Elven Bond - Interesting Read

[Blindhamsterman]

Elven Bond

Though not truly part of our physiology, the Elven bond is related to the Communion on a deep spiritual level. An Elf can form a mystical and unbreakable bond with another being, and that being is not necessarily another Elf. Sometimes this bond is formed with all the pomp and ceremony of certain Human marriage, and at other times, it is a quiet and personal thing. For each Elf it is different, as different as love itself, and the gifts exchanged can vary from a simple flower to an elegant crown of emeralds.

When an Elf first feels this type of strong commitment forming, we begin to feel what the other person is feeling, much like during Communion. If the recipient of our affection is another elf, they will begin to feel those feelings too, and will return those feelings, in most cases. We Elves do not “wear our hearts on our coat sleeves”, as Humans and other N’Tel’Quessir so often do. We weigh our hearts long and hard before attempting to bonding that that special someone, sometimes centuries, and that is why we rarely need deal with rejection. It is a sad Elf indeed who mistakes someone’s feelings after centuries of friendship and togetherness.

This bond is, in many ways, much stronger then the communion ability we share, for this is a lifelong bond and not so easily broken. Through this bond, each person can sense all of the feelings the other is feeling, as well as any physical pain or distress they might be in. If separated, we can get a general sense of direction the other person is in, as long as they are on the same plane. We can tell how far they are from us with almost pinpoint accuracy when within 20 miles (nearby), and also roughly gauge the distance when they are further (20-50 miles=fairly close, 51-100= some distance away, 100-500 =Very far, and 501+ = a great distance). This helps us to locate our loves when we sense they are in trouble. And, woe to any creature that stands in our way, for an Elf fighting to aid his/her beloved fights like no other.

At this point, the bond between two lovers has become so strong that the other person’s life now means more to us then our own. This level of rapport is called Aleiryid, and both the Elf and their love now live solely to make the other happy, at whatever cost. This is the most altruistic pairing two mortals can share (for game purposes, treat this exactly as if the two shared communion within the last 24 hours; it is an ongoing effect however, and they get all combat bonuses that apply as long as they are side by side). Elves can only form these bonds after 150 years of life- anything younger is considered too immature for such deep spiritual commitment. They also must spend at least one year with their beloved prior to bonding, and spend some time together at least once a day during this period.

Unfortunately for many, an Elf’s ego works against them, and their intended bond-mate. A high sense of self interferes with the bonding, and it takes a longer period of time before the actual bond can be made (In game terms, the couple must spend 1+[Both of their CHA Bonuses] years together first, but no less then one year). You must give wholly of yourself, and there is no room for egotistical feelings. An ego does not prevent forming a bond, but it certainly makes it more difficult to do so.

Few Elves care to bestow this honor on N’Tel’Quessir, because the bond would be all but wasted on them. In the case of Humans, this is especially true, for their lives are like a guttering candle flame buffeted by the winds of time, too soon blown out. Conversely, it is the Human lust for life itself that allows Elves to form bonds with them even quicker then with other Elves! (In game turns, change years to months when determining the amount of time the couple must spend together before bonding). It amazes even the Eldest amongst us that these ‘children’ can sweep even the wisest Elf up into their passion for living life to it’s fullest, and many an Elf has died while barreling though adventures at an alarming pace along side human companions- especially Moon Elves. We Sun Elves have somewhat of a resistance to this, but we do fall pray from time to time!

This is often called “Walking Destiny’s Path”, for many know the Humans to be “The Children of Destiny” in our many of our most ancient prophesies. Although their lives are often too short, as compared most other Tel’Quessir, these Elves are usually amongst our most well sung and remembered heroes. But I digress…Suffice it to say that a blink of an Elf’s eye spells the end to these ties, but the love they gain lasts the rest of their lives.

