Sylph

Sylphs were small fey who often inhabited the Elemental Plane of Air and the Material Plane.

Description
They often appeared as petite, beautiful women with translucent, brightly colored wings that resembled those of a dragonfly. Their hair was generally worn long and ranged from colors that humans considered "normal" to blues, purples, or greens.

They often preferred wearing filmy-seeming, silky, or loose clothing and brightly colored jewelry. Though some were said to wear shifting garments that were woven from mist.

Personality
Sylphs were usually passive creatures and fled in the presence of danger if their curiosity did not get the better of them. They were very adventurous and would spend much of their life traveling.

Biology
Some scholars speculated that sylphs may have begun as the result of a cross-breeding between nymphs and aerial servants.

Being an all-female race, sylphs mated with other humanoid species. Generally, this was done with elves, though some were known to mate with humans and halflings.

Though they were a humanoid race, sylphs bore their young through eggs, typically laying them three months following conception. Within six months, these eggs would hatch, but in the intervening time a sylph would typically conjure an air elemental to guard it. Once hatched, their children were noted as growing at a rate similar to that of a human, though once fully matured, they retained their youthful appearance throughout their lifespan.

Their innate magical abilities would begin manifesting at the age of five years, including the ability to become invisible at will. Sylphs then generally became capable of flight at the age of ten years, though calling it "flight" would be a bit of a misnomer. In truth, they had an innate ability to levitate, and their wings merely provided them thrust. However, if these were to be injured, a sylph would only be capable of gliding and hovering.

Abilities
Sylphs were capable of turning invisible at will and conjuring air elementals, though prior to the Time of Troubles they were only known to be capable of the latter once per week.

Particularly furious sylphs were said to be capable of calling upon thunderstorms.

Combat
Sylphs rarely engaged in physical combat, relying entirely on their magic. Their use of magic would primarily revolve around spells related to the element air.

History
In the ancient city of Cursrah, sylphs inhabited its city parks and were known to sing sad songs.

Society
Sylph nests were highly individualistic and elaborate retreats, generally carved into mountains, though some were perched within tall trees. Their homes tended to contain gems and various magical items.

Sylphs were known to congregate every 28 years in a sort of grand festival in which they would trade, share news, renew friendships, and welcome new members of their race.

Homelands
On the Prime Material plane, sylphs were known to be found on the Moonshae Isles, especially in the Myrloch Vale, as well as in parts of Cormanthor's forests.

In interior Faerûn, these creatures were fabled to have lived in the Cloudlands.

Sylphs in service of Sharindlar were also known to inhabit the Merciful Court, her divine realm in Nidavellir.

Languages
In addition to their own language, sylphs generally spoke Common  and Auran.

Relationships
Some were known to befriend adventurers and even aid them in exchange for favors, though in general, they distanced themselves from mundane races. They were most often seen in the company of dryads and nymphs. Some were known to work as messengers to the servants of the Queen of Faeries and even carry advice to her druids. Others were known to serve the Archomental Princess of Good of Air, Chan.

Sylphs were also known to trade with other creatures for light furnishings for their nests, such as silks and pillows.

Trivia

 * The year 687 DR was named the "Year of the Wandering Sylph".
 * Around the mid-14 century DR, there was a tavern in the city of Sundabar named the Sighing Sylph. At its front entrance stood a life-size wooden statue of the creature.

Appearances

 * Novels


 * Star of Cursrah
 * Video Games