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Thread: Elves: a simpler take
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10-25-2020, 02:57 AM #1
Elves: a simpler take
I have been reading a lot of the threads here about the Sidhelien; and I've seen some pretty awesome ideas for them...but mine have always been much simpler.
The reason that an immortal elf isn't at LEAST a high level spellcaster: because he doesn't have the potential to be.
Just because something lives a very long time, doesn't mean that it can become the greatest at anything really. Some things just have a limited potential. Take for example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methuselah_(tree)
It is the oldest tree in the world; but so common it couldn't be pointed out by anyone because, well, it is just common. It isn't the tallest, isn't the strongest, isn't the straightest and so on. It's just a tree.
So it is with elves. Yes, they can live for a VERY long time; but that doesn't mean that they have any special potential just because they live a long time. Perhaps the "average elf" is only as good at swordplay as the average human...because that is their potential.
Why didn't the elves wipe humanity off the face of Cerilia with their magic? Because they don't have that potential. Even the VERY powerful elf known as Rhuobhe is a 15th level spellcaster. He is easily older than Isaelie of the Sielwode who is only a 13th level spellcaster. It isn't because he hasn't TRIED to master more magic likely...but because he just has reached his potential.
So, in my Birthright (which is a mix of 1e/2e AD&D only), elves ARE better than the average human...in fact I make them 2HD individuals (which is why they are so good at archery); but not all of them can even cast spells. They ARE magical; but this shows in their natural abilities and resistances and not in any innate ability to cast spells.
So Elves in Cerilia are long lived, they are magical, they ARE dangerous...but they aren't all on the verge of throwing lightning bolts or even magic-missiles at their foes. Are they better individually than a human or a goblin? Yep. But even an Ogre or an Orog is going to give them a run for their money in a straight up fight because the elf is JUST an elf...even if he is 500 years old.
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