“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be
what we know we could be.”
―
 |
| Melf |
Disillusionment.
Melf could no longer abide the company of what remained
of the Citadel of Eight. Its fellowship was in tatters. They were scattered.
Seemingly ineffectual. And chasing their own tail. Indeed, one of them (no
matter past) had betrayed their cause. Another was in hot pursuit. Yet forever
just “missing him.”
Melf had had his fill of them. They were hypocrites, one and all,
he decided. For all their high notions and lofty claims, they could not even police their own, let alone affect the world – or so it seemed to Melf.
He could do far better, he reasoned, on his own.
So, he struck out, as he did once before, on his own,
with no more plan than to do what he perceived needed to be done.
Since the resurgence of luz […] the northern quarter
of the Vesve is filled with hateful settlements of evil humanoids, and these
tribes and bands press everywhere upon the human and demi-human folk elsewhere
in these woodlands. [Folio – 27]
That would be a start. There, at least, he could be of use. Not manning a lonely tower
no one in their right mind would ever attack.
570s CY
So, he plunged into
the Vesve, and into the very dark depths of Iuz’s empire.
Melf is a vastly experienced and highly knowledgeable
elf. In particular, he has made a study of Iuz and the fiends with which that
demipower deals. [FtAC – 69]
And elsewhere.
Melf knows much of deep buried evils across the span
of Oerik, knows where bound fiends are yet imprisoned, and where powerful evil
artifacts are waiting to be unleashed upon the world. He strives constantly to
prevent them from falling into the hands of Iuz or the Scarlet Brotherhood. [FtAC
– 69]
Evil appeared to be on the rise everywhere.
576 CY
CELENE, (Kingdom Of)
Ruler: Her Fey Majesty, Queen Yolande, Perfect Flower
of Celene, Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind [LGG – 38]
(Fighter/ Magic-user, 7th/11th level) [Folio – 9]
A small number of humans and half-elvenfolk dwell in
Celene, many serving in its military, for continual warfare is carried on in
the Suss Forest and beyond the Jewel River with the Pomarj humanoid tribes.
[Folio – 9]
He found himself protecting the very southern border he
had once thought too peaceful and passive to be worth his efforts. It did not
seem so peaceful and secure, anymore.
SUSS FOREST
 |
| The Suss Forest |
The humanoid bands of the Pomarj, particularly
kobolds, orcs, and gnolls, seem to love this forest, and many hundreds are
known to dwell within Its depths. They likewise use It as a highway to move
northwards to raid In the Wild Coast, Celene, or even the Ulek states and into
Verbobonc. [Folio – 26]
Melf is 176
years old.
Early 580s CY
Indeed, Celene’s
southern frontier never seemed more defenceless.
In the early 580s, a new leader emerged to unite the
tribes, a rabble-rousing half-orc named Turrosh Mak. [LGG – 88]
Melf petitioned his cousin that Celene had great need of
allies, and for her to reach out to the surrounding powers before it was too
late. His pleas fell on deaf ears.
Queen Yolande's advisers have led her to decree Celene
a virtually closed land, with borders sealed to all but those the land has
known well for many years. [FtAC – 68]
Through the years, Celene and [Celene’s] monarch grew
ever more isolationist [.] [LGG – 40]
His words did not go unheard, however. There were others
who believed as he did.
His old friend, for instance.
 |
| Rafendyl, "Gildentongue" |
Rafendyl is a Highfolk half-elf, [...] who travels the
Reach posing as an itinerant bard and lover of beauty and luxury. […] He knows
the Vesve and Gnarley forests well and has many friends among Highfolk, Knights
of the Hart, and the Gnarley Forest rangers. However, quite extraordinarily, he
is a Knight of Luna, a unique honor for a non-Celene half-elf. […] Rafendyl
also knows Philidor the Blue Wizard and actively helps him in his quest within
the Vesve Forest [.] [WGR4 The Marklands – 41]
Soon, they and other like-minded spirits began to gather.
Soon, they would become what would be known as the Knights of Luna.
