I've been a D&D for some number of years now and I've mostly been playing in Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, and the odd homebrew campaign world here and there, but this is my first dragonlance game and I know next to nothing about the setting.
What little I do know I mostly learned from cursory glances into the Dragonlance campaign setting sourcebook (which I don't own myself.)
In any case, I'm joining into the game on the second day that the game has been in progress and I'll be the 5th player there (all of the "standard" 4-person roles have been filled, but a ranger fills the "tank" position, so I decided to be a frontline warrior.)
Because I haven't played another character, a haughty, arrogant, and snobbish sun elf/half celestial sorceress in a while, I decided that I wanted to play a character with a roleplay not terribly different from that.
So I decided on a Swashbuckler/Fighter Silvanesti Elf, who'll go into the dervish and tempest prestige classes down the line under the TWF style with dual scimitars. I figure that he'd be, among members of the silvanesti, an individual that is well educated, is a part of a rich family, and attended prestigious schools and social things for a vague idea of what his background is under the presumption that the gross details can be filled in as the game progresses.
I figure this'd be a rather perfect fit and looks to be a rather effective character. Beyond how silvanest are (a race of purist elves) I know little beyond that, however.
I believe I'll be starting at or near Silvanost forest or something like that.
Anyway, I'm hoping that I can get some information about the silvanesti elves - as much as possible/allowable. Perhaps even some information I would need to know about Krynn in general for someone completely new to the setting.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give. I would really appreciate it.
If this game takes place during the Age of Mortals (modern day) playing a silvanesti elf will be interesting. For the last 35 years (roughly) the Silvanesti elves have cut themselves off from the rest of Ansalon. They errected a magical shield aroudn their whole kingdom that allowed no one to enter or leave (well, there were ways to enter, but that's irrelevant).
At the beginning of the most recent war, Mina, leader of the Knights of Neraka at the time, penetrated the shield and exposed the great green dragon, Cyan Bloodbane as the culprit behind the creation of the shield. For you see, the shield took its energy from the land and the elves around it. It feed on the very life force in Silvanesti to keep it strong. It was ultimately destroying all life it was supposed to be protecting. It was Cyan's final irony on the elves (whom he had hated since the War of the Lance).
With the apparent destruction of Cyan Bloodbane, the shield was then destroyed. Which opened the way for the minotaurs of the Blood Sea Isles to invade Silvanesti. They have completely taken over...and the new kingdom/colony is called "Ambeon." The capital of Silvanost is now known as "Sargasanti."
So effectively, the Silvanesti elves are without a homeland and are all in exile from Silvanesti or are slaves in Ambeon (as are the Qualinesti elves...their home was destroyed by Beryllinthranox and is now being invaded by bandits and disturbingly organized goblins). Another thing to keep in mind, too...the ogres are hunting the elves for some reason (well, it's a very well known reason, but not "in world" so I don't want to spoil that).
Hopefully that will help
Here's two big things...
If this game takes place during the Age of Mortals (modern day) playing a silvanesti elf will be interesting. For the last 35 years (roughly) the Silvanesti elves have cut themselves off from the rest of Ansalon. They errected a magical shield aroudn their whole kingdom that allowed no one to enter or leave (well, there were ways to enter, but that's irrelevant).
At the beginning of the most recent war, Mina, leader of the Knights of Neraka at the time, penetrated the shield and exposed the great green dragon, Cyan Bloodbane as the culprit behind the creation of the shield. For you see, the shield took its energy from the land and the elves around it. It feed on the very life force in Silvanesti to keep it strong. It was ultimately destroying all life it was supposed to be protecting. It was Cyan's final irony on the elves (whom he had hated since the War of the Lance).
With the apparent destruction of Cyan Bloodbane, the shield was then destroyed. Which opened the way for the minotaurs of the Blood Sea Isles to invade Silvanesti. They have completely taken over...and the new kingdom/colony is called "Ambeon." The capital of Silvanost is now known as "Sargasanti."
