Elf - Revision history

DPhKraken: /* Ethics */

2026-03-26T02:33:45Z

Ethics

DPhKraken: /* Ethics */ Elaborate on some game effects

2026-03-26T02:32:42Z

Ethics: Elaborate on some game effects

DPhKraken at 02:17, 26 March 2026

2026-03-26T02:17:56Z

DPhKraken: Elves display facial hair on their sprites, reflecting an extant tissue, though it is minimal

2026-03-26T01:59:40Z

Elves display facial hair on their sprites, reflecting an extant tissue, though it is minimal

GeloMor at 22:22, 15 March 2026

2026-03-15T22:22:24Z

Zippy: /* Stock */

2026-01-21T23:14:38Z

Stock

Zippy: Added animated portrait

2026-01-12T22:46:52Z

Added animated portrait

Silverwing235 at 22:04, 12 December 2025

2025-12-12T22:04:43Z

Silverwing235 at 22:03, 12 December 2025

2025-12-12T22:03:57Z

GeloMor at 06:21, 11 December 2025

2025-12-11T06:21:45Z

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 (Note that these are merely the ethics of elven ''civilizations''. Elves may adopt the cultures of other races via wandering individuals joining civilizations, or when conquest absorbs elves into another civilization. Sentient creatures adopt the values and ethics of their culture, subject to personal variation. Elves born among, [[Main:Cacame Awemedinade|or even leading]], dwarves may adopt dwarven ethics and values, and vice versa.)
-As ghastly as the concept may be, elven cultures have become more powerful since the days of [[Main:Tholtig|Tholtig Cryptbrain]], and it is entirely possible for one or more dwarven civilizations to be extinct due to elven aggression. What elves lack in engineering, crafting, or [[Soap maker|hygiene]], they make up for in raw, unwashed numbers, and once-mighty dwarven civilizations may crumble to hordes of soldiers and great beasts alike. Immortality also allows elven [[historical figure]]s to continually develop their skills throughout history. Even more troubling is their employment of [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], often much better equipped than the elves themselves. Embarking with (possibly homeless wandering survivor) dwarves claiming to be from that civilization is possible, but always starts at war with the elves that claimed the lives of those tragically unfortunate dwarves' friends, and you may not get migrants.
+As ghastly as the concept may be, elven cultures have become more powerful since the days of [[Main:Tholtig|Tholtig Cryptbrain]], and it is entirely possible for one or more dwarven civilizations to be extinct due to elven aggression. What elves lack in engineering, crafting, or [[Soaper|hygiene]], they make up for in raw, unwashed numbers, and once-mighty dwarven civilizations may crumble to hordes of soldiers and great beasts alike. Immortality also allows elven [[historical figure]]s to continually develop their skills throughout history. Even more troubling is their employment of [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], often much better equipped than the elves themselves. Embarking with (possibly homeless wandering survivor) dwarves claiming to be from that civilization is possible, but always starts at war with the elves that claimed the lives of those tragically unfortunate dwarves' friends, and you may not get migrants.
 ==In combat==

