Half-Elves (Was: dms on elves)

[Trizt]

On 15-Nov-97, Christopher Kira (cgk6488@garnet.acns.fsu.edu) wrote about Re:
[BIRTHRIGHT] - dms on elves:

- ->On a related note: half-elves. The rulebook is a little fuzzy on how much
- ->they are accepted and such. I have a group of humans and half-elves....
- ->which helps the half-elves fit in better... but what are some suggestions
- ->for this in BR. How much would half-elves be accepted?

This is how I have understod it:

Half-Elves are treated as shortlived "elves" amoung the elves, while among
the humans, when it's discovered that they are half-elves, are more or less
treated as elvens spys. Those of you who has somewhat read the BoM should have
noticed that there is "powers" who are working for a own culture for tha
Half-elves among them selfs. It's really sad that most of the official TSR
NPC's who are Half-elves are only first generation, why not add some 10th -
20th generation Half-elves. If I haven't missunderstod it wrong, the number of
half-elves are really low, much lower than the amount of elves.


//Trizt of Ward^RITE

-

[James Ruhland]

> NPC's who are Half-elves are only first generation, why not add some 10th
- -
> 20th generation Half-elves. If I haven't missunderstod it wrong, the
number of
> half-elves are really low, much lower than the amount of elves.
>
Hmmn; reason why, IMO, there are not that many half elves is probably as
follows: 1) as has already been covered, humans treat 1/elves as elves.
Plus, the result of a union bettween a human and a half elf is a "human"
child (I.E. someone who has elven blood, but functions, rules-wise, as a
human; at least according to what TSR has printed for other gameworlds). 2)
though elves treat 1/2 elves as elves, for the most part, I myself would
suspect a latent discrimination; elves wouldn't be likely to settle down
with 'em. So, 1/2 elves would be rare anyhow (considering the state of
human-elf relations), and 2nd and subsiquent generation 1/2 elves would
only likely result from the union between 2 half elfs; a statistically
unlikely occurance. The life of a half elf, you see, is somewhat lonely...

[Trizt]

On 16-Nov-97, James Ruhland (jruhlconob@sprynet.com) wrote about Re:
[BIRTHRIGHT] - Half-Elves (Was: dms on elves):

- ->> NPC's who are Half-elves are only first generation, why not add some 10th
- ->> - 20th generation Half-elves. If I haven't missunderstod it wrong, the
- ->>number of
- ->> half-elves are really low, much lower than the amount of elves.

- ->Hmmn; reason why, IMO, there are not that many half elves is probably as
- ->follows: 1) as has already been covered, humans treat 1/elves as elves.
- ->Plus, the result of a union bettween a human and a half elf is a "human"
- ->child (I.E. someone who has elven blood, but functions, rules-wise, as a
- ->human; at least according to what TSR has printed for other gameworlds). 2)
- ->though elves treat 1/2 elves as elves, for the most part, I myself would
- ->suspect a latent discrimination; elves wouldn't be likely to settle down
- ->with 'em. So, 1/2 elves would be rare anyhow (considering the state of
- ->human-elf relations), and 2nd and subsiquent generation 1/2 elves would
- ->only likely result from the union between 2 half elfs; a statistically
- ->unlikely occurance. The life of a half elf, you see, is somewhat lonely...

Yes, the number of half-elves is quite low in Cerilia, but somehow TSR has
something agianst this lovely race, even in FR where the number of Half-Elves
is quite high you will only find 1st generation of Half-Elves while it would
be possible that they could count around 30 generations backwards with
Half-Elves (I have to say it's strange that we find a 2nd generation Half-Elf
in BR, see BoM).
As no one of us are a Elf in RL we don't really know how a such creature would
think, but I think they will found many flaws in a Half-elf and most likely
then see down on them and therefore try to avoid to fall in love which a such
"lesser" being (yes, there is always exceptions, isn't that why we do have
adventurers?), and in the same manner it could be between humans and
Half-elves, which would lead to that those few Half-elves that there is would
try to find eachothers (at least they have the time on their side to do this).
Oki, that should be enough of my thoughts about why there should be more 2nd+
generation Half-elves.