Now that you mention this, the DM running the game told me sent me an email (after confirming that my character is a valid one) that:
"You'll be starting north of Silvanost in a town
called Pashin, so the race will fit in nicely.
Most Silvanesti in this town have recently fled the forest of Silvanost, due
to the minotaur invasion, and they don't plan on going back until they get
the support of the Knights of Solamnia. You would have heard rumors of
elven refugees in Pashin, but since you've arrived you haven't seen very
many. The Nights of Nereka currently occupy the town, expect transferred
agression."
So it sounds like the game is actually starting at this point in time you mention.
So effectively, the Silvanesti elves are without a homeland and are all in exile from Silvanesti or are slaves in Ambeon (as are the Qualinesti elves...their home was destroyed by Beryllinthranox and is now being invaded by bandits and disturbingly organized goblins). Another thing to keep in mind, too...the ogres are hunting the elves for some reason (well, it's a very well known reason, but not "in world" so I don't want to spoil that).
Hopefully that will help
It really has. Thanks.
Ah, so you're playing Key of Destiny...
Yes, you are correct.
Some things you might want to consider.
How do you feel about the Silvanesti Royal Family?
The Speaker of the Stars Alhana Starbreeze tried to unite the Silvanesti and the Qualinesti by marrying Speaker of the Sun Porthios. However pruists in both cultures conspired to get both exiled from their homelands. How did you feel about this?
Durring the time without a Speaker of the Stars Silvanesti became more isolationist, eventually after the god's disappearance sealed themselves off from the world for 30 years. How do you feel about that? Was it the right thing to do, keeping the filty ogre and idiotic humans, and foolishly misguided cousins from sullying your homeland?
Silvanoshei, son of Alhana and Porthios breached the Shield and became Speaker of the Sun. He was the last of his line and seemed a godsend. When the Dark Knights breached the barrier he rode to war against them, the seeming picture of a good ruler. Though he lost he did uncover the damning fact that the evil dragon Cyan Bloodbane was behind Shield and it was slowly killing your people, he tore it down and Cyan was killed. Silvanoshei's downfall however was that he fell in love with the human girl Mina, Cleric of the 'One God' truthfully the whicked Tahkisis, who stole the world from the other gods. Silvanoshei's blind love more or less got Silvanost occupied by the Dark Knights... His death is mysterious to most, rumor has it he died slaying Tahkisis, truth is Mina killed him after he did... and he killed Tahkisis trying to defend Mina. Did your character believe in this young king? Did he see him as hero or a fool?
Gilthas, son of Tanis half-elven and Laurana, is now Speaker of the Sun (Qualinesti king), most thought he was a puppet king but secretly built, supported, and facilitated the rebelion against the opression of the dark knights and dragon overlord in his land. His kingdom was destroyed and he lead his people to Silvanost hoping for sanctuary, but your people had problems of their own, occupied by dark knights you were in no position to help anyone. After the events which I'll get to in a minute Gil is trying to unite the now nationless elves, and also trying diplomatic means to gain allies to free Silvanost. How does your character see Gilthas? A b*****d sullied with human blood, a puppet, a fool, who destroyed his own kingdom and will likely destroy yours, he only wants to free it to take it for his people. Or do you see him as a true visionary who is the elves' best hope?
Alhana returned to Silvanost after the barrier fell, her and her loyal troops along with soldiers from Qualinost went to Sanction to save Silvanoshei, her son. She failed, Silvanoshei died, since she's been lost to mouring, worse with all the troops away from Silvanost no one was there to stop the minotaur. She was exiled once and it seems all her return did was bring misery; do you hate her? Or is she the true queen and a grief striken mother?
The Dark Knights weren't ready for their 'allies' the minotaur to blindside them and take over occupied Silvanost in a ruthless conquest. Conquered Silvanost, or rather 'Sarganost' as the Minotaur call it, is a 'no elves land' the forrests that hid them from the dark knights do not hide them from the relentless minotaur. How did things get this bad? Who is to blame?
