The History of the Elven Pantheon

Elven mythology, as recorded in the annals of their history, is a rich and intricate tapestry that weaves together the origins, battles, and philosophies of the elven people. Drawing from "Tale of the Elfwar" and "Elven story of creation as told by Larian Songshine," this article delves deeper into the elven pantheon, their creation myths, and the profound impact of these stories on elven society and their interactions with the world.

This information was taken from the original source book called "Tale of the Elfwar" and "Elven story of creation as told by Larian Songshine" Written by Colin McComb The Complete Book of Elves (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Player's Handbook Rules Supplement #2131
Published by Wizards of the Coast (1993)
ISBN 10: 1560763760 ISBN 13: 9781560763765

Creation and the Seldarine

• Primordial Beginnings: The cosmos's birth was a tumultuous event, from which the gods emerged, claiming dominions and powers. The Seldarine, distinguished by their wisdom, chose to create, rather than conquer.
• The Crafting of Elves: These deities poured their essence into the world, creating the elves as embodiments of their ideals. This act of creation set the elves apart, both in beauty and in spirit, from the races born of less patient gods.

The Crafting of Elves

The First Children

• Divine Conception: The Seldarine infused the world with their essence, creating the Elves of Greyhawk as reflections of their ideals.
• Distinct Existence: This act distinguished elves from other races, imbuing them with unparalleled beauty and spirit.

The Essence of Elves

Corellon's Kin

• Divine Heritage: The blood of Corellon Larethian, the chief deity of the Seldarine, flows through all elves, granting them longevity and a deep, intrinsic bond with nature.
• Beauty from Sorrow: The tears of the moon goddess, Sehanine Moonbow a member of the Seldarine, are said to have bestowed the elves with their otherworldly beauty, further alienating them from other races.

Elven Beliefs and Lore

The Eternal Chronicle

• Historical Fidelity: Elves regard their myths not as mere stories but as historical records, preserved through the ages by their long-lived society.
• Consistency of the Creation Story: Unlike the myriad creation myths of other races, the elven narrative remains singular and unaltered, emphasizing its purity and truth.

Arrival and Expansion

The Journey of Discovery

• Lendore Isles and Beyond: Elves first settled on the Lendore Isles, then ventured to the continent of Oerik, founding the realm of Aquenoreth.
• Wandering and Settlement: Elves explored extensively, eventually settling the Crystalmist Mountains, marking their first interactions with dwarves.

First Contact

The Elves and the Suel

• Elven Guidance: Circa -6,000 CY, elves encountered the emerging Suloise Suel cities, sharing knowledge and magic.
• Suel Ascension: Impressed by elven teachings, the Suel rapidly advanced, constructing cities and mastering sorcery.

The Rise and Fall of Suel Magic

• Suel Overreach: As Suel power grew, so did their ambition and recklessness, leading to forbidden experiments and catastrophic outcomes.
• Elven Withdrawal: Horrified by a devastating incident, elves retreated from Suel lands, ceasing their instruction in magic.

Conflict and Slavery

The Suel and Their Neighbors

• Endless Wars: The Suel's internal conflicts soon involved neighboring tribes, leading to widespread enslavement and strife.
• Elven Legacy: Despite their departure, the elves' influence persisted, shaping the future of magic and society in Oerik.

The Elfwar and Its Aftermath

The Elfwar, a turning point in the annals of elven history, wrought a schism that forever changed the landscape of the Flanaess and the destiny of its elven inhabitants. This conflict, known for its profound implications, led to the drow's banishment and the emergence of distinct elven subraces. Here's an in-depth exploration of this period and its aftermath:

• Origins of Division: The Elfwar, a pivotal event in elven history, led to the drow's exile and subsequent division into various elven subraces, each adapting to unique environments and lifestyles.
• The Fractioning: This period saw the emergence of Grey Elves, Sylvan Elves, High Elves, and other nomadic groups, each developing distinct characteristics and cultures.

The Division's Genesis

• Lolth's Ambition: Exploiting the rise of the Suel as a lever, Lolth, the dark elven goddess, sought to overthrow Corellon Larethian, seeding corruption among the olves to incite rebellion.
• War of Light and Dark: This protracted conflict, manipulated by Lolth's dark designs, spanned centuries, largely inconsequential to beings of such longevity but devastating to the land and its people.

