Elves in the Shattered World [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elves in the Shattered World [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wizardofowls
07-12-07, 03:25 PM I originally posted info on the elves of Oramis in my The Shattered World thread. However, I have made some alterations in elves as a result of reccomendations made at other sites. Here is the new improved version of the Oramian elf.

Elves: The elves of Oramis, like dwarves, are similar to, yet different from the elves of other worlds. They are a very secretive race, and seem always to be preoccupied with thoughts of other things. At an early age most elves experience a wanderlust which draws them out into the world at large. The length of time this lust may last varies from elf to elf. It can last only a few years or it could last indefinitely. Because of this lust, young elves are never let in on the secrets which occupy an elder’s thoughts. Once the lust ends, however, that quickly changes.

Oramian elves are not just long-lived, they are true immortals who never die unless slain by weapon or mischance. They also cannot be affected by aging attacks. In addition, they receive one other ability: the elven death rede. When an elf dies, any elf who has shared communion with him will receive a death rede. That is, when dying an elf can by some means project his or her final thoughts unto another elf. It is a traumatic blow unto the recipient, for elves are immortal, and for one to die means that a virtually unthinkable event has occurred to a loved one. A death rede is the final message of the dying elf, and it often contains visions as well as the elf's last words.

Elves of one of the royal houses have one other ability: Asperii have forged a special bond with those of royal lineage. If an elven royal whistles loudly with the intent to summon an asperii, one will arrive within 2 rounds. This is because asperii have one additional ability not common to those of other worlds: they somehow know weeks ahead of time when an elf will summon them, and will begin heading toward them as soon they become aware of this need. This foresight is so exact that the asperii will even know exactly how many asperii will be needed to outfit the royal's entire party and enough asperii will arrive to make sure that all elves in the party will have a mount.

The slightly haughty elves live in tree homes. All elves have platinum white hair, pale eyes, and pale skin. They are taller than elves of other worlds, taller even than the average human, standing around 6'0", though they are still very thin. They tend to dress in leathers while on duty, but for formal occasions dress in brightly colored almost gaudy robes decorated with feathers from their bond birds.

All elves begin play with a bond bird (treat as a Wizard familiar). The elf can see through the bird’s eyes, communicate telepathically with the bird, and knows health and location at all times. Bond birds are larger than normal birds of the same species.

Please note also that there are no drow in the Shattered World, only the fey - elves every bit as evil as the drow, but not restricted to darkness. (See also: Fey.)

Fey: There are no drow in the Shattered World, only the fey - elves every bit as evil as the drow, but not restricted to darkness. The fey have powerful necromancers, and seek to conquer the world. Fey elves do not have the black skin and white hair common among the drow of other worlds. A fey is indistinguishable from other elves - at least by non-elven eyes. An elf can easily spot a fey.

Despite the obvious fact that the fey are brothers of the elves, elves will not tolerate anyone of any race remarking on the fact. Elves become angry, even violent, if the relationship is mentioned, even in a casual way. The fey are not even discussed amongst the elves themselves.

Also unlike the drow, the fey are not a separate race breeding only amongst themselves. All that is required for an elf to become fey is a change toward any evil alignment. Such a loss is mourned amongst the elves and is referred to only as “being lost to the darkness,” and the “lost” elf is mourned as though he had actually died. This means, however, that a fey may also repent of his evilness and become a normal elf. This rare event is referred to by the elves as being “brought over,” and is marked in elven society by great feasts.

Half-Elves: The half-elves of Oramis are identical to those of other worlds, though they tend toward fair hair and skin. They receive a +3 bonus to saves vs. attacks which cause aging.
Aneutralshadeofblack
07-12-07, 04:22 PM As with your dwarves, the flavour here is good: sufficiently elven, yet sufficiently original too. You might want to work on the rules, though: the bond bird, the lack of aging (and subsequent immunity to aging effects), the death rede (though minor gameplay-wise in most situations) and the royal elves' abilities all hint towards a different LA than the PHB elves - likely LA+1. I would also advise you to make royal elves a different race at LA+2 considering their ability to summon Asperii (possibly even LA+2 and lose the bond bird).

