| skincolor = Deep green with brown stripes and patches, shades of blue with white stripes and patches,<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> pale silver green<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp101-103" /><ref name="EoE-p26-29" />
|movement = Swimming}}'''Aquatic elves''' (also called '''sea elves''' and '''Alu'Tel'Quessir''' in their own tongue<ref name="Corm-p19">{{Cite book/Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|19}}</ref>) were water-breathing cousins to land-dwelling [[elves]].<ref name="RoF-p28-30">{{Cite book/Races of Faerûn|28-30}}</ref>
==Description==
==Description==
Although they were of the same subrace, aquatic elves from the [[Great Sea]] had a different appearance to those from the [[Sea of Fallen Stars]]. The former had deep green skin, mottled and striped with brown. The latter had blue skin with white stripes and patches.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Some other aquatic elves had pale silver-green skin.<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp101-103">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 3.5|101-103}}</ref><ref name="EoE-p26-29">{{Cite book/The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}}</ref> Both groups were robust and tall with long limbs.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Their thick skin gave them protection from the cold of deep water, keeping them comfortable at just above freezing temperatures. Their fingers and toes were generally about twice as long as a human's and had thick webbing between them.<ref name="DHotR-p61">{{Cite book/Demihumans of the Realms|61}}</ref> Their most distinctive feature was the gills visible in their necks and over their ribs.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Compared to other elves, aquatic elves had deep voices<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> and were larger and heavier.<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|61}}</ref>
Other than variation in coloration, perhaps the most unique feature of aquatic elven physiology is what allows them to breathe water—they have gills. Their gills are "along their collarbones and down their ribcages."{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}
Aquatic elves could have eye colors including turquoise,<ref name="Dragon116p28-30">{{Cite dragon/116/Children of the Deep|28-30}}</ref> white, black, blue, green, and rarely silver.<ref name="Corm-p19" /> Their hair was usually thick and somewhat stringy,<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> and some aquatic elves had a rough hair texture.<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> It could be blue-green,<ref name="EoE-p26-29">{{Cite book/The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}}</ref> emerald green,<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> blue, black, silver, or even occasionally red.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Warriors clipped their hair short, but other aquatic elves wore it long and flowing.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Females in particular sometimes grew their hair up to 4 feet long.<ref name="MM-p110-111" />
Sea elves' skintone generally ranges between light blue and dark green.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}, but is most often pale silver-green.{{csb|PHBR8|14}}{{csb|MM3.5e|102-103}}{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Some sea elves have deep green skin, mottled and striped with brown,{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} while still others have blue skin{{csb|PHBR8|14}} with white stripes and patches.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} All these groups are robust and tall with long limbs.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Their thick skin gives them protection from the cold of deep water, keeping them comfortable at temperatures just above freezing. Their fingers and toes are generally about twice as long as a human's and have thick webbing between them.{{csb|Demihumans of the Realms|61}}
Aquatic elves tend to have "oddly colored"{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} eyes, ranging from an iridescent blue to gold to a white-silver hue that shines like mother-of-pearl.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}
But, they can have eye colors including turquoise,{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} white, black, blue, green, and rarely silver.{{csb|Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|19}} Their hair is usually thick and somewhat stringy,{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} and some aquatic elves have a rough hair texture.{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}}
Sea elves' hair has been recorded as many different colors. It can be green or blue-green,{{csb|PHBR8|14}}{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Other sea elves have black hair{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}, emerald green,{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} silver, or even occasionally red.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Warriors clip their hair short, but other aquatic elves wear it long and flowing.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Females in particular sometimes grow their hair up to 4 feet long.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}
Compared to other elves, aquatic elves have deep voices{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} and are larger and heavier.{{csb|Races of Faerun|28}}{{csb|Races of Faerun|61}}
Aquatic elves either go lightly clad or wear no clothes at all. Their clothes are formed from underwater plants{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} and made with intricate designs in shades of black, brown, and green.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}
==Personality==
==Personality==
Aquatic elves were isolationist by both their nature and the physical location of their settlements, although they were not quite as reclusive as the [[wild elves]]. Their trust did not extend far beyond their clan and others of their kind, and their communities were very tightly-knit. They couldn't understand why the surface elves did not realize that community and alliances meant survival, whereas rivalry, individualism, and factionalism meant death.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="Corm-p19" /> However, despite being extremely cautious, they were also extremely curious, and aquatic elves near the shore would often spend a significant amount time secretly observing the land-bound races.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
Aquatic elves are isolationist by both their nature and the physical location of their settlements, although they are not quite as reclusive as the [[wild elf|wild elves]] ([[Grugach]]). Their trust does not extend far beyond their clan and others of their kind, and their communities are very tightly-knit. They could not understand why the surface elves do not realize that community and alliances meant survival, whereas rivalry, individualism, and factionalism meant death.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} However, despite being extremely cautious, they are also extremely curious, and aquatic elves near the shore will often spend a significant amount time secretly observing the land-bound races.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
== Abilities ==
== Abilities ==
Aquatic elves were the least magical of the elven subraces and had fewer innate magical gifts. However, they were deeply in touch with their environment, even more so than other elves. They could detect minute changes in the currents of the water and could hear sounds underwater that surface dwellers could not perceive.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> Additionally, their eyesight was much keener than that of surface races. They could see twice as far as surface elves in low-light conditions (and therefore four times as far as a human)<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp101-103">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 3.5|101-103}}</ref><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> and could see clearly enough to count soldiers in an army up to a mile away.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> They were able to hide in kelp and seaweed as their surface kin could in forests, and their movement was never hindered when moving through the plants.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="MM1-p39">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 1st edition|39}}</ref>
Aquatic elves are the least magical of the elven subraces and have fewer innate magical gifts. However, they are deeply in touch with their environment, even more so than other elves. They can detect minute changes in the currents of the water and can hear sounds underwater that surface dwellers cannot perceive.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Additionally, their eyesight is much keener than that of surface races. They can see twice as far as surface elves in low-light conditions (therefore, four times as far as a human){{csb|MM3.5e|102-103}} and can see clearly enough to count soldiers in an army up to a mile away.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}} They are able to hide in kelp and seaweed as their surface kin can in forests, and their movement is never hindered when moving through the plants.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}
Due to their gills, aquatic elves were amphibious. The amount of time aquatic elves could leave the water without doing harm to themselves seemed to vary. The safe period could be a few minutes,<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> hours,<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="EoE-p105">{{Cite book/The Elves of Evermeet|105}}</ref> a day,<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> or even upwards of a week.<ref name="DHotR-p63">{{Cite book/Demihumans of the Realms|63}}</ref> Additionally, the result of going beyond these limits varied. Some would begin to "drown" on land,<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp101-103" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> while others simply experienced a loss of vitality due to drying out and could remain on land indefinitely, remaining healthy if they took the time to soak for an hour every day.<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /><ref name="DHotR-p63" /> Even within the same community, the amount of time could be variable, with some "landwalkers" having a greater capacity for breathing air.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Some seemed to have no limitation on their time away from water at all.<ref name="Mordenkainen's-pp62-63" /> The elves of Cormanthyr used clerical magic to allow them to remain on the surface for longer periods of time.<ref name="Corm-p94-96">{{Cite book/Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94-96}}</ref> Some aquatic elves were uncomfortable breathing freshwater and became fatigued quickly when doing so.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Others were not harmed by it, but would not truly recover from the damage of being above water unless they spent time in salt water.<ref name="DHotR-p63" />
Due to their gills, aquatic elves are amphibious. The amount of time aquatic elves can leave the water without doing harm to themselves seems to vary. The safe period can be a few minutes,{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}} hours,{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|105}} a day,{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} or even upwards of a week.{{csb|PHBR8|14}}} Additionally, the result of going beyond these limits varies. Some will begin to "drown" on land,{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} while others simply experienced a loss of vitality due to drying out and can remain on land indefinitely, remaining healthy if they took the time to soak for an hour every day.{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} Even within the same community, the amount of time can be variable, with some "landwalkers" having a greater capacity for breathing air.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Some seem to have no limitation on their time away from water at all.{{csb|Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes|62-63}}{{csb|MotM|30}} Some aquatic elves use clerical magic to allow them to remain on the surface for longer periods of time.{{csb|Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94-96}} Additionally, some aquatic elves are uncomfortable breathing freshwater and became fatigued quickly when doing so.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Others are not harmed by it, but will not truly recover from the damage of being above water unless they spent time in salt water.{{csb|PHBR8|14}}
==Society==
==Society==
[[File:Sea_elf_and_sahuagin-5e.jpg|thumb|300px|''Two Aquatic elves fighting a [[sahuagin]].'']]