The Fragmentation of Elvenkind

• Rise of the Drow: Lolth's influence birthed the drow, Dark Elves who diverged sharply from their kin, marked by their ebon skin and white hair, embodying the schism Lolth intended.
• Migration and Transformation: In the war's wake, elves abandoned their ancestral mountain homes for the forest glens, morphing into the Sylvan Elves and grugach folk, while others ventured eastward, seeking refuge from the turmoil.

The War's Devastating Conclusion

• The Last Stand: Approximately 4,500 years prior, the final elven stronghold fell. Its robust defense, however, doomed the drow to the Underdark and decimated the remaining giant realms of the Sheldomar Valley.
• Suloise and Goblinoid Aftermath: The Suloise forces were annihilated, their goblinoid mercenaries dispersed, claiming deserted elven territories as their own. The elven survivors retreated eastward, marking a new chapter in their history.

The Dawn of the Elven Realms

An Epoch of Unrivaled Splendor
The "Time of Flowering" represents a golden age in elven history, marked by peace, prosperity, and unparalleled achievements in magic, art, and architecture. This era, deeply rooted in the collective memory of the elven race, showcases their intrinsic connection to nature and the Feywild, as well as their capacity for creating beauty and harmony.

• Elven Calendar's Commencement: The war's end and the establishment of four major elven realms in the Flanaess signify the beginning of the elven calendar, now spanning over 5,038 years.
• Eladrin Influence and the Gray Elves: The arrival of Eladrin from the Feywild, who aided the olves against Lolth's followers, led to the birth of the Grey Elves sub-race. This melding of Feywild magic and material plane resilience forged a new lineage, enriching elven culture and diversity.
• Legacy of Ruin and Renewal: Though the ancient citadels lay in ruins and the Dark Elves (Drow) were vanquished to the darkness below, the giant realms lay shattered. The treacherous humans, fearing elven retribution, retreated to their cities.

Establishment of the Elven Realms

Four major realms emerged from this period, each symbolizing the elven dedication to preserving their way of life and the natural world:

• Realm of Highfolk: A beacon of inclusivity, partnering Sylvan Elves with other races to guard against external threats.
• Celene, the Heart Jewel of Elvendom: A kingdom led by an elven queen, embodying the quintessence of elven grace and governance.
• Aliador, the Crown Seat: A realm of Grey Elves, symbolizing the pinnacle of elven civilization and its inherent connection to magic.
• Arrisa, the Secret Realm: A mysterious and secluded kingdom, embodying the elven propensity for mystery and autonomy.

Cultural and Magical Renaissance

This era witnessed the construction of twelve majestic gray elven cities, the cultivation of powerful magics, and the creation of artifacts and lore that would become legendary. Figures such as Queen Ehlissa and the Elven Minstrel Ye’Cind epitomize the period's vibrancy and innovation.

The Decline

Aliador and the Rise of Threats

• Fall of Aliador: The idyllic era came to a tragic end with the fall of Aliador to a horde of monstrous beings, marking a turning point that would see the elves retreating into seclusion and marking the end of widespread elven influence.

Relations with Other Races

Initial Alliances and Subsequent Conflicts
While early relations with other races were harmonious, evolving tensions, particularly with Dwarves and Humans of Greyhawk, highlighted the complexities of inter-species interactions and the eventual withdrawal of elves from multicultural engagements.

• Early Peace and Growing Tensions: Initial interactions with Gnomes, Halfling hobniz, and Dwarves ranged from peaceful to contentious, with wars against dwarves marking a dark chapter in elven history.
• Human Encounters: Humans' fascination with elves often gave way to envy and conflict, particularly regarding environmental exploitation and cultural misunderstandings.

The Elves Today

Guardianship and Observation
In modern times, elves remain steadfast guardians of the natural order, balancing their seclusion with vigilant oversight of the world's developments, ready to act when the sanctity of nature or elven heritage is imperiled

• Guardians of Nature: Elves continue to protect the natural world from the encroachments of civilization, often withdrawing from the broader world to preserve their ancient ways.
• Vigilant Watchers: Despite their reclusive tendencies, elves remain keen observers of the world's affairs, ready to intervene when the balance of nature and the legacy of the Seldarine are at stake.

Conclusion

The stories preserved in "Tale of the Elfwar" and "Elven story of creation as told by Larian Songshine" offer profound insights into the elven psyche, their values, and their enduring legacy. As custodians of the natural world and bearers of a divine heritage, the elves of Greyhawk embody the complexities and contradictions of their ancient lineage.