If it has pointy ears, don't trust it. It'll either cheat you or try to eat you.
And stay away from the cacti!
Hi Xill-Lord, welcome to Athas
Find out what era your DM is running his game in. The Dark Sun setting that came out in the original TSR boxed set is markedly different from the revised TSR version, which differs again from the version presented in Dragon/Dungeon magazines. The version from athas.org stays close to the TSR versions but also incorporates a few tweaks of its own. I'd get that straight with your DM in the first instance. Beyond that, just kick back and have fun. If you are thinking of playing a ranger/psychic warrior, why not make the guy a thri-kreen? You will be guaranteed a wild ride ;)...They taste good. ;)
From what i understand everyone in dark sun hates the elves why is that?
Most of the elf tribes on Athas are raiders and thieves. If given the chance, elves will swindle you out of your goods and then stab you in the back.
well then, all the more reason to play a dishoenst, cunning and malicious elven rouge. Mabey a sand pirate?
I don't quite know how you'd pull off a "sand pirate" persay, unless you are referring to the personality/character, as opposed to profession. Most elves are extraordinarily coniving and dishonest with everyone, are opportunistic and live in the now. This does make them sometimes a bit more carefree than other races, but at the same time, they couldn't care less as to the consequences of their actions, or what events led up to the current situation in any area. Elven tribes also are more prone to be accepting of Defilers than you would find within a city-state.
Most of the elf tribes on Athas are raiders and thieves. If given the chance, elves will swindle you out of your goods and then stab you in the back.
Like I said. If it's got pointy ears, don't trust it. It'll either cheat you or try to eat you. That's elves and halflings respectively.
I don't quite know how you'd pull off a "sand pirate" persay, unless you are referring to the personality/character, as opposed to profession. Most elves are extraordinarily coniving and dishonest with everyone, are opportunistic and live in the now.
He could be a Silt pirate :P
Relations: Elves tend to keep to their own tribe and their proven friends unless they have some sort of an angle - something to sell, or some deception to pass off. Strangers are potential enemies waiting to take advantage of them, so elves look for every opportunity to win the advantage. If an elf believes that a companion might make a worthy friend, the elf devises a series of “tests” of trust that allow the companion to prove that their friendship is “stronger than the bonds of death,” as elves say. Once a stranger has gained an elf’s trust, he is forever that elf’s friend. If this trust is ever betrayed, it is gone forever.
Alignment: Elves tend towards chaos because of their love of freedom, variety and self-expression. With respect to good and evil, elves tend towards neutrality, although their behavior leans towards good – even self-sacrifice – where the good of their tribe is at stake. Although they’ll steal everything in sight, elves are not murderous. They rarely attack anyone except those who threaten them or stand in their way.
Think of elves as kind of a combination between the stereotypical wandering gypsy band (questionable ethics, questionable loyalties, etc) and the stereotypical "Indian tribe" from black and white western movies. Evil elves are more likely to kill you and take your stuff, whereas good ones will just cheat you out of it. They can also be savage raiders or traders in the wastes.
I usually use say the Elves go from "Gypsy Tribe" to "Mongol Horde"...
Think of elves as kind of a combination between the stereotypical wandering gypsy band (questionable ethics, questionable loyalties, etc) and the stereotypical "Indian tribe" from black and white western movies. Evil elves are more likely to kill you and take your stuff, whereas good ones will just cheat you out of it. They can also be savage raiders or traders in the wastes.
You were talking about the white people, not the indians, right? :P
And stay away from the cacti!
lol
This reminds me of the very first session with my current players. The ranger of the party had gotten himself barbed by a couple of spider cacti. The only reason he lived was the quick intervention of the party's psion (who set the cactus aflame, killing it). They are now level 12, and to this day, that is the closest that character's come to death. In fact when presented with a patch of spider cactus surrounding the oasis on the way to Urik (in the adv. Dragon Crown), the player was VISIBLY SHAKING :D hee hee!
lol
This reminds me of the very first session with my current players. The ranger of the party had gotten himself barbed by a couple of spider cacti. The only reason he lived was the quick intervention of the party's psion (who set the cactus aflame, killing it). They are now level 12, and to this day, that is the closest that character's come to death. In fact when presented with a patch of spider cactus surrounding the oasis on the way to Urik (in the adv. Dragon Crown), the player was VISIBLY SHAKING :D hee hee!
The last group I ran had an easy solution. When encountering Cacti, permit Defiler to use gratuitous amounts of spells until all the Cacti are dead (Generally a mix of the defiling radius, and fireballs). That seemed to be their only solution, until they ran into a couple ****** off Pyreen which made short work of them.
You were talking about the white people, not the indians, right? :P
As a genetic blend of both (75% Irish, 25% Caddo), I'd say it could fit some of us either way.
Dear Heavens, you oughtta meet some of my inlaws/outlaws - we have family reunions at Angola...
But, I'm happy to say, I've risen above my checkered heritage and am an unassailable paragon of virtue.
Anyhoo, I'd say you could best describe elves as arrogant kleptomaniacs with ADHD who think the entire universe is out to get them...
:D
You were talking about the white people, not the indians, right?
Yes, prior to the 1970s, all indians were apparently white dudes wearing wigs with braids.
Back to the topic at hand, I'd say if you're going to play an elf, download this book: Elves of Athas
Worth every penny and it's one of two books illustrated by the great Toni DiTerlizzi. Worth owning just for that, but it's actually one of the few Dark Sun books that isn't chalk full of contradictions. Good stuff.
Yes, that book is surprisingly quite internally consistent. Best DS work to date.
I'll second that.