Elves of Flanaess | Calenor, - Traits

This is 'GLP Lore' NOT Greyhawk Canon!

Grey skinned elf

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 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 what inspires you!

This is the second installment in my Elves of Calenor series. One of my players recently asked about elven age, appearance, and emotions, which inspired me to write this article exploring how I envision these aspects in my Greyhawk. I may expand on this list based on questions from readers or my players, but for now, this serves as a solid foundation.

Age - Length

Becoming physically mature by the age of 25 and emotionally mature at around 125, they are also famously long-lived, capable of living 350 years or close to half a millennium and remaining physically youthful. Some rare individuals have become 800-1000 years however.

Given the average age span of 400 years, with some reaching 800 years, we can assume that the elves only have about 7 generations of history. With so few generations over the millennia, it is easier to understand why the elves’ long lives can also be a curse for the survival of their lineage. Though they have little desire to rule over others—preferring instead to guide and advise—some claim their influence can be excessive. Even so, elven nations have fought several wars of preservation, which have further diminished their numbers.

In the days when the elves held vast forest realms, their populations never reached into the hundreds of thousands; their density was always low per square kilometer. As human expansion pushed them back, the elves were forced—reluctantly and with great sorrow—to relinquish large swaths of woodland. In response, they consolidated their numbers, forming larger, more centralised settlements.

Age - personality

Longevity gives them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. Their extended life span allows elves to take the long view, meaning 300 - 500 years from now, in nearly every endeavour. Shorter lived cultures such as humans have a hard time grasping this fact. Elves rarely hurry, preferring to take the time to contemplate an action and its potential consequences before committing to it.

What elves fear is boredom. For if you are just relaxing the days away without purpose you will dwindle and die.

As we mentioned above, elves do not care as much about rulership over others. They do not write down a set of laws and rules and they do not perse have a king or Queen ruling over them. Their society, government and decision-making is based on expertise rather than by politicians or hereditary rulers. Those who know the most are valued the most. Talent, effort, and achievement (merit) rather than inherited privilege, wealth, or background is of importance. An example is the Kingdom of Celene with its Queen where, although for outside politics Celene has a Queen ruler, she is but one of many that make up the council who "rules" over Celene. The Queen, being quite old and skilled, is the strongest voice at the table however.

Physical

Possessing an innate unearthly grace and fine features, they appear hauntingly beautiful to many humans and members of a few other cultures. They are generally slightly shorter and are more slender than humans, weighing only 50 to 70 kg. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.

They have no facial hair, little body hair and their skin colour can range from pale to brown and in the case of having Flan blood in one's heritage could be dark brown. Even though their bodies grow weaker, they enjoy good health and physical beauty until the moment of death.

All elves have point tipped ears and beautiful and unique hazel eyes (blend of brown, green and gold).

Moon sight

This is the elven name for low-light vision. Elves possess eyes far more sensitive to light and can see in dim light as though it were bright light, still distinguishing colours. This means that they ignore the concealed condition due to dim light. This means that in conditions of poor illumination, elves see twice the distance of humans.

Self-sufficiency

More than any other trait, an inherent respect for individualism shapes an elf’s behaviour. Elves strive for both self-sufficiency and harmony with the land, fostering an attitude that assumes others are equally capable of caring for themselves unless visibly ill or injured. This perspective can make elves seem aloof, indifferent, or even unhelpful to other cultures.

In reality, elves are no less compassionate or willing to assist those in need than others. However, their deep respect for personal boundaries often keeps them from offering unsolicited aid, particularly to those who appear capable of handling their own affairs and have not explicitly asked for help.

Expression of emotion

Elves view the free expression of sorrow and joy as both a personal right and a societal cornerstone. To them, emotions are meant to be shared openly, without judgment or stigma. Laughing or crying in public is seen as natural, and an elf who evokes such emotions in others through story or song is celebrated. However, elves who spend significant time among other races often adapt to cultural norms, learning to temper their emotions in public. They frequently use dry humour to veil profound feelings, maintaining composure while still expressing themselves subtly.

A unique aspect of elven existence is their innate ability to share experiences, emotions, and lives with those they love implicitly. This deeply personal connection, known as communion, can only occur between elves who hold no reservations or doubts about one another. For communion to succeed, the participants must achieve complete serenity, focusing wholly on the other and shedding all judgments or prejudices. This preparation can be lengthy, sometimes taking a fortnight or more before the bond is formed.

Once in communion, the elves share a profound connection, allowing them to sense one another’s heightened emotions or stress across great distances. At times, their dreams intertwine, feeling vivid and almost real, though the sleeping elves have no control over these visions. (Game system note: Communion does not grant free telepathy.)

This intimate bond reflects the elven emphasis on trust and unity, forming a link that transcends physical boundaries and reinforces the depth of their relationships.

Fascination with Art

Elves, with their extraordinary lifespans and patience far exceeding that of most other cultures, possess a profound appreciation for intricate art in all its forms. To them, art encompasses music, dance, sculpture, poetry, architecture, painting, and virtually any craft one can imagine. Their deep connection to the natural world is reflected in every creation, as their works often draw inspiration from the beauty of the land around them.

