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{{otheruses4|the Greyhawk race|the Forgotten Realms race for whom "grey elf" was a derogatory term|Moon elf}}
{{Creature
{{Creature
| image        = GreyElf-1e.png
| image        = [[File:GreyElf01.jpg|250px]]
| caption      = A grey elf wearing traditional armor and weaponry.
| caption      = A grey elf wearing traditional armor and weaponry, illustrated in ''AD&D Monster Cards Set 3'' (artist unknown).
| name        = Grey elf
| name        =  
| othernames  = Gray elf
| othernames  =  
| size5e      = Medium
| size        = Medium
| type5e      = [[Humanoid]]
| type        = Humanoid
| subtype5e    = [[Elf]]
| subtype5e    = [[Elf]]
| alignment5e =  
| alignment1e = Chaotic good
| challenge5e  =
| patron deity = [[:Category:Elven deities|Seldarine]]
| refs5e      = <ref name="PHB5e-p23">{{Cite book/Player's Handbook 5th edition|23}}</ref>
| appearance1 = {{Appearance|height={{SIrange|5|6|ft}}|length=|wingspan=|weight={{SIrange|85|115|lbs|k}}|skincolor=Pale|haircolor=Typically silver<br />Sometimes pale-golden|hairstyles=|feathers=|eyecolor=Typically amber<br />Sometimes violet|build=Tall and slim|distinctions=}}
| size4e      =
| appearance2  = {{Appearance|height={{SIrange|4'7"|5'7"|ft-in}}|length=|wingspan=|weight={{SIrange|75|105|lbs|k}}|skincolor=Pale|haircolor=Typically silver<br />Sometimes pale-golden|hairstyles=|feathers=|eyecolor=Typically amber<br />Sometimes violet|build=Tall and slim|distinctions=}}
| origin4e    =
| appearrefs  = {{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|13}}
| type4e      =
| first        = [[Supplement I: Greyhawk]]
| subtype4e    =
| alignment4e  =
| refs4e      =
| size3e      = Medium
| type3e      = [[Humanoid]]
| subtype3e    = [[Elf]]
| alignment3e  = Usually [[chaotic good]]
| challenge3e = {{frac|1|2}}
| refs3e      = <ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104">{{Cite book/Monster Manual v.3.5|102, 104}}</ref>
| size2e      = Medium
| alignment2e  = [[Chaotic good]]
| refs2e      = <ref name="MM-p109-110">{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|109-110}}</ref>
| size1e      = Medium
| alignment1e  = [[Chaotic good]]
| refs1e      = <ref name="MM1-p39">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 1st edition|39}}</ref>
| patron deity =
| movement    =
| vision      = [[Infravision]]<ref name="TCBoE-p80" />
| activecycle  =
| diet        = Omnivore
| lifespan    = 1,500
| location    = [[Oerth]], [[Greyspace]]
| language    = [[Common]], [[Elven]]
| subraces    =
| climate      = Temperate
| terrain      = Mountains
| genrefs      = <ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /><ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" />
| height      =
| length      =
| wingspan    =
| weight      =
| skincolor   = Pale
| haircolor   = Typically silver<br />Sometimes pale-golden
| hairstyles   =  
| feathers     =  
| eyecolor     = Typically amber<br />Sometimes violet
| build       = Tall and slim
| distinctions =
| form1        = Male
| appearance1  = {{Appearance|height={{SIrange|5|6|ft}}|length=|wingspan=|weight={{SIrange|85|115|lbs|k}}|skincolor=|haircolor=|hairstyles=|feathers=|eyecolor=|build=|distinctions=}}
| form2        = Female
| appearance2  = {{Appearance|height={{SIrange|4'7"|5'7"|ft-in}}|length=|wingspan=|weight={{SIrange|75|105|lbs|k}}|skincolor=|haircolor=|hairstyles=|feathers=|eyecolor=|build=|distinctions=}}
| appearrefs  = <ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="TCBoE-p13">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|13}}</ref>
| first        =  
| based        =
| histrefs    =
}}
}}
'''Grey elves''' were a sub-race of [[high elves]] endemic to the planet of [[Oerth]] and [[Greyspace]].<ref name="PH5-p23">{{Cite book/Player's Handbook 5th edition|23}}</ref>
'''Grey elves''', also known as '''faerie'''{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109}}{{csb|PG|37}}{{csb|LGG|8}} or '''fey elves''',{{csb|LGG|8}} and ''' meadow elves'''{{csb|Supplement I: Greyhawk ''(1976)|''5}}, are a sub-race of high [[elf|elves]] native or indigenous to [[Oerth]] and [[Greyspace]].{{csb|PH5e|23}}


