"Perhaps it is the outcome of some vile experiment in hybridization, or some Shroud-induced degeneration. I know not. I know only that the Elves who dwell in the Dragonmirk and the swamps that fester around the shores of the Bay of Olkos are the least pleasant, and least predictable of their kind, and all the worse for their strange powers. I deem them a poor prospect as trading partners, for all that they can source many interesting and rare commodities. Even the Marsh Goblins understand - nay, embrace - trade. These creatures, on the other hand, see it as an opportunity for malice."
Abrusk Aardys, Commodore 1st class, Ghelbur Trading League, Report X-I_323c, submitted and filed Year 451 of the New Reckoning.
The so-called Muck Elves are not, as is commonly thought, Elves modified by the sorcerous pressures of Shroudfall (or at least, not wholly so). They have, in fact, existed for far longer. Takan'zekki, the Absinthe Dragon of Eltmire won a disaffected tribe of Elves to her service over 1800 years ago and spent considerable time and effort 'adapting' them until they were fit for her realm and their duties. They were, however, unable to reproduce Simple attrition had reduced their numbers from over 300 to just 35 when Shroudfall struck. By the time Eltmire had returned to some semblance of normalcy, the surviving Muck Elves were aware of two changes: Takan'zekki was gone, her whereabouts unknown, and the Muck Elves were now capable of breeding.
Always licentious and devoted to pleasures - they did, after all, serve an Absinthe Dragon - they now bred and bred, until there were too many for the Eltmire to support. They spread out then, in search of new homelands. Eventually, some found their way to the New Kingdoms, particularly the swamps created by the sinking shores of the Bay of Olkos and the collapse of old Venara into the sea. Their rampant reproduction rate is now somewhat outmatched by the fury with which they are hunted by other swamp-dwellers: Moss Trolls, Marsh Goblins, Mugwumps, and many others loathe the Muck Elves, and often seek to drive them right out of the swamplands.
Muck Elves tend to be a little shorter than other Elves, as well as being oddly pudgy - they are in fact quite muscular, but have a small layer of subcutaneous fat around much of their torso and limbs, an adaptation introduced by Takan'zekki, possibly with the aim of increasing their buoyancy in the swamps. Their colouring is usually a loamy brown, with twinkling eyes of bright green, whilst they are almost hairless. Of greater remark are their iridescent dragonfly wings, which they use to hover, zip and dart like, well, dragonflies.
They retain most of their Elven abilities, but have several improvements: they can belch forth a 20' line of caustic goo, and may cast the spells acid arrow and stinking cloud (though only on a limited basis, see above). In addition, when lolling around in mud, they regenerate 1 hp of damage per round. The RMFRP version is detailed below:
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