High elf: Difference between revisions
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|[[Highfolk]] | |[[Highfolk]] | ||
|12,000<ref name=population group= | |12,000<ref name=population group=note>[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting|WoG]] boxed set only gives numbers for "fighting males" of demihuman populations, "as more complete data is unavailable."</ref> | ||
|21,804 | |21,804 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Lendore Isles]] | |[[Lendore Isles]] | ||
|1,500+<ref name=population group= | |1,500+<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|27,839 | |27,839 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Duchy of Ulek]] | |[[Duchy of Ulek]] | ||
|12,000<ref name=population group= | |12,000<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|55,888 | |55,888 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Veluna]] | |[[Veluna]] | ||
|10,000<ref name=population group= | |10,000<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|60,192 | |60,192 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Geoff]] | |[[Geoff]] | ||
|6,000<ref name=population group= | |6,000<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|<630 | |<630 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Lordship of the Isles]] | |[[Lordship of the Isles]] | ||
|<4,000<ref name=population group= | |<4,000<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|23,940 | |23,940 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Yeomanry]] | |[[Yeomanry]] | ||
|2,000<ref name=population group= | |2,000<ref name=population group=note /> | ||
|15,295 | |15,295 | ||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 11:57, 5 January 2023
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| High elf | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Usually Chaotic good |
| Type: | Humanoid |
| Subtype: | Elf, Fey |
Description
High elves are the elves most likely to interact with other peoples of the Flanaess, particularly humanity. High elves dress in pale forest colors when in their villages, typically pastel and of blue or green or violet but often covered by a greenish gray cloak[1], and intense, deep colors when in urban settings. Men wear loose blouses belted over close fitting hose with soft leather shoes or boats. Women often wear frocks with sashes, or blouses over ankle length skirts. When hunting, elves favor neutral brown leathers. They are typically dark haired and have green or hazel eyes. High elves can live up to 1,200 or even 1,600 years. [2]
High elven architecture seems to adapt to their location. In woodland realms they prefer wooden buildings, with elegant arches and steeples, occasionally elevated into the trees. In other regions they have mountain keeps of stone. [3]
High elves seem more used to horses as mounts than some of their kin, and make great light cavalry as archers and lancers, such as in the army of the Duchy of Ulek and the Knights of the Hart of the Ferrond area.[3]
Abilities
High elves are graceful, intelligent beings, with a greater capacity for intelligence than most humanoid races while also possessing an agility comparable with their elven kin. High elves are also unusually strong-willed and have a natural resistance to the effects of enchantment spells.
High elves also have no need for sleep in the same way most humanoids do, instead going into a trance often known as the "Reverie".[4] While in this trance, high elves remain fully aware of their immediate surroundings. Furthermore, high elves only need rest for four hours to get the same effect that most other humanoids got from six to eight hours of sleep.[5][6][7] During this time they meditate on memories and events.
Some high elves also have another unique ability. This ability, known as fey step, allows a high elf to slip out of the Prime and into the Feywild, or vice versa, with relative ease.[6]
Society
While high elves, more than many other elven kin, are tolerant and open with humans, many of the lands still considered to be high elven nations are that way through partial elven reclusiveness. High elf nations like Lendore (before the cult of Sehanine) and Highfolk communicated and are allied with human nations, but kept the heart of their own communities separate. The Duchy of Ulek is a high elf ruled land, but has a higher human population then elven. Aside from the recent developments in the Lendore Isles, many high elf communities are against strict isolationism, and many elves in the Knights of Luna, a movement in Celene resisting the grey elven queen's staunch isolationism, are high elves. Most nations with the highest populations of high elves are not elven ruled lands, but part of human ones.[3]
Homelands
Within the Flanaess the Fairdells and Vesve Forest have been occupied by High Elves, long before humans pressed across the mountains from the west, although the Vesve Forest is shared with the more abundant wood elves. About twenty high elf clans live around Highfolk. The Isles of Lendore were under high elven rule long before they allowed humans to settle there.[3]
High elven architecture seems to adapt to their location. In woodland realms they prefer wooden buildings, with elegant arches and steeples, occasionally elevated into the trees. In other regions they have mountain keeps of stone.[3]
