Cielothar Racial Abilities

[HoshiWomp]

​

I'd like to start by saying I held off on making this thread for a while because I never really saw an actual need for Cielothar to have a racial ability. I've played one for a little over a year and I really enjoy their lore and how they can easily be used in backstories of other races as well. So this post isn't here to say: "CIELOTHARS NEED A SUPR POWR CUZ THEY DO". Instead, I'd like to see how much the community would want a racial ability for Cielothar and pose my suggestions. If there's enough interest, maybe we could usher in a new age of change for the Wind Elves. Or maybe this'll just be a fun conduit of creativity, who knows~

So, here are a couple of my ideas:

Idea Number One - Beastial Communication

One of the main reasons I love Cielothar is their relationship with animals. Beasties are deeply ingrained in their culture and identity as a people. So, I thought why not revive the now dead Beast Magic and use it for a racial ability instead. This could be limited in a few ways to avoid God RP but I think it could be rather harmless in most cases seeing as how Cielothar are usually more peaceful folk.

Idea Number Two - Wind Speaking

So obviously we're talking about Wind Elves here; so I thought this might be a cool idea. Through some manner of wind chimes, ritual, or general communication, this ability would allow for speaking over long distances. This one isn't too concrete because we would have to find a way for this not to be meta-gamed, but here are a few possible limitations:

• The main way I'd see this power being an issue is in the case of imprisonment or kidnapping. So, to prevent people being able to share their location so easily, Cielothar would have to talk to people only when in open airflow. So if the Cielothar and the person they are speaking to are both outside, or by an open window, they could freely communicate. If one or the other is inside a boarded house, stuck in a closet, nothing gets through.
  
  
• This power could also be limited by need of an item. I had mentioned perhaps some special wind chimes could be used. That way, someone can't just run around shooting messages to their friends unless they wanted to look like a weirdo wearing wind chimes. Using chimes in particular would only allow the person to converse only when in the vicinity of the chimes. Another way this could be interpreted is in the case of a system similar to mail. Cielothar could talk to other Cielothar by sending a message through the chimes, ending up in another elf's chimes and making little Korok noises until listened too.

All in all this might be way to complicated for a racial ability but I thought it'd be fun to share anyhow.


So, just some food for thought! Thanks for reading and please contribute in any way you want~

Suggestions Thus Far!

Instead of a racial ability, how bout a proficiency school?
Leave your ideas below! =)


​

 

[HoshiWomp]

Oh! Also, if this is the wrong section to be posting this, I'm very sorry >3<

 

[FunctionKey]

Hey, maybe we'll actually see some male Cielothar around if this is implemented.

 

[SnugglyKittens]

Hey, maybe we'll actually see some male Cielothar around if this is implemented.

Click to shrink...

Looks at @Annju +

 

[Annju]

Appears.+

 

[MetalG00se]

I might be horribly wrong with the comment but I believe they were referred to as 'wind elves' because they often were known for wind magic when that was still a thing... Not entirely sure why they still are. If it's for a different reason they are referred to as wind elves, sorry for being mistaken. I do enjoy the thought of them have a racial ability. Just possibly something that isn't so magic-esque. That comment being in relation to the Wind Speaking. For your first idea, it's cute and brilliant. I enjoy the thought of childlike elves talking to animals. I find it more humorous when I consider how it would be percieved by onlookers if they didn't know of this ability.

 

[EndersGameboy]

I might be horribly wrong with the comment but I believe they were referred to as 'wind elves' because they often were known for wind magic when that was still a thing... Not entirely sure why they still are. If it's for a different reason they are referred to as wind elves, sorry for being mistaken. I do enjoy the thought of them have a racial ability. Just possibly something that isn't so magic-esque. That comment being in relation to the Wind Speaking. For your first idea, it's cute and brilliant. I enjoy the thought of childlike elves talking to animals. I find it more humorous when I consider how it would be percieved by onlookers if they didn't know of this ability.

Click to shrink...

I am fairly certain they are called wind elves because they always have a wind mill in the center of their towns for social events and to store grain.

 

[SnugglyKittens]

I am fairly certain they are called wind elves because they always have a wind mill in the center of their towns for social events and to store grain.

Click to shrink...

"This nickname comes from the fact that central to all of their settlements stands a massive windmill that doubles as their main granary as well as their social gathering center."

