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Nyr
Re: Elf racial running - Reply #63

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City-elves do have some bonuses to running. This is one of them--bonuses inside the city for running.

There is nothing in discussion at this time for adjusting their coded benefits.

Nyr
Re: Elf racial running - Reply #63

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This is pretty much incorrect.

Nyr
Re: Elf racial running - Reply #63

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Celves are neither of those things.

In other words, elves will never willingly ride on mounts, in wagons, or on skimmers, as to do so would be to insult one of the few things they are proud of: their natural speed and endurance on the run.

City Elf Roleplay (Racial Roleplay)
To an elf, tribe is key. The tribe is almost always placed before the individual for an elf. While city elves may operate more or less independently, they too form small tribes within the walls of the city. Elves, all elves, are deathly loyal to their tribe. You can almost attribute a sort of 'hive mind' to elves, in that most of them consider the welfare of their tribe above their own personal welfare. An elf would tell you that they would give up their own life without hesitation to protect or serve their tribe. Not all of them have that much willpower, but all of them wish they did, and certainly all of them will claim they do.

Elves also naturally trust their tribemates. They know that every elf in their tribe feels the same loyalty they do - so they have a strong ingrained trust and even reliance upon all of their kin. To act in a harmful way against a tribemate is an unthinkable act in an elven tribe. But a caveat - some tribal cultures are harsh, what is "harmful" to you or me may not be considered serious harm to them; and also, if one elf is seen to be acting in a way that harms the tribe as a whole, to be harmful to that individual (to protect the tribe) is absolutely warranted. As a general rule, a harmful act against a tribemate would be one that betrays them to an outsider - this would be the ultimate crime of an elven nation.

The elven population in cities is in a state of constant flux, as various tribes move in and out, die off, go into hiding, move into other parts of the city, or otherwise simply move. Very few tribes have actually settled absolutely into a given place, and those that have will feel a need to extend their influence as far as possible. For city-dwelling tribes, this redirection of old nomadic instincts can be subtle - domination of the other elven tribes nearby, great wealth, presence in every city; the nature of this will vary from tribe to tribe, but will universally add to the problems they cause for the rest of the occupants of the city.

Elven Tests of Loyalty:
Elves highly distrust anyone who is not part of their immediate family, or of their tribe, who has not been tested severely to earn their trust. Elves will go to great lengths to contrive and execute these tests, even to the point of putting their own lives at risk. Before an elf takes it upon themself to test everyone in sight, it should be kept in mind that an elf would only really go to the trouble of testing someone if they are going to be acting as a companion. A companion is someone that an elf may gain an advantage from being with. For example: you are a tribeless city elf who was born and raised in the labyrinth of Allanak, and it is far safer to run with a friend. Because they are already provided with companions in the form of family, tribal elves and those with a small grouping that is their family will find less reason to make companions out of outsiders. tribeless elves, armed with their overwhelming distrust for anyone but themselves, will likely find much reason to apply tests to determine those that are loyal, and those that are not.

Most elves will want a potential companion to pass a number of tests of increasing risk to the tester before they will trust someone.

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The Elven Culture of Theft:

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The elf does not consider the theft to be the breaking of a law (although they do understand human laws, on an intellectual level); theft is not desirable because it is a form of rebellion for an elf, not because it makes them superior, and not because it increases their wealth (although the latter two may sometimes be true). Theft is desirable simply because it is. If an elf sees something that belongs to someone else, and provides moderate challenge for them, they want to take it - simply for the sake of taking it. They may even discard it later. They may never tell a soul about it (although because of the respect it garners, they would tell tribemates or those in their tribeless social circle). They simply take it for the sake of the act itself. But a big part of what they get out of theft is the sense of accomplishment, which they get from ever-increasing challenges (and ever increasing boasts afterward).

A final note on thievery must be made: an elf would never steal from a tribemate! As mentioned above, an elf identifies entirely with their tribe, it would make no sense at all for them to steal from it. Theft from a tribemate would be considered an immense crime among elves.

Elves and Mounts:
The mixture of pride, nomadic tendencies, and the natural ability to run makes all elves ridicule the riding of mounts. To rely upon another beast to carry one around is considered an extreme sign of weakness among elves (even more than the inability to steal!). Even at the point of exhaustion, and when it comes to life and death situations, an elf would never admit to riding a mount. Even in the rare case of old age and in sickness, elves would refuse to ride about on a mount.

Nyr
Re: Elf racial running - Reply #63

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We have mentioned in other threads that we have plans and wish to do more for city-elf stuff (such as playable tribes that are closer to what tribes should be). Players may now also create their own city-elf tribes. Increasing the amount of clan options outside of tribal/outcast/social underdog/dregs of society roles is not in the cards.

Patience is requested for staff work on such things, but certainly not expected, seeing as how this is yet another thread suggesting things should be done for city-elves.

A project I've started working on is demographic information as it relates to Zalanthas, its regions, and playable roles. When completed, it will hopefully make for a better understanding (where applicable) of tribal roles in the grand scheme of things in Zalanthas. With that said, this one document snippet does not mean that elves should be the second most popular choice for PC play.