As for half elves, I'm not fond of the hybrid races myself, but if you're going to incorporate them, at least fix them up - I know a lot of people (myself included) think they drew the short straw when it comes to racial abilities. I would at the very least give them the +1 skill point per level that humans get (and change the racial +2 to Diplomacy to something that actually makes sense - they're supposed to be pariahs).
Artifact
07-12-07, 08:41 PM Wizardofowls, I really like your setting and your ideas are outstanding. I've followed them from thread to thread to thread on these boards. It would make things much easier for me (and I assume many others) to follow along with you if you could combine them into one or two threads as oppossed to several.

For my part, I'm trying to gather up the posts you've made on the Shattered World and save them on my computer, so I can examine them in detail as time permits.

Again, I really enjoy all your work, its just that I'm having a hard time keeping up. Thanks :)!
wizardofowls
07-12-07, 09:40 PM Hi Artifact! Sorry about the various threads! It's just that I've discovered that a lot of people are intimidated by by lots of big posts on one thread. They tend to bypass them rather than try to read them all. So I thought that if I broke them down into several shorter threads divided by subject, they might get more responses. Do you really think I should combine them into one?
Artifact
07-13-07, 12:25 AM Do you really think I should combine them into one?

I was thinking you could give some posts a title, like "Elves of the Shattered World". Then, the reader knows right up front what the post is going to be talking about. When you're ready to start discussions on magic, you could title a post simply "Magic of the Shattered World", etc.

When others are interested in your work they'll respond just as quickly in a single thread as they will among several. It makes things easier to follow, since we can get the big picture of your setting without having to hop around to different threads.

This is my advice, hope I'm not just being selfish ;).

