Sociology of the Elves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sociology of the Elves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FatMonkey13
05-07-07, 09:21 PM I am interested in finding sociological information about elves (how they live, where they live, why they live the way they do...). I do not know much and the PHB and MM do not provide the detail I am looking for. Does anyone know of good sources, particularly free ones.
Electricbee
05-07-07, 09:23 PM If you are just looking for fluff, seach an old game shop or ebay for 'the complete book of elves' a 2nd edition guide to elves.
AMGriffin
05-07-07, 11:11 PM Your imagination is a good source, that is free (I hope >_>).

Just take a look at the portrayal of elves in fiction, they tend to be inclined to magic (both arcane and divine) with a reverence for nature and a life among the forests. They have a love of freedom and self-expression, so an elven society is probably really nothing more then a dozen or so families living in close proximity to eachother.

That's just a sample I thought up off the top of my head of course.
Salla
05-08-07, 12:57 AM It depends very much on the setting in question. For example, the Valenar and Aerenal Elves on Eberron are nothing like 'standard setting' D&D elves.

For basic information on 'typical' elves, the elf entry in the Monster Manual should suffice. Races of the Wild expands on it quite a bit.
Ghostwheel
05-08-07, 04:00 AM You could also try reading a couple of books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Maybe you have heard of the Lord of the Rings, or perhaps the Simarllion? :cool:
JulesCARV
05-08-07, 04:24 AM Read Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett.

Just kidding.

Maybe.
Ghostwheel
05-08-07, 04:28 AM Read Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett.

Just kidding.

Maybe.

Who is this Pratchett fellow?
shift244
05-08-07, 04:35 AM Who is this Pratchett fellow?A pretty good writer from what I've heard. Mostly on the darker parody, or "realistic" side of "standard fantasy", or so I've been told. Always meaning to, but never actually read any of his works as yet.
JulesCARV
05-08-07, 05:57 AM Terry Pratchett is a British author, most noted for the massive Discworld series, of which Lords and Ladies is a part. It involves a lot of satire and humor.

Basically, in Lords and Ladies, elves are chaotic evil, extraplanar fey who use illusion (glamer) and fascination effects to basically murder and steal what they want when their isolated demiplane and other material planes are close enough for them to cross over.
Luis_Dragunov
05-08-07, 06:00 AM Races of the Wild has alot on the lives of Elves, Halflings and Gnomes, I belive.
Evil DM Mk3
05-08-07, 06:11 AM Who is this Pratchett fellow?

Britan's second highest earning author (first untill JK came along). The highest selling foregn author in America. Most shoplifted author in the world. One of the greatest and most humerous minds ever to put finger to keyborad.
d24478667
05-08-07, 07:12 AM Yeah; I really need to get more of the Discworld series. All I got is Color of Magic and Light Fantastic.
Evil DM Mk3
05-08-07, 07:15 AM They get so much better as they go along. The first ones are great but even TP agrees that they can't touch the more recent stuff.
Mark_Plemmons
05-08-07, 09:47 AM Well, it's not free, :) but if you're looking for a book with lots of information that can be used in any fantasy campaign setting, I'd suggest this D&D supplement: Friend & Foe: the Elves and Bugbears of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=166). Go there and scroll down for a PDF preview link and reviews.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FatMonkey13 05-07-07, 09:21 PM	I am interested in finding sociological information about elves (how they live, where they live, why they live the way they do...). I do not know much and the PHB and MM do not provide the detail I am looking for. Does anyone know of good sources, particularly free ones.
Electricbee 05-07-07, 09:23 PM	If you are just looking for fluff, seach an old game shop or ebay for 'the complete book of elves' a 2nd edition guide to elves.
AMGriffin 05-07-07, 11:11 PM	Your imagination is a good source, that is free (I hope >_>). Just take a look at the portrayal of elves in fiction, they tend to be inclined to magic (both arcane and divine) with a reverence for nature and a life among the forests. They have a love of freedom and self-expression, so an elven society is probably really nothing more then a dozen or so families living in close proximity to eachother. That's just a sample I thought up off the top of my head of course.
Salla 05-08-07, 12:57 AM	It depends very much on the setting in question. For example, the Valenar and Aerenal Elves on Eberron are nothing like 'standard setting' D&D elves. For basic information on 'typical' elves, the elf entry in the Monster Manual should suffice. Races of the Wild expands on it quite a bit.
Ghostwheel 05-08-07, 04:00 AM	You could also try reading a couple of books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Maybe you have heard of the Lord of the Rings, or perhaps the Simarllion? :cool:
JulesCARV 05-08-07, 04:24 AM	Read Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett. Just kidding. Maybe.
Ghostwheel 05-08-07, 04:28 AM	Read Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett. Just kidding. Maybe. Who is this Pratchett fellow?
shift244 05-08-07, 04:35 AM	Who is this Pratchett fellow?A pretty good writer from what I've heard. Mostly on the darker parody, or "realistic" side of "standard fantasy", or so I've been told. Always meaning to, but never actually read any of his works as yet.
JulesCARV 05-08-07, 05:57 AM	Terry Pratchett is a British author, most noted for the massive Discworld series, of which Lords and Ladies is a part. It involves a lot of satire and humor. Basically, in Lords and Ladies, elves are chaotic evil, extraplanar fey who use illusion (glamer) and fascination effects to basically murder and steal what they want when their isolated demiplane and other material planes are close enough for them to cross over.
Luis_Dragunov 05-08-07, 06:00 AM	Races of the Wild has alot on the lives of Elves, Halflings and Gnomes, I belive.
Evil DM Mk3 05-08-07, 06:11 AM	Who is this Pratchett fellow? Britan's second highest earning author (first untill JK came along). The highest selling foregn author in America. Most shoplifted author in the world. One of the greatest and most humerous minds ever to put finger to keyborad.
d24478667 05-08-07, 07:12 AM	Yeah; I really need to get more of the Discworld series. All I got is Color of Magic and Light Fantastic.
Evil DM Mk3 05-08-07, 07:15 AM	They get so much better as they go along. The first ones are great but even TP agrees that they can't touch the more recent stuff.
Mark_Plemmons 05-08-07, 09:47 AM	Well, it's not free, :) but if you're looking for a book with lots of information that can be used in any fantasy campaign setting, I'd suggest this D&D supplement: Friend & Foe: the Elves and Bugbears of Tellene (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28_44&products_id=166). Go there and scroll down for a PDF preview link and reviews.