Elves are humanoids with fey ancestry. They are known for their pointed ears, lithe build, and exceedingly long lifespans.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Elves are similar to humans in many respects, though they are first identified by their long, pointed ears. Elves often have an almost supernatural beauty about them, a hint at their fey origin. Elves are slightly shorter than humans, ranging from less than 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They tend to be lighter than humans, weighing around 110 pounds, though there are exceptions.
Most elves have skin tones akin to humans, those native to northern climates (such as the Greying Wildlands) often having pale skin, while those originating from the deserts of Marquet have dark skin. Their hair typically matches those of humans as well.
Drow often have dark gray skin, though it can also range from deep blue to dark purple. Their hair is typically white. Dark elves are also shorter than other elves, averaging around only 5 feet tall. Pallid elves have pure white skin and hair, with pure black eyes. Sea elves' skin ranges in shades of blue-green.
Personality[]
Most elves are born with the same lust for life as any other being. But as the years take over, witnessing and contemplating the terrors of the Scattered War or sorrows of the Icelost Years, elves have tendency to become haughty, aloof, and unconcerned with the day-to-day joys and sorrows of the shorter-lived races.[6]
History[]
The elves are the first race believed to have been created by the gods on Exandria. These "First Children" were made in the Fey Realm by Corellon, the Arch Heart. It is possible they were created in Corellon's image, or that Corellon and similar-minded gods took the form of their creation.[7]
During the Founding, one way elves applied the gift of magic was to protect and nurture their gardens. One of their cities was ejected from Exandria when the gods and the primordials combined efforts to seal Predathos inside Ruidus. The elves that lived in that chunk of the planet witnessed this with fear and eventual acceptance, and although they died, their gardens survived under the surface of the new moon, retaining some of their magic.[8]
Artagan and "Mister Demeanor", by Aviv Or and Cris Peter from The Tales of Exandria: Artagan #1.[art 2]
When the elemental titans started fighting the gods and their creations, some of the primeval elves managed to defeat a primordial known as the Molten Titan, who ended up buried in the earth and creating the Daggerbay Mountains; the range would eventually act as a default boundary, helping these elves protect their land after humans began to colonize the continent.[9] At some point before or during the Calamity the archfey Artagan, who had already interacted with elven communities, causing chaos among the population and revealing magical secrets to a few of them,[10] tricked a nascent elven culture into worshiping "Mister Demeanor", a whale carcass.[11]
During the Calamity, the elves of Wildemount fled to the Feywild and performed a ritual encasing their entire civilization in ice, hoping to avoid the wrath of the warring gods. Once they emerged safely back in Wildemount, the elves found that the Calamity had wiped almost all traces of elven civilization from Exandria, leaving only scattered ruins of their former might.[12]
In the face of adversity, elves of Tal'Dorei, who called themselves gwes’alfen (elves of Gwessar), made the same journey to the Fey realm, although they did so by gathering in Syngorn and transporting[13] the entire city via the magic of Threshold crests.
