[✗] [Addition] Make Elves Unique: Elven Customization DLC

[Suzzie 866]

To preface, none of these additions are meant to be mandatory. Rather, they stem out of a gripe I have had with Elves on LoTC for a while now; They feel like reskinned humans with long lifespans, little to nothing to distinguish themselves besides color and maybe height variations. You might wonder, is this necessary? And to that I say, why not as long as it’s not combative and not outside the thematic of each race?

 

**** These changes are meant to be retroactive/develop at any time, such that you may say they were there all along, IF you want them.

 

** I’m aware that this may require admin vote vs LT but still wanted to try anyway. I’m trying to keep the additions limited to 3 or less, and am open to feedback in case people offer better ideas than what I have here.

The following are a few exclusively aesthetic changes proposed to the main three Elven varieties.:

 

NEW SECTION FOR EACH RACE PAGE:

“Additional Traits”

Each race has 3 unique traits that are entirely optional.

 

High Elves:
Additional Traits

Some ‘aheral are found to have a particular sheen to their skin, ranging from gold to silver to pearlescent in hue. Lacking such a feature does not indicate mixed heritage, as the trait tends to be recessive. Similarly this can be found among their hair, lending to the ‘regal’ image Mali’aheral tend to hold. 

 

Additionally, ‘aheral can develop coloration at their extremities in the range of warmer golds to cooler silvers, able to reach as far as mid forearm and shin level. One old myth claims that Mali’aheral possess the ‘Midas Touch’, with everything that comes into contact turns to gold, though such a tale is evidently and patently false.

 

Deep wounds inflicted upon an ‘aheral have the potential to heal in solid colorations of either silver or gold instead of standard flesh tones. This only applies to slashing or piercing damage, meaning that wounds such as burns will not heal any differently from other descendant races.

 

Dark Elves:

Additional Traits

A unique feature to the ‘Ker regards the nature of their eyes: Some are found to possess reflective irises akin to nocturnal animals, yet do not possess darkvision. It is thought to be more common among Mali’ker who have ancestors who lived in darker, subterrestrial regions, though the rate of which this trait occurs and where it manifests makes this theory unclear. 

 

Another curiosity among the ‘Ker is the manifestation of bioluminescent spots dotted across the skin; These can develop at any age and tend to display in the same pattern as that of freckles. Among the Mali’ker they are referred to as [insert elvish], translating to “Star spots”, and are never bright enough to offer any significant source of light. These spots can sometimes coalesce at the ends of the finger tips or toes, leading to a more solid demonstration of the effect.

 

Uncommonly, Mali’ker hair can possess a reflectiveness so strong that in dim lighting the strands appear to be ‘glowing’ like moonlight. This effect is diminished in darker hair colors and when the hair is dyed. 

 

Wood Elves:

Additional Traits

Among the Mali’ame populus is the uncommon occurrence of small antler-like growths upon the forehead. Never reaching beyond six inches in length, some ‘ame are found to be sporting these growths in various shades of browns and even faint greens. These growths are fairly brittle and possess no feeling, made up of keratin. 

 

Mali’ame also occasionally develop tinted pigmentation distally at the extremities, varying in shades of brown to dulled shades of green. Some claim the saying having a “green thumb” originates from the Mali’ame given their adjacency to nature and the occasional literal color of their hands. The areas where this coloration occurs tends to be rougher in texture, but is cut and wounded no differently than normal skin.

 

Curiously, Mali’ame can sometimes possess variations among their pupils. While never becoming truly slit-like akin to felines or reptiles, narrowing of the pupil can be noted when compared to the other elven races. This has no bearing or effect on their vision, and they see no better or worse than any of the descendent races.

 

[Ardory 2978]

Today, we are making the main characters look even more like main characters.

[Wizzar 613]

I think these are fun, however, I worry that codifying these types of features will only serve to narrow our interpretation of each subtype. These types of modifications are available through IRP systems already and may be better kept to such. 

[Java17 2216]

As a long time Elf player I think that despite this being a change to a very core part of the lore, it is done gracefully and gives only more flavor to play with. I support.

[wowj 9760]

i think this is an admin thing (good luck)

[Ulmus 21]

This sounds pretty rad

[Suzzie 866]

3 minutes ago, Wizzar said:

I think these are fun, however, I worry that codifying these types of features will only serve to narrow our interpretation of each subtype. These types of modifications are available through IRP systems already and may be better kept to such. 

