Reworked Elves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Reworked Elves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Orcmonk220
07-25-07, 07:48 AM Hiya
Well, I'm not a huge fan of the elves. To me, they're just dull. So, I felt I would rework the elves into something I prefer. In ny version, there are two major subraces - Surface and Water. There are also the Claimers (sort of evil versions of the Water Elves) and the Nightstalkers (noctural, drow-like beings with a hatred for nature and a love of all things mechanical). Here we go so far...

Surface Elves:

Surface Elves are the protectors of nature, guardians of the wild places. They often live in citadels carved out of natural wonders, away from other civilisations. Their leaders, great druids and rangers, send forth their troops on both foot and the Giant Eagles they breed for war.
Surface Elves are found in secluded settlements, often set into the sides of cliffs or in the canopies of forests. What armies which exist are taught how to use nature to their advantage, and a select group of elves who show great potential from each generation are chosen to learn how to fly the Giant Eagles. These elves patrol the skies, defending them and the creatures within them.

Surface Elves possess the following racial traits:
- +2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma. Surface elves are wiser then many other races, yet their isolation and amount of time they spend among the wonders of nature often leads to a lack of social development.
- Medium size.
- A surface elf’s base land speed is 30 ft.
- Low-light vision.
- +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (nature) and Handle Animal checks. Surface elves are in tune with nature and the creatures within it.
- Weapon Proficiency: Surface elves are proficient with the shortbow, composite shortbow, longbow, and composite longbow. They also treat all exotic bows as martial weapons.
- +2 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks. Surface elves are naturally alert.
- Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: ___, Sylvan.
- Favoured Class: Druid (female), or Ranger (male).

Water Elves:

These elves are more social than the Surface Elves. Masters of water, they are famous for their siren songs, which, unlike those of the Claimers, signal aid to those who seek out their music. Peaceful creatures, the Water Elves are most famous for their ability to communicate with the creatures of the sea, and, when forced to fight on rare occasions, swim into battle alongside their dolphin pets.
Water Elves are found in any body of water, for, as the old saying among their kind goes: “All Water Elves are merely a river away”. However, the main home of the Water Elves can be found in the Great Lake, at a place known as Yela’s Cove. It is also here that many young Water Elves are trained in bardic ways, and where the most advanced of each generation learn the secrets of the Lyric Spinners, which uses the power of the voice to both control water and aid strangers.

Water Elves possess the following racial traits:
- +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength. Water elves are agile in the water, yet physically they are weak.
- Medium size.
- A water elf has the aquatic subtype.
- A water elf has a swim speed of 40 ft. While unable to leave their natural homes, water elves are quicker in the water as a human is on land.
- Deep Vision: Water elves see perfectly well in water, provided that they have some form of light, for as far as that light source extends. Darkness, however, impairs this vision.
- Gills: Water elves can survive out of water for 1 hour per point of Constitution. After this, they risk suffocation.
- Water Tongue: Water elves are able to communicate with animals and magical beasts that live in water, including reptilian and amphibious animals and magical beasts with a swim speed. This ability is constantly active.
- Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: Aquan.
- Favoured Class: Bard

Any feedback would be great.
Cheers
Chris
Lawlicron
07-25-07, 11:23 AM I don't like elves. I don't like it when people write up new elves. But I love me some aquatic elves. But I see one thing you might want to take a look at.

Your aquatic elves have a -2 to strength. The stat you use for their main skill, is swim. I'd say keep it that way and let them use Dex instead of Str on their swim checks. And I like them having their favored class as bard. (Guess what race/class combo I've played? Sea Elf/Bard, if you didn't get it)
Orcmonk220
07-25-07, 01:07 PM You don't need swim, do you, if you are aquatic?
Lawlicron
07-25-07, 03:32 PM You don't need swim, do you, if you are aquatic?

