Melf

Greyhawk Character

Melf, Prince Brightflame
Melf (right), speaking with Keak, as depicted in Artifact of Evil (1986). Art by Clyde Caldwell.
General info
Home:	Celene
Alignment:	Neutral good (chaotic good tendencies)
Gender:	Male
Species:	Grey elf
Class:	Fighter 13/Wizard 12
Dates
Age:	200+/-

Melf, also known as Prince Brightflame, is a grey elven archmage. Melf is a native of the elven kingdom of Celene, and is recognized by many as the leader of the Knights of Luna.

In Gary Gygax's 1986 novel Artifact of Evil, Melf is also known as Melf of the Arrow. He seems to acknowledge that Melf is not his real name, but says "it is a simple name, as good as any."

Description

Melf is 5'8", 147 lbs, and about 200 years old (appearing in his late 20s in human terms). He changes his appearance from time to time, though he always appears as an elf. 1983's The Shady Dragon Inn describes his counterpart Peralay as "left-handed, blond, hazel-eyed, and large for an elf (5'8", 148 lbs.)." It says furthermore that Peralay's shield is decorated with "the hunting hawk symbol of his clan" and that his sword, Gnoll-Cleaver, was forged long ago by dwarves.

Prince Brightflame is a strong believer in mediation, diplomacy and open communication, and thus some believe him to be naive. Charming and urbane, Melf enjoys good food, culture, and agreeable persons of the opposite gender.

Melf is vastly knowledgeable and experienced. He specializes in Iuz and buried evils, and is strongly opposed to both Iuz and the Scarlet Brotherhood.

Relationships

An ally of Mordenkainen and a former member of the Citadel of Eight, in Artifact of Evil Melf is said to have sworn fealty to Mordenkainen, and he carries the holy symbol of Fharlanghn. Melf is also a cousin of Queen Yolande of Celene. He has been depicted as fighting side-by-side with Prince Olinstaad Corond of Principality of Ulek, presumably during a 586 counteroffensive to regain Principality lands lost to the Empire of the Pomarj during the Greyhawk Wars.

Although secretive and protective, Melf is on good terms with luminaries such as Kieran Jalucian, King Belvor IV of Furyondy, and the rulers of Dyvers, Highfolk, and the City of Greyhawk. He and Mordenkainen have much respect for each other, but the two do not cooperate, at least not anymore. The mayor of Highfolk town, Tavin Ersteader, is a former apprentice of Melf.

Melf is on good terms with the Fellowship of the Torch, and is often seen in the company of Kirilarien Allavesse when in Greyhawk.

Melf was also listed in Greyhawk Ruins as one of the members of the Ring of Five.

There is some apocryphal evidence that Melf and Warduke may know each other. In 1983's The Shady Dragon Inn, Warduke is mentioned as being a member of the same adventuring party as an elf named "Peralay," both of whom had action figures for TSR's 1983 toy line. The fact that the Peralay figure was originally released under the name "Melf" and Warduke's retcon into Greyhawk continuity provide a topic of apocryphal interest.

Home

According to From the Ashes, Melf represents the Knights of Luna in Greyhawk, and therefore is assumed to have dwellings in the Free City. The comparative amount of time Melf spends in Greyhawk and his native Celene, however, has not been revealed.

Spells

Melf is responsible for developing such spells as Melf's Acid Arrow, Melf's Unicorn Arrow, and Melf's Minute Meteors.

Writings

Melf is known to have authored or co-authored the following works:

• Treatise of Universal Astronomy
• Weapons of the Ether (with Mordenkainen)

Collectibles

In 1983, a Melf action figure was released as part of LJN's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons toy line. However, the figure was eventually renamed as "Peralay."

Creative origins

Melf was originally played by Lucion Paul Gygax in Gary Gygax's home campaign. The name "Melf" was the result of Lucion Gygax not coming up with a name for his character, only having on his character sheet "M elf," - "male elf."

Bibliography

• Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.

• Gray, Michael L. Quest for the Heartstone. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.

• Gygax, Gary. Artifact of Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.

• Heard, Bruce. "Spells Between the Covers." Dragon #82. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.

• Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

• Mobley, Blake, and Timothy B Brown. Greyhawk Ruins. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.

• Mona, Erik, and Gary Holian. "Wheels Within Wheels: Greyhawk's Circle of Eight." Living Greyhawk Journal #0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Available online: [1]

• Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.

• Smith, Carl. The Shady Dragon Inn. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.