Post by Tulf on May 27, 2015 22:03:02 GMT
ELF INTRODUCTION
One of the most well-known of the supernatural in human culture courtesy of their infamous beauty and grace alongside their near-human nature; elves are an iconic Mystic Kind linked to the lands and its flora and fauna. They appear as almost identical to humans, although they tend to be taller and more lithe, typically having fair skin, bright-toned and flowing hair, and overall slightly supernaturally attractive looks on the whole. While said to have once built great kingdoms across the lands long before human civilisation took off, their final great war left their race in tatters; leading the remaining number to throw off the shackles of the material world and become one with nature; intent on protecting and preserving it as it had served their survivors in the past.
Due to this bond with nature that has grown over their generations, elves are heavily influenced by their environment – being in the presence pollution and mistreatment of the land can mentally stress them, while natural purity of their surroundings, clothing and possessions eases their minds and bodies. While they have accepted the modern world of humanity and have become quite tolerant of their urban lands, elves are still affected by the more obtrusive examples of natural discontent in their surroundings. Similarly, they are very heavily affected by mana, particularly its affinity – to the point where their personalities and attitudes can be influenced by this factor. Because of this, enchanted clothing, weapons and tools are particularly sought after and studied amongst elves; as they could essentially change or reinforce their emotions and mental state at will using them. This cannot entirely change an elf’s personality, of course, but the effects are certainly noticeable. In turn, however; elves are quite skilled in magic due to this connection to mana, although they are often more limited to their affinities than most human magus for the same reason – they almost always have a nature affinity given their culture. Their own affinity’s effect their personalities and attitudes noticeably in a more significant way than even their mana; having a certain link to the element they associate with.
Outside of humanity, elves generally live in small isolated communities amongst Europe’s forests as their small numbers have separated across the land; secretly safeguarding their little territories and paying their respects to the land while they indulge in their beloved arts and crafts. It is rare for them to clash with other races, as they loath the idea of outright war since it almost doomed their kind in the past – instead, they will simply pack up and disappear into the forests as soon as they feel threatened. That being said, elven warriors are some of the most feared in the world, if mostly thanks to their rarity; their reputation for deadeye rangers and trackers whom hunt their foes for days before suddenly killing them in a single swift encounter are not entirely exaggerated. The bow and arrow are a respected and feared icon among elves; as they are only used by a strict few of their already small numbers – those whom take up weapons once more are seen as martyrs to the elves peaceful ways; defenders whom have sacrificed their own purity for their allies. Because of this, those who wield them are typically masters of their craft – to spill more blood than is necessary would be to disrespect nature.
With the outbreak of demons in 1945, however, these secretive people joined the supernatural and human resistance; and since then many of their communities have opened themselves up to their neighbours; typically sending young envoys to become a part of other societies and learn their culture and ways. For the most part, humanity has been accepting of their elven elders and vice-versa; humans admiring elven grace and consideration while elves admire human ingenuity and capabilities of conflict without violence; a concept they have never quite handled given their abhorrence of all violence due to their past. There are still some elven communities whom still insist on purity and secrecy, however; and a rare few who outright loathe other races for their disrespect to nature and each other.
These outliers have their reasons for their extremism beyond just the threat of rekindled violence, however; as corruption based on their surroundings and interactions is a very serious threat to elves due to their link to nature. These ‘dark elves’ have blue or purple skin and white hair, and are brought about by an elf being saturated with dark-affinity mana or negative feelings and experiences; leading to many typical elves having uncanny optimism or selfish streaks intent on removing themselves from any of these unpleasant possibilities – no doubt another reason for their original secrecy. However, although they are generally treated with disdain, it remains unclear as to whether dark elves are actually malicious – many of them act in such a manner, typically in small bands of similar outcasts; but their ill-will may just be caused by their mistreatment from ‘pure’ elves and their own self-loathing.
Due to this bond with nature that has grown over their generations, elves are heavily influenced by their environment – being in the presence pollution and mistreatment of the land can mentally stress them, while natural purity of their surroundings, clothing and possessions eases their minds and bodies. While they have accepted the modern world of humanity and have become quite tolerant of their urban lands, elves are still affected by the more obtrusive examples of natural discontent in their surroundings. Similarly, they are very heavily affected by mana, particularly its affinity – to the point where their personalities and attitudes can be influenced by this factor. Because of this, enchanted clothing, weapons and tools are particularly sought after and studied amongst elves; as they could essentially change or reinforce their emotions and mental state at will using them. This cannot entirely change an elf’s personality, of course, but the effects are certainly noticeable. In turn, however; elves are quite skilled in magic due to this connection to mana, although they are often more limited to their affinities than most human magus for the same reason – they almost always have a nature affinity given their culture. Their own affinity’s effect their personalities and attitudes noticeably in a more significant way than even their mana; having a certain link to the element they associate with.