[[File:SeaElfFightingSahuagin05.jpg|thumb|300px|''Two Aquatic elves fighting a [[sahuagin]]'' in ''[[Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes]]''. Art by Mark Behm.]]
=== Settlements ===
=== Settlements ===
The majority of aquatic elves lived in the Sea of Fallen Stars and the Great Sea, although small settlements could also be found along the western coast of Faerûn.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Aquatic elves generally built settlements in calm waters that supported coral reefs or seaweed forests.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /> These settlements usually had populations between 100 and 400, though communities both significantly larger and smaller existed. Aquatic elven communities were almost entirely self-sufficient, trading with others rarely and then only for luxuries. They subsisted on kelp grown on their farms and fish they hunted. Wandering heralds who would deliver oral messages between communities.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> Aquatic elves generally spent around 75% of their time within shallow waters that were less than 150 feet from the surface,<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|38}}</ref> although they could safely descend to around 600 feet.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|183}}</ref>
Aquatic elves generally build settlements in calm waters that support coral reefs or seaweed forests.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} Sea elven cities are made of living coral and are decorated with mother-of-pearl and bright, polished shells.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}
Settlement borders and the community hunters are protected by armed soldiers, as are their nearby fields of cultivated crop plants.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} They subsist on kelp grown on their farms and fish they hunt.
These settlements usually have populations between 100 and 400, though communities both significantly larger and smaller exist.
The greatest example of aquatic elven culture was the empire of [[Arselmalyr]], which once ruled all the races of the Sea of Fallen Stars from the city of [[Coryselmal]], called the Coral Capital. This empire lasted nearly 18,000 years, and taught the other inhabitants of the Inner Sea magic as well as how to cultivate kelp, coral, and pearls, which remained staples of these undersea societies. However, the empire collapsed when Coryselmal was destroyed by the unexpected fallout of an act of [[High Magic]], killing its more than 40,000 inhabitants (including the [[coronal]] of the empire) immediately and killing around 35,000 more in the surrounding area who were buried by the debris of the shattered city.<ref name="SoFS-Arselmalyr">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|129,134,69}}</ref>
Aquatic elven communities are self-sufficient, trading with others rarely and then only for luxuries. Wandering heralds will deliver oral messages between communities.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Aquatic elves generally spend around 75% of their time within shallow waters which are less than 150 feet from the surface,{{csb|Sea of Fallen Stars|38}} although they can safely descend to around 600 feet.{{csb|Sea of Fallen Stars|183}}
The kingdoms of the Inner Sea were [[Naramyr]] (near [[Dragonmere]] lake) and [[Selu'Maraar]] (near the [[Dragon Reach]]).<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> They were built on the remnants of [[Arselmalyr]]. Originally there were five primarily aquatic elven outposts along the [[Sharksbane Wall]] east of the mouth of the [[Vilhon Reach]] and west of the [[Alamber Sea]], but following [[Iakhovas]]' assault on the wall in {{Yearlink|1369}}, the outposts of [[Akhanmyr]], [[Rulovar]], and [[Phalagiir]] were utterly destroyed, leaving only the outposts of [[Tynathiir]] and [[Velyraar]].<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|52-53}}</ref> A colony called [[Faenasuor]] lay on the continental slopes east of [[Starmantle]], and several small settlements could be found among the reefs near the [[Fang]] of western [[Aglarond]].<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
In the Great Sea, the aquatic elven city of [[Nemilar]] sat northeast of Ormpé in the center of the bay of Golden Water.<ref>{{Cite book/Shining South|112}}</ref>
In the [[Trackless Sea]], a number of small villages could be found off the coast of [[Tethyr]],<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> as well as the kingdom of [[Aluchambolsunvae]] and its capital city of [[Thunderfoam]] north of Evermeet.<ref>{{Cite book/Demihuman Deities|106}}</ref> A great city known as [[Iumathiashae]] with a population of several thousand aquatic elves lay off the shores of [[Evermeet]], as did several smaller settlements, and these served as an underwater army for the island.<ref>{{Cite book/Elves of Evermeet|28}}</ref> The aquatic elves of the Deepwater Harbor served a similar purpose for the city of [[Waterdeep]].<ref>{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|19}}</ref>
There was a notable aquatic elven city called [[Hyaline (city)|Hyaline]] in [[Lake Sember]] in [[Cormanthyr]].<ref name="Corm-p94-96" />
=== Culture ===
=== Culture ===
Aquatic elven society was based on family and clan. Noble families and monarchs ruled, but in a benign and loose fashion rather than with an iron fist.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> While women could and did have positions of power, aquatic elven society was largely patriarchal and inheritance ran first through the eldest son.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
Aquatic elven society is based on family and clan.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} Noble families and monarchs rule, but in a benign and loose fashion rather than with an iron fist.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} "Nobility" in aquatic elven culture is different from it is in land-based cultures. Most clans have been "noble" at some point; the only requirement for a noble clan is to have another clan swear fealty to it.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} While women can and do have positions of power, aquatic elven society is largely patriarchal and inheritance runs first through the eldest son.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
The concept of private property, for the most part, did not exist among aquatic elves.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Whatever given aquatic elf currently carried on their person could be considered theirs, but everything else belonged to the community as a whole.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> This particularly applied to tools, weapons, and other practical items. Any aquatic elf could take one of these items whenever it was needed and regardless of who had possessed it previously, although individuals were allowed to keep relatively private dwellings. Such communal ownership meant theft was almost unknown.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> The exceptions to this were monarchs, who often had large and elaborate homes with limited access and many personal items. However, aquatic elven rulers were a reflection of their people and usually remained rather generous.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> The freedom to borrow items at will was not extended to outsiders, and surfacers were often watched carefully to make sure they did not try to take advantage of the cultural practice.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
Aquatic elves held promises sacred and would rather die than fail to complete something they had sworn to do. If they died in the process, their kin took over the responsibility to complete it. The slightest implication that an aquatic elf wouldn't keep his word was deeply offensive. However, promises received from non-elves were highly suspect, both because aquatic elves knew that other races won't honor the promises of their dead and because only other elves had the lifespan to complete any serious task.<ref name="MM-p110-111" />
The concept of private property, for the most part, does not exist among aquatic elves.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Whatever given aquatic elf currently carries on their person can be considered theirs, but everything else belongs to the community as a whole.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} This particularly applies to tools, weapons, and other practical items. Any aquatic elf can take one of these items whenever it is needed, regardless of who has possessed it previously, although individuals are allowed to keep relatively private dwellings. Such communal ownership means theft is almost unknown.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} The exceptions to this are monarchs, who often have large and elaborate homes with limited access and many personal items. However, aquatic elven rulers are a reflection of their people and usually remain rather generous.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} The freedom to borrow items at will is not extended to outsiders, and surface-dwellers are often watched carefully to make sure they do not try to take advantage of the cultural practice.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
Aquatic elves either went lightly clad or wore no clothes at all. Their clothes were formed from underwater plants<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> and made with intricate designs in shades of black, brown, and green.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> Noble aquatic elves in the Sea of Fallen Stars wore clothes more often in the past as a cultural holdover following the transformation of many surface elves into aquatic elves, however by {{Yearlink|1369}} this trend was fading, and they generally only wore diaphanous silken robes to mark their status.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|36}}</ref>
