Elvish Stereotype [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elvish Stereotype [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CookieFiend
07-18-07, 02:35 PM I'm having trouble getting over the standard elvish stereotype. I have an archer who likes to wander and can't really stay in one place at anytime. With that combined with being an elf I'm having trouble getting him a more positive image in our social stasis. All our NPC's see him as a quite arragant elf. I need to make him more outgoing and give him some personality flaws or traits that make him interesting. Any help?
Lionhearted
07-18-07, 03:39 PM Well i once had a foul mouthed, coxy, way over his head elven archer.. never had as fun with a low charisma char ^^
Vapthorne
07-18-07, 04:52 PM I'm having trouble getting over the standard elvish stereotype. I have an archer who likes to wander and can't really stay in one place at anytime. With that combined with being an elf I'm having trouble getting him a more positive image in our social stasis. All our NPC's see him as a quite arragant elf. I need to make him more outgoing and give him some personality flaws or traits that make him interesting. Any help?

Question: Do NPCs just see him as arrogant elf because that's how you just happen to RP him, or is it because the DM percieves the sterotype?

To help flesh out the character, start with these two things. 1) While thinking of the character trait, forget he's an elf: and you won't have to lean towards the sterotypes. 2) Ask yourself, "Why does he like to wonder?". Is he looking for something. Has he lost his home? Go from there.
Westbound
07-18-07, 07:19 PM Arrogant? If you're playing an archer that doesn't like to stay in one place for very long, it might not be arrogance those NPCs are looking at, but untrustworthyness. Someone who moves around a lot for whatever reason is a vagabond, and vagabonds in medieval-type societies were pariahs because you couldn't trust them to do anything because they might be gone the next day and the odds of you taking time out of your day, week, month, year, or life to go track down your wayward acquaintance is remote. This is why traveling troubadours and actors, for centuries, were regarded as something less than trash.

If you are perceived as arrogant, maybe you're not providing enough details. Elves could be seen as arrogant; after all, in many ways they have characteristics that may seem superior in many respects (long lifespans, greater charisma, greater dexterity, highly observant, in some cases better ability with magic, etc.). What you may be seeing is presumption of arrogance. And if your DM is playing such NPCs correctly, the best thing to do, in any case, is to simply play your character as you see fit.

Actions speak louder than words, and if you can demonstrate to others that you are trustworthy, heroic, romantic, or whatever, then that is how you will eventually be perceived. But you can only be who you are. Your character may not be mature enough to understand that, and if that's the way you're playing it, that's cool. Worrying about what others think of you is non-productive, and you end up being unhappy in the long-run.
CookieFiend
07-18-07, 08:49 PM Hey guys thanks alot.
Were, really just starting so I can just pull it off as him being mature and have him grow up.
My entire group has this upper class, arrogant(rightfully so), better race view to elves.
My Dm likes to introduce the back story as we go so I think this is how I'm going to change my guy:
-He's constantly seeking adventure, left his home after getting bored(if you guys have any ideas I could make home a little more interesting, I was thinking not much family connection except his uncle who was a ranger and taught him archery, nothing tragic though, My friends aren't to creative(neither am I) an d all the characters start adventuring because the main villain has killed there family.

-He only feels a connection with other travelers and so doesn't care much about people who are content to stay in the same place there entire life and not see the world(perhaps past resentment)

-Yet he is good, so he is always helping innocents

-I do think he needs a flaw how about being unaccustomed to human interactions, i need something that he wouldn't get that would get the party in trouble, maybe the elves in this world dont have restaurants so he isn't used to paying for cooked food. (I'd have to doub;e check with the DM)
I don't know how wel this would work with the other elf in the team though.

-I really just need little things that build his personality if you guys could help me, maybe a hint of the past to explain it.
Orchomenos
07-20-07, 09:31 PM Hey guys thanks alot.
Were, really just starting so I can just pull it off as him being mature and have him grow up.
My entire group has this upper class, arrogant(rightfully so), better race view to elves.
My Dm likes to introduce the back story as we go so I think this is how I'm going to change my guy:
-He's constantly seeking adventure, left his home after getting bored(if you guys have any ideas I could make home a little more interesting, I was thinking not much family connection except his uncle who was a ranger and taught him archery, nothing tragic though, My friends aren't to creative(neither am I) an d all the characters start adventuring because the main villain has killed there family.

