A Campaign/Setting Idea

[mikeryan]

I came up with this idea yesterday on my way home (this is why I don't mind public transportation :) ). Let's call it "Sorrow's Muse" for now.

COSMOLOGY

Briefly, the World was created by the Creator. To help him build the world, he created Dwarves. When the World was built, he found it to be empty, so he created Life. He created the Elves to help him populate the World with Life. The last touch that the Creator added was to create Men, a race of beings to live in the World and not be tied to it or fate. Man could create his own fate. As a result, the race of Man fragmented and through their worship gave embodiment to the Creator and his servants. They also caused there to be an antithesis of the Creator. This entity because the source of Evil, with its own servants.

[This basically accounts for what Luke has already established for his races and magic. Worship of the Creator would be Faith. Elven Songs are descended from the original Songs used to create Life, etc. The cause-effect nature of the creation of Evil from the beliefs of Men ties in well with the game concepts behind ability improvement and Luke's new Artha rules.]

THE ELVES

Elves experience Grief over what has become of the once pristine and beautiful World. One expect the Elves to feel some bitterness over this, but they are above that. At least most of them are.

When an Elf is overcome by Grief, they don't "travel West" (there isn't any), they find seclusion, allow themselves to absorbed into the songs of the creation and fade from this world.

One didn't. When she left to find seclusion, she didn't wasn't able to become lost in the Song of Creation, but instead found it mocking and hollow in her ears. For this, she blamed Men. She embraced her Grief and it became Bitterness. She has sworn to rid the World of the affliction of Men and remake the World anew. She started to bring others to her cause. Her old name left behind her, she is now called the Queen of Sorrows, and her followers are called Dark Elves.

DARK ELVES

Dark Elves aren't born; they're made. The Queen of Sorrows has her minions seeking Elves who have experienced the Grief brought about by Men in this World. Those that succumb to their corrupt enticements forsake their heritage and become Dark Elves.

Appearance-wise they would look similar to Elves, except for more drawn faces, and an affection for tattoos and ritualistic scars.

[The mechanical implementation of Dark Elves are sketchy at the moment. Bitterness would replace the Grief Attribute. They would still use Songs, but their Songs would be used to strike terror and exact vengeance. Their singing would no longer cause Wonderment but Horror. I could see them doing Blood Sacrifices, also. I should also point out that this doesn't make them allies of or a relpacement for Orcs. Orcs are an evil, twisted race born out of Man's influence upon the World. A Dark Elf would find it ironic and fitting for Orcs to be a tool in the destruction of Men.]

Thoughts?

[Kublai]

Bitterness sounds great! A nice use of the system to create a different race. I can't wait to read about some of their Songs.

Altogether, you've set up a very interesting world! I would dig playing in such, I am sure.

[luke]

hi mike,

it's a nice riff on the basic set up in the books. It's funny that you saw BITs as a good way to depict the struggle between good and evil. I see bits as anathema to such black and white depictions. Often times characters who are morally at odds can share common beliefs.

Bitterness is a good idea. (I see you have been digging around my mental filing cabinets... I assume you read my draft of Hatred? I don't mind, it is just isn't ready for public consumption yet. Needs some revisions/editing.) Anyway, Dark Elves with this Bitterness (see Eol in the Silmarillion) could sing quite different songs, and channel their emotion differently.

Some random thoughts:
Song of Dischordia-- Ob 5, 25 syl. When sung acts as Spell Interrupt to spells and songs being cast and as a Distraction against any song/spell currently being sustained. If a character attempts to sing/cast while a Song of Dischordia is in effect, they must add the Dark Elf's extra successes to their obstacle.

Song of Terror-- Ob 3, 6 Syll. Causes Steel test to any character without the Bitterness or Hatred Attribute within the Presence of the caster. Extra successes increase obstacle for Steel test.

Dirge of Night-- Ob 4, 20 Syll. Each extra success reduces the light conditions within the Presence of the caster by one step. Use the Mage Light Obstacle range for example Light conditions. (Ob 10 is Daylight... Singing this song with 1 success over obstacle would reduce that to Cloudy Light within the Caster's Presence.)

Supplication to Darkness-- As Threne of the Chameleon

Rhyme of the Unraveller-- Ob 4, 60 syll. This devlish song causes havoc round the singer. Knots untie, wax cracks, mortar loosens, thread unwinds and seams unravel.

Paen of the Dark Fire Within-- Ob= 10-Bitterness. When sung properly this terrible song shows the singer's true form--a shifting and distorted visage that none can look upon without growing dizzy or faint. Extra successes over Ob add to attacker's Ob to attack the elf.

Twisted Tongue-- Ob= Target's Will. When sung into the ear of an unwitting victim, the Dark Elf my twist his mind and bend his victim to his will. As the Persuasion spell.

Bitterness "criteria" would have to be developed. Questions for starting characters and steps for advancement.

