Elves

Base Cost: 11.5 points (either way))

Origin:

Elves are the result of cross-breeding between fairies and humans, but have stabilized into their own, distinct people. They can range from seemingly human to supernatural in appearance and ability, depending on which 'side' of the family tree these hybrid entities favor more.

Known Powers (standard):

Infravision: elves are often blessed with the power to peer into multiple portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This usually manifests as the ability to see by heat as well as light, an ability that is wielded at Good (10) rank by its possessors. (4 points)

Longevity: though not ageless like their fae ancestor(s), elves possess an extended lifespan. This will often come in at least at Feeble (2) rank, which gives elves who have this ability a five hundred and sixty year eventual lifespan (assuming death by old age), per this formula:

normal human lifespan (70) times power rank cubed (8) = eventual elfin lifespan (560 years) (.5 points)

Known Powers (faerie variants):

Additional Limbs / Wings: those elves who are much, much closer to the fairy side of their heritage are often possessed of this anatomical feature. These extremities are the magically empowered wings fairies typically have, and allow for Poor (4) flight (60 miles per hour). (1 point)

Shrinking: some elves who reflect their fairy side more are naturally shorter than ordinary humans. Such elves may stand as short as eighteen inches tall (Poor (4) rank, size factor of -2), while most are instead three feet tall (Feeble (2) rank, size factor of -1). (extremely limited, 1 point)

Limitations / Enhancements (standard):

None. Most conventional elves lack special character limitations or enhancements based solely on their ancestry, leaving their listed abilities at the indicated cost, above. Any other limitation or enhancement chosen for a specific elf will change them appropriately, however.

Limitations / Enhancements (faerie variants):

Those elves whose ancestry hews closer to the fairy side of their lineage possess the following strong character limitation, which can reduce the cost of their various powers by two steps, above and beyond that which any of their individual spells or powers may provide.

Weakness to Iron: elves with a majority of fairy blood in their veins suffer from this limitation. When in physical contact with iron, their attributes drop to Feeble (2) in rank, they cannot cast spells or wield their other powers, and suffer from excruciating pain.

This is a strong character limitation.

Equipment:

Personal Weapon: while they are famous for the use of bows, at least mythologically speaking, there's nothing stopping an elf from taking up any kind of weapon he or she chooses - ranging from swords to firearms to whatever else that fits their background, really.

Quirks:

Abnormal Attribute: while similar to humans in appearance, elves have their distinctive qualities. A 'standard' elf will generally be of a more slight build than a human of equivalent ability, and will usually possess their kind's trademark pointy ears.

If an elf takes after its fairy parentage a bit more, they may also be a bit shorter overall, and might possibly even possess the wings of such creatures. On the other hand, an elf who is closer to his or her human 'half' may only betray the barest hint of elfin blood in their appearance.

Magical Aptitude: while not inherently given the ability to cast magic, elves nonetheless inherit an aptitude for such thanks to their curious heritage. Spells cast by elves will function, for all purposes save for damage, at their listed rank +1 CS.

Talents:

Stealth: something about elves allows them to move about relatively unnoticed - their appearance notwithstanding. When attempting to sneak around or even move inconspicuously, an elf should inflict a -1 CS on Intuition ACTIONs attempted by would-be observers of their person.

Tracking: elves have an affinity for nature, and can readily detect when someone or something has disturbed it in their vicinity. This translates into an excellent tracking ability, and elves may automatically engage in such behavior at their Intuition (alt) rank +1 CS.

Weapon Talent: finally, elves usually excel in the use of one weapon - something they'll work at above all others as a matter of pride. This can entail the possession of any one weapon talent, ranging from bows to guns to swords to, well, anything really.

Contacts:

The inevitable result of interactions between fairies and humans, elves tend to stick up for each other - they rarely fit into the worlds of either of their ancestors, after all. Other than that though, elves make their own friends (and enemies) in the world.

Characteristics:

Elves, regardless of which 'side' of their ancestry they favor more (if any), tend to bear a thoughtful demeanor. They're often rather long-lived, after all, and thus have plenty of time to think things through. Of course, this time also allows them a long, long memory.

Appearance:

Elves are close to ordinary humans in appearance, with two exceptions: their slight builds (which can usually be explained away easily enough) and their pointy ears (which usually cannot). Within these limitations, an elf can readily hide amongst the 'normals'.

This assumes an elf that doesn't take after one side of its heritage or the other. Elves who are closer to fairies genetically may wield additional powers and appear considerably different, as indicated above, and might find themselves more at home away from humans.

On the other hand, an elf who is decidedly more human in aspect might be indistinguishable from other such beings, perhaps developing slightly elfin characteristics upon reaching puberty... or perhaps possessing an unexplained knack for seeing in the dark.

Ecological Niche:

An elf can occupy any niche a normal human can. Of course, their natural skills and powers lend themselves to a successful life in a wilderness setting, whether living as hunters or gatherers. They can often do this without disturbing the land near their settlements in the slightest.

History:

Elves did not come about due to natural selection. This species is a result of fairies and humans intermingling over untold millennia, most often with the aid of magic - this because the original donors of elfin genes came into being under dramatically different circumstances.

The initial offspring of humans and fairies possessed wildly differing appearances and abilities, though over thousands and thousands of years elfin genes eventually stabilized... mostly due to elves finally producing more of their own kind directly, without outside 'assistance'.

This process occurred simultaneously, more or less, in multiple planes of existence. This is why one can encounter elfin populations that possess startling differences from one place to another, but overall function the same, mechanically speaking.

Elves have thus become, over time, ingrained in multiple mythologies.

Taking full advantage of their long lifespan and affinity for magic and nature, elves have demonstrated a tendency to stick with their own kind. This allows them to peacefully occupy a given space for extensive periods of time, doing so with minimal impact on their environment.

Mind you, many elves find themselves possessed by a powerful wanderlust, and eschew their natural tendencies to roam far and wide - even crossing dimensional boundaries. Thus, one can often find examples of these beings almost anywhere in the multiverse!

Legal Hoopajoob:

I offer my Costumed Adventurer Simulation Engine work under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You may use this material as you see fit in your own, derivative texts or products, whether copying, distributing, or displaying it, as long as you credit me within said works.

If you would like more information about me for attribution, you can contact me via e mail (DashApostrophe@gmail.com).

Extra Goodies:

Questions or comments? Contact the author at your convenience!