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Message: <blockquote data-quote="I'm A Banana" data-source="post: 578843" data-attributes="member: 2067">As has been said, it's largely a campaign consideration.It's my view that elves are no better or worse than any other race on the planet...they just *think* they are.I tend to exaggerate the "fey" nature of elves, though. They're generally tree-hugging hippie wusses who find blood and voilence abbhorent, and rationalize their wimpy nature by saying that any who participate in it otherwise are "beneath them."They're lovers of peace and beauty, and, not surprisingly, very condescending and arrogant to those who do not share their vision. At worst they're patronizing bigots who feel that none but the Elves should exist (my elves have a "racial supremacy" thing going on in the seedier elements of their society, and while the others don't like it, they also don't raise a hand to stop it). At best, they pity those who don't see the world like them, finding sorrow in their lack of capacity for the appreciation of elvish beauty and wonder.They are cowardly and intellectual and rationalize it all away by saying "that's the way it's *supposed* to be, and you're doing it wrong!"Their men and women look the same, act the same, dress the same -- it's a common tavern insult to call a burly warrior an "elf-friend," implying promiscuity and effeminate behaviour.Mostly this is a reaction against the "kewlness" of elves. I find that if I make them prancing gumdrop princes, the race is less inclined to dominate.Of course, I exaggerate dwarves to compensate. IMC, dwarves tend to be bloodthirsty and downright cruel to their enemies, isolationist and bitter, nearly fearful of change and alteration. They dismiss beauty as useless, and focus on utilitarian works. Things of value, here and now, rather than some ethereal, ephemeral wonder. Dwarves may be short, but torque one off, and you're asking for a world of trouble.Elves are the whiny pretty-boy, boy-band male model girlie kids (of course, this stereotype ignores the great power of some elves, but those are the exception). They'll justify anything by saying "It's beautiful," and if you disagree, they won't even argue with you..."I'm affraid you're wrong...and there's really nothing I can tell your poor human mind to suit it." They see their long lives as a justification for their outright snobbery. Of course, they're still Good, and they can boast a number of ass-kickers, but even their ass-kickers are wussy in the world of mine (Hah! Archery! Ne'er has a more cowardly practice been thrust upon the earth!)....because I can't stand elves who are too kewl that they make other races virtually unplayable. ^_^ I also give them a +1 Cha, and take away their searching for doors thingy.Dwarves are tougher than the stone they are supposedly made of, and as volatile as a volcano (ignoring the occasional gentle dwarf). Even their women are "manly" (the source of many bawdy tavern jokes itself). They'll never put down a challenge, and any challenge they know they can't win, they'll dismiss as being fivolty (it's as hard to win a dwarf's respect as it is to win an elf's). I give them a +1 Str, and take away Stonecunning.But I'm ranting. Basically, elves and dwarves have been exaggerated, one to compensate for "look at me, I'm pretty and agile and can look good!", and the other to enhance "Gnarr! Our women have beards!"</blockquote>

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