This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: elf spells  (Read 727 times)

tleilaxu

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • t
  • Posts: 75
elf spells
« on: May 18, 2006, 09:52:06 PM »
what sort of spells are there that make good flavor for elven wizards? have any of your own? how about from published sources?

off the top of my head, it seems like spells having to do with the sun and stars, plants, animals, and fey would be elf-styled, as well as enchantment in general.
at the moment of sacrifice let no blood be spilled!

Knightsky

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • K
  • Posts: 296
elf spells
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2006, 06:17:27 AM »
On RPGnet there was a thread concerning BD&D where one person decided to limit Elf magic to Illusionist and Druidic spells (I liked the idea enough that I'm swiping it for my C&C campaign).
Knightsky's Song Of The Moment - 2112 by Rush

Games for trade (RPG.net link)

David R

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • D
  • Posts: 6874
elf spells
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2006, 07:44:35 AM »
The last fantasy campaign I ran using AD&D 2 ed rules, elf magic consisted, of illusion, enchantment, divination and druidic spells. I was going for a primal/elemental/mysterious tone for their magic, which was a reflection of what I thought their race was like .

Regards,
David R

Cyberzombie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 723
    • http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/
elf spells
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2006, 11:01:32 AM »
Well, it does depend on what you want your elves to be like -- personally, I'd give mine draconic spells, but I don't see elves as strongly connected to nature.  They live in trees, yeah, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they *hug* the trees, too.  :)

But on topic -- if you want to give them a more standard "elven" feel, I think it would be fine to give them a selection of druidic spells, in exchange for some of the wizard spell list.  Necromancy could go, for one.  I think evocation should stay -- no matter how nature-based you make 'em, I still think they'd have fireballs at the ready.  You could swap the summon monster spells for summon nature's ally.  I think you could do it in a way that was relatively painless.

As for keeping it straight, with just the regular wizard spell list -- that I'm not really sure about.  I know that Magic of Faerun has at least some spells that would fit your motif, but I haven't looked at that in months, so I can't really tell you for sure.  Someone with the Spell Compendium should post -- they'd be the ones in the know.  :)
 

David R

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • D
  • Posts: 6874
elf spells
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2006, 01:16:25 PM »
Quote from: Cyberzombie
Well, it does depend on what you want your elves to be like -- personally, I'd give mine draconic spells


When I read this, images of elves drawn by Brom lept into my mind. Very cool Mr. Cyberzombie :)

Regards,
David R

Cyberzombie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 723
    • http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/
elf spells
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2006, 01:21:13 PM »
Quote from: David R
When I read this, images of elves drawn by Brom lept into my mind. Very cool Mr. Cyberzombie :)

Regards,
David R
Thanks.  :D

One of my long-term (been in several campaigns) NPCs is an elven wizard who has a full-body red dragon tattoo.  His face is in the mouth of the dragon head, and his arms end in claws.  (Yes, he should be a dragonic sorcerer, and I might make him a Nutkinland sorcerer if I ever use him again.)  Brom would be the man to do his character portrait.  :)
 

Silverlion

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5483
    • http://www.silverlionstudios.com
elf spells
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2006, 08:05:29 PM »
I've in the past when I played fixed spell games often simply changed the flavor to suit the wizard--an Elf's magic missile may appear like a leaf fluttering through the air that slashes at somone. The Jump spell might summon the flickering glow of a Deer about them for bounding leaps. And their fly spell might summon shimmering wings of an insect..

You can turn virtually any spell into suitable "iconography" for a culture by deciding how it looks for that culture/as used--or even extend that to individual wizards.

The mechanical effect remain unchanged, but the appearance can shape the flavor of the game.
High Valor REVISED: A fantasy Dark Age RPG. Available NOW!
Hearts & Souls 2E Coming in 2019

Roger

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • R
  • Posts: 96
elf spells
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2006, 08:10:14 PM »
Quote from: tleilaxu
what sort of spells are there that make good flavor for elven wizards?


Detect Cookie.


Cheers,
Roger