 

[Reaganism]

I'm unsure what the point of these abilities would be. To me, it feels like they'd make a rather niche race into an even more niche one. This also including the ever-reoccuring problem where Non-Ailor characters are identified by racial qualities, whereas Ailor characters are identified by character proper.

 

[TalkChat]

I'm unsure what the point of these abilities would be. To me, it feels like they'd make a rather niche race into an even more niche one. This also including the ever-reoccuring problem where Non-Ailor characters are identified by racial qualities, whereas Ailor characters are identified by character proper.

Click to shrink...

Still adds more of an interest to play the race. Ailor are defined by each characters own backstory, it makes it very personal and unique. Though, not to say other races can't achieve the same potential, but at a time Nelfin were discriminated and hated by the Ailor and still are to some extent, but with that being said I always like seeing their abilities that could add to this-- the Kathar have their void worship, the Avanthar have their imprinting, the Wolothar have that wood-bending stuff, the Maiar have water capabilities plus their fast-evolutionary cycle. In order for Cielothar to become more popular (because I know a lot of people who do play them) and add something to the race other then nature-elves, I feel like a small ability wouldn't make a difference and could build hype. So I don't think it's a problem to have characters that revolve around their abilities as long as there is reasoning behind it, such as why do the Ailor hate Nelfin? Specifically how could they hold a grudge against the peaceful elves? MAYBE because of their abilities.

 

[HoshiWomp]

I'm unsure what the point of these abilities would be. To me, it feels like they'd make a rather niche race into an even more niche one. This also including the ever-reoccuring problem where Non-Ailor characters are identified by racial qualities, whereas Ailor characters are identified by character proper.

Click to shrink...

To add to what Wrongchat had said, Cielothar don't have a lot going for them as of now. Ailor are given many opportunities in Regalia to become whatever they want within the government or otherwise. Most Elven schools are directed more towards Altalar as well it seems. So just a tiny tweak to make Cielothar different seems like a nice way to boost interest and provide some new RP scenarios.

 

[ezalB]

This also including the ever-reoccuring problem where Non-Ailor characters are identified by racial qualities, whereas Ailor characters are identified by character proper.

Click to shrink...

This issue occurs for a variety of reasons, one being that Ailor are split into many many many different cultures, sub-cultures schools and groups, while races such as Cielothar, Allar, even Varran only have that: their race and their one described culture. Aside from joining charters or doing things high above your average person, it's hard to dig out of that hole of simply being identified by race.

I do think that some of the races on Massive currently should have some sort of school associated with them. Cielothar, sure, but also the Allar and Varran. The Allar had a massive civilization and any sort of combat school would not simply vanish overnight. Varran too, may benefit from having some sort of sea-warfare school. Although. There are a plethora of schools already, so, who knows.

I do believe that Cielothar should have a little extra spice though, what that is however, I am unsure of.

 

[Reaganism]

This issue occurs for a variety of reasons, one being that Ailor are split into many many many different cultures, sub-cultures schools and groups, while races such as Cielothar, Allar, even Varran only have that: their race and their one described culture. Aside from joining charters or doing things high above your average person, it's hard to dig out of that hole of simply being identified by race.

Click to shrink...

Haven't seen anyone trying to create cultures within a race. You have to remember half the Ailor cultures were spearheaded by a player or a group of players originally, as a splinter from another culture.

I have played a dwarf character for a lengthy time /elsewhere/ and the sheer amount of dwarven clans allowed each to differentiate itself to the point the clans represented cultures each, resulting in diversity within a race, without diversity written for a race.

Perhaps people are ought to abandon making wiki-page-copy characters, and start trying to figure out archetypes that are allowed by a race, but aren't defined yet.

For example, I have created my dwarf specifically to go with the Dark Iron theme of advanced smithing, magic and subterfuge. Within the race "dwarf", I could see a dozen different cultures created, even with massive's current outdated dwarf lore. Forest dwarves with face paints and bows, frost dwarves with pelts and axes, golden dwarves who don't fight but do mercantile stuff, tech-dwarves that indulge in clockwork on TES-Dwemer level, wild dwarves with face-paint, berzerkers and slayer-culture like Warhammer dwarves and so on.

 

[HoshiWomp]

I do think that some of the races on Massive currently should have some sort of school associated with them.

Click to shrink...

Okay, please. That would be amazing

Haven't seen anyone trying to create cultures within a race. You have to remember half the Ailor cultures were spearheaded by a player or a group of players originally, as a splinter from another culture.

