Elves and Insects?

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Anyone else notice that there's a recurrent theme in D&D products-- especially 2e products-- of Elves either being heavily involved with or utterly opposed to insects?

Spelljammer was big about this, with the Bionoids (elf-created insectoid living war-machines) and the Insectare (elf-like semi-insectoids trying to destroy elvenkind).

Thri-Kreen are noted for having a very specific taste for elven flesh. Likewise, Elves and Xixchil, though both fascinated by biology and modifying it, are noted to have a great distaste for one another.

Anyone wonder how they get along with Dromites, now?

 

[Ambrus]

When I saw the title of your thread I assumed you meant that elves have a certain affections for insects. Spelljamer elves make thier ships in the shapes of giant butterflies and also use them as a recurring theme in some of their artwork, jewelry and clothes. The drow on the other hand are utterly obsessed with spiders. (Yes yes I know neither spiders and butterflies are technically insects but they are generally lumped together with insects)

Elves don't get along with many creatures. Green dragons particularly like them as food. Perhaps what you're seeing is just the tip of the iceberg as far as races-that-hate-elves. On the other hand perhaps it was simply a running joke at TSR or something.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I think this was a direct result of Drow and Lolth, from that moment it was attached at the hip.

 

[DMH]

(Yes yes I know neither spiders and butterflies are technically insects but they are generally lumped together with insects)

Butterflies are most definately insects- 3 body sections, 6 legs, external mouth parts, metamorphosis (most insects have some form), and a close relation to the caddisflies.

I agree with HoE- one of the most important groups of predators of insects are spiders.

 

[F5]

It's signifigant that elves when elves are associated with insects, it's always the graceful, beautiful insects (like butteflies). You usually don't see elves associated with dung beetles, or maggots/flies.

 

[Sundragon2012]

I know that drow are attached to spiders because Gary Gygax used some obscure one line reference from Tolkien regareding some elves in some wood who had some involvement with spiders or bugs or somesuch. I think I am correct in this.

It took me years to wrap my head around the whole drow/spider thing. I just don't see elven and insectoid naturally. Now I am fine with the drow as they are because its familiar. However that is where I draw the line in regards to elves and bugs. I don't have anything to do with spelljammer so I don't have to worry about biomechanical elven spaceships.


Chris

 

[diaglo]

faeries... aka Elves in OD&D

is there no love for the grig? part cricket, part faerie.

 

[Tonguez]

Linking elfs and omsects is a great idea imho. elfs are so boring that they need a bit more flavour to thm and insects provide that - just look what Arachnids have done for the Drow.

IMC its goblins and flies that are linked. Insectoid goblins are rare but known and a major goblin god being Tamumu the god of flies