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Elestar
Acolyte
Hungary
27 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 21:23:10
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Most sun elves (or gold elves if you like) are caring individuals. All of them are aloof, moderately to their elven brethren, and ultimately to the N'Tel'Quess.
Powerhungry? Yes, maybe. At least the majority of the most known individuals.
Pompous? They don't want to offend anyone with that.
One have to consider, that most sun elves grow up knowing that their ancestors were put down something on the table, and that makes them proud. They also know that they are very well incorporated in to the magical forces, hence they know that they have a fair aptitude to the lovely Art and the longest life expectancy of their otherwise also longelived race. And while knowing this, sun elves live thinking, they have the time to master things, as they truly have. And this is the reason why they have the tendency to think they "know better" than anyone elese.
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Talwyn
Learned Scribe
Australia
222 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2008 : 09:42:40
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Cowards and charlatons, the lot 'o 'em!
A useless shower that the realms would be best left without.
Let them cower on their magical island in the ocean, who needs them anyway eh?  |
Over the centuries, mankind has tried many ways of combating the forces of evil...prayer, fasting, good works and so on.
Up until Doom, no one seemed to have thought about the double-barrel shotgun.
EAT LEADEN DEATH DEMON!
Terry Pratchett
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 13:30:20
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| Wow nobody seems to like Gold elves much. Though they tend to be arrogant not all of them are pompous jerks you know. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3807 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 14:56:05
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I like elves as mysterious and sensitive beings, who seldom meddle in other races' affairs (unless they have a chance to affect the People), but who can nonetheless be open minded and show acceptance. That's why I like Moon Elves.
I've always imagined Sun Elves as isolationist, distrusting, mystical people focused on perfecting their arts, crafts and magical knowledge.
However (in canon, AFAIK) they appear to be the perfect exemplification of what led the Tel'Quessir to their fall. They have a self righteous, close minded ''we and our gods are the bestest of all, so we have the full right to dispose of the destiny of the others, cast awesome, ever lasting curses of doom on people (etc...), because what we do inevitably leads to the right solution'' kind of attitude, which is simply stupid, annoying, and jerky.
So yeah, I can see why not many are fond of the Gold Elves, and while there are some of them who behave differently, I can't do anything but dislike them (as -AFAIK- they are in canon) until the number of the ones among them who think clear-headed (and stop with the ''you're inferior'' attitude) becomes non neglectable. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 07 Jul 2012 15:05:07 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 15:28:58
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quote:
Irennan
They have a self righteous, close minded ''we and our gods are the bestest of all, so we have the full right to dispose of the destiny of the others, cast awesome, ever lasting curses of doom on people (etc...), because what we do inevitably leads to the right solution'' kind of attitude ...
That's not a lot different from the attitudes of every group, race, nation - real or fantastic.
Maybe these condescendingly superior elves are responsible, compassionate, and wise in ways we cannot readily understand. Perhaps not as much as they'd like to believe, given the perceptions humans (and others?) seem to have of their race. It's always an eye-opener when people drop all pretense of civility and say what they really mean in blunt and bludgeoning terms. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 18:36:34
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Yes instead off portraying them pontificating , judgmental and vain fools , they should be considered brutally honest. But the main problem with viewpoint is that they have shown themselves to be as slippery and treacherous as anyone else.
However we should bear in mind that theirs is an alien mindset and so actions that might seem condescending to us might be intended to seem genuinely caring by them. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3807 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 18:51:57
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quote:
That's not a lot different from the attitudes of every group, race, nation - real or fantastic.
Maybe these condescendingly superior elves are responsible, compassionate, and wise in ways we cannot readily understand. Perhaps not as much as they'd like to believe, given the perceptions humans (and others?) seem to have of their race. It's always an eye-opener when people drop all pretense of civility and say what they really mean in blunt and bludgeoning terms.
Nah, not many races have as streamline attitude ''you're inferior, so let us who know better sort the situation''(yes, real history is full of that racist crap, but that is beyond the scope of these forums). Even among elves you can find subraces who are generally capable of being open minded and showing acceptance (AFAIK, Moon Elves are described as open to cosmopolitanism, for example. Yeah, some of them can show racism, be arrogant etc... and perhaps the number of the ones who behave so isn't neglectable, but this is kinda obvious, since no intelligent race -except probably current drow- is one-note).
About your second point, IMO it doesn't make sense to say that Sun Elves are responsible and compassionate in ways that we cannot understand.