The Knights of Luna believe this to be short-sighted
and foolhardy. [FtAC – 68]
The order includes in its ranks Melf, Prince
Brightflame, a powerful elven warrior-wizard, cousin to Yolande. [PGtG –
27]
His views were
considered treasonous, however.
Melf is a very secretive, protective character who
does not yield information readily. [FtAC – 69]
Melf will not deal with [others] unless he comes to
know them well. [FtAC – 69]
He is most unlikely to reveal anything of his
political activities unless he greatly befriends [someone, typically an elf]. [FtAC
– 69]
c. 582 CY
Brightflame
became a beacon to a great many others.
Prince Melf, who has openly declared himself a Knight
of Luna, is generally regarded as the leader of those elves who wish to fight
evil in the Flanaess. [TAB – 35]
Prince Brightflame
Melf is a brilliant and knowledgeable elf, a
fighter/wizard like his cousin, but his better grasp of the dangers the
Flanaess faces has led him to found and declare himself the leader of the
Knights of Luna, who seek to involve Celene in the larger world. He knows many
powerful rulers and wizards and he works to oppose evil everywhere. [PGtG – 26]
No strict hierarchy exists among the Knights of Luna,
though Melf, Prince Brightflame of Celene (NG male elf Wiz14/Ftr[1]4), is their
acknowledged leader. [LGG – 159] [Ftr4 in text.]
Knights of Luna
This secret order was founded in Celene by elven
warriors and spellcasters who opposed Queen Yolande's neutrality in the
Greyhawk Wars. Members work to involve Celene in supporting the elves of Veluna
and the Duchy of Ulek in their struggles against evil. [PGtG – 27]
 |
| Knights of Luna |
Melf began to dispatch agents to all points of the compass.
The Knights pursue their goals in several ways. First,
those who adventure give a tithe from their good fortune to the Highfolk.
Second, those who are involved in the politics of Celene use many strategies to
influence the Queen or her closest advisers—filtering incoming news, pleading
the cases of certain foreigners to be allowed into Celene, and trying to stress
Celene’s need for trade in some key areas. The aim is always to weaken the
borders a little. Third, the Knights make very careful overtures to selected
politically influential people in other lands, gently mentioning that there are
those in Celene who wish to support them, seeking allegiances, sometimes
offering active support and short-term service. Just as they try to open Celene’s
sealed mind and borders, they urge those others not to give up on Celene and to
continue with political overtures. [FtAC – 68]
But in being a beacon, Melf had to leave his now beloved
Celene if he were to protect it, as his cousin the queen could not tolerate his
treasonous opinions to go unpunished.
Currently he lives in exile, sometimes in the City of
Greyhawk. [PGtG – 26]
Melf, Prince (City [of Greyhawk]), F[t]AC [– 68,69] [FtAR#13]
582 CY
If the Knights
of Luna were successful in any endeavour, it was in supporting those who took
the fight directly to the enemy.
Melf is friendly with the Fellowship of the Torch [.]
[FtAC – 69]
The Fellowship of the Torch
This small but famous group has dedicated itself to
eliminating Iuz, his agents and his threats. [PGtG – 27]
At the outbreak of war, the Fellowship had no doubts
as to its allegiance and moral course of action. They readily perceived Iuz as
the great enemy of what they held dear and rightful, and hardly needed
Grimmri's pleadings (as a Highfolk gnome) to seek service with Furyondy, for
they suspected this land was Iuz's target. [FtAC – 71]
583 CY
Celene was less effective. But Yolande did eventually
bend to Melf’s belief that she needed allies if Celene were to survive the
trials to come. Not that she forgave her cousin for his supposed treason.
Realizing that Iuz’s threat was neither quick nor
contained, the southern states consented to ally. First to sign the Treaty of
Niole Dra came the largest and most important nation – Keoland – quickly
followed by the Gran March, Yeomanry, Duchy of Ulek, and County of Ulek. Celene
was last to agree, the elves begrudgingly consenting to send a token force.
[Wars – 15]
But where the nations of the Sheldomar and the Wild Coast
waited for what might come, others were fully engaged with the enemy.
