The Tool Desk
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What duration do the D&D sources give?
| Source | Stated duration | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete Book of Elves (AD&D 2nd Edition, 1993) | Two years | An older-edition account. Source text reproduction. |
| “The Secret Life of Elves,” Dragon Magazine #279 | Approximately twelve lunar cycles | About one year; a separate periodical account. Article scan. |
| D&D Beyond legacy elf species description | No duration stated in the returned text | The page discusses elf aging and lifespan, but does not specify pregnancy length. Elf description. |
The Dragon article’s wording is: “The elven fetus gestates for approximately twelve lunar cycles.” That is roughly a year, not two years. The sources do not explain the discrepancy, so it is best to keep each duration tied to its source rather than reconcile them into a supposed universal figure.
Does the current-facing elf description give an answer?
The consulted D&D Beyond legacy elf description does not state how long an elf pregnancy lasts. Its discussion of adulthood and a lifespan of up to 750 years is not evidence of a gestation period. The lifespan detail concerns how long elves may live, not pregnancy.
Which duration should a campaign use?
If the detail matters in your game, choose the source that fits the edition or setting you are using, or have the DM establish a campaign ruling. Treat that choice as a table decision unless the campaign’s applicable material specifies otherwise; neither of the cited durations should be presented as a rule covering all D&D.
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