Aquatic elves hold promises sacred and would rather die than fail to complete something they have sworn to do. If they die in the process, their kin take over the responsibility to complete it. The slightest implication that an aquatic elf would not keep their word is deeply offensive. However, promises received from non-elves are highly suspect, both because aquatic elves know other races won't honor the promises of their dead and because only other elves have the lifespan to complete any serious task.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}
=== Language ===
=== Language ===
The aquatic elves had their own language that, while clearly related to standard Elvish, was very distinct and not immediately understandable to non-aquatic elves. It was very similar to the language of dolphins, with squeals and clicks interspersed through it. They speak surface languages with great difficulty.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> Different languages are more or less common among different groups of aquatic elves, but [[Elvish]]<ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> and [[Aquan]]<ref name="Mordenkainen's-pp62-63">{{Cite book/Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes|62-63}}</ref><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> were known by many groups, as was the [[Common]] tongue among those who lived near the shore.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Those who lived in the Sea of Fallen Stars knew the trade language [[Serusan]].<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> The languages of other aquatic races (including that of their mortal enemy the [[sahuagin]]<ref name="MM-p110-111" />) might also have been known to an aquatic elf.<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> Nobles and most of those who left their home settlements to adventure were literate, although commoners were not.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
The aquatic elves have their own language that, while clearly related to standard [[Languages#Elven|Elvish]], is very distinct and not immediately understandable to non-aquatic elves. It is very similar to the language of dolphins, with squeals and clicks interspersed through it. In some editions, the language of sea elves is described as being as an "oddly accented"{{csb|Stormwrack|40}} [[Elven]], with some words and inflections from [[Languages#Planar Languages|Aquan]].{{csb|Stormwrack|40}} They speak surface languages with great difficulty.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Different languages are more or less common among different groups of aquatic elves, but [[Elven]]{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} and Aquan{{csb|Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes|62-63}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} are known by many groups, as is the [[Common]] tongue among those who lived near the shore.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} The languages of other aquatic races (including that of their mortal enemy the [[sahuagin]]){{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|Stormwrack|39}} might also be known to an aquatic elf.{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} Nobles and most of those who leave their home settlements to adventure are literate, although commoners are not.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
===Magic & Religion===
=== Magic ===
Aquatic elves were the least magical of the elven races. Once every two or three generations an aquatic elf showed a talent for arcane magic,<ref name="Corm-p94-96" /> making magical talent about as common as it is in [[dwarf]] communities rather than in human or elven ones.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Those who were [[spellcaster]]s devoted their long life spans to study and became extremely skilled.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> In remote communities those elves who were magically inclined were limited to the teachings of the few older magic users and rare written materials. The aquatic elves of Lake Sember were able to send those with magical ability to study with the great mages of Myth Drannor.<ref name="Corm-p94-96" />
Aquatic elves are the least magical of the elven races. Once every two or three generations an aquatic elf shows a talent for arcane magic,{{csb|Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94-96}} making magical talent about as common as it is in dwarf communities rather than in human or elven ones.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Those who are spellcasters devoted their long life spans to study and become extremely skilled.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} In remote communities those elves who are magically inclined are limited to the teachings of the few older magic users and rare written materials.
While it was unclear why arcane magic was so uncommon among the aquatic elves, it was rumored that the drow were somehow responsible for taking this ability from them,<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> and this was part of the reason the aquatic elves held such a grudge against them.<ref>{{Cite book/Tangled Webs/MMP (1998)|228}}</ref> A minority of the aquatic elves in the areas around Evermeet were sun or moon elves who had been transformed by some power into aquatic elves. They retained the magical capability they had before their transformation.<ref name="DHotR-p5">{{Cite book/Demihumans of the Realms|5}}</ref> The aquatic elves of the Sea of Fallen Stars had a significant number of mages and even [[High Mage]]s throughout the millenia, including seven new High Mage students as late as [[1346 DR]].<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|72}}</ref> However, this group regularly received infusions of surface elves fleeing the Crown Wars and the fall of Myth Drannor, who then became aquatic elves through the use of either the [[Sashelan Glass]]<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|127}}</ref> or the High Magic ritual of ''Akh'Faen'Tel'Quess''.<ref name="SoFS-136">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|136}}</ref> By {{Yearlink|1371}}, 80% of the elves of the Inner Sea were descendants of these transformed surface elves, which accounted for the increased frequency of magic among them.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|136}}</ref>
While it is unclear why arcane magic is so uncommon among the aquatic elves, it is rumored that the drow are somehow responsible for taking this ability from them,{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}} and this is part of the reason the aquatic elves held such a grudge against them.{{csb|Tangled Webs (1998)|228}} A minority of the aquatic elves in the areas around Evermeet are sun or moon elves who have been transformed by some power into aquatic elves. They retained the magical capability they have before their transformation.<ref name="DHotR-p5">{{csb|Demihumans of the Realms|5}}
Clerical magic was much more common among aquatic elves.<ref name="Corm-p94-96" /> Most revered [[Deep Sashelas]], the elven sea god of knowledge and creation,<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> but [[Corellon Larethian]] was still revered as the father of their race and they acknowledged the other [[Seldarine]] to a much lesser extent. It was considered a great honor for a member of an aquatic elven family to be a priest of Deep Sashelas.<ref name="Corm-p94-96" /> The elves of the Inner Sea generally formed their temples to Deep Sashelas from living coral, while those of the Great Sea are often natural stone and other materials formed into sprawling temples shaped like sea shells. These temples were cultural centers for the aquatic elves, serving both secular and spiritual purposes.<ref>{{Cite book/Demihuman Deities|105-106}}</ref>
=== Religion ===
Clerical magic is much more common among aquatic elves.{{csb|Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94-96}} Almost all sea elves revere [[Deep Sashelas]],{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} the elven sea god of knowledge and creation, beyond any other. [[Corellon Larethian]] is still revered as the father of their race and they acknowledge the rest of the [[Seldarine]] to a much lesser extent. It is considered a great honor for a member of an aquatic elven family to be a priest of Deep Sashelas.{{csb|Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94-96}}
[[Trishina]], a dolphin goddess and the primary consort of Deep Sashelas, was also worshiped by aquatic elves,<ref>{{Cite book/Monster Mythology|94}}</ref> particularly those of the Sea of Fallen Stars. The relationship between these two gods was one of the reasons aquatic elves were on such good terms with dolphins.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|60}}</ref> Some aquatic elves were also known to worship the water primordial [[Istishia]].<ref>{{Cite book/Nightwatch In The Living City|9}}</ref> The [[marel]] subrace of aquatic elves worshiped [[Umberlee]].<ref>{{Cite book/The Moonsea/Reference Guide|64}}</ref> Some of the kraken priests of the [[kraken]] [[Slarkrethel]] found near [[Purple Rocks]] were aquatic elves.<ref>{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to Monsters|189}}</ref>
Sea elves generally form their temples to Deep Sashelas from living coral. Others are often natural stone and other materials formed into sprawling temples shaped like sea shells. These temples are cultural centers for the aquatic elves, serving both secular and spiritual purposes.{{csb|Demihuman Deities|105-106}}