Generally (not all, ofc) Sun Elves show intense prejudice towards anyone non elven (and would prefer to let a human die rather than save him/her, even when doing so requires a small effort), deem themselves the ''true People'' whose duty is to teach other Tel'Quessir how to live (how arrogant do you have to be to think this?), refuse to understand how idiotic and unjust was the conclusion of the Crown Wars towards the (former) Dark Elves (actually, this seems to be common among elves, but exacerbated among Gold ones) etc... (all of this is in RoF, IIRC).
This basically shows what I said in my previous post, and there's no way that people who think and behave like that can be compassionate and caring (even tho, again, some groups of Sun Elves can be). |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 07 Jul 2012 18:54:29 |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 19:51:29
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| Elminster in Myth Drannor pretty much sums up elves for me, gold elves in particular. They believe in the status quo and hold to the old ways, their innate sense of superiority enforced by the deeds of their ancestors thousands of years ago. Sadly, it seems they live off their past glories and have fallen into a type of decadence, view humans as unwashed beasts that are barely a step up from orcs and refusing to admit or even consider that they should play nice with humanity even with the threat of being swept away by them due to their numbers. Prior to the fall of Myth Drannor, they had such a beautiful kingdom and one so strongly defended by magic, there wasn't any need to go off and be great heroes like their ancestors, so they turned to house intrigue, and political and social standing as a way to pass their time. This struck me as almost like a cancer that ate them away from inside, until you ended up with elven noble houses like the wicked Starym. |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2430 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 20:36:05
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Generally, the main difference is that silver elves got random-sized sticks up their butts, and goldies tend toward decastaves. 
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I rather like how Vartan Hai Sylvar was portrayed in the old Forgotten Realms comic. He was arrogant, but it was comedic [...] Which is not to say the character was always played for comedy, especially not during the Time of Troubles issues.
Vartan just wasn't terminally oblivious. He knew he isn't gnoll chow only because Agrivar happened to be around and later was hit with a ship-sized clue bat, seeing how Seldarine have much the same problems scaled up.
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
That's not a lot different from the attitudes of every group, race, nation - real or fantastic.
There are sweeping statements... and then there are spilling statements. 
quote:
Originally posted by Eilserus
Elminster in Myth Drannor pretty much sums up elves for me, gold elves in particular. They believe in the status quo and hold to the old ways, their innate sense of superiority enforced by the deeds of their ancestors thousands of years ago.
That's equally appliable to them all. Many of those panicking nobles were Moon elves, and half of Starym too. No big difference.
quote:
Originally posted by Eilserus
Sadly, it seems they live off their past glories and have fallen into a type of decadence, view humans as unwashed beasts that are barely a step up from orcs and refusing to admit or even consider that they should play nice with humanity even with the threat of being swept away by them due to their numbers.
And that is appliable even more than others to IEN personnel. 
quote:
Originally posted by Eilserus
Prior to the fall of Myth Drannor, they had such a beautiful kingdom and one so strongly defended by magic, there wasn't any need to go off and be great heroes like their ancestors, so they turned to house intrigue, and political and social standing as a way to pass their time. This struck me as almost like a cancer that ate them away from inside
It's not that there wasn't a need... Prior to the rise of Myth Drannor, hobgoblins could muck around and slaughter an elven patrol just like that. They were puffed up to obliviousness about most of their problems, as long as enemies aren't about to enter their capital city. And the main difference was that Moon elves sometimes borrowed low-brow tricks from humans instead of developing their own. 
High and mighty folk of Cormanthyr were lucky in that Eltargrim was alert enough to see the situation and invent a solution with some chance of actually working. And collected a few followers understanding they're in that up to eartips and if he throws them a rope, they'd better use it to climb out, rather than to shoot themselves in a leg.
So of course elves started screaming their feasts are threatened (but still claimed to be high and mighty), waving fireworks and cutlery. Note that all these shining armathors, most conspicuously, did not rise in an equally aggressive fashion to kick goblinkin out of their backyard. Showing exactly how much their "righteous indignation" was worth.
For an historical comparison, it's late Roman empire grade of decadence - high and mighty folk of Rome couldn't bother to defend themselves or find their pants without a map, had to use Christians or Goths for these tasks, at the same time looking down on them. And hated anyone who put an extra effort into doing something remotely useful, even if it happened to be saving their own hides from threats currenty out of sight (and thus out of mind). It can get this bad.  |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
Edited by - TBeholder on 08 Jul 2012 20:38:42 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 23:11:00
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quote:
Originally posted by GRYPHON
Pompous jerks...
Indeed... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 23:39:53
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I read this and wonder...