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 [[File:Stasost-sarasti.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Artist rendering of an elf by Mechlin ([http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=169691.msg7701761#msg7701761 post])]]
-Elven [[civilization]]s' [[ethics]] often differ from those of other races. Their position on moral philosophy will likely put them at odds with [[human]]s, [[goblin]]s, [[dwarf|dwarves]], and sometimes [[kobold]]s and [[animal people]], although they favor war with goblins over other races. At any given point in time, elves and dwarves are likely to be at peace, but it is certainly possible for an elven civilization to be at war with a dwarven one at the end of worldgen. Use the tab button when selecting an [[embark]] site to view whether elves are at war with the currently selected dwarven culture, and cycle dwarven cultures to find out.
+Elven [[civilization]]s' [[ethics]] often differ from those of other races. Their position on moral philosophy will likely put them at odds with [[human]]s, [[goblin]]s, [[dwarf|dwarves]], and sometimes [[kobold]]s and [[animal people]], although they favor war with goblins over other races. Their settlement of [[savage]] lands likewise leads to animal people often joining their ranks. At any given point in time, elves and dwarves are likely to be at peace, but it is certainly possible for an elven civilization to be at war with a dwarven one at the end of worldgen. Use the tab button when selecting an [[embark]] site to view whether elves are at war with the currently selected dwarven culture, and cycle dwarven cultures to find out.
-Elves are the only race which wholeheartedly accepts the devouring of enemy combatants. Looking in legends mode shows that an elven combatant will sometimes devour the other person they were fighting when they win. In spite of this, elves refuse to butcher and consume intelligent beings under other conditions. Elves find torture as an example acceptable, but condemn other forms of torture and consider torturing for information misguided. To elves, keeping any trophy of any kind is an unthinkable act. Elves begrudgingly allow for killing animals when done in self-defense, and the killing of other elves by an elf is justified if there is an extremely good reason for doing so. For elves, the killing of plants, ''especially'' trees, is unthinkable, on the other hand, the killing of neutral beings and enemies is acceptable. Elven society seems to be regulated by shame from the community, rather than by threat of punishment; as such, elves never offer serious or capital punishment to criminals; instead, elves found to have committed vandalism, trespassing or theft are reprimanded, while those convicted of treason, lying, oath-breaking, assault or participating in slavery are forced into exile.
+Elves are the only race which wholeheartedly accepts the devouring of enemy combatants. Looking in legends mode shows that an elven combatant will sometimes devour the other person they were fighting when they win. In spite of this, elves refuse to butcher and consume intelligent beings under other conditions. Elves find torture as an example acceptable, but condemn other forms of torture and consider torturing for information misguided. To elves, keeping any trophy of any kind is an unthinkable act. In world generation, their position on cannibalism is particularly notable for driving conflicts with other civilizations.
-Elves [[Personality value|value]] nature incredibly highly, and they also place a degree of value on family, eloquence, cunning, artwork, fairness, merriment, competition, and romance, but they do not especially respect commerce and have a dislike for self-control. However, even an elf will be "annoyed caught in the rain", as inconsistent as that may be.
+Elves begrudgingly allow for killing animals when done in self-defense, and the killing of fellow elves is justified if there is an extremely good reason for doing so. For elves, the killing of plants, ''especially'' trees, is unthinkable, on the other hand, the killing of neutral beings and enemies is acceptable. Elven society seems to be regulated by shame from the community, rather than by threat of punishment; as such, elves never offer serious or capital punishment to criminals; instead, elves found to have committed vandalism, trespassing or theft are reprimanded, while those convicted of treason, lying, oath-breaking, assault or participating in slavery are forced into exile.
-(Note that these are merely the ethics of elven ''civilizations''. Elves may adopt the cultures of other races via wandering individuals joining civilizations, or when conquest absorbs elves into another civilization. Sentient creatures adopt the values and ethics of their culture, regardless of race. Elves living among, [[Main:Cacame Awemedinade|or even leading]], dwarves will have dwarven ethics and values, and vice versa.)
+Elves [[Personality value|value]] nature above all, and they also place a degree of value on family, eloquence, cunning, artwork, fairness, merriment, competition, and romance, but they do not especially respect commerce and have a dislike for self-control. However, even an elf can be "annoyed caught in the rain", as inconsistent as that may be with their respect for nature.
-As ghastly as the concept may be, elven cultures have become more powerful since the days of [[Main:Tholtig|Tholtig Cryptbrain]], and it is entirely possible for one or more dwarven civilizations to be extinct due to elven aggression. What elves lack in engineering, crafting, intelligence, bravery, skill, or hygiene, they make up for in raw, unwashed numbers, and once-mighty dwarven civilizations may crumble to the hordes. Even more troubling is their employment of [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], often much better equipped than the elves themselves. Embarking with (possibly homeless wandering survivor) dwarves claiming to be from that civilization is possible, but always starts at war with the elves that claimed the lives of those tragically unfortunate dwarves' friends, and you may not get migrants.
+(Note that these are merely the ethics of elven ''civilizations''. Elves may adopt the cultures of other races via wandering individuals joining civilizations, or when conquest absorbs elves into another civilization. Sentient creatures adopt the values and ethics of their culture, subject to personal variation. Elves born among, [[Main:Cacame Awemedinade|or even leading]], dwarves may adopt dwarven ethics and values, and vice versa.)
 ==In combat==

