Homebrew Ideas: Elven Nonverbals
For my personal homebrew universe, Aldorah, I created plenty of content specific to the world. When you’re crafting a completely new world, one of the last little details you may add is cultural nuances to each of your societies. These nuances can add life and flavor to certain areas, giving them a distinct quality that players can emulate when they make their characters. Not all of my content can be easily transferred to other worlds, but this one is one of my favorites, so i decided to share it here!
In Elven culture, it’s preferable to solve conflicts with words over violence, if possible. If words fail, but violence is unneeded, many Elves utilize a special form of sign language to communicate complex feelings. Some signs are more intimate and formal than others, while some can be seen as acts of defiance and insult. Because this language is so ingrained in Elf culture, it’s almost exclusively used among each other, as the meanings can oft times be lost on other races. Diplomats from other nations and racial backgrounds often familiarize themselves with some of the more common gestures as a form of respect, but Elves generally don’t expect non-elves to be well versed in the language.
Other than the most common gestures, this language is only used when words would not adequately encompass a feeling, or when the situation is delicate or tense. Composure in every situation is highly valued in Elven culture, and as such, this language is paramount in helping prevent rude outbursts or to otherwise communicate intensity without allowing oneself to be overcome by it. In the military, these signals can be done to communicate secret messages as well.
Common Gestures
A hand formed in a fist, pressed to the center of the chest followed by a bow of the head is a respectful greeting, normally to a military official or great warrior.
Hands folded over one another and a short nod is a quiet greeting to a guest when they’re entering in the middle of a meeting or gathering, meant to acknowledge without disturbing.
A hand flat over the heart with a downturned gaze is used by guard captains during wartime to indicate they come bearing bad news - normally the death of a loved one during battle or the loss of land. It is meant to give family a moment to compose themselves should they need it before hearing more.
Conversely to the above, a hand over the heart with a locked gaze indicates other news from the battlefield involving a loved one, but not necessarily the worst news.
Biting the bottom lip and humming once is an indication of irritation or discomfort with the current topic that is being spoken about, subtly alluding to changing the subject.
Bending one’s fingertips and pressing them to another’s is often used by younger elves to make a promise with a friend or sibling.
While holding the hand another, turning the other hand up and pressing one’s forehead to the knuckles is silent acknowledgement of sympathy, forgiveness, or understanding. The receiver of this gesture is sometimes followed by the phrase “your understanding is well received” in Elvish.
Taking up the hand and kissing the knuckles is a common gesture from male elves to female elves to indicate humble greetings. Sometimes this is followed by a short bow to indicate further reverence.
Reaching toward one’s own mouth with open fingers, pulling them back quickly while closing them is a somewhat bold gesture to indicate attraction to someone, as if saying you take my breath away. This is often done at balls or galas when the receiver is far from the giver. This gesture may be returned to indicate mutual interest and prompt an approach.
Locking gaze and gently grazing two fingers over the lips indicates a desire to speak privately while in a public event. This may be done by servants to their masters if they have news or a concern, or between political officials.
Intimate / Personal Gestures
An embrace, with each participant placing a hand on the back of the other’s head is an intimate indication of sympathy and grief. This gesture is normally seen at funerals, and is only done between family and very close friends. Initiating this gesture when you did not know the deceased well can be seen as arrogant and self serving.
Mimicking a claw with the fingers and yanking back quickly from the chest indicates anger toward a lover, usually meant to communicate a desire to be left alone for a while.
Setting or hovering a hand over another’s chest, and then to your own silently communicates sympathy or shared sorrow, or I’m here for you.
Gliding the thumb down the inner forearm of another indicates desire for particularly intimate affairs, usually during conversation. This can certainly be met with rejection in a more aggressive way, but simple disinterest can be communicated without breaking conversation by simply clicking the tongue behind the teeth. Returning the gesture is seen as acceptance.
Setting a hand on another’s cheek and locking a gaze is usually done to indicate to the receiver that the giver will be doing something dangerous, and to trust them. The receiver setting a hand over the giver’s indicates understanding, while pulling away can mean rejection.
Pulling at the tip or lob of one’s own ear is usually done by children to indicate to parents that they’re listening, even if they’re too upset to speak.
Military Signals
Pressing an index finger to the lips, then drawing it down the chin and quickly across the throat is a silent way of saying “be quiet, or you will surely die.”
Flicking the thumb over the chin during conversation shows the individual has very important information, but can’t share it in the current setting.
Tapping each finger tip on the tip of the thumb indicates there are more guards in the immediate area then can be fought/a threat is too strong to defeat. Conversely, punching the opposing hand’s palm indicates there is a threat, but it can surely be handled.
Tapping the throat with the thumb is used by Elvish prisoners during rescues to indicate that they cannot speak for whatever reason. Tapping the thigh with two fingers indicates they cannot move effectively.
Insulting / Disrespectful Gestures
Biting the bottom lip until it bleeds is done by captured soldiers to indicate torture will not phase them. Warriors during battle do this as well show they are not easily defeated, or they are confident in their tolerance for pain. If they are especially haughty, they may spit the blood at the target/lick their lips soon afterward to indicate extreme disrespect for their opponent.
Licking the inside of the index and middle finger while watching someone indicates lust or objectification.
Slamming a fist against the chest and pointing directly at someone indicates an immediate challenge to a duel, usually to single someone out during a battle. This isn’t an insult to the receiver so much as to everyone around them, as it indicates only you are worthy of my blade.
Holding eye contact when you are to bow is a common but no less insulting indication of disrespect for authority.
Whistling to get someone’s attention is generally seen as obscene, but is sometimes done by wealthy elves to their servants.
Pressing fingers to the lips and turning away with a giggle is done amongst predominantly female nobility to indicate they find an outfit hideous.
Slowly dragging the fingertips over the throat or collarbone and exhaling while watching someone says “I will be your death, and I will revel in it.”
Wiping blood from the face with the back of the hand, then the palm without breaking eye contact says “is that the best you can do?”
Quickly but lightly striking several points on your own body while waiting for an attack with a hand is a common taunt during battle.
