Differences between races (human and elf)

[Naith1]

Did you notice any particular physical differences between human and elf races? It seems there are even less in PoE than it was in BG series... where practically the only one was slimmer body and longer face/eyes. Why no different height, ears etc... 

[Nonek]

Well in one quite important manner they are very different, they can't breed. This being so, and there being no offspring born of an Elven and Human union, they are not races but two seperate species. The physical similarity is perhaps born of shared ancestry millions of years in the past, but that is pure speculation.

 

I think this is quite unique and interesting, and would like to see it explored further.

[Sheikh]

Its because Obsidian needs to be more politically correct in todays politically correct world and diminish the differences between all races that they can, otherwise it would appear racialist of them to suggest that elves are in any way different from humans. Because obviously they are just as good, not that they couldnt otherwise be as good in any other way than actually being just like humans )))))))))))

Edited December 17, 2014 by Sheikh

[Elzarath]

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

[Sheikh]

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

No there isnt. That would be racialist of you to think so. They are basically the exact same as humans. In fact, race in Poe doesnt exist. Its just a meaningless biographic classification purely for esoteric roleplay purposes.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Sheikh

[Nakia]

Elves were originally a type of supernatural being from German folklore and mythology.    In fantasy games they have been brought closer to human beings.  So I see as adjusting things to make humans more equal to elves.

 

Politcal Correctness is going to be the death of fantasy if not controlled.

[Nonek]

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

 

Elves can't successffully breed with humans and vice versa, their union does not produce offspring it seems. Thus they are two seperate species rather than races of a species.

 

Of course Humans and Elves do have their own races within their species, can't remember the names right now, it'll be on the Wiki I assume.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Nonek

[Lephys]

That's actually pretty interesting. In most of these worlds, everyone can just all inter-breed and make "half(insert race name here)s".

 

Actually... I want to see an Aumorlan. 8P

[Lord Wafflebum]

I think the OP was more suggesting that they look an awful lot alike, which is fair. Their lore is different, yes, but the models themselves are very similar. The elves are just mildly more slender and have pointier ears than the humans. It would be super-duper if they looked a bit more distinct, methinks.

[Flow]

 

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

 

Elves can't successffully breed with humans and vice versa, their union does not produce offspring it seems. Thus they are two seperate species rather than races of a species.

 

Of course Humans and Elves do have their own races within their species, can't remember the names right now, it'll be on the Wiki I assume.

 

 

The game uses the terms "race" and "sub-race". Yes, biologically speaking those should really be "species" and "ethnicity" (or more accurately "population"), but hey. Legacy fantasy RPG terminology doesn't do science.

[Lord Wafflebum]

 

 

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

 

Elves can't successffully breed with humans and vice versa, their union does not produce offspring it seems. Thus they are two seperate species rather than races of a species.

 

Of course Humans and Elves do have their own races within their species, can't remember the names right now, it'll be on the Wiki I assume.

 

 

The game uses the terms "race" and "sub-race". Yes, biologically speaking those should really be "species" and "ethnicity" (or more accurately "population"), but hey. Legacy fantasy RPG terminology doesn't do science.

 

Anthropology and Evolutionary Biology probably aren't disciplines that exist in the PoE world yet

[Sheikh]

Anthropology and Evolutionary Biology probably aren't disciplines that exist in the PoE world yet

Nor do they exist in the real world outside delusion.

 

Politcal Correctness is going to be the death of fantasy if not controlled. 

Death of the real world as well.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Sheikh

[Flow]

 

Anthropology and Evolutionary Biology probably aren't disciplines that exist in the PoE world yet

Nor do they exist in the real world outside delusion.

 

Uh...wha?

 

I'm definitely not debating this topic in the PoE forums, so I'll just choose to believe this is sarcasm.

[charms]

What I don't get is dwarves. If there's going to be a seperate species based on a real-life physical deformity, wouldn't hunchbacks be a better choice?

[Snoozer]

Fiction.

Fantasy.

 

Oh yes, Creative Writing.

 

Leave your pedagogical meanderings in the Who Cares? forum.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Snoozer

[Osvir]

That's actually pretty interesting. In most of these worlds, everyone can just all inter-breed and make "half(insert race name here)s".