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 '''Elves''' (singular, '''Elf''') are <s>smelly, stuck-up, arrogant [[tree]]-fondling hippies</s> intelligent [[Creature|humanoids]] dedicated to the protection of ''their'' concept of nature (centered around trees, and the worship of certain natural [[force]]s that permeate the forests, as opposed to the [[deities]] worshipped by other races). They are one of the main [[civilization]]s of the game, featured in [[fortress mode]] and playable in [[adventurer mode]].
-By default, they are often allies of [[dwarves]] and [[humans]], however, elves' conflicting view on nature compared to other races, can create tension between them and their erstwhile allies. Elves often prefer using grown wood (and sometimes glass) for their weapons and armor, which do very little damage and offers little protection respectively compared to metal. If you go to war with them, you'll find that their primary danger comes from their numbers, archers, and dangerous tamed animals that may [[Mount|accompany]] them.
+By default, they are often allies of [[dwarves]] and [[humans]], however, elves' conflicting view on nature compared to other races can create tension between them and their erstwhile allies. Elves often prefer using grown wood (and sometimes glass) for their weapons and armor, which do very little damage and offers little protection respectively compared to metal. If you go to war with them, you'll find that their primary danger comes from their numbers, archers, and dangerous tamed animals that may [[Mount|accompany]] them.
 In fortress mode, <s>hippie wagons</s> elven caravans arrive in late spring, bringing only [[plant]]s and their own "grown" [[wood]]-related items, [[cage]]d tame animals, or various types of [[clay]] and [[sand]]. When trading with elves, unless the player seeks to intentionally antagonize them, they must be very careful to not offer any wooden objects/animal-derived goods - [[#Trading|see here for specifics]]. You may also steal from them, or even kill them, without fear of immediate repercussion, as elven caravans are unguarded, and merchants will not resist if you seize their goods, or competently fight back if attacked.

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 Offending elves by attempting to trade wooden items normally causes them to angrily refuse further trade that year and leave early. ''Repeatedly'' offending elves by attempting to trade wooden items may cause them to attack your fortress with an [[ambush]], which may later evolve into a full [[siege]].
-Elves appear as usually thin and/or frail humanoids similar to humans, but with pointy ears, having no facial hair, but, rarely at least, stubble. Like [[goblin]]s, they are biologically [[immortal]] and will only die to violence and disease, and also similarly to goblins, this tends to result in high populations. Their life of harmony with the land and its wild beauty and creatures (due to elven civs possessing the {{token|AT_PEACE_WITH_WILDLIFE|e}} token) leads to them often settling in [[savage|high-savagery]] regions. Elves speak the [[Main:Elven language|elven language]].
+Elves appear as usually thin and/or frail humanoids similar to humans, but with pointy ears and modest facial hair. Like [[goblin]]s, they are biologically [[immortal]] and will only die to violence and disease, and also similarly to goblins, this tends to result in high populations. Their life of harmony with the land and its wild beauty and creatures (due to elven civs possessing the {{token|AT_PEACE_WITH_WILDLIFE|e}} token) leads to them often settling in [[savage|high-savagery]] regions. Elves speak the [[Main:Elven language|elven language]].
 Some <s>stupid, useless, tree-fondling traitors</s> ''highly misguided'' dwarves [[Preferences|like]] elves for their ''grace''.

