13 thoughts on “One of my players wants to play a dark elf priest. Any idea for a racial move?”

  1. A fully Gygaxian dark elf priestess sounds like some sort of a compendium class that features Drider shapeshifting and maybe a special version of Orison that only functions at Places of Power. But I bet you could condense these features into a race specific for a cleric.

    Dark Elf: You are a child of the spider goddess. Your patron deity always has Petition: Offering. When you seek Divine Guidance by sacrificing something Elven, you may roll + WIS, and on a hit you gain a boon or useful knowledge, you may pick from the list below. On 10+ all apply, on 7-9 pick 2:

    *Your received wisdom unleashes curses against your aggressors.

    *Your received wisdom reveals uncomfortable lore relative to your situation.

    *Your allies aren’t covered with swarms of spiders by your received wisdom.

  2. Here we’re all assuming that dark elves are, well, dark, evil, living in darkness, worshippers of spiders and matriarchal. Usually, in DW, there isn’t all this assuming: the DM and the player should talk about it, asking and answering questions, and basically create a (possibly new and unexpected) dark elf culture and race.

    Of course, if for the both of you the “classic” idea of dark elves works good enough, just go for it. But I suggest you take some time to discuss.

  3. Rob Cain In total agreement. Spiders are totemic for Dark Elves. How you read into this totem is totally your call. 

    Personally, I believe that the spider totem is a symbol of misunderstood nature. Dark Elves need to be sinister, even if they are actually complete sweethearts. Thus, my formula would be, Elves + Darkness (eldritch lore, violent rivalry, or literal darkness of the underworld) + Spiders = Dark Elves.

  4. Here’s four possible Dark Elf Cleric racial moves for you:

    Unraveller

    Your goddess is evil. Add petition: blood sacrifice. When you petition Her, for each Elven thing you destroy in sacrifice, She will grant you one giant spider.

    Blood Drinker

    Your goddess is evil. Add petition: blood sacrifice. Instead of healing others, your spells cause damage. When you harm another creature with these spells, you heal 1d8 damage.

    Darkling

    You are a creature of darkness. When you commune you are also granted a special version of Darkness as a rote which only works underground.

    Terrifyer

    Your faith is terrifying. Cause Fear is a rote for you.

    (edit: added names)

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