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Elven Bond

Though not truly part of our physiology, the Elven bond is related to the Communion on a deep spiritual level. An Elf can form a mystical and unbreakable bond with another being, and that being is not necessarily another Elf. Sometimes this bond is formed with all the pomp and ceremony of certain Human marriage, and at other times, it is a quiet and personal thing. For each Elf it is different, as different as love itself, and the gifts exchanged can vary from a simple flower to an elegant crown of emeralds.

When an Elf first feels this type of strong commitment forming, we begin to feel what the other person is feeling, much like during Communion. If the recipient of our affection is another elf, they will begin to feel those feelings too, and will return those feelings, in most cases. We Elves do not “wear our hearts on our coat sleeves”, as Humans and other N’Tel’Quessir so often do. We weigh our hearts long and hard before attempting to bonding that that special someone, sometimes centuries, and that is why we rarely need deal with rejection. It is a sad Elf indeed who mistakes someone’s feelings after centuries of friendship and togetherness.

This bond is, in many ways, much stronger then the communion ability we share, for this is a lifelong bond and not so easily broken. Through this bond, each person can sense all of the feelings the other is feeling, as well as any physical pain or distress they might be in. If separated, we can get a general sense of direction the other person is in, as long as they are on the same plane. We can tell how far they are from us with almost pinpoint accuracy when within 20 miles (nearby), and also roughly gauge the distance when they are further (20-50 miles=fairly close, 51-100= some distance away, 100-500 =Very far, and 501+ = a great distance). This helps us to locate our loves when we sense they are in trouble. And, woe to any creature that stands in our way, for an Elf fighting to aid his/her beloved fights like no other.

At this point, the bond between two lovers has become so strong that the other person’s life now means more to us then our own. This level of rapport is called Aleiryid, and both the Elf and their love now live solely to make the other happy, at whatever cost. This is the most altruistic pairing two mortals can share (for game purposes, treat this exactly as if the two shared communion within the last 24 hours; it is an ongoing effect however, and they get all combat bonuses that apply as long as they are side by side). Elves can only form these bonds after 150 years of life- anything younger is considered too immature for such deep spiritual commitment. They also must spend at least one year with their beloved prior to bonding, and spend some time together at least once a day during this period.

Unfortunately for many, an Elf’s ego works against them, and their intended bond-mate. A high sense of self interferes with the bonding, and it takes a longer period of time before the actual bond can be made (In game terms, the couple must spend 1+[Both of their CHA Bonuses] years together first, but no less then one year). You must give wholly of yourself, and there is no room for egotistical feelings. An ego does not prevent forming a bond, but it certainly makes it more difficult to do so.

Few Elves care to bestow this honor on N’Tel’Quessir, because the bond would be all but wasted on them. In the case of Humans, this is especially true, for their lives are like a guttering candle flame buffeted by the winds of time, too soon blown out. Conversely, it is the Human lust for life itself that allows Elves to form bonds with them even quicker then with other Elves! (In game turns, change years to months when determining the amount of time the couple must spend together before bonding). It amazes even the Eldest amongst us that these ‘children’ can sweep even the wisest Elf up into their passion for living life to it’s fullest, and many an Elf has died while barreling though adventures at an alarming pace along side human companions- especially Moon Elves. We Sun Elves have somewhat of a resistance to this, but we do fall pray from time to time!

This is often called “Walking Destiny’s Path”, for many know the Humans to be “The Children of Destiny” in our many of our most ancient prophesies. Although their lives are often too short, as compared most other Tel’Quessir, these Elves are usually amongst our most well sung and remembered heroes. But I digress…Suffice it to say that a blink of an Elf’s eye spells the end to these ties, but the love they gain lasts the rest of their lives.

When the bond is broken, either by death or treachery, it is a tremendous shock to the other member of the union. It is possible for an Elf to die from the grief caused by the bond breaking (DC 15 Fortitude Saving Throw. Failure results in a loss of 200 EXP per level, and results in the Crushing Despair spell for a number of months equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Success means losing half as much EXP, and Crushing Despair is limited to a number of weeks equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Critical Failure results in death, one that cannot be reversed through the use of magic.) Many time, if a bond is broken with betrayal, the partner who was betrayed becomes a Banshee, if female, or an Allip, if male. They pursue their lost loves for all of eternity, seeking revenge.

I am sure you can understand why bonding is not undertaken lightly, and why most Elves never bond again after losing a love. If they ever choose to do so, they must wait another 150 years for their heart to heal to the point where it can handle the strain. In theory, this would mean an Elf could conceivably bond four times or so during our long lives. But, in actuality, bonding twice is practically unheard of, and anything more than that is an extremely rare occurrence.

Our love may be powerful, but our hearts are but fragile things. This bond applies to the earth itself, to a lesser extent. If an Elf is denied access to the land, or sunlight, or even other Elves, he or she may die from grief and loneliness. This is why Elves cannot be held captive for long, and why we make terrible slaves. Even if uninjured, and kept near nature or with other elves, an Elf can lose hope and will his or her own death. It may be a terrible price to pay, but many a would-be torturer or captor have been denied their prize by this means of ‘escape’.

• And, woe to any creature that stands in our way, for an Elf fighting to aid his/her beloved fights like no other.

• When the bond is broken, either by death or treachery, it is a tremendous shock to the other member of the union. It is possible for an Elf to die from the grief caused by the bond breaking (DC 15 Fortitude Saving Throw. Failure results in a loss of 200 EXP per level, and results in the Crushing Despair spell for a number of months equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Success means losing half as much EXP, and Crushing Despair is limited to a number of weeks equal to the amount of years the bond was in place. Critical Failure results in death, one that cannot be reversed through the use of magic.)