Maxen's Guide for Elf ocs

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

Henlo everyone! It is I, your most adored devil, artist and OC activist. And today I will be basically killing off three quarters of this amino's elf ocs in only one post. So without further a' do, let's drink this tea sisters.

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

-

–

–

-

-

–

⇥ I n d e x ⇤

                              I. Disclaimers

                              II. Basics

                               III. Naming

                               IV. Backstory

                               V. Relationships

                               VI. Design

–

-

-

–

1. In the Tolkien universe, elves are some of the the creatures that lucky we have more information about, however that also means that you are much more restricted while making one. Universes have RULES, just like our own world does, and it's those exact rules that make Tolkien's elves, well.. Tolkien's elves!

–

2. If you don't follow the already stated lore, it simply means your OC cannot exist in Arda. It's as simple as that really. If you are not willing to follow those basic rules the author himself set out, then what's even the point of putting them in that universe? If you want to bend already existing material until it's impossible, then just create your own world so you can create freely.

–

3. I am not targeting particular people as I'm writing this. Does your character happen fit into exactly everything I just described? Well, sucks to be you. But don't come complaining to me about it. All I want is to educate people into making things that are actually acceptable.

–

-

-

–

1. The elves in the Tolkien universe are not only one race. There are several of them.

The most known races of elves are probably the Noldor, Sindar and Silvan Elves, however there are many more.

The elves are separated in various groups, however it is easier to classify them depending on their historical background, and for that we must discuss the origins of elves.

–

2. The elves were a race created by Eru Iluvatar that woke up in the shores of Cuivienen in the Year 1050 of the Years of the Trees. They were the first race besides the Ainur to wake up, and so they are also known as the firstborns.

The elves were then found by Orome, one of the mighty Vala, and were convinced to travel to Aman to live among the Ainur. A few of the elves refused to follow Orome and instead followed to the east of Middle Earth. Those elves were called the Avari, or the unwilling.

The elves that did follow the Valar were the Noldor, Teleri and Vanyar, and they traveled in a great journey across the continent to sail to Aman. During the Great Journey, a few of the elves left the trip. of the Teleri left in the Misty mountains, becoming the Nandor, and then others left as they crossed Beleriand, becoming the Sindar.

–

3. All the breeds of elves that we are aware of are:

                   :arrow_right_hook: The Noldor

                    :arrow_right_hook: The Vanyar

                    :arrow_right_hook: The Teleri

                    :arrow_right_hook: The Sindar

                    :arrow_right_hook: The Silvan

                    :arrow_right_hook: The Avari Races

                   :arrow_right_hook: Nandor

                    :arrow_right_hook: Falamari

Do some research about them when deciding the race of your elf, and check the race's history to make sure you are not contradicting Canon lore

–

4. Elves were originally planned to be immortal in both body and soul, however, they were made of earth that had been corrupted by Melkor, and so their bodies became fragile and weak, making them much more vulnerable.

They still don't remain dead though. If an elf dies, their soul will find it's way to the halls of Mandos, where they'll reincarnate a body exactly like the one they died in. However, after their death they are forever stuck living in Aman, and are not allowed to go back to Middle Earth. Glorfindel was the only exception. He died during the Fall of Gondolin, was reborn and then allowed to sail back to Middle Earth. But Glorfindel is glorious so of course he gets an exceptional .

–

-

-

–

1. Names are a very important part in any character's existence. It's one of the things people first think of, or at least SHOULD think of, when creating a new character. It can mean nothing, or it can give a lead right away to the person's whole persona. They are not something you think of in two seconds. Specially the elves.

–

2. Elves never have the same naming process as humans. It has never happened, nor never will. They have special traditions and their languages are not even the same.

–

3. Going back to the last point, elves have very specific naming traditions.

                    :arrow_right_hook: First, they are given their father-

                    name. This name usually does not

                     mean much and is given to a child

                     right after they are born in a

                     ceremony. The father-name is

                     usually composed by something

                     pretty neutral and one of the

                     parent's names.

                  :arrow_right_hook: Next comes the Mother-name. The

                     second name is a name that is

                     usually given by the mother a little

                     later in life. They either come from a

                     vision the mother had of the child's

                     future, which is extremely rare, or

                     they come from when they start

                     developing their personality, hence

                     why it usually reflects their spirit.

                    :arrow_right_hook: After that they are given a

                     choosen-name. This is a name

                     selected by the person themselves

                     and can change throughout their

                     life. Usually only very close people

                     call them by this name (family and

                     spouses) and most of the times

                     elves adopt their mother-name as

                     their Choosen-name

                  :arrow_right_hook: At last there is a fourth name.

                    This is one who is normally used

                    more informally, like when you don't

                    know the elf's actual name. It can be

                    a nickname of iration or it can

                    be something like their occupation

–

4. Depending on their race, elf names come in different languages. If you make a Noldor elf, their names will be in Quenya, if you make a Sindar, it's only natural if they have a Sindarin name. But never mix both, please don't.