The Fellowship of the Torch
By the beginning of 583 CY, the Fellowship had headed
for the free town of the Highfolk, and fought incursions of Iuz's forces into
the Vesve forest. [FtAC – 71]
Later in that same year, they moved south and enlisted
with a northern Furyondian noble, fighting in the Battle of Crockport and being
engaged in the rearguard of the retreat to Chendl. [FtAC – 71]
When Chendl was liberated, the Fellowship took part in
many daring forays deep into the lands of Iuz. [FtAC – 71]
Was Melf in the thick of these events? I doubt he was in
Crockport or in Chendl during the siege, although I he would have done his
utmost to draw what strength he could of Iuz’s forces away from the besieged
city. I also doubt that he would have encouraged the Fellowship to move south
at all, preferring that they remain in Highfolk and the Vesve, where he
believed they would have done more good; but he would not have dissuaded them
from doing so, either. He would have breathed a sigh of relief when the
Fellowship survived the ordeal, however.
He was 183 years old, still youthful by all accounts, yet
mature beyond his years.
584 CY
 |
| Corond and Brightflame |
In 584, south of Greyhawk, a half-orc named Turrosh
Mak united the vile nonhuman tribes of the Pomarj. Mak's armies boiled north,
conquering several of the cities of the independent Wild Coast, then capturing
nearly half of the Principality of Ulek. [LGG – 15]
The orcs drove further northwest, virtually unopposed
until they reached Celene pass. There a combined force of reservists-humans,
dwarves, gnomes, halflings, and even elves from Celene-made their stand.
The Battle of Celene Pass was bloody and hard-fought.
[Wars – 18]
With Turrosh halted, the Uleks prepared to
counterattack, but even combined their armies were too bruised and weak. Though
Celene on the other side of the Lortmils could have virtually assured victory,
Celene had no intention of assisting. [Wars – 18]
The appeals of Prince Corond of Ulek to Yolande, the
elven queen of Celene, fell upon uncaring ears. Celene closed its borders to
even its most trusted allies, refusing to let elf blood fall in human wars. [LGG – 15]
Did Melf rush “home” to the Principality to stem the
tide? Of course he did. He was well aware that Iuz was the greater enemy, by
far; but he would not, could not, remain idle when the orcs of the Pomarj
threatened to overwhelm Ulek. If Corond fell, Celene would soon follow.
That was Melf’s
final battle of the War.
Iuz stalled.
Turrosh Mak ground to a halt. Days and weeks passed as the nations of Weal
awaited the next assault that never came.
Not that peace
truly came. But a semblance of peace did.
The treaty to end the war was to be ratified in the
Grand Hall of Greyhawk, but brief moments before the signing ceremony, an
explosion destroyed the area [.] [Rot8 – 3]
When the fire and dust cleared, constables discovered
smoldering robes belonging to two powerful members of the mysterious Circle of
Eight—Otiluke and Tenser. The murderer of these wizards, undeniably a powerful
mage, was discovered to be a third member of the Circle of Eight – Rary. [Wars – 24]
In the ensuing confusion and shock, Lord Robilar's own
troops struck, destroying every one of the dead wizards' hidden clones,
assuring the permanent death of both Tenser and Otiluke. [WGR3 Rary the Traitor – 7]
Melf must have
shaken his head. Rary? A murderer? And Robilar, once again in the thick of evil
doings? Melf must have thanked Corollon Larethian that he was well rid of
Mordenkainen and his compatriots, whatever name they donned that decade.
He put them out
of his mind. He had work to do.
Celene was safe,
for the time being. But Turrosh Mak would ever be a thorn in Ulek’s side.
And Iuz? He did
not want to think what that mad demigod would do next…. He had no choice but
to, however.
Tired, world
weary Melf, an aged 184 years old, headed back north.
One would think
that all the nations of the Flanaess rejoiced at the end of the War….
