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Forgive this most humble question from an unworthy player who has only the Player's Handbook... Are there any variant racial write-ups for the standard elf in any of the official supplements? What I'm looking for is something that focuses on elves non-militant cultural interests like their aptitude for the magical arts, their love of lore, their affinity with nature and their talent in the performing arts. I'd like to find a racial package that replaces most of the free weapon feats with skill bonuses like Spellcraft, Use Magic Device, Knowledge(history or nature), Survival and Performance(oratory, dance, singing). BTW, why do elves 'as is' get so many free weapon feats while ignoring these other interests? They could be so much more…interesting, IMHO.
You should probably find a copy of the Forgotten Realms' "Races of Faerun" and "Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting". They give stats and rules for around 7 different elf types (and 6 dwarf types, 3 gnome types, 3 halfling types, 4 orc types, etc.). I'm not sure if this will give you quite what you are looking for, but you should at least take a look at it rather than "re-inventing the wheel".
BTW, why do elves 'as is' get so many free weapon feats while ignoring these other interests? They could be so much more…interesting, IMHO.
I would tend to believe that this has a lot to do with DnDs general combat focus with regards to adventures. Most games tend to revolve heavily around combat (not neccesarily a bad thing). Because of this most races have bonuses and special abilities that make their mark in combat. The core classes all have heavy combat aplication as well, with the a few notable exceptions such as the Savant from the Dragon compendium (very cool class BTW).
I think a lot of this has to do with DnDs roots, as I understand it, DnD evolved from table top adventure board games. The game has always hailed to its foundings, focusing heavily on dungeon exploration and similar themes. I personaly feel that the game could definately branch out a little bit. DnD has already proved that it is capable of telling good action stories. However, setting such as Forgotten Realms and Planescapes are so large and viberant that they could easily support a wide variety of campaigns, combat oriented or not.
Just my 2c