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 Once your fort has a [[baron]], elven civilizations in diplomatic contact send a [[Diplomat#Elven diplomats|diplomat]] to [[Meeting|meet]] with them approximately halfway through the first month in [[Calendar|spring]].
-If this is their first visit to your fort and you aren't at war with their civilization, the diplomat will either congratulate you for your respect for the trees, or, in the more-likely event that you've cut even one down, chastise you for your disrespect. At some point, the diplomat may revisit your fortress to establish a treecutting quota, requesting that the dwarves keep the amount of trees cut down to a variable quota. It is possible to negotiate for a higher number, and the quota seems to be affected by your noble's [[Zone#Quality_and_value|office quality]], [[stress]], and [[social skill]]s. If the player agrees to a treecutting quota, it will be visible after selecting the elves in [[Civilization and World Info|the Civilizations screen]], {{k|shift-Y}}. This quota lasts until the next year's meeting, and keeping to it will improve [[Diplomacy|diplomatic relations]], while violating it will worsen them and can lead to all-out [[war]], as will rejecting a quota entirely. '''However, agreeing and sticking to a quota in one year, and then denying any agreement in the next, will keep the relationship in a state of "alliance", allowing your dwarves to raze entire forests every second year without the elves getting unhappy about it.'''
+If this is their first visit to your fort and you aren't at war with their civilization, the diplomat will either congratulate you for your respect for the trees, or, in the more-likely event that you've cut even one down, chastise you for your disrespect. At some point, the diplomat may revisit your fortress to establish a treecutting quota, requesting that the dwarves keep the amount of trees cut down to a variable quota. It is possible to negotiate for a higher number, and the quota seems to be affected by your noble's [[Zone#Quality_and_value|office quality]], [[stress]], and [[social skill]]s. If the player agrees to a treecutting quota, it will be visible after selecting the elves in [[Civilization and World Info|the Civilizations screen]], {{menu icon|Y}}. This quota lasts until the next year's meeting, and keeping to it will improve [[Diplomacy|diplomatic relations]], while violating it will worsen them and can lead to all-out [[war]], as will rejecting a quota entirely. '''However, agreeing and sticking to a quota in one year, and then denying any agreement in the next, will keep the relationship in a state of "alliance", allowing your dwarves to raze entire forests every second year without the elves getting unhappy about it.'''
 Note that the quota is measured in trees, not logs, so be sure to fell only the largest trees on your map to get the most out of your agreement. The elves also do not care if you damage saplings that haven't yet properly developed a trunk. Elves do, however, (''misguidedly enough?'')care about [[Tree#Underground trees|tree-like subterranean fungus]] like [[tower-cap]]s and [[tunnel tube]]s; cutting fungus "trees" down does count toward your quota. How many trees they will allow can be adjusted in the [[Difficulty#Tree_quota|difficulty]] [[settings]].

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 ==== Stock====
-[[File:grown_weapon_sprites_preview.png|thumb|142px|right|Some sprites of naturally grown elven weapons.]]Elven caravans will never have stone, metal, or animal products. Aside from those, you can expect an average elven caravan to have:
+[[File:grown_weapon_sprites_preview.png|thumb|142px|right|Some sprites of naturally grown elven weapons, although some standard wooden weapons will also use these sprites.]]Elven caravans will never have stone, metal, or animal products. Aside from those, you can expect an average elven caravan to have:
 * [[Wood]]en [[log]]s: Always useful, unless you are in a forest [[biome]] and ''already'' drowning in wooden logs. The quantity depends on how many logs you have already: lower means more. However, caravans with grown logs tend to be rare.

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 {{Creaturelookup/0
 |image=Elf_sprite.png
-|portrait=elf_portrait.png
+|portrait=elf_portrait_anim.gif
 |wiki=yes}}
 {{av}}

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 {{D for Dwarf}}
-'''Elves''' (singular, '''Elf''') are <s>smelly, stuck-up, arrogant [[tree]]-fondling hippies</s> intelligent [[Creature|humanoids]] dedicated to the protection of ''their'' concept of nature (centered around trees, and the worship of elemental [[force]]s that permeate the forests, as opposed to the [[deities]] worshipped by other races). They are one of the main [[civilization]]s of the game, featured in [[fortress mode]] and playable in [[adventurer mode]].
+'''Elves''' (singular, '''Elf''') are <s>smelly, stuck-up, arrogant [[tree]]-fondling hippies</s> intelligent [[Creature|humanoids]] dedicated to the protection of ''their'' concept of nature (centered around trees, and the worship of certain natural [[force]]s that permeate the forests, as opposed to the [[deities]] worshipped by other races). They are one of the main [[civilization]]s of the game, featured in [[fortress mode]] and playable in [[adventurer mode]].
 By default, they are often allies of [[dwarves]] and [[humans]], however, elves' conflicting view on nature compared to other races, can create tension between them and their erstwhile allies. Elves often prefer using grown wood (and sometimes glass) for their weapons and armor, which do very little damage and offers little protection respectively compared to metal. If you go to war with them, you'll find that their primary danger comes from their numbers, archers, and dangerous tamed animals that may [[Mount|accompany]] them.