Afrodyte
Explorer
dwarves and elves
I'm not currently running a campaign, but I have some revisions I'm making to the core races if I ever get around to running something. It's sort of difficult to explain them with a couple of sentences. I don't focus on culture; that can change depending on the setting. However, I do focus on the natures of these races a bit more. I basically ask, "What makes a dwarf a dwarf?" and "What makes an elf an elf?" The result is something that allows for more diversity individually and culturally but also more focus due to a shared foundation that cuts across cultural boundaries.
By the way, I call my dwarves gnomes. More is explained later.
ELVES
Most non-elves would describe elves as exquisitely beautiful humans with pointy ears. While this serves as an accurate physical description, it overlooks the most essential quality that makes elves what they are: magic. Elves do not simply use magic; they live in magic. Some would even argue that they are magic. It infuses every fiber of their being and is imbued in everything they make. Their magical natures grants them some immunity to the ravages of time. Age afflicts them only through magical means, and death only comes to them from sickness, accident, or violence. As creatures of magic, they are more attuned to the magic around them. This enhances not just their physical senses, but their psychic senses as well. Elves are especially capable at sensing nearby magical energy.
The magical natures of elves has a profound impact upon their psychology. Moreso than humans, elves are creatures of extremes. They are not creatures of mixed emotions or lukewarm feelings. They do not have hobbies; they have obsessions. They are not merely attracted to someone; they are consumed with lust. They do not have spouses; they have soulmates. Elves do not experience irritation or annoyance; they feel murderous rage. The intensity of elven passion can be unsettling to witness, but their dispassion is positively terrifying. When elves do not have an emotional attachment to something, they can be calloused and even cruel. This is not out of malice or a perverse joy in the suffering of others (though such elves do exist). Rather, it is the complete lack of empathy. In this sense, one elf's idle curiosity can be one human's unspeakable torment. A group of elves getting together for light merry-making can be absolutely decadent by human standards.
However, the virtual immortality of elves does eventually grant them the ability to put things into perspective. They can become both more detached from and more involved with life's joys, hardships, and changes. They can exercise remarkable patience when making plans or enduring hardship. Simultaneously, they can pursue the fleeting, mortal things that interest them with a sense of urgency that would be surprising even in humans.
Yet, for all the otherwordliness ascribed to them, everything elves do, even the simplest things, is rooted in a deep sense of wonder in even the simplest things. They favor activities which allow them to express themselves most fully. Elves bring an element of magic to everything they do, from warfare to politics to courtship. Their arts and crafts are objects of wonder. Though their interests frequently focus on the arts and crafts, many elves are endlessly fascinated by vocations, hobbies, and other endeavors that others find dull or boring. More than a few find the prospect of spending the rest of their lives as street sweepers or brick-layers particularly exciting.
Appearance
Generally about a head taller than a human of comparable weight. Tall elves stand head and shoulders above most humans. Elves tend to be thin for a human of the same height, sometimes seeming frail. They are never obese. Hair, eyes, and skin come in a variety of colors, even those which would seem unnatural in a human.
Classes and adventures
As creatures of innate magic, elves are likely to choose classes that reflect, enhance, or complement their magical aspects. As such, they often have levels throughout the skill-based, combat-based, and magic-based classes. They generally gravitate toward adventuring classes related to their home environments. The bard, druid, and ranger classes most often fill the skillful, spellcasting, and combat niches.
In most elven communities, experts make up the largest percentage of inhabitants. The majority of these are artists, craftsmen, scholars, and performers. They are exceptional at their vocations, but they develop other abilities as well to complement their primary interests. Those elves whose vocations take them farther abroad often take levels in adventuring classes. Performers and scholars prefer the bard. Others seguey into classes that give them other abilities to compliment their skills. Elven warriors often favor feats and abilities taking advantage of agility over brute strength. Of the adventuring combat classes, elves are partial to the ranger for its combination of combat ability, skill, and magic, though the fighter is a popular choice as well. Spellcasters, as can be expected, are relatively common, but they typically multiclass to develop useful skills and abilities alongside magical powers. Among the adventuring spellcasting classes, elves favor the druid as opposed to the cleric, sorcerer, or wizard.
GNOMES
Gnomes are similar to elves in that they are essentially magical humans. However, unlike elves, who live in magic, gnomes literally and figuratively make magic. Many myths feature artifacts which have mystical properties or where someone creates something that has powers greater than its exterior indicates. This extends not just to tools and weapons, but aesthetic things as well. The power of an image, of words, of music and dance, even of food, is undeniable.