===Arts, Crafting & Leisure===
It is a cultural tradition of sea elven culture for adult sea elves at some point in their lifetime to engage in an endeavor for the benefit of the temple where their adulthood celebration was held. This varies from creating art or sculpture for the temple to personal labor at the temple. This tradition is less about what the temple needs and more about the elf giving a gift.{{csb|Stormwrack|39}}
Sculpture was the primary art form of aquatic elves, as other mediums were likely to be destroyed by the water in short order. Intricately carved reliefs cover the walls of most cities, and statues were common.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" />
Aquatic elves were also quite musical. Their powerful voices traveled farther than expected underwater, and their thrumming songs brought to mind whale song and dolphin noises. The songs were often very long and evoked the rolling calm of the ocean.<ref name="EoE-p26-29">{{Cite book/The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}}</ref> Bards were common in aquatic elven society.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
'''[[Trishina]]''', a dolphin goddess and the primary consort of Deep Sashelas, is also worshiped by aquatic elves.{{csb|Monster Mythology|94}} The relationship between these two gods is one of the reasons aquatic elves are on such good terms with dolphins.{{csb|Sea of Fallen Stars|60}} Some aquatic elves are also known to worship the water primordial [[Istishia]].{{csb|Nightwatch In The Living City|9}}
Because they lived underwater, the products of aquatic elven crafting often differed significantly from their counterparts on the surface. They developed a range of waterproof magical items, and a system of writing underwater using either cured sharkskin or thick seaweed and an extremely viscous [[ink]].<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> They did not commonly use metal, as it was almost impossible to forge underwater and would corrode quickly.<ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> What little metal they did use was traded for or scavenged from shipwrecks. The exception to this was gold, which would not corrode and was easily shaped in its raw form. Beaten gold jewelry was common among aquatic elves. Most aquatic elven items were crafted from stone, coral, shells, and animal materials such as bone, narwhal horns, turtle shells, sharkskin, or chitin.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
=== Arts, Crafting & Leisure ===
Sculpture is the primary art form of aquatic elves, as other mediums are likely to be destroyed by the water in short order. Intricately carved reliefs cover the walls of most cities, and statues are common.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}}
Aquatic elves commonly crafted tridents of serenity, a type of magical weapon which would keep sahuagin in the vicinity of the weapon from entering a blood frenzy and were given to elves patrolling the borders of a territory.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> They also developed longbows with bowstrings made of a special kelp that damped vibrations and turbulence. Combined with specially crafted arrows, these bows functioned without the usual drastic loss of momentum that most ranged weapons suffered underwater. Chitinous armor was commonly used,<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|157}}</ref> and the elves of the Inner Sea wore [[silverweave]] armor crafted from coral that had been specially treated by the local [[triton]]s or [[shalarin]], although this was usually limited to a pair of armored leggings to maintain their mobility.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|129,36,77}}</ref> Evil aquatic elves developed a type of armor made with sharkskin and teeth, but most aquatic elves despised sharks and found the idea of wearing their skins repugnant.<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|158}}</ref>
Aquatic elves are also quite musical. Their powerful voices travel farther underwater than on land, and their thrumming songs bring to mind whalesong and dolphin noises. The songs are often very long and evoke the rolling calm of the ocean.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}} Bards are common in aquatic elven society.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
=== Relations ===
Because they live underwater, the products of aquatic elven crafting often differ significantly from their counterparts on the surface. They developed a range of waterproof magical items, and a system of writing underwater using either cured sharkskin or thick seaweed and an extremely viscous ink.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} They do not commonly use metal, as it is almost impossible to forge underwater and will corrode quickly.{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} What little metal they do use is traded for or scavenged from shipwrecks. The exception to this is gold, which will not corrode and is easily shaped in its raw form. Beaten gold jewelry is common among aquatic elves. Most aquatic elven items are crafted from stone, coral, shells, and animal materials such as bone, narwhal horns, turtle shells, sharkskin, or chitin.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}
Aquatic elves were extremely isolationist. There were some aquatic elves who did not even know that the surface existed, let alone a whole world beyond it.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> Even other underwater races were generally kept at a distance, regardless of alignment. Aquatic elves fought fiercely against evil races and did not see the point of mingling with their shorter-lived neighbors even if they were of similar alignment.<ref name="MM-p110-111" />
This isolation extended even to other elves, although if aquatic elves had to interact with anyone they preferred that it be their surface kin.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> However, at least in [[Iumathiashae]], the elves cared deeply for the surface elves and appreciated the contact they did have with them even if they still kept mainly to themselves.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" /> The aquatic elves of [[Hyaline (city)|Hyaline]] in Lake Sember were less isolated from their kin, having decided that it was necessary for the survival of their children to learn more of the surface world. Aquatic elves there regularly interacted with the elves of [[Semberholme]] and their children were taught in the many schools within the city. This colony also had friendly relations with the [[treants]] on the southern shore of their lake.<ref name="Corm-p94-96" /> In general, aquatic elves saw little difference between the subraces of surface elves.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="EoE-p26-29" /><ref name="Corm-p94-96" /> Surprisingly, the haughty sun elves viewed aquatic elves as almost their equals. They believed that aquatic elves served the same purpose below the waters as the sun elves did above, bringing civilization to the world and preserving elven traditions and knowledge.<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|42}}</ref>
Aquatic elves commonly craft ''tridents of serenity'', a type of magical weapon which keeps sahuagin in the vicinity of the weapon from entering a blood frenzy and are given to elves patrolling the borders of a territory.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} They also developed longbows with bowstrings made of a special kelp that damped vibrations and turbulence. Combined with specially crafted arrows, these bows functioned without the usual drastic loss of momentum that most ranged weapons suffered underwater. Chitinous armor is commonly used,{{csb|Races of Faerun|157}} Some sea elves developed a type of armor made with sharkskin and teeth, but most aquatic elves despise sharks and find the idea of wearing their skins repugnant.{{csb|Races of Faerun|158}}
Aquatic elves hated sahuagin and sharks more than any other creature and would often attack them on sight. They were driven to destroy them at every opportunity.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Aquatic elven societies were occasionally infiltrated by a certain type of mutated sahuagin that looked almost exactly like them, known as a [[malenti]].<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> Interestingly, normal sahuagin ''only'' spawned malenti when they lived in close proximity to aquatic elven communities. Tritons believed that this was because the two races were related, the sahuagin having been created by drow experiments upon aquatic elven captives.<ref>{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|307}}</ref> The elves flatly denied this shared origin, and in fact many believed that malenti did not exist at all.<ref name="MM-p110-111" />
=== Relations ===
May communities of sea elves are isolationistic.{{csb|Monstous Manual|11}} shunning all contact with other cultures, especially land-dwelling ones.
Aquatic elves hate sahuagin and sharks more than any other creature and will often attack them on sight.{{csb|PHBR8|14}} They are driven to destroy them at every opportunity.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Aquatic elven societies are occasionally infiltrated by a certain type of mutated sahuagin that looked almost exactly like them, known as a [[malenti]].{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}} Interestingly, normal sahuagin ''only'' spawn malenti when they live in close proximity to aquatic elven communities. Tritons believe this is because the two races are related, the sahuagin having been created by drow experiments upon aquatic elven captives.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|307}} The elves flatly deny this shared origin, and in fact many believe malenti do not exist, at all.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}
