different take on elves (or, should i say, fae)?

[Afrodyte]

Has anybody redefined the concept of elves to deviate heavily from Tolkien's version of angelic creatures who are the guardians and beneficiaries of the natural world? I am talking about elves like Terry Pratchett's, which are nasty little pointy eared bastards who are cruel because it's fun. I would love to see these sorts of elves (or at least more diverse representations of elves beyond chruning out new subraces for every climate) created. I have my own ideas on how they could work, but I am interested in what you all have to say first.

 

[CombatWombat51]

Keeping in mind that this was for a heavily house-ruled campaign...


Elf
Fey (Elf)

Ability Modifiers: +4 Dex, +2 Wis, +2 Cha, -2 Str, -2 Con

Skills: +4 Listen, +2 Animal Empathy, +2 Hide, +2 Move Silently, +2 Wilderness Lore
(In that campaign, all races that get bonuses to skills get those skills as class skills, in addition to the bonuses.)

Blindsight: Range 15’, based on hearing

Nature’s Guardians: Elves are always considered to be taking 10 on Hide and Move Silently checks while moving through woods, unless they actively choose not to. They still get the –5 for moving at normal speed (if they are), but that still makes for an average elf always moving with a 9 on Hide and Move Silently even when strolling through the woods.
Additionally, Elves always are considered to be hiding their tracks (+5 to DC to track them) in woods even while moving at normal speed. Elves can attempt to hide their tracks, as normal, and the bonus stacks (effectively +10 to DC of elf tracks while in woods if the Elf is trying to hide his tracks).

Sensitive Ears: Because of Elves’ acute hearing, they suffer a –2 penalty to saves vs. all sonic spells and effects.

Metal Allergy: Elves are fatally allergic to all metallic substances, including iron, steel, nickel, copper, brass, adamanite, and silver, but excluding mithril. Whenever struck by a metal weapon, an Elf takes an additional point of damage from the attack. If an elf merely touches any metallic object, they suffer one point of damage. If an Elf keeps prolonged contact with a metal item (such as holding a metal bowl, or wearing a suit of platemail), they suffer 5 damage per round. Mithril has no affect on Elves.
Silver is especially dangerous to Elves, and they suffer double damage (2 points per hit, or 10 points per round) from anything silver.


The silver stuff was because.... well, the long and short of is that humans were very superstituous, elves were very animal friendly... silver hurts 'lycanthropes', and there we go. A proper superstition (read: based in the slighted of facts) for the humans and it generates racism between elves and men. Fun fun fun!

 

[SylverFlame]

If you get the chance check out the Clements/George Lucas books... oh, crud, what's the name?... Oh yeah, Shadow Dawn, Shadow Moon, and Shadow Star. Good books.

Anyway, they present the elves as "foot soldiers" of the fey races who are from the Plane of the Fey. HIGHLY allergic to iron (it will result in death to any fey who touchs it for too long) and even a light touch from a dagger causes one to begin to rot on the spot. They DO NOT like humans, who they see as killing nature. They are highly militant and very well trained. Really neat stuff.

Another good source is the "Banned and the Banished" Quintet. Cool elfin "sky sailors" who are touched with elemental air powers. Again, they hate humans, who they see as "low class ruffians." Highly prideful, lots of culture, and honour is important to them (they do, however, love to use loop-holes to get what they want).

Both are really great ideas and they mesh! So these two could even exist in the same campaign. Just throwing out suggestions, as I am in agreeance, elves as they exist in the core books are really just humans modified. Okay, that is a little harsh on my part. They just don't have the base level interest they had in 2e. The splat books (when I get my hands on them) will hopefully change this.


EDIT: Apologies if any of this seems to be OT