Gnomes define themselves through their craft, which is any endeavor that requires dedication and discipline to achieve competence or mastery. For better or worse, gnomes are what they do or make. Even as infants and toddlers, they display an urge to create and make things. As they grow older, gnomes are irresistably drawn to their chosen crafts and all things related to it. Most often, this urge is expressed through a prodigious talent for the fine arts, performing arts, and crafts. Conservative gnomes tend to focus on perfecting traditional models and methods while those who are more interested in novelty pursue innovation in their chosen fields. Regardless of their orientation, they have a perfectionist streak ten miles wide, though how this affects their personalities run in extremes. Some are the pillars of patience and stablity, while others are ill-tempered madmen. Individual gnomes can often express both tendencies.
For some gnomes, the joy of crafting comes from the satisfaction of shaping an unformed mass or filling a sensory void. For others, it is the sense of mastery that comes with creating or making something close to an ideal. Furthermore, some feel their deepest satisfaction from the attention to detail, foresight, timing, ingenuity, and sheer genius that they practice when making things or executing plans. Regardless of which aspects they most enjoy when crafting, gnomes must craft, else they find other outlets for their creative impulse. A gnome thwarted in his instinct for craft can turn their brilliant minds toward the exploitation and corruption of those around them.
Appearance
Gnomes typically stand under 5 feet (150 cm) tall when fully grown. For this, they are often called dwarves (They hate this). The way gnomes look is a study in extremes. There is nothing of the merely average about them. Their hair, for instance, comes in only four colors: stark white, golden blond, jet black, or flaming red. It is either silky smooth or coarse as wool. The eyes are always very clear and strongly blue, gray, green, or black. Skin complexion is either ruddy, pallid, or dark. Their physiques are either stocky or wiry, but they never seem frail or weak-looking. Gnomish hands are large and solid or slender and elegant. This extends even to how gnomes present themselves. They are either unkempt, even unhygienic, or meticulously groomed.
Classes and adventures
Gnome NPCs (and some PCs) overwhelmingly favor the expert generic class since it allows them to focus on their craft. Some gnomes augment their chosen craft with spellcasting classes, focusing on classes and spells useful to their chosen crafts. Because of their keen minds, wizard is a favorite amongst spellcasting classes. Gnome performers often take the bard class as well. Gnome warriors are not unheard of, but tend to be comparatively rare. For the most part, they protect those artifacts which have a tendency to attract thieves and vandals (aka adventurers). Those who feel the call to adventure or the craft of war may feel drawn to the fighter or monk. Gnomes generally adventure as a means of gaining access to the works of renowned artists, craftsmen, and performers. A gnome is as likely to travel across a continent in search of ancient tomes, a work of art, or the instruction of a master craftsman as he is to risk life and limb for a mountain of gold.
I'm not currently running a campaign, but I have some revisions I'm making to the core races if I ever get around to running something. It's sort of difficult to explain them with a couple of sentences. I don't focus on culture; that can change depending on the setting. However, I do focus on the natures of these races a bit more. I basically ask, "What makes a dwarf a dwarf?" and "What makes an elf an elf?" The result is something that allows for more diversity individually and culturally but also more focus due to a shared foundation that cuts across cultural boundaries.
By the way, I call my dwarves gnomes. More is explained later.
ELVES
Most non-elves would describe elves as exquisitely beautiful humans with pointy ears. While this serves as an accurate physical description, it overlooks the most essential quality that makes elves what they are: magic. Elves do not simply use magic; they live in magic. Some would even argue that they are magic. It infuses every fiber of their being and is imbued in everything they make. Their magical natures grants them some immunity to the ravages of time. Age afflicts them only through magical means, and death only comes to them from sickness, accident, or violence. As creatures of magic, they are more attuned to the magic around them. This enhances not just their physical senses, but their psychic senses as well. Elves are especially capable at sensing nearby magical energy.
The magical natures of elves has a profound impact upon their psychology. Moreso than humans, elves are creatures of extremes. They are not creatures of mixed emotions or lukewarm feelings. They do not have hobbies; they have obsessions. They are not merely attracted to someone; they are consumed with lust. They do not have spouses; they have soulmates. Elves do not experience irritation or annoyance; they feel murderous rage. The intensity of elven passion can be unsettling to witness, but their dispassion is positively terrifying. When elves do not have an emotional attachment to something, they can be calloused and even cruel. This is not out of malice or a perverse joy in the suffering of others (though such elves do exist). Rather, it is the complete lack of empathy. In this sense, one elf's idle curiosity can be one human's unspeakable torment. A group of elves getting together for light merry-making can be absolutely decadent by human standards.
However, the virtual immortality of elves does eventually grant them the ability to put things into perspective. They can become both more detached from and more involved with life's joys, hardships, and changes. They can exercise remarkable patience when making plans or enduring hardship. Simultaneously, they can pursue the fleeting, mortal things that interest them with a sense of urgency that would be surprising even in humans.