==Description==
== Description ==
Nearly as tall as [[human]]s,<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /> grey elves had tall, slim builds and pale grey skin. Their hair tended to be a silver hue while their eyes were like amber. Some grey elves, known among their kind as "faeries," displayed pale-golden hair and violet eyes.<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /><ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="TCBoE-p16">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|16}}</ref>
Standing nearly as tall as [[human]]s,{{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}} grey elves have tall, slim builds and pale grey skin. Their hair tends to be a silver hue while their eyes are like amber. Some grey elves have pale-golden hair and violet eyes.{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|16}}{{csb|Player's Option: Skills & Powers|28}}


All members of this race tended to favor bright garments of gold, silver, yellow, or white.<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /><ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /> Especially wool [[tunic]]s in those colors.<ref name="TCBoE-p16" /> In terms of [[cloak]]s, they most often wore ones that were deep shades of blue or purple.<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /><ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="TCBoE-p16" />
Grey elves tend to favor bright garments of gold, silver, yellow, or white.{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|Player's Option: Skills & Powers|28}} Especially wool tunics in those colors.{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|16}} hey most often wear cloaks that are deep shades of blue or purple.{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|16}}


==Personality==
The grey elves have been described (in fifth edition) as a type or subtype of high elves "which includes the gray elves and valley elves of Greyhawk."{{csb|PH5e|23}}
Grey elves had attitudes and outlook comparable to those of most silvanesti on [[Krynn]]<ref name="TCBoE-p24">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|24}}</ref> and [[sun elves]] on [[Toril]] &mdash; very arrogant and believing themselves to be superior to other races, even [[elf|elven]] races.<ref name="PH5-p23" /><ref name="TCBoE-p17">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|17}}</ref> They considered themselves to be the purest form of elf, despite the fact they were a sub-race.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> Though of course, not all grey elves possessed a snobbish demeanor.<ref name="TCBoE-p13" />


These elves also tended to be highly intelligent,<ref name="MM1-p39" /> the most intelligent of all elven races according to some estimates,<ref name="TCBoE-p80">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|80}}</ref> and such a quality was very valued in their society.<ref name="MM-p109-110" />
== Personality ==
Grey elves often have arrogant attitudes and an outlook comparable to those of silvanesti on Krynn{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|24}} and sun elves on Toril—very and believing themselves to be superior to other races, even [[elf|elven]] races.{{csb|PH5e|23}}{{csb|PHBR8|17}}  They consider themselves to be the purest form of elf.{{csb|Player's Option: Skills & Powers|28}}{{csb|PHBR8|17}}  Although this does not mean they are less than gracious even to those who do not meet their lofty standards {{csb|PH5e|23}} and not all grey elves possess a pretentious demeanor.{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|13}}


==Combat==
Though in fifth edition, grey elves are a type of high elf in fifth edition, they continue to be noted as being "haughty and reclusive, believing themselves to be superior to non-elves and even other elves", as opposed to the more common high elf sometimes found in the company of humans and mixing with other cultures.{{csb|PH5e|23}}
Grey elves generally wore winged [[helmet]]s with shimmering suits of [[plate mail]]<ref name="TCBoE-p16" /> or [[chainmail]] while carrying [[shield]]s.<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /> They typically fought with [[bow]]s, [[spear]]s, [[sword]]s, and [[two-handed sword]]s.<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" />


However, they did not value physical prowess. Thus many grey elves took up of the profession of a [[mage]], though they usually did not become specialized [[wizard]]s.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> Those that did specialize tended to take up roles as [[bladesinger]]s or [[spellfilcher]]s.<ref name="TCBoE-p88, 90">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|88, 90}}</ref>
These elves also tend to be highly intelligent,{{csb|MM1e|39}} the most intelligent of all elven races according to some estimates,{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|80}} and such a quality is very valued in their society.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}