–

-

-

–

1. Backstories are literally the most important thing in a character. They are what define how a character behaves or even looks like now. It is not something you can resume in 3 sentences. It needs detail and development as to help people sympathize with the character's motifs and actions

–

2. Stop with the clichés! Be original! Almost everyone here shares the same background, and it's sickening. It's like we are Hollywood right now: afraid to create something new

–

3. Do NOT use the "abandoned by their parents" trope. Everyone is tired of that and it's literally impossible to happen. Elves dedicate their lives to their children and none would just give them up because they felt like it. They'd rather die than leave their child unprotected. Do you really wanna be an Eol? No one wants to be an Eol.

–

4. Keep in mind Middle Earth's timeline. You can't have an elf character born in the years of the lamps because elves didn't even exist back then! That's just an example, but there are many more. Inform yourself when working on character development.

–

5. Elves never slay their own kind. The Feanoreans were an exception and were hated for their actions, hence why those who left were cursed by Mandos and why Feanor was never allowed to be reincarnated. Making your character kill another elf is just something what is too far away from happening. It's too unnatural.

–

6. I see a whole lot of people doing this, and it annoys me every time: using the 'dark elf' category. What's the difference between dark elves and the 'light' elves? Not many actually. The light elves are the races who chose to follow the Valar and live in Aman. Those elves saw the lights of the Two Trees (Laurelin and Telperion), and that's why they are considered "light". Those elves were the Vanyar, Noldor and Teleri. The dark elves are those who refused to meet the Valar and decided to stay in Middle Earth. They never saw the lights of the trees and that's why they are considered "dark".

THEY ARE NOT EVIL. NOT. EVIL. They are completely average people and in fact, you actually know someone dark elves! Legolas and Thranduil as well as the elves of Mirkwood are part of the dark elves, and as you can see they are perfectly N O R M A L. The races that are considered "Dark Elves" (also known as Moriquendi) are the Sindar, Nandor, Laiquendi and the Avari tribes. Don't believe me? Well, you don't have to, it's literally explained in the Silmarillion's ending charts!

                             Mitzy- 1

                             Inaccurate oc makers- 0

–

-

-

–

Mmmm here comes the kick in the nut for most of these people, doesn't it?

1. Elves and Dwarves hate each other. This is not my little pony, where everyone befriends everyone and problems are solved through friendship. Legolas and Gimli's case was extremely rare and they only got along because of everything they went through together during the fellowship.

–

2. Elves only get married once in their lifetime and relationships involving adultery are just unthinkable. Besides, if an elf has sex with another before marriage, they are bound to get married later. Stop making fuckboys, elves may be assholes, but they are not like the Becky or Jacob who cheated on you in eight grade.

–

3. Elves do not incest in any way, that's why Maeglin's case was so frowned upon. And don't you even dare coming with the Arwen and Aragorn excuse. Those two have over 50 generations separating them, they are hardly considered family.

–

4. If you are making your character somehow related to a Canon Character, please make it realistic. Wanna make Legolas a girlfriend? Completely overused, but go ahead! Is your OC married to Sauron? Completely unrealistic considering Sauron absolutely despises elves but okay! As long as it's something realistic and doesn't interfere with the lore you are free to do what you wish. Characters need reasons to be together in order for their story to make sense. Oh and no, Thranduil doesn't have like five unnamed daughters.

–

5. Don't use your character's relationships to insert your character into the canonical events. What is written should not be altered so people can have their self inserts fighting Smaug with Bilbo. It's okay to ADD to the lore, but never CHANGE it.

–

-

-

–

1. Now comes the part most people like. Hurraaaay! First things first. Let's start with the biggest mistake people make. The hair color. I see an awfully big tendency to make redheaded elves. Well my honeys, that's just not possible. Even genetically speaking. The only house which included elves with red hair was the line of Feanor and they are all dead, hence making it impossible to have that genetic trait ing on. But before you come to me like "mitZy bUt tAuRiEl hAs rEd hAiR", Tauriel is not even Canon. She's a Mary Sue created by Peter Jackson himself because he wanted to try to recreate an Aragorn/Arwen romance for the hobbit. We are only following Tolkien's characters in this guide because we like actually good characters.

–

2. Absolutely no tattoos! Those are a big nono. Tattoos were something taboo for the elves. It's against their nature to just paint over their skin. So cut it with the tribal tattoos or dragon age rip-off markings. They ain't happening anytime soon honey.

–

-

-

–

1. Have I pissed you off enough? Good, I love being outrageous.

–

2. This masterporst is still a WIP, meaning I will be adding more things to the guide as time goes on.

–

3. I literally can't care less if you come whining in the comments. I just don't. Comment all you want. Refuse to learn and hear the voice of reason? Well that's your problem, not mine.

–

4. In case you would like help improving your OCs and want constructive criticism don't hesitate to hit me up with a message! I know I might sound slightly scary, but I'd be more than happy to help those who actually want to improve.

–

-

-

–

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

The End!

(for now)

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

-

–

｡☆✼★Cover art was made by the amazing [Phobs|melkorwashere.tumblr.com]★✼☆｡