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{{Creature | {{Creature | ||
|name = | |name = | ||
|image = [[File: | |image = [[File:SnowElf02.png|150px|A snow elf, depicted in ''Frostburn'' (2004), art by Dabid Griffith.]] | ||
|caption = | |caption = | ||
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|alignment = Neutral | |alignment = Neutral | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Snow elves''' are a subtype of [[elf|elves]] who live in the extreme arctic regions of [[Crystalmists]] in the [[Flanaess]]. | '''Snow elves''' are a subtype of [[elf|elves]] who live in the extreme arctic regions of [[Crystalmists]] in the [[Flanaess]]. | ||
== Description == | |||
=== Typical physical characteristics === | |||
Snow elves are very thin and wiry, but surprisingly tough and even more shockingly tall, with men typically reaching 7ft and women as much as 6'4".{{cite dragon|155|26}} The typical snow elf has light brown or tan skin, white or pale blond hair{{cite dragon|155|26}} which is often curly{{csb|Frostburn|34-35}}, and white{{csb|Frostburn|34-35}} or silver eyes.{{cite dragon|155||In the Frost and the Snow|note= David. S Reimer}} They prefer wearing only white materials, including jewelry made from bone or silver traded from [[valley elf|valley elves]]. | |||
They have surprisingly short lifespans, for elves, only living around 750 to 900 years making them the shortest-lived elves in the [[Flanaess]].{{cite dragon|155|26}} Most other elves, except Valley elves, look down on snow elves for this reason, seeing them as little better than humans with a misplaced sense of pride. They have trained [[hoar fox]]es and bears for pets and guards. | |||
=== Clothing === | |||
Snow elves dislike working metal, due to their dislike of fire, and avoid wearing metal due to their cold environment. They instead prefer furs, leathers and hide- even that of white dragons if they succeed in obtaining any. They've succeeded in making dragonhide armour that is as flexible as elven chain, although only 7th level and higher druids among the snow elves now how to make such armour. This is given to respected individuals among the snow elves and occasionally gifted to valley elves (who in turn provide the snow elves with any worked metal they need). | |||
== Personality == | |||
It is true that snow elves are incredibly haughty, treating most other races, even other elves as completely beneath them. | |||
==Abilities == | |||
The snow elves have only been given statistics in two editions. | |||
* +1 Dex, +1 Con, -2 Cha— first edition{{cite dragon|155|26}} | |||
* +2 Dex, -2 Cha—third edition{{csb|Frostburn|34-35}} | |||
They otherwise have the abilities of their kin, including resistance to ''sleep'', improved vision, etc. based on the edition. | |||
In first edition, snow elves trade their attack bonus with swords and bows for the same bonus with javelins and spears.{{cite dragon|155|26}} They additionally have a +1 on saving throws against any form of cold attack or condition.{{cite dragon|155|26}} In third edition, they have "no physical resistance to the cold."{{csb|Frostburn|34-35}} | |||
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
=== Environment === | === Environment === | ||
Snow elves live in the snowy peaks of the [[Crystalmists]], and perhaps can be found in other such places, but strangely not in the snowy plains of [[Blackmoor]] or the lands of Black Ice. | |||
=== Alignment === | === Alignment === | ||
The culture of the snow elves is generally neutral in alignment. | |||
==Society == | ==Society == | ||
Living in small clans of up to 30 members, in small villages of huts shaped from woven trees and furs, | === Settlements === | ||
Living in small clans of up to 30 members, in small villages of huts shaped from woven trees and furs, snow elves are extremely territorial, controlling areas of up to 60 square miles for large 30 member clans or 20 square miles for smaller 10 member clans. | |||
Snow elves use a musical instrument called Keras, which are | === Culture === | ||
Snow elves use a musical instrument called Keras, which are like alpenhorns. These long horns, (4ft-20ft) made from wood or mammoth tusk, are used to communicate across long distances in complex codes or play out of festivals and holy days. Clans will not hesitate to aid each other, especially in helping fight against non-snow elves, and will often gather in spring and autumn for festivals and holy days. While a snow elf would never turn away or ignore another of their kind in need, many times the troubled snow elf will be too proud to ask for help. | |||
=== | === Magic === | ||
Arcane arts among the snow elves has grown over the centuries, in preference to clerical ones. Druidic magic is also highly calued.{{cite dragon|155|27}} | |||
=== Language === | |||
=== Religion === | === Religion === | ||
Much of their worship is Druidic, focused on shrines built upon places of power (where the boundaries between the material plane and elemental planes of ice, air or earth are thin), but many of these shrines are dedicated to [[Tarsellis Meunniduin]], the lesser elven god of mountains and wilderness, of whom the snow elves consider themselves the direct descendants of. [[Rellavar Danuvien]], the Seldarine deity of protection from frost and snow, also sees worship from many | Much of their worship is Druidic, focused on shrines built upon places of power (where the boundaries between the material plane and elemental planes of ice, air or earth are thin), but many of these shrines are dedicated to [[Tarsellis Meunniduin]], the lesser elven god of mountains and wilderness, of whom the snow elves consider themselves the direct descendants of. [[Rellavar Danuvien]], the Seldarine deity of protection from frost and snow, also sees worship from many snow elves. | ||
