Elves?

[Mensha Khaine]

There are a number of different takes on what an elf is, behaves, life length etc. So I was wondering if there is some more Dasaria specific information on them?

For instance Elves being immune to sleep spell in the game mechaincs, does this mean they don't actually sleep or just can not be put to sleep?

Elves are not imortal here so, what would their life span be?

I know some players have previously given elves a long growing/maturing period. So a 10 year old elf would be far behind a 10 year old human developement wise. Was that a player thing or is there an official "2 elf years = 1 human year" sort of thing?

[ErictheRed]

I play lots of Elven characters, so it might be good to know this. My Elves are generally pretty Tolkien-esque, or half Tolkien half Forgotten Realms-ish.

I haven't really had any problems RPing Elves. The main thing to remember, I've found, is that Elves are generally foreigners and so the average Varanite might not know a lot about them. You can say that you need to rest instead of sleep, etc., and it's fine.

On the other hand, I would like to know more about Elves. But it generally seems to me that the DMs and developers of Dasaria are not that dogamtic, and leave a lot open to interpretation for us players.

[Minuvas]

Keep in mind, that there is an Entire Province in the Empire that was the home of an Elven Empire. (The Province of Iryrod).

Elves in the Empire live similar life-spans to that of Humans , and the 'rumors' of them living longer are believed to be lies.

(Although, from Campaign background we also understand that this was true at one point for the Elves of Rian)

The Campaign also generally puts a reverse-spin on Elven ideology. Where as in most FR campaigns, Elves are generally arrogant and proud of their race heritage, the exact opposite is true in the Empire. Humans are extremely proud to be human, the other races are believed to be faulty in one way or another. Elves are probably the MOST tolerable of the other races ( With exception to Half-Elves, who are seen with atleast some human blood to redeem them).

I get the sense that Elves are far less "Mystical" that in typical FR Campaigns, are just as normal as Humans , with different physical features. This stifles alot of that "arrogant" nature, as they are naturally not superbly better than Humans at anything.



Sources~

From Geographa Varana Campaign Background:
Until the conquest of the eastern heathens Iryrod was the most recent province to join the Empire. In 523 Queen Elara to the worship of Lochwar and brought her people into the Imperial fold. Iryrod is home to the elves of the empire. Although possessed of great learning the people of Iryrod gives lie to the age old myths of elven blood. Although it is certainly true that many of “elven blood” have lived to great age (I myself was privileged to study under the Iryrod master Palivor who lived to the ripe old age of 97) so too have many other men of the empire (it is rumoured that the men of the imperial consort’s homeland to have similar tales of their barbaric kings living to great age). It seems likely to this learned scribe that the tales of elven life spans in the many hundreds of years was nothing more than a cunning deceit practiced by the elves of Rian, who by all accounts were where much given to flights of fancy and tall tales, no doubt brought on by jealousy or envy of their longer lived low-folk neighbours.


From Campaign Background "Treaty of Rian"
"...Across Dasaria the call had been heard. Elves of all kinds knew this sound, for it had been written and spoken of as a matter of lore throughout their history. Few of the elders had lived in times when it was used to call those of Rian back to her borders. In crowded towns and cities, the other races looked on in confusion as elves fell to their knees calling for an end to the tormenting noise that they alone could hear. Innate as the magic of the elves was this sound, only those of elven blood knew its meaning and could hear its beckoning call. Those of half blood heard it as faint as a whisper.

All that could hear this bitter sweet sound instinctively knew its meaning. Return to Rian, return to their Mother, or give away freely their immortal lives. The choice was each elf’s own decision, but the consequence was the same. Refuse to answer the call, and a natural death would come in short time..."



Hope this helps.

[Stormknife]

For instance Elves being immune to sleep spell in the game mechaincs, does this mean they don't actually sleep or just can not be put to sleep?

In tabletop, elves trance for 4 hours per night. So no, they don't "sleep" in the traditional sense.

[Peregrinus]

It should also be noted that like most official Imperial Documents, that it is not entirely true... at least concerning Rian elves.

Rian elves, from my understanding, are, in fact, near immortal. As to certain other elven things (like not needing sleep and instead meditating for four hours a night), that I don't know. That being said, Rian elves are exceptionally uncommon, and I'd try and hunt down more information concerning them. I'd suggest sending a PM to Wyvren, baby1111007, or maybe Tinuvhiell, as I believe they all played Rian elves in Dasaria 1 and can help with more details there.

[Evelond Formos]

I think the players are allowed some poetic license here. When I made Evelond's backstory, I hadn't read the Rian thread. Technically, he should have withered up and died during his time on Spider Island. I added a little twist in his story that I won't say here that allowed him to reach the tree with little time left to live, so that he would gain elven near-immortality again. He had to fulfill a task to make up for his lost years, though.

As to aging, according to baby1111007, elves grow up as quickly as humans up to about age 20, where their aging slows down to a near-stop. They are physically an adult, like humans, but they are not a social adult until they are 120.

