| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Imp |
Posted - 21 Jan 2012 : 21:23:12
How do elves treat sex and sexuality? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 13:37:16
I really don't know why you had to go and insert real world politics into the thread, Walker Ninja, but I'll take your question as a joke.
I'm pretty sure you meant it as such, given the emoticon.
You haven't offended me. But could we please stick to FR and leave the real world's political and social turmoil out of the thread as much as possible?
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| WalkerNinja |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 12:39:14
I think controlling your own ovulation is an amazing explanation for the slim elven birth rate. When women have equal access to education (elves do), career advancement (elves do), parity in public presence and power (elves do), *and* total control over their reproductive rights--birth rates decline. Just look at Europe.
quote:
Originally posted by combatmedic
The Retreat becomes an act of racial cowardice, carried out by a bunch of selfish wimps who could have held their lands, but instead chose to run away rather than have more babies.
Belong to a right-wing European political party? :p |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 10:56:21
Take it easy, folks. No need to make this something it isn't. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 08:39:00
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Yay. Another over-used trope of half-breed races. It's far more interesting when the child is born through unusual circumstances, or through a couple dealing with the adversity of not being accepted by the families of either side due to their relationship. Far more compelling, IMO. Unless it was a "crime of passion" that had some underlying reason behind it. THEN the rape scenario might be interesting. But the backstory for that better be darn good, in that case.
That's your opinion. I think your ideas are junk, too. Happy now?
Yay.
I happen to think that 'star-crossed lovers whose families don't approve of their match' can be an overused trope. And yet it often works well.
Don't comment on my posts if you can't refrain from sarcastic crap like 'yay.'
I'll happily do you the same favor in return.
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| Dennis |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 05:56:46
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I am under the impression that elves in the Realms are totally into the sex thing. Maybe they don't do it is as often as humans (who breed like rabbits), but elves can certainly get down to business on a regular schedule.
Cheers
Err, while I'm hardly an authority in the area of elven lore, in the few books I read where they appeared, I was given the impression that they engage in sex far, far too often than humans. They simply must be drinking some herbs or spell concoctions to prevent them from getting pregnant too often. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Aug 2012 : 22:42:36
Yay. Another over-used trope of half-breed races. It's far more interesting when the child is born through unusual circumstances, or through a couple dealing with the adversity of not being accepted by the families of either side due to their relationship. Far more compelling, IMO. Unless it was a "crime of passion" that had some underlying reason behind it. THEN the rape scenario might be interesting. But the backstory for that better be darn good, in that case. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 30 Aug 2012 : 13:01:58
quote:
Originally posted by Gustaveren
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I do like the concept of elves controlling their own ovulation, whether consciously or not. To me it makes more sense for this to be unconscious, and elven women become pregnant if/when they really want to. (And no, let's not get into any real world political discussion about certain media firestorms recently.)
I don't know if drow really breed as much as humans. More than elves, yes, but I don't think Malice Do'Urden (who was I think in her 300s-400s?) had had 200ish children by the time of Homeland.
Cheers
I once had a player there played a halfelf, were it was part of his backgroundstory, that his elven mother had been raped
I once created a half-elf NPC with a similiar background, but his human mother was violated by an elf. He clipped the tops of his ears as a boy, in an effort to make himself look less like his hated and absent father. The cast of his features gave him an 'elfin' look; he hated it if anyone pointed that out.
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| Gustaveren |
Posted - 30 Aug 2012 : 12:17:50
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I do like the concept of elves controlling their own ovulation, whether consciously or not. To me it makes more sense for this to be unconscious, and elven women become pregnant if/when they really want to. (And no, let's not get into any real world political discussion about certain media firestorms recently.)
I don't know if drow really breed as much as humans. More than elves, yes, but I don't think Malice Do'Urden (who was I think in her 300s-400s?) had had 200ish children by the time of Homeland.
Cheers
I once had a player there played a halfelf, were it was part of his backgroundstory, that his elven mother had been raped |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 30 Aug 2012 : 12:03:57
I don't like it if the control is conscious. Think about the implications given the Realms' history...
The Retreat becomes an act of racial cowardice, carried out by a bunch of selfish wimps who could have held their lands, but instead chose to run away rather than have more babies.
YMMV, natch!
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| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 29 Aug 2012 : 22:34:12
I do like the concept of elves controlling their own ovulation, whether consciously or not. To me it makes more sense for this to be unconscious, and elven women become pregnant if/when they really want to. (And no, let's not get into any real world political discussion about certain media firestorms recently.)
