Looking back at Elves from Folklore and pop culture and focusing on the non-teen heartthrob variety I came to the same conclusion that Jeff Rients did: Elves need to wear hats!
They also need to be shorter than they've become in recent years. Here's a comparison of Elf height and weight across the editions:
Basic D&D Elf
Height: 5' to 5' 6"
Weight: 120lbs
AD&D Elf
Height: 4' 8" to 5' 6"
Weight: 90lbs to 120lbs
d20 D&D Elf
Height: 4'7" to 5' 5"
Weight: 90lbs
Type IV D&D Elf
Height: 5' 4" to 6'
Weight: 130lbs to 170lbs
(High Elves are 1" taller and 10lbs heavier, making them only 1" shorter than Humans)
Whoa. The newest elves are HUGE.
The older numbers fit better with the Cobbler/Cookie/Christmas/Crispies vision of Elves, so that's a good reminder that they're shorter than most people.
In addition to wearing hats, they need big ears. Not the "slightly pointed" Mr. Spock ears, I'm talking BIG ears. Sticking off the sides of their heads and giving them +1 to hear noises big. Too big to be wearing helmets -- and that would get in the way of wearing their Elf Hats anyway. If they aren't wearing their Elf Hat they can't use Elf magic.
Not only don't they wear helmets they don't wear a lot of armour either, or lug around big heavy weapons. They might be light on their feet, but Elves aren't as big and strong as regular people. They're little and "Elf like". So we'll just say they can't wear metal armour and not worry about any AC adjustments for missing helmets. They can't use large two-handed weapons (Two-Handed Sword, Battleaxe, Polearm, Longbow) either. However an exception is made for Elven Chainmail. This is why they make it - it's light enough for them to wear.
In keeping with the small size and slight builds an Elf has a maximum strength of 12 (not bonuses for high strength). Races will also only be able to use a Charisma bonus with members of their own race. So that in a humanocentric campaign world a Charisma above 12 isn't much use to an Elf.
To compensate (a bit) for these new limitations an Elf has the same chance to Hear Noises as a Thief of the same level. I think I'll also create an abridged list of "Elf Magic" spells they have access to, then change their rate of advancement to be faster (possibly matching the Dwarf).
Keeping with their small size and builds and looking at the inspirational material they're not beautiful in a normal adult romantic sort of way. They're very boyish and/or androgynous in appearance (faces and physique) -- Peter Pan is often played by a woman. So male and female elves will look very similar and have short hair with long bangs.
Let me know if you have any thoughts on any other mechanical changes needed for this style of Elf. I know that some folk really like their tall sexy elves, and that's totally okay. I'm doing something different here though. :)
12 comments:
Taking inspiration from your pics, shouldn't they have some innate abilities for crafting? Shoes, toys, cookies, etc.
I think that could fall under "Elf Magic" which won't require spell books and memorization and work more like how Cleric spells are currently handled.
Rather than be everything a Fighter can do AND everything a magic-user can do AND some extras they're going to be SOME of what a fighter can do, SOME of what a magic-user can do and SOME extras. They'll advance at a more reasonable rate though.
Might I suggest changing diet?
I have set elves as unable to eat animal products (herbivores) but able to graze.
Upon death is another good way to change "what is an elf". If elves turn to ash, or salt or a wooden statue upon death that works well to emphasize "not human".
and of course, the big ones that PC's hate and really points it out "Double damage from Iron"
the big ones that PC's hate and really points it out "Double damage from Iron"
This was part of my thinking about No Helmets / Metal Armour. It seems pretty harsh at 1st level though to make every goblin cleaver do d6x2 damage though. I guess it'd encourage them to stay at range though. :)
I really like these changes to elves. If you decide to take on dwarves next check out Eion Colfer take from his "Artimus Fowl" young adult novels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_(Artemis_Fowl)#Dwarves
Just had another thought. My son and I are reading The Hobbit and currently the band is in Mirkwood. They have been hearing laughter and singing. Which go thinking about elves "aloofness" in Tolkien and his imitators.
What if this aloofness is some sort of inability to sympathize with other races. Perhaps Elves redux feel no pain...or better yet only feel the intensity of a stimulus. So, good or bad they register in very similar ways.
Or perhaps they have a very different sense of time. When someone is no longer visible they are largely forgotten in an emotional sense.
The "no bonus from Cha" seems out of place. One thing that Elves are, regardless of folklore, is impressive/supernatural/uncanny/etc.
Except for Keebler, I guess.
@Crom: Why would they get that bonus to races who're suspicious of them? I can see Samwise being affected by the "Ooh golly Mr Frodo, ELVES!" but the Dwarves in The Hobbit didn't seem all that impressed by them. Galadriel made good impression on Gimli... but let's be honest, she probably cast Charm Person. ;)
For the reaction roll, my elves are very similar to humans in stature and general appearance (they don't have pointed ears), unless one notices their alien-ness and overall odd features (2 chances on 1D6). The reveal can induce in humans either awe and reverence (+1 to reaction rolls- 6 on D6)either distrust and repulsion (-1 on reaction rolls - 1 on D6).
When I first read (heard, actually) The Hobbit, my vision of elves was far different than what was intended by Tolkien. He actually meant for elves to look like Greek and Norse deities. What I saw in my mind was much more like (though not the same as) the elves in the Rankin-Bass Hobbit.
http://www.cedmagic.com/featured/tolkien/h-2-1216-wood-elf-king.html
Hey guys:
"the big ones that PC's hate and really points it out "Double damage from Iron"
I've made this that elves heal only one half what others would from iron inflicted wounds -- spell is supposed to heal 4 points of damage? sorry Elf, but only 2 points of those iron inflicted wounds heal -- seems to get the alien idea across & just requires a little more book keeping.
Also I like my elves to have eyes that are all pupil for the low light vision & creepy 'what is that elf looking at exactly' effect on other races.
I never really considered requiring hats..
What happens if they lose their hat? or it gets stolen / destroyed? Do they have to quest back to the Keebler Tree of their birth for a new one? Must craft one from the materials on hand at that moment? hmmmmmmmmmm....
There once was a module called "Redcap's Revenge" in the pages of Dungeon Magazine (during the 2nd edition run). The characters had to get hold of a mad redcap trying to get back his red cap.
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