Click to shrink...

Getting people to come together to create a culture is very hard when it's much easier to just make a character based off an already existing Ailor culture. There isn't a large enough number of Non-Ailor to set up a stable Wiki-Based culture area often times.

 

[ezalB]

Haven't seen anyone trying to create cultures within a race. You have to remember half the Ailor cultures were spearheaded by a player or a group of players originally, as a splinter from another culture.

Click to shrink...

On more than one occasion I've tried and succeeded in getting fairly large groups together. Take for example the old Xir'tfx Mekket (Or was it Mekett?) hive. We were pioneers when it came to them, however as soon as a lull in our activity occurred the Mekket were cut into a third of what they were and changed to the Circci. Ailor are much easier to gather players for than a lot of the non-Ailor races, and they always will be. Much of the time it is individuals who must step outside of the confines of the wiki and pioneer something there.

When there are simply so few people playing races to the point where it is individuals, having different and diverse cultures becomes near impossible. The Allar however, are an emerging success story. With the increase in players and organization, a true Allar culture is developing. Slowly, but surely. It will not grow as quick as Ailor did, but in the future I'm sure their page will be written up with the feedback of Allar community leaders.

Differnent cultures come with increased player population, and increased identity as a people that eventually begin to diverge due to different interpretations of the lore and whatnot.

Rambling, but I'm about to lose service so eep.

 

[Suzzie]

This also including the ever-reoccuring problem where Non-Ailor characters are identified by racial qualities

Click to shrink...

Still adds more of an interest to play the race.

Click to shrink...

An interest to play the race should be the culture first, abilities second. Look at Altalar- That's a popular elf, and they have no racial powers. None. Vanilla elves. I fear that elves are going to fall into a place where they all have to have a racial ability, else wise they're boring or unplayable.

Not that Cielothar getting a bonus hurts. But it's something to think about, I suppose.

 

[HoshiWomp]

An interest to play the race should be the culture first, abilities second. Look at Altalar- That's a popular elf, and they have no racial powers. None. Vanilla elves. I fear that elves are going to fall into a place where they all have to have a racial ability, else wise they're boring or unplayable.

Not that Cielothar getting a bonus hurts. But it's something to think about, I suppose.

Click to shrink...

I think that makes sense. I had brought out that Altalar had a few schools that they could be associated with. Maybe something like that would be better and add to culture instead of random perks? We could even do both to be honest.

 

[TalkChat]

An interest to play the race should be the culture first, abilities second. Look at Altalar- That's a popular elf, and they have no racial powers. None. Vanilla elves. I fear that elves are going to fall into a place where they all have to have a racial ability, else wise they're boring or unplayable.

Not that Cielothar getting a bonus hurts. But it's something to think about, I suppose.

Click to shrink...

This is true. Still, either way, it would add something to the race. Not saying that every race needs it- like you said Altalar are fine without it, but I know I'm more intrigued when it comes to things like imprinting and the void magic that comes with being a Kathar per say.

 

[TribunalTemple]

I still think this is a good idea.

 

[HoshiWomp]

I still think this is a good idea.

Click to shrink...

Me too~ And thank you for your support. I'm not sure how to present it to staff though.

 

[EndersGameboy]

Hey! All you Staff! Come over here!

 

[TheyCalledMeKiko]

This is probably a very unpopular opinion but aside from the more 'born from magic races' such as the Yanar and Maiar, I wish racial abilities didn't exist. I would much rather them be given out to religion and/or cultures rather than being attributed to something a character can have as a birthright.

What makes Ailor, Altalar and those races without racial abilities endearing is the fact that characters have to earn their abilities through merit or service in some form. If I want my Ailor to be a nature-loving pacifist I have to justify how they achieved that world view, find a culture that would be most in-line with those ideals and sacrifice certain things in order to achieve my character goal. Or, I could just play a Cielothar. Which is simpler but makes races grow stale as I can only remake the same character over and over with that template. I personally gain no sense of achievement making a Cielothar character.

It would make more sense to me if we separated race and culture for good and allowed a greater degree of interracial mingling within nations, much like how our own world actually works. Cielothar shouldn't be a race of pacifist farmers, we should have a culture of pacifist farmers, that way when I make a Cielothar they are less likely to fall into the same Cielothar template of any other Cielothar.