Something else just about my favorite race, the lifespan of Half-elves are IMO
all to short in AD&D (if you use the PHB lifespan), either it's longer in BR
or Aelies has found a way to extend his life in a magical way (don't forget
that there is a risk to use those potions) without any risk for something bad
to happen, as he already has lived a long time and uses the time for his
advantige and let his enemies to die away bofore stricking. How long can a
Half-Elf in BR live without any "Long Life" blood ability or magical equipment
of any kind? it can't be that 125+3d20, for in that case Aelies personality
wouldn't really fit if he had to drink all those potions, if he now haven't
found a more safe way to extend his life.
I haven't thought how I will do, but that much I know that I will extend the
lifespan of half-elves, but I would like what others thinks about this.


//Trizt of Ward^RITE

-

[Darkstar]

James Ruhland wrote:

> There's more than one way for a mage of Aelies power to extend his life
> (for one thing, Elixer's of Life, though they aren't as effective as
> potions of Longevity, don't have the drawback). Perhaps he uses a Realm
> spell that only he knows (hmmmn, something for a PC mage to look into,
> perhaps, as he gets older...)

I have always though that as long as a Half-Elf lived inside an Elven
forest then they did not age. There is a piece in the Birthright
Rulebook about the effect of living in an Elven realm on mortals, I have
applied this to Half-Elves as well, ruling that do not age as long as
they live within the ancient forests. This could be the reason why
Aelies lives where he does.

- --
Ian Hoskins

e-Mail: hoss@box.net.au
ICQ: 2938300
Home Page: http://www.box.net.au/~hoss/birth.html

From the Darkness we came,
and to the Darkness we will return.

[James Ruhland]

>
> I have always though that as long as a Half-Elf lived inside an Elven
> forest then they did not age. There is a piece in the Birthright
> Rulebook about the effect of living in an Elven realm on mortals, I have
> applied this to Half-Elves as well, ruling that do not age as long as
> they live within the ancient forests. This could be the reason why
> Aelies lives where he does.
>
But is the Aerbannen (spelling, sorry) really an "Elven forest" anymore?
does it affect everyone who lives there in that way? every half elf? I'm
not sure I'm ready to accept that.

[nick yates]

At 01:22 16/11/97 +0100, you wrote:
>On 15-Nov-97, Adam Beard (abeard@zebra.net) wrote about Re: [BIRTHRIGHT] -
dms
>on elves:
>
>->Its my understanding that Half-Elves are fully accepted by elves but
>->shunned by humans. This is different than most other AD&D realms. A nice
>->change I think.
>
>Yes, now there is atleast one race which accepts them, usually they are
>shunned or barly accepted by the elves and humans, maybe it would be time to
>get a more unified feeling among the half-elves. I'm not saying that they
>should have large empires or so, but have a "freetown" where they can
withdraw
>when the monstrous race called humans are on their more evil moods.
>Maybe with a culture with the best from the two worlds (maybe not as warlike
>as the humans and elves are).
>
>
> //Trizt of Ward^RITE

I guess you could use Gannd from War as an example of how half-elves are
treated by both races. Most Humans are instantly suspicious of them yet
they are treated as full blooded elves by some elves. I guess Rhoube
probably wouldn't see it that way though.

Nick

[Darkstar]

James Ruhland wrote:

> But is the Aerbannen (spelling, sorry) really an "Elven forest" anymore?
> does it affect everyone who lives there in that way? every half elf? I'm
> not sure I'm ready to accept that.

This it what is say in the description of Aerenwe in the Ruins of Empire
Book.

"the High Mage Aelies has overseen the magic of the seven provinces for
hundreds of years. The Erebannien keeps him young even for a half-elf;
it's one of the few places where the magic of old Cerilia flows
unchanged, tapped only by this ancient wizard."

This would seem to support my argument that a Half-Elf living in an
Elven forest remains young.

- --
Ian Hoskins

e-Mail: hoss@box.net.au
ICQ: 2938300
Home Page: http://www.box.net.au/~hoss/birth.html

From the Darkness we came,
and to the Darkness we will return.

[JLR881@aol.co]

In a message dated 97-11-17 07:02:23 EST, you write:

>
The High Mage Aelies may not use any such extravagent means to prolong
his life - his bloodline could, in fact, course with the Long Life ability at
Great rating.
Jim-bob the dog

[ANOLESEN@aol.co]

I think half-elves are greatly improved in Birthright.