Well, they’ve always been written up that way in the PHBs.I find it interesting to note the assumption that there is sexual dimorphism among elves. Why would elven females be on average, smaller, lighter, or less strong than male elves?
Well, they’ve always been written up that way in the PHBs.I find it interesting to note the assumption that there is sexual dimorphism among elves. Why would elven females be on average, smaller, lighter, or less strong than male elves?
Well, they’ve always been written up that way in the PHBs.
In fluff terms, but not in any mechanical sense, not for several editions anyway.
Exactly the fluff make no sense in the context of the mechanical expression. So I am inclined to regard the fluff as unreliable and a reflection of human beliefs about sex phenotypes. I think Elves become more interesting the more alien they are. One of the reasons I really like the Blessing of Corellan, it solves a lot of issues I have always had, but learned to ignore, about D&D elves.
Not only has he/she risen above his/her allotted station! He/she is an infil-traitor with alliegance to another god! In Lolth's name, he/she must be drowned in his/her own blood!Lets go a little darker here: Rumor has spread that a Drow with the Blessing has used it to escape their duties (female->male) or risen above their station (male->female). They must be hunted down and assassinated, but none can find out what is going on, because this person is from the party's patron House! Secrets and intrigue and bloodshed abound!
Well, the fluff applies to all the races. Even dragonborn females, though now without boobs, are described/depicted as somewhat thinner and less muscly than males, though there's no rule support for that. Even humans are still described that way and we all know there's sexual dimorphism between humans.
But a mechanical representation of that fact does a disservice to the sort of game D&D is trying to present. Characters are always exceptions, as Mary-Suey as that can sound, as a-typical members of their race/culture/world the one female in your party may just happen to be the strongest person in the world.
Personally, I find the Blessing dramatically less interesting if all elves are assumed to be rather androgynous in appearance to begin with. Sure, it lets them switch sex, but much of gender is based on physical appearance and capability. If there difference between male and female elves is already a fraction of a fraction, then elvish gender distinctions are going to be equally androgynous. Which sort of, IMO,reduces the value of including an element like the Blessing.
I find such a thing like the Blessing to be far more interesting in a race with defined gender roles and marked physical dimorphism between the sexes.
Not only has he/she risen above his/her allotted station! He/she is an infil-traitor with alliegance to another god! In Lolth's name, he/she must be drowned in his/her own blood!
… hey, wait, I described this plot line about a week ago, minus the emotional fervor...
Well, the fluff applies to all the races. Even dragonborn females, though now without boobs, are described/depicted as somewhat thinner and less muscly than males, though there's no rule support for that. Even humans are still described that way and we all know there's sexual dimorphism between humans.
Yeah, I actually brought that up a ways back.I find it interesting to note the assumption that there is sexual dimorphism among elves. Why would elven females be on average, smaller, lighter, or less strong than male elves?