 

Actually... I want to see an Aumorlan. 8P

 

This brings to mind a creature idea I made but never published!

 

Aumermen :D (Aumaua mermen/mermaid's, or non-evolved Aumaua... Sahagin, in essence)

 

As for the topic... I have seen this topic, but I think they are distinct, different.

 

Humans are larger, elves are smaller. Though, in the game-space, on-screen, I suppose they do look kinda similar *shrug* not much to do.

 

One thing though, Pale Elves, they look silvery and really cool (what I assume is a pale elf). Will a similar color scheme/palette be introduced?

 

Maybe that could be one thing to vary Humans and Elf's. Color schemes... maybe? Or even pointier ears.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Osvir

[Lychnidos]

 

 

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

 

Elves can't successffully breed with humans and vice versa, their union does not produce offspring it seems. Thus they are two seperate species rather than races of a species.

 

Of course Humans and Elves do have their own races within their species, can't remember the names right now, it'll be on the Wiki I assume.

 

 

The game uses the terms "race" and "sub-race". Yes, biologically speaking those should really be "species" and "ethnicity" (or more accurately "population"), but hey. Legacy fantasy RPG terminology doesn't do science.

 

 

What does ethnicity has with biology, and how would it be a better therm than "sub-race" which in game refers to physical appearance? 

 

 

Edit: 

And to actually answer OP's question, there is a difference in height, elves are shorter and also have slightly larger pointy ears.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Lychnidos

[Sheikh]

Race=species=genetics=ethnicity.

[Lychnidos]

Race=species=genetics=ethnicity.

 

Ethnicity is a social construct e.g French, Spanish, Russian, and in PoE Aedyrnian Elves and Glanfathan Elves.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Lychnidos

[Flow]

 

 

 

Elves can't breed? Is there a finite amount in the world?

 

Elves can't successffully breed with humans and vice versa, their union does not produce offspring it seems. Thus they are two seperate species rather than races of a species.

 

Of course Humans and Elves do have their own races within their species, can't remember the names right now, it'll be on the Wiki I assume.

 

 

The game uses the terms "race" and "sub-race". Yes, biologically speaking those should really be "species" and "ethnicity" (or more accurately "population"), but hey. Legacy fantasy RPG terminology doesn't do science.

 

 

What does ethnicity has with biology, and how would it be a better therm than "sub-race" which in game refers to physical appearance? 

 

 

"Race" is a meaningless word in biology because it doesn't actually describe anything at the genetic level. "Population" is the correct term for an isolated interbreeding group. "Ethnicity" is more or less the common term for population but, yes, it's not very precise.

[Sedrefilos]

Well I guess they wanted elves to be more humanlike. There are other races that have big differences from humans so I don't think it has anything to do with political correctness, which would be stupid anyway since there are no real life elves

 

Who said elves must be way more different than humans? It's a fantasy world were one designes races as he or she likes

[Sheikh]

"Race" is a meaningless word in biology because it doesn't actually describe anything at the genetic level. 

It doesnt describe much at the genetic level, but it does describe some.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Sheikh

[Lord Wafflebum]

Race=species=genetics=ethnicity.

This hurt me in my science gland.

[Sheikh]

 

Race=species=genetics=ethnicity.

This hurt me in my science gland.

 

Science is a study of the material world and therefore can only teach base information, not how to use that information. We need to use our spirits to find that out and if you use science for that, you will be mistaken.

 

Those 4 are all fundamentally the same thing, especially in the context of this topic. Science has nothing to do with it at all. Science as such does not exist in the world of poe because the world of poe does not materially exist.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Sheikh

[LadyCrimson]

Outside of the ears and height (whether taller or shorter than humans), in games I tend to see racial differences more via stats/bonuses/minuses etc. I mean, it'd be cool if elves were depicted outside the "thin, pointy-ear" trope - I've read some interesting interpretations in written fiction -but I'm fine with more humanistic elves too.  And with the small figures (this isn't 1st person Skyrim), I probably won't notice much that often anyway, except when I'm zoomed in occasionally.

 

You can always put in your own portrait/s and let your imagination run.