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Old Common term: Olve
{{Infobox Greyhawk creature
|image=[[Image:Elf01.jpg]]
|caption=Male and female high elves, as depicted in the 3.5 ''Player's Handbook'' (2003). Art by Sam Wood.
|name=Elf
|alignment=Chaotic Good
|type=Humanoid
|subtype=Elf
|source=''[[Player's Handbook]]'' (all editions), ''Monster Manual'' (all editions), ''[[Monster Mythology]]'', ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'', ''Complete Book of Elves''
|first=
}}'''Elves''', also known as ''olves'' or ''olvenfolk'' in the [[Flan]] tongue, are one of the primary civilized races of the [[Flanaess]]. Elves speak [[Elven language|Elven]].


'''Elves''' are a bit shorter and lighter than humans, with a slender, atheltic build.  They are known for their intelligence and dexterity, making them great rangers and wizards.  According to their myth, the elves were born from the blood of [[Corellon Larethain]] and the tears of [[Sehanine Moonbow]] after Corellon's battle with [[Gruumsh]], who they revere as their chief dieties.  Some elves also pay homage to [[Ehlonna]], goddess of woodlands.
==Ecology==
Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and the bow. Becoming physically mature by the age of 25 and emotionally mature at around 125 (''Races of the Wild'', 2005), they are also famously long-lived, capable of living more than half a millennium and remaining physically youthful. They rarely die due to the wear of age. Possessed of innate beauty and easy gracefulness, they are viewed as both wondrous and haughty by other races; however, their natural detachment is seen by some as introversion or xenophobia.


Elves are long lived and spend much time in study or exploring, giving many people the impression that they are not entirely concerned with the world around them, while others may find them a bit chaotic.  
There are several different subraces of elves, including aquatic elves, dark elves ([[drow]]), grey elves, high elves, snow elves, valley elves, wild elves ([[grugach]]), wood elves, and winged elves ([[avariel]]). The offspring of humans and elves are known as "half-elves" among humans, and as "half-humans" among elves.


Sunndi, Celene, and the Duchy of Urnst are all controled by a ruling elven house, while the Lendore Islands are an oppressive elf ruled theocracy dedicated to Sehanine Moonbow.  They are common in Highfolk and the Vesve Forest, having settled the area long before humans entered the area.
===Environment===
Elves are most often associated with temperate forests, though this applies chiefly to high elves and wood elves. Aquatic elves are only found in temperate aquatic regions, and gray elves often prefer temperate mountains. Snow elves, drow, and grugach are found almost exclusively in cold mountains, the [[Underdark]], and deep forests, respectively. Valley elves are rarely seen outside the [[Valley of the Mage]].


There are six major types of elf in Greyhawk.
In the [[Flanaess]], large numbers of elves can be found in [[Celene (realm)|Celene]], [[Highvale]], the [[Lendore Isles]], [[Sunndi]], the [[Duchy of Ulek]], the Valley of the Mage, the [[Vesve Forest]], and the [[Vault of the Drow]]. [[Verbobonc]] was originally an elven settlement, though they have mostly left that region to the humans and gnomes. The [[City of Summer Stars]] is a lost and ruined elven community of fable and legend in the depths of the [[Adri Forest]], now under a dreadful curse.
===Elven Racial Traits===
*+2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Cha--Elves are agile, and quite pretty (or believe themselves to be so), but their bodies are delicate.
*30 ft Movement Speed.
*Medium Humanoid (Elf)
*Immunity to magic sleep effects, and a +2 racial against enchantment spells or effects.
*Low-Light Vision: An elf can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
*Weapon Proficiency: Elves receive the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword, rapier, longbow (including composite longbow), and shortbow (including composite shortbow) as bonus feats.
*+2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it.
*Automatic Languages: Common and Elven. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Orc, and Sylvan.
*Favored Class: Ranger and Wizard
*Different races of elves may differ from these stats, as stated below.


===[[Drow]]===
===Typical physical characteristics===
The drow are a dark-skinned, subterranean offshoot of the elves, known for wickedness and cruelty.
Slightly shorter than the average human, elves are also noticeably more slender and graceful (this is reflected in a bonus to dexterity and a constitution penalty), averaging between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet and 95 to 135 pounds. Males are slightly more muscular on average, there is little difference in height between the sexes, and facial hair is unheard of. Their features in general may be described as more angular and defined; including long, pointed ears and wide, almond-shaped eyes. Most elves have fair skin and dark hair, though this is no more true of all elves than it is of humans. They have a reputation for careful grooming, more so than perhaps any other race. This frequently extends to their clothing, which is luxurious and well-kept, though not to the point of impracticality.