Male snow elves prefer becoming fighters, rangers or thieves, while female snow elves favour magic users. Druids are drawn from both sexes. Mixed classes are uncommon. | |||
=== Relationships === | |||
They get along well enough with valley elves but do not tolerate the presence of drow to the point of having no self-preservation. | |||
This, combined with general elven attitudes, led to cold and distant relations with other elves. Valley elves, the other shunned elven race and neighbours, and snow elves better tolerate each other through their shared position of elven outcasts. snow elves don't tend to have a good relationship with non-elven races either, especially humans, as snow elves are wont to raid and attack them. | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
There is a disaffection between snow elves and their kin which arises from time immemorial. The snow elf clans were deceived into allowing the drow to escape through their territories in return for a price.{{cite dragon|155|27}} The snow elves claimed not to know how far the drow had fallen in their demon worship, but this event is still seen as a gross betrayal by other elves.{{cite dragon|155|27}} | |||
==Rumors & Legends== | ==Rumors & Legends== | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
| Line 42: | Line 70: | ||
Snow elves were available to play in Living Greyhawk providing the player had a reward card (Set 1, Card 1: Ice Cities of the Crystalmist)<ref>{{cite web |title=Campaign Cards, Set 1, Spring 2007 |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/dndlg/20070529a |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090603045023/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/dndlg/20070529a |archivedate=14 October 2007 |work=Living Greyhawk |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |date=29 May 2007 |accessdate=20 August 2022}}</ref> which instead referenced the snow elves found in Frostburn: | Snow elves were available to play in Living Greyhawk providing the player had a reward card (Set 1, Card 1: Ice Cities of the Crystalmist)<ref>{{cite web |title=Campaign Cards, Set 1, Spring 2007 |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/dndlg/20070529a |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090603045023/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/dndlg/20070529a |archivedate=14 October 2007 |work=Living Greyhawk |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |date=29 May 2007 |accessdate=20 August 2022}}</ref> which instead referenced the snow elves found in Frostburn: | ||
<blockquote>'''Ice Cities of the Crystalmists''' | Creation<blockquote>''“Our race is like that of a snowflake, we are a myriad of personalities and mysteries.”''<br />—Lathian Frostdrift, snow elf scribe</blockquote>Explorers into the farthest reaches of the ice sometimes return with stories of magnificent ice cities built atop remote mountaintops that are inhabited by snow elves, folk with eyes as white as snow and hair that coils like fragile wisps of cloud. The snow elves are similar to their brethren, but are hardier, due to living in harsher conditions.<br />'''Benefit:''' You may take the Crystalmist Mountains as your home region. You cannot change your home region. This card unlocks the snow elf subrace from Frostburn. Snow elves are similar to high elves (the standard elven race in the Player’s Handbook), but their ability modifiers are +2 Dexterity and -2 Charisma, instead of the normal elven modifiers.</blockquote> | <blockquote>'''Ice Cities of the Crystalmists''' | Creation<blockquote>''“Our race is like that of a snowflake, we are a myriad of personalities and mysteries.”''<br />—Lathian Frostdrift, snow elf scribe</blockquote>Explorers into the farthest reaches of the ice sometimes return with stories of magnificent ice cities built atop remote mountaintops that are inhabited by snow elves, folk with eyes as white as snow and hair that coils like fragile wisps of cloud. The snow elves are similar to their brethren, but are hardier, due to living in harsher conditions.<br />'''Benefit:''' You may take the Crystalmist Mountains as your home region. You cannot change your home region. This card unlocks the snow elf subrace from Frostburn. Snow elves are similar to high elves (the standard elven race in the Player’s Handbook), but their ability modifiers are +2 Dexterity and -2 Charisma, instead of the normal elven modifiers.</blockquote> | ||
==See Also== | |||
== Publication history == | == Publication history == | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
==== ''' | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery> | |||
File:SnowElves01.jpg|by Jamie Lambardo, ''[[Dragon]]'' magazine #155 (March 1990). | |||
</gallery> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 09:54, 14 February 2023
| Snow elf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Type: | Humanoid |
| Subtype: | Elf |
| First appearance: | "Into the Frost and Snow", Dragon #155, 1990 |
Snow elves are a subtype of elves who live in the extreme arctic regions of Crystalmists in the Flanaess.
Description
Typical physical characteristics
Snow elves are very thin and wiry, but surprisingly tough and even more shockingly tall, with men typically reaching 7ft and women as much as 6'4".[1] The typical snow elf has light brown or tan skin, white or pale blond hair[1] which is often curly[2], and white[2] or silver eyes.[3] They prefer wearing only white materials, including jewelry made from bone or silver traded from valley elves.
They have surprisingly short lifespans, for elves, only living around 750 to 900 years making them the shortest-lived elves in the Flanaess.[1] Most other elves, except Valley elves, look down on snow elves for this reason, seeing them as little better than humans with a misplaced sense of pride. They have trained hoar foxes and bears for pets and guards.
