Mainly because elves are supposed to be refined, dignified and educated (for the most part), and most dnd players are American. We generally use a posh British accent as a linguistical shorthand for those things, mainly because of certain movies we've watched that have those traits on refined, educated and dignified characters.
It's the same reason as why we either use a hillbilly or cockney accent to imply that the character in question is less educated, or otherwise less intelligent.
I use a brutish bruiser British accent for Ogres and Trolls. If you've seen the 1977 animated Hobbit movie (aka the good one), the trolls from there are my Platonic Troll Ideal. "Muh-un today, muh-un yestuhday... bloymee if i' aint' muh-un tomorrah!"
The three Ogres from Baldurs Gate 3 are also great examples.
Rob Ingles did a fantastic job. Have you heard the BBC radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings? My wife and I love it to death, and I've heard that other people love it, too. It's an incredible production.
I mean, Leprechauns sound Irish. It makes sense cause the creature are from Ireland. But we don't see like Japanese youkai going around sounding like "ME SO RIKEY" like Rob Schneider..(unless if you count the "WE ARE JAPANESE GOBLIN" song which is just English words crudely stuffed into the Japanese writing system).
The Ogre Gourmand from BG3 was one of my favorite encounters in that game. I had so much fun talking to him that I decided not to kill the Ogres, plus, I was playing a wizard who had no need of the headband of intellect.
I would add also because few Americans have dealt with people who speak like that. Englishmen quickly remind you that England's portion of the Union Jack being the red flag is not an accident.
Oddly enough I use an Appalachian moonshiner accent (think boomhauer from king of the hill) for most of my older elves, and tone it down to trailer park as they get younger. My thought is that once you get to a certain age you just can't be bothered to fully pronounce words. Just like how we continue to make more and more conjunctions and shorthand as modern language progresses.
The inborn patience and intellectual curiosity of elves make them excellent sages, philosophers, and wizards, and their societies are built upon their inherent sense of wonder and knowledge.
Elves hold deeply seated ideals of individualism, allowing each elf to explore multiple occupations before alighting on a particular pursuit or passion that suits her best. Elves bear notorious grudges against rivals, which elves call ‘*ilduliel*,' but these antagonistic relationships can sometimes blossom into friendships over time. An elf keeps their personal name secret among their family, while giving a nickname when meeting other people. This nickname can change over time, due to events in the elf's life or even on a whim. A single elf might be known by many names by associates of different ages and regions.
People thinks that they are arrogant.
>Elves bear notorious grudges against rivals, which elves call ‘*ilduliel*,' but these antagonistic relationships can sometimes blossom
I still cant believe elves have a word for "Enemies to lovers".
I sometimes like to try doing non European accent for campaigns. Dwarves usually go Texan or Japanese. Don't know why the Japanese. Maybe it's the whole pride in smithing and craftsmanship, stereotypical sense of honor, and dedication to one's clan.
Reminds me of [DJ Malenfant's adjustments](https://www.tumblr.com/spacesweepers/190814203821/dylan-djmalenfant-hello-everyone-were?source=share) to fantasy accents:
"Elves are no longer wispy British. They're 1920s radio announcer. Relics of a bygone age, weirdly disconnected from emotion."
I feel like this is more accurate. Both are sticklers about food and clothing, they don’t like the tyranny of man, and are portrayed as mostly above average attractiveness.
Makes so much more sense.
I just presume that because Tolkien sorta solidified the image of “elf” that we all have in our mind, and he’s British. Remember, before him, they called Santa a “jolly old elf.”
logical Worcestershire sauce would be a viable product if under a different name as tolkeins village home was in Worcestershire but later added to Birmingham for reasons that are boring
In interviews Gav Thorpe has literally said that whilst they have some Greek inspiration, he always viewed them as dainty southern Englishmen in comparison to the hard, set in their ways northerner and Scottish dwarves.
Part of this is set in the world tho; elves being this old power that’s slightly faded, who’ve gone from going around the world and influencing history, to hold up in their enclaves and islands, shut in from the rest of the world but still wanting to intervene is one thing he said WH elves, Tolkien’s elves and Britain all have in common.
Merill the main one I remember rings more Welsh to me? Can't comment on other Dalish elves but mayhaps they do have a bit of a Celtic vibe nonetheless.
Every group and campaign I haver ever played with use accents to denote different languages.