===Grey Elves===
Elves do not sleep as most other creatures do, instead falling into a four-hour restful trance. Consequently, elves are unaffected by sleep-inducing spells and effects, and are able to remain active far longer than other races.
Grey elves built the old elven cities which now stand abandoned or were given up to other races as they moved through. They are more given to intellect than other elves, but physically weaker. They practice the oldest elven arts, but hide from the eyes of younger, shorter lived races in their mountain keeps. They wear complex gowns and flowing robes, favouring clothes the colour of pure driven snow, the noon day sun, silver and gold, with accessories of polished leather, and contrasting colours and jewels.


Grey elf keeps are utopias of magic with extensive use of conjured resources and magical labour, leaving the elves to pursue study, art and music.
Elves also do not age as other creatures; their physical appearances remain constant from achieving physical maturity to death. Elves do grow physically weaker and mentally stronger as they grow older, and accumulate a "glow" from the strength of their souls as they age (''Races of the Wild'', 2005).
*+2 Dex, +2 Int, +2 Cha, -2 Str, -2 Con--These modifiers include the standard elf bonuses.


===High Elves===
===Alignment===
High elves, also called forest elves, live in homes of living wood grown from the trees of their villages high in forest canopies. Many are rangers and druids and serve as forest wardens. Humans have come into conflict with high elf communities in the past when they have tried to chop down trees in forests the elves considered to be under their protection. Now human settlements employ elven or half elven rangers to find copses of trees which can be used for lumber without angering their neighbours, and who will plant new seedlings to replace the trees the humans take. High elves dress in pale forest colours when in their villages, and intense, deep colours 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 favour neutral brown leathers. They are typically dark haired and have green or hazel eyes.
Most elves are usually chaotic good, though grugach tend to be neutral, Valley elves chaotic neutral, and drow neutral evil.


High elves favour enchantment and illusion magic.
==Society==


===Valley Elves===
===Religion===
When the grey elves left their cities, some stayed behind, joining with a human wizard. These grey elves became the valley elves, named after the Valley of the Mages where they live, closer to humans than other elves are, and almost completely cut off from their elf kin. Other elves are contemptuous of valley elves. Neither side will say why, precisely, but other elves seem to consider valley elves to be slaves to humans. Valley elves appear much like the grey elves from which they branched off, save that they are even taller, nearly human height.
Most elves, other than drow and Valley elves, follow the [[Seldarine]], the elven pantheon, consisting of the following deities:
[[Image:Seldarine01.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Members of the [[Seldarine]], as depicted in ''Faiths and Pantheons'' (2002). From left to right, [http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Angharradh Angharradh] (a ''Forgotten Realms'' goddess), [[Aerdrie Faenya]], [[Corellon Larethian]], [[Fenmarel Mestarine]], [[Deep Sashelas]], and [[Erevan Ilesere]].]]
[[Image:Seldarine02.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Members of the [[Seldarine]], as depicted in ''Faiths and Pantheons'' (2002). From left to right, [[Hanali Celanil]], [[Labelas Enoreth]], [[Rillifane Rallathil]], [[Sehanine Moonbow]], [http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Shevarash Shevarash] (a ''Forgotten Realms,, deity), and [[Solonor Thelandira]].]]
*[[Aerdrie Faenya]], goddess of Air, Weather, Birds, and Avariel.
*[[Alathrien Druanna]], the Rune Mistress.
*[[Alobal Lorfiril]], god of Hedonism, Mirth, Magic, and Revelry.
*[[Araleth Letheranil]], god of Light.
*[[Corellon Larethian]], god of Elves, Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare.
*[[Darahl Firecloak]], god of Earth and Flame
*[[Deep Sashelas]], god of Water, Knowledge, Beauty, Magic, and Aquatic Elves.
*[[Elebrin Liothiel]], god of Nature, Gardens, Orchards, and the Harvest.
*[[Erevan Ilesere]], god of Mischief, Change, and Rogues.
*[[Fenmarel Mestarine]], god of Exiles, Scapegoats, and [[Grugach]].
*[[Gadhelyn]], hero-god of Independence, Outlawry, Feasting, and Hunting.
*[[Hanali Celanil]], goddess of Romantic Love and Beauty.
*[[Kirith Sotheril]], goddess of Divinations and Enchantments.
*[[Labelas Enoreth]], god of Time and Longevity.
*[[Melira Taralen]], goddess of Bards and Minstrels.
*[[Mythrien Sarath]], god of Protection and Mythals.
*[[Naralis Analor]], god of Healing, Easing of Pain, and Death.
*[[Rellavar Danuvien]], god of Frost Sprites and Protection from Cold.
*[[Rillifane Rallathil]], god of Nature, Woodlands, and Wood Elves.
*[[Sarula Iliene]], goddess of Lakes, Streams, Nixies, and Water Magic.
*[[Sehanine Moonbow]], goddess of the Moon, Mysticism, Dreams, Far Journeys, Death, and Transcendence.
*[[Solonor Thelandira]], god of Hunting, Archery, and Survival.
*[[Tarsellis Meunniduin]], god of Winter, Mountains, and Snow Elves.
*[[Tethrin Veraldé]], god of Bladesingers.
*[[Vandria Gilmadrith]], goddess of War, Guardianship, Justice, Grief, Vigilance, and Decision.
*[[Ye'Cind]], god of Music and Magical Songs.