Can you elaborate what you mean by this? I think that the subtypes.. should be interpreted as their subtype. I’ve left things open and completely opt in and even specified that a lack of does not mean impure. Nothing about this really narrows the interpretation imo, I just based traits off of what I saw in lore and how I’ve seen said races portrayed on LoTC throughout the years (looking back and also asking for feedback). I also don’t feel the current systems really scratch that itch for multiple reasons, which I can get into if you want if you elaborate on what systems you refer to.

[Chuuwys 502]

i love elves and i love whimsy for my elves. +1 for sure, and gives a lot of flavour for design to work with. good writeup, hope it gets more support rather than snarky hate like above 

[salamanderfantasy 1340]

unfortunately going to have to mention that core race lore isn't ammendable. Not by players or members of ST as I was told-- has to come from an admin. 


learned this when i tried to change a line of halfling lore to make it clear they can learn the same magic/feats as descendants

[hearth_ 1023]

this sounds like cool flavor in theory, but i feel like we'd need to work on our creation story to accommodate such notable differences in biology between the subraces. also, as someone who plays an elf of mixed heritage, would i have access to the aesthetics of all subraces he's a part of, or only the most dominant?

 

just seems like this could both narrow RP and simultaneously make elves into a mess of nonspecific 'magic people'. 

 

with some more story justification and clarity i could get behind this, but not as it stands.

[Tav 4337]

call me biased but the wood elven ones are the best ones. i think it steps on the toes of transcendence a little bit, but that's whatever.

there should be an effort to improve the fantasy vibes of elves; it makes them different from the normal man, and gives more to bounce off on in roleplay. personally i love it when humans and elves are cautious of each other, or straight up dislike one another in the grand scheme of things, because they shouldn't, especially when human stuff is supposed to represent a more medieval timeframe. like why the **** would Duke Phillip and Duchess Matilda chop it up with [insert fantasy name] of the forest. 

it kinda falls in line with how i feel about pretty cursed children too, and when they're socially acceptable. why would i be having royal court with a spawn of satan as my scribe. 

[Nectorist 12869]

I actually think that narrowing the subraces is a good thing. One of the problems with the elves over the past few years is the general lack of cultural depth among each subrace, which has sort of turned the elves into this very banal mush that captures only the broad strokes of 'Elvendom' without going much further. Stepping into the elven world ought to be a surreal experience, as it's literally an alien society. If I'm playing a human, I want to feel disoriented, uncomfortable even, when interacting with elves. Playing different types of elves should mean something, and I think physical appearance is a good place to start.

[_AzureLexi 769]

I like this, but I don't feel it's super necessary for LotC. Considering in LotC's setting, the four races are the same species. Dwarves are just people but short, elves are just people with long ears, and humans are just people screwed over with short lifespans. I love "alien elves" generally, but LotC explicitly isn't super compatible with it

 

But, in the likely chance this gets denied, you should take this idea and make it into like. Aesthetic bloodline feats accessible to races (kinda like old orcish skin color changes). That'll give a better shot, and give a reason for why these divergent traits are only appearing now 😊 

[Wizzar 613]

20 minutes ago, Suzzie said:

Can you elaborate what you mean by this? I think that the subtypes.. should be interpreted as their subtype. I’ve left things open and completely opt in and even specified that a lack of does not mean impure. Nothing about this really narrows the interpretation imo, I just based traits off of what I saw in lore and how I’ve seen said races portrayed on LoTC throughout the years (looking back and also asking for feedback). I also don’t feel the current systems really scratch that itch for multiple reasons, which I can get into if you want if you elaborate on what systems you refer to.

 

Hi - yes. 

 

While introduced as optional, these niche aesthetic identifiers may be interpreted as defining characteristics of each subtype (if implemented). Elven subtypes have incredible variation within different nations and cultures. For example, the cave eyes or the star spots may not make sense for how certain groups interpret their Mali'Ker. I worry that these changes may direct or narrow the creativity that individuals pursue in developing their interpretation on a subtype/culture or may result in additional requests for changes that allow individuals of these subtypes to have their desired aesthetics implemented. 

 

As it stands, wood elves already have many ways to obtain animalistic attributes or pigmented skin. Similarly, there are ways for elves to roleplay sun spots or unnatural looking eyes. Adding it part of the inherent race attributes may actually impair the RP significance and meaning of these characteristics. In addition, using current methods allows any an elf from any subtype to pursue unique avenues of RP without feeling that their aesthetic is already largely decided.

All this being said, I do think the changes are fun and cool. 

[Spellblades 751]

+1 This is great :)