Long distrustful of outsiders, Her Fey Majesty Yolande
now let fears and suspicions paralyze her nation. To her mind, humans from the
north had “demanded” her aid and thus drained vital troops from her lands. Now
dwarves and gnomes, no friends of the elves, pressed her for help in the
mountains. No country offered to assist Celene in defending its woodlands from
the Pomarj threat, she reasoned, so Celene would aid no others. In a brief and
emphatic proclamation, the Queen of Celene recalled her troops from Furyondy
and closed the borders of her nation. Others had started these wars and others
would solve them-without the loss of elvish lives. [Wars – 18,19]
585 CY
Melf had survived
the war. But he had little to rejoice. He remained in exile. Iuz had vastly expanded
his empire. The Vesve continued to be violated. Turrosh Mak threatened both
Celene and the Principality of Ulek. The Scarlet Brotherhood ruled the southern
seas. It appeared that his work had only just begun.
Melf is […] a major force in the innermost councils of
the Knights of Luna. His membership of this group and his princely status are
not generally known. [FtAC – 69]
 |
| Melf, Prince Brightflame |
F13/W12
AL: NG (CG)
Str 14, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 15, Cha 15
Spells: 4 each of levels 1-5, 1 6th
(typically: charm person, detect magic, magic missile
(x 2); detect invisibility, ESP, knock, Melf's acid arrow; dispel magic,
fireball, fly, Melf's minute meteors; Evard's black tentacles, ice storm,
polymorph self, Rary's mnemonic enhancer; chaos, cone of cold, hold monster,
teleport; flesh to stone)
Magical items: elven chain mail + 4,
long sword +3 of sharpness, ring of free action, ring of water walking, wand of
enemy detection (44 charges), beads of force (7), carpet of flying (3 person
capacity), amulet that can cast change self 21 day at 18th level ability.
[FtAC – 68,69]
Melf is 5' 8", 147 lbs., and around 200 years old
(appearing to be in his late 20's in human terms). His appearance changes from
time to time as the grey elf pleases, although he does not appear in nonelven
form. […] [FtAC – 69]
Knights of Luna
The Knights of Luna are an order dedicated to
involving Celene in the politics of post-war Oerik. […]
The Knights are some 180 strong, most being warriors,
warrior-mages, or warrior-priests (usually of Corellon Larethian). Some
one-third are half-elves, and this population is the one from which they
currently recruit most of their new members. Half of them dwell within Celene
itself, many venturing into the Welkwood and beyond to acquire information and
support the woodsmen of the Gnarley and upper Suss forests. In the Free City,
their main representative is Melf. [FtAC – 68]
One would think that the Knights of Luna were of one
mind.
But they were not.
Since the Wars, Celene has maintained its official
policy of non-involvement, though many elves have volunteered to fight in the
Suss Forest or farther afield. The Knights of Luna are a force of dissension,
though many of their most aggressive members are found in the Duchy of Ulek
rather than Celene itself. [LGG – 40]
Some of the more radical members of the Knights of
Luna seek to depose Yolande and proclaim Melf King, a prospect that deeply
alarms Melf. For himself, he strongly prefers mediation, diplomacy, and open
channels of communication. In a sense, he is almost naive, believing that if
enough good rulers were collected together, sense would prevail and unity would
be established. He is sensible enough to know this would take decades, and as
an elf, he is not impatient. [FtAC – 69]
It mattered how firmly Melf tried to discourage the most
militant members, they persisted in their treasonous thinking.
Rafendyl "Gildentongue” eased Melf’s mind. I’ll keep
watch, he said, and I’ll deflect their anger to better use. And he did, freeing
world-weary Melf to worry about other things. Iuz, for one, for Iuz never
strayed long from his thought.
Melf soldiers on, despite victory appearing still beyond
reach.
He has allies,
though. It is because of them, their courage, and their dedication, that he
carries on.
The Fellowship of the Torch
This small but famous group has dedicated itself to
eliminating Iuz, his agents and his threats. The Greyhawk Wars claimed several
of the Torch's members: now the grim survivors follow any lead, no matter how
dangerous, and engage in any bade against Iuz, no matter how deadly. They
eagerly join expeditions to retrieve evil magical items and slay Iuz's
followers, and will do anything in their power to see the demigod destroyed.