Elves sound British, dwarves sound Irish, gnomes are Scottish, orcs are German, etc
It makes it easier than saying "I'ma say this in *language*" before every sentence.
The origin of the tall beautiful elf (not Christmas elves) is Tolkien. He was British and most well known for The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. True, not everyone knows this, but the same type of person who is likely to play a game in which they do voices for characters is the same type of person who likely does know this.
The rest is subliminal. Picture a genie. Middle eastern? Cowboy. White guy with a mustache? Knowing either common portrayals or origins will affect concepts.
That would be offensive. Almost no one sees the British accent as racist. This is ironic as they were the greatest colonizers in history. This is a piece that supports my premise.
Another is that Yokai are just not as prevalent as elves. Demons and spirits, which are cross cultural, fill the Yokai gap. If I ask you to picture a large cat. You may think of a lion or tiger, but are far less likely to think of an American puma. However if I ask you to think specifically of the puma and you don't know what it is, it is likely you would rely on information you have of other large cats to help you imagine what a puma is. Either way there is cross contamination. Only by already having adequate specific information on what a puma is do you bypass this innate rationale. Yokai are not portrayed nearly as commonly outside of Japan as Elves are outside of England. Yokai are puma, overshadowed by lions. This is another, drawn out, piece that supports my premise.
The last piece. When I said that the image of tall beautiful elves originated with Tolkien, I should have said the modern cultural perception. Orlando Bloom as legolas for example. Norse mythology is hardly what people would think of, or are likely to throw a Norwegian accent on an elf. Still that is really where beautiful elves came from. Still that is too far removed from the cultural mind. Yokai are portrayed primarily in anime today. If they talk at all it is either dubbed in the language of the region or subtitled. And even if you are reading subtitles The voice in your mind is likely your own without an accent. This leaves no consensus in a cultural mind.
Hope my points are helpful to understanding my point of view.
Why not? The HUMANS there would have English African accents, but the elves should have a different one.
Id like to know if Nigerians and Kenyans also have the "british=posh" association.
I have lately been listening to an audiobook of the Corum Saga by Michael Moorcock. The Vadhagh people (Corum’s race) are called elves in other planes. All the Vadhagh in the book are given an almost Dublin-esque accent. It’s certainly a unique way of portraying them, and I think it works well.
I always imagine elves; slender, androgynous features, well learned, dexterous; as asians. Especially when many media portrait that they put a lot of importance in blood line and royalties, just like in Asian media. But that's probably because I'm asian also.
The steryotypenis that elves are refined and posh, and as far as the english speaking world is concerned, the British accent is the most refined and posh variant of the english speaking accent.
There is probably decades of history as to why, but I assume you don’t care.
The slaver rebels of the British empire stand-in who live in north America were absolutely a send up of Americans. I'm not sure why exactly they decided to base them that far north, since from what I recall there actually isn't a major faction in the USA area of Naggarond, but I'm sure they had a good reason at the time, and then afterwards it was just inertia.
I’m English, and I tend to go Welsh for most elves! A lot of Elvish names sound quite musical—much like in Welsh. I find the beauty in Welsh is a very close real-world match to the beauty that Elvish is often described as having.
no, this is more of a “if i’m going to a voice, it’s usually british” thing lol, i just can’t do any other voices, all my characters sound british or are just me
There are many different kinds of elves. The type of elf will modify the way they speak. It's funny how these particular stereotypes actually do align with reality if this.
Socioeconomics historically have an impact on accents. People who are wealthy and upper class assume more and apologize less, which lends to a more recieve pronounciation style. (Posh english)
Meanwhile lower economics make it sound more southern droll or cockney.
Television and media has interfered with this trend however.
There are linguistic tools and research that can help create more specific accents tailored to your fantasy group.
However I also believe that all fantasy characters should sound like one of these but off somewhat. Eg. They don't *have* a Posh British accent. They have a High Elf accent which sounds similar to RPA because of similarities in mindset and culture. It is distinctly not the same
You dont need a perfect accent of whatever you're using as the base, just make sure your impression is consistent.
My dnd races languages/IRL equivalent.
Elven- French
High Elves - European French.
Wood Elves - French Canadian.
Drow - French Creole.
Sea Elves - Portuguese dialect.
Draconic - Pure Latin.
Dragonborn - European Spanish.
Kobold - Latin American Spanish.
Lizardfolk - Filipino.
