Basic History
The Yerk Elf were once the same elf race as the other elves, until as legend has it, they challenged the gods and for their vanity and pride were divided and turned against each other. The Yerk Elf was one of the results of that divine punishment.
Yerk Elves since then have lived in the deepest and darkest forests of Nor'Ova. When the age of advancement and technology came, the Yerk Elf were understandably cautious. They saw the great forests reduced. They witnessed the casualties of war. Many of them raised up and stood against the nations and people that came for their beloved forests, and for that many Yerk were captured or slaughtered. To the Yerk Elf, the apocalypse of the Great Magic War was a great ablution, a great cleansing of the unwanted technology, a resetting of the world, and a dose of karma to all who sought to abuse the land.
In the centuries that followed the Yerk Elves became increasingly more isolationist and xenophobic. They greatly distrusted the outside world, and did not trust the other elf races either. To this day the Yerk Elf lives in the great forests of the world, choosing to ignore the outside world and wishing to be ignored.
Yerk Elf Positives and Negatives
Yerk elves are excellent hunters bearing keen eyesight that allows them to see a mile away under good conditions, and keen hearing that allows them to hear the slightest whisper. Their disadvantages are more related to their customs and behavior. Yerk Elves suffer from extreme xenophobia. Because of this, wood elves do not make great travel companions. Their stubbornness and prejudices will lead them to their death if they travel with any of another race. Yerk elves can start with a small mammal pet.
Yerk Elf Skills & Talents
Yerk elves have the skills shared by all elf races as well as have the following skills:
| Skill | Stat Cost | Range & Area | Duration | Check Roll | Effects | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiming | N/A | self | instant | Easy Perceive |
Roll a 1d6 along with your Focus Check when making a focused attack. |
N/A |
| Natural Fletcher | 1 Soul | self | instant | Normal Nature |
The Yerk Elf can easily make arrows with anything that is around them. All that they need is a straight stick and feathers. They can also fashion a point with anything they find, or simply carve the point into the stick. |
be a yerk elf |
| Projectile Proficiency | N/A | self | 1d6 rounds | Normal Critical |
Increases Focus by 1 and projectile weapon damage by 1. |
Must equip projectile weapon |
Yerk Elves also have the following talents:
| Talent | Effects | Requirements | Handicap Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child of the Forest |
The Yerk Elf is at home in the deep forests of the world, and their early life has developed within them a greater chance of survival when in the deep woods. Anytime a yerk elf is in the forests, they gain a +2 to Perceive and Nature. They can also make a nature check to easily find edible berries or mushrooms, clean water, and even to track their prey in the forests. The difficulty of the nature check depends on the situation and need, however for the Yerk Elf, it will never be higher than a Hard Check. |
be a yerk elf |
N/A |
| Natural Forest Blending |
Yerk elves are naturally camouflaged with in the woods. Enemy targets have a 5 penalty to perceive you when in forest areas. |
must be a yerk elf |
N/A |
| Other Sight |
Yerk Elves are at one with nature. The yerk elf can use his or her connection with nature and natural creatures to see through their eyes. The yerk elf relaxes for a moment, going into a meditative state, searching for any natural, non-hostile creature. Once found, the yerk elf can see through its eyes to see what it sees for up to ten minutes. This can only work on natural creatures such as birds, horses, rats, bats, and the like - nothing that can be considered unnatural, hostile, or found in the bestairy. |
must be a yerk elf |
N/A |
| Silent Hunter |
Yerk Elves can slow down their movement to half movement so that they are not making any sound, no matter what they are walking on. In this way, the yerk elf can easily sneak up on a target and ambush the target, assuming no one else is around the wood elf to alert the target. This would allow the yerk elf to attack before the battle starts. |
must be a yerk elf |
N/A |
Starting Familiar
Yerk elves can choose between the following familiars to start with: Woodland Ferret, Aleutian Fox, and Red Hawk.
Appearance
Yerk elves are tall and skinny. Their skin is lightly tanned, and have ears that measure to be about 3” long. Their hair color is either blond or brown, and eye color is green.
Living Habitat
Yerk elves live in forests and woodland areas and it is uncommon for a Yerk Elf to travel.
Yerk Elf Culture
Yerk Elves typically keep to themselves and have the mentality of tribe over family, self, or nation. Most Yerk Elf settlements are single clan settlements. They are also very fundamental with their believes. Yerk elves celebrate the changes of the seasons, personal victories, birthdays, and tribal celebrations.
Yerk Elves do not use last names. Instead, when referring to themselves, they will often give you their first name followed by “son of” and their father's name. First names typically reflect nature in some way or form.
One aspect of their culture is the Great Hunt. The Great Hunt despite its name isn't a large event. It is usually hosted by one family or tribe and typically to decide on things such or gaining favor with a family or seeking the approval of a perspective bride's father. The Great Hunt typically requires a certain objective to be met, which is always the hunting of some beast. It is done of course in the forest, and the hunter is stripped of everything but a crude bow, a small dagger, and 20 arrows. The hunter must gather the rest he needs from the land, including crafting more arrows. The hunter loses if the hunter dies or returns without the agreed upon mark.
Yerk Elf Racial Relations
Yerk Elves suffer from severe xenophobia, but notably their xenophobia is not as bad as that of their ascia elf brothers. For this reason, yerk elves have a hard time accepting others, even other elf races. However a yerk elf's trust can be gained if one is honest, true, and a protector of the forest.