Valley elves are diverse in their magical inclination.
While Corellon Larethian leads the Seldarine, most subraces also have a patron deity whom they hold in nearly equal regard. Deep Shahelas (and his wife, the dolphin goddess [[Trishina]]) for the aquatic elves, Fenmarel Mestarine for the grugach, Rillifane Rallathil for the wood elves, Tarsellis Meunniduin for the snow elves, and Aerdrie Faenya for the avariel.
*+2 Dex, +2 Int, +2 Cha, -2 Str, -2 Con--These modifiers include the standard elf modifiers.


===Wild Elves===
The only deity known to be honored by the Valley elves is [[Ehlonna]], who is also frequently worshipped by other elven peoples. Dark elves most often worship [[Lolth]], the Demon Queen of Spiders, or one of her brood.
Wild elves, also called the Grugach, are considered barbaric by other elves. These tribal elves contend that other elves have given up their primal essence to be more like humans. They live close to the land in a half agricultural, half hunter gatherer lifestyle, and wear rugged clothing consisting of kilts, boots and shirts made of animal skin and rough plant weaves. Their skin is darker than other elves, and they excel at stealth, even compared to their kin. Wild elves are small compared to other elves, and have yellow to coppery coloured hair.


Wild elves favour natural magic, and many are druids or sorcerers.
==Elven subraces==
*+2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Int--These modifiers replace the standard elf modifiers.
Elves are of various sorts, including a marine race, all of which are detailed here.


===Wood Elves===
*Aquatic elves, or sea elves: Aquatic elves live beneath the waves and can breathe water as easily as their cousins on land breathe air. They have silverish-greenish skin and hair of green or blue-green. They are mortal enemies of sharks and sahuagin. They are friends to dolphins and surface elves, and neutral to all others, save for fishermen, who they dislike. Their chief god is [[Deep Sashelas]].
Wood elves, also known as sylvan elves, are reclusive and seldom seen, living in the ancient hearts of primordial forests. Little is known about these elves, save that they are stronger than other elves and rely more on intuition and instinct than study than other elves. Wood elves have the yellow to coppery hair of wild elves.


Wood elves favour druidic and ranger magic.
*[[Avariel]], or sky elves. Also known as the "winged folk," these winged elves are very rare, but are believed to dwell in the [[Lortmil Mountains]] (LGG.143).
*+2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Con, -2 Int
 
[[Category:Races]]
*[[Drow]], or dark elves: The "black elves" are only legend to most in the [[Flanaess]]. They are as dark as gray elves are bright and and as evil as the latter are good. Once surface elves themselves, they were transformed into drow and banished to the Underdark when they fell to the worship of demons and gods of elemental evil. Of all the elves they are the only ones that are inherently malevolent, and they hate their cousins with an undying passion. They are smaller than their cousins, both shorter and thinner. In addition, their skin resembles polished obsidian, and their hair is snow-white or silver.
 
