Elves of Flanaess | Calenor - Types

A Dark Elf by Elena Zambelli

This is 'GLP Lore' NOT Greyhawk Canon!

Note from Oronir:

I’ve always felt that Greyhawk carries a distinctly Tolkienesque essence or at least I like to think that when looking at the elves. That said, players portraying Greyhawk elves often feel too much as humans with low-light vision, which makes me question—why bother? Elves should feel like a distinct species, not just humans with a few extra traits. To address this, I’ll be creating a series of articles exploring the elves of Greyhawk as I imagine them to help my players. Take from these ideas whatever inspires you!

What? You Do Not Call These Lands 'The Flanaess'?

We stand on the world of Oerth, where our attention is drawn to a vast continent. It is not the only one on this world, but it is the one we will focus on today. The Oeridian refer to the entire continent—east and west alike—as Oerik. The eastern part of this continent, stretching from the Crystalmist Mountains to the Solnor Ocean, was named _The Flanaess_ by the Oeridians. They derived this name from the Flannae, the indigenous humans who first claimed these land before the Oeridian's arrival. Over time, the term was adopted by other human cultures that came to settle in these eastern lands. It is a distinctly human-centric assumption to expect all peoples to call these lands The Flanaess.

The elves have a far older name for this region: Calenor {CAL-ee-nor}, meaning The Green Land. For millennia, this name has endured in the elven tongues, a reflection of their perspective and reverence for the natural world. To the elves, the difference in naming the place everyone call home serve as a reminder of differing worldviews.

And what of Oerth itself? Do the elves call it something else?

Indeed, they do. To them, this world is Dórnothilian {dor-NOTH-ee-lee-ahn}, meaning Land Under the Moons, a poetic nod to the twin orbs that illuminate Oerth’s skies.

What? They are all the same?

It is a common misconception that elves are divided into distinct sub-ancestries, each with unique physical and mental characteristics. This belief again reflects a human-centric way of interpreting the world. In truth, the physical differences between elves are almost negligible. What sets them apart is their cultural differences, shaped by the regions they inhabit. More on this topic will be explored in the next chapters concerning Heritages.

Let's discover the truth in the following examples.

High Elves

The elves of Highfolk, residing in the Vesve Forest, were historically the first to open their doors to other cultures. Humans, perceiving their openness and willingness to engage, began calling them High Elves—a term not used by elves themselves. Over time, this label expanded to describe any elf who displayed a similar attitude toward non-elven cultures. Elves who travel frequently, live within non-elven societies, or welcome non-elves into their communities are often grouped under this term. Yet, there is no physiological difference between so-called High Elves and any other elf.

Grey Elves

Confusion deepens when shorter-lived people meet elder elves—some over 500 years old. Such longevity often feels implausible to humans, who coined the term Grey Elves for these ancient figures. The name originates from the silvery-grey hair and otherworldly eyes that many elder elves develop. While it is true that these elves often act differently due to their vast experience, they are not a distinct sub-ancestry. Most elves who live beyond 500 years begin to focus on academic, magical, or artistic pursuits, achieving levels of mastery that seem almost supernatural. In rare cases, an elf may live up to 1,000 years, though they will have lost the ability to reproduce a long time ago, and may show slight physical frailty.

Sylvan Elves

Travelers exploring ancient forests may encounter elves who have built settlements deep in the wilderness, living in profound harmony with nature. These elves are often called Sylvan Elves by outsiders. Their reclusive lifestyle, centred in the primordial hearts of forests, has earned them this label. They are no different from other elves and a Sylvan Elf who lives beyond 500 years will be called a Grey Elf by non-elves, further compounding the confusion.

Dark Elves, Mornedhel

As a rule, elven culture tends to align with good or indifferent values, with evil thoughts rarely clouding their minds. On a very rare occasion, however, an elf may develop an entirely self-serving, destructive nature. These individuals, often marked by a physical taint (skin tone difference or other malformity) that reflects their corruption , are known as Dark Elves to other cultures. The elves themselves call such individuals Mornedhel {mor-NETH-el}, or Dark Ones. Contrary to popular human-centric myth, these elves do not prefer the darkness, live in caves, nor possess dark skin. They can walk unnoticed among other elves, their malice hidden beneath an ordinary exterior.

Wild Elves, Grugarch

There is, however, one group of elves that truly differs from the rest, even in physical stature, tending to be slightly smaller of stature: the Grugach, often called Wild Elves by humans. Unlike Sylvan Elves, the Grugach live in complete harmony with the wilderness, embracing a primitive, nomadic lifestyle. They wear minimal clothing in warm climates and adapt their attire only as necessary for survival in harsher regions. Encounters with Grugach are rare due to their limited numbers and their deliberate isolation. They shun contact with other cultures, preferring the solitude of deep forests and the company of wild animals.

Despite their reclusiveness, the Grugach are not seen as outcasts by other elves. Instead, they are respected for remaining true to the ways of their ancient ancestors. Many Grugach are blessed with the Faegildin {fie-GHIL-deen} —a spark of fey magic that connects them more deeply to their primal roots.

-----

The next article will delve into various general facts about elves, including their lifespan, physical traits, personality, and more Click here.

---

☕ Support my work via Ko-Fi

🛍️ Support the Cause — the Easy Way

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

🧝‍♀️Discover our Tier 1 and Tier 2 Membership and our Project sponsor meters.