Page 1 of 1

Elven homes

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 7:16 pm
by Lukian
Hi guys. In the interest of gaining knowlage, and preparing for an App, not likely to come for a few months, I was hoping you guys could help me out and make some suggestions reguarding descriptions for elven homes. I am looking specifically for the homes of elven warriors/single/male. I own the complete book of elves TSR second ed. and have read the book cover to cover on several occasions, and learned much from there, but I would like a little bit of....Improv?. Thanks guys, I look forward to your suggestions.

RE: Elven Dwellings

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:24 am
by Andreas

There really is no set style of elven dwelling. They tend to reflect the individual tastes of their owners while blending harmoniously with their natural surroundings.

"Elves of Evermeet" (TSR 9430) has a lot of great descriptions of elven homes. Same for "Cormanthyr: Empire of Elves" (TSR 1165) and the Myth Drannor boxed set. Unfortunately, I believe all three of these are out of print.

*GRIN* Just wait until Evermeet comes in and you'll get to see what I mean.

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:32 am
by Lukian
Out of print or no, I can get them :wink: but thanks andreas :) I'll be sure to grab one of those books...which would you reccomend for a fast reader who hates books with slow beginings?

RE: Elven Dwellings

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 12:57 pm
by Andreas

Well, none of those are novels... so if you're not much into absorbing information, I don't know what to tell you.

I'd recommend "Elves of Evermet" as it gives what are probably the most "modern" examples of elven living in the Forgotten Realms. If you want novels, get the new "Return of the Archwizards" trilogy by Troy Denning. There are parts in those books that detail the elven city of Evereska which has a slightly different flavour from Evermeet and Myth Drannor.

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:23 pm
by Lukian
Ahh...thanks again Andreas : you rock man! lol I actually love just absorbing knowledge if I like the subject matter (Complete book of elves) but I have been looking for some good novels lately too...I just finished reading another book by Raymond E Feist...I was unaware how many references are made in this game to things from his series'

Well, thanks again :)

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:55 am
by Mingus
As I like to stick my nose in to matters that I have no clue on :P I'll try and make this more logical than delving into tomes that I don't have.

What Sub-species is your elf. Considering wood/silvan elves would perfer all wooden dwellings, you'd probaly see a lot of rafters and supports instead of open ceilings and causeways. If mood/high or gold/grey, that you would need to read up on to see what sets those apart. But its obvious that like most everything else about them, they are quite intricate. So not just carvings, but inlayes and lots of guilding. ie Where as adwarf might be just fine with a wrought iron gate, an elf with the same gate would probably get it gilded and add filigrees and such. Gold/greys with thier haughty attitude to non elves and elves a like would probably have be more gaudy then the other sub-species. I would probaly put them in the same boat as the drow, except in lighter colors and with out the spider theme. Moon/high being the more common in number and more tolerable of other speices would probably reflect other architectural styles other than sylvan and gold. Since moons enjoy the company of humans, hense more moon half-elves, I would see a human influence.

I can be completely wrong about this and Andreas, you're more than welcom to correct me. But you would have to agree that each sup-species would be different in style. And hence thats the first question to be answered before proceeding any further.

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 12:38 pm
by Stayne
In general what you say is fairly accurate Mingus, though if you wanted to go into further depth, you should also consider the size of their elven community living there and the reason for such. Some elves do not dwell in large cities but just as what can be described as an extended family unit, often drawn to one place for a specific reason. Since they wish not to alter the land they occupy for their brief stay, their homes (regardless of race) would be considered crude, though they would also be well hidden, being as part of their natural surrounds as they can make them. Larger cities, specially those of the high elves would be different altogether and use alot of metals and magics, due to the fact that the skills are there and the long population history in that one spot.

In general though, if you are thinking about an elven home, regardless of sub-species, size or location. One thing is always true. Elves do not move the natural habit to suit themselves, but ask the habitat (tress, plants etc) if they would become part of their homes. Weaving everything together in a balance that only their connection to the weave will allow. Pretty much as Andreas quoted really.

I look forward to seeing Evermeet :)

Stayne

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 10:10 pm
by Rhelian
Just like to point out that while a dwarf might prefer a nice wrought iron gate like you said, my impression has always been it wouldn't just be a lump of metal, it would be as finely and intricately crafted as the elven version. Having spent a few years through highschool blacksmithing for farm implements and the like, I can attest to the sheer beauty you can get from metals, if you spend the time shaping them.