I know you don't play it but what are your thoughts on D&D lore that says elves can't grow beards. Like, they're physically incapable of it not like some weird elven law
You appeal to my analytical side and despite not playing D&D, I will try to analyze this from what I know of D&D and my personal opinions when it comes to Elves in general.
Firstly, body hair is used for keeping the body warm in cold climates, so my first thought is that perhaps Elves live in very warm climates and therefore don’t need body hair, and facial hair is included in this. So, Elves living in a warm climate makes this make sense, I doubt anyone wants to have a full beard when it is quite hot and sunny and dry. But, as far as I know, most tropes with Elves revolve around them being inclined more towards forest environments, which can still be hot, but it isn’t something I see very often. I think the creation of Elves that thrive in desert environments would be fascinating. Or even Mad Max type Elves.
Another “biological” reason is that perhaps Elves have fewer androgens, which are the hormones that stimulate vellus hair to darken and coarsen. In humans, both men and women have them, but males have higher levels of it, hence men’s ability to grow beards (typically). So, perhaps Elves have much lower concentrations of this and thus, cannot grow beards. Or, since Elves take such a long time to mature and reach their full age, they don’t grow beards for the majority of their lives and thus don’t want it when they can? Just spitballing.
Any of those can be perfectly acceptable answers, but I think diving into the actual world of Elves (both from the outside, like creators looking at the fantasy world, and also how Elves are portrayed in the media) is more interesting.
After a quick google, D&D was published in 1974. This is important because I can’t imagine the creators were not influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien’s Elves in Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and definitely The Silmarillion. In the books, they are described as "wondrous fair." Legolas is "fair of face beyond the measure of men." The beauty of both Galadriel and of Arwen is mentioned repeatedly, and there are numerous other mentions of Elvish beauty throughout Tolkien's works. Elves as a group are often called "Fair Folk." And fair probably is a play on words and its several meanings when it comes to the Elves. Fair as in just, rule-following, etc. But, it also means light complected and such, which brings up the point that the most powerful and mighty and pious creatures in Tolkien’s world are inharmonious with white and the savage orcs are the “dark and ugly” creatures in this world, but that’s an entirely different conversation. (especially with the comparison between hate groups and D&D, but I don’t have enough info to really go into that). Anyway, perhaps since most of the time, Elves have “fair” hair, the facial hair they do grow is shaved off because it is just peach-fuzz, or is extremely fair anyway, so there is no real point to keeping it.
Anyway, Elves are highly moral and “fair” creatures, something that humanity is known for lacking at the best of times. Humans are much more complicated, so are the Elves not growing beards another way to show that humans and Elves are very different species? A little thin, but could be a factor. Perhaps the reason is simply that the demographic for D&D is more aimed at younger boys. Elves are powerful creatures, full of wisdom and strength. They live forever and are generally pretty Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu if you ask me. And their description of being beardless (unable to grow a beard) and pale and lean would appeal to a scrawny, prepubescent teen, yes?
So is it biological? Perhaps.
Is it to appeal to Tolkien fans? More than likely.
Is it to make young teenage boys who aren’t developed into the traditional “masculine” archetype we tend to force through media feel better and powerful? Sure.
Could it also be construed to be something to do with gender norms and how Elves should probably be gender fluid or agender in this day and age? Could it have been one of the creators going “hey, this would be an interesting tidbit, wouldn’t it?” Could it have more sinister undertones involving racism? All of these are probably woven into every aspect of D&D, well fantasy, because it is, after all, the reflection of our world.
But what do you think?
On a personal note, I think it is a strange detail to give to a race without giving a reason. It seems silly to me.
Thanks, as always for the question Patricia <3