Manifestation
Despite the fact that elves are shorter than humans and often appear childlike because of their height, they are usually not discounted as such. There are the rare occasions when they are, however, and it is at such times that they invoke the elven ability manifestation.
When elves wish, they have an imposing presence. Suddenly, they can seem far larger, more there, than their actual height and weight would indicate. They use this ability to good effect against impressible humans; it keeps the credulous ones at a distance and occasionally attracts necessary attention to the elf.
The manifestation ability is purely a result of the elven connection with the land; the only trick involved is in demonstrating this connection. Naturally, manifestation does not work on planes other than the Prime Material. Furthermore, it functions only when the elf is in a natural environment or in one that the elves have shaped, in which case they generally do not wish to make their presence known. Finally, manifestation works only on an elf's home world or after an elf has lived on a world for more than 50 years, whereupon the elf has grown used to the natural rhythms of the world.
If an elf from Toril were to travel to Oerth, he could not manifest for half a century. After such time, he would have made the planet his home. To do the manifestation back on Toril, he would have to return to that land and become reattuned to the planet.
Any elf away from his home world for 50 years, no matter where he is, loses this ability until he reattunes himself to the land. Note that it takes only five years to readjust to an original home world, unless an elf has attuned himself to another. In this case, he must endure the entire 50-year process, for he has made himself a native of that other land, and must entirely readjust to the cycles of his home world of old.
Manifestation has no real definition in game terminology. It is suggested that this ability allow a +3 on reaction checks (reactions for enemies would be –3), as well as draw attention to the elf in question. This might be useful when trying to distract a band of orcs from an injured party member or when attempting to impress a simple woodsman. Aside from impressing people, the power is largely useless. Elves are immune to this ability and any displays of it. They are aware of its presence when it is used and may admire the timing if particularly noteworthy.
Comments