*Gray elves: These elves are the most noble of elves, yet also the most arrogant. They are of higher intellectual capabilities than other elves, but, despite the fact they are taller than high elves, they are physically weaker. They live in isolated mountain strongholds, and rarely allow access to outsiders. They have silver hair and amber eyes, or gold hair and violet eyes, and wear clothes of white, silver, yellow and gold, and usually wear regally colored cloaks. Those with gold hair are generally called faeries. They worship the standard elven pantheon.
 
*[[Grugach]]: The most reclusive of all the elves, the wild elves pride themselves on their isolation and skill at keeping hidden.  Their skin tends to be brown and they have similar colored hair which lightens with age.
 
*High elves: High elves are the elves most commonly encountered by other races, and the most open and friendly of their kind. They travel to other lands more than other elves. They're generally dark-haired and green-eyed, with very pale complexions the color of new cream. They simply do not tan, no matter how much time they spend under Oerth's sun. High elves prefer to wear light pastels, blues and greens and violets, and often dwell in homes built into living wood, high in the trees.
 
*[[Snow Elves]]: Pale but hardy elves that live in the [[Crystalmist Mountains]]. They worship [[Tarsellis Meunniduin]], the patron god of Snow Elves and Lord of Mountains. They are reclusive and usually led by tribal priests known as "Peakwardens."
 
*[[Valley elf|Valley elves]]: Closely related to gray elves, Valley elves are the tallest of their kind, as tall as humans. They dwell only within the [[Valley of the Mage]], though agents are occasionally sent outwards on missions for the master of the Vale. Because of their height, they can often pass as and infiltrate the societies of humans. Other elves despise Valley elves, believing they've sold out their dignity and independence for the fleeting protection of a human wizard - even worse that his lieutenant is a drow. They call the Valley elves by a disparaging name in their own language that connotates to "automaton" or "slave."
 
*Wood Elves: Wood elves are a reclusive subrace. They place more emphasis on strength than learning. Wood elves are considered by other elven subraces (particularly the austere gray elves) to be boisterous and hedonistic. They have a zest for life and pleasure. They are more neutral than most elves, except the valley elves and grugach. Their complexions are fair, their hair is yellow to coppery red, and their eyes are light brown, light green, or hazel. They wear russets, reds, browns, and tans. Their cloaks are usually green or reddish brown.
 
*Half-elves: Not really a subrace ''per se'', half-elves are the offspring of humans and elves. Blending the features of human and elf, half-elves look like elves to humans and like humans to elves (hence their elven description as "half-human"). They do well with elves, [[human]]s, [[gnome]]s, [[dwarves]], and [[halfling]]s. In the case of conflicts between elves and humans, however, each side often suspects a half-elf mediator of favoring the other.
 
==History==
Elves inhabited the [[Flanaess]] for many centuries before the [[Great Migrations]] introduced  hordes of humans, orcs, and goblins who pushed them from the grasslands and prairies deep into the ancient forests that were their first home and most secure retreat.
 
Elves mark the time using the [[Olven Calendar]].
 
==Elven craftmanship and technology==
Elves are strongly associated with the following items (magic items are listed in ''italics''). Drow items are listed in the [[drow]] article:
 
===Armor===
*''Bearskin armor'' ''(RotW)''
*Elven chainmail
*Elven darkleaf armor ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven leafweave armor ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven plate armor ''(PHBR8)''
*Forestwarden shroud ''(RotW)''
*''Hawkfeather armor'' ''(RotW)''
*Thistledown armor ''(RotW)''
*Thistledown suit ''(RotW)''
*''Tigerskin armor'' ''(RotW)''
*Wildwood armor ''(RotW)''
*''Woodwalk'' armor
 
===Clothing and textiles===
*''Boots of elvenkind''
*''Cloak of elvenkind''
*Honey leather ''(PHBR8, RotW)''
*Sashling ''(PHBR8, RotW)''
*Thistledown ''(PHBR8)''
 
===Food and drink===
*Elven Aleeian wine ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven mead ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven moondrop ''(A&EG3E)''
*Feywine ''(PHBR8)''
 
===Musical instruments===
*Elven harp ''(PHBR8, RotW)''
 
===Tools and miscellaneous gear===
*Elven rope ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven tree tent ''(A&EG3E)''
 