He once was an easy going trickster, but was banned after a practical joke went wrong, and a close relative died. Since then, each time he makes good friends, he needs to leave them for fear of causing them trouble. He also became very cynical, not laughing at jokes, but mocking the joker.

-He only feels a connection with other travelers and so doesn't care much about people who are content to stay in the same place there entire life and not see the world(perhaps past resentment)

-Yet he is good, so he is always helping innocents

-I do think he needs a flaw how about being unaccustomed to human interactions, i need something that he wouldn't get that would get the party in trouble, maybe the elves in this world dont have restaurants so he isn't used to paying for cooked food. (I'd have to doub;e check with the DM)
I don't know how wel this would work with the other elf in the team though.

It could be a good idea. Elves are usually CG, and CG societies prefer troc to using money. So your elf might be paying his meals with rare herbs and roots.

-I really just need little things that build his personality if you guys could help me, maybe a hint of the past to explain it.

Choosing the right animal companion could help to break the elven ranger stereotype. Elves are usually depicted with noble animals, great cats, wolves, hawks, owls. Have this one adopt a viper snake or dire rat as animal companion!
Speters0519
07-25-07, 09:57 PM There's an elven bladesinger in my group who is very arrogant and cocky, looks down on other races sorta way. He played this off as the story progressed because in his earlier days he was careless and caused the death of a close friend, he comes from a noble house that moved to silvery moon, where there a lot of mixed races. HIs father is very reclusive because he saw the character as unable to take over at the time and became a baelnorn to carry on without a proper 'heir'

So other non-elven families almost scorned the undead, not quite understanding the concept that the undead elf could be good. Causing my character to be snobby as a defense mechanism, used to unsightly jeers from the other races because of his father. As he has grown however he's also become very defensive with a few secrets of his own to hide while adventuring, one being his father, and the other being that he's a rare avariel, his dead mother being as such he inherited the wings, but keeps them cloaked under his robes whenever possible.