Clothing
Snow elves dislike working metal, due to their dislike of fire, and avoid wearing metal due to their cold environment. They instead prefer furs, leathers and hide- even that of white dragons if they succeed in obtaining any. They've succeeded in making dragonhide armour that is as flexible as elven chain, although only 7th level and higher druids among the snow elves now how to make such armour. This is given to respected individuals among the snow elves and occasionally gifted to valley elves (who in turn provide the snow elves with any worked metal they need).
Personality
It is true that snow elves are incredibly haughty, treating most other races, even other elves as completely beneath them.
Abilities
The snow elves have only been given statistics in two editions.
They otherwise have the abilities of their kin, including resistance to sleep, improved vision, etc. based on the edition.
In first edition, snow elves trade their attack bonus with swords and bows for the same bonus with javelins and spears.[1] They additionally have a +1 on saving throws against any form of cold attack or condition.[1] In third edition, they have "no physical resistance to the cold."[2]
Ecology
Environment
Snow elves live in the snowy peaks of the Crystalmists, and perhaps can be found in other such places, but strangely not in the snowy plains of Blackmoor or the lands of Black Ice.
Alignment
The culture of the snow elves is generally neutral in alignment.
Society
Settlements
Living in small clans of up to 30 members, in small villages of huts shaped from woven trees and furs, snow elves are extremely territorial, controlling areas of up to 60 square miles for large 30 member clans or 20 square miles for smaller 10 member clans.
Culture
Snow elves use a musical instrument called Keras, which are like alpenhorns. These long horns, (4ft-20ft) made from wood or mammoth tusk, are used to communicate across long distances in complex codes or play out of festivals and holy days. Clans will not hesitate to aid each other, especially in helping fight against non-snow elves, and will often gather in spring and autumn for festivals and holy days. While a snow elf would never turn away or ignore another of their kind in need, many times the troubled snow elf will be too proud to ask for help.
Magic
Arcane arts among the snow elves has grown over the centuries, in preference to clerical ones. Druidic magic is also highly calued.[4]
Language
Religion
Much of their worship is Druidic, focused on shrines built upon places of power (where the boundaries between the material plane and elemental planes of ice, air or earth are thin), but many of these shrines are dedicated to Tarsellis Meunniduin, the lesser elven god of mountains and wilderness, of whom the snow elves consider themselves the direct descendants of. Rellavar Danuvien, the Seldarine deity of protection from frost and snow, also sees worship from many snow elves.
Male snow elves prefer becoming fighters, rangers or thieves, while female snow elves favour magic users. Druids are drawn from both sexes. Mixed classes are uncommon.
Relationships
They get along well enough with valley elves but do not tolerate the presence of drow to the point of having no self-preservation. This, combined with general elven attitudes, led to cold and distant relations with other elves. Valley elves, the other shunned elven race and neighbours, and snow elves better tolerate each other through their shared position of elven outcasts. snow elves don't tend to have a good relationship with non-elven races either, especially humans, as snow elves are wont to raid and attack them.
History
There is a disaffection between snow elves and their kin which arises from time immemorial. The snow elf clans were deceived into allowing the drow to escape through their territories in return for a price.[4] The snow elves claimed not to know how far the drow had fallen in their demon worship, but this event is still seen as a gross betrayal by other elves.[4]
Rumors & Legends
Appearances
Living Greyhawk
Snow elves were available to play in Living Greyhawk providing the player had a reward card (Set 1, Card 1: Ice Cities of the Crystalmist)[5] which instead referenced the snow elves found in Frostburn:
Ice Cities of the Crystalmists | Creation
“Our race is like that of a snowflake, we are a myriad of personalities and mysteries.”
—Lathian Frostdrift, snow elf scribeExplorers into the farthest reaches of the ice sometimes return with stories of magnificent ice cities built atop remote mountaintops that are inhabited by snow elves, folk with eyes as white as snow and hair that coils like fragile wisps of cloud. The snow elves are similar to their brethren, but are hardier, due to living in harsher conditions.
Benefit: You may take the Crystalmist Mountains as your home region. You cannot change your home region. This card unlocks the snow elf subrace from Frostburn. Snow elves are similar to high elves (the standard elven race in the Player’s Handbook), but their ability modifiers are +2 Dexterity and -2 Charisma, instead of the normal elven modifiers.
See Also
Publication history
External Links
Gallery
-
by Jamie Lambardo, Dragon magazine #155 (March 1990).
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f Dragon #155 (Mar 1990), p.26.
- ↑ a b c d Frostburn, p.34-35.
- ↑ "In the Frost and the Snow". Dragon #155 (Mar 1990) David. S Reimer
- ↑ a b c Dragon #155 (Mar 1990), p.27.
- ↑ Campaign Cards, Set 1, Spring 2007. Living Greyhawk. Wizards of the Coast , 29 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved on 20 August 2022.
Bibliography
- Reimer, David. Dragon #155. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Mar 1990.
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 |
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