| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 28 Jun 2006 : 02:27:39
Hello-
I have a player who will be starting in my game soom. They want to play a 1/2elf who is half Drow and half human. OK - no biggie there. However - the question comes up now - would a 1/2elf of one leven sub-race look similar to another 1/2 elf of the same subrace - if the human parents were of vastly differing human sub-races?
Basically - if the player were to choose a human sub-race/region where the humans were more sallow-skinned, or even black-skinned - would a 1/2 elf (drow) be able to pass as human, or at the least 1/2 elven - but with a stronger mix of the human side for looks?
I know I've read somewhere taht a full elf of 2 varying elven sub-races tends to look not like a mix, but more take after one side or the other - thereby 'being' that race. (works for game-simplicity too.) Just was not aware offhand on anything that mentioned this on the 1/2elven front.
And, as a related asside - I seem to recall the humans of the Vilhoon being described as having jet-black skin. Am I mistaken - or am I recalling correctly?
Many thanks!
Dhomal |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| stormcrow1618 |
Posted - 06 Sep 2006 : 00:34:19
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Also, this is my opinion, but there should be some freedom with what characters look like, the nature of genetics being what it is.  I wouldn't worry about skin, hair, and eye color that much. It's not like those are the most important things about a character.
Hello-
Agreed! I was mainly curious what others would do and such - and if they would think it 'cheating' to have a 1/2Elf of Drow lineage (with a human) not be clearly discernable because of the human parentage being darker skinned also.
Does anyone know a good source for information on local human ethnicities' looks? I noticed that a number of them are picture in RoF, and I though there were more pictured - but its probably a different product.
Thanks again!
Dhomal
I would suggest that (for example) a half sun elf whose human parent is dark-skinned could possibly be mistaken for a half-drow, but a half-drow whose human parent is light skinned would still probably be recognized as a half-drow. Dark skin being a dominant genotypical feature, and all. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 07 Jul 2006 : 10:59:41
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
Does anyone know a good source for information on local human ethnicities' looks? I noticed that a number of them are picture in RoF, and I though there were more pictured - but its probably a different product.
As Rinonalyrna said, Races of Faerun is the more appropriate source.
Ed's mentioned a couple of bits as well in his replies from time to time.
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| Sian |
Posted - 02 Jul 2006 : 08:05:48
the Regions core books (eg. shining south, city of splendors etc.) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 02 Jul 2006 : 04:29:12
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
Hello-
Agreed! I was mainly curious what others would do and such - and if they would think it 'cheating' to have a 1/2Elf of Drow lineage (with a human) not be clearly discernable because of the human parentage being darker skinned also.
Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It's not like I've never seen unusual character types in the FR novels.
quote:
Does anyone know a good source for information on local human ethnicities' looks? I noticed that a number of them are picture in RoF, and I though there were more pictured - but its probably a different product.
Actually, I think RoF would be the best source to use, there. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 02 Jul 2006 : 03:53:36
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Also, this is my opinion, but there should be some freedom with what characters look like, the nature of genetics being what it is. I wouldn't worry about skin, hair, and eye color that much. It's not like those are the most important things about a character.
Hello-
Agreed! I was mainly curious what others would do and such - and if they would think it 'cheating' to have a 1/2Elf of Drow lineage (with a human) not be clearly discernable because of the human parentage being darker skinned also.
Does anyone know a good source for information on local human ethnicities' looks? I noticed that a number of them are picture in RoF, and I though there were more pictured - but its probably a different product.
Thanks again!
Dhomal |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 01 Jul 2006 : 00:52:29
Also, this is my opinion, but there should be some freedom with what characters look like, the nature of genetics being what it is. I wouldn't worry about skin, hair, and eye color that much. It's not like those are the most important things about a character. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 17:15:51
I use the half-elf and half-drow characteristics and, as I said above, add a sprinkling of the human blood to them, if I think it's needed, depending on how far back that human blood is and who the half-elves/drow parents are. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 06:09:07
Hello-
I did some additional research on this, and came up with the following:
1/2 Drow (RoF p62):
"...dusky skin, silver/white hair, broad range of eye colors..."
This seems like it does not take the human parentage into account, which may be the intent.
Also,
1/2 Elves (common) (RoF p 59):
"...blend human & elven features influenced by subrace of elven parent and ethnicity of human parent..." But - then it goes on to describe each of the 'common' 1/2 Elves based solely on the elven sub-race.
So - I guess I'm curious if people would just use the common 1/2 Elven descriptions - or would you fold in some aspects of the human parent.
Thanks!
Dhomal |
| Kuje |
Posted - 28 Jun 2006 : 03:00:40
Why not just use the half-drow info in Races of Faerun or the other sourcebooks and then give him/her some human appearance depending on his/her human ancestors? |
| Lariana of the Wood |
Posted - 28 Jun 2006 : 02:51:07
I follow the rule that there are certain physical traits carry over from each parent or at least the most prominent ones. Such things as slightly pointed ears from the elves and a heavier build from humans. So even if the human parent was from a northern region with lighter skin it would affect whether or not their children, whether half-elven or not. I would most likely follow that rule for even a full elf with two different sub-races.
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