Olore' es Tel 'Quessin, Dragonslayers! I, Melody ap Isildur, Elven Loremistress, am most pleased to continue our series of lectures looking within the daily existence of the kindreds and things elven.

I am, once again, indebted to the meritorious assistance of the Lyrist Bard, Harmony Springsong of clan Silverbirch, and overjoyed to venture forth with a fleeting glance into the Realm of the Faerie, itself, the Grey Elves of the enchanted Silverwood.

Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet...

GREY ELVES

Grey elves are much more rare than the relatively common High Elf. While they share all the normal abilities of other kindred, they are said to possess a higher intelligence and a much deeper concern for the world about them. And, to the extent that any elf could be expected, they tend towards more sober and somber actions and thoughts. Having the longest lifespan of the various elven races, they seemingly never age. Indeed, it is reported that there has never been seen a gray-haired elf of this kindred. The earlier estimates regarding the lifespan of elves are based on these elves, who seemed representative of the whole.

Grey elves, more than other elves, tend more toward socialization, at least with other elves, and often act as emissaries or ambassadors from one race to another. They are also extremely active in the elven armies, where they are often found in positions of leadership.

Although the grugach are physically stronger, Grey elves are the tallest of the elven races. They tend towards much more prodigious use of magic and are able to attain magical powers beyond the ken of their kindred. They also make as proficient a scout or guide as any other elves. Many are also pathfinders.

Their hair color ranges from gold to silver, and they have eyes of arnber to violet, though many blue-eyed children have been noted in recent years. The females are generally smaller than the males, ranging from 5' to 5'6" in height and anywhere from 90 to 125 pounds. Males may be effectively taller, by 3 to 4 inches and weigh 20 to 30 pounds heavier. They are fair-skinned though not as fair as their High kindred. Many humans consider them to be most physically attractive both in appearance and manner. Though steps have been taken to end this practice in some trading centers, it must be noted that certain slave blocks, when in possession of a Grey elf, whether male or female, will often fetch far more than 50,000 pieces of goldleaf at the minimum in either ransom or sales.

Mankind seems fascinated by the Grey elf more than any other. While High elves are far more common, as elves go, it is the Grey which is featured in the most widely told tales of ancient glory and struggle. Why this fascination? A female Grey elf is one of the most sought after wives a human male seeks. Though the vast majority of humans find happiness among their own race, there are those few who will go to almost ludicrous lengths to try and win the favor of one of those dainty, wispy females.

Their manner is quite gentle, when among their own kind and those few outsiders they favor. Elves on the whole are slow to make a friend or an enemy, but once their emotions are given, be it for weal or woe, an elf is as unchanging as the tide. Constant, trustworthy, loyal, considerate-these words and others do nothing to describe the bond that can be created between an elf and another. Grey elves are most at home only in each other's company. There is a special bond of closeness among elves, and it is never more evident than amongst the Grey. According to legends, tales, and firsthand accounts, a Grey elven couple are joined not merely in body, but in mind and spirit as well. The documented cases of one lifemate dying and his or her mate soon following thereafter are countless. Grey elves, like the eagles they prefer as companions, mate for life. Children are highly cherished by their parents. Viewed as gifts to liven their hearts and days, elven parents are particularly protective of them. Parents will go to extreme lengths to protect them, even at the cost of another's life. It is this fierce, protective love which accounts for the scarcity of evil in elvenkind.

In dress, they are extremely reserved, preferring light shades of brown, gray, green and black. In contrast, their ornamentation is considered superior to anything made by human craftsmanship. Though perhaps not as durable and useful as the implements made by crafts dwarves, for sheer beauty and delicacy of design, their work has no equal. Rings, broaches, necklaces, fillets, circlets, the list is countless. Their woodwork is superior, though the Sylvan Folk have a better knack than the Grey, and the High elves produce larger quantities. However, this reservedness of dress is for their daily wear. For their festivals and ceremonies, they produce gowns, tunics and robes of su ch intricate design and beauty as to make a king's vestments seem as rags in comparison. What more commonly recognized item of dress is there than the gauzy, wispy robes of a High Priest or Priestess of the deity most worshipped among the Grey kindred, Corellon Larethian?

The philosophy of Grey elves is best typified in the traditional elven farewell to a friend when they part, "Sweet water and light laughter." For if the water is sweet, then one's travels are pleasant and joyous, and if the heart is glad, and filled with the wonder of the world about them, then surely one's augh will be lighter than the air one breathes. When next you meet, great joy will be the telling of the journey, and pleasure at finding cherished company once more.

Grey elves are well known for their harping, since song is one of the mainstays of elven life, and the primary way in which tales of the past and news of the present are kept. An elven bard, if one is fortunate enough to hear one perform, is not merely a rhymester, who performs for money, but a living history book. In any elven village, town, city, or stronghold-clan holding, the bards and poets rank only below the leadership, priesthoods and druidical mentors. Such is the veneration of the elves for a bard, that one's passing is a cause for great rejoicing and festivals. Dance also is a great part of elven life, as it may relate events of ages past, show a lesson to be learned, or simply convey the joy of life itself. The marriage dance is one of the most intimate and beautiful dances known to exist. It has never been witnessed by humans, though tales are told of the dance with a light of wonder and joy by those half elves who have. A story is never told, it is sung, or danced, or even sung and danced. As the saying goes through the lands: "Show me an elf with a harp, and I'll show you a festival looking for a place to happen."

More Melody's Magic Chest

Introduction
Sylvan Elves
Grey Elves
Magic Items