==History==
== Combat ==
In {{Yearlink|1370}},<ref name="tN.W-p12S">{{Cite book/The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/The Wilderness|12}}</ref> grey elves were occasionally encountered by travelers in the forests of the [[Savage Frontier]].<ref name="TN">{{Cite book/The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/Tables-1-15}}</ref>
Grey elves frequently wear winged helmets with shimmering suits of plate mail{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|16}} or chainmail while carrying shields,{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|MM1e|39}} particularly [[elven chainmail]].{{csb|DMGR3|30}} They typically fought with bows, spears, swords, and two-handed swords.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}


==Society==
However, they "trust less in physical prowess than they do the mind".{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Many grey elves take up of the profession of a mage, though they usually do not become specializist wizards.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Those who do specialize tend to take up roles as [[bladesinger]]s or [[spellfilcher]]s.{{csb|PHBR8|88, 90}}  "Bladesingers form an elite cadre of warrior-mages in the kingdom of [[Celene]]. Some of these agents work beyond Celene’s borders, wielding blade and magic against the queen’s enemies. The art of the blade song is unknown beyond that kingdom; no non-elf has learned its secrets."{{csb|Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide ''(2015) |157}}
Grey elves were a very reclusive people.<ref name="MM1-p39" /> They highly valued this seclusion viewing it as independence from a corrupting outside world, and would fight fiercely to remain secluded from all<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> sometimes even from other elven races.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> Outside of that they spent much of their indoors,<ref name="TCBoE-p18" /> seeking scholarly pursuits. Studying, researching, contemplating, and writing treatises learned.<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="TCBoE-p17" />


Their societies were very rigidly defined, hereditary monarchies.<ref name="TCBoE-p18" /><ref name="TCBoE-p26">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|26}}</ref> Much like the socities of [[drow]], personal freedom was not valued and movement was carefully restricted,<ref name="TCBoE-p48">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|48}}</ref> With citizens of their cities being divided by a caste system.<ref name="TCBoE-p65" />
== History ==
Grey elves are occasionally encountered by travelers in the forests of the Savage Frontier region of the ''Forgotten Realms'' campaign setting in 1370 DR,{{csb|The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/The Wilderness|12}}{{csb|The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier|Table 1-15}}


Their craftsmen were capable of making items that could hold the strongest of [[item enchantment|enchantments]], with subtle charms worked into them that made the item more receptive to whatever magic a mage might use to enhance them. They were particularly focused on the creation of [[spellbook]]s and [[scroll]]s.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" />
== Society ==
[[File:GreyElf city.png|frame|right|A grey elven mountain city, illustrated in PHBR8 by Terry Dykstra (1992).]]
Grey elves are a very reclusive people.{{csb|MM1e|39}} They highly value this seclusion, viewing it as independence from a corrupting outside world, and will fight fiercely to remain secluded from all,{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|PHBR8|17}} sometimes even from other elven groups.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Outside of that, they spent much of their lives indoors,{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|18}} seeking scholarly pursuits, such as studying, researching, contemplating, and writing treatises.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}{{csb|PHBR8|17}}


They often had [[hippogriff]]s as [[mount]]s,<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /> and [[giant eagle]]s as guard animals.<ref name="MM-p109-110" /> Though a few grey elves were known to instead have [[griffon]]s acting as both guards and mounts.<ref name="MM-p109-110" /><ref name="MM1-p39" />
Their societies are rigidly defined, hereditary monarchies.{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|18}}{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|26}}  Because grey elven culture tends more toward Lawful than Chaotic, personal freedom is not as valued as much as in some other elven cultures, though far more than in drow culture.{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|48}}  Movement is carefully restricted,{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|48}} with citizens of their cities being divided by a caste system.{{csb|PHBR8|65}}
===Homelands===
On their home planet of Oerth, they were known to inhabit isolated meadowlands<ref name="MM1-p39" /> atop temperate mountains,<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /> where they built large citadel cities. The entrances to these meadows and cities were hidden by powerful magic, ensuring that only elves could find them.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> Their cities were made almost entirely out of stone and divided into five walled concentric rings, with inner rings having more decorations and ornamentation.<ref name="TCBoE-p65">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|65}}</ref>