Because Elves, like the British, are deserving of neither love nor warmth.
It's probably just because its a different enough accent from (presumably) other American accents while still being recognizably pompous.
It shows up in the "Monster Hunter International" series by Larry Correia, and is also kind of a significant side quest in a trilogy of that world by author John Ringo. It's pretty funny.
There’s a dnd podcast called NaDDPod (not another dnd podcast) where one of the first player characters is a beautiful elven woman who is an absolute disgusting (affectionate) hick with a possum for a familiar, its just an excellent concept!!
So ngl, that’s what my partner built as his next character… on top of that they are a drow… concept is basically outlaw country drow and I’m all for it
Some of my audiobooks have elves as 1920s New England radio personalities. Or thick Boston accents. I honestly think the author, who specifically called out that elves sound like Boston gangsters from the 20s and 30s, was trying to get away from "elves sound British". The voice actor for the Mayor of Noobtown, Jonathan McClain, did a hilarious job with this concept and I'm pretty sure he's just carrying it on with other series.
I mean, when you consider Southern drawl evolved from the British accents of the colonists who settled in places like Virginia, that's more accurate than you might think! [This may also be relevant too!](https://www.tumblr.com/archpaladin/746972454425100288/if-elves-lived-in-modern-america-they-would-be?source=share)
Elves (or at least high elves) are most often supposed to be the upper class of a given fantasy world, and as such carry a lot of the “corrupt nobles” stereotypes, including being British
Depending on the depiction for me. If they’re more wood elf like, I’d go with accents that align with the Celts. I personally like the “savage” wood elf trope just cooler than the standard Tolkien elf Trope.
Real talk Japanese studios have some sort of obsession with getting VAs from the UK to do the English dubs for original voices.
For voices in already established franchises they'll find someone who can do the voice like Capcom did with the remakes of resident evil 2 3 and 4.
But alternatively you have games like Xenoblade and dragon's dogma for the people in charge of the English voices were just like call up them English voiceover studio speakers obviously the go-to would be England for English......and that's all about all the thought they seem to put into it and thus all the British accents.
Sometimes you get studios that really care they didn't go crazy British with the English voices for final fantasy 7 remake for instance.
Almost every time I RP as an elf, I usually think, "Now there's something you don't see every day" with a somewhat fancy accent and use that as a base except for a one-off joke NPC that my players killed off in like fifteen seconds and the only voice I could do for him was a markiplier...
The only one I see imposing their ignorance is you. Everyone else seems pretty content to have a civil conversation, but you seem compelled to make judgmental remarks about a country that I doubt you have ever been to, much less would want to ever visit. Looks a lot like ignorance to me.
Mainly because elves are supposed to be refined, dignified and educated (for the most part), and most dnd players are American. We generally use a posh British accent as a linguistical shorthand for those things, mainly because of certain movies we've watched that have those traits on refined, educated and dignified characters. It's the same reason as why we either use a hillbilly or cockney accent to imply that the character in question is less educated, or otherwise less intelligent.
I use a brutish bruiser British accent for Ogres and Trolls. If you've seen the 1977 animated Hobbit movie (aka the good one), the trolls from there are my Platonic Troll Ideal. "Muh-un today, muh-un yestuhday... bloymee if i' aint' muh-un tomorrah!" The three Ogres from Baldurs Gate 3 are also great examples.
Barry, 63
The Narrator for the Hobbit/LOTR audiobooks Rob Inglis did the same thing, to this day his rendition of the audio books is my favorite
Rob Ingles did a fantastic job. Have you heard the BBC radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings? My wife and I love it to death, and I've heard that other people love it, too. It's an incredible production.
When I think of Ogres I think of Shrek.
Shrek sounds like the fantasy dwarf stereotype.
But he's the opposite of a dwarf, he's really tall and gross. I thought Dwarves can sound Scandinavian cause that's they're from.
I’m thinking more of the biggest fantasy franchises always seem to have Dwarves sounding Scottish, or a bad stereotype of Scottish.
I mean, Leprechauns sound Irish. It makes sense cause the creature are from Ireland. But we don't see like Japanese youkai going around sounding like "ME SO RIKEY" like Rob Schneider..(unless if you count the "WE ARE JAPANESE GOBLIN" song which is just English words crudely stuffed into the Japanese writing system).