You sure do if you want to be able to swim in incredibly difficult situations like hurricanes or up river. And remember if you have a swim speed you have a +8 racial bonus to swim checks and can always take 10 on swim checks, even when rushed or threatened. Also, now that I reread it. You probably want to have Deep Vision still work like improved low-light that normal aquatic elves have.
Orcmonk220
07-25-07, 06:14 PM Ah, never thought of that. OK, here's the slightly tweeked version:

- +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength. Water elves are agile in the water, yet physically they are weak.
- Medium size.
- A water elf has the aquatic subtype.
- A water elf has a swim speed of 40 ft. While unable to leave their natural homes, water elves are quicker in the water as a human is on land.
- Agile Swimmer: Water Elves apply their Dexterity modifier to Swim checks.
- Gills: Water elves can survive out of water for 1 hour per point of Constitution. After this, they risk suffocation.
- Improved Low-Light Vision: See Monster Manual (Sea Elves)
- Water Tongue: Water elves are able to communicate with animals and magical beasts that live in water, including reptilian and amphibious animals and magical beasts with a swim speed. This ability is constantly active.
- Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: Aquan.
- Favoured Class: Bard

also, can anyone suggest other bonus languages for both races? Also working on the PrC for the Sea Elves, and using the Wild Planes Rider PrC (Complete Warrior?) for the Eagle patrols, but tailoring it spcifically to this group.
key
07-26-07, 01:18 AM Are there any elf subraces that don't have a bonus to DEX? I think the +2 to DEX for any elf is an automatic.

also, can anyone suggest other bonus languages for both races?
Water: kuo-toa, sahuagin, dolphin, merman, abovesea common, undersea common
Surface: centaur, pixie, dryad, treant
Lawlicron
07-26-07, 01:30 AM Water: kuo-toa, sahuagin, dolphin, merman, abovesea common, undersea common
Surface: centaur, pixie, dryad, treant

I don't think half of those are actually languages. Dolphin and Merman definitely not. Pixie, Dryad, and Treant I think speak sylvan not their own languages. Probably the same with centaurs.
key
07-26-07, 01:37 AM They were in 2nd edition. I find it easy to ignore Wizards mistakes.
Lawlicron
07-26-07, 01:41 AM They were in 2nd edition. I find it easy to ignore Wizards mistakes.

Too bad we're talking 3.5. I don't really think eliminating every race from having its own language is a mistake.
key
07-26-07, 02:13 AM Too bad we're talking 3.5.
QFT

So, I felt I would rework the elves into something I prefer. In ny version, there are two major subraces
Maybe he'll prefer one of the languages I suggested in his version.
Thakowsaizmu
07-26-07, 02:33 AM Too bad we're talking 3.5. I don't really think eliminating every race from having its own language is a mistake.