===Weapons===
*Arrow, blunt ''(RotW)''
*Arrow, dragonsbreath ''(RotW)''
*''Arrow, elven leaf'' ''(A&EG3E)''
*Arrow, flare ''(PHBR8)''
*Arrow, message ''(PHBR8)''
*Arrow, serpentstongue ''(RotW)''
*Arrow, swiftwing ''(RotW)''
*''Bow of songs'' ''(A&EG3E)''
*Close fighting blade ''(RotW)''
*Elven(craft) bow ''(PHBR8, RotW)''
*Elven courtblade ''(RotW)''
*Elven double bow ''(A&EG3E)''
*Elven lightblade ''(RotW)''
*Elven thinblade ''(RotW)''
*''Hideaway'' weapons ''(RotW)''
*''Larethian protector'' ''(A&EG3E)''
*''Swordbow'' ''(RotW)''
 
===Artifacts and relics===
 
==Publication history==
The grugach and Valley elf first appeared in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #67 (November 1982) in the series "Featured Creatures," an ongoing series of articles where [[Gary Gygax]] released information on official creatures before their release in the upcoming ''[[Monster Manual II]]'' (1983).
 
==Bibliography==
*Cagle, Eric, [[Jesse Decker]], Jeff Quick, and [[James Wyatt]]. ''Arms and Equipment Guide''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
 
*Conforti, Steven, ed. ''Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign,'' version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip]
 
*[[David "Zeb" Cook|Cook, David]], ''et al''. ''Monstrous Compendium Volume One''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
 
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''The World of Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
*-----. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*-----. ''[[Unearthed Arcana]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
 
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
 
*McComb, Colin. ''The Complete Book of Elves''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
*-----. ''[[On Hallowed Ground]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
 
*[[Roger E. Moore|Moore, Roger E.]], and Georgia Moore. "The Gods of the Elves." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #60. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
*-----. ''[[The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
 
*Perry, Chris. "The Seldarine Revisited." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #236. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
*-----." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #251. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
 
*Reimer, David S. "In the Frost and the Snow." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990. Available online:[http://www.mvn.net/jimnellen/greyhawk/Frost/snowelves.htm]
 
*[[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[From the Ashes]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
*-----. ''[[Monster Mythology]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
*-----. ''Night Below: An Underdark Campaign''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
 
*[[Tweet, Jonathan]], [[Monte Cook]], and [[Skip Williams]]. ''Player's Handbook Core Rulebook I v.3.5''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
 
*Voskuil, Denise Lyn. "The Elfin Gods." ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
 
*[[Williams, Skip]]. ''Races of the Wild''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
 
*[[Skip Williams|Williams, Skip]], [[Jonathan Tweet]], and [[Monte Cook]]. ''Monster Manual''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
 
==External link==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_%28Dungeons_%26_Dragons%29 Elf article at Wikipedia].
 
 
[[Category:Greyhawk creatures]]

Revision as of 17:50, 6 December 2018

Template:Infobox Greyhawk creatureElves, also known as olves or olvenfolk in the Flan tongue, are one of the primary civilized races of the Flanaess. Elves speak Elven.

Ecology

Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and the bow. Becoming physically mature by the age of 25 and emotionally mature at around 125 (Races of the Wild, 2005), they are also famously long-lived, capable of living more than half a millennium and remaining physically youthful. They rarely die due to the wear of age. Possessed of innate beauty and easy gracefulness, they are viewed as both wondrous and haughty by other races; however, their natural detachment is seen by some as introversion or xenophobia.

There are several different subraces of elves, including aquatic elves, dark elves (drow), grey elves, high elves, snow elves, valley elves, wild elves (grugach), wood elves, and winged elves (avariel). The offspring of humans and elves are known as "half-elves" among humans, and as "half-humans" among elves.

Environment

Elves are most often associated with temperate forests, though this applies chiefly to high elves and wood elves. Aquatic elves are only found in temperate aquatic regions, and gray elves often prefer temperate mountains. Snow elves, drow, and grugach are found almost exclusively in cold mountains, the Underdark, and deep forests, respectively. Valley elves are rarely seen outside the Valley of the Mage.

In the Flanaess, large numbers of elves can be found in Celene, Highvale, the Lendore Isles, Sunndi, the Duchy of Ulek, the Valley of the Mage, the Vesve Forest, and the Vault of the Drow. Verbobonc was originally an elven settlement, though they have mostly left that region to the humans and gnomes. The City of Summer Stars is a lost and ruined elven community of fable and legend in the depths of the Adri Forest, now under a dreadful curse.