Society[]
Tal'Dorei[]
Elves were the first people to live within Tal'Dorei, which they called Gwessar. Their society, the Court of Ullusa, fell at the beginning of The Calamity, and part of the survivors fled to the Feywild, returning a generation later when it was safe and moving to the Verdant Expanse.[2] Within the city of Syngorn, the high elves tend to hold themselves to the highest standard, thinking little of those that leave the city to wander elsewhere, and shunning those who marry with humans.[2]
Within the Rifenmist Peninsula there exist the Orroyen tribes, nomadic groups of wood elves (related to the ones in Syngorn) who embrace the natural world. Few of these elves ever leave the jungle, content to wander and protect their wild domain.[2] Other elves left Syngorn to find their way to the northern side of the Cliffkeep Mountains, founding the elvenpeaks of Lyrengorn, soaring across the skies on wyvernback.[2]
Deep beneath the Stormcrest Mountains in the subterranean city of Ruhn-Shak, the dark elves are on the brink of destruction.[14] While many follow the brutal, cut-throat ways of the Spider Queen, many others are consorting with the dark powers of Tharizdun. Amid the chaos, many drow have fled their subterranean home to live in peace among the surface. While they are shunned from Syngorn, some have found sanctuary among the peaks of Lyrengorn.[14]
Wildemount[]
Fan art of Leylas and Quana Kryn, by BlackSalander.[art 3]
The largest population of elves on Wildemount are comprised of the dark elves of the Kryn Dynasty.[3] These drow have shunned the worship of Lolth in favor of a new, relatively unknown god known as the Luxon. As such, these drow live on the surface of Wildemount in the region known as Xhorhas, underneath night-shrouded skies of the city Rosohna. Through the power of the Luxon, the drow of the Dynasty are capable of reincarnating into new bodies after they die, through a process called consecution.[15]
Within the Greying Wildlands, many elves once called the city of Molaesmyr their home. However, it was destroyed in a mysterious cataclysm that warped the forest around them, killing the elves living there and forcing them to flee. These elves settled in two places.[16] Some fled north, to the dwarven city of Uthodurn, where they were accepted and now live together in harmony.[17] Others fled to the west and founded the treetop city of Bysaes Tyl, where they lived in seclusion until they were discovered and forced to join the Dwendalian Empire.[18]
Fan art of Captain Avantika, by Nguyen Minh Hieu.[art 4]
Within the Menagerie Coast, there are groups of elves, each with a different point of origin. Most elves of the Coast are descended from travelers from the desert realm of Marquet, where they along with native elves of the Ki'Nau founded the city of Gwardan.[19] Beneath the waves of the Swavain Islands the water breathing sea elves make trade with merfolk, rarely surfacing due to their distrust of the surface folk.[3] Meanwhile, high in the Cyrios Mountains in the secluded Pallid Grove, a group known as the pallid elves have begun to venture from their subterranean home for the first time since The Calamity.[20]
Elves in other planes[]
It is widely known that elves have an ancestral connection both with the fey and the Archeart, their mythical creator. These two connections are reflected in the presence of this race outside the Material Plane:
- There are elves that live in the Feywild, the realm where they were originally created, and some of them are fey beings themselves.[21][22] Historically many elven civilizations have fled to this plane in moments of danger (like the Calamity).[12][13]
- The shadar-kai, a specific kind of elf connected to the Matron of Ravens, live in the Shadowfell.[23][24]
- The plane of Arborea is very connected with deities that elves worship, like Melora, Sehanine and Corellon; it is in fact the home of several elven courts overwatched by those gods (although it is unclear if those elves would be considered humanoids). Moreover, to that plane come the souls of the worshipers of the deities that live there.[25]
Powers, abilities, and subraces[]
Despite the various differences in subraces, all elves have many traits in common. Elves are renowned for their dexterity and keen senses, capable of seeing within dim light and even darkness. Due to their fey ancestry, elves are resistant to being beguiled, and magic cannot put them to sleep. In fact, elves do not even require sleep, instead needing only to meditate in a trance for four hours.
Fan art of Essek Thelyss, a dark elf, by Vicious Mongrel.[art 5]
Dark elves[]
Dark elves, also known as drow (or myrk'alfen in Elvish[26]), are often charismatic. Due to living in the Underdark, drow have superior darkvision compared to other elves. However, they are unused to the light of the sun, and have difficulty seeing outside on sunny days. Drow have some natural magic ability, being able to create dancing orbs of dim light that fly under their control. More powerful dark elves are able to unleash a spray of these lights at their enemies to mark them as targets, and can also create pockets of magical darkness.
High elves[]
Depiction of a high elf from 
Elf on D&D Beyond.[art 6]
High elves (also called lyren'alfen) tend to be studiously minded. They rose to prominence during the Age of Arcanum,[27] and many of them still train themselves in the arcane, learning some basic wizardly magic.[28] High elven societies seem to be more abundant in northern regions of Exandria, like those of Lyrengorn, in the Cliffkeep Mountains of Tal'Dorei,[29] or the descendants of the survivors of Molaesmyr, in the North of Wildemount.
