Test for Elven Acceptance?


Lost Omens Campaign Setting General Discussion

Grand Lodge

One of my PCs is a half-elf whose elven mother ran away from Kyonin to elope with her human father. When her mother left, she took a sword with her, which the PC inherited. I have a plotline in mind where her elven relatives appear to demand that the sword be returned, because it's a family relic and they don't see her as a legitimate part of the family. The player doesn't actually use the sword in combat (she's a witch), but I assume she won't want to return it.

My plan is for them to offer some kind of trial to prove herself worthy to keep the sword. I could homebrew something, but I'm wondering if there's any precedent for tests like this in Golarion. Something that half-elves can do to prove their dedication to their elven heritage, or maybe something that outsiders can do to gain entrance to areas normally restricted to elves.

The party also includes a couple of full elves (one from Kyonin), a human, a dwarf, and a tiefling. I'd want something that would allow them to accompany her.


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The second volume of the current adventure path starts with a number of trials to earn the favor of some Ekujae, which you could repurpose?


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I would have them emphasize their main worry is the PC dying and sword being "lost". The remainder of the PCs natural life is so short to them, that itself is less material worry to them, which can have angle of viewing the half-elf's (/humans etc) life as "lesser" ("no offence, really"). High level magic could resolve that, but probably isn't an option usually. They might try to get PC to move to Kyonin's half-elf city as way to keep sword safe... There isn't special rules to go there AFAIK, re: remainder of party, although if events lead to other parts of Kyonin there may be tension there to play with. That can be presented as "if you're interested in this as family relic, don't you want to actually know about it's original owner and your family?" etc (which they can do in Kyonin).

If they go to Kyonin, it seems plausible there would then be legal restrictions on taking sword away, but family at that point also wouldn't be worried about "pushing their luck" vs PC too much, since they expect PC to just die naturally soon enough (maybe younger members of family have shorter expectations). Why the mother left, the legitimacy of her taking the sword etc all seem like important factors to their mentality on this, which PC could discover in course of things. There should be plenty of opportunities to see the good and bad in elf society and range of how half-elfs and others relate to it.

Honestly I think the PC deciding they don't want to the sword (or don't want to be accepted by these Elves) is just as interesting possibile outcome to consider, not that I'm saying you should aim for that.

Grand Lodge

Realistically, the PC can't simply go with the elves to Kyonin, because the central campaign is Kingmaker and the PC holds a leadership role. She might visit Kyonin (I actually really like this idea), but I doubt she could spend enough time there to satisfy her elven kin while still fulfilling her government responsibilities.

I'm prepared for the possibility that she'll be willing to give up the sword, but I doubt it. In her backstory, she inherited the sword from her brother after he was slain defending her. Her primary goal is to restore him to life, and the sword is pretty much the only thing she has to remember him.


Hmm, you could also consider some family members persuaded to move to their realm in the River Kingdoms, guarding the sword... And the PC may be just as interested in connecting with living kin (and Elven side of family) as keeping the sword from them, especially if they recognize the risk they could lose the sword (by death or otherwise). That could be interesting NPC to build later things on, in whatever their field of interest. Building up her extended family's presence seems like a good thing in feudal setting. ...Of course if the interaction with the Elves goes poorly, the PC could decide screw them, and keep the sword and tell them to get lost... and see how the Elves respond to that... Even if they give up for PC's lifetime, the problem would remain for PC's heirs (topical for AP, establishing feudal legacy etc)

I would include several family members, of differing ages and attitudes, so problem with one doesn't preclude finding solution with another, some can be allies to help with others etc. And not assume it is resolved all at once, it could be ongoing thing. Maybe even if they come to immediate understanding, there is ongoing issues, demands of other family members etc, maybe difficult but offering rewards too.

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