They were also incredibly wary of human fisherman since aquatic elves who were caught in their nets were often mistaken for sahuagin and killed.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> Aquatic elves maintained neutral relations with [[merfolk]] and [[locathah|locathah.]] [[Triton]]s and marine [[storm giant]]s sometimes lived in harmony with aquatic elven settlements.<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> Relations with the [[shalarin]] varied. The aquatic elves attempted to drive the shalarin out of the Inner Sea following both the First and Second Passings in unprovoked attacks that devastated the shalarin population and in the later case prompted the Fifth Serôs War.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|68-69}}</ref> As such, shalarin remained wary of interacting with aquatic elves.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|98}}</ref> The [[Nantarn Alliance]] led to the improvement of relations to some degree between all involved parties (including aquatic elves, merfolk, shalarin, and morkoth) as they worked together to drive [[Iakhovas]] the Ravager out of the Inner Sea and restore [[Myth Nantar]].<ref name="SoFS-74" /> By {{Yearlink|1371}}, aquatic elves and shalarin were working to restore [[Alsyrrt]]<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|50}}</ref> and jointly ruled the settlement of [[Lyrathil]], although this was still noted to be uncommon.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|51}}</ref>
They are also incredibly wary of human fisherman since aquatic elves who are caught in their nets are often mistaken for sahuagin and killed.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} Aquatic elves maintain neutral relations with [[merfolk]] and [[locathah]]. [[Triton]]s and marine [[storm giant]]s sometimes live in harmony with aquatic elven settlements.{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}}
Aquatic half-elves were very rare since aquatic elves could not leave the water often and had little interest in interacting with humans.<ref name="SoFS-77">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|77}}</ref><ref name="RoF-60-61">{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|60-61}}</ref> Additionally, the ability of aquatic half-elves to breathe underwater was variable,<ref name="SoFS-77" /> and as such even those few that did exist were often cut off from sea elven culture. However, a few aquatic elves remained invested in their children's lives, and would visit them when they came out onto the water.<ref name="RoF-60-61" /> Aquatic elves did also sometimes reproduce with surface elves (generally sun or moon elves), which resulted in an elf who looked like the subrace of their surface parent except for the greenish tinge to their hair. Unlike aquatic half-elves or even their full blood parents, all such offspring were fully amphibious, having gills that were hidden on their necks but being able to comfortably breathe air indefinitely. As such, they were fully capable of living among their aquatic kin, and those whose mothers were aquatic elves often did.<ref name="MM-p110-111" />
Aquatic half-elves are very rare since aquatic elves cannot easily leave the water often and have little interest in interacting with humans.{{csb|Sea of Fallen Stars|77}}{{csb|Races of Faerun|60-61}} Additionally, the ability of aquatic half-elves to breathe underwater is variable,{{csb|Sea of Fallen Stars|77}} and as such even those few that do exist are often cut off from sea elven culture. However, a few aquatic elves remained invested in their children's lives, and will visit them when they came out onto the water.{{csb|Races of Faerun|60-61}} Aquatic elves also sometimes reproduce with surface elves (generally sun or moon elves), which resulted in an elf who looked like the subrace of their surface parent except for the greenish tinge to their hair. Unlike aquatic half-elves or even their full blood parents, all such offspring are fully amphibious, having gills that are hidden on their necks but being able to comfortably breathe air indefinitely. As such, they are fully capable of living among their aquatic kin, and those whose mothers are aquatic elves often did.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}
Aquatic elves would sometimes took in [[water genasi]] children to raise, although in general the genasi secretly pitied the elves for not being able to leave the water for long periods. Water genasi who served Deep Sashelas sometimes worked as emissaries between aquatic elves and their surface cousins. Aquatic elves had stories of planetouched aquatic elves (similar to water genasi) descended from servants of Deep Sashelas, but there have been no recent examples of such people.<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|128-129}}</ref>
Aquatic elves will sometimes take in [[water genasi]] children to raise, although in general the genasi secretly pitied the elves for not being able to leave the water for long periods. Water genasi who serve Deep Sashelas sometimes work as emissaries between aquatic elves and their surface cousins. Aquatic elves have stories of planetouched aquatic elves (similar to water genasi) descended from servants of Deep Sashelas, but there have been no recent examples of such people.{{csb|Races of Faerun|128-129}}
The creatures aquatic elves had the closest relationship with were dolphins.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /><ref name="MM1-p39" /><ref name="RoF-p28-30" /><ref name="Dragon116p28-30" /> Any large group of aquatic elves had a 50% chance of being accompanied by a number of dolphins.<ref name="MM-p110-111" /> They held whales in great reverence as well, with many of their settlements being built on whale migration routes so that they could interact with the creatures regularly. Young aquatic elves would even travel with a whale pod for a year as a sort of pilgrimage.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> [[Hippocampi]] and [[giant sea horse]]s were the favored mounts of aquatic elves.<ref name="DHotR-p63" /> Many other marine creatures were also tamed as mounts, beasts of burden, and pets.<ref name="Dragon116p28-30" />
The creatures aquatic elves have the closest relationship with are dolphins.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}}{{csb|MM1e|39}}{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}}{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}} Any large group of aquatic elves have a 50% chance of being accompanied by a number of dolphins.{{csb|Monstrous Manual|110-111}} They held whales in great reverence as well, with many of their settlements being built on whale migration routes so that they can interact with the creatures regularly. Young aquatic elves will even travel with a whale pod for a year as a sort of pilgrimage.{{csb|Races of Faerûn|28-30}} [[Hippocampi]] and [[giant sea horse]]s are the favored mounts of aquatic elves.{{csb|Demihumans of the Realms|63}} Many other marine creatures are also tamed as mounts, beasts of burden, and pets.{{cite dragon|116|28-30|Children of the Deep}}
==History==
== History ==
According to one aquatic elven myth, they once dwelled on land, their ancestors having served as an armada that was going down in a storm and was saved by an unknown goddess.<ref name="EoE-p26-29" />
According to one aquatic elven myth, they once dwelled on land, their ancestors having served as an armada that was going down in a storm and was saved by an unknown goddess.{{csb|The Elves of Evermeet|26-29}}
The first aquatic elves came to Faerûn sometime after {{Yearlink|-25400}},<ref>{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|8}}</ref> following the migration of the gold and silver elves from [[Faerie]]. This made them the last of the elven subraces to come Faerûn.<ref>{{Cite book/Races of Faerun|27}}</ref> They first appeared in the [[Great Sea]], and rather than settling down they began a nomadic existence as they explored their new home.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" />
== Notable Aquatic Elves ==
Around {{Yearlink|-17000}}, the surface elven kingdoms of [[Eiellûr]], [[Syòrpiir]], and [[Thearnytaar]] started the War of Three Leaves<ref name="GHotR-12">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|12}}</ref> A number of the citizens of these realms fled to the Sea of Fallen Stars (known as [[Serôs]] to those who lived beneath its surface), using an Eillûran artifact known as the Sashelan Glass to transform themselves into aquatic elves.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|127,128}}</ref>
== See Also ==
In {{Yearlink|-11743}}, the aquatic elven city of Coryselmal was established in the Selmal Basin (known to surfacers as the [[Vilhon Reach]]) as the capital of the kingdom of [[Selmalyr]]. By {{Yearlink|-11400}}, both the First and Second [[Crown Wars]] had been underway for centuries, and the [[Sable Wars]] had recently begun. This drove another wave of refugees to the Inner Sea,<ref name="GHotR-12" /> primarily using the High Magic ritual of ''Akh'Faen'Tel'Quess''.<ref name="SoFS-136" /> Additionally, the Crown Wars began to affect the aquatic elves of the Great Sea, despite their attempts to stay apart from them. As a result, a number of them immigrated to Serôs as well.<ref name="RoF-p28-30" /> This caused the elven settlements in the Inner Sea to expand to deeper waters, igniting their first conflicts with the native merfolk and sahuagin.<ref name="GHotR-12" /> The end of the Second Crown War and the fall of Thearnytaar in {{Yearlink|-11200}} prompted another migration to the sea, and the aquatic elven kingdoms of [[Coranthys]], [[Tor Meraliir]], [[Ullythan Reef]], and [[Ryeniir]] were established. In {{Yearlink|-11003}}, the empire of Aryselmalyr was official established, ruling over all the aquatic elven kingdoms of Serôs. This marks Year 1 in the [[Aryselmalyn calendar]].<ref>{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|14}}</ref>
== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
{{FRwiki}}
{{index|title=Aquatic Elf%' OR Topic LIKE '%Elf, Aquatic%' OR Description LIKE '%Elf, aquatic}}
Starting in {{Yearlink|-9872}}, the aquatic elves began working with the merfolk and [[locathah]] of the Inner Sea to build garrison towers along the [[Sharksteeth Mounts]] at the insistence of the triton cleric of [[Persana]] known as [[Vodos]] the Builder as well as their own clerics of Deep Sashelas. These garrisons came to be known as the [[Pillars of the Trident]] and were the basis of the massive [[Sharksbane Wall]] that was later constructed beginning in {{Yearlink|-9845}} to defend against the sahuagin.<ref name="GHotR-15">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|15}}</ref>
In {{Yearlink|-9839}}, the First [[Serôs Wars|Serôs War]] began, pitting the elves and the merfolk against the sahuagin of the eastern waters. The war lasted six years and destroyed the sahuagin kingdom in the [[Trench of Lopok]],<ref name="GHotR-15" /> and while the sahuagin continued to skirmish with the other races over the following century in a desperate attempt to prevent it, the Sharksbane Wall was completed in {{Yearlink|-8938}}. This trapped the majority of the sahuagin in the [[Alamber Sea]], a southeastern branch of the larger Sea of Fallen Stars.<ref name="GHotR-16">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|16}}</ref> The aquatic elves and other races ruthlessly hunted any remaining sahuagin, and by {{Yearlink|-8000}} there were none to be found west of the wall.<ref name="GHotR-19">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|19}}</ref>
In {{Yearlink|-8298}}, the aquatic elves prompted the locathah slaves of the local [[kuo-toa]] to rebel, instigating the Second Serôs War. This ended with the utter annihilation of the Kuo-Toan Consortiums, their cavern homes collapsed and any remaining kuo-toans hunted down and slain.<ref name="GHotR-16" />
Around {{Yearlink|-8000}} an aquatic elven wizard whose name is unknown released an army of tanar'ri into Serôs. The aquatic elven and merfolk armies came together to hold the demons in place while elven High Mages worked a ritual, binding the demons into a coral reef, creating the [[Demonreef]].<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|134}}</ref>
Beginning around {{Yearlink|-7700}}, marids and jann from the Calim Empire began to settle in Selmalyr, the heartland of the Aryselmalyr Empire, and within a year had spread throughout Serôs, becoming a major contender for power with the aquatic elves. The elves attempted to wage war on the genies, but their settlements were too deep for the elves to reach, making most attempts to quell them futile.<ref name="GHotR-19" />
In {{Yearlink|-7130}}, the Dukars, an order of monastic and militant wizards based on elven dualist wizards who experimented with magic-augmenting corals, were officially established. The members were primarily aquatic elves at the time, but accepted students of all races. The Dukars grew quickly and by {{Yearlink|-6946}} were powerful enough to establish the Mervae Alliance as an equal party with the Aryselmalyr Empire and its vassal states, being the only signatory who was not required to make oaths of fealty to the empire.<ref name="SoFS-67">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|67}}</ref>
{{Yearlink|-6676}} marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Aryselmalyr. The aquatic elves had established peace along their borders as well as with the [[Marid States]] that had been established in Serôs, ushering in an era of peace that lasted for 5,000 years. The aquatic elven empire grows even more powerful after the Marid States mysteriously vanished or were destroyed by krakens.<ref name="SoFS-67" />
In {{Yearlink|-3309}}, two of the Dukar schools were destroyed by kraken attacks. As a result, they decided to raise a [[mythal]] over their central settlement of Nantar in {{Yearlink|-3002}}, creating Myth Nantar and establishing a new school. The caveat of having the aquatic elven High Mages raise a mythal for them was that any Dukars trained at this new school were required to swear oaths of fealty to the Coronal of Coryselmal.<ref name="SoFS-67" />
Around {{Yearlink|-1660}}, aquatic elven High Mages and the Dukars destroyed the enclaves of "Deep Netheril" (the outposts of Cuulmath, Werapan, and Quaeluuvis) in the Battle of the Three Seaflames. They did so by transforming the crystal domes above the cities into a substance that burned when it came in contact with water, then directing the subsequent explosions inward. The blasts were so large they created new bays in the coastline.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|20}}</ref>
In {{Yearlink|-1588}} the aquatic elves attempted to raise a mythal over Coryselmal, but after repeated failures were forced to give up. These failures wore on the sanity of the current coronal, [[Essyl Merynth]], who felt betrayed by the Seldarine and turned to the worship of [[Dagon]]. He triggered the Third Serôs War in {{Yearlink|-1539}} by massively overreacting to minor raids by [[koalinth]] and [[scrag]]s, uniting them with the [[merrow]] against the empire. The elves successfully destroyed the merrow kingdom of [[P'karnis]] as well as the [[ixitxachitl]] [[Imperium of Ilvanyv]] within the first five years, but the merfolk of [[Thalorlyn]], long a loyal vassal state, were unhappy with the return of war to Serôs and attempted to secede from the empire. Coronal Essyl responded by slaughtering nearly 30% of all the merfolk in the Inner Sea. He then placed Kyron the Mad (a traitor to the rebel merfolk and fellow worshiper of Dagon) on the throne of the subdued Thalorlyn. He also gave Kyron an artifact called the Emerald Eye, which was given to the coronal by three fiendish kraken servants of Dagon who now secretly supported his cause. Essyl then turned the Dukars of Myth Nantar against the other orders. The mad kings were in power for another twenty years, but Kyron was eventually slain in {{Yearlink|-1506}}, with Essyl being killed by his own brother a few years later in {{Yearlink|-1502}}. This marked the end of the war, which had thrown much of Serôs into turmoil. [[Vaequiss Merynth]], the kindly sister of Essyl and a priestess of Deep Sashelas, took over as the new coronal.<ref>{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|35-36}}</ref>
Vaequiss had a relatively quiet rule, with only the brief Fourth Serôs War occurring during her rule. After her passing in -1219, three generations of rulers follow her in relatively quick succession. The most notable was her great granddaughter [[Vaequiss II Merynth]], also known as Vaequiss the Dark, who took the throne in {{Yearlink|-819}}. This coronal was extremely paranoid of magic users and set many sanctions against them, particularly the Dukars, who she believed assassinated her father. She also feared the newly-arrived and already well-liked [[shalarin]], and mobilized the aquatic elven army in an unprovoked attack against them, to much outcry from all the other races. This was the Fifth Serôs War, in which all the other races of the Inner Sea allied against the oppressive armies of Aryselmalyr. Desperate for help, Vaequiss II allied with two krakens, who then destroyed the peaceful [[morkoth]] settlements of the [[Four Arcana of Humbar]]. The coronal and her krakens were eventually slain by the Dukars, and the Grand Dukars made it a requirement that they approve any future rulers.<ref>{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|40}}</ref>
In the {{YearlinkName|-387}}, a group of aquatic elves exploring the coastal shallows of the [[River Verire]] made contact with green elves from [[Cormanthyr]], learning of [[Lake Sember]] and the peace to be found in [[Semberholme]].<ref>{{Cite book/Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|94}}</ref>
In the {{YearlinkName|-294}}, an aquatic elf [[Luszoch]] becomes the coronal of Coryselmal and begins to tour the empire, making veiled threats against his allies and vassals. This put the entire empire on edge, preparing for the war they felt was inevitable. However, the coronal was soon poisoned by his top general and old friend, who wished only to preserve the peace. Luszoch son, a pacifist Dukar name Esahl, took the throne. He promised to begin working on reforms that would allow the vassal states of Aryselmalyr to rule themselves, a notion well received by the other races.<ref name="SoFS-69">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|69}}</ref>
Unfortunately, this promise was fulfilled in an unexpected way. In the {{YearlinkName|-255}}, four High Mages of [[Nikerymath]] in the [[Chondalwood]] used their magic to summon a tidal wave to scour the Twelve Cities of the Swords in Jhaamdath.<ref name="SoFS-134">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|134}}</ref> But to create this wave, they unknowingly raised the [[Asahlbane Monolith]], a massive plateau that rose under eastern Coryselmal, shattering the city and instantly killing 40,000 people (primarily sea elves), including the coronal.<ref name="SoFS-69" /> The debris of both Coryselmal and Jhaamdath were dragged out by the receding water and went on to kill around 35,000 more people.<ref name="SoFS-134" /> This led to the almost immediate collapse of Aryselmalyr. Every remaining power in Serôs immediately began vying for control of the empire, throwing the Inner Sea into chaos and beginning the Sixth Serôs War. Aquatic elves were subject to brutal retributive purges that didn't end for fifteen years.<ref name="SoFS-69" /> In the {{YearlinkName|-231}}, the Kelpor'ral clan fled the chaos and violence of the Sea of Fallen Stars with two other clans to Lake Sember, founding [[Hyaline (city)|Hyaline]].<ref name="Corm-p94-96" />