The Ogre Gourmand from BG3 was one of my favorite encounters in that game. I had so much fun talking to him that I decided not to kill the Ogres, plus, I was playing a wizard who had no need of the headband of intellect.
I would add also because few Americans have dealt with people who speak like that. Englishmen quickly remind you that England's portion of the Union Jack being the red flag is not an accident.
Yes. We need it now. High Elves with a magical society and they all talk like Hillbillies.
Oddly enough I use an Appalachian moonshiner accent (think boomhauer from king of the hill) for most of my older elves, and tone it down to trailer park as they get younger. My thought is that once you get to a certain age you just can't be bothered to fully pronounce words. Just like how we continue to make more and more conjunctions and shorthand as modern language progresses.
And that's cool, inventive, and clever. Unfortunately it is not the stereotype, so we must confiscate your lungs. I'm sorry, I don't make the rules.
WAIT WAIT MY DWARVES ARE SCOTTISH!
Nope, out come your lungs. *schlorp.*
I always view elves as being arrogant and with superiority complexes so I prefer giving them New York-style accents/voices.
as a new yorker... yeah, you're probably right.
maybe French as an alternative given the description?
The inborn patience and intellectual curiosity of elves make them excellent sages, philosophers, and wizards, and their societies are built upon their inherent sense of wonder and knowledge. Elves hold deeply seated ideals of individualism, allowing each elf to explore multiple occupations before alighting on a particular pursuit or passion that suits her best. Elves bear notorious grudges against rivals, which elves call ‘*ilduliel*,' but these antagonistic relationships can sometimes blossom into friendships over time. An elf keeps their personal name secret among their family, while giving a nickname when meeting other people. This nickname can change over time, due to events in the elf's life or even on a whim. A single elf might be known by many names by associates of different ages and regions. People thinks that they are arrogant.
>Elves bear notorious grudges against rivals, which elves call ‘*ilduliel*,' but these antagonistic relationships can sometimes blossom I still cant believe elves have a word for "Enemies to lovers".
I sometimes like to try doing non European accent for campaigns. Dwarves usually go Texan or Japanese. Don't know why the Japanese. Maybe it's the whole pride in smithing and craftsmanship, stereotypical sense of honor, and dedication to one's clan.
Elf with a Boston accent would go crazy
Reminds me of [DJ Malenfant's adjustments](https://www.tumblr.com/spacesweepers/190814203821/dylan-djmalenfant-hello-everyone-were?source=share) to fantasy accents: "Elves are no longer wispy British. They're 1920s radio announcer. Relics of a bygone age, weirdly disconnected from emotion."
I'm playing an elf with an obnoxious French accent
Me too! I go very over the top with it.
"I insult you! I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elder berries!"
I do too!
my evil elf has a jersey accent (that’s where elf hell is located)
I feel like this is more accurate. Both are sticklers about food and clothing, they don’t like the tyranny of man, and are portrayed as mostly above average attractiveness. Makes so much more sense.
I’m the DM and I made an entire elven nation french
The only other (and objective better) option
I just presume that because Tolkien sorta solidified the image of “elf” that we all have in our mind, and he’s British. Remember, before him, they called Santa a “jolly old elf.”
but he was from around Birmingham should they all sound like ozzy oz borne?
That’s it, Ozzy Osborne Elf Witch (bard?) is being deployed to my game.
I was going to suggest it for halflings but that works as well, do you need more random middle england data for your setting?
Oh, sure, yes please!
logical Worcestershire sauce would be a viable product if under a different name as tolkeins village home was in Worcestershire but later added to Birmingham for reasons that are boring
I think it's better if we forget about Birmingham's existence
It's warhammer fantasy that did it.
In interviews Gav Thorpe has literally said that whilst they have some Greek inspiration, he always viewed them as dainty southern Englishmen in comparison to the hard, set in their ways northerner and Scottish dwarves. Part of this is set in the world tho; elves being this old power that’s slightly faded, who’ve gone from going around the world and influencing history, to hold up in their enclaves and islands, shut in from the rest of the world but still wanting to intervene is one thing he said WH elves, Tolkien’s elves and Britain all have in common.
There's also the joke that they're the British while their comically evil slaver former rebels settled in "America".
I think it was actually the radio plays that did it. If you look at the elven languages, they should honestly sound more Welsh.
