Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jihun-nish Dec 01, 2003 15:08:54	As you all know, I'm writing a story about the Rhul-thaun, and I came to realise that their ears are "elf-like" (refering to all the pictures in "TWotJC" by Monte Cook) compare to the Tyr region Halflings (MC2, pge53)which are "human-like" Now: 1---Since both cultures are descendant of the Rhulisti and it is mention that the "Tyr" halflings had had not been in any way "exposed" to the rebirth. How come they have different ears aspect??? 1.1--- Is it simply an artistic error? 1.2---And if so which one is right?? If you read both desription you'll notice that there is no mention of their ears at all So what I think is that: the halfling's ears has never been thought, about what they should look like.(except probably in the novels) What I would like to suggest is since the Tyr region halfling has surely been described in novels we should keep their ears Human-like.(for official reasons) and the Rhul-thaun's which as never been mentioned less described(not their ears anyway) I suggest that they,officialy,be pointy(small but pointy; like in the drawings) Their ears could be the only way to decipher,physically, the two halfling cultures. For exemple; think of the Asian eyes compared to the Americans An official response would be apreciated.
#2 zombiegleemax Dec 01, 2003 15:45:05	I had always simply assumed that there were some minor cosmetic differences between the two cultures beyond simply the preferred length of hair, something to give a slight challenge to members of one culture who, for whatever reason, want to infiltrate the other. Ear differences, although nothing major, work just fine. Perhaps there is a small taint of human or dwarven blood in the Forest Ridge halflings, or perhaps they two are a product of the Rebirth (although less so than other races).
#3 jihun-nish Dec 01, 2003 18:40:30	Originally posted by Mach2.5 I had always simply assumed that there were some minor cosmetic differences between the two cultures beyond simply the preferred length of hair, something to give a slight challenge to members of one culture who, for whatever reason, want to infiltrate the other. Ear differences, although nothing major, work just fine. Perhaps there is a small taint of human or dwarven blood in the Forest Ridge halflings, or perhaps they two are a product of the Rebirth (although less so than other races). I'm 100% with you until you mention the rebirth theory: The rebirth has a direct link with the Pristine Tower thus the Rhul-thaun couldn't possibly be affected by it, because they never left the jagged cliffs(and also because it is clearly mentioned in the W'sC) As for the Forest Ridge halfling they're not suppose to be affected by the pristine tower either. (also mentioned in the W'sC) Thanks for the comment.
#4 Kamelion Dec 02, 2003 1:55:55	The description of athasian humans notes that odd mutations (webbed fingers, large noses etc) are commonplace (as a result of long-term magical radiations and not necessarily the Pristine Tower). You could easily take the approach that other races have similar characteristic variances.
#5 jihun-nish Dec 02, 2003 2:34:12	Ok then I repeat my question... After what has been said by Mach2.5 and Kamelion can we assume that officialy The Rhul-thaun have pointy ears and the Halfling's of the Tyr region are Human-like??? Does it make sence for you guys at Athas.org??
#6 jon_oracle_of_athas Dec 02, 2003 8:24:01	I'm not going to make an official statement on this, nor bring it up for internal discussion at the moment. It is a simple matter of priorities. It would require involving both the Senate and the Paper Nest, and their members are too busy with other projects to be consulted on this matter (now).
#7 zombiegleemax Dec 02, 2003 9:21:08	if you trust artists conceptualization, there are multiple pics in WotJC depicting pointed ears
#8 jihun-nish Dec 02, 2003 13:12:36	Originally posted by kefka if you trust artists conceptualization, there are multiple pics in WotJC depicting pointed ears Have you read the first post??? :D Thanks for the reminder!!
#9 jihun-nish Dec 02, 2003 20:03:41	Originally posted by Jon, Oracle of Athas I'm not going to make an official statement on this, nor bring it up for internal discussion at the moment. It is a simple matter of priorities. It would require involving both the Senate and the Paper Nest, and their members are too busy with other projects to be consulted on this matter (now). In the novel I'm writing I'll just assume the Rhul-thaun do have pointy ears and we'll just see what the futur brings us. Thanks for posting on this
#10 dawnstealer Dec 06, 2003 2:45:55	As an artist, I can tell you to never trust an artist's interpretation. Half the time, they get an order that says: "Draw a halfling doing something cool." If the guy doesn't know that halflings on Athas have human ears, then he wouldn't draw them that way. Since most of the visual inspiration for Dark Sun came from Brom, I'd go with his original drawings (where the ears were more human-like).
#11 jihun-nish Dec 06, 2003 15:27:28	Originally posted by Dawnstealer As an artist, I can tell you to never trust an artist's interpretation. Half the time, they get an order that says: "Draw a halfling doing something cool." If the guy doesn't know that halflings on Athas have human ears, then he wouldn't draw them that way. Since most of the visual inspiration for Dark Sun came from Brom, I'd go with his original drawings (where the ears were more human-like). Your probably right but personnaly I think it would be cool if the two cultures had different ears. And since nothing has ever been writen on the subject(not even in the dscription of the two races(sub-races from the Rhulisti) )it could become official in the future.