Yet, for all the otherwordliness ascribed to them, everything elves do, even the simplest things, is rooted in a deep sense of wonder in even the simplest things. They favor activities which allow them to express themselves most fully. Elves bring an element of magic to everything they do, from warfare to politics to courtship. Their arts and crafts are objects of wonder. Though their interests frequently focus on the arts and crafts, many elves are endlessly fascinated by vocations, hobbies, and other endeavors that others find dull or boring. More than a few find the prospect of spending the rest of their lives as street sweepers or brick-layers particularly exciting.
Appearance
Generally about a head taller than a human of comparable weight. Tall elves stand head and shoulders above most humans. Elves tend to be thin for a human of the same height, sometimes seeming frail. They are never obese. Hair, eyes, and skin come in a variety of colors, even those which would seem unnatural in a human.
Classes and adventures
As creatures of innate magic, elves are likely to choose classes that reflect, enhance, or complement their magical aspects. As such, they often have levels throughout the skill-based, combat-based, and magic-based classes. They generally gravitate toward adventuring classes related to their home environments. The bard, druid, and ranger classes most often fill the skillful, spellcasting, and combat niches.
In most elven communities, experts make up the largest percentage of inhabitants. The majority of these are artists, craftsmen, scholars, and performers. They are exceptional at their vocations, but they develop other abilities as well to complement their primary interests. Those elves whose vocations take them farther abroad often take levels in adventuring classes. Performers and scholars prefer the bard. Others seguey into classes that give them other abilities to compliment their skills. Elven warriors often favor feats and abilities taking advantage of agility over brute strength. Of the adventuring combat classes, elves are partial to the ranger for its combination of combat ability, skill, and magic, though the fighter is a popular choice as well. Spellcasters, as can be expected, are relatively common, but they typically multiclass to develop useful skills and abilities alongside magical powers. Among the adventuring spellcasting classes, elves favor the druid as opposed to the cleric, sorcerer, or wizard.
GNOMES
Gnomes are similar to elves in that they are essentially magical humans. However, unlike elves, who live in magic, gnomes literally and figuratively make magic. Many myths feature artifacts which have mystical properties or where someone creates something that has powers greater than its exterior indicates. This extends not just to tools and weapons, but aesthetic things as well. The power of an image, of words, of music and dance, even of food, is undeniable.
Gnomes define themselves through their craft, which is any endeavor that requires dedication and discipline to achieve competence or mastery. For better or worse, gnomes are what they do or make. Even as infants and toddlers, they display an urge to create and make things. As they grow older, gnomes are irresistably drawn to their chosen crafts and all things related to it. Most often, this urge is expressed through a prodigious talent for the fine arts, performing arts, and crafts. Conservative gnomes tend to focus on perfecting traditional models and methods while those who are more interested in novelty pursue innovation in their chosen fields. Regardless of their orientation, they have a perfectionist streak ten miles wide, though how this affects their personalities run in extremes. Some are the pillars of patience and stablity, while others are ill-tempered madmen. Individual gnomes can often express both tendencies.
For some gnomes, the joy of crafting comes from the satisfaction of shaping an unformed mass or filling a sensory void. For others, it is the sense of mastery that comes with creating or making something close to an ideal. Furthermore, some feel their deepest satisfaction from the attention to detail, foresight, timing, ingenuity, and sheer genius that they practice when making things or executing plans. Regardless of which aspects they most enjoy when crafting, gnomes must craft, else they find other outlets for their creative impulse. A gnome thwarted in his instinct for craft can turn their brilliant minds toward the exploitation and corruption of those around them.
Appearance
Gnomes typically stand under 5 feet (150 cm) tall when fully grown. For this, they are often called dwarves (They hate this). The way gnomes look is a study in extremes. There is nothing of the merely average about them. Their hair, for instance, comes in only four colors: stark white, golden blond, jet black, or flaming red. It is either silky smooth or coarse as wool. The eyes are always very clear and strongly blue, gray, green, or black. Skin complexion is either ruddy, pallid, or dark. Their physiques are either stocky or wiry, but they never seem frail or weak-looking. Gnomish hands are large and solid or slender and elegant. This extends even to how gnomes present themselves. They are either unkempt, even unhygienic, or meticulously groomed.
Classes and adventures
Gnome NPCs (and some PCs) overwhelmingly favor the expert generic class since it allows them to focus on their craft. Some gnomes augment their chosen craft with spellcasting classes, focusing on classes and spells useful to their chosen crafts. Because of their keen minds, wizard is a favorite amongst spellcasting classes. Gnome performers often take the bard class as well. Gnome warriors are not unheard of, but tend to be comparatively rare. For the most part, they protect those artifacts which have a tendency to attract thieves and vandals (aka adventurers). Those who feel the call to adventure or the craft of war may feel drawn to the fighter or monk. Gnomes generally adventure as a means of gaining access to the works of renowned artists, craftsmen, and performers. A gnome is as likely to travel across a continent in search of ancient tomes, a work of art, or the instruction of a master craftsman as he is to risk life and limb for a mountain of gold.
