So they are basically a larger, cognizant elk?

Very cool race. I have one comment: It would be more interesting if their coloring were more unique from each- other. Could you imagine if EVERY single dog in the world was white with a brown tail and ears? Maybe you could have gray and white be common colors on them, and maybe have one as a character with your described markings, because that IS beautiful.

I don't know... The markings and colors I described are part of what is separating them from elk as we know them. I could however, add differences to individual roa'an, so that a uniqueness can be described about an individual. I would like to keep the markings I mentioned as primary markings of their species though. I could always add... perhaps a flash of white behind the ears and reaching down the back of one's neck to it's shoulders... or perhaps one that had a black stripe on it's face rather than the white (I kinda like that one hehe). Perhaps markings on their lower legs could set them apart as well.

Or you could make that coloring very common among them...just like tabby is common among cats. It's just odd for distinct markings like that to be present in every member of the race.

Does the ro'an simply 'choose' the elf who gets on it first? If not how do they figure out who is chosen?

Yeah, I suppose. Like the whitetail. Ignore me.

Well... since you asked, the roa'an simply carries a squishy fruit or vegetable, like a tomato for instance, and walks up to the elf chosen, and spits it in the elf's face. Thus angering the elf with squishyfruit dripping from it's chin and nose, who gives chase, until he captures the roa'an, jumps upon it's back, and puts it in a sleeper hold until the creature submits.

I couldn't follow the link...it said it was forbidden.

You had me going for a moment 6strings. I was trying to figure out in my mind how I was gently going to tell you you had just lost all the majesty and grandeur you had instilled in your Roa’an by including the whole squishy fruit idea. Then I got to the LOL part and did just that. I was glad I didn’t have to tell you that was a really cheesy idea.

How do the roa'an know who to pick as their rider then? Do they just know on instinct or maybe they watch the elves? They must be pretty intelligent.

You also said earlier that very rarely another other than the 'chosen' will ride them. Could they communicate with this exception?