Possible Fate: Gentle Folk revival in the Five Shires
by Marc SaindonAfter the fall of Alfheim to the Shadow Elves (which aren't Drow), and the forest's ecological collapse, a group of younger dissident elves - both Shadow Elves and Alfheim resistants - realize that greed and war destroyed the chance of a viable homeland for either group. They start preaching about peace and sharing, so naturally both societies they belong to opt persecute and chase them out, as being "too soft" and "not loyal".
The mix group wanders southward and finally finds it way where no other elves are going: the Five Shires. They set up a small commune, and through contact with Hin lorekeepers uncover fragmentary lore on forgotten ancient elves that mysteriously disappeared (the Hollow World's Gentle Folk). The commune attempts some cultural reconstructionism (the same way norse myth in Wagner operas isn't authentic norse beliefs) to build a core identity, with some partial success but not any great spark.
And then Gareth missionaries show up from Sind.
The new faith in this Immortal is quickly adopted by the group, although viewed through a skewed lense. They integrate what they believe to Sind culture, as well as some ideas they heard of Atruaghin communities from a Darokinian merchant.
And so a small clan of "Hippie Elves" is born.
These new Gentle Folk do have better survival instincts and a drive to actually accomplish goals than their Hollow World counterpart. But more importantly, the commune's main success is overcoming one of the Alfheim's Elves bigger problem: low birth rate. Indeed, the 'Summer of Merrymaking' allowed not only the elves to reproduce (eschewing clan lines and Shadow/Alfheim divisions), but twins and even triplets became a common occurence. This created a new social reality for the elves, one in which elven children are numerically superior to the adults.
While the local Hin might see their elven "guests" as a bit troublesome and eccentric, the real threat on the horizon are remnants of the Iron Ring who lurk on the border of Karameikos, finding that elf children might fetch a high price for their rarity.
(art from: https://www.deviantart.com/olaskaart/art/Hippie-elf-character-933147996)