Melf

This article is about the Dungeons & Dragons character. For the electronic component package type, see metal electrode leadless face.
Melf, Prince Brightflame
Game information
Homeland Celene
Gender Male
Race Grey Elf
Class Fighter/ Wizard
Age 200+/-
Setting World of Greyhawk

In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Melf, also known as Prince Brightflame, is a grey elven archmage, and was originally a player character of Lucion Paul Gygax in Gary Gygax's home campaign. Melf is a native of the elven kingdom of Celene, and is recognized by many as the leader of the Knights of Luna.

In Gary Gygax's 1986 novel Artifact of Evil, Melf is also known as Melf of the Arrow. He seems to acknowledge that Melf is not his real name, but says "it is a simple name, as good as any."

Creative origins

Melf was one of the original player characters that explored Gary Gygax's dungeons of Castle Greyhawk. He was created by Gygax's son, Lucion Paul (Luke) Gygax.

Gary Gygax later recalled an incident during those early days of role-playing:

"In punishment for crimes against nature, Melf was commanded to rise before dawn each morning for a year, [and] frolic merrily at dawn singing:
When the sun in the morning peeps over the hill
and caresses the rosebuds on my windowsill,
my heart fills with gladness when I hear the trill
of the birds in the treetops around any old hill.
Tra-la-la, fiddle-dee-dee-dee,
it gives me a pain to dance and sing this, must I do it again?
Tra-la-la, fiddle-dee-dee-dee, there’s penance to do,
how happy I'll be when it’s finally through!"[1]

Description

Melf is 5'8", 147 lbs, and about 200 years old (appearing in his late 20s in human terms). He changes his appearance from time to time, though he always appears as an elf. 1983's The Shady Dragon Inn describes his counterpart Peralay as "left-handed, blond, hazel-eyed, and large for an elf (5'8", 148 lbs.)." It says furthermore that Peralay's shield is decorated with "the hunting hawk symbol of his clan" and that his sword, Gnoll-Cleaver, was forged long ago by dwarves.

Prince Brightflame is a strong believer in mediation, diplomacy and open communication, and thus some believe him to be naive. Charming and urbane, Melf enjoys good food, culture, and agreeable persons of the opposite gender.

Melf is vastly knowledgeable and experienced. He specializes in Iuz and buried evils, and is strongly opposed to both Iuz and the Scarlet Brotherhood.

Relationships

An ally of Mordenkainen and a former member of the Citadel of Eight, in Artifact of Evil Melf is said to have sworn fealty to Mordenkainen, and he carries the holy symbol of Fharlanghn. Melf is also a cousin of Queen Yolande of Celene. He has also been depicted as fighting side-by-side with Prince Olinstaad Corond of Ulek, presumably during a 586 counteroffensive to regain Principality lands lost to the Empire of the Pomarj during the Greyhawk Wars.

Although secretive and protective, Melf is on good terms with luminaries such as Kieran Jalucian, King Belvor IV of Furyondy, and the rulers of Dyvers, Highfolk, and the City of Greyhawk. He and Mordenkainen have much respect for each other, but the two do not cooperate, at least not anymore. The mayor of Highfolk town, Tavin Ersteader, is a former apprentice of Melf.

Melf is on good terms with the Fellowship of the Torch, and is often seen in the company of Kirilarien Allavesse when in Greyhawk.

Melf was also listed in Greyhawk Ruins as one of the rumored members of the Ring of Five.

A Prince Archosian Brightflame of Celene is mentioned in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. This other Prince Brightflame is more than 150 years older than Melf and currently a heroic general battling demons in the Abyss.

There is some apocryphal evidence that Melf and Warduke may know each other. In 1983's The Shady Dragon Inn, Warduke is mentioned as being a member of the same adventuring party as an elf named "Peralay," both of whom had action figures for TSR's 1983 toy line. The fact that the Peralay figure was originally released under the name "Melf" and Warduke's retcon into Greyhawk continuity provide a topic of apocryphal interest.

Home

According to From the Ashes, Melf represents the Knights of Luna in Greyhawk. The Greyhawk Player's Guide says he is currently living in exile from Celene, sometimes in the City of Greyhawk.

Spells

Melf is responsible for developing such spells as Melf's Acid Arrow, Melf's Unicorn Arrow, and Melf's Minute Meteors.

Writings

Melf is known to have authored or co-authored the following works:

Collectibles

In 1983, a Melf action figure was released as part of LJN's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons toy line. However, the figure was eventually renamed as "Peralay."

References

  1. ↑ Stormberg, Paul J. (July 2002). "Thus Spake Gary Gygax: Ye Secrets of Oerth Revealed". The Oerth Journal (12): 8.
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