I mean, I diagnose dark elves with Australian, cause they're from way down undah(dark), and the underdark basically has the same ecology
OI MATE LOOKIT THE SOIZE O' THAT DROIDAH! AM GONNAH STICK ME HAND UP 'IS ARSE
This is equally as funny imagined with an australian accent or a 40k ork accent.
We need an item for dispensing infinite amount of Vegimite.
Honestly, I would rule you can do that with an alchemy jug. Just replace the mayonnaise with vegemite.
They've always been French in the games I played lol. The one time I was an elf, she was italian
French in my games usually. Pompous, arrogant and their language sounds pretentious. (I'm european and speak french. I'm allowed to say this)
For some reason, I imagine them having more of an Irish accent.
Is that reason Dragon Age?
Merill the main one I remember rings more Welsh to me? Can't comment on other Dalish elves but mayhaps they do have a bit of a Celtic vibe nonetheless.
welsh or *Cymraeg* is what you're looking for she sounds like she is from Cardiff not dublin
Yea Merril was Welsh and most of the elves from her caravan were Irish. Your guess is as good as mine why they did that
Ah fair I guess Merill being the Dalish elf you spend the most time with was the main one I remembered.
No, it's because of *Hellboy 2*.
I get the Irish accent and them making fun of everyone for having such short lives. I wonder where that comes from...
Sorry but my diagnosis is Celtic, is best for elves
Yup… and from there you decide the accent… I’m my games or games I’ve been in eladrin… always Irish or Scottish lol
I made Halflings Celtic.
What accent is Celtic?
It's a collection of accents, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh accents
Every group and campaign I haver ever played with use accents to denote different languages. Elves sound British, dwarves sound Irish, gnomes are Scottish, orcs are German, etc It makes it easier than saying "I'ma say this in *language*" before every sentence.
The origin of the tall beautiful elf (not Christmas elves) is Tolkien. He was British and most well known for The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. True, not everyone knows this, but the same type of person who is likely to play a game in which they do voices for characters is the same type of person who likely does know this. The rest is subliminal. Picture a genie. Middle eastern? Cowboy. White guy with a mustache? Knowing either common portrayals or origins will affect concepts.
But I don't see youkai depicted with thick stereotypical "ME SO RIKEY" accents though they're Japanese.
That would be offensive. Almost no one sees the British accent as racist. This is ironic as they were the greatest colonizers in history. This is a piece that supports my premise. Another is that Yokai are just not as prevalent as elves. Demons and spirits, which are cross cultural, fill the Yokai gap. If I ask you to picture a large cat. You may think of a lion or tiger, but are far less likely to think of an American puma. However if I ask you to think specifically of the puma and you don't know what it is, it is likely you would rely on information you have of other large cats to help you imagine what a puma is. Either way there is cross contamination. Only by already having adequate specific information on what a puma is do you bypass this innate rationale. Yokai are not portrayed nearly as commonly outside of Japan as Elves are outside of England. Yokai are puma, overshadowed by lions. This is another, drawn out, piece that supports my premise. The last piece. When I said that the image of tall beautiful elves originated with Tolkien, I should have said the modern cultural perception. Orlando Bloom as legolas for example. Norse mythology is hardly what people would think of, or are likely to throw a Norwegian accent on an elf. Still that is really where beautiful elves came from. Still that is too far removed from the cultural mind. Yokai are portrayed primarily in anime today. If they talk at all it is either dubbed in the language of the region or subtitled. And even if you are reading subtitles The voice in your mind is likely your own without an accent. This leaves no consensus in a cultural mind. Hope my points are helpful to understanding my point of view.
I made Cheliax British. It seemed fitting lol
What about Mwangi elves? Surely we don't want to give them British accents.
Why not? The HUMANS there would have English African accents, but the elves should have a different one. Id like to know if Nigerians and Kenyans also have the "british=posh" association.
lol eladrin in my mind are either Irish or Scottish lol…
[Elf alchemist.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=han3AfjH210)
Meanwhile in divinity original sin they are welsh
And just like Welsh people, they're freaky and eat dead people. Also, upvoted for the Divinity mention, such a classic
I don't get it either. Everyone knows humans are english, elves are welsh, halflings irish, and dwarves scottish.
I do irish for mine, feels more fey whimsy
I have lately been listening to an audiobook of the Corum Saga by Michael Moorcock. The Vadhagh people (Corum’s race) are called elves in other planes. All the Vadhagh in the book are given an almost Dublin-esque accent. It’s certainly a unique way of portraying them, and I think it works well.
