Elven Songs

[NiallNai]

Do elven songs take effect immediately, or once all their syllables have been recited? I know most of the songs aren't meant for scripting, but I was just wondering since the songs can be sung for hours on end if the effect starts immediately once the song is begun.

[luke]

It's a good question.

All songs have their final and major effect once the last syllable is pronounced-- the story is ended, the spell is cast, the cloak is woven or what have you.

Some songs are quite long, and most are not meant for scripting at all. One must remember that we are talking about immortal creatures who, in essence, take their time in most of what they do. They rarely rush, but are often rash. (Quite a paradox!)

What does take place during the singing of the song is Wonderment. Listeners become fascinated by the sonorous tones of the elven singing, even if they can't understand a word of it! There's a magic to it, that flows forth almost regardless of singer, song or time.

[Kublai]

What does take place during the singing of the song is Wonderment.

Wait. Does this mean Wonderment takes effect with the very first syllable? I thought it came into effect at the end of the song? "During" is a very vague term, my friend.

[luke]

ah yes, kublai cdow.

PAGE 99 of the CB: Wonderment takes effect in a number of exchanges equal to the target character's Will exponent. Thus goblins are easily effected, dwarves are not.

If shooting for a Wonderment effect, have the player roll for song success even if the song isn't completed yet. Wonderment requires a successful "sing".

The final effects of the song occur when the required syllables are completed.

[Kublai]

I stand by my defense that I refuse to bring the rules to work, and I don't play an elf! :oops:

[Mad Hatter]

They rarely rush, but are often rash. (Quite a paradox!)

Not really. Both tendencies originate from their immortality. They have all the time in the world, so why rush? As far as rash action goes, they have no fear of death, and thus act in ways that seem impulsive and foolhardy to mortal types who have a healthy aversion to pain and the risk of ending their brief life.

[mike_ravenwood]

I'm not sure that logic flows for me. If they are imortal wouldn't they have much more to lose by charging head first into danger. a human with a short life cannot spend years or decades in a slow careful disection of a problem, THEY must charge head first and make the most out of what little time they have.

[eruditus]

I agree with mike_ravenwood

Although I could understand a certain level of emotional imbalance, being rash due to an impulsiveness that comes with emotions that ride the currents of nature - stormy and precoscious.

However, elves being rash never came across to me and never really jived in my idea of elves. I have played elves as overconfident which sometimes can get you the same effect but when time is NOT of the essence then you tend to not make quick decisions.

IMHO

[luke]

i dunno. i think the source material for these elves has them acting fairly rashly. You have the kin-slaying, Fingolfin riding to Angband to personally challenge Morgoth and when an elf finally gets a single freaking silmaril back what does he do? He jumps into a bottomless crack in the earth so no one else can ever take it away.

[NiallNai]

I don't think the actions stated above show exceptional rashness(?), but it does demonstrate to me that elves are capable of the same acts as humans. And The Silmarillion helps me understand the way that Elrond was portrayed in the LoTR movies. In the books, Elrond appears constantly benevolent and hopeful. While in the movie, Elrond comes across as prejudiced toward Men. Much like Thingol was toward Beren.