As everyone knew, elves were an enduringly popular race in fantasy fiction, and the Realms were naturally no exception.
The most common elves in the Realms were the Wood Elves of the High Forest. These elves, who had remained in the Realms before the Great Retreat, had established vast numbers of settlements across many regions. They frequently took part in all manner of affairs, adventuring, running businesses, and going about their lives. They were the most visible and commonplace elves; wander anywhere in the Realms, and you could find Wood Elves.
Next came the Sun Elves and Moon Elves. Not many of either kind actually remained in the Realms, but their fame was immense. Any country's history books, provided their authors were sane and not making things up, would mention the enormous influence these two elven peoples had exerted on the Realms.
A few Sun Elves and Moon Elves still lived in Cormyr.
Somewhat less prominent were the Sea Elves and Drow. The former were mainly active in the oceans, the latter in the Underdark. Most people had never seen them, but had at least heard a few rumors.
As for Wild Elves, a few of whom were scattered through the primeval forests of the southern Realms, and Winged Elves-Aaron remembered a character like that in the Baldur's Gate games-they essentially existed only in myths.
Beyond those, Cormyr's libraries mentioned a handful of extremely rare elven subraces, but none mentioned Snow Elves.
"Snow Elves? What are those?" Aaron asked his older cousin Maximian.
The Sword Saint Monk first nodded instinctively, then shook his head with an odd expression. "Haven't you read the books kept in the deepest part of the Royal Library? They recount some of the history of the elven empire of Cormanthor and mention the existence of Snow