Now for a bit of holiday cheer for your legendarium...
Yule Elf
Rare in the extreme and said to dwell in the wintry woodlands far away from the civilized world, Yule Elves
are no taller than three feet and rarely weigh more than fifty pounds. They have round, cherubic features with
perpetually rosy-red cheeks, and their icy blue eyes always seem to twinkle. One and all, Yule Elves have hair the color of
snow, with the men often growing long white beards that are regularly parted by broad smiles and hardy laughs.
They have a particular affection for children and are uncanny craftsmen, with their creativity knowing no bounds.
When left to their own affairs, Yule Elves seem capable of creating all manner of contraptions - most of which
they give away as presents during the winter season.
Table 1-1: Yule Elf Attributes
Attribute | Dice Pool |
Might | 2d6+1 |
Finesse | 3d6 |
Resolve | 2d6+6 |
Insight | 2d6+1 |
Bearing | 3d6 |
Weal | 2d6+6 |
Table 1-2: Yule Elf Archetypes
Archetype | Level Limit |
Bard | 10 |
Burglar | 7 |
Knight | - |
Ranger | 6 |
Swordsman | 4 |
Warrior | 4 |
Wayfarer* | 7 |
Wizard | -- |
Yeoman | 7 |
*See The Hero’s Companion, pg 23-26
Yule Elf Lineage Abilities
Crafty Combatant: Yule Elves are master craftsmen and tinkerers, with a natural affinity for machines and the
art of crafting them. They can use Light Crossbows regardless of any restrictions imposed by their Archetype.
In addition, all Yule Elves are capable of crafting a unique light crossbow tailored to their size and specific
abilities. The crafting of this crossbow can be done in a single night at no cost to the Yule Elf, as long as no one
witnesses the Yule Elf at work. This Yule Elf Crossbow functions identically to a standard light crossbow, save
that the Yule Elf can imbue it with one of the following Aspects without expending any Myth Points: Balanced,
Valiant, or Winter-Kissed. This Aspect vanishes in the hands of anyone other than the Yule Elf and the creator
can only own one such crossbow at any time.
Friend to All Children: Yule Elves receive Advantage on all Bearing-based Attribute Saving Throws when
interacting with children.
Secret Craftsman: Unlike other lineages, Yule Elves do not select or randomly determine their profession. All
Yule Elves are trained in all manner of craftsmanshipand are considered to have al of the following professions:
Armorer, Bowyer, Jeweler, Stonemason, Tailor, Tanner, Weaponsmith, and Woodworker. Unfortunately, they can
only practice these professions if they are only in the presence of other Yule Elves or absolutely alone. In all
other circumstances they are considered to be Unskilled.
Small Size: Yule Elves receive a +2 bonus to their Defense due to their small size and quick reflexes. They also
receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when attacking foes which are man-sized or larger.
Snow Sight: Yule Elves can see perfectly in conditions where their vision would be inhibited or impaired by snow
or other winter conditions.
Winter Wanderer: Yule Elves receive Advantage on all Saving Throws made to resist the effects of cold, whether
they be from natural hazards, magical effects, or other sources.
CHRISTMAS
This is great! I really love the fun bits like this you put into "The Hero's Journey".
ReplyDeleteNitpick: you've got a few tyops in the first paragraph ("perpetually rosy-red [cheeks?], and their icy blue eyes always seem to twink[le?]", "their cr[e]ativity knowing no bounds").
Is the crossbow a reference to something? That's not something I normally associate with Yule Elves.
Oh, and on the topic of fun bits in "The Hero's Journey", any updates on "By Feather and Coop"? I haven't seen anything since the crowdfunding campaign wrapped.
Anyway, thanks for this, and Merry Christmas to you as well!
Not a nitpick at all! I'll make the correction and thanks for the sharp eye!
DeleteWhen designing most heritages I try to give them two weapons they can use regardless of archetype. Given the strong association with crafting and toy making, the crossbow seemed the most "modern" weapon in the core book. Plus, on a personal note, as a kid I got a hand crossbow for Christmas one year and loved it - so that may be coloring my writing a bit there!
Let me check in with my publishing partner on Feather and Coop and see if I can get you some news, Dave.
Looks like the books are almost done printing and then will be shipped to the U.S. where afterwards they'll be distributed to the backers. Should be late this month or by the end of next month that By Feather and Coop starts going out to backers, if all continues at this pace.
DeleteThanks for checking. I've tried to contact Gallant Knight directly, and haven't heard back from them. Do you know what's going on with the PDFs? I thought those were supposed to go out shortly after the campaign concluded along with codes for DriveThruRPG, but I haven't gotten anything, and my account on their site just shows the order as "Paid" but "Unfulfilled".
DeleteOn the subject of this blog post, the crossbow does make sense as you explain it. I'm now envisioning Yule Elves putting together their special crossbows with leftover bits and pieces from clockwork toys and decorations, with a hand crank repurposed from a jack-in-the-box, complete with the music box playing the first several bars of "Pop! Goes the Weasel [Crossbow]". :-)