Happy New Year!

As 2014 closes out, it is a time to reflect about how the year went and look forward to the year to come.  Like everyone else there are things I regret in the last year.  Not writing enough, not taking time for me, not finishing those projects I really wanted to get done.  My biggest revelation of the year was when I went in for an early colonoscopy, because my father had colon cancer, and they found a carcinoid tumor in the early stages.  It really puts a perspective on your life.  Though it wasn't entirely life threatening, (it would have been if left to it's own devices), it makes you stand up and take note.  My husband and I spend a lot of time volunteering for this and that and decided we don't have enough "us" time.  So we took a whole day for us on the launch of the World of Warcraft's last expansion.  You know, it was great.

As 2015 comes in, think of these few things.  Family is important.  Spend as much time as you can, (or can stand), with them.  Petty squabbles, throw them out the window.  They are not important.  Those projects, sitting on the shelf, take them off the shelf and get them done.  That trip you wanted to do but are putting if off because life is too busy, take it.  Tell those people you love that you love them.  I know it's all cliché, but they are all so true when your life is put in perspective. And if you are writing, keep writing!

Happy New Year!

Races of Martapa Part XXVII

Ancient Elven Names: The names of Ancient Elves varies and are very eclectic. Names like Kia, Kiah, Kianna, Tyee, Tyrell and Tessa are examples.  A lot of more modern American names seem to fit this race of people. Very few take actual nature names, like Amber or Acorn, but may have a name that "translates" into a nature name.  Baby books are good for helping you with this.  Happy Gaming!

Races of Martapa Part XXVI

Ancient Elf Adventures: Ancient Elves would usually be good for mages, clerics, or rangers.  I have a class of Gryphon Riders, but these are the elite who protect the King and Queen so I wouldn't allow your players to be one of these on a whim, since they would have access to a Gryphon and should be restricted to being near the King or Queen.  I would give a plus to Intellect and perhaps Agility, (but you could argue their wings make them less agile at least on the ground), and take away from Strength and Constitution.  If your campaign requires a flying feat/proficiency to fly they should get this for free, though you could restrict their flight capabilities.  Spears are a favorite weapon of the Ancient Elves, so you might offer this up as a freebie.

Races of Martapa Part XXV

Ancient Elves Religion and Alignment: Ancient Elves worship the Lady Tymara, Goddess of Sun and Elements.  They also worship Wesa and Iktomi, as well as the Lady Catiana.  They are normally of Lawful Good alignment, though Neutral Good is not uncommon.  As a whole, they are never evil, though there are some neutral alignments on occasion.  They will stop any who worship dark gods and will aid those of the light.

Races of Martapa Part XXIV

Ancient Elves Relations: Ancient Elves stick to themselves for the most part and let the outside world be as it is.  They find everyone else as children and will treat them accordingly.  This is true even if said ancient elf is speaking to a three hundred year old dwarf and the ancient elf is merely a few decades old.  They appreciate the Akicitia, for both races live for so long and revere the Lady Catiana.  And though the Akicitia are ground bound, the ancients will come to their aid if need be.  They do not tolerate ogres or their kin.  Minotaurs are a case by case bases because they know the Black Wizards are using them.

Races of Martapa Part XXIII

Ancient Elves Society: These elves have maybe three or four children in a life time and thus are very protective of them, childhood not ending, really, until the child is close to 100 years old.  A single family will live in a small niche in the aerie and everyone uses the common spaces for other activities. This is a monarch society, where either there is a queen or a king, sex doesn't really matter on station.  Castes do, however, play a part in their society.  They speak, Ancient Elven and most speak the High King's tongue, as well.

Races of Martapa Part XXII

Ancient Elf Descriptions: Winged or Ancient Elves are the oldest of all the mortal races.  They live for several thousand years, tend to be soft spoken and graceful.  They stand around five and half feet tall, (taller then wood elves), and their skin can be pale to dark ebony.  Their wings, which appear to be soft angel wings, can range from silver to black, and this usually depends on family lineage.  Their wings are as tall as they are and their wing span is twice their height.  Their ears are tapered, their bodies lithe and they weigh 3/4 of what a wood elf would weigh.  They fly because of magic, not physics, so don't try to rationalize it biologically, (which I've tried).

Races of Martapa Part XXI

Wood Elf Names:  My naming of Wood Elves is random, though there is some rhyme or reason to it.  Many wood elves have names to do with items in nature, such as Amber, Crystal, Holly, and Pine, but other names are more "normal" names such as Chay or Nye.  My suggestion is to think of the character you are making.  If they are more the ranger type, go with the nature type names, if they are more a magic user or noble, go for a name which is more sophisticated.

Races of Martapa Part XX

Wood Elf Adventures: Some possible classes for your campaign world would be fighters, rangers, mages, clerics, and bards.  They would also be eligible for a class of my own making: Clan Warrior, a special kind of fighter/mage/cleric.  Elves should be given a free language and the option of the bow or a second free language they can write.  I would give a bonus to Agility, Charisma and intellect, but take from Constitution and Strength if you want to tweak them from your own stock elf.

Races of Martapa Part XIX

Wood Elves Religion and Alignment: Most Wood Elves worship Targon, Elven God of Magic, though Wesa, God of Animals, and Iktomi, God of Nature are also worshiped heavily..  Some also worship the Goddess of Neutrality, Catiana.  Most Wood Elves are Lawful to Chaotic Good, with some being Neutral.  Few are evil, but they can be corrupted to be so.

Races of Martapa Part XVIII

Wood Elf Relations:  Elves, in general, look at humans in disdain, thinking them too young and inexperienced. Not all elves feel this way, but most do.  Dwarves are too gruff for elven tastes and drink foul brews.  Akicitia are honorable and though barbaric in some ways, elves find them good friends.  Ancient Elves are revered, ogres are hated and feared, and Minotaurs, though hated for helping the Black Wizards, were once good friends.

Races of Martapa Part XVII

Wood Elf Society: Family size is small, usually only two or three children in their long lifetimes which can last a millennium.  They live in homes upon the ground amongst the trees or high in the tree branches if in the north.  In the south they like homes which are burrowed into the ground or hillsides.  These are a people ruled by a king or queen, though in the south they are called a Chief.  There are tiers of society, but an elf will always help an elf in need.