On their home planet these cities had some of the most extensive libraries of any city. These were communally open to all elves who wished to expand their knowledge and better themselves.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" />
Their craftsmen are capable of making items which can hold the strongest of enchantments, with subtle charms worked into them that make the item more receptive to whatever magic a mage might use to enhance them.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} One such item is the ''ring of faerie''.{{csb|UA1e|93}} Their craftsmen are particularly focused on the creation of spellbooks and scrolls.{{csb|PHBR8|17}}


Grey elves were almost never found outside of their native planet of Oerth.<ref name="TCBoE-p26">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|26}}</ref>
They often have [[hippogriff]]s as mounts,{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}} and giant eagles as guard animals.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}} Though a few grey elves are known to instead have [[griffon]]s acting as both guards and mounts.{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Monstrous Manual|109-110}}
===Relationships===
Out of all elven sub-races, these were among the least tolerant of other races.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> elves almost never associated with other non-elven [[humanoid]]s for long or frequent periods of time.<ref name="MM1-p39" /> They feared the possibility of other, shorter-lived races tainting their bloodline.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> However, members of other elven races often readily chose not to befriend them, for they disdained how arrogant and serious they were. Some even felt their behavior and way of life was comparable to that of [[human]]s or [[dwarves]].<ref name="TCBoE-p18" />


Because they spent so much of their lives studying, grey elves had many elves of other races as servants for menial and physical labor.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" /> Though not harsh, they would swiftly punish any servant that failed in a task or performed it poorly. Some elves of other races perceived these servants to be slaves &mdash; if not in fact, at least in spirit &mdash; since their servants tended to lack the typical elven love for life.<ref name="TCBoE-p18">{{Cite book/The Complete Book of Elves|18}}</ref>
=== Homelands ===
Faerie elves are known to inhabit isolated meadowlands{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Supplement I: Greyhawk ''(1976)|''5|}} and "temperate plains".{{csb|MC5||Encounter Tables}} Some are also found living atop temperate mountains,{{csb|MM3.5e|102}} where they build large citadel cities.{{csb|PHBR8|65}} The entrances to these meadows and cities are hidden by powerful magic, ensuring that only elves can find them.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Their mountain cities are made almost entirely of stone and divided into five walled concentric rings, with inner rings having more decorations and ornamentation.{{csb|PHBR8|65}}


Grey elves allowed only a select few outsiders entry to their cities,<ref name="MM3.5-p102, 104" /> such as very powerful [[mage]]s and wizards, but even these individuals were treated with great suspicion.<ref name="TCBoE-p17" />
These cities have some of the most extensive libraries of any city. These are communally open to all elves who wish to expand their knowledge and better themselves.{{csb|PHBR8|17}}


==Appendix==
=== Relationships ===
===References===
Of all elven sub-races, these are among the least tolerant of other races.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Grey elves almost never associated with other non-elven humanoids for long or frequent periods of time.{{csb|MM1e|39}} They fear the possibility of other, shorter-lived races changing their bloodline.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} However, members of other elven races often readily chose not to befriend them, for they disdained how arrogant and serious they are. Some even feel their behavior and way of life is comparable to that of [[human]]s or [[dwarf|dwarves]].{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|18}}
{{Refs}}
 
[[Category:Creatures found on Oerth]]
Because they spend so much of their lives studying, grey elves have many elves of other races as servants for menial and physical labor.{{csb|PHBR8|17}} Though not harsh, they swiftly correct any servant that failed in a task or performed it poorly. Some elves of other races perceived these servants to be slaves—if not in fact, at least in spirit—since their servants tended to lack the typical elven love for life.{{csb|The Complete Book of Elves|18}}
[[Category:Creatures found in Greyspace]]
 
Grey elves allow only a select few outsiders entry to their cities{{csb|MM3.5e|102, 104}} such as very powerful mages and wizards, but even these individuals are treated with great suspicion.{{csb|PHBR8|17}}
 
== Publishing history ==
Grey elves first appeared in [[Supplement I: Greyhawk]].  As already noted, grey elves are also known as "faerie" elves.{{csb|Supplement I: Greyhawk ''(1976)|''5}}  In Supplement I, faerie elves are also known as "meadow elves".  In the World of Greyhawk, the [[Player's Guide]] notes "Suloise, Oeridian, and humanoid invaders pushed the elves from their grassland and prairie homes.  Fortunately, the elves willingly resettled to the forests, where they held their own as nearby human kingdoms rose, expanded, made war, and fell."{{csb|PG|37}} This is congruent with the fact that the main elven nation in the {{smallcaps|[[World of Greyhawk]]}}™, [[Celene]], is at least half meadows and other grasslands, and is forested only along the [[Jewel River]] and in the [[Welkwood]].
 