BTW I was reading your description of the Shard Roots. Now that's what I call a "Fantastic Location". I have this image of adventurers who rock climb up inside a vast cave, only the entrance to the cave lies beneath their feet. Very :cool:.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wizardofowls 07-12-07, 03:25 PM	I originally posted info on the elves of Oramis in my The Shattered World thread. However, I have made some alterations in elves as a result of reccomendations made at other sites. Here is the new improved version of the Oramian elf. Elves: The elves of Oramis, like dwarves, are similar to, yet different from the elves of other worlds. They are a very secretive race, and seem always to be preoccupied with thoughts of other things. At an early age most elves experience a wanderlust which draws them out into the world at large. The length of time this lust may last varies from elf to elf. It can last only a few years or it could last indefinitely. Because of this lust, young elves are never let in on the secrets which occupy an elder’s thoughts. Once the lust ends, however, that quickly changes. Oramian elves are not just long-lived, they are true immortals who never die unless slain by weapon or mischance. They also cannot be affected by aging attacks. In addition, they receive one other ability: the elven death rede. When an elf dies, any elf who has shared communion with him will receive a death rede. That is, when dying an elf can by some means project his or her final thoughts unto another elf. It is a traumatic blow unto the recipient, for elves are immortal, and for one to die means that a virtually unthinkable event has occurred to a loved one. A death rede is the final message of the dying elf, and it often contains visions as well as the elf's last words. Elves of one of the royal houses have one other ability: Asperii have forged a special bond with those of royal lineage. If an elven royal whistles loudly with the intent to summon an asperii, one will arrive within 2 rounds. This is because asperii have one additional ability not common to those of other worlds: they somehow know weeks ahead of time when an elf will summon them, and will begin heading toward them as soon they become aware of this need. This foresight is so exact that the asperii will even know exactly how many asperii will be needed to outfit the royal's entire party and enough asperii will arrive to make sure that all elves in the party will have a mount. The slightly haughty elves live in tree homes. All elves have platinum white hair, pale eyes, and pale skin. They are taller than elves of other worlds, taller even than the average human, standing around 6'0", though they are still very thin. They tend to dress in leathers while on duty, but for formal occasions dress in brightly colored almost gaudy robes decorated with feathers from their bond birds. All elves begin play with a bond bird (treat as a Wizard familiar). The elf can see through the bird’s eyes, communicate telepathically with the bird, and knows health and location at all times. Bond birds are larger than normal birds of the same species. Please note also that there are no drow in the Shattered World, only the fey - elves every bit as evil as the drow, but not restricted to darkness. (See also: Fey.) Fey: There are no drow in the Shattered World, only the fey - elves every bit as evil as the drow, but not restricted to darkness. The fey have powerful necromancers, and seek to conquer the world. Fey elves do not have the black skin and white hair common among the drow of other worlds. A fey is indistinguishable from other elves - at least by non-elven eyes. An elf can easily spot a fey. Despite the obvious fact that the fey are brothers of the elves, elves will not tolerate anyone of any race remarking on the fact. Elves become angry, even violent, if the relationship is mentioned, even in a casual way. The fey are not even discussed amongst the elves themselves. Also unlike the drow, the fey are not a separate race breeding only amongst themselves. All that is required for an elf to become fey is a change toward any evil alignment. Such a loss is mourned amongst the elves and is referred to only as “being lost to the darkness,” and the “lost” elf is mourned as though he had actually died. This means, however, that a fey may also repent of his evilness and become a normal elf. This rare event is referred to by the elves as being “brought over,” and is marked in elven society by great feasts. Half-Elves: The half-elves of Oramis are identical to those of other worlds, though they tend toward fair hair and skin. They receive a +3 bonus to saves vs. attacks which cause aging.
Aneutralshadeofblack 07-12-07, 04:22 PM	As with your dwarves, the flavour here is good: sufficiently elven, yet sufficiently original too. You might want to work on the rules, though: the bond bird, the lack of aging (and subsequent immunity to aging effects), the death rede (though minor gameplay-wise in most situations) and the royal elves' abilities all hint towards a different LA than the PHB elves - likely LA+1. I would also advise you to make royal elves a different race at LA+2 considering their ability to summon Asperii (possibly even LA+2 and lose the bond bird). As for half elves, I'm not fond of the hybrid races myself, but if you're going to incorporate them, at least fix them up - I know a lot of people (myself included) think they drew the short straw when it comes to racial abilities. I would at the very least give them the +1 skill point per level that humans get (and change the racial +2 to Diplomacy to something that actually makes sense - they're supposed to be pariahs).
Artifact 07-12-07, 08:41 PM	Wizardofowls, I really like your setting and your ideas are outstanding. I've followed them from thread to thread to thread on these boards. It would make things much easier for me (and I assume many others) to follow along with you if you could combine them into one or two threads as oppossed to several. For my part, I'm trying to gather up the posts you've made on the Shattered World and save them on my computer, so I can examine them in detail as time permits. Again, I really enjoy all your work, its just that I'm having a hard time keeping up. Thanks :)!
wizardofowls 07-12-07, 09:40 PM	Hi Artifact! Sorry about the various threads! It's just that I've discovered that a lot of people are intimidated by by lots of big posts on one thread. They tend to bypass them rather than try to read them all. So I thought that if I broke them down into several shorter threads divided by subject, they might get more responses. Do you really think I should combine them into one?
Artifact 07-13-07, 12:25 AM	Do you really think I should combine them into one? I was thinking you could give some posts a title, like "Elves of the Shattered World". Then, the reader knows right up front what the post is going to be talking about. When you're ready to start discussions on magic, you could title a post simply "Magic of the Shattered World", etc. When others are interested in your work they'll respond just as quickly in a single thread as they will among several. It makes things easier to follow, since we can get the big picture of your setting without having to hop around to different threads. This is my advice, hope I'm not just being selfish ;). BTW I was reading your description of the Shard Roots. Now that's what I call a "Fantastic Location". I have this image of adventurers who rock climb up inside a vast cave, only the entrance to the cave lies beneath their feet. Very :cool:.