Although the DMs may put forth fact on the matter, I am pretty sure you shouldn't worry if your backstory happens to conflict with the fact. I'll be darned if we're all forced to change our elves' childhoods.

[Minuvas]

I think the players are allowed some poetic license here. When I made Evelond's backstory, I hadn't read the Rian thread. Technically, he should have withered up and died during his time on Spider Island. I added a little twist in his story that I won't say here that allowed him to reach the tree with little time left to live, so that he would gain elven near-immortality again. He had to fulfill a task to make up for his lost years, though.

As to aging, according to baby1111007, elves grow up as quickly as humans up to about age 20, where their aging slows down to a near-stop. They are physically an adult, like humans, but they are not a social adult until they are 120.

Although the DMs may put forth fact on the matter, I am pretty sure you shouldn't worry if your backstory happens to conflict with the fact. I'll be darned if we're all forced to change our elves' childhoods.

Is that all Elves, or just Rian Elves?

From my understanding, the Campaign Background details that any Elves not from Rian,or any Elves from Rian who decided to not answer their "calling" and stay in the Empire live life expectancies , and age, similar to humans.

[Kell]

Well drats, that'd mean that Aswaith suddenly is about a century younger.

I bet he won't mind that, though.

[Vahene]

This doesn't preclude an elf coming from Rian, however, does it? If so, I'd be curious as to a DM's official position on the lifespan for -those- elves?

K

[Will]

At least one in-game example of this dilemma is part of the story between Pylia and her family in Rian. I think it is a mix between the LOTR and FR concept. The elves in Dasaria (before the great war) were nothing like the elves in Varana and it was taken for granted that elves lived immortal lives. However, now that Rian has revoked that immortality to elves outside of Rian after Varana has taken over, it is more common to see all types of elves running around with almost no sense of immortality. This facet of elf mortality can be contributed to Rian's isolation and also the persuit of life outside of Rian that elves have chosen or become accustomed to, for example, Pylia's persuit of her goals beyond the traditional roles that tie her to Rian.

[blackheart]

Elves in the Empire live similar life-spans to that of Humans , and the 'rumors' of them living longer are believed to be lies.

Maybe true, maybe false, it's agitprop after all.

[Minuvas]

Elves in the Empire live similar life-spans to that of Humans , and the 'rumors' of them living longer are believed to be lies.

Maybe true, maybe false, it's agitprop after all.

Well we know for sure that the Citizens of the Empire surely laugh and mock the idea that Elves live such lengthy lives as myth and tall-tales, as described in the background from Geographa Varana.

As to Elves actually living these Lengthy lives, depending on their Origin, or their pursuit away from their Origin seems to be at question.

[DM Sabre]

I think the players are allowed some poetic license here. When I made Evelond's backstory, I hadn't read the Rian thread. Technically, he should have withered up and died during his time on Spider Island. I added a little twist in his story that I won't say here that allowed him to reach the tree with little time left to live, so that he would gain elven near-immortality again. He had to fulfill a task to make up for his lost years, though.

As to aging, according to baby1111007, elves grow up as quickly as humans up to about age 20, where their aging slows down to a near-stop. They are physically an adult, like humans, but they are not a social adult until they are 120.

Although the DMs may put forth fact on the matter, I am pretty sure you shouldn't worry if your backstory happens to conflict with the fact. I'll be darned if we're all forced to change our elves' childhoods.

Is that all Elves, or just Rian Elves?

From my understanding, the Campaign Background details that any Elves not from Rian,or any Elves from Rian who decided to not answer their "calling" and stay in the Empire live life expectancies , and age, similar to humans.

Actually those elves would be either dead or very old by now.

The Rian elves recently lifted the edict and thus we are now seeing a new influx of elves that are nearly immortal ( well compared to a human)

It was originally understood that elves in Dasaria lived long lives, but not immortal. They can and did die. Most seemed to accept that elves lived many centuries, varying from 500 to 700 years or more.

The aging of elves was not established, but then, neither really was the aging of humans. Remember we had players playing second generation characters as adults? We choose not to be so restrictive as to not infringe on RP. Sometimes it does bite us on the arse. Baby1111007 recently pointed out that D and D lore states elves grow physically at the same age as humans, but elven society doesn't see them as "mature" until around age 100 -120. Again, use you charcters experience to define how they act in relation to elf/human. Some elves younger than 100 may be extremely playful, still innocent, less worldwise. Others maybe mature beyond their years already.

As far as the sleep thing, most of the elves I have seen played have chosen to say that they go into a trance for a few hours rather than sleep.

[Elvith]

So does that mean that if an elf recently came from Rian they would RP having a long life? I've always assumed and RPed that the elf I play would have a very long life, and since I've left the history rather vague that would be a good way to solidify my reasoning for living quite a long time.

[Mensha Khaine]

The elf I'm playing is not from Rian, but I guess out of interest, wouldn't an elf from Rian be aware that Varana is an evil empire? Considering they themselves might be 120, and their parents could be considerably older than that and actually remember the old kingdom?