== Trivia ==
* Some of the oral traditions of the gray elves spoke of [[Atropus]].{{csb|Elder Evils|16}}
* Visitors to Toril who are familiar with this species of elves are sometimes confused, because that planet's "silver elves"{{csb|Elves of Evermeet|104}} bear a resemblance to [[Oerth]]'s grey elves,{{csb|Demihumans of the Realms|95}} and are also sometimes referred to as "gray elves".{{csb|Elves of Evermeet|104}}{{csb|Elves of Evermeet|19}} On Toril, this term is considered by them to be pejorative.{{csb|Elves of Evermeet|19}}
 
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
* ''Monstrous Manual''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993. Item code TSR2140.
* [[Grant Boucher|Boucher, Grant]], [[Troy Christensen]], [[Jon Pickens]], [[John Terra]] and [[Scott Davis]]. DMGR3 ''Arms and Equipment Guide''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Item code TSR2123.
* [[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], [[Jonathan Tweet]] and [[Skip Williams]]. ''Player's Handbook''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 11550.
* [[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], [[Jonathan Tweet]] and [[Skip Williams]]. ''Monster Manual''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 17755.
* [[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]] and [[Rob Kuntz]]. ''Supplement I: Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979. Item code TSR2003.
* [[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Monster Manual''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977. Item code TSR2009.
* [[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Unearthed Arcana''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986-1991. Item code TSR2017.
* [[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean Reynolds]] and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 11743.
* [[Colin McComb|McComb, Colin]]. PHBR8 ''The Complete Book of Elves''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. Item code TSR2131.
* [[Douglas Niles|Niles, Douglas]] and [[Dale A. Donovan]]. ''Player's Option: Skills & Powers''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996. Item code TSR2154.
* [[Robert J. Schwalb|Schwalb, Robert J.]]. ''Elder Evils''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2007. Item code 21566.
{{index|title=Elf, grey%' OR Description LIKE '%Elf, grey}}
 
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Characters of Greyspace]]

Latest revision as of 10:16, 3 October 2023

Greyhawk Creature
Grey elf
A grey elf wearing traditional armor and weaponry, illustrated in AD&D Monster Cards Set 3 (artist unknown).
General information
Size:Medium
Type:Humanoid
Patron deity:Seldarine
First appearance:Supplement I: Greyhawk

Grey elves, also known as faerie[1][2][3][4] or fey elves,[4] and meadow elves[5], are a sub-race of high elves native or indigenous to Oerth and Greyspace.[6]

Description

Standing nearly as tall as humans,[7] grey elves have tall, slim builds and pale grey skin. Their hair tends to be a silver hue while their eyes are like amber. Some grey elves have pale-golden hair and violet eyes.[1][7][8][9][10]

Grey elves tend to favor bright garments of gold, silver, yellow, or white.[1][7][8][10] Especially wool tunics in those colors.[9] hey most often wear cloaks that are deep shades of blue or purple.[1][7][8][9]

The grey elves have been described (in fifth edition) as a type or subtype of high elves "which includes the gray elves and valley elves of Greyhawk."[6]

Personality

Grey elves often have arrogant attitudes and an outlook comparable to those of silvanesti on Krynn[11] and sun elves on Toril—very and believing themselves to be superior to other races, even elven races.[6][12] They consider themselves to be the purest form of elf.[10][12] Although this does not mean they are less than gracious even to those who do not meet their lofty standards [6] and not all grey elves possess a pretentious demeanor.[13]

Though in fifth edition, grey elves are a type of high elf in fifth edition, they continue to be noted as being "haughty and reclusive, believing themselves to be superior to non-elves and even other elves", as opposed to the more common high elf sometimes found in the company of humans and mixing with other cultures.[6]

These elves also tend to be highly intelligent,[1] the most intelligent of all elven races according to some estimates,[14] and such a quality is very valued in their society.[8]

Combat

Grey elves frequently wear winged helmets with shimmering suits of plate mail[9] or chainmail while carrying shields,[8][1] particularly elven chainmail.[15] They typically fought with bows, spears, swords, and two-handed swords.[8][1]

