Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lhiannon Sidhe 02-20-04, 10:20 AM	I recently rolled up a new character, an elf fighter (archer) who has a +7 (+8 within 30') attack bonus at level 1 (+1 BAB, +5 Dex, +1 Weapon Focus, +1 within 30' from Point Blank Shot). That's all well and good, but how in her backstory, am I going to explain a 125 year old (pretty young by elf standards) girl being as good with a bow as an average 7th level human warrior, especially when she is from a highly patriarchal society which, while it dosn't forbid females from martial training, certainly discourages it.
TranquilDarkness 02-20-04, 10:25 AM	Well, there are two sides to this story; on the one hand, most of your accuracy comes from pure talent. And that is something that can't be argued with. A +5 from dexterity alone makes her the equal to an average 5th lvl human, so that takes care of most of it. On the other hand, you say martial training is uncommon for an elven female where she hails from; but since she has a level in the Fighter class (and the feats Weapon focus AND point blank shot) that shows that somebody obviously did give her martial training. The level of training is rudementary, and can be explained by the uncle who wants to see his niece capable of defending herself. Or perhaps her father has a high ranking position with a company of archers, and she spent some time with him/them.
TheMightyMcClaw 02-20-04, 12:26 PM	If you wanted to take a more unconventional approach than "someone decided to teach her" what if she had a noted ancestor who was a famous archer? This ancestor, favoring her, guides her actions. She was never actually tought how to knock and fire an arrow - if she were asked to teach someone, she'd find herself at a loss for words. Rather, she finds the motions come to her naturally and without thought, guided by the hands of her ancestor. As for who the ancestor was specifically, and why he/she took such an interest in this character is up for you. You mentioned that she came from a highly patriarchal society... perhaps her ancestor was another female archer, who sought to prove the capability of women in a society of men. Even now, after her time is past, she guides the young so that her message will remain.
Lord of the Ninth 02-22-04, 12:17 AM	You could also say that your elf often felt that she wanted more in life than was her lot (whatever it is that would be considered proper for he gender in her society), and decided to disguise herself as a boy and receive some formal martial training. If you have some skills left over you might want to throw a rank or two into disguise. Or you could just have a father (or similiar older male relative) who went against costum and taught you your martial skill, possibly after much nagging and under the assumption that you would not use them. Or you could be the child of very progressive elves who think you ought to be able to defend yourself.
Morka 02-22-04, 01:05 PM	Originally posted by Lhiannon Sidhe ...especially when she is from a highly patriarchal society which, while it dosn't forbid females from martial training, certainly discourages it. I don't think the elven society is so patriarcal. I even think it is the less patriarcal society in FR: Corellon is as often represented as a male than a female. But if you decide in your world that she comes from a patriarcal society, then so be it! ;) However, I think that archery is in the elven society (be it patriarcal or not) what driving a car could be in a occidental society. That's why any elf receive free martial proeficiency in bows. So even if her father was the last macho in the forest, the last thing he could forbid her could be to train with a bow.
Bromabaz Silvertwister 02-23-04, 04:11 AM	well, there is the ever popular: runs away from home and stumbles on a sixth level human ranger who teaches her all he knows, then dies of old age. She vows not to return to her homeland until she is a true warrior, and fire a few off at her patriarcal relatives. that's never steered me wrong yet.
Gingerbread Guy 02-23-04, 11:34 AM	Yes, please remember that elves are dextrous, but that an elf with Dex 20 is as uncommon as a human with a dex of 18. She's one of the most gracefull and athletic examples of an already graceful and athletic race! She's a god among gods when it comes to dexterity, so roleplay her that way [or quit minmaxing lol]. She's good with the bow because it comes naturally to her. Her hands are perfectly steady, her body moves with unnatural fluidity and her bow arcs like an extension of her limbs. She couldn't immagine being bad with the bow, and probably feels pitty for anyone with a dex score under 16. lol And even they've got two left feet in comparison. ~Ginger
Lhiannon Sidhe 02-23-04, 11:44 AM	or quit minmaxing lol Hey, I'm not - I rolled my stats on 3d6 placed in the order I rolled them. I rolled an 18 for my Dex +2 for being an elf = 20. Since I had already decided to be a Fighter before I rolled my stats. Having a 9 Str and a 20 Dex, it seemed a lot more logical that my character would concentrate on ranged combat. Had I been minmaxing, I would have made a halfling with a 20 dex and using thrown weapons to get a total attack bonus of +9 instead of "merely" +7 =P
Gingerbread Guy 02-23-04, 03:52 PM	Yeah, a +9 to hit is nice, but the damage is going to suck. ^_^ I guess min/maxing isn't the case, then, but I still have to object to the monotony of a dex 20 elf. If I had a dime for every dex 20 elf character rolled up in the last 5 years, I could buy Wizards and retire. lol And you guys would all get free books for being cool. But, anyway, you have a crazy graceful elf, even among elves. Be sure to roleplay it. ~Ginger
Sisyfos 02-23-04, 04:13 PM	Archery could easily be a hobby among elven nobility. No problem there. Besides average human archer is bound to have some combination of talent (=dex) and feats as well. So the difference is not as drastic portrayed. Average human archer lvl 1: - Dex 14 - PBS - WF At level 4: PBS Rapid shot WF Masterwork long bow DEX 14