I don't know if drow really breed as much as humans. More than elves, yes, but I don't think Malice Do'Urden (who was I think in her 300s-400s?) had had 200ish children by the time of Homeland.
Cheers |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 29 Aug 2012 : 16:25:21
Ed has indicated elves experiment before they can conceive, as such it clearly would indicate sex is practiced and learned far more then resulting birth rate indicates.
In some ways I have considered that female elves control their ovulation, when in love or want a child their bodies become fertile. This clearly can help explain why some elves had something like 10 children while many only have a few if any.
Drow of course a separate case, they breed almost as much as humans. |
| Thauranil |
Posted - 29 Aug 2012 : 14:31:19
Personally i havent seen any evidence of a low sex drive among elves , their low birthrate is probably because of them being less fertile than humans because other like erik said they would overrun us all.
However the older elves might become jaded towards sex as they live out their extremely long lives, just like the Spacers in the Asimovs universe. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 28 Aug 2012 : 08:48:21
The low birth rate is an extrapolation based on the fact that if elves had a moderate or even *high* birth rate, their race would absolutely dominate Faerun. Can you imagine how many humans you'd get in one hundred year generation? The race would increase 5000% or so every hundred years, and the older humans would almost never die off.
Cheers |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 28 Aug 2012 : 04:15:04
There's been some discussion of elven growth and maturity in the So Sayeth Ed section, but I don't recall anything being mentioned about birth rates or the reasons for such. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 28 Aug 2012 : 03:58:19
It seems we generally agree about the low birth rate.
I don't think the game books really address this sort of thing in detail.
In the fiction/novel line canon, it may be otherwise.
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 28 Aug 2012 : 02:59:07
I WOULD!!!!    
But yeah, pretty much what Erik said. They live longer, so they don't NEED to have a high birth rate. As an interesting side note, it may be similar to the biological phenomenon where smaller creatures live much shorter time spans and thus are far more prolific than very large ones. (Think mice and rabbits vs elephants or whales.) There may be a metabolic factor involved as well. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 15:46:44
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Yeah, pretty sure elves have plenty of sex. Just read the Temptation of Elminster, or Return of the Archwizards. Sex for the elves has never been primarily about procreation but is rather a holistic expression of their feelings, connection, and pleasure.
I suspect also that elves can go for long periods where sex simply doesn't interest them, because they're focused on something else. Elves do vary in their interests for years or seasons, and their lives are extremely experimental like that.
Cheers
I've heard some, um, stories about Eliminster...
I'm pretty sure he's a freak, he's supah freaky, not the kind of sage you bring home to mom.
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| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 15:43:29
Yeah, pretty sure elves have plenty of sex. Just read the Temptation of Elminster, or Return of the Archwizards. Sex for the elves has never been primarily about procreation but is rather a holistic expression of their feelings, connection, and pleasure.
I suspect also that elves can go for long periods where sex simply doesn't interest them, because they're focused on something else. Elves do vary in their interests for years or seasons, and their lives are extremely experimental like that.
Also, the low birth rate may have something to do with how long elven lives are. To breed at replacement level, elves only have to have two children in the course of like a thousand years. They simply don't have the instinctual drive to produce lots of elflings as fast as possible. Humans on the other hand, breeding at replacement level, produce vastly more children over that thousand year period than the elves.
Cheers |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 06:57:26
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Welcome back Alystra ... but tell me, why is it that you always return from long absences the moment somebody mentions the Book of Erotic Fantasy? 
Come on now, Ayrik, I wasn't away THAT long. Anywho, guess I've just got good timing!
Seriously, though, I'll second Erik's theory that elven women have much longer cycles than human women. A year or even perhaps up to five years seems a resonable time to me. That might explain the dearth of elven babies.
Another possibility is that they mate during a 'rut' like deer.
Otherwise, very little sex.
Unless you are a 'weird' elf.
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| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 06:31:44
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
That time of the tenday rings a bell....
Jeez, write a story titled from a menstruation joke and you never live it down. 
"That Time of the Tenday"
Also, the Fox-at-Twilight is a somewhat atypical elf, being much more "human" in her attitudes toward sex (particularly frequency).
Cheers |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 04:35:56
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
And on that note . . .
[Insert extended menstruation/"that time of the year" joke here]
Glad we got past that.
Cheers
That time of the tenday rings a bell.... |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 03:49:47
And on that note . . .
[Insert extended menstruation/"that time of the year" joke here]
Glad we got past that.
