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I remembered from AD&D (2nd edition) there was a rule whereby if an elf died, they could not be returned with the raise dead spell - only with resurrection. There was some reasoning behind it to do with the creation of elves I beleive.

I'm curious if anyone knows if this rule was copied over into 3rd edition rules? Also if the reasoning stays the same?

In 3e, aside from FrCS you will find next to nothing for information on elves from what I've seen. As far as I've read it does not matter what way an elf is brought back, but utlimately something like that is best left up to the "house rules".

Yeah, I can really understand why as well Just wondering what the story behind that rule was, if anyone knows? Idle curiosity now

Ah. Yeah, that seems to make sense.

Cheers for that

I am sure andreas will give a full and complete answer as well, specially if I miss anything for this one..

Basically, elves believe when they die they are drawn into Arvandor by Sehanine Moonbow (Goddess of Moonlight, Reverie, Consort of Corellon, 2nd most important god to most elves... other domain areas as well).

Elves typically last about 800 years within forgotten realms. When born they feel a calling to pass onwards to Arvandor and Join their cousins there as one. Sorta close to a Commune of bonding that takes place in Elven Rapport or High Mages (another reason why High mages typically stay longer then other elves because they "connect" and can resist the call).

Basically, everything about the elven religion and belief structures from birth adhore the very idea of returning from the dead. The elven people are a deep seeded very close to their gods religious people. Their society places almost nothing before religion to their gods. The passing of an elf is a jousy occasion into the afterlife. Even those that leave by non natural causes are typically are typically believed to be held with less saddness for a passing. Saddness for the loss of the elf among them yet, a deep happiness for they will see them again in Arvandor.

Typically speaking, no elf would wish to return unless their god told them to, or something deep seeded for reasons to return from the dead. I think in novels and written elven history in forgotten realms it was done only for one individual Shervash (now the lesser god of the elven crusade against the drow), then it was done by Rillifane, major diety of the wood/wild elves. Even the idea of disturbing the rest of the souls is looked very shamefully upon and often denied. It is why elven priests will very rarely raise dead within explicit reasons to do so.

Now is this practical for upon here as a mud world compared to tabletop? Not really. So just as third edition allows elves to be raised dead, and elven priests here get raise dead not ressurection for a spell choice. It makes more sense to raise dead, even if rarely for them. Still should be server emotional trama for elves that are slain that will be long lasting for months upon months even more so then humans or other races. Being ripped from their holy land and touch with the other elven souls as one.

The Following are good sources of information for this.
Elves of Evermeet by Elaine Cunningham
Dream Spheres Elaine Cunningham (harpers 1,2,3,4,5)
Evermeet Island of Elves
Ruins of Myth Drannor
Cormanthyr Empire of Elves
Fall of Myth Drannor

Both have instances of Elves passing and show Elaith Cralnoubor (exiled elven of sept clan to the Moonflowers) and Arilyn Moonblade (half-elf, yet raised by evereskan elves)

Here is also a passage from the second source named, one or two that remarked upon the elven feelings upon the subject. Page 112 Dreams Sphere by Elaine Cunningham

Elaigh gave her a faint smile and courtly bow. " I will consider myself warned . Lord Thann, what is that box?" he asked, more to distract the conversation than from any real interest.
Dannilo shifted uneasily." It's all that remains of Oth."
"Ah. Turning evidence over to the Watch. Very commendable." the elf murmured without much interest.
"Actually, I thoguht I'd turn this over to the Eltorchul clan for possible resurrection."

Outrage, quick and sharp ant utterly elven, surged through Elaith. He noted that Arilyn's expression mirroed his thoughts. In this, at lesat they were of like mind.
Ressurecton, was it? Typical human arrogance! The elf could think of nothing more self-centered or more repugnant than disturbing the afterlife of friend of kindred.
"Why do humans persist in doing this thing?" he demanded.
"Because we can, most likely," Danilo responded wearily. "It is hard to accept that a loved one is lost when magic exists that will call him back."


Please excuse the length of this note. I hope this shall show the elven mind set a bit, please if I have missed anything add it on as well. Does this mean every single elf in the world would believe this? No, but about 96% at least would, considered even outcasts and half-elves like Elaith and Arilyn do. 4 times my elves have died now, one was told to come back from his god, another time was asked back for a duty bonding him still here. The other elf was brought back without anyone asking him if he wished to. The last never came back for to him it was wrong to consider that, he is still floating up there..

Basically, rp it how you will though. I hope the information will help out somewhat though :smiles: or perhaps make you wish to go read the book dream spheres or the others, they are great information

sincerely,
Jeffery
Role player of Penryn of Evermeet Stubborn Gold Elf Priest[/b]

Now for the D&D reason behind it, sad that I remember this after so long. Under the original game rules elves had spirits instead of souls. Any of the races that had souls could be raised by raise dead or reincarnate. Any of the races that had spirits had to be raised by ressurection, which could only be done by a wand of ressurection.