So because of his unique sub race, his baelnorn father, and his child hood wrecklessness, he's become much more defensive at an older age, and it passes off as arrogance to those who don't know him very well.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CookieFiend 07-18-07, 02:35 PM	I'm having trouble getting over the standard elvish stereotype. I have an archer who likes to wander and can't really stay in one place at anytime. With that combined with being an elf I'm having trouble getting him a more positive image in our social stasis. All our NPC's see him as a quite arragant elf. I need to make him more outgoing and give him some personality flaws or traits that make him interesting. Any help?
Lionhearted 07-18-07, 03:39 PM	Well i once had a foul mouthed, coxy, way over his head elven archer.. never had as fun with a low charisma char ^^
Vapthorne 07-18-07, 04:52 PM	I'm having trouble getting over the standard elvish stereotype. I have an archer who likes to wander and can't really stay in one place at anytime. With that combined with being an elf I'm having trouble getting him a more positive image in our social stasis. All our NPC's see him as a quite arragant elf. I need to make him more outgoing and give him some personality flaws or traits that make him interesting. Any help? Question: Do NPCs just see him as arrogant elf because that's how you just happen to RP him, or is it because the DM percieves the sterotype? To help flesh out the character, start with these two things. 1) While thinking of the character trait, forget he's an elf: and you won't have to lean towards the sterotypes. 2) Ask yourself, "Why does he like to wonder?". Is he looking for something. Has he lost his home? Go from there.
Westbound 07-18-07, 07:19 PM	Arrogant? If you're playing an archer that doesn't like to stay in one place for very long, it might not be arrogance those NPCs are looking at, but untrustworthyness. Someone who moves around a lot for whatever reason is a vagabond, and vagabonds in medieval-type societies were pariahs because you couldn't trust them to do anything because they might be gone the next day and the odds of you taking time out of your day, week, month, year, or life to go track down your wayward acquaintance is remote. This is why traveling troubadours and actors, for centuries, were regarded as something less than trash. If you are perceived as arrogant, maybe you're not providing enough details. Elves could be seen as arrogant; after all, in many ways they have characteristics that may seem superior in many respects (long lifespans, greater charisma, greater dexterity, highly observant, in some cases better ability with magic, etc.). What you may be seeing is presumption of arrogance. And if your DM is playing such NPCs correctly, the best thing to do, in any case, is to simply play your character as you see fit. Actions speak louder than words, and if you can demonstrate to others that you are trustworthy, heroic, romantic, or whatever, then that is how you will eventually be perceived. But you can only be who you are. Your character may not be mature enough to understand that, and if that's the way you're playing it, that's cool. Worrying about what others think of you is non-productive, and you end up being unhappy in the long-run.
CookieFiend 07-18-07, 08:49 PM	Hey guys thanks alot. Were, really just starting so I can just pull it off as him being mature and have him grow up. My entire group has this upper class, arrogant(rightfully so), better race view to elves. My Dm likes to introduce the back story as we go so I think this is how I'm going to change my guy: -He's constantly seeking adventure, left his home after getting bored(if you guys have any ideas I could make home a little more interesting, I was thinking not much family connection except his uncle who was a ranger and taught him archery, nothing tragic though, My friends aren't to creative(neither am I) an d all the characters start adventuring because the main villain has killed there family. -He only feels a connection with other travelers and so doesn't care much about people who are content to stay in the same place there entire life and not see the world(perhaps past resentment) -Yet he is good, so he is always helping innocents -I do think he needs a flaw how about being unaccustomed to human interactions, i need something that he wouldn't get that would get the party in trouble, maybe the elves in this world dont have restaurants so he isn't used to paying for cooked food. (I'd have to doub;e check with the DM) I don't know how wel this would work with the other elf in the team though. -I really just need little things that build his personality if you guys could help me, maybe a hint of the past to explain it.
Orchomenos 07-20-07, 09:31 PM	Hey guys thanks alot. Were, really just starting so I can just pull it off as him being mature and have him grow up. My entire group has this upper class, arrogant(rightfully so), better race view to elves. My Dm likes to introduce the back story as we go so I think this is how I'm going to change my guy: -He's constantly seeking adventure, left his home after getting bored(if you guys have any ideas I could make home a little more interesting, I was thinking not much family connection except his uncle who was a ranger and taught him archery, nothing tragic though, My friends aren't to creative(neither am I) an d all the characters start adventuring because the main villain has killed there family. He once was an easy going trickster, but was banned after a practical joke went wrong, and a close relative died. Since then, each time he makes good friends, he needs to leave them for fear of causing them trouble. He also became very cynical, not laughing at jokes, but mocking the joker. -He only feels a connection with other travelers and so doesn't care much about people who are content to stay in the same place there entire life and not see the world(perhaps past resentment) -Yet he is good, so he is always helping innocents -I do think he needs a flaw how about being unaccustomed to human interactions, i need something that he wouldn't get that would get the party in trouble, maybe the elves in this world dont have restaurants so he isn't used to paying for cooked food. (I'd have to doub;e check with the DM) I don't know how wel this would work with the other elf in the team though. It could be a good idea. Elves are usually CG, and CG societies prefer troc to using money. So your elf might be paying his meals with rare herbs and roots. -I really just need little things that build his personality if you guys could help me, maybe a hint of the past to explain it. Choosing the right animal companion could help to break the elven ranger stereotype. Elves are usually depicted with noble animals, great cats, wolves, hawks, owls. Have this one adopt a viper snake or dire rat as animal companion!
Speters0519 07-25-07, 09:57 PM	There's an elven bladesinger in my group who is very arrogant and cocky, looks down on other races sorta way. He played this off as the story progressed because in his earlier days he was careless and caused the death of a close friend, he comes from a noble house that moved to silvery moon, where there a lot of mixed races. HIs father is very reclusive because he saw the character as unable to take over at the time and became a baelnorn to carry on without a proper 'heir' So other non-elven families almost scorned the undead, not quite understanding the concept that the undead elf could be good. Causing my character to be snobby as a defense mechanism, used to unsightly jeers from the other races because of his father. As he has grown however he's also become very defensive with a few secrets of his own to hide while adventuring, one being his father, and the other being that he's a rare avariel, his dead mother being as such he inherited the wings, but keeps them cloaked under his robes whenever possible. So because of his unique sub race, his baelnorn father, and his child hood wrecklessness, he's become much more defensive at an older age, and it passes off as arrogance to those who don't know him very well.