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Naderion wrote:

I think in the end, gnomes are but another hobbit-copy besides the halfling. But I actually prefer gnomes and have only those in my setting.

Gnomes are the red-headed stepchild of D&D. They've never been well defined or given much more than cursory attention to their background.

In 1E, they were magical dwarf-cousins.

I didn't play 2E so I'm not sure they changed them.

By 3E they'd became a sorta-fae-sorta-dwarf-sorta-halfling with a Dragonlance/Warcraft tinkering shtick.

In Neverwinter Nights 2, they're just half-insane morons; the subject of ridicule.

Technically, while they are a legacy core race, I understand why they are likely to get the boot.

nebton wrote:

I agree the new information on elves seems to have streamlined them--and I wasn't a big fan of unlimited subraces--to make them a better fit in what sounds to be 4E's primeval texture. Also, I've always thought elves should be considered more like fey than the catchall "humanoid" group.
My concerns, however, may be that elves have been pruned too much. Granted, this is just a nebulous fear at the moment, but saying "Elves are nature-lovers who stray away from the arcane and metal working" really seems to cut down on their versatility the same way I questioned the wisdom of half-orcs in 3E as being a race designed for someone to play a hyped-up barbarian.
Like I said, this is just me getting out my concerns. Everything may work out in the end. As a long-time fan of elves, though, I'll say I'll be sad if they're reduced to long-eared environmentalists. That sounds like an even less rewarding role playing experience than playing the elf snob who was a master archer and arcane spell caster.

Can we please make elves more of the "homosuperior" race they seem to be in the films. I don't care make them an ECL +1 they should be far better than Dwarves. Elves should get comparable abilities like Woodcutting or Cat's Grace as opposed to a dwarves Stability. Hey here's an Idea why not have Light-Vision. An elf can store light to use normal vision in darkness equal to the number hours spent in true daylight. But once he runs out of stored light goes to sleep in a cave. Or any place that will not allow him to see the sun he is totally blind. A sun rod's light would allow him to see like a normal human with a torch. Also since they are a magical race should they get some kind of SR or have a DR magic something.

vaerdhdragonkin wrote:

What films have you been watching?!

Very funny the LOTR trilogy elves are the ones I was talking about."Homosuperior" is the term used use to describe Mutants in the Marvel Universe. This is how many mutants see them selves versus Homosapians. Thus reflecting the attitude elves have that they are better than everyone else.

vaerdhdragonkin wrote:

I'm perfectly aware of where the HomoSuperior came from. Elves, as depicted in LotR aren't better than dwarves, nor are they god-like in power and ability. Each character in LotR had unique abilities, but none were "greater" than any other.

My incredulity was directed more at the, erm, "abilities" you recommended for elves, by-the-by.

I blame the movies for this misconception.

When Gimli and Legolas competed for kills in the books they were neck in neck the whole time and it wasn't the horrible mismatch portrayed in the movie, and the whole Legolas out drinking Gimli addition was the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Poor Gimli being turned into comedic relief...

Also, has anyone considered that any perceived superiority of many of the elves might have had to do with being, I dunno a few hundred years more experienced than everyone else and not some innate elves rule type power?