Typical physical characteristics

Slightly shorter than the average human, elves are also noticeably more slender and graceful (this is reflected in a bonus to dexterity and a constitution penalty), averaging between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet and 95 to 135 pounds. Males are slightly more muscular on average, there is little difference in height between the sexes, and facial hair is unheard of. Their features in general may be described as more angular and defined; including long, pointed ears and wide, almond-shaped eyes. Most elves have fair skin and dark hair, though this is no more true of all elves than it is of humans. They have a reputation for careful grooming, more so than perhaps any other race. This frequently extends to their clothing, which is luxurious and well-kept, though not to the point of impracticality.

Elves do not sleep as most other creatures do, instead falling into a four-hour restful trance. Consequently, elves are unaffected by sleep-inducing spells and effects, and are able to remain active far longer than other races.

Elves also do not age as other creatures; their physical appearances remain constant from achieving physical maturity to death. Elves do grow physically weaker and mentally stronger as they grow older, and accumulate a "glow" from the strength of their souls as they age (Races of the Wild, 2005).

Alignment

Most elves are usually chaotic good, though grugach tend to be neutral, Valley elves chaotic neutral, and drow neutral evil.

Society

Religion

Most elves, other than drow and Valley elves, follow the Seldarine, the elven pantheon, consisting of the following deities:

Members of the Seldarine, as depicted in Faiths and Pantheons (2002). From left to right, Angharradh (a Forgotten Realms goddess), Aerdrie Faenya, Corellon Larethian, Fenmarel Mestarine, Deep Sashelas, and Erevan Ilesere.
Members of the Seldarine, as depicted in Faiths and Pantheons (2002). From left to right, Hanali Celanil, Labelas Enoreth, Rillifane Rallathil, Sehanine Moonbow, Shevarash (a Forgotten Realms,, deity), and Solonor Thelandira.

While Corellon Larethian leads the Seldarine, most subraces also have a patron deity whom they hold in nearly equal regard. Deep Shahelas (and his wife, the dolphin goddess Trishina) for the aquatic elves, Fenmarel Mestarine for the grugach, Rillifane Rallathil for the wood elves, Tarsellis Meunniduin for the snow elves, and Aerdrie Faenya for the avariel.

The only deity known to be honored by the Valley elves is Ehlonna, who is also frequently worshipped by other elven peoples. Dark elves most often worship Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders, or one of her brood.

Elven subraces

Elves are of various sorts, including a marine race, all of which are detailed here.

  • Aquatic elves, or sea elves: Aquatic elves live beneath the waves and can breathe water as easily as their cousins on land breathe air. They have silverish-greenish skin and hair of green or blue-green. They are mortal enemies of sharks and sahuagin. They are friends to dolphins and surface elves, and neutral to all others, save for fishermen, who they dislike. Their chief god is Deep Sashelas.
  • Avariel, or sky elves. Also known as the "winged folk," these winged elves are very rare, but are believed to dwell in the Lortmil Mountains (LGG.143).
  • Drow, or dark elves: The "black elves" are only legend to most in the Flanaess. They are as dark as gray elves are bright and and as evil as the latter are good. Once surface elves themselves, they were transformed into drow and banished to the Underdark when they fell to the worship of demons and gods of elemental evil. Of all the elves they are the only ones that are inherently malevolent, and they hate their cousins with an undying passion. They are smaller than their cousins, both shorter and thinner. In addition, their skin resembles polished obsidian, and their hair is snow-white or silver.
  • Gray elves: These elves are the most noble of elves, yet also the most arrogant. They are of higher intellectual capabilities than other elves, but, despite the fact they are taller than high elves, they are physically weaker. They live in isolated mountain strongholds, and rarely allow access to outsiders. They have silver hair and amber eyes, or gold hair and violet eyes, and wear clothes of white, silver, yellow and gold, and usually wear regally colored cloaks. Those with gold hair are generally called faeries. They worship the standard elven pantheon.
  • Grugach: The most reclusive of all the elves, the wild elves pride themselves on their isolation and skill at keeping hidden. Their skin tends to be brown and they have similar colored hair which lightens with age.
  • High elves: High elves are the elves most commonly encountered by other races, and the most open and friendly of their kind. They travel to other lands more than other elves. They're generally dark-haired and green-eyed, with very pale complexions the color of new cream. They simply do not tan, no matter how much time they spend under Oerth's sun. High elves prefer to wear light pastels, blues and greens and violets, and often dwell in homes built into living wood, high in the trees.
  • Valley elves: Closely related to gray elves, Valley elves are the tallest of their kind, as tall as humans. They dwell only within the Valley of the Mage, though agents are occasionally sent outwards on missions for the master of the Vale. Because of their height, they can often pass as and infiltrate the societies of humans. Other elves despise Valley elves, believing they've sold out their dignity and independence for the fleeting protection of a human wizard - even worse that his lieutenant is a drow. They call the Valley elves by a disparaging name in their own language that connotates to "automaton" or "slave."
  • Wood Elves: Wood elves are a reclusive subrace. They place more emphasis on strength than learning. Wood elves are considered by other elven subraces (particularly the austere gray elves) to be boisterous and hedonistic. They have a zest for life and pleasure. They are more neutral than most elves, except the valley elves and grugach. Their complexions are fair, their hair is yellow to coppery red, and their eyes are light brown, light green, or hazel. They wear russets, reds, browns, and tans. Their cloaks are usually green or reddish brown.
  • Half-elves: Not really a subrace per se, half-elves are the offspring of humans and elves. Blending the features of human and elf, half-elves look like elves to humans and like humans to elves (hence their elven description as "half-human"). They do well with elves, humans, gnomes, dwarves, and halflings. In the case of conflicts between elves and humans, however, each side often suspects a half-elf mediator of favoring the other.