However, they "trust less in physical prowess than they do the mind".[12] Many grey elves take up of the profession of a mage, though they usually do not become specializist wizards.[12] Those who do specialize tend to take up roles as bladesingers or spellfilchers.[16] "Bladesingers form an elite cadre of warrior-mages in the kingdom of Celene. Some of these agents work beyond Celene’s borders, wielding blade and magic against the queen’s enemies. The art of the blade song is unknown beyond that kingdom; no non-elf has learned its secrets."[17]

History

Grey elves are occasionally encountered by travelers in the forests of the Savage Frontier region of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting in 1370 DR,[18][19]

Society

A grey elven mountain city, illustrated in PHBR8 by Terry Dykstra (1992).

Grey elves are a very reclusive people.[1] They highly value this seclusion, viewing it as independence from a corrupting outside world, and will fight fiercely to remain secluded from all,[8][12] sometimes even from other elven groups.[12] Outside of that, they spent much of their lives indoors,[20] seeking scholarly pursuits, such as studying, researching, contemplating, and writing treatises.[8][12]

Their societies are rigidly defined, hereditary monarchies.[20][21] Because grey elven culture tends more toward Lawful than Chaotic, personal freedom is not as valued as much as in some other elven cultures, though far more than in drow culture.[22] Movement is carefully restricted,[22] with citizens of their cities being divided by a caste system.[23]

Their craftsmen are capable of making items which can hold the strongest of enchantments, with subtle charms worked into them that make the item more receptive to whatever magic a mage might use to enhance them.[12] One such item is the ring of faerie.[24] Their craftsmen are particularly focused on the creation of spellbooks and scrolls.[12]

They often have hippogriffs as mounts,[1][8] and giant eagles as guard animals.[8] Though a few grey elves are known to instead have griffons acting as both guards and mounts.[1][8]

Homelands

Faerie elves are known to inhabit isolated meadowlands[1][5] and "temperate plains".[25] Some are also found living atop temperate mountains,[26] where they build large citadel cities.[23] The entrances to these meadows and cities are hidden by powerful magic, ensuring that only elves can find them.[12] Their mountain cities are made almost entirely of stone and divided into five walled concentric rings, with inner rings having more decorations and ornamentation.[23]

These cities have some of the most extensive libraries of any city. These are communally open to all elves who wish to expand their knowledge and better themselves.[12]

Relationships

Of all elven sub-races, these are among the least tolerant of other races.[12] Grey elves almost never associated with other non-elven humanoids for long or frequent periods of time.[1] They fear the possibility of other, shorter-lived races changing their bloodline.[12] However, members of other elven races often readily chose not to befriend them, for they disdained how arrogant and serious they are. Some even feel their behavior and way of life is comparable to that of humans or dwarves.[20]

Because they spend so much of their lives studying, grey elves have many elves of other races as servants for menial and physical labor.[12] Though not harsh, they swiftly correct any servant that failed in a task or performed it poorly. Some elves of other races perceived these servants to be slaves—if not in fact, at least in spirit—since their servants tended to lack the typical elven love for life.[20]

Grey elves allow only a select few outsiders entry to their cities[7] such as very powerful mages and wizards, but even these individuals are treated with great suspicion.[12]

Publishing history

Grey elves first appeared in Supplement I: Greyhawk. As already noted, grey elves are also known as "faerie" elves.[5] In Supplement I, faerie elves are also known as "meadow elves". In the World of Greyhawk, the Player's Guide notes "Suloise, Oeridian, and humanoid invaders pushed the elves from their grassland and prairie homes. Fortunately, the elves willingly resettled to the forests, where they held their own as nearby human kingdoms rose, expanded, made war, and fell."[3] This is congruent with the fact that the main elven nation in the World of Greyhawk™, Celene, is at least half meadows and other grasslands, and is forested only along the Jewel River and in the Welkwood.