The members of the fellowship have many friends, and it is possible to gain
news of their whereabouts through the Gnarley Forest Rangers, the Temple of Rao
or the Knights of Luna. [PGtG – 27]
Kirilarien [a member of the Fellowship of the Torch]
is usually away in Celene where she has links with the Knights of Luna (and,
while in the Free City, she is seen with Melf) [.] [FtAC – 71]
Kiri is eager, impatient by elven standards. She
openly espouses the cause of the Knights of Luna, despite Melf’s entreaties to
caution and covert action. [FtAC – 71]
Ulek Lands
The rich Ulek lands, in particular, offer subtler
delights. The Ulek nations are powerful now; they are rich, dispensers of aid
to other lands, and are increasingly influential. However, they are faced with
the awkward problem of the elven land of Celene, determinedly isolationist. The
hard-pressed central Flanaess needs Celene’s
aid, but Queen Yolande has all but sealed the borders of her land. The Knights
of Luna, with Prince Melf at their helm, seek to persuade her otherwise
and the knights have many friends in Ulek –
but also many who would inform on them and see them hang for treason against
the Queen.[Dragon #191 –
68]
Veluna
Parras Haradraith, Ambassador of Veluna
Politically, in addition to its noted concerns, Veluna
is very much concerned to end Celene's isolationism and support the Highfolk.
Melf speaks with Parras occasionally on such matters, and provides him with
useful information. [FtAC – 62]
 |
| Philidor |
It is said […] that Philidor the Blue Wizard […] has a
fondness for the Vesve and its folk, and that his magical alarm systems give
them forewarning of the approach of humanoids and other enemies over
considerable distances. Whether this will prevent or merely slow the advance of
Iuz into this great forest remains to be seen. [FtAA – 54]
It seems
implausible that he has not. He is certainly aware of him.
The Archmage Philidor […] is known within the Vesve by
the good and powerful. He always appears as a blue-skinned elf, and he never
says much about his actions or purposes. He is often referred to simply as the
"Blue Wizard." [WGR4 – 54]
But knowing of
does not equate with acquaintance. But they must have met, surely.
One wonders what
Melf thinks of this mysterious wizard. He probably perceives him a
Johnny-come-lately, only appearing after much damage had already been done.
Few see Melf,
though. He is carefully guarded. He has to be. He has a great many enemies,
after all.
He has become a
figure shrouded in mystery. Indeed, there are more than a few persons who
wonder if fabled Prince Brightflame exists at all. Others claim he died. But
there are always a few who claim to have seen him, that they knew him back in
the day, that they adventured with him, that they are close friends, even
lovers….
Maybe Melf is the current lover of the Ambassador of
the County of Urnst. [FtAC – 87]
The rumours become wilder by the year.
Zagig, The Black One of the Vale of the Mage, Leomund,
Melf, and Serten, all powerful archmages and rivals to the circle of eight,
watch the comings and goings of the Power Tower. They call themselves the “Ring
of Five”. [WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins – 3]
I wouldn’t give credence any of then, personally.
One, however, might be true.
Maybe Elraniel and Melf know each other; perhaps
Elraniel is more sympathetic to the Knights of Luna than the script above
suggests. [FtAC – 87]
 |
| Elraniel Tesmarien |
Elraniel is unique: he is a grey elf who is extremely
aged in appearance (80 years old in human terms). He is 404 years old [.]
[FtAC – 79]
Residing in the city of Greyhawk, he is in contact
with others of the People, throughout the Flanaess and beyond. [LGG – 162]
lraniel is a leading light of the People of the
Testing, although it is truly a grouping of elves bound together by the depth
of a shared unique experience, not a hierarchical group. [FtAC – 80]
Perhaps a moment might be spared to explain who the
People of the Testing are.