In 400 DR, the aquatic elves living near the surface city of [[Northkeep]] on the [[Moonsea]] were cursed by the gods for denying the city aid when it was under attack by an army of goblinoids. The entire population of the aquatic elf city was physically transformed into [[marel]]s and forced to patrol the sunken city of Northkeep forevermore. They rebuked Deep Sashelas and the other Seldarine, turning their worship to Umberlee and becoming incredibly cruel.<ref>{{Cite book/The Moonsea/Reference Guide|64}}</ref>
At some point prior to {{Yearlink|650}}, [[Triktappic Kelpor'ral]] was offered a seat on the [[Council of Trees]] of Cormanthyr. He declined, preferring to remain among his people in Lake Sember. He was the only person ever to have declined such an honor.<ref>{{Cite book/Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|96}}</ref> Additionally, a female aquatic elf once served as Spell-Major, the leader of the magical branch of the Cormanthyran army.<ref>{{Cite book/Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves|47}}</ref>
Following the collapse of the empire, the aquatic elves played a much less significant role in the politics of Serôs. However, nearly a millenia later, the fall of [[Myth Drannor]] prompted surface elves to once again flee into the Sea of Fallen Stars.While this prompted the other races to watch them a bit more closely due to fears that they would try to reestablish the empire, the aquatic elves were for the most part ignored since this happened during the Tenth Serôs War and the other races were preoccupied. Within the next century, they had established three new kingdoms: [[Keryvyr]], [[Naramyr]], and [[Selu'Maraar]], becoming a major power within Serôs once again.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|70-71}}</ref>
The fears of the other races of Serôs were seemingly well founded, since in the {{YearlinkName|936}}, the three new kingdoms of the aquatic elves united under the wizard [[Nyratiis]] to conquer Serôs in the Eleventh Serôs War, also known as the New Aryselmalyr War. This war was prolonged by the powerful magical items that Nyratiis crafts for the leaders of the elves, but the elves were eventually defeated. The kingdom of Keryvyr was destroyed, and Nyratiis fled capture.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|72}}</ref>
In the {{YearlinkName|1369}}, the megalodon known as [[Iakhovas]] the Ravager discovered an unknown magical artifact in the ruins of Coryselmal and used it to blow a two-mile hole in the Sharksbane Wall. The blast destroyed the major sea elven garrison of Akhanmyr, and an army of sahuagin came through the breech and quickly destroyed the outposts of Phalagiir and Rulovar as well. The survivors of Phalagiir fled to to the outpost of Tynathiir, where they were able to reinforce that garrison and keep it from falling to the sahuagin.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|149}}</ref> Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the Sharksbane Wall, the outpost of Velyraar was nearly overwhelmed when a group of good malenti came to their aid and defeated the attacking saguagin.<ref>{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|53}}</ref> Following this devastation, the aquatic elves joined the Nantarn Alliance, which eventually drove Iakhovas and his armies from the Inner Sea.<ref name="SoFS-74">{{Cite book/Sea of Fallen Stars|74}}</ref>
==Notable Aquatic Elves==
* [[Elashor]], King of [[Iumathiashae]].<ref name="EoE-p26-29" />
* [[Xzorsh]], an aquatic elven [[ranger]].<ref name="TW">{{Cite book/Tangled Webs}}</ref>
==Appendix==
===See Also===
*[[Noviere]]
===Gallery===
<gallery captionalign="left">
Aquatic Elf Warriors|Two aquatic elf warriors
Aquatic Elven Archer.jpg|An aquatic elf warrior in action
Male Aquatic Elf|A male aquatic elf wielding a [[trident]]
Female_Aquatic_Elf
Scrag versus Elves.png|A group of aquatic elves fight two [[scrag]]s while a [[dolphin]] watches.
</gallery>
===External Links===
* {{EW}}
===Reference===
{{Refs}}
===Connections===
{{Tel-quessir races}}[[de:Meereselfen]]
[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Aquatic elves]]
[[Category:Aquatic creatures]]
[[Category:Humanoids]]
[[Category:Humanoids]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Creatures found in seas and oceans]]
[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Creatures found in freshwater lakes]]
[[Category:Characters of Aquallor]]
[[Category:Creatures found in temperate climates]]
[[Category:Creatures of chaotic good alignment]]
[[Category:Creatures found on Karpri]]
[[Category:Creatures found in Aquallor]]
[[Category:Tel-quessir]]
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Greyhawk Creature
Aquatic elf
A sea elf depicted in Monsters of the Multivers, art by Nikki Dawes (2021).
Other than variation in coloration, perhaps the most unique feature of aquatic elven physiology is what allows them to breathe water—they have gills. Their gills are "along their collarbones and down their ribcages."[3]
Sea elves' skintone generally ranges between light blue and dark green.[3], but is most often pale silver-green.[6][7][8] Some sea elves have deep green skin, mottled and striped with brown,[5] while still others have blue skin[6] with white stripes and patches.[5] All these groups are robust and tall with long limbs.[5] Their thick skin gives them protection from the cold of deep water, keeping them comfortable at temperatures just above freezing. Their fingers and toes are generally about twice as long as a human's and have thick webbing between them.[9]
Aquatic elves tend to have "oddly colored"[3] eyes, ranging from an iridescent blue to gold to a white-silver hue that shines like mother-of-pearl.[3]
But, they can have eye colors including turquoise,[10] white, black, blue, green, and rarely silver.[11] Their hair is usually thick and somewhat stringy,[5] and some aquatic elves have a rough hair texture.[10]
Sea elves' hair has been recorded as many different colors. It can be green or blue-green,[6][8] Other sea elves have black hair[3], emerald green,[5] silver, or even occasionally red.[5] Warriors clip their hair short, but other aquatic elves wear it long and flowing.[5] Females in particular sometimes grow their hair up to 4 feet long.[12]
Compared to other elves, aquatic elves have deep voices[8] and are larger and heavier.[13][14]
Aquatic elves either go lightly clad or wear no clothes at all. Their clothes are formed from underwater plants[5] and made with intricate designs in shades of black, brown, and green.[12]
Personality
Aquatic elves are isolationist by both their nature and the physical location of their settlements, although they are not quite as reclusive as the wild elves (Grugach). Their trust does not extend far beyond their clan and others of their kind, and their communities are very tightly-knit. They could not understand why the surface elves do not realize that community and alliances meant survival, whereas rivalry, individualism, and factionalism meant death.[5] However, despite being extremely cautious, they are also extremely curious, and aquatic elves near the shore will often spend a significant amount time secretly observing the land-bound races.[5]
Abilities
Aquatic elves are the least magical of the elven subraces and have fewer innate magical gifts. However, they are deeply in touch with their environment, even more so than other elves. They can detect minute changes in the currents of the water and can hear sounds underwater that surface dwellers cannot perceive.[8] Additionally, their eyesight is much keener than that of surface races. They can see twice as far as surface elves in low-light conditions (therefore, four times as far as a human)[7] and can see clearly enough to count soldiers in an army up to a mile away.[12] They are able to hide in kelp and seaweed as their surface kin can in forests, and their movement is never hindered when moving through the plants.[12][15]
Due to their gills, aquatic elves are amphibious. The amount of time aquatic elves can leave the water without doing harm to themselves seems to vary. The safe period can be a few minutes,[12] hours,[5][16] a day,[10] or even upwards of a week.[6]} Additionally, the result of going beyond these limits varies. Some will begin to "drown" on land,[5] while others simply experienced a loss of vitality due to drying out and can remain on land indefinitely, remaining healthy if they took the time to soak for an hour every day.[10] Even within the same community, the amount of time can be variable, with some "landwalkers" having a greater capacity for breathing air.[5] Some seem to have no limitation on their time away from water at all.[17][18] Some aquatic elves use clerical magic to allow them to remain on the surface for longer periods of time.[19] Additionally, some aquatic elves are uncomfortable breathing freshwater and became fatigued quickly when doing so.[5] Others are not harmed by it, but will not truly recover from the damage of being above water unless they spent time in salt water.[6]
Aquatic elves generally build settlements in calm waters that support coral reefs or seaweed forests.[12][15][3] Sea elven cities are made of living coral and are decorated with mother-of-pearl and bright, polished shells.[3]
Settlement borders and the community hunters are protected by armed soldiers, as are their nearby fields of cultivated crop plants.[3] They subsist on kelp grown on their farms and fish they hunt.
These settlements usually have populations between 100 and 400, though communities both significantly larger and smaller exist.
