say "Just slap on some prosthetics"?

Yes but only barely and only pond-level at best that will quickly become 'slap on some prosthetics' IMO

 

[Yaarel]

Not gonna touch that

I consider close encounters with UFOs and troll encounters to be identical. Both are subjective experiences of individuals. But these individuals tend to be otherwise sane, and their experiences seem relevant commentary for their wider cultures.

Animistic cultures welcome these kinds of experiences.

 

[Yaarel]

But it isn't, because the lore doesn't back you up. As I said, it's fine for your homebrew and pretty cool, but it's not how D&D elves are.

D&D 2024 lore backs up the magic of the Elves fine.

 

[Maxperson]

D&D 2024 lore backs up the magic of the Elves fine.

Not Norse ones. Mordenkainen's has not been overriden by 5.5e elven lore yet, so the lore in it still applies. If and when a new book appears, and it's Norse elves, you can have D&D Norse elves that aren't home brew.

 

[Charlaquin]

I consider close encounters with UFOs and troll encounters to be identical.

I agree to an extent, in that I suspect accounts of alien abductions and UFOs are a modern expression of the same phenomena that accounts of encounters fae and similar otherworld entities come from. Possibly ghosts too.

Both are subjective experiences of individuals. But these individuals tend to be otherwise sane, and their experiences seem relevant commentary for their wider cultures.
Animistic cultures welcome these kinds of experiences.

Again, I don’t want to go down this route because you seem to hold a genuine belief here, and religion is up there with politics among topics not considered appropriate for discussion here. If I’ve misunderstood you please correct me, but it sounds like you’re objecting to depictions of elves in D&D on religious/spiritual/faith-based grounds, and… that kinda goes against the forum rules to be discussing, doesn’t it?

 

[Marandahir]

Has any half elf since Tanis been an outsider?

Genis and Raine Sage, certainly. And pretty much all the Half-elves in Tales of Symphonia.

 

[Yaarel]

Not Norse ones.

The D&D 2024 emphasis on elven magic derives from mythological accuracy, both Norse and Scottish. (And it is a more helpful way to distinguish from other species, rather than proficiency with swords.)

The 2024 Elf is close enough to Norse. It is innately magic. Whether they live in the sky above the clouds, or perhaps the sky of the Border Ether, is a setting choice.

The High lineage works well. The cantrip and swapping it are great for casual magic. The innate Detect Magic is relevant. Even Misty Step has precedence, with stories about being able to jaunt invisibly and to pass thru a keyhole. Thankfully Dexterity is no longer default, and the Elves can be tough, and charismatic, and now make great Bard, Wizards, Druids, and eventually Psions. The idea that an Elf starts at level 1 and only individuals reach epic, is appropriate.

The only change I would make would be to delete Darkvision from the Elf species. But let the Drow lineage keep the Darkvision. But this isnt a big deal. If fate is an important setting theme, maybe avail the Guidance cantrip, or even swap Misty Step for innate Augury (without spell component). Otherwise a background can handle such.

Even as-is, the 2024 Elf is workable for a Norse or Norsesque setting.

 

[Yaarel]

I agree to an extent, in that I suspect accounts of alien abductions and UFOs are a modern expression of the same phenomena that accounts of encounters fae and similar otherworld entities come from. Possibly ghosts too.

Exactly.

Again, I don’t want to go down this route because you seem to hold a genuine belief here, and religion is up there with politics among topics not considered appropriate for discussion here. If I’ve misunderstood you please correct me, but it sounds like you’re objecting to depictions of elves in D&D on religious/spiritual/faith-based grounds, and… that kinda goes against the forum rules to be discussing, doesn’t it?

Discussing cultural sensitivity is sometimes relevant.

 

[Marandahir]

The D&D 2024 emphasis on elven magic derives from mythological accuracy, both Norse and Scottish. (And it is a more helpful way to distinguish from other species, rather than proficiency with swords.)

The 2024 Elf is close enough to Norse. It is innately magic. Whether they live in the sky above the clouds, or perhaps the sky of the Border Ether, is a setting choice.

The High lineage works well. The cantrip and swapping it are great for casual magic. The innate Detect Magic is relevant. Even Misty Step has precedence, with stories about being able to jaunt invisibly and to pass thru a keyhole. Thankfully Dexterity is no longer default, and the Elves can be tough, and charismatic, and now make great Bard, Wizards, Druids, and eventually Psions. The idea that an Elf starts at level 1 and only individuals reach epic, is appropriate.

The only change I would make would be to delete Darkvision from the Elf species. But let the Drow lineage keep the Darkvision. But this isnt a big deal. If fate is an important setting theme, maybe avail the Guidance cantrip, or even swap Misty Step for innate Augury (without spell component). Otherwise a background can handle such.

Even as-is, the 2024 Elf is workable for a Norse or Norsesque setting.

Or beyond/beneath the sea or under the hills, presumably. Lots of Faerie-stories of high/pretty fey characters that Elves can represent.

 

[Marandahir]

Yes but only barely and only pond-level at best that will quickly become 'slap on some prosthetics' IMO

I've found Keith Baker's 5E Eberron books like Exploring Eberron are really good at getting into the mindsets of non-humans and really leaning into their fantasy and the mindsets that arise from those rather than just being planet-of-hats species.