Sea elves[]
Sea elves are the most constituted of elves, able to withstand the chill of the deep ocean. As such, they are adept swimmers and capable of breathing underwater. Sea elves also speak Aquan and are capable of rudimentary conversation with undersea beasts.[30]
Shadow elves[]
Official art of Prism Grimpoppy, a shadow elf, by Hannah Friederichs.[art 7]
Shadow elves, also known as shadar-kai, are often found in the Shadow Realm, serving the Raven Queen, who has great influence in that plane. They have an unsettling appearance compared to other elves with pale skin seemingly devoid of life.[31]
Wood elves[]
Wood elves (called syn'alfen) tend to be some of the wisest of their kind. Elves of the wood are fleet of foot and train themselves to remain hidden in the natural environment.[32] Wood elven societies are among the oldest of this race in Exandria. Examples of this are Syngorn and the Orroyen tribes, both composed by descendants of the fallen Court of Ullusa, near the Verdant Expanse in Tal'Dorei.[33][34]
Fey elves[]
Fey elves, also known as eladrin, are native to the Fey Realm, and some of them are considered fey. While they can be associated to one of the four seasons, changing their appearance to reflect it,[35][22] even the more mundane-looking can have a otherwordly air that sets them apart from their Exandrian kin.[36][37]
Pallid elves[]
Official art of a pallid elf, by adragonswinging.[art 8]
Pallid elves are as wise as their wood elf cousins, and are supremely insightful. They also have a modicum of innate magic like dark elves, able to cause small objects to brightly glow with a touch. More powerful pallid elves can cause others to fall into a magical slumber, and can wreath themselves in invisibility.
Notable elves[]
Exandria Unlimited: Calamity[]
PCs[]
- Laerryn Coramar-Seelie: A high elf abjurer, the Architect Arcane of Avalir.
- Patia Por'co: An elven enchanter, the Keeper of Scrolls of Avalir, and the granddaughter of its founder.
NPCs[]
- Eldamir the Wise: One of the seven rulers of Avalir.
Campaign One: Vox Machina[]
PCs[]
- Lieve'tel Toluse: A cleric of the Raven Queen in the city of Vasselheim; helped Vox Machina recover Grog from the plane of Pandemonium.
NPCs[]
- Mikael Daxio: Leader of the Tal'Dorei military forces at Fort Daxio, his namesake.
- Syldor Vessar: Father of Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia.
- Tyrelda: High Warden of Syngorn.
- Highbearer Vord: Spiritual leader of the Platinum Sanctuary in Vasselheim.
Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting[]
- Yenlara Alderwreath: Sorceress who led the wood elves back from the Feywild to the Verdant Expanse after the Divergence.
- Enchanter Yurek Windkeeper: Founder of the Arcana Pansophical.
- Wardens of Syngorn:
- Verdant Lord Celindar: Head of the Verdant Guard.
- Ouestra, the Voice of Memory: Grand Historian and Vocalist.
- Guildrunner Rawndel: Head of commerce and the treasury.
Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein[]
NPCs[]
Fan art of Dairon, by Jinjidraws.[art 9]
- Dairon: Expositor monk of The Cobalt Soul.
- Ludinus Da'leth: Archmage of Domestic Protections and leader of the Cerberus Assembly.
- Yussa Errenis: A powerful mage and owner of the Open Quay district in Nicodranas.
- Leylas Kryn: Bright Queen of the Kryn Dynasty.
- Essek Thelyss: Former Shadowhand to the Bright Queen and current member of the Mighty Nein.
- Avantika: Chosen of Uk'otoa, former pirate captain in the Revelry.
- Ressia Uvesic: The Scribewarden of the Vellum Steeple Archive.
Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn[]
- Kalydria Darkeye: A Ravager slaughter lord.
- Nalys Ildareth: Moon domain cleric and leader of a Syngornian sect of Sehanine worshipers.
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep[]
- Aloysia Telfan: Agent of the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream.