Aquatic elven communities are self-sufficient, trading with others rarely and then only for luxuries. Wandering heralds will deliver oral messages between communities.[12][8] Aquatic elves generally spend around 75% of their time within shallow waters which are less than 150 feet from the surface,[20] although they can safely descend to around 600 feet.[21]
Culture
Aquatic elven society is based on family and clan.[3] Noble families and monarchs rule, but in a benign and loose fashion rather than with an iron fist.[3][5] "Nobility" in aquatic elven culture is different from it is in land-based cultures. Most clans have been "noble" at some point; the only requirement for a noble clan is to have another clan swear fealty to it.[3] While women can and do have positions of power, aquatic elven society is largely patriarchal and inheritance runs first through the eldest son.[5]
The concept of private property, for the most part, does not exist among aquatic elves.[5] Whatever given aquatic elf currently carries on their person can be considered theirs, but everything else belongs to the community as a whole.[8] This particularly applies to tools, weapons, and other practical items. Any aquatic elf can take one of these items whenever it is needed, regardless of who has possessed it previously, although individuals are allowed to keep relatively private dwellings. Such communal ownership means theft is almost unknown.[5] The exceptions to this are monarchs, who often have large and elaborate homes with limited access and many personal items. However, aquatic elven rulers are a reflection of their people and usually remain rather generous.[8] The freedom to borrow items at will is not extended to outsiders, and surface-dwellers are often watched carefully to make sure they do not try to take advantage of the cultural practice.[5]
Aquatic elves hold promises sacred and would rather die than fail to complete something they have sworn to do. If they die in the process, their kin take over the responsibility to complete it. The slightest implication that an aquatic elf would not keep their word is deeply offensive. However, promises received from non-elves are highly suspect, both because aquatic elves know other races won't honor the promises of their dead and because only other elves have the lifespan to complete any serious task.[12]
Language
The aquatic elves have their own language that, while clearly related to standard Elvish, is very distinct and not immediately understandable to non-aquatic elves. It is very similar to the language of dolphins, with squeals and clicks interspersed through it. In some editions, the language of sea elves is described as being as an "oddly accented"[22]Elven, with some words and inflections from Aquan.[22] They speak surface languages with great difficulty.[8] Different languages are more or less common among different groups of aquatic elves, but Elven[15][8] and Aquan[17][5] are known by many groups, as is the Common tongue among those who lived near the shore.[12][5] The languages of other aquatic races (including that of their mortal enemy the sahuagin)[12][3] might also be known to an aquatic elf.[10] Nobles and most of those who leave their home settlements to adventure are literate, although commoners are not.[5]
Magic
Aquatic elves are the least magical of the elven races. Once every two or three generations an aquatic elf shows a talent for arcane magic,[19] making magical talent about as common as it is in dwarf communities rather than in human or elven ones.[5] Those who are spellcasters devoted their long life spans to study and become extremely skilled.[5] In remote communities those elves who are magically inclined are limited to the teachings of the few older magic users and rare written materials.
While it is unclear why arcane magic is so uncommon among the aquatic elves, it is rumored that the drow are somehow responsible for taking this ability from them,[12] and this is part of the reason the aquatic elves held such a grudge against them.[23] A minority of the aquatic elves in the areas around Evermeet are sun or moon elves who have been transformed by some power into aquatic elves. They retained the magical capability they have before their transformation.<ref name="DHotR-p5">[24]
Religion
Clerical magic is much more common among aquatic elves.[19] Almost all sea elves revere Deep Sashelas,[3][5] the elven sea god of knowledge and creation, beyond any other. Corellon Larethian is still revered as the father of their race and they acknowledge the rest of the Seldarine to a much lesser extent. It is considered a great honor for a member of an aquatic elven family to be a priest of Deep Sashelas.[19]
Sea elves generally form their temples to Deep Sashelas from living coral. Others are often natural stone and other materials formed into sprawling temples shaped like sea shells. These temples are cultural centers for the aquatic elves, serving both secular and spiritual purposes.[25]
It is a cultural tradition of sea elven culture for adult sea elves at some point in their lifetime to engage in an endeavor for the benefit of the temple where their adulthood celebration was held. This varies from creating art or sculpture for the temple to personal labor at the temple. This tradition is less about what the temple needs and more about the elf giving a gift.[3]
Trishina, a dolphin goddess and the primary consort of Deep Sashelas, is also worshiped by aquatic elves.[26] The relationship between these two gods is one of the reasons aquatic elves are on such good terms with dolphins.[27] Some aquatic elves are also known to worship the water primordial Istishia.[28]
Arts, Crafting & Leisure
Sculpture is the primary art form of aquatic elves, as other mediums are likely to be destroyed by the water in short order. Intricately carved reliefs cover the walls of most cities, and statues are common.[8]
Aquatic elves are also quite musical. Their powerful voices travel farther underwater than on land, and their thrumming songs bring to mind whalesong and dolphin noises. The songs are often very long and evoke the rolling calm of the ocean.[8] Bards are common in aquatic elven society.[5]
Because they live underwater, the products of aquatic elven crafting often differ significantly from their counterparts on the surface. They developed a range of waterproof magical items, and a system of writing underwater using either cured sharkskin or thick seaweed and an extremely viscous ink.[5] They do not commonly use metal, as it is almost impossible to forge underwater and will corrode quickly.[15][5][10] What little metal they do use is traded for or scavenged from shipwrecks. The exception to this is gold, which will not corrode and is easily shaped in its raw form. Beaten gold jewelry is common among aquatic elves. Most aquatic elven items are crafted from stone, coral, shells, and animal materials such as bone, narwhal horns, turtle shells, sharkskin, or chitin.[5]
Aquatic elves commonly craft tridents of serenity, a type of magical weapon which keeps sahuagin in the vicinity of the weapon from entering a blood frenzy and are given to elves patrolling the borders of a territory.[5] They also developed longbows with bowstrings made of a special kelp that damped vibrations and turbulence. Combined with specially crafted arrows, these bows functioned without the usual drastic loss of momentum that most ranged weapons suffered underwater. Chitinous armor is commonly used,[29] Some sea elves developed a type of armor made with sharkskin and teeth, but most aquatic elves despise sharks and find the idea of wearing their skins repugnant.[30]
Relations
May communities of sea elves are isolationistic.[31] shunning all contact with other cultures, especially land-dwelling ones.
Aquatic elves hate sahuagin and sharks more than any other creature and will often attack them on sight.[6] They are driven to destroy them at every opportunity.[12][5] Aquatic elven societies are occasionally infiltrated by a certain type of mutated sahuagin that looked almost exactly like them, known as a malenti.[12] Interestingly, normal sahuagin only spawn malenti when they live in close proximity to aquatic elven communities. Tritons believe this is because the two races are related, the sahuagin having been created by drow experiments upon aquatic elven captives.[32] The elves flatly deny this shared origin, and in fact many believe malenti do not exist, at all.[12]
They are also incredibly wary of human fisherman since aquatic elves who are caught in their nets are often mistaken for sahuagin and killed.[12][15][5] Aquatic elves maintain neutral relations with merfolk and locathah. Tritons and marine storm giants sometimes live in harmony with aquatic elven settlements.[10]
Aquatic half-elves are very rare since aquatic elves cannot easily leave the water often and have little interest in interacting with humans.[33][34] Additionally, the ability of aquatic half-elves to breathe underwater is variable,[33] and as such even those few that do exist are often cut off from sea elven culture. However, a few aquatic elves remained invested in their children's lives, and will visit them when they came out onto the water.[34] Aquatic elves also sometimes reproduce with surface elves (generally sun or moon elves), which resulted in an elf who looked like the subrace of their surface parent except for the greenish tinge to their hair. Unlike aquatic half-elves or even their full blood parents, all such offspring are fully amphibious, having gills that are hidden on their necks but being able to comfortably breathe air indefinitely. As such, they are fully capable of living among their aquatic kin, and those whose mothers are aquatic elves often did.[12]
Aquatic elves will sometimes take in water genasi children to raise, although in general the genasi secretly pitied the elves for not being able to leave the water for long periods. Water genasi who serve Deep Sashelas sometimes work as emissaries between aquatic elves and their surface cousins. Aquatic elves have stories of planetouched aquatic elves (similar to water genasi) descended from servants of Deep Sashelas, but there have been no recent examples of such people.[35]
The creatures aquatic elves have the closest relationship with are dolphins.[12][15][5][10] Any large group of aquatic elves have a 50% chance of being accompanied by a number of dolphins.[12] They held whales in great reverence as well, with many of their settlements being built on whale migration routes so that they can interact with the creatures regularly. Young aquatic elves will even travel with a whale pod for a year as a sort of pilgrimage.[5]Hippocampi and giant sea horses are the favored mounts of aquatic elves.[36] Many other marine creatures are also tamed as mounts, beasts of burden, and pets.[10]
History
According to one aquatic elven myth, they once dwelled on land, their ancestors having served as an armada that was going down in a storm and was saved by an unknown goddess.[8]
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.