The mystic cabal known as the People of the Testing is
a society of elves whose members are scattered across the Flanaess. These elves
are loosely bound by the memory of their experiences in the elven otherworld
discovered through the Moonarch of Schanine. [LGG – 162]
The Moonareh of Schanine
The elves of Celene harbor many secrets, but few are
as exotic as the Moonareh. In the spur of the Lortmils northwest of Enkstad
(suggested location: hexes R4-99 and Q4-100) stands a sandstone arch some 200
feet in diameter. […]
Only elves can pass through the arch, and then only
those of nonevil alignments and some distinction (at least 7th level, or
exceptional artisans or sages). Those who enter arrive in a demiplane wherein
bewildering tests, trials, and puzzles are set as challenges for them. […]
An elf returning from the tests will often seek The
Leaving, usually traveling to Lendore thereafter. […]
Some of those tested become exiles or savants, and a
few have formed a secret society across the Flanaess: the People of the
Testing. [FtAA – 67,68]
The majority of these elves are powerful individuals,
many being wizards of 11th and higher levels, ranger lords, and the
like. […]
They share a desire to protect deep, old forest lands,
faerie folk, and hidden areas secret and precious to elves. [FtAC – 80]
One wonders whether Melf is among their number. He might
very well be, but few publicly acknowledge membership in the People of the
Testing. [LGG – 162]
He would appear to qualify in all regards:
The People are present in all levels of society,
however, and they use their influence to keep elven interests secure in the
Flanaess, no matter what the cost to other races [.] [LGG – 162]
In that vein, then, it seems likely that Melf would know
Elraniel, given their mutual aims.
This is a curious comment:
Within his home in Clerksberg [sic], Elraniel has a
number of variant crystal balls that permit communication with other members of
the People. He speaks with elves in Celene, Nyrond, the Grandwood, and the Lone
Heath, the Vesve Forest, and the Rieuwood, among other places. [FtAC – 80]
They remind me of Philidor’s globes.
In many areas he has constructed a network for magical
spying using Philidor’s globes. […] [WGR4 – 54]
Philidor's globes are found throughout the Lands of
the Tree, in the high elf heartlands where Philidor knows Kashafen, and in a
wide area around Quaalsten where Elrenn Walthair is among those who have met
the enigmatic Archmage. [WGR4 – 54]
Not that I am suggesting that Elraniel’s are Philidor’s,
or even related…. Perhaps I am suggesting just that….
Whatever their relationship, if any, this rumour gives
food for thought.
The ultimate goals of the People of the Testing remain
mysterious, and it seems the only authority they truly respect is their own
inner voice. [LGG – 162]
586 CY
 |
| City of Greyhawk |
He’s around, and
if one is keen of sight, or lucky, one can catch a glimpse of a slight,
shadowy, cautious figure as it hastily bolts from safehouse to safehouse.
His activities in the Free City involve recruitment
for forays to retrieve and destroy evil artifacts, to collect funds for the
Knights of the Hart, and to spy on the Scarlet Brotherhood agents, especially
if he thinks they may have uncovered information concerning fiends or evil
magical items. [FtAC – 69]
He has many
friends. All wish him well and success. And they would do much to ensure he
remains safe while in City.
He is on familiar terms with Kieren Jalucian, Belvor
of Furyondy, and the rulers of Dyvers, Highfolk, and Greyhawk itself. Most of
these relationships are kept secret [.] [FtAC – 69]
But not with Mordenkainen. One might think Melf has lost
faith in his old tutor.
He and Mordenkainen have a mutual respect for each
other, though they do not co-operate. [FtAC – 69]
Perhaps not; but they have different goals. And rarely,
if ever meet.
Melf is 186
years old.
589 CY
One imagines
that Melf continued to spend most of his time and energy in Highfolk and the
Vesve. I, for one, would not doubt the truth of that.
Highfolk
Ruler: The Worthy Sir, Tavin Ersteader, Mayor of
Highfolk Town (NG male human Wiz11) [LGG – 52]
The mayor of Highfolk, twenty-eight-year-old Tavin
Ersteader, was of low birth, coming from one of the region's northern villages.