Trivia

  • Some of the oral traditions of the gray elves spoke of Atropus.[27]
  • Visitors to Toril who are familiar with this species of elves are sometimes confused, because that planet's "silver elves"[28] bear a resemblance to Oerth's grey elves,[29] and are also sometimes referred to as "gray elves".[28][30] On Toril, this term is considered by them to be pejorative.[30]

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Monster Manual (1977), p.39.
  2. ↑ Monstrous Manual (1993), p.109.
  3. ↑ a b Player's Guide (1998), p.37.
  4. ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.8.
  5. ↑ a b c Supplement I: Greyhawk (1976), p.5.
  6. ↑ a b c d e Player's Handbook (2014), p.23.
  7. ↑ a b c d e Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.102, 104.
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Monstrous Manual (1993), p.109-110.
  9. ↑ a b c d PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.16.
  10. ↑ a b c Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1996), p.28.
  11. ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.24.
  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.17.
  13. ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.13.
  14. ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.80.
  15. ↑ DMGR3 Arms and Equipment Guide (1991), p.30.
  16. ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.88, 90.
  17. ↑ Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (2015) , p.157.
  18. ↑ The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/The Wilderness, p.12.
  19. ↑ The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier, p.Table 1-15.
  20. ↑ a b c d PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.18.
  21. ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.26.
  22. ↑ a b PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.48.
  23. ↑ a b c PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.65.
  24. ↑ Unearthed Arcana (1985), p.93.
  25. ↑ MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990), Encounter Tables.
  26. ↑ Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.102.
  27. ↑ Elder Evils, p.16.
  28. ↑ a b FOR5 Elves of Evermeet (1994), p.104.
  29. ↑ Demihumans of the Realms, p.95.
  30. ↑ a b FOR5 Elves of Evermeet (1994), p.19.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Camaron, Elerion Non-player character Elf, grey, [R9/M12], Polyhedron magazine #030 6, 7, 8
Camaron, Zered Non-player character Elf, grey, [M15], Polyhedron magazine #030 6, 7, 8
Darg Blonke Non-player character Elf, grey, Pre-gen [F7], D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 22
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dragon magazine #315 52, 53, 54
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #08
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #09
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #10
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 17
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Ivid the Undying 9, 74, 75, 116
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, AD&D Monster Cards, Set 3 Not Numbered
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Elf)
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 39
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e 104
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 104
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.0e 87
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, PHBR8 - The Complete Book of Elves 10, 11, 12, 13, 16-18, 33, 37, 48, 65-66, 80
Elf, Grey {Faerie, Gray} Monster Native of: Material Plane, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 9
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], From the Ashes: Campaign Book 79, 80, 87
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], From the Ashes: References Card #13
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 161
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], Living Greyhawk Journal #2 4
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], Living Greyhawk Journal #4 6
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], Living Greyhawk Journal #5 IBC
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], The Adventure Begins 70
Elraniel Tesmarien Non-player character Elf, grey, [M13][3e M13], WGR4 The Marklands 39
Fage the Kexy Non-player character Elf, grey, Pre-gen [C7], D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 21, 22
Filanda of Courwood Non-player character Female, Elf, grey, [R7], Slavers, AD&D 2e 13
Grendena Non-player character Female, Elf, grey, [Wiz2/Rog3], 1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 354
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Artifact of Evil 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 134, 136, 137, 150, 153, 164, 175, 234, 235, 236, 263, 264, 265, 267, 268, 269, 277, 281, 287, 288, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 305, 307, 309, 311, 314, 315, 316, 318, 319, 325, 326, 333, 334
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Oerth Journal #12 7
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Oerth Journal #13 14,15
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Oerth Journal #14 5
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Oerth Journal #21 58
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], Oerth Journal #29 7
Keak Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, [F9/M12], WGR5 Iuz the Evil 90
Kirshar Endurell Non-player character Male, Elf, grey, Pre-gen [F8/M8], WGR6 City of Skulls 31, 63
Lythia Elaewyn Non-player character Female, Elf, grey, [Mu5], 1993 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 366
Solus (of the Dim Forest) Non-player character Male, Elf, Grey, [War9/Wiz10], 1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 596
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 2, 43, 44, 61
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess 88
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], From the Ashes: Campaign Book 8, 11, 81, 82
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], From the Ashes: References Card #13
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], Living Greyhawk Journal #2 5
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], Living Greyhawk Journal #5 4
Vesparian Lafanel {Vesper} Non-player character Elf, grey, [M7/T7], The Adventure Begins 41, 63, 70, 124, 126
Ycore Rixie Non-player character Elf, grey, Pre-gen [F7/M11], D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 21, 22
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