Elfin Chain, Boots, Cloak; Good for Game Balance

[cooper]

All elves in CHAINMAIL are classed as heavy foot, but have a mvt. of 12". Elves in 0d&d are AC 5 and mvt. 12". Elves in greyhawk suppliment are AC 5 and mvt. 12", elves in Ad&d and elves in OSRIC are all AC 5 and mvt. 12".

This is easily accounted for as all elfin troops (except those heroic types in magic plate armor) wear elfin chain. Elfin chain allows for mvt. 12 instead of 9 and weighs 1/2 of normal chain and is as bulky as clothing.



Elves in CM can turn invisible. Elves in 0d&d can as well, elves in ad&d are 90% invisible and silent in a forrest. This is accounted for (in the two first examples) as having elfin cloaks and boots. Makes sense. Elfs wear elf armor and wear elf clothes.
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Here's where I think people balk. It's actually better game balance to allow elves to start with cloaks and boots of elfin kind, because when new magic items are found the player must make a choice between his elvish cloak, or the cloak of protection, or the cloak of arch-magi or whatever. In Ad&d there is no trade-off, the elf always has this ability as it's not tied to the cloaks and boots.

So I say, start all elf PC's with cloak, boots, and chain of elfin-kind. After all, if the elf is a 1st level fighter, he is a veteran of the elvish army! A leader of other elvish troops. Only 1 elf in 40 is a veteran.

**Addendum. New magic item.

Elvish Sword
These magic swords wielded by elvish generals and demi-heroes are +1 against most foes. In the hands of an elf, against orcs it functions as +2 swords, against goblins they are +3 swords. When fighting ogres they are merely +1 swords but do 2d6 damage. Like other swords they have egos and intelligence.

the above magic sword incorporates the CM ability of quasi-hero elves who fight with magic swords to deal extra damage to orcs, goblins, and ogres which was lost in 0d&d I don't hand these out at 1st level . It's a weapon designed after the +3 dwarfen hammer of throwing.

[thorswulf]

Hmmmm.... I don't know as I'd agree with that. Remember player character elves are NOT monsters, so their stats for movement Do depend on armor worn, weapons and equipment carried and so forth.

If you are worried about movement rates then allow elves (and elves ONLY) to purchase elfin chain that gives them lighter encumbrance, but protection equal to normal chain. Oh yeah, I'd triple the price for normal chain too!

[makofan]

I like cooper's idea

[cooper]

When I say, "start all elves with..." what I really mean is allow for purchase. I would price elfin chain as normal chain (purchasable only by elfs of course), and price boots and cloak at 25gp each. Which should put a dent in any 1st level PC's buying options, especially if the buying a bow as well. It would be a trade off against hirelings, or a horse perhaps. PC elfs wouldn't be forced to start with them (if they wanted plate perhaps).

The logic is the same as to why 1st level fighters (veterans) can usually afford plate armor. Because CHAINMAIL says that veterans (leaders with 1+1 hd) are equiped with, "the best armor and weapons available".

So, veterans start play with Plate (if they purchase it at character creation) and elfs--I feel, should have the option for boots, cloak, and chain of elfinkind, no more or less than any 1hd npc elf man at arms. YMMV