History

Elves inhabited the Flanaess for many centuries before the Great Migrations introduced hordes of humans, orcs, and goblins who pushed them from the grasslands and prairies deep into the ancient forests that were their first home and most secure retreat.

Elves mark the time using the Olven Calendar.

Elven craftmanship and technology

Elves are strongly associated with the following items (magic items are listed in italics). Drow items are listed in the drow article:

Armor

  • Bearskin armor (RotW)
  • Elven chainmail
  • Elven darkleaf armor (A&EG3E)
  • Elven leafweave armor (A&EG3E)
  • Elven plate armor (PHBR8)
  • Forestwarden shroud (RotW)
  • Hawkfeather armor (RotW)
  • Thistledown armor (RotW)
  • Thistledown suit (RotW)
  • Tigerskin armor (RotW)
  • Wildwood armor (RotW)
  • Woodwalk armor

Clothing and textiles

  • Boots of elvenkind
  • Cloak of elvenkind
  • Honey leather (PHBR8, RotW)
  • Sashling (PHBR8, RotW)
  • Thistledown (PHBR8)

Food and drink

  • Elven Aleeian wine (A&EG3E)
  • Elven mead (A&EG3E)
  • Elven moondrop (A&EG3E)
  • Feywine (PHBR8)

Musical instruments

  • Elven harp (PHBR8, RotW)

Tools and miscellaneous gear

  • Elven rope (A&EG3E)
  • Elven tree tent (A&EG3E)

Weapons

  • Arrow, blunt (RotW)
  • Arrow, dragonsbreath (RotW)
  • Arrow, elven leaf (A&EG3E)
  • Arrow, flare (PHBR8)
  • Arrow, message (PHBR8)
  • Arrow, serpentstongue (RotW)
  • Arrow, swiftwing (RotW)
  • Bow of songs (A&EG3E)
  • Close fighting blade (RotW)
  • Elven(craft) bow (PHBR8, RotW)
  • Elven courtblade (RotW)
  • Elven double bow (A&EG3E)
  • Elven lightblade (RotW)
  • Elven thinblade (RotW)
  • Hideaway weapons (RotW)
  • Larethian protector (A&EG3E)
  • Swordbow (RotW)

Artifacts and relics

Publication history

The grugach and Valley elf first appeared in Dragon #67 (November 1982) in the series "Featured Creatures," an ongoing series of articles where Gary Gygax released information on official creatures before their release in the upcoming Monster Manual II (1983).

Bibliography

  • Cagle, Eric, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt. Arms and Equipment Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
  • Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[1]
  • Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
  • McComb, Colin. The Complete Book of Elves. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
  • -----. On Hallowed Ground. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
  • Perry, Chris. "The Seldarine Revisited." Dragon #236. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
  • -----." Dragon #251. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
  • Reimer, David S. "In the Frost and the Snow." Dragon #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990. Available online:[2]
  • Voskuil, Denise Lyn. "The Elfin Gods." Dragon #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
  • Williams, Skip. Races of the Wild. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
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