Elves

Mystara is home to numerous clans of elves. These elves differ little from the description provided in the Player's Handbook. However, centuries of isolation have provided for some diversity in culture, physical description, and in rare cases, racial abilities.

For more information on elves, see GAZ 1: The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, GAZ 3: The Principalities of Glantri, GAZ 5: The Elves of Alfheim, GAZ 9: The Minrothad Guilds, and Dawn of the Emperors.

The Elves of Alfheim

The Kingdom of Alfheim is considered the elven capital of the Known World. The enchanted forest which makes up the whole of this land was created by elves migrating from the distant and overpopulated Sylvan Realm. With powerful elven magics and the help of their Immortal patron, Ilsundal, they were able to transform a land of barren steppes into the forest called Canolbarth by the humans.

The elves who inhabit Alfheim are slender and graceful. They usually stand between 5' and 5'6" tall and weigh around 120 pounds. They have delicate features and pointed ears. The elves of Alfheim are generally fair-skinned and fair-haired; they tan lightly and never sunburn.

Unlike the elves in the Player's Handbook, Mystaran elves do not "trance" and require sleep just as the other races do.

Racial Abilities: The elves of Alfheim have all of the elven racial traits listed on page 16 of the Player's Handbook except as follows:

Other Migrations

Not all of the elves of the Known World are immigrants from the Sylvan Realm, and not all immigrants settled in the Kingdom of Alfheim. Most of these elves share the same racial abilities as those described above, the only difference generally being the local human tongue.

Racial Abilities: Unless otherwise stated, assume the following elven clans use the same racial abilities as the elves of Alfheim (above).

Belcadiz

These elves are not from Alfheim, but are very prominent in nearby Glantri. They have names and mannerisms with a Spanish flavor. They are fiery, proud, and contentious. They are much more cosmopolitan than their forest-dwelling cousins.

Callarri

These elves were also part of the migration from the Sylvan Realm, but they decided to settle in the deep forests of what is now the Grand Duchy of Karameikos.

Erewan

This elven clan, found in Glantri, was founded by separatists from the Erendyl clan of Alfheim. Unlike the Belcadiz, however, the Erewan have retained their sylvan way of life.

Meditor

The "Water Elves" of Minrothad are much paler and tow-headed in comparison to elves of the mainland. Another striking difference is that long ago they left the way of the forest in favor of Elendaen (the Ocean Path). These sea-sailing elves do not follow Ilsundal. Instead, they worship Calitha Starbrow, an elven Immortal of the sea.

Shiye-Lawr

These elves, living in the heavily-forested heart of the Alphatian Empire, were not a part of the migration. They worship Eiryndal, not Ilsundal, but still maintain a sylvan way of life. Unlike the elves in the rest of the world, they have a slightly more menacing reputation.

Verdier

Called "Wood Elves" or "Forest Elves" by the humans of Minrothad, these elves reside in the inland forests of Alfeisle. These elves maintain their ancestral way of life, called Dainrouw, or "The Forest Way." They worship Ordana, rather than Ilsundal.

Vyalia

Like the Callarri, these elves also migrated from the Sylvan Realm. They can be found in the western forests of the Empire of Thyatis.

Wendar

To the north of Glantri lies the Elf-kingdom of Wendar. This heavily-forested land is populated by humans and elves (who were not part of the migration from the Sylvan Realm).

The Aquarendi

These legendary elves are rumored to live beneath the waters of the Sea of Dread. Those few who know the tale say they left dry land long before the Great Rain of Fire and have since adapted to life under the ocean.

The Shadow-Elves

The elves of Alfheim speak in hushed tones of a lost tribe who live deep beneath the Broken Lands. Seeking refuge from the Rain of Fire, these elves burrowed deep into the ground. It is said they plot revenge against the surface elves for abandoning them to their subterranean existence.

Centuries of life underground has reportedly given them very pale complexions and white hair, along with enlarged ears and eyes. Of course, by human standards, that description fits many elves, leading one to believe the mysterious "Shadow-Elves" are nothing more than stories told to frighten naughty elven children.