Is Elaine Cunningham too damn good an author?
The Game Books have Gold Elves as heroes and villains and everything between. Characters people can love and root for.
Rick Baker writes a trilogy about heroic elves including likeable Gold Elf heroes.
Elaine writes a small group of racist elves in one book, most of which are killed, save their leader who makes it to a second book...
And the racist elitist Gold elf is what people know.
So...
Is Elaine Cunningham too damn good an author? |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3807 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 01:14:04
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| Generally novels portray only small parts of the bigger picture, and things can be bent to the necessity of the story. Sourcebooks give the general idea about aspects of the setting, so I usually trust them over novels, and IIRC RoF describes Sun Elves as mostly racist and elitist (granted, some of them can be caring and compassionate, but they're a minority according to what I read there). |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 10:27:48
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| Pompous jerks... |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 16:17:37
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I've written some gold/sun elves on occasion, particularly in my Realms of the Elves story (contasting their attitudes with those of an open-minded moon elf), and I will say that I enjoy the dichotomy. Sun elves should not be portrayed as a race of stuffy shirts with various rectal implants, but I do think they have a tendency toward being snobby/aloof. One of my good friends plays an elf wizard who goes out of his way to deliver extremely clever backhanded compliments and treat every non-elf with the most polite contempt you could imagine.
quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
I read this and wonder...
Is Elaine Cunningham too damn good an author?
Like, does she make one's head explode because of her writing skills?
In that case, yes.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2430 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 17:39:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
The Game Books have Gold Elves as heroes and villains and everything between. Characters people can love and root for.
Rick Baker writes a trilogy about heroic elves including likeable Gold Elf heroes.
Elaine writes a small group of racist elves in one book, most of which are killed, save their leader who makes it to a second book...
And the racist elitist Gold elf is what people know.
So...
Is Elaine Cunningham too damn good an author?
IIRC, en masse these guys are said to respect, other than their own, only Greens - for being very hardcore and Elven Elves.
Also, 'Elfsong' had Wyn Ashgrove, a Gold Elf who turned out surprisingly reasonable. So... I guess, the answer to your latter question is "yes, but in this context it's irrelevant". |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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jazirian reborn
Acolyte
Australia
10 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2012 : 08:33:21
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Theres plenty of bad examples of poor gold elves ( Vyshaan ) , but the dream of Myth Drannor from Coronal Eltargrim Irithyll , the Srinshee , Lady Auglamyr (a Chosen of Mystra) and many of the greatest martyrs of the Weeping War were good gold elves.
I guess in the bitterness of seeing the Fey'ri survive , and the Starym lunatic fringe grow in the face of human deforestation and magic plundering, more grow darker from the loss of status.
If Silverymoon and the dream of crucible melting pot Waterdeep are considered human pinnacles, the early plans for Myth Drannor lie all with gold elves.
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_Jarlaxle_
Senior Scribe
Germany
584 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2012 : 09:34:46
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| Gold elves are even worse than drow. The attitude is similar but at least drow don't try to hide it. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3807 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2012 : 10:17:38
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^ Agreed. Drow at least can be ''justified'' for their attitude with the fact that they are indoctrinated with BS starting since their childhood.
That said, there are exceptions among both Drow and Sun Elves, obviously. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 00:24:04
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| Put it this way. in the elvish language there is no word for the different races. There is no "Elf","Human" or "Gnome".they have only "person"(any elf) and "not person"(any non-elf) |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36809 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 03:50:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
Put it this way. in the elvish language there is no word for the different races. There is no "Elf","Human" or "Gnome".they have only "person"(any elf) and "not person"(any non-elf)
Do we know, for a fact, that there are no words for other races? Referring to themselves as the People and others as "Not-People" could be a cultural preference. I think it rather unlikely that an intelligent race wouldn't come up with any terms at all to describe different races. If nothing else, it'd be confusing when referring to races that elves get along with and those that elves don't get along with. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 04:17:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
Put it this way. in the elvish language there is no word for the different races. There is no "Elf","Human" or "Gnome".they have only "person"(any elf) and "not person"(any non-elf)
Do we know, for a fact, that there are no words for other races? Referring to themselves as the People and others as "Not-People" could be a cultural preference. I think it rather unlikely that an intelligent race wouldn't come up with any terms at all to describe different races. If nothing else, it'd be confusing when referring to races that elves get along with and those that elves don't get along with.