When the bond is broken, either by death or treachery, it is a tremendous shock to the other member of the union. It is possible for an Elf to die from the grief caused by the bond breaking (DC 15 Fortitude Saving Throw. Failure results in a loss of 200 EXP per level, and results in the Crushing Despair spell for a number of months equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Success means losing half as much EXP, and Crushing Despair is limited to a number of weeks equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Critical Failure results in death, one that cannot be reversed through the use of magic.) Many time, if a bond is broken with betrayal, the partner who was betrayed becomes a Banshee, if female, or an Allip, if male. They pursue their lost loves for all of eternity, seeking revenge.

I am sure you can understand why bonding is not undertaken lightly, and why most Elves never bond again after losing a love. If they ever choose to do so, they must wait another 150 years for their heart to heal to the point where it can handle the strain. In theory, this would mean an Elf could conceivably bond four times or so during our long lives. But, in actuality, bonding twice is practically unheard of, and anything more than that is an extremely rare occurrence.

Our love may be powerful, but our hearts are but fragile things. This bond applies to the earth itself, to a lesser extent. If an Elf is denied access to the land, or sunlight, or even other Elves, he or she may die from grief and loneliness. This is why Elves cannot be held captive for long, and why we make terrible slaves. Even if uninjured, and kept near nature or with other elves, an Elf can lose hope and will his or her own death. It may be a terrible price to pay, but many a would-be

[Blindhamsterman]

quote on elven communion mentioned at the begining of the bond part:

"All elves have the inborn ability to share their experiences, their feelings, and their lives with those elves they love or trust implicity. This sharing, called communion, can only be undertaken by fully willing elves. It does not work with half-elves, nor does it function when one of those participating has even the slightest reservation. This includes those under the influence of charm-related spells, for they hold qualms deep in their hearts, even if told they do not.

Communion requires all elves involved (to a maximum of four) to be in a state of total relaxation. They must be in a place of peace, preferably where the world is not likely to intrude with its troubles and its cares. A natural surrounding works best for this operation.

Communion requires the participating elves to be totally serene, thinking only of the others in this most intimate bond. (Thus, communion is not an effective method of relaying messages of any urgency.) All the elves must free themselves of judgements and prejudices about the others, which may take some time. Indeed, some communions have been known to take a fortnight or more merely in preparation for the bonding.

When the participants have sufficiently calmed and retreated from the rigors of the world, they lightly touch palm to palm, finger to finger. They open their minds to the others, freely and completely joining together; if even a tiny reservation remains, the bond fails. During communion, the elves explore all the facets of each others' personality - the loves, hatreds, hopes, and fears.

While in this trance, communing elves are totally vulnerable to anything that might happen to them physically, for they cannot defend themselves against any attacks while communing. Mentally, they are even more vulnerable to attack, saving at -4 against most mental attacks, for their minds are totally unguarded.

Interestingly enough, the very act of communion offers a protection of sorts. Those in communion are defended against being spied upon, either mentally or physically; this defense takes the form of an invisible barrier surrounding the communing elves. It is speculated that the elves are so enrapt with each other that they project a mental shield that keeps discovery to a minimum. Of course, this offers no protection against an attack from someone who knows of the time and whereabouts of a communion.

The benefit of communion is not only that elves learn the most secret facets of others. Because of the sharing, they also become intimately acquainted with others' habits, fighting styles, and ways of thinking. For the day immediately following communion, the bonded elves can fight in perfect harmony, one's weapon following through where another left an opening. If fighting side by side against common foes, they gain a +2 to hit and a -1 to AC for the next day only, and only if they work together. All the elves must have at least one partner from the communion at their sides if this bonus is to be brought into play.

Communion can only be effected once a week. Those who try it more often with the same partners find themselves sharing with essences that are essentially themselves, for those who have participated together have shared enough of their spirits that there is little difference between them. Furthermore, communion tends to be somewhat draining even while it invigorates. Bonding so totally is simply too much of a drain oon one's psyche to be attempted lightly and frequently. Communion works best when the participants have something to learn or gain from one another."

The Complete Book of Elves, pp. 31-32

[hollyfant]

You know... this is why I rarely play elves...

