In my eyes, the only way an Elf might be fat is if they use magic to shapeshift themselves that way. Including, one Elf could curse an other one to appear that way.
There is a reallife saga, describing an Elf who was cursed by a fellow Elf to become old and decrepit, when normally they would be eternally youthful.
Similarly, in French folkbelief, there was a fay who was unusually short, resulting from the curse of an other fay.
Flavorwise, these are magical beings, and follow magical rules.
If a player wants a Background backstory that explains why their own Elf is obese, that would be fun.
In terms of the Lore that Wizards of the Coast has presented? I have seen nothing that says Elves cannot be fat. What specifically that means is up to you. An Elf might be fat by Elven standards and still seem slender by Human ones.
I am referring to a 5e chart that someone calculated out:
High Elf
• Average height: 5'5 • Height range: 4'8 to 6'2
• Average weight: 123 lb • Weight range: 92 lb to 170 lb
So, officially, no, elves cannot be fat.
I like it that way for flavor reasons.
I like my elves tall, but at least officially I can keep them (both males and females) about 6 feet.
Do you really think a 4'8", 170 lb. elf isn't going to be fat?
The way the 5e chart works, the 4'8 elf cannot reach 170 lb.
To determine the height is 4'6 + 2d10. So a short 4'8 is possible.
However, to determine the weight, you then take this same 2d10 roll, which here is 2, then multiply it by 1d4. Then add it to base 90 lb.
So the max weight of a 4'8 elf is 98 lb.
Officially, the High Elf is slim. Every one of them.
Okay, so the height and weight ranges you provided are correlated. I would have said that in the beginning, but that's neither here nor there :p
Your conclusion is still incorrect. Nothing about the PHB's random height/weight generation tables suggests that its ranges encompass "every one of them." In fact, what it says is "You can decide your character’s height and weight, using the information provided in your race description or on the Random Height and Weight table." Nowhere does it dictate how you're to use that information.
It should be noted that the Height And Weight chart presented in the Player's Handbook is not "Lore". The information under Races might be considered Lore. In any case, nothing says Elves cannot be fat.
The Player's Handbook says: "You can decide your character’s height and weight, using the information provided in your race description or on the Random Height and Weight table." If you want to pick the average height for an Elf and the maximum weight for an Elf you are quite free to do so. You have the option to roll dice if that's what you want.
While we are at it, "fat" is a judgement call. It isn't a medical term. It doesn't have to do with a Body To Mass Index, so much as being a perception of aesthetics. It can and does vary, even inside a single race depending on background and culture.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
<Insert clever signature here>
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Of course it depends on the dm eventually, but I mean in general lore from Wizards.
In my eyes, the only way an Elf might be fat is if they use magic to shapeshift themselves that way. Including, one Elf could curse an other one to appear that way.
There is a reallife saga, describing an Elf who was cursed by a fellow Elf to become old and decrepit, when normally they would be eternally youthful.
Similarly, in French folkbelief, there was a fay who was unusually short, resulting from the curse of an other fay.
Flavorwise, these are magical beings, and follow magical rules.
If a player wants a Background backstory that explains why their own Elf is obese, that would be fun.
he / him
A brief google search would lead to to believe that, yes, it can happen.
Which book did this illustration appear in?
he / him
The old SDR table for elves looks like this:
Table: High Elf Random Height and Weight
Weight Modifier
So, tell me, what does a 5'7" (4'5" +12in), 340lb (85 lb. x 4 lb.) elf look like to you?
EDIT: A visual aid...
Obese BMI
At 5'7" and 340 Pounds your BMI is 53.25
Not exactly petite...
That chart sets the max weight for a male elf at 157lbs and female at 152lbs
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
you take the 2d6 from the height and multiply it by 1d6 to get the adjusted weight
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Actually quite petite. (Petite means short.) I think why you were going for was “svelte.”
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Sure, but even then.....
Obese BMI
At 4'7" and 157 Pounds your BMI is 36.49
I am referring to a 5e chart that someone calculated out:
High Elf
• Average height: 5'5
• Height range: 4'8 to 6'2
• Average weight: 123 lb
• Weight range: 92 lb to 170 lb
So, officially, no, elves cannot be fat.
I like it that way for flavor reasons.
I like my elves tall, but at least officially I can keep them (both males and females) about 6 feet.
he / him
Do you really think a 4'8", 170 lb. elf isn't going to be fat?
Yeah, let me help with that:
Obese BMI
At 4'8" and 170 Pounds your BMI is 38.11
I am not saying that elves can't be fat, but if you are going to use an official chart and calculations at least do it right.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
In terms of the Lore that Wizards of the Coast has presented? I have seen nothing that says Elves cannot be fat. What specifically that means is up to you. An Elf might be fat by Elven standards and still seem slender by Human ones.
<Insert clever signature here>
The way the 5e chart works, the 4'8 elf cannot reach 170 lb.
To determine the height is 4'6 + 2d10. So a short 4'8 is possible.
However, to determine the weight, you then take this same 2d10 roll, which here is 2, then multiply it by 1d4. Then add it to base 90 lb.
So the max weight of a 4'8 elf is 98 lb.
Officially, the High Elf is slim. Every one of them.
he / him
Technically, I'm pretty sure I was using an official chart, just not the most recent official chart.
Either way, to answer the thread's question, yes, like all races that are made of meat and lipids and bone, elves can be fat.
yes you used the chart, but you failed to use it correctly is my point
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Okay, so the height and weight ranges you provided are correlated. I would have said that in the beginning, but that's neither here nor there :p
Your conclusion is still incorrect. Nothing about the PHB's random height/weight generation tables suggests that its ranges encompass "every one of them." In fact, what it says is "You can decide your character’s height and weight, using the information provided in your race description or on the Random Height and Weight table." Nowhere does it dictate how you're to use that information.
It should be noted that the Height And Weight chart presented in the Player's Handbook is not "Lore". The information under Races might be considered Lore. In any case, nothing says Elves cannot be fat.
The Player's Handbook says: "You can decide your character’s height and weight, using the information provided in your race description or on the Random Height and Weight table." If you want to pick the average height for an Elf and the maximum weight for an Elf you are quite free to do so. You have the option to roll dice if that's what you want.
While we are at it, "fat" is a judgement call. It isn't a medical term. It doesn't have to do with a Body To Mass Index, so much as being a perception of aesthetics. It can and does vary, even inside a single race depending on background and culture.
<Insert clever signature here>