These are the events that have shaped your character's life... how does he feel about them? Now obviously I've painted a lot of these events in a very negative light... because I think that's how the average Silvanesti would see it.
You're in for a good ride.
It certainly looks that way.
I haven't been a full player with this particular DM with any continued play (three one-shots, not consecutively) but he's a good DM, as far as I can tell.
Some things you might want to consider.
How do you feel about the Silvanesti Royal Family?
The Speaker of the Stars Alhana Starbreeze tried to unite the Silvanesti and the Qualinesti by marrying Speaker of the Sun Porthios. However pruists in both cultures conspired to get both exiled from their homelands. How did you feel about this?
I think he'd probably be ok, as it would bring peace between the two peoples, though he'd be disgusted by the prospect of a silvanesti marrying a lesser breed of elf (better than Kagonesti, at least.)
He'd likely even feel a degree of respect for the Silvanesti Royal family to willingly humiliate themselves and sully their bloodline for a greater purpose.
Durring the time without a Speaker of the Stars Silvanesti became more isolationist, eventually after the god's disappearance sealed themselves off from the world for 30 years. How do you feel about that? Was it the right thing to do, keeping the filty ogre and idiotic humans, and foolishly misguided cousins from sullying your homeland?
This wouldn't appear to my character as a question of right or wrong.
Simply put, the Silvanesti people decided that they didn't need to get involved in the matters of lesser creatures.
Silvanoshei, son of Alhana and Porthios breached the Shield and became Speaker of the Sun. He was the last of his line and seemed a godsend. When the Dark Knights breached the barrier he rode to war against them, the seeming picture of a good ruler. Though he lost he did uncover the damning fact that the evil dragon Cyan Bloodbane was behind Shield and it was slowly killing your people, he tore it down and Cyan was killed. Silvanoshei's downfall however was that he fell in love with the human girl Mina, Cleric of the 'One God' truthfully the whicked Tahkisis, who stole the world from the other gods. Silvanoshei's blind love more or less got Silvanost occupied by the Dark Knights... His death is mysterious to most, rumor has it he died slaying Tahkisis, truth is Mina killed him after he did... and he killed Tahkisis trying to defend Mina. Did your character believe in this young king? Did he see him as hero or a fool?
My character'd say that heroes and fools are no different from one another - that the greatest of heroes are often the most foolhardy.
I think he'd see Silvanoshei as a tragic hero (in the same way that Anakin Skywalker is a tragic hero) - one with great intentions who fought hard for the betterment of the Silvanesti, but also one whom let his emotions toward a lesser creature be his ultimate downfall and allowed other tragic events to happen as a consequence.
Gilthas, son of Tanis half-elven and Laurana, is now Speaker of the Sun (Qualinesti king), most thought he was a puppet king but secretly built, supported, and facilitated the rebelion against the opression of the dark knights and dragon overlord in his land. His kingdom was destroyed and he lead his people to Silvanost hoping for sanctuary, but your people had problems of their own, occupied by dark knights you were in no position to help anyone. After the events which I'll get to in a minute Gil is trying to unite the now nationless elves, and also trying diplomatic means to gain allies to free Silvanost. How does your character see Gilthas? A b*****d sullied with human blood, a puppet, a fool, who destroyed his own kingdom and will likely destroy yours, he only wants to free it to take it for his people. Or do you see him as a true visionary who is the elves' best hope?
He might have mixed feelings on this particular individual, dependon on what, specifically he's heard about these events.
Assuming he knows everything above, he would see Gil as a degenerate elf, sullied with human blood. I think he would also see him, however, as a noble individual who fought against heavy odds, though "visionary" and "best hope" might be too strong to describe Gil.
He would have mixed feelings about Silvanost's abandonment about them.
He partly understands that it might have been better for his people to not have allowed them sanctuary, as so his people wouldn't have to babysit them in addition to dealing with their own problems, but he would have wished for some way to help them (even though they and especially their king are less then silvanesti, a possibly ally is a possible ally.)
