Three Worlds: Races and Cultures

[Xeviat]

One of the elements of my settings that I am most proud of is the separation of Race from Culture. In the primary world of Terran, there are 3 ethnicities of each of the primary demihuman races (elf, dwarf, goblin, and orc), each with their own cultures and appearances; they all use the same racial traits.

For instance, Elves all use the same stats, and the "standard" elf culture is +2 to Concentration and Spellcraft checks, racial proficiency with longsword, rapier, and bows, favored class: wizard, and their starting/bonus languages. That will probably be my "moon elf" culture, so I need to alter it for my night elf (dark elf) and star elf (wood elf) cultures.

I'll post the personalities and society descriptions of each ethnicity as I write them, but I wanted to find any regulars around here who's be willing to help in depth with this aspect of my setting. In return, I'll do the same with your setting.

[So-Keher]

Hhmm... I think you are trying to get something different than wood elves vs. wild elves right? In Astraea my elves don't even liv ein a forest but in a large city-state instead. They have all the same traits as normal elves (rac eis the same) but their culture is different. I might be able to help you, and I need similar help with my campaign so I'd be glad to do what I can.

[Xeviat]

I'll use my elves for an extended example then. Elves are a long lived race created by the Air Dragon, originally meant to aid humanity as dignitaries between the mortal and spiritual world. They are a flighty and chaotic people who typically live in small communities where the children are separate from the adults; teenagers race infants, and elves learn through trying things for themselves rather than being taught (they aren't the wisest of races; very perceptive, but none to experienced until they have more years under their belt).

Moon elves live on mountain tops, and are the only elves who build permanent settlements; their issolation affords them the ability to not have to hide from the outside world. They have creamy white skin which gets lighter the more light they see (this trait is shared by all elves). They have midnight blue hair which shifts to a shimmering silver as they age; their eyes are faintly colored whites. Moon Elves uphold the ideals of good, but are as flighty as any elves.

Star Elves live in temperate forests. They build semi-permanent structures within the trees, but will abandone them if they are discovered to return at a later date. Star Elves have light brown skin, which fades to a tan the more light they recieve. Their hair is dark, and almost looks green in the light, fading to autumn reds, oranges, and yellows as they age. Their eyes are emerald green. Having more enemies than the Moon Elves, Star Elves fight for their survival and have become neutral in respect to Good and Evil.

Night Elves reside in Tropical Jungles. They live entirely in mobile dwellings, and generally own nothing that they cannot themselves carry. They have dark blue skin which fades in the light, their hair is obsidian black and faids to a vibrant white as they age, and their eyes come in shades and tones of red. Requiring more order to their societies to remain in contact with one another while still remaining mobile, they have become more lawful than other Elves, seeking a balance between Law and Chaos.

Elf culture is currently +2 Concentration and Spellcraft, Proficiency with longsword, rapier, and bows, and favored class: wizard. The favored class and skill bonuses could fit the Moon Elves, but I don't think it particularly fits the other elves.

Understand what I'm looking for?

[So-Keher]

Yes I see it now. But what did you need help with? It seems like you have everything pretty well covered here. I am actually re-formatting my own setting to take in mind some of the considerations you presented. :)

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I can't say I'm a regular here, but I will say my favorite race (from the ones you posted on the WotC board) was the leviathan.  I could see them having some serious distinctions based on colorations.  Frogs and many other amphibians often have brilliant colorings.

Perhaps organge/black leviathans favor rainforests, building beaver-like dams.  They find axes to be the greatest weapon in the world (good for cutting trees).  They see the blue/green leviathans from the marsh as weak and lazy.

Anyway, I don't know if that's what you were looking for, but that's all that immediately sprung to mind.  Use any part of it that helps.

[Xeviat]

Thanks Phoenix; I haven't started working on Avalon yet, right now I'm focusing on Terran.

As for what I need ... I need help figuring out how to differentiate the cultures through their cultural traits; starting with the Elves since they're the ones I've worked on the most so far.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

It sounds like you're mostly there on elves anyway.  However, you might consider differing weapon proficiencies.

I'd say what you list sounds perfect for Star Elves, but night elves might have something else.  Maybe they prefer shortswords and clubs like arnis sticks.

Or perhaps Star elves like whips and try to swing from trees with them.

Maybe the Moon elves like poisoned dart blowguns.