When it comes to racial abilities, I don't want to be predisposed to a type of magic based on my genetics. I want to be better at a magic because I grew up in a culture where it is common. As such, racial abilities such as bone singing or the dreams Isldar have should be a learnt or passively obtained skill for characters from those cultures, rather than something my character has regardless of my upbringing.

I believe our races have identity issues, in that we mistake races and cultures as interchangeable words, painting with broad strokes, rather than elaborating on the nuances of our races using their common cultures. Everything that makes a Cielothar a Cielothar racially should be genetic: their height, eye colour, finger number, body proportions, etc. Everything that makes Cielothar a Cielothar culturally should be determined by their society: their pacifism, religion, folklore, social structure etc. Neither of these two things cause the other, and as such they shouldn't be tied down within the same category heading as 'race'.

Finally I'd like to ask anyone who read this some questions:

Those of you that play Cielothar, do you do so for their genetic characteristics as a race or their cultural ones? Because picking a race should be based on genetic features. Picking a culture should be based on the cultural features. The two are not treated the same for Ailor, and should not for any other race.

 

[HoshiWomp]

Those of you that play Cielothar, do you do so for their genetic characteristics as a race or their cultural ones? Because picking a race should be based on genetic features. Picking a culture should be based on the cultural features. The two are not treated the same for Ailor, and should not for any other race.

Click to shrink...

Thank you for your input! That's something we were discussing a little bit here. How it would be cool if Cielothar had a combat or cultural school instead of a racial ability. I know I for one love playing Cielothar for their culture. Their beliefs line up similarly with mine in real life so it's especially fun to play them.

If anyone has any idea for a Cielothar school I'd love to hear them!

Maybe a school that encompasses an extra boost of husbandry, horseback riding, and tracking? I picked these mainly because I figured they had something to do with their culture, although for playability I'm not sure how many would play a character with primarily cultural proficiencies. Just throwing it out there!

 

[TribunalTemple]

I feel as if Husbandry, Horse Riding, and Horticulture would be good as well. Due to their closeness to both Yanar and Avanthar. However, I think that a total +30 to Husbandry would be a bit excessive, so maybe something along the lines of... Tracking, Horse Riding, and Horticulture? Cielothar doesn't have much to go off of.

 

[HoshiWomp]

I feel as if Husbandry, Horse Riding, and Horticulture would be good as well. Due to their closeness to both Yanar and Avanthar. However, I think that a total +30 to Husbandry would be a bit excessive, so maybe something along the lines of... Tracking, Horse Riding, and Horticulture? Cielothar doesn't have much to go off of.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that's the thing. Cielothar seem especially niche when it comes to proficiencies. Great ideas though! I definitely like that last one

 

[TheyCalledMeKiko]

Surely by making a school that falls directly in line with the traits we already have we marginalise them into their niche even further? Much with how we would if we gave them a racial ability.

I wasn't discussing how a proficiency school should be implemented, I was trying to convey that Cielothar should be a race first (with genetic characteristics) and then be capable of being one of multiple cultures, similar to Ailor. The racial proficiency then comes with the culture and not with the race much in the same way Ailor work.

Maybe what I'm on about deserves it's own post, as I guess I'm detailing yours discussing an idea like this.

 

[TribunalTemple]

Surely by making a school that falls directly in line with the traits we already have we marginalise them into their niche even further? Much with how we would if we gave them a racial ability.

I wasn't discussing how a proficiency school should be implemented, I was trying to convey that Cielothar should be a race first (with genetic characteristics) and then be capable of being one of multiple cultures, similar to Ailor. The racial proficiency then comes with the culture and not with the race much in the same way Ailor work.

Maybe what I'm on about deserves it's own post, as I guess I'm detailing yours discussing an idea like this.

Click to shrink...

It is difficult to make subtype for a race that of itself is classified as a subrace. The cultures/tribes of Cielothar don't hold a candle to the varying types of Humans that exist in this world, as much more focus is placed into them. Not to mention, Cielothar are a society of people that is gradually being pushed away from their traditional values, and having their settlements torn apart by the Human settlers. Because of this, there is a small amount of difference between any tribe, as they have located to specific regions to coexist. They aren't like Kathar, which were magic-infused and dispersed over a large continent. Rather, they are more like the Isldar, almost isolationists, with the exception of Avanthar and Yanar being their neighbors.

Elven races don't get as much love as they deserve, with the amount of the playerbase which use them as characters. Everyone is more invested in cultures that are almost identical to what we already have in real life.