From the Candlekeep elven dictionary
A’Tel’Quessir – ‘Almost People’ (Half-Elves)
Alu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Water’(Aquatic Elves)
Ar’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Sun’(Sun Elves)
N'Tel’Quessir - ‘Not of the People’ (Non-Elves)((posters' note there is only two references to any other races,and they are either a phrase,or slang,and both relating to human))
Ssri'Tel'Quessir - ‘Drow Elves’ (Pre-Descent)
Sy’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Wilds’(Wild Elves)
Teu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Moon’(Moon Elves)
Or’Tel’Quessir – ‘People of the Wood’(Wood Elves)
Bottom line, The elves are incredibly haughty,this includes the sun elves. However,this list is no where near exdhaustive. it still ilustrates my point. |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
Edited by - Aravine on 14 Aug 2012 04:18:53 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36809 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 05:05:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
Put it this way. in the elvish language there is no word for the different races. There is no "Elf","Human" or "Gnome".they have only "person"(any elf) and "not person"(any non-elf)
Do we know, for a fact, that there are no words for other races? Referring to themselves as the People and others as "Not-People" could be a cultural preference. I think it rather unlikely that an intelligent race wouldn't come up with any terms at all to describe different races. If nothing else, it'd be confusing when referring to races that elves get along with and those that elves don't get along with.
From the Candlekeep elven dictionary
A’Tel’Quessir – ‘Almost People’ (Half-Elves)
Alu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Water’(Aquatic Elves)
Ar’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Sun’(Sun Elves)
N'Tel’Quessir - ‘Not of the People’ (Non-Elves)((posters' note there is only two references to any other races,and they are either a phrase,or slang,and both relating to human))
Ssri'Tel'Quessir - ‘Drow Elves’ (Pre-Descent)
Sy’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Wilds’(Wild Elves)
Teu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Moon’(Moon Elves)
Or’Tel’Quessir – ‘People of the Wood’(Wood Elves)
Bottom line, The elves are incredibly haughty,this includes the sun elves. However,this list is no where near exdhaustive. it still ilustrates my point.
No, it doesn't. You admit yourself that it's not exhaustive... Just because I can only count to 20 in Spanish, it doesn't mean the Spanish language doesn't have words for numbers higher than that. The fact that I don't know the words doesn't mean they don't exist. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11846 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 15:52:57
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| there's no option for horny |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 23:26:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
Put it this way. in the elvish language there is no word for the different races. There is no "Elf","Human" or "Gnome".they have only "person"(any elf) and "not person"(any non-elf)
Do we know, for a fact, that there are no words for other races? Referring to themselves as the People and others as "Not-People" could be a cultural preference. I think it rather unlikely that an intelligent race wouldn't come up with any terms at all to describe different races. If nothing else, it'd be confusing when referring to races that elves get along with and those that elves don't get along with.
From the Candlekeep elven dictionary
A’Tel’Quessir – ‘Almost People’ (Half-Elves)
Alu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Water’(Aquatic Elves)
Ar’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Sun’(Sun Elves)
N'Tel’Quessir - ‘Not of the People’ (Non-Elves)((posters' note there is only two references to any other races,and they are either a phrase,or slang,and both relating to human))
Ssri'Tel'Quessir - ‘Drow Elves’ (Pre-Descent)
Sy’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Wilds’(Wild Elves)
Teu’Tel'Quessir - ‘People of the Moon’(Moon Elves)
Or’Tel’Quessir – ‘People of the Wood’(Wood Elves)
Bottom line, The elves are incredibly haughty,this includes the sun elves. However,this list is no where near exdhaustive. it still ilustrates my point.
No, it doesn't. You admit yourself that it's not exhaustive... Just because I can only count to 20 in Spanish, it doesn't mean the Spanish language doesn't have words for numbers higher than that. The fact that I don't know the words doesn't mean they don't exist.
yes,but that is a circular argument. the fact that it doesnt appear in the elven dictionary could mean that it is merely not in there. it is also possible that it isn't in the elven language.and although the possiblity exsists that I am wrong,the proof being half elf is translated into "almost-people" supports my supposition that the elves simply arrogant enough to see no difference between all the other races. After all.After a certain level of inferiority everything looks the same. and if you look at it threal distinction needed at way the only is friend or enemy. |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36809 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 00:33:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
yes,but that is a circular argument. the fact that it doesnt appear in the elven dictionary could mean that it is merely not in there. it is also possible that it isn't in the elven language.and although the possiblity exsists that I am wrong,the proof being half elf is translated into "almost-people" supports my supposition that the elves simply arrogant enough to see no difference between all the other races. After all.After a certain level of inferiority everything looks the same. and if you look at it threal distinction needed at way the only is friend or enemy.