Alternate suggestions for "Bitterness" (sounds like coffee): Spite, Rancor, Malice, Scorn, or perhaps Loathing. Just suggestions.

-abzu

[mike_ravenwood]

as a good contrast they the Dark Elves songs could be shouted, screamed and yelled. At their opponents, themselves the world...what have you. or if a bit darker, they could be a whisper that carried over even the loudest battle that drains the hope and engery from all who hear it. a little color to go with the base mechanics.

[mikeryan]

Yeah, "bitterness" didn't have the right prosaic sound, but the meaning fit.

Sorry about poking around in your filing cabinet. I found it quite by accident. I haven't completely read the Hatred draft, but I have heavily skimmed it. I completely understand the

This morning, I thought about calling Dark Elvish songs "dirges".

One thing I'm on the fence about is whether or not Dark Elves should be able to mitigate their Bitterness ("Spite" has appeal).

Your Song/Dirge ideas are great.

For Bitterness/Spite scores, I was thinking that a new Dark Elf would convert their Grief over to Bitterness/Spite (I was serious about the made not born bit). But yeah, I'd need to come up with a list of "tests".

As far as converting an Elf to a Dark Elf, I give you:

Lullaby of Sorrow - Ob= 10-Grief, 160 syll. When this dirge is properly sung to an Elf with a Grief score, the Elf will be turned to Darkness and become a Dark Elf.

I'd also recommend having "no effect" songs/dirges similar to the various histories and songs that the regular Elves have (their game effect would be just to create horror in the listeners).

As far as burning a Dark Elf character, one would start with a Elf, and once a Grief score is obtained, the character would be able to take a lead to a Dark Elf life path. I'm undecided if there should be a minimum Grief.

One stupid question. What is "BITS"?

[Kublai]

B.I.T.s

Beliefs, Instincts, Traits

[luke]

Hi Mike,
We definitely need to come up with more songy songs. The songs I gave as examples were meant to be the "biggies."

I was thinking rather than Terror, the general songs could cause Unease in all those who hear them. They cause a Steel test as per Wonderment, but the choices are: Stand and Drool, Weep Bitterly, or Exact Revenge (can attack a "friendly" character).

Below is a little brainstorm I had:

The Dark Elves are simply a Sub-Setting of Elves.

The Path of Spite is walked by those Elves who have turned their Grief and sorrow into Spite and bitterness. These dark souls see the world as coming to nothing but ruin and wreckage. There is no good left in it for them, nor will there be for any in the end.

An Elf may lead into The Path of Spite from:

Wilderlands: Elder, Patriarch/Matriarch and Spouse
Citadel: Loremaster, Althing, and Adjutant
Protector: Any
Etharch: Second, Steward, Prince or Etharch (Etharchal Sword Singers are heavily indoctrinated with their responsibilities and duties to serve and protect, therefore they are not immediately susceptible to the taint of bitterness.)

It is the Elves who possess great knowledge or the burden of great responsibility who grow bitter and spiteful as time passes. Elves leading simpler lives, sheltered as they are from disease and privation, tend to see the world in a different, more forgiving light.

A Dark Elf must begin the game 225 years old--old enough to have tasted Grief and turned deeper into it. Their age and experience makes them competent and dangerous to those whom they call enemy.

Factor all of the criteria for starting Grief as per the normal rules for Elves, however once the Elf enters the Path of Spite this Grief is automatically and irrevocably transmuted to Spite.

Path of Spite Sub-Setting Lifepaths

Griever-- This is the gateway LP, required for all who enter this Sub-Setting. The title is meant to be ironic. Here Grief is turned to Spite.

Wastrel-- Scavenging, Brawling

Murderer-- Garrotte, Poisons, Knives, Bow, Intimidation

Deceiver-- Sleight of Hand, Disguise, Inconspicuous

Stalker-- Hunting, Tracking, Trapsman, Observation Training, Stealthy

Twister-- Falsehood, Soothing Platitudes, Persuasion

Thief-- Lockpick, Stealthy, Climbing, Escape Artist

Eremite-- Philosophy, Ugly Truth

Siren-- Seduction, Etiquette, Persuasion

these are obviously just bare bones lifepaths, they need songs and lifepath traits to flesh them out. After that Time, Trait and Stats should fall right in line. Anyway, I hope you like them. I like your concept and can't really help myself from running with it a bit.

-abzu

[mike_ravenwood]

What about the effect the songs/dirges have on the opposite elf.? I believe the should have a different but pronounced effect on each other. One reminds Dark Elves of what they once were, and the wonder they have lost. For the Elves the threat of what vile creatures they can become if their Grief runs unchecked. The effect could be in addition to any effect the song/dirge has inhierently. Of course excluding effect such as the Threne of the Chameleon and other "silent: songs.

[Donny D.]

Since the Dark Elves are going to play a prominent role in my Campaign I would love to see an 'official' Dark Elf. Nothing terribly detailed but enough to make them usable. If anyone has used them yet, how did they work out?