Elves approach art with meticulous care, striving to perfect every detail, no matter how small. This pursuit of excellence is not driven by haste but by a desire to evoke emotion and capture the essence of their subject. Renowned elven artists hold a revered place in elven society, for their creations often stir profound feelings, leaving an indelible impression on those who experience them.

Whether through a haunting melody, an intricate carving, or an awe-inspiring structure, elven art resonates deeply, embodying the harmony between their culture and the natural world they cherish.

Elven Names

Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, which typically happens some time after their hundredth birthday. Before this period, they are called by their child name. Upon declaring adulthood, an elf chooses an adult name, though those who knew them in their youth may continue to use the child name. Each adult name is unique to the individual, though it may be inspired by the names of respected figures or other family members.

There is little distinction between male and female names in elven culture; the names listed here reflect only general tendencies. For elves, the act of choosing an adult name marks a significant milestone in their life, symbolizing both their growth and their connection to the world around them.

Elven Language

The first elven society spoke 'Old Elvish' (Tahlaseth = "Speech of the Dawn"), a language that, as far as we know, no longer exists on Oerth. The closest current language to this ancient tongue is King's elven (Vanyaleth = "Noble Speech") which is spoken by those elves around or older than 800 years. The most commonly heard elven dialect is 'High Elven' (Quelassir = "Exalted Speech") which is spoken by most elves in the world. Lastly we have the Sylvan tongue, a peculiar dialect that comes from an older dialect called Sylvin. Western Sylvin is the language used by the elven inhabitants of the forests of Gorthalareth (Dreadwood) and Erynduial (Dim Forest).

Family Life

Visitors to elven communities are often puzzled by the apparent absence of family life as they might expect it in other cultures. In truth, elves love their families just as deeply as most other ancestries; however, they do not feel the need to spend all their time in constant proximity to their relatives. With lifespans that span centuries, elves have ample time to nurture family bonds, but they also value pursuing other interests and connections throughout their long lives. This means that most elves know all other elves within their realm as they spend quite a lot of time together, often in group events.

When an elf is pregnant, she is expected to adjust her activities as needed to ensure the health and safety of both herself and her child. Elven children are rare, making each new life an immensely precious gift to the entire community. It is a shared responsibility—everyone in the community contributes to supporting the expectant mother and caring for the child once it is born. The elven saying "It takes a village to raise a child" is not just a metaphor for them, but a literal and cherished practice.

Elves do not get pregnant easily due to the fact that, although they are primarily creatures of the prime material plane (Oerth), they need the Spirit Spark (see Faegildin below) to be present. This spark can be more spiritually alive at certain times in the year, such as at certain lunar phases, or at certain elven locations of significant religious or spiritual importance. One must also find the right person to spiritually connect with, with enough of the spark to allow for a new pregnancy. Doing elven activities will increase the spark levels. Elven women mostly have children when they are aged 100 - 200 years old. After that it becomes harder, a female elf has only 2% chance to get pregnant after 400 years of age.

Religion

The elves have various rituals, but what you see of religion tends to fit more under the looser label of spirituality. Religion-wise they worship a pantheon rather than a singular deity and their way of worship differs considerably from human ways. Their pantheon is quite large as it also encompasses their ancestors of long ago who lived over 1000 years on Oerth and became full divine-fey creatures.

Religion is elven spirituality and tells elves how to be elven. This way of life has been passed on throughout the generations and holds a very strong influence over the elves and their relationship to 'Faefildin'.

Faegildin {fie-GHIL-deen}

Faegildin, translated as the "Spirit Spark," exists within every elf and in certain sacred locations across Oerth. So long as an elf lives according to the spiritual laws of their Pantheon, their individual Faegildin will not dwindle. When an elf passes their first century and continues to live closely to the "way of the elves," they may gain more Faegildin—gradually becoming less a part of Oerth and more a part of the Fae realm.

The presence of Faegildin varies from barely noticeable to clearly evident. Elves who surpass 500 years have reached a venerable age, often exceeding normal expectancy, by remaining true to elven traditions. It is the Faegildin within that keeps them strong and ageless. These elder elves often possess a distinct, yet nearly imperceptible "aura" and may display minor fey-like physical alterations. This is why humans refer to them as Grey Elves with a sense of profound awe.

A Grey Elf who reaches an age of 800 to 1,000 years begins to feel the thread of life stretched thin, feeling disconnected from the world as their soul becomes mostly Fae. To survive, these elves must seek out a spiritual location at the proper time of year and step fully into the Fae realm to join their ancestors.

They have not died; they have simply relocated. Because of this, on very unique occasions, it is actually possible for an elf who "passed" to that realm 3,000 years ago to step back into Oerth, if only briefly.

The Grugach deserve special mention here; they are naturally gifted with the Faegildin from birth. In them, the spark manifests frequently as distinct fey-like physical traits or unique emotional characteristics.

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It is important to note, however, that while most elves do not differ significantly in physical appearance, their culture is heavily influenced by where they live. The environment in which an elf grows up plays a crucial role in shaping their values, behaviours, and social structures.

This cultural variation is explored further in the Elven Heritage chapters.

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