I'm a great fan of "racial" roleplay. If you're not a human, then you shouldn't act like you're one. Dwarves, Elves and their ilk really are alien, with alien mindsets, alien customs and alien abilities. That being said, elves are a problem in this.

Tolkien's elves are essentially angelic creatures, beings not of this world. And previous D&D versions reflect that in many ways, even after attempts at balancing the rules. The crunch has elves as "just another playable race", but the fluff, especially of earlier versions of the game, still treats them as semi-divine.

By all means, use what we are given. Dig through all canonical or nearly-canonical sources and cherry pick anything that's interesting, cool or that will deepen roleplay. But please then use restraint in how you use any of it in-game. The last thing a dedicated elf-player wants, is to alienate less-dedicated players of elves while simultaneously pushing away non-elven PCs.

And that goes for all the other races too.

[NickD]

And that goes for all the other races too.

Everyone knows half-orcs are the best race.

They're like born with a special gene that makes them so totally awesome. The reason they don't live so long is because no mortal being can survive very long with so much awesome living inside them. Half-orcs don't do this bonding thing because they sleep with like 20 chicks every night. Because they're so awesome. Half-orcs could only eat once a month like elves if they wanted to, but that would be totally bogus, so they eat heaps. Because they're so awesome.

I think we can all learn something from half-orcs.

[Blindhamsterman]

must also be pointed out that the most recent fluff for elves (4e) has Elardrin (sun elves, moon elves, star elves) as native outsiders again, they once again became rather otherworldly, also the Races of Faerun book (3.5 crossover) had those same subraces as being quite different from human (even including a feat called otherworldly that they could take.

basically, Elves as you say, are indeed supposed to be quite far removed from human, though they may look similar, on the other hand, elves that spend time amongst humans supposedly have a tendancy to become very human in their approach to life suprisingly quickly which means for people wanting to play a not very elfy elf, have them be native to a human city (silverymoon for instance) While they should still not be human in how they're played, equally they wont play out the same as a PC from Evereska, Myth Drannor, the high forest or any other Elf Community

[Burt]

And that goes for all the other races too.

Everyone knows half-orcs are the best race.

They're like born with a special gene that makes them so totally awesome. The reason they don't live so long is because no mortal being can survive very long with so much awesome living inside them. Half-orcs don't do this bonding thing because they sleep with like 20 chicks every night. Because they're so awesome. Half-orcs could only eat once a month like elves if they wanted to, but that would be totally bogus, so they eat heaps. Because they're so awesome.

I think we can all learn something from half-orcs.

I never saw half orcs in this light, but now I think my next PC shall be one.

[Happycrow]

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/M ... eWithElves

Note that the Forgotten Realms has its own entry...

[danielmn]

*annoyed dwarf sez.....* "If meh gods didna want meh tah cut down yer woods, they wouldnah made ahn axe fer choppin wood, yeh pansy!"

[Veilan]

You know... this is why I rarely play elves...

I'm a great fan of "racial" roleplay. If you're not a human, then you shouldn't act like you're one. Dwarves, Elves and their ilk really are alien, with alien mindsets, alien customs and alien abilities. That being said, elves are a problem in this.

Tolkien's elves are essentially angelic creatures, beings not of this world. And previous D&D versions reflect that in many ways, even after attempts at balancing the rules. The crunch has elves as "just another playable race", but the fluff, especially of earlier versions of the game, still treats them as semi-divine.

By all means, use what we are given. Dig through all canonical or nearly-canonical sources and cherry pick anything that's interesting, cool or that will deepen roleplay. But please then use restraint in how you use any of it in-game. The last thing a dedicated elf-player wants, is to alienate less-dedicated players of elves while simultaneously pushing away non-elven PCs.

And that goes for all the other races too.

What we can take away here is that everyone should aim to be conducive to the overall campaign first, then think about how to portray their omigod l33t superior awesome RP that sets them apart. No matter what you play.