Ersteader distinguished himself as a young man, exploring several mysterious
sites within the Yatils and Clatspurs and fighting against the forces of Iuz in
the Vesve. Said to be a one-time apprentice to Melf Brightflame, Ersteader
enjoys a warm relationship with the local elves, and is a good friend of Loftin
Graystand, the former mayor, who retired in 589 CY. Ersteader is a sworn enemy
to Iuz, and sponsors far more reconnaissance and attack missions against the
Old One than did his predecessor. [LGG – 53]
591 CY
Melf, to this
very day, continues to be a thorn in Iuz’s side. One wonders how Iuz continues
to suffer Brightflame to live. He surely has made attempts of Melf’s life. But,
as I said, Melf is guarded. Melf is protected. Melf has powerful friends.
And Melf rarely
spends more than a few nights in one place before moving on.
Melf, Prince Brightflame of Celene, puts on an
occasional appearance in [the Free City of Greyhawk.] [TAB – 70]
Is Iuz
concerned? Perhaps not. But he ought to be, because Melf is tenacious. And Melf
is patient, where Iuz is not. He never has been. And that will, in the end, be
his Achilles’ Heel. If he is not careful, and he never is, Melf may one day put
in an appearance in Dorakaa, when he least expects it.
 |
| Prince Brightflame |
He remains,
outwardly, as he always has.
He is […] charming and urbane. He enjoys good food,
culture, and agreeable persons of the opposite gender. [FtAC – 69]
Yet, hhis
youthful looks belie the weight of age that press down on his spirit. He bears
more responsibility than most elves, certainly more than any other his age.
I expect he comprehends
his cousin, Yolande, queen of Celene, far more now than he ever has.
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it,
if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the
present.”
― Meditations
Melf has had
quite an evolution throughout his narrative, from pampered prince to
adventurer, traitor to Celene’s throne to tireless partisan. Perhaps his most
perplexing progression is his level and stats. In a word, they are variable, to
be generous.
[Wiz1/Ftr1]; Str
17, Int 18, Wis 12, Dex 17, Con 15, Cha 8 Melf
stories? | Gary Con Forums
[Wiz10/Ftr9]; Str 14, Int 15, Wis 10, Dex 14, Con 17,
Cha 14 [AC1 Shady Dragon Inn – 25] [B/X
10th LVL Lord Wizard]
Wiz12/Ftr13; Str 14, Int 18, Wis 15, Dex 18, Con 12,
Cha 15 [FtAC – 68,69]
Wiz14/Ftr4 [LGG – 159], presumably as 20th
Lvl is a 3e level cap prior to the Epic Level sourcebook?
[Melf does not
make the pages of The Rogues Gallery 1e, probably because at Luke Gygax’s young
age he mainly rolled for NPCs (Otis) before taking up Melf after its
publication (?). One would have to ask Luke, but as I don’t know the man, and
because I prefer, for the most part, to stick to published sourcebooks in
researching these posts, I’ll suffice to say that Luke’s Melf and D&D’s
Melf are separate creatures.]
That said, stats
are part-and-parcel with ruleset, and would be fluid over editions, to conform with
the sourcebooks of the day.
More relevant
here is his narrative. His most poignant role would be as a partisan leader,
specifically against the ravages of Iuz in the Vesve, although he appears to
take a hand against Turrosh Mak’s Pomarj in the defence of Celene.
In the north, he
would seem to overlap with Philidor the Blue. I suspect most readers here would
prefer Melf over the much-maligned Philidor; but to be honest, I would not bet
on Melf ever defeating a demigod on his own plane. Sorry Melf. I just don’t see
it. Indeed, perhaps only Philidor, conceived as a construct by the gods for
just that purpose stands a chance, in that regard (although, I’m on record that
I prefer to imagine Philidor as a Child of Johydee and not as Carl Sargent
conceived him).
The more
believable narrative might be his role as a partisan in exile in the south,
defending against Turrosh Mak in the Principality of Ulek, where his actions
there and in the Suss would aid in the defence of his beloved Celene.
In either case,
one wonders why Melf (or Philidor, for that matter) should reside – however
fleetingly – in the Free City of Greyhawk. That is baffling, to say the least.
I wonder if
fandom cares either way. I suspect it would rather dispense with both, in
preference of The Circle of Eight.
