"Halloween Elves" as the Shiye-Lawr?
by Marc SaindonI'm trying to flesh out a bit the Mystaran Elves, and while the Shiye-Lawr Elf culture is akin to the D&D Grey Elves, maybe it can be expanded upon. Whereas Alfheim Elves would be Sylvan, green-cloaked, and on good terms with the Seelie Court of the Good Kingdom, perhaps the Shiye-Lawr are really into "the circle of life must be complete" and hold a somewhat grim, yet sober, look on existence. They dabble a bit in the macabre, similar to the emo and gothic Shadar-Kai (although they tone done the Hellraiser cosplay), and to a much lesser extent, the Drow. They enjoy the forest, but do so primarily at night, and so associate with nocturnal creatures such as owls and moths. Despite the dark tones, they would be no more leaning towards evil than other races (think of Elvira and other perky goths as examples). The average Shiye-Lawr would dress in black robes and black cloaks, although wealthier individuals might go for navy blue, purple, or even audacious colors like orange and red (similar to how the forest is flamboyant in autumn).
Despite appearances, they would not have any affinity with the Shadowfell (if you've retconned its existence into Mystara), but instead the spookier parts of the Good Kingdom, where the have ancient pacts of protection with certain Unseelie potentates (Hags might not harm the local elves, but these pacts don't extend to intruding humans).
Shiye-Lawr magic would tend to focus on "Halloween" theme and mood, with Elves learning Darkness instead Light, a spell put to use by their Scouts and Arcane Archers during raids.
(Image from: https://www.deviantart.com/arrojado/art/Beatiful-Silver-Hair-Halloween-Scarecrow-Woman-3-988539430)