[Curmudgeon]

If Forgotten Realms elves are so durn highfalutin' spiffy, kind, peaceful, and wonderful, would someone please explain the Crown Wars to me? Attempted genocide of their own kindred, and over what?

[Spider Jones]

This would be a general AD&D 2nd edition source, not Realms specific. The Complete Book of Elves followed the setting. However, many FR novels dealing with elves draw lore from it. And some groups in ALFA have previously used material from it.

[Audark]

Power corrupts all things, when the elves achieved their height before the crown wars they became more and more powerful with their understanding of Mythals and High Magic. They had no common enemy left to fight to unite them, humankind had not even begun to learn magic nor be worthy of notice. The dragon empires had fallen, only the occasional orc horde was a threat, and they were always beaten back.

In their quest for knowledge and power they were corrupted, Elves are arrogant creatures, even more so when they truly had no challengers in Faerun. The dealt with demons, devils and dark gods. The Seldarine was sundered with Lolth being cast down to the pit. The Vyshaan empire oppressed and murdered whole nations.

I do not think it correct to view elves as peaceful creatures, in their long lives they may spend hundreds of years at peace, but elves are capable of a violence unmatched by the shorter lived races. Elves like to believe themselves superior, above baser things, but when pressed they are creatures of beautiful violence and terrible vengeance. They may be slow to the sword, but once they take it up, you never really know how much blood it will take to sate it.

The history of the elves is a terrible one, they achieved immense power in the adolescence of their time, and they lashed out with it like spoiled children. The elves that remain today live with that haunting past and try to be better than those who came before. They are still capable of the same violence and weakness as ever, but their collected horror at what their own power wrought has them slow to action, slow to combine with others and isolated in enclaves like Evermeet and Evereska. Even reclaimed Myth Drannor is just a city state, no longer the empire of the Cormanthor. I would guess that never again would you see an Elven nation or empire, precisely because they fear what they may become.

Elves, beautiful, graceful, kind and also terrible, wretched, bigoted and violent. The elven experience is broad enough to encompass this dichotomy. The view of elves as aloof, beautiful peace loving creatures I would say is more of a human impression of elves from afar, than anything nearing a true description of what elves really are.

[NickD]

Yeah, all that makes me think of the emo tortured souls of the protagonists in modern vampire novels.

[Happycrow]

You beat me to it.

Elves: Perpetuating Mary Sue in popular culture, so you don't have to!

Now, given that I tend to lean THIS way in regards to my tropes:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/M ... ewYouElves

I will now offer an alternative definition of elf to supplement Audark's thought-provoking post.

Elf: A graceful, beautiful, talented creature that somehow never achieves anything more notable than any other graceful, beautiful, talented creature, but who explains away its lack of achievement by saying that their ancestors already did that, and they've now moved on to embrace their morally-superior mediocrity.

This message sponsored by the Grr'Kazadh Society for the Elimination of Poncy Knife-Ears.

[Blindhamsterman]

General oppinion of Elves is much the same as Audarks, in Faerun the idea with the elves is that they had their chance at greatness, and for a short time, they were (the elven kingdoms of cannon have not been surpassed by any other race) But they squandered it and screwed up royally as Curm points out, there were the crown wars, the Elves of the past used High Magic as a weapon, destroying huge areas of land, killing thousands. As my PC says, his people are responsible for some of the greatest evils to have happened on Faerun.

However the point to the thread was supposed to be for people that might have an interest (there are a few) to read, not really for a I love Elves or I hate Elves debate.

On the topic of newly resettled Myth Drannor, in 4e fluff, it is once again the strongest power in its region, while theoretically a city state, it's uncontested in its area - partly because; much like before the weeping war, it is a city state filled with members of all 'goodly' races.

edit --

p.s. as a rule, again Audark and Curm are right, Elves are far from peaceful, Sun elves are often far from nice, and as a Whole the Bad Elves are probably far worse than any bad member of another race, equally, the good ones (really good ones) are probably only on par with the really good members of other races *shrug*