- Galsariad Ardyth: Member of Ayo Jabe's adventuring party
- Verin Thelyss: Taskhand in charge of Bazzoxan, brother of Essek Thelyss.
- Olara: Sea elf and survivor of the destruction of Cael Morrow.
Campaign Three: Bells Hells[]
PCs[]
- Prism Grimpoppy: A shadar-kai[38] apprentice wizard affiliated with the Cobalt Soul.
NPCs[]
- Jiana Hexum: A wealthy elder woman from Jrusar.
- Vali Dertrana (possibly): A liaison between Mahaan houses in Jrusar.
- Tuyen Otwana: The manager of the Prism Emporium.
- Oleander Calloway: A fey elf outcast, and the father of Fearne Calloway.
- Sir Ludin: A royal page for the dual monarchs of Uthodurn.
- Drixlitch Ovana: A corrupt and despicable toymaker.
- Imathan Talviel: The elven king of Uthodurn.
- Keenash Serevoldin: An explorer specializing in the Savalirwood.
Trivia[]
- Although it isn't fully confirmed, it is possible that wood elves were the first version of primeval elves that walked Exandria as humanoids, and others, such as high elves, have them as ancestors. An example of this could be the city of Lyrengorn, founded by wood elves but now inhabited by high elves.[29]
- According to Aabria Iyengar, high elves lived a time of splendor during the Age of Arcanum, but they survived the Calamity as a shadow of their former glory, unlike wood elves, who withstood the cataclysm by taking refuge in nature or fleeing to the Feywild.[27] This is actually reflected in the demographics of elven societies between 812 and 836 PD, in which the wood elves usually outnumber the small percentage of high elves.[29][39][34]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Elf on D&D Beyond
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 23.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 163.
- ↑ See "Somewhere Out There" (3x59) at 1:44:35. Although not named explicitly, Prism called herself an elf from the Shadow Realm.
- ↑ See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:28:55. Oleander Calloway is an elf from the Fey Realm, and he himself is a fey.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 155.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, pp. 13–29.
- ↑ See "Intense Interrogations" (3x85) from 3:07:16 through 3:15:00.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 87.
- ↑ The Tales of Exandria: Artagan #2
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 32.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 162.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 154.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 38.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 18.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 48.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 96.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 66.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 70.
- ↑ See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:28:55.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 See D&D: Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, 5th ed., pp. 195–196.
- ↑ See D&D: Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, 5th ed., p. 58.
- ↑ See "Somewhere Out There" (3x59) at 3:41:32.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 23–25.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 156.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Revealed on DDB Live w/ Aabria Iyengar: 'Exandria Unlimited: Calamity' Character Sheet Tour broadcast 23 June 2022 on the DnD Beyond Twitch channel.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, pp. 155–156. See also p. 102.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 68.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 163–164.
- ↑ See D&D: Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, 5th ed., pp. 58–63.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 155. See also p. 17.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 117.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 123.
- ↑ See D&D: Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, 5th ed., pp. 115–116.
- ↑ See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:28:55.
- ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 3:39:50. Imahara Joe recognized Ollie's elven blood, but wasn't able to determine his exact lineage.
- ↑ See "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) at 1:06:20. Prism has the teleporting abilities of the Shadar-kai.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 102.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of a high elf, a wood elf, and a dark elf, by Claudia Ianniciello from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 23. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Artagan and "Mister Demeanor", by Aviv Or and Cris Peter from The Tales of Exandria: Artagan #1. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Leylas and Quana Kryn, by BlackSalander (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Captain Avantika, by Nguyen Minh Hieu (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Essek Thelyss, a dark elf, by Vicious Mongrel (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Depiction of a high elf from Elf on D&D Beyond. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Official art of Prism Grimpoppy, a shadow elf, by Hannah Friederichs (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Official art of a pallid elf, by adragonswinging (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Dairon, by Jinjidraws (source). Used with permission.
External links[]
Elf on D&D Beyond- Elf (Dungeons & Dragons) on Wikipedia
- Elf on the Forgotten Realms Wikia (Forgotten Realms lore is not canon to Critical Role)
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