Message no. 1

From:	Stefan Willkofer <stefan.willkofer@*****.PHYSIK.UNI-REGENSBURG.DE>
Subject:	Why do they live so long?
Date:	Mon, 31 Oct 1994 17:01:40 --100

Why do some Elves live so long? In order to answer this question
I think it helps to review what we know about this *phenomenon*?

1. Why do we think that some Elves live very long?
Because a lot of *clear* hints have been made in #Harlequinn#.
There is an more than 400 years old drawing of Ehran. The duell
between H and Ehran seems to have a bigger, *ancient* background.
Then there is Urdli, the australien aborigine (sp?) in Charrette's novels,
from whom we have the impression that he *is* very old.

2. What do we know about Harlequinn?
From the short stories published until now we know that he *IS* from
the Fourth World. Looking at his abillities in the modul #Harlequinn# and
looking at the conversation between Vestrial and H and looking into the
Earthdawn Companion one can deduce that H is a *Lightbearer*. (Lightbearers
can open a portal to the astral plane and enter astral space, this is
what H is doing at the end in his module.)

3. What do we know from #Never Trust an Elf#?
(Perhaps I confuse some names now, please don't blame me ...)
The Oakforest son seeks an ancient, powerful crystal which apparently
belongs to dragons (Lofwyr himself?). Oakforest and Urdli disguise themselves
by using shimmering masks of light(!). Looking into the ED Copmanion you see
that Lightbearers gain exactly this ability called *shimmer*.
(I won't deal with what Lofwyr tells Kahm the Ork.)

4. SO WHY do some elves live so long?
A. Lightbearers can gain the ability of *Greater Incarnation* which allows a
dying Lightbearer to transfer his spirit to a different person. Because elves
have a longer natural lifespan it is more convenient to choose an elf as a
target of this ability rather than an ork.
B. The Elves in ED have solved the riddle of the *Everliving Flower* (an
enchanted rose) which grants everyone whose skin is peraced by its thorns
eternal life.
C. Because of their spiritual believe which is described in Tir Na nOg
Source Book and in Denizens of Earthdawn, Vol.1.

You see, there are more answers possible, and (I think) probably every one has
some truth in it. I don't claim that in remembered everything, so feel
free to add aspects that I've forgotten.

Thanx For Your Precious Time, Mephisto ==St.Willkofer