Outside of humanity, elves generally live in small isolated communities amongst Europe’s forests as their small numbers have separated across the land; secretly safeguarding their little territories and paying their respects to the land while they indulge in their beloved arts and crafts. It is rare for them to clash with other races, as they loath the idea of outright war since it almost doomed their kind in the past – instead, they will simply pack up and disappear into the forests as soon as they feel threatened. That being said, elven warriors are some of the most feared in the world, if mostly thanks to their rarity; their reputation for deadeye rangers and trackers whom hunt their foes for days before suddenly killing them in a single swift encounter are not entirely exaggerated. The bow and arrow are a respected and feared icon among elves; as they are only used by a strict few of their already small numbers – those whom take up weapons once more are seen as martyrs to the elves peaceful ways; defenders whom have sacrificed their own purity for their allies. Because of this, those who wield them are typically masters of their craft – to spill more blood than is necessary would be to disrespect nature.
With the outbreak of demons in 1945, however, these secretive people joined the supernatural and human resistance; and since then many of their communities have opened themselves up to their neighbours; typically sending young envoys to become a part of other societies and learn their culture and ways. For the most part, humanity has been accepting of their elven elders and vice-versa; humans admiring elven grace and consideration while elves admire human ingenuity and capabilities of conflict without violence; a concept they have never quite handled given their abhorrence of all violence due to their past. There are still some elven communities whom still insist on purity and secrecy, however; and a rare few who outright loathe other races for their disrespect to nature and each other.
These outliers have their reasons for their extremism beyond just the threat of rekindled violence, however; as corruption based on their surroundings and interactions is a very serious threat to elves due to their link to nature. These ‘dark elves’ have blue or purple skin and white hair, and are brought about by an elf being saturated with dark-affinity mana or negative feelings and experiences; leading to many typical elves having uncanny optimism or selfish streaks intent on removing themselves from any of these unpleasant possibilities – no doubt another reason for their original secrecy. However, although they are generally treated with disdain, it remains unclear as to whether dark elves are actually malicious – many of them act in such a manner, typically in small bands of similar outcasts; but their ill-will may just be caused by their mistreatment from ‘pure’ elves and their own self-loathing.
ELF LIMITATIONS
- Cannot gain a natural Strength or an Endurance stat above D due to their naturally willowy frame.
- Cannot be turned into any other supernatural kind apart from corrupted into dark elves.
- May learn Magic, although they are limited to natural affinities unless they stem from a non-elf background.
- Can learn and use Ki, although it is not taught amongst elven tribes.
- Are more susceptible to illnesses and diseases.
DARK ELF LIMITATIONS
- Cannot gain a natural Strength or an Endurance stat above C due to their naturally willowy frame, although they are able to be stronger than pure elves.
- Cannot be turned into any other supernatural kind, and cannot become pure elves again.
- May learn Magic, but cannot learn any light-based magic – even if they knew any before being corrupted.
- Can learn and use Ki, although it is not taught amongst elven tribes.
GENERAL ELF SKILLS/ABILITIES LIST
Please do note you can make your own Skills and Abilities. These are just suggestions.
Skills: You may take up Skills from the Human list from here.
Abilities:
Name: Nature Affinity (Animal/Plant/Mineral)
Description: As beings linked to nature, all elves are able to sympathise with their surroundings to some degree; although to what extent varies from individual to individual. In all cases, they are able to feel where the natural elements feels ‘predated’ or ‘threatened’, or where it feels ‘safe’ or ‘pleasant’ – for animals this would be self-explanatory, but for plants it could feel where it is being over-consumed for the former or where it feels is particularly fertile ground for the latter, or for minerals the former could be places where it has been mined and eroded heavily while the latter are natural, untouched areas. Some elves have honed these senses to be able to just about communicate with the landscapes and its fauna and flora; learning of recent events and incidents that have affected it or oncoming changes. Similarly, they feel a kinship with their factor; able to calm it and avoid conflict with its natural intentions – like easing an aggressive bear, safely navigating thorny plants, and ceasing possible rockslides.
When making your elf character, specify just one of the fields noted in the brackets – Animal, Plant, or Mineral – this is the environmental factor they can commune with.
Rank: S~E
Name: Mana Affinity
Description: Due to their link to mana, elves are capable of sensing the affinity of surrounding mana and its density to a broad degree – whether it has recently been particularly drained, or if a lot of spells of one element have been used in the vicinity. They can also sense the affinity of enchantments and runes, albeit to a similarly vague level.
Rank: E
Name: Woodwalking
Description: While in forest environments, all elves instinctively know how to make the least impact on their surroundings as possible with their movement – they can essentially travel swiftly and silently so long as they are on foot and not over encumbered by gear, regardless of how inhospitable the landscape may seem to any other race.
Rank: E