Cheers |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 00:19:16
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Welcome back Alystra ... but tell me, why is it that you always return from long absences the moment somebody mentions the Book of Erotic Fantasy?
Come on now, Ayrik, I wasn't away THAT long. Anywho, guess I've just got good timing!
Seriously, though, I'll second Erik's theory that elven women have much longer cycles than human women. A year or even perhaps up to five years seems a resonable time to me. That might explain the dearth of elven babies. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 26 Aug 2012 : 23:24:03
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I am under the impression that elves in the Realms are totally into the sex thing. Maybe they don't do it is as often as humans (who breed like rabbits), but elves can certainly get down to business on a regular schedule.
I wonder if biologically elven females have a cycle that reflects their expanded lifespan. If they only ovulate every six months or a year, for instance, that would certainly offer at least one reason they don't get pregnant that frequently.
Also, elves by and large are much more capable of controlling their emotions and avoiding the sort of mistakes that get humans pregnant unintentionally. Generally, if an elf chooses to have a child, it's a big deal, and something that is highly considered and calculated beforehand.
Cheers
I'm quite sure that your realmslore is much stronger than mine. It ought to be so!
:)
I was just giving my personal take on it. Elves as the 'sexy race' doesn't really appeal to me.
Humans are the sex fiends. Look at all the stuff they diddle: orcs, elves, genies, demons, devils, dragons... possibly mindflayers.
Dang, humans, could you guys keep it within the species, at least?
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| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 26 Aug 2012 : 20:35:55
I am under the impression that elves in the Realms are totally into the sex thing. Maybe they don't do it is as often as humans (who breed like rabbits), but elves can certainly get down to business on a regular schedule.
I wonder if biologically elven females have a cycle that reflects their expanded lifespan. If they only ovulate every six months or a year, for instance, that would certainly offer at least one reason they don't get pregnant that frequently.
Also, elves by and large are much more capable of controlling their emotions and avoiding the sort of mistakes that get humans pregnant unintentionally. Generally, if an elf chooses to have a child, it's a big deal, and something that is highly considered and calculated beforehand.
Cheers |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 25 Aug 2012 : 07:37:45
quote:
Originally posted by Imp
How do elves treat sex and sexuality?
Long lives, a low birthrate, and slow maturation all indicate a low sex drive as a strong possibility.
I don't think that they have all that much hanky panky going on as a race, certainly not when compared with humans. They aren't asexual, but they are a lot less randy than humans.
Hanali Celanil is a goddess of 'love and romance.' My idea is that she is worshipped by elves primarily because she inspires male and female elves to come together, make babies, and then stay together to raise those babies. It's a matter of racial survival. Marriage is a very big thing for elves.
Tolkien's ideas of love and marriage among the elves are also an influence on my approach to this question.
YMMV
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| Icelander |
Posted - 07 Apr 2012 : 06:41:45
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
quote:
Originally posted by Xar Zarath
You should read the Book of Erotic Fantasy and Encyclopaedia Arcane:Nymphology. They have golems which specifically caters to the "needs" of those that want that golem touch.
I'll second that. Both books were interesting and informative- though Nymphology was obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek (or elsewhere....)!
Agreed.
Not that I'm averse to a bit of joking around, but it's a shame that this subject can't be treated with seriousness.
I did cite the article in Dragon which had a pretty serious treatment of elves and sexuality, though, which was a triumph of maturity.
Elves don't have human sexual mores and a good thing, too. While I'm all for people staying people, regardless of funny-shaped ears or different origins, I also think that a lot of the peculiarities that really don't matter (but which a lot of people think are HUGE deals), are dependent on specific cultures, religions and biology. Without them, well, if normal humans on Earth can have sexual cultures totally different from modern Western ones, so can nonhumans in fantasy worlds, even if they are astonishingly people-like in other ways. |
| Xar Zarath |
Posted - 07 Apr 2012 : 06:09:00
Because... i would think it obvious wouldn't you? |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 07 Apr 2012 : 01:14:09
Welcome back Alystra ... but tell me, why is it that you always return from long absences the moment somebody mentions the Book of Erotic Fantasy? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 23:37:49
quote:
Originally posted by Xar Zarath
You should read the Book of Erotic Fantasy and Encyclopaedia Arcane:Nymphology. They have golems which specifically caters to the "needs" of those that want that golem touch.
I'll second that. Both books were interesting and informative- though Nymphology was obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek (or elsewhere....)! |