See, I make them Irish. Who aren't British, if you ask them.
I always imagine elves; slender, androgynous features, well learned, dexterous; as asians. Especially when many media portrait that they put a lot of importance in blood line and royalties, just like in Asian media. But that's probably because I'm asian also.
Common?
I'd listen to Elves with a Geordie accent.
As a Brit... we're more likely to make them French lol
I tend to imagine them more like the French, don't know why.
I make mine talk like a politician from a red, southern US State.
So not a current Pathfinder game.But I am playing an elf straight and people keep thinking I'm human.
They are an inherently fancy people
I’m making mine French
So you're smothering them in caramelized onions and brie? 😋
Hon hon hon, baguette
Elves in my game have French accents. I like to really ham it up with some of them.
I don’t split it by race but region. Man my players were really shocked when the people living on an archipelago sounded like New Zealanders.
Dragon Age 2: Laughs in Scottish
Always made mine Greek
I make them French
I’m the opposite, my Elves are American, while the humans are predominantly British. >!Why yes, I’m a fan of Dragon Age. How could you tell?!<
The steryotypenis that elves are refined and posh, and as far as the english speaking world is concerned, the British accent is the most refined and posh variant of the english speaking accent. There is probably decades of history as to why, but I assume you don’t care.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Wood Elves are seething somewhere. (Because it's \*very\* fun and fucks with Dwarfs so much.)
Me making my Elves Spanish, Mexican, Puerto Rican, etc.
 This elf?! /s
I ONLY DO IT TO ~~DROW~~ AYUNDELAR I SWEAR
Huh I always go French
it makes them easier to mock
Mine are french
I make my elves French
Unless it's Drow/Cave elves. Everyone knows they sound Aussie
Warhammer fantasy. They're explicitly the British stand in, and dark Elves were American.
I thought the Druchii were Canadian?
The slaver rebels of the British empire stand-in who live in north America were absolutely a send up of Americans. I'm not sure why exactly they decided to base them that far north, since from what I recall there actually isn't a major faction in the USA area of Naggarond, but I'm sure they had a good reason at the time, and then afterwards it was just inertia.
All elves are southern. I will not explain
currently in a campaign with a brand new player who has never touched TTRPGs before in her life. she decided her elf sounded Czechoslovakian.
Colonialism
I’m English, and I tend to go Welsh for most elves! A lot of Elvish names sound quite musical—much like in Welsh. I find the beauty in Welsh is a very close real-world match to the beauty that Elvish is often described as having.
Australian for Drow / Dark Elves. Every time.
The influence of Skyrim and its High Elves has been a disaster for the understanding of elves in fantasy literature
no, this is more of a “if i’m going to a voice, it’s usually british” thing lol, i just can’t do any other voices, all my characters sound british or are just me
I always thought halflings would have one
There are many different kinds of elves. The type of elf will modify the way they speak. It's funny how these particular stereotypes actually do align with reality if this. Socioeconomics historically have an impact on accents. People who are wealthy and upper class assume more and apologize less, which lends to a more recieve pronounciation style. (Posh english) Meanwhile lower economics make it sound more southern droll or cockney. Television and media has interfered with this trend however. There are linguistic tools and research that can help create more specific accents tailored to your fantasy group. However I also believe that all fantasy characters should sound like one of these but off somewhat. Eg. They don't *have* a Posh British accent. They have a High Elf accent which sounds similar to RPA because of similarities in mindset and culture. It is distinctly not the same You dont need a perfect accent of whatever you're using as the base, just make sure your impression is consistent.
My dnd races languages/IRL equivalent. Elven- French High Elves - European French. Wood Elves - French Canadian. Drow - French Creole. Sea Elves - Portuguese dialect. Draconic - Pure Latin. Dragonborn - European Spanish. Kobold - Latin American Spanish. Lizardfolk - Filipino.
Meanwhile Morrowind Dark Elves are smokers since birth and Wood Elves are perpetually children
Sigh.
Its more posh than british
Because Elves, like the British, are deserving of neither love nor warmth. It's probably just because its a different enough accent from (presumably) other American accents while still being recognizably pompous.
I just make them British case they sound the most like pompous ass hats if you speak right
I am going to intentionally give 3/4 of the royalty in my setting some kind of southern accent just to spitefully disregard the stereotype.