Alhana returned to Silvanost after the barrier fell, her and her loyal troops along with soldiers from Qualinost went to Sanction to save Silvanoshei, her son. She failed, Silvanoshei died, since she's been lost to mouring, worse with all the troops away from Silvanost no one was there to stop the minotaur. She was exiled once and it seems all her return did was bring misery; do you hate her? Or is she the true queen and a grief striken mother?
My character would likely understand how grief over the lost of a loved one can affect a mother. He can understand her grief (though not through sympathy, he's never had to go through what she's had to*) and how it would have affected her judgement, so he wouldn't hate her.
But calling her a "true queen" would be a bit much.
That was an extremely stupid decision she made. He'd be angry that these events were allowed to happen from such a decision, but he wouldn't hate her because of it.
* = though this is still a new character of mine, so anything could happen.
The Dark Knights weren't ready for their 'allies' the minotaur to blindside them and take over occupied Silvanost in a ruthless conquest. Conquered Silvanost, or rather 'Sarganost' as the Minotaur call it, is a 'no elves land' the forrests that hid them from the dark knights do not hide them from the relentless minotaur. How did things get this bad? Who is to blame?
One tragic event after another led to this. Things happened the way they happened and nothing can change that now and playing the "blame game" is only a waste of time.
The better question, however, is how this problem is going to be rectified and things made right again.
These are the events that have shaped your character's life... how does he feel about them? Now obviously I've painted a lot of these events in a very negative light... because I think that's how the average Silvanesti would see it.
Well, I think I have a pretty good idea of my character's basic personality (one of the first things I develop) - he is like most silvanesti in most respect - perhaps even moreso in some ways (due to also being wealthy and snobbish and such,) but he's also extremely intelligent and wise (even for a silvanesti elf) and is Lawful Good.
While he carries the purist ideologies typical of his kind, but he is not malicious and he does value life, peace, honor, and respect.
He sees Qualanesti as lesser cousins, Kaganesti as... less than proud members of the "elven family tree" (to say the least), humans and most other humanoids as lesser creatures, and bestial humanoids (such as ogres, minotaurs, and orcs) as beasts or animals.
Although he does see his race as the superior breed, he acknowledges that the Silvanesti are not above their own mistakes.
This exersize has been quite enlightening. Thanks.
Never forget the chef.
Never.
The chef.
Never forget the chef.
Never.
I'm not sure I even want to know...
LOL!
He sees Qualanesti as lesser cousins, Kaganesti as... less than proud members of the "elven family tree" (to say the least), humans and most other humanoids as lesser creatures, and bestial humanoids (such as ogres, minotaurs, and orcs) as beasts or animals.
Orcs don't exist.
Pick up the DLCS and the Age of Mortals book, they give great information on it.
I would, but I don't want to spend 40+ dollars just to make a character's backstory (or characters) since I have little desire to use this campaign setting beyond that capacity. (I decided long ago that that money would go into Forgotten Realms.)
Orcs don't exist.
a) I didn't know that. (Again, I'm still new to the Campaign Setting.)
b) It was just an example. The point was that he's a LG racial purist. He believes silvanesti as superior creatures and acknowledges other races only as lesser beings with Kaganesti perhaps at the "highest tier." (Though that doesn't mean he doesn't have a respect for life in general.)
Anyway, I did manage to locate what looks like an informative website with free information, so I'll be using that, as well a number of other dragonlance things across the interweb to formulate a complete backstory right up till the invasion of Silvanost and my character's subsequent refugee status with the additional help provided by a number of roleplay guides here in the forums that I've procured.
If anyone's interested, I'll post the complete story here before my next game. Hopefully, that'll weed out any major mistakes, as due to the general long life of elves, I'll have a lot to go through.
EDIT: Any information on Silvanost before during and immediately following the minotaur occupation would be much appreciated.