I must opine,
though, regardless what fandom might think, that Melf is an elf hero; and I
believe that the elves deserve their own hero. Otherwise, they will need be
rescued by humans in an altogether largely humancentric setting. Melf serves
admirably, in this regard. He appears to care little for human nations. Yes, he
might aid Furyondy and Veluna, but only because they are taking the fight to
Iuz. He would also only be aiding the largely dwarven nation of the
Principality for the same reason, because Corond is taking the fight to
Turrosh.
Indeed, he
appears to distrust all others except elves. [FtAC – 69]
 |
| Elf |
But, he’s not
really an elf; not really. Yes, his narrative declares him one; and for all
intents and purposes, he’s a D&D elf, through and through. But what is a
D&D elf but a human with special skills and immunities? Elves are not
human. They are separate. They keep to themselves. They don’t really like
humans or dwarves, do they? But here, in game, they mix with humans as a matter
of course, and adventure with them with regularity. With dwarves too, despite
their mutual dislike. They have the same desires and greed (more so like humans
here than dwarves, but that’s another discussion, altogether). They are also
Tolkien-esque in how we see them, Legolas personified: pointy-eared and good with
a bow. In short, D&D elves are not faerie.
 |
| Faerie |
I
expect you are grinding your teeth reading this potion of my exit essay. What
has this to do with anything, you may ask. I hear you. But I’m entitled to my
archaic opinion. I realise that my wish and desire of what might have, and could
have, been are irrelevant here. D&D is a game, filled with stat blocks and
matrices, dice and rules galore. It is as removed from the myths it is derived
from as it is from its own early iterations. C’est la Vie. I blame a classical
education in the humanities for what I love. That may be why I love Lovecraft,
too. His work is suffused with the unknown and the unknowable. Much like
Faerie.
My irrelevant misgivings
aside, I do buy into Melf and the Knights of Luna – as I do not (at this time of writing) the elven
branch of the Knights of the Hart. And I believe that should one campaign in
either the Vesve or the Suss that one’s campaign would be lesser without their inclusion.
Melf and his knights are wonderful examples that all elves are chaotic; they
follow their hearts and not the rule of law as decreed by their queen of
Celene.
“Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to
do and let them surprise you with their results.”
―
One must always
give credit where credit is due. This History is made possible primarily by the
Imaginings of Gary Gygax and his Old Guard, Lenard Lakofka among them, and the
new old guards, Carl Sargant, James Ward, Roger E. Moore. And Erik Mona, Gary Holian,
Sean Reynolds, Frederick Weining.
The list is interminable.
Special thanks
to Jason Zavoda for his compiled index, “Greyhawkania,” an invaluable research
tool.
The Art:
Map detail, by Darlene, from World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
Queen Yolande, by Vince Locke, from Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
The Suss Forest, from Anna B. Meyer's map
Princes Corond and Brightflame, by Vince Locke, from Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Sources:
1015
World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1064
From the Ashes Boxed Set, 1992
1068
Greyhawk Wars Boxed Set, 1991
2011 Players Handbook 1e, 1978
2011A
Dungeon Masters Guide, 1979
BECMI Expert Rules, 1983
9025
World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
9100
AC1 The Shady Dragon Inn, 1983
9292
WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins, 1990
9386
WGR3 Rary the Traitor, 1992
9398 WGR4 The Marklands, 1993
9576
Return of the Eight, 1998
9577
The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578 Players Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
11743 Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Dragon Magazine #191
Greyhawkania,
Jason Zavoda
The Greyhawk wiki
Fitting bio on Melf. I must admit I turned a blind eye to the Knights of Luna stuff not that I disliked it but bc my campaign focused more on the Vesve than Celene. (and Philidor) Should have I involved Melf? Most likely. I do remember his clunky involvement in the" Ring of Five" during GH Ruins. I often thought, well this can't be real, it's just a slap dash collection of wizards who hadn't already been assembled ala the Circle of 8.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely know how to opine on a subject, and elfdom in GH is one of your best. Thanks for putting this out. I look forward to your next character bio.