Valley elf

Valley elves are an unusual elven subrace that are seldom seen outside the Valley of the Mage.

History
Valley elves are thought to be an offshoot of the gray or possibly high elven race. They are thought to have dwelled in the Javan Vale as far back as circa -14,400 CY. At some point, the valley elves established their own kingdom, which was founded "before the first Grand Duke reigned in Geoff," and prior to the rise of Keoland.

Valley elves are suspected of having stolen the Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar in 219 CY. During the 16th Procession of Blessing, the artifacts were brought out of the Mosque of Al'Akbar in Ekbir by the grand mufti, as was established tradition. Immediately, the procession was assaulted by "strange elves as tall as men," who absconded with the items. The elves evaded chase upon giant eagles, flying over the Plains of the Paynims toward the Barrier Peaks.

Shortly after the turn of the sixth century CY, king of the valley elves and his entire house arrived at the Palace of the Grand Duke in Gorna. The valley elf king left several items with the Grand Duke, along with information to be passed to his heir. The elven king and his retinue then departed into the Crystalmists, nevermore to be seen.

A number of decades later, Jaran Krimeeah, an exiled mage from the Great Kingdom, came to the Vale. Within a year, Krimeeah had won the favor of the elves. The valley elves willingly submitted to his rule, referring to Krimeeah as the "Exalted One".

Appearance
Taller than most other elves, valley elves are comparable to humans in height. Their builds are slender, with sharp, angular features. During the summer months, the hair of a typical valley elf is pale yellow, but by winter will darken to a rich gold.

Culture
In contrast to other elven subraces, valley elves craft few items.

Valley elves are well-known for breeding and working with cooshees, their green-furred "elven dogs."

Religion
Valley elves, along with the gnomes of the Vale, worship Ehlonna. They do not, however, worship the Seldarine, who are said to have rejected the valley elves.

Relations with other races
Valley elves are distrustful of outsiders, to the point of xenophobia. With the sole exception of Snow elves, valley elves are despised by all other elven subraces, including the drow. The reason for such antipathy is uncertain, but some have speculated that it was because they sold their loyalty to a powerful master in exchange for extraplanar knowledge.

Despite their xenophobia, valley elves work closely with the gnomes and humans of the Vale of the Mage to be in defense of their mutual home.

Most needs of the valley elves are provided by the Mage of the Valley. Foraging makes up for the rest.