High elves seem more used to horses as mounts than some of their kin, and make great light cavalry as archers and lancers, such as in the army of the Duchy of Ulek and the Knights of the Hart of the Ferrond area.[3]
| Places of Notable High Elven Population. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | 576 CY[8] | 591 CY[3] |
| Highfolk | 12,000[note 1] | 21,804 |
| Lendore Isles | 1,500+[note 1] | 27,839 |
| Duchy of Ulek | 12,000[note 1] | 55,888 |
| Veluna | 10,000[note 1] | 60,192 |
| Geoff | 6,000[note 1] | <630 |
| Lordship of the Isles | <4,000[note 1] | 23,940 |
| Yeomanry | 2,000[note 1] | 15,295 |
Culture
High elven society long straddles the boundary between the Prime Material Plane and Faerie. High elven cities are magnificent marvels of elegant architecture made of wondrous towers and structures that blend seamlessly into places of natural beauty. Many high elven cities are found in locations where the border between the Prime and the Feywild is particularly thin—isolated mountain vales, green islands, storm-wracked coasts, and the deepest reaches of ancient forests. Some high elven realms exist entirely in the Feywild, or at least partially so,[9]. Many of these cities cross over occasionally into the Prime before winking out of existence entirely.[10]
High elves live in grace with the touch of magic found throughout their lives, as exemplified by Corellon, the patron god of all fey but particularly his chief creation—the high elves. High elven practices of all sorts are influenced by this from dance and song to swordplay and wizardry. The cities of the high elves are stunning locations of beauty, formed and shaped by the blending of magic with graceful and elegant designs.[9]
High elven clothing is often simple and functional, but do not lack beauty and grace any more than other clothing, with complex and beautiful patterns woven into the cloth. The clothing, while otherwise non-fanciful, is often made of superior materials to those used in other clothes.
Most high elves train themselves in the use of a longsword, a weapon important to their culture, religion, and heritage.[6]
Psychology
Due to their longevity and strong ties to the otherworldly magic of the Feywild, high elves have a detached view of the world outside of their sphere. High elves as a whole have difficulty believing that the events occurring over mere "years" affected them in any major way.[9] High elves instead look at things from a much longer perspective, unconcerned with anything that has consequences which stretch over anything less than decades.[9] However, while some high elves are content to seclude themselves, others stalked the lands as champions battling the evil just outside of a high elven city's magical wards.[citation needed]
This detached view of the world could make high elves seem distant and intimidating, not to mention haughty and arrogant. Furthermore, the powerful fey nature of high elves might frighten less magically talented races. High elves, however, took friendships quickly to heart and could react with rage when their compatriots are threatened. Combined with their general intelligence, bravery, and arcane power, this loyalty to friends made them formidable allies and dangerous enemies.[9]
Relations with other races
Although most high elves reside in isolated communities of their kin, a few have interests or dealings in the outside world, and it is not uncommon to find high elves living among dragonborn, dwarves, elves, gnomes, halflings, humans, and tieflings. Grey elves, in general, show their xenophobia towards both elves and non-elves.
While high elves, more than many other elven kin, are tolerant and open with humans, many of the lands still considered to be high elven nations are that way through partial elven reclusiveness. High elf nations like Lendore (before the cult of Sehanine) and Highfolk communicated and are allied with human nations, but kept the heart of their own communities separate. The Duchy of Ulek is a high elf ruled land, but has a higher human population then elven. Aside from the recent developments in the Lendore Isles, many high elf communities are against strict isolationism. Many elves in the Knights of Luna, a movement in Celene resisting the grey elven queen's staunch isolationism, are high elves. Most nations with the highest populations of high elves are not elven ruled lands, but part of human ones.[3]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ Monster Manual 1, Gary Gygax, 1977, 1e
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (1e), Gary Gygax, 2012 (Premium Edition) ISBN: 978-0-7869-6241-9
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Living Greyhawk Gazeteer, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, Gary Holian, Frederick Weining, 2000, 3e
- ↑ PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), p.34.
- ↑ Player's Handbook (2000), p.16.
- ↑ a b c Player's Handbook (2008), p.38.
- ↑ Player's Handbook (2014), p.23.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.18.
- ↑ a b c d e Player's Handbook (2008), p.39.
- ↑ Monster Manual 4th edition, p.103.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharndarel Clan (High Elf) | People Group | Clan, | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 31 |
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