Sylphs were Fey creatures who dwelled both on the Prime Material and the Realm of Air. Generally around four feet tall but weighing very little, they appeared as feminine, beautiful creatures with translucent, brightly colored wings resembling those of dragonflies. Their hair ranged from typical tones to blues, purples, and greens. They favored filmy, flowing garments and brightly colored jewelry, and some wore clothes magically woven from mist.
Generally passive and curious, sylphs avoided danger but were highly adventurous, often traveling extensively. Scholars speculated they had arisen from the cross-breeding of lesser Air Elementals with Nymphs. An all-female race, sylphs could mate with some Mortalkind, laying eggs that hatched within six months. Their children grew at a normal pace but retained a youthful appearance into adulthood. Magical abilities appeared early; the ability to turn invisible manifested around age five, and levitation with wing-assisted thrust by age ten.
Sylphs relied on magic rather than physical combat, often calling upon air-based Spellcraft and, in rare fury, the ability to summon thunderstorms. Their nests were elaborate, solitary retreats in mountains or trees, often adorned with gems and magical items. Every 28 years, sylphs gathered for a grand festival to trade, share news, and welcome new members. They typically spoke their own language and Auran, and while they generally kept to themselves, they sometimes befriended Adventurers or allied with Dryads and nymphs. They also traded for practical items to furnish their nests, such as silks and pillows.