ELFQUEST - AN EXAMPLE OF BREAKING THE TRADITIONAL FANTASY TROPES

 

If you have followed comics and fantasy for the last 30+ years, you likely know of "Elfquest". Whether you were a fan of the comic or not and whether or not you played the TTRPG, you are likely at least partly aware of it. If nothing else, you know the look and the stylings of the characters in the comic. This will not be a deep dive into the comic, it's characters, stories or themes, but I will be using Elfquest as and example of a setting that tinkers with, quite successfully, in playing with the common tropes and themes of the fantasy genre.

At it's core, Elfquest is both an example of paleo-fantasy and a fantasy setting that turns the usual mix of fantasy races on it its side (not quite on its head). In The World of Two Moons, there are only humans, and three fantasy races - elves, trolls, and preservers (faeries). Of these three fantasy races, the elves are the only ones that would be considered "core" races for use by players as characters. The official TTRPG for the game did offer rules for playing humans and trolls as well, but the comics very much focus on the perspective of the elves (it is called Elfquest).

In this setting we are presented with elves who are both familiar and new. Wild elves, civilized elves, warlike elves, peaceful elves, even elves of widely varying degrees of magical and natural ability. If we look at the 5E races for D&D, the Elfquest elves might be achieved by using the existing elves but also some of the non-elven races. While the High Ones would easily fit with the high elf sub-race, the Wolfriders might better be portrayed by the the Wood Gnome as they are small in size and have an affinity for their wolf companions. Still other elves of the World of Two Moons elves might be represented by halflings. Certainly, the comfort-seeking, peaceful and warm Sun Folk fit the bill. The trolls of Elfquest are very much more akin to dwarves, being grumpy, industrious, bearded subterranean folk known for their greed and crafting of fine metal goods. Still other elves of the World of Two Moons elves might be represented by halflings. Certainly, the comfort-seeking, peaceful and warm Sun Folk fit the bill. The trolls of Elfquest are very much more akin to dwarves, being grumpy, industrious, bearded subterranean folk known for their greed and crafting of fine metal goods. 

While none of these simple reskins of existing D&D races truly do the Elfquest characters justice, they do serve as an example of how the common tropes of fantasy can be skewed into something new and interesting. In this World of Two Moons, we only have the three fantasy races, but they come in such a wide range of cultures, shapes and character that they really are very different races. As the accompanying image shows, there is a noticeable distinction between the physical statures of High Ones and Sunfolk.