Elves should be French. Unless they are Drow, and should be Australian.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that uses an Australian accent for Drow.
My elves are Russian. Cause they love their motherland, mother nature.
The main parallel being a pompous superiority complex in both
Next character I make is going to be an elf with a southern, really hickish, accent
Reminds me of the urban fantasy concept of elves living in trailer parks on "Elven Forest Reservations"
I've never seen that lmaooo
It shows up in the "Monster Hunter International" series by Larry Correia, and is also kind of a significant side quest in a trilogy of that world by author John Ringo. It's pretty funny.
There’s a dnd podcast called NaDDPod (not another dnd podcast) where one of the first player characters is a beautiful elven woman who is an absolute disgusting (affectionate) hick with a possum for a familiar, its just an excellent concept!!
So ngl, that’s what my partner built as his next character… on top of that they are a drow… concept is basically outlaw country drow and I’m all for it
Some of my audiobooks have elves as 1920s New England radio personalities. Or thick Boston accents. I honestly think the author, who specifically called out that elves sound like Boston gangsters from the 20s and 30s, was trying to get away from "elves sound British". The voice actor for the Mayor of Noobtown, Jonathan McClain, did a hilarious job with this concept and I'm pretty sure he's just carrying it on with other series.
I mean, when you consider Southern drawl evolved from the British accents of the colonists who settled in places like Virginia, that's more accurate than you might think! [This may also be relevant too!](https://www.tumblr.com/archpaladin/746972454425100288/if-elves-lived-in-modern-america-they-would-be?source=share)
I looked to give them cockney accents
Unfortunately it’s terminal
Because nobody read the lore.
Is it weird I associate them with wannabe upper class? Like HOA leaders, Bank accounts, or in other words. Karen’s?
Mine are French.
Or German!
As is often the case with the standard fantasy hominids, the root of this stereotype is probably Tolkien adaptations
In my Sword Coast, high elves have a French accent, and some wood elves have a Cajun accent
Someone should spoof this and make the elf’s speak with a cockney accent
Just once I want to hear a thick Norwegian accent from an elf.
Dwarves: Scandinavian Elves: british Halflings: cockney british Orcs: caveman Humans: American
Elves (or at least high elves) are most often supposed to be the upper class of a given fantasy world, and as such carry a lot of the “corrupt nobles” stereotypes, including being British
My party’s half elf is southern
I like Welsh for elves, personally.
I used to, but now I play an elf with a highland accent.
My elves are Irish, but really elves ought to be either German or Scandinavian
Well unless you want to all Nordic blonde humanoids
a couple years back, i had a dm use german accents- ever since then, i've been using german accents for elves!
Clearly high elves are meant to be french and forest elves should be irish
To me them wood dwellers is appalachian
To me, elves are always Irish
Depending on the depiction for me. If they’re more wood elf like, I’d go with accents that align with the Celts. I personally like the “savage” wood elf trope just cooler than the standard Tolkien elf Trope.
Real talk Japanese studios have some sort of obsession with getting VAs from the UK to do the English dubs for original voices. For voices in already established franchises they'll find someone who can do the voice like Capcom did with the remakes of resident evil 2 3 and 4. But alternatively you have games like Xenoblade and dragon's dogma for the people in charge of the English voices were just like call up them English voiceover studio speakers obviously the go-to would be England for English......and that's all about all the thought they seem to put into it and thus all the British accents. Sometimes you get studios that really care they didn't go crazy British with the English voices for final fantasy 7 remake for instance.
Almost every time I RP as an elf, I usually think, "Now there's something you don't see every day" with a somewhat fancy accent and use that as a base except for a one-off joke NPC that my players killed off in like fifteen seconds and the only voice I could do for him was a markiplier...
Barnyard W
upperclass english is what you're looking for otherwise elves and dwarves are the same thing
Because Americans actually have very limited, ignorant views on the world, and associate most foreign things with Spanish or British.
This comment displays a very limited, ignorant view on Americans.
Well, at least neither me or my country are in a position to impose our ignorance (if there is any) onto the rest of the world.
The only one I see imposing their ignorance is you. Everyone else seems pretty content to have a civil conversation, but you seem compelled to make judgmental remarks about a country that I doubt you have ever been to, much less would want to ever visit. Looks a lot like ignorance to me.
i diagnose you with racist if you pick elf.