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

[Charlaquin]

Exactly.


Discussing cultural sensitivity is sometimes relevant.

Discussing cultural sensitivity is very relevant. Discussing your personal spiritual beliefs is not. If you have a problem with the depiction of elves because you believe they’re real and you’re descended from them… that’s not really something I can argue about, but it seems incredibly inappropriate to be telling people how they should run elves at their table on that basis, given that religion is an off-limits topic.

 

[Maxperson]

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.)

So what. Having some ultra remote possible connection does not make then Norse elves. They are not Norse at all. They are D&D elves with the D&D lore we have been given.

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.

That's a great home brew idea.

 

[Maxperson]

On this subject matter, if you want an incredible depiction of an elf character with this brand of alien mentality, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is one of the best, full stop. The second half of Delicious in Dungeon also does it quite well, in a rather different way.

Frieren is amazing. Delicious in Dungeon I couldn't get into.

 

[Charlaquin]

Frieren is amazing. Delicious in Dungeon I couldn't get into.

Thats fair. Delicious in Dungeon is very lighthearted (it has dark elements, especially in the back half, but the tone is overall pretty light for the majority of the runtime), and the focus on cooking isn’t going to appeal to everyone. But I adored it, as one might guess from my avatar. Started collecting the manga when there were still only a few volumes out in English. Major influence on how I depict orcs in my campaigns.