You're basing your entire argument on something that's got as many words as a primer for 2nd graders. In all of D&D canon, we've only got a few hundred words of elven, for any breed of elf in any world. The average person's vocabulary is 4000-5000 words, and any real world dictionary will have many times that many words.
Even given a highly arrogant race, I think it nonsensical to assume they would have no verbal means of distinguishing between humans and goblins, or pixies and gnolls, or whatever.
The most logical assumption is that we've simply not seen the relevant words in print. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 01:55:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aravine
yes,but that is a circular argument. the fact that it doesnt appear in the elven dictionary could mean that it is merely not in there. it is also possible that it isn't in the elven language.and although the possiblity exsists that I am wrong,the proof being half elf is translated into "almost-people" supports my supposition that the elves simply arrogant enough to see no difference between all the other races. After all.After a certain level of inferiority everything looks the same. and if you look at it threal distinction needed at way the only is friend or enemy.
You're basing your entire argument on something that's got as many words as a primer for 2nd graders. In all of D&D canon, we've only got a few hundred words of elven, for any breed of elf in any world. The average person's vocabulary is 4000-5000 words, and any real world dictionary will have many times that many words.
Even given a highly arrogant race, I think it nonsensical to assume they would have no verbal means of distinguishing between humans and goblins, or pixies and gnolls, or whatever.
The most logical assumption is that we've simply not seen the relevant words in print.
But even with that, if you see your self as superior. you could call a rose or a rose,or you could call it a flower. the same is true of an iris or any other flower. just because there are flowers that are absolutely different and distinct doesnt mean the general population won't call all of them a flower. if Elfkind views the rest of the races as no more important then flowers or trees are to us,they may in fact not make the distinction and only view it as "friend" "enemy" elf" "not elf |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 03:07:30
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Actually, they DO have words for the different races, including different branches of their own race- it's just that all the non-elven races tend to get lumped together as "N'Tel'Quessir" to diffentiate that they are NOT of the elven People. Not only that, but the elven language has different words even for aunt, uncle, cousin, and so on- simply based on gender and which side of the family they come from. Given that, do you REALLY think such a complex and descriptive language would NOT have names for the other races? Logic alone says NO.
And just to give some examples- these all came from the Elven-Common dictionary on Gray Company's site. (Which seems to be defunct now, but I downloaded the entire thing years ago.) While it is not "canon" to FR, much of it was taken from FR sources, and it the most complete elven dictionary I've ever found.
human- edan
dwarf(dwarves)- naug(naugrim)
halfing- peredhil
orc- glamhoth
gnome- nogoth
half-elf- elandil
centaur- rah-edan
dryad- nandin
werewolf- gaur
Clearly, they do distinguish between other races, just as those races themselves do. They have names for them, but they see them all as being non-elven first and foremost. Thus the N'Tel'Quess appalation. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
Edited by - Alystra Illianniis on 15 Aug 2012 03:49:53 |
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Lady Shadowflame
Learned Scribe
115 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 04:39:52
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If you read some of the books featuring noble intrigues in certain places, you'd surely get the impression all humans in Faerun are horrible people. And yet nobody claims that, for some reason.
The haughtier gold elves we've seen are the Myrna Cassalanters and Isabeau Thiones of their people, in my opinion...
I'd rather take Wyn Ashgrove as a better example. |
Save a lizard... Ride a drow.
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3807 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 10:30:04
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Because humans have a variety that other races don't.
Besides, in Races of Faerun it is explicitly said that Sun Elves hold prejudices against pretty much everyone. They do so with the other elven subraces because they think that such People are not capable of staying true to ''the elven heritage'' or some BS like that, and their attitude becomes extreme when it comes to humans, considering that the book says that the ''average'' Sun Elf wouldn't even bother to talk to a human, and would leave him/her to die, rather than lend a hand for help.
This alone says a lot about Sun Elven attitude. Obviously a few exceptions exist, but I'd like to see these becoming more prominent, because, as things are now, Sun Elves -in this sense- have a mentality that doesn't differ much from lolthite drow's one... |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 15 Aug 2012 11:14:40 |
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Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 12:05:15
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| I always thought that the gold elf attitude started to mellow after the attack by rebel gold elves on Evermeet in 1371. I still think they aren't going to win friendly sub race of the month, but I thought that they won't be competing quite as strongly with lolthite drow. |
Tarlyn Embersun |
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Gold Elves - What attitude do they really have?