I agree. Every race having its own language is foolish. I mean every human on Earth speaks Human, right?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Orcmonk220 07-25-07, 07:48 AM	Hiya Well, I'm not a huge fan of the elves. To me, they're just dull. So, I felt I would rework the elves into something I prefer. In ny version, there are two major subraces - Surface and Water. There are also the Claimers (sort of evil versions of the Water Elves) and the Nightstalkers (noctural, drow-like beings with a hatred for nature and a love of all things mechanical). Here we go so far... Surface Elves: Surface Elves are the protectors of nature, guardians of the wild places. They often live in citadels carved out of natural wonders, away from other civilisations. Their leaders, great druids and rangers, send forth their troops on both foot and the Giant Eagles they breed for war. Surface Elves are found in secluded settlements, often set into the sides of cliffs or in the canopies of forests. What armies which exist are taught how to use nature to their advantage, and a select group of elves who show great potential from each generation are chosen to learn how to fly the Giant Eagles. These elves patrol the skies, defending them and the creatures within them. Surface Elves possess the following racial traits: - +2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma. Surface elves are wiser then many other races, yet their isolation and amount of time they spend among the wonders of nature often leads to a lack of social development. - Medium size. - A surface elf’s base land speed is 30 ft. - Low-light vision. - +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (nature) and Handle Animal checks. Surface elves are in tune with nature and the creatures within it. - Weapon Proficiency: Surface elves are proficient with the shortbow, composite shortbow, longbow, and composite longbow. They also treat all exotic bows as martial weapons. - +2 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks. Surface elves are naturally alert. - Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: ___, Sylvan. - Favoured Class: Druid (female), or Ranger (male). Water Elves: These elves are more social than the Surface Elves. Masters of water, they are famous for their siren songs, which, unlike those of the Claimers, signal aid to those who seek out their music. Peaceful creatures, the Water Elves are most famous for their ability to communicate with the creatures of the sea, and, when forced to fight on rare occasions, swim into battle alongside their dolphin pets. Water Elves are found in any body of water, for, as the old saying among their kind goes: “All Water Elves are merely a river away”. However, the main home of the Water Elves can be found in the Great Lake, at a place known as Yela’s Cove. It is also here that many young Water Elves are trained in bardic ways, and where the most advanced of each generation learn the secrets of the Lyric Spinners, which uses the power of the voice to both control water and aid strangers. Water Elves possess the following racial traits: - +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength. Water elves are agile in the water, yet physically they are weak. - Medium size. - A water elf has the aquatic subtype. - A water elf has a swim speed of 40 ft. While unable to leave their natural homes, water elves are quicker in the water as a human is on land. - Deep Vision: Water elves see perfectly well in water, provided that they have some form of light, for as far as that light source extends. Darkness, however, impairs this vision. - Gills: Water elves can survive out of water for 1 hour per point of Constitution. After this, they risk suffocation. - Water Tongue: Water elves are able to communicate with animals and magical beasts that live in water, including reptilian and amphibious animals and magical beasts with a swim speed. This ability is constantly active. - Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: Aquan. - Favoured Class: Bard Any feedback would be great. Cheers Chris
Lawlicron 07-25-07, 11:23 AM	I don't like elves. I don't like it when people write up new elves. But I love me some aquatic elves. But I see one thing you might want to take a look at. Your aquatic elves have a -2 to strength. The stat you use for their main skill, is swim. I'd say keep it that way and let them use Dex instead of Str on their swim checks. And I like them having their favored class as bard. (Guess what race/class combo I've played? Sea Elf/Bard, if you didn't get it)
Orcmonk220 07-25-07, 01:07 PM	You don't need swim, do you, if you are aquatic?
Lawlicron 07-25-07, 03:32 PM	You don't need swim, do you, if you are aquatic? You sure do if you want to be able to swim in incredibly difficult situations like hurricanes or up river. And remember if you have a swim speed you have a +8 racial bonus to swim checks and can always take 10 on swim checks, even when rushed or threatened. Also, now that I reread it. You probably want to have Deep Vision still work like improved low-light that normal aquatic elves have.
Orcmonk220 07-25-07, 06:14 PM	Ah, never thought of that. OK, here's the slightly tweeked version: - +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength. Water elves are agile in the water, yet physically they are weak. - Medium size. - A water elf has the aquatic subtype. - A water elf has a swim speed of 40 ft. While unable to leave their natural homes, water elves are quicker in the water as a human is on land. - Agile Swimmer: Water Elves apply their Dexterity modifier to Swim checks. - Gills: Water elves can survive out of water for 1 hour per point of Constitution. After this, they risk suffocation. - Improved Low-Light Vision: See Monster Manual (Sea Elves) - Water Tongue: Water elves are able to communicate with animals and magical beasts that live in water, including reptilian and amphibious animals and magical beasts with a swim speed. This ability is constantly active. - Automatic Languages: Common, Elven. Bonus Languages: Aquan. - Favoured Class: Bard also, can anyone suggest other bonus languages for both races? Also working on the PrC for the Sea Elves, and using the Wild Planes Rider PrC (Complete Warrior?) for the Eagle patrols, but tailoring it spcifically to this group.
key 07-26-07, 01:18 AM	Are there any elf subraces that don't have a bonus to DEX? I think the +2 to DEX for any elf is an automatic. also, can anyone suggest other bonus languages for both races? Water: kuo-toa, sahuagin, dolphin, merman, abovesea common, undersea common Surface: centaur, pixie, dryad, treant
Lawlicron 07-26-07, 01:30 AM	Water: kuo-toa, sahuagin, dolphin, merman, abovesea common, undersea common Surface: centaur, pixie, dryad, treant I don't think half of those are actually languages. Dolphin and Merman definitely not. Pixie, Dryad, and Treant I think speak sylvan not their own languages. Probably the same with centaurs.
key 07-26-07, 01:37 AM	They were in 2nd edition. I find it easy to ignore Wizards mistakes.
Lawlicron 07-26-07, 01:41 AM	They were in 2nd edition. I find it easy to ignore Wizards mistakes. Too bad we're talking 3.5. I don't really think eliminating every race from having its own language is a mistake.
key 07-26-07, 02:13 AM	Too bad we're talking 3.5. QFT So, I felt I would rework the elves into something I prefer. In ny version, there are two major subraces Maybe he'll prefer one of the languages I suggested in his version.
Thakowsaizmu 07-26-07, 02:33 AM	Too bad we're talking 3.5. I don't really think eliminating every race from having its own language is a mistake. I agree. Every race having its own language is foolish. I mean every human on Earth speaks Human, right?