Dark elf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dark Elves are often malicious counterparts to the Light Elves (or High Elves) in modern popular culture originally inspired by the Svartálfar, figures in Germanic paganism.
Dark elves are a common element in modern fantasy fiction, although usually very highly embellished with outside influences and rarely displaying many elements of the ancient folktales that inspired their inclusion, throughout fantasy fiction of many types. Their appearence varies considerably from representation to representation, as does their given background.
[edit] Origins In Folklore
[edit] Norse/Germanic mythology
In Norse mythology, Svartálfar ("Swartelves" or "black elves"), sometimes considered synonymous with duergar ("dwarves"), are subterranean creatures who dwell in the world of Svartálfheim. They may be either benevolent or malevolent. The original Svartalfar worked the forges on the lowest level of the world tree. Their roles and countenance vary throughout Germanic folklore but are sometimes mentioned with Black or Dark skin as a result of working at the forge.
The Dökkálfar ("Darkelves") are male ancestral spirits who may protect the people, although some can be menacing, especially when one is rude to them. They are generally light-avoiding, though not necessarily subterranean.
Snorri Sturluson, author of among other things the Younger Edda, distinguishes them from the ljósálfar ("Lightelves") of Álfheim, in most sources simply known as elves.
[edit] Celtic mythology
In the Irish language, the Daoi-Sith (or Daoine Sidhe) are "dark elves", while the Du-Sith (or Erdluitle) are "black elves". Both terms are obscure, and the latter seems to have been used as a proper name. Apart from an ambiguous folktale of uncertain origin involving one Sir Lachlan Mor M'Clean [1], there are no known surviving myths or stories associated with these creatures in Celtic mythology, so it is impossible to tell whether they were thought to be elf-like, troll-like, or something completely different, or if they were even similar to each other.
While the terms exist and were apparently used for something, it is currently impossible to tell exactly what. However, it seems possible that they are related to the Trow and Drow of Scottish folklore, if not direct precursors.
[edit] British Isles folklore
In the Orkney Islands, the Trow or the black elves are similar to the Svartalfar or to Scandinavian trolls or dwarves, and inhabit mines and caves. They may be either helpful or harmful but stories regarding harm are more common.
The Drow or the dark elves are the Shetland Isle equivalent of the Trow, but unlike the trow, they are thought of as exclusively malicious. They are tiny elves known for their mining and metal-working, not unlike dwarves.
In Irish mythology, a drow is a stone monster of the Fomori, similar to the Scandinavian troll.
[edit] Dark elves in fiction
Due at least partly to influence from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and perhaps also to the ever-growing tendency toward synthesis of folklores, it is not uncommon for both Trows and Drows, along with Black-elves and Dark-elves, to be pictured as otherwise beautiful but dangerous and sometimes corrupted versions of the Norse Light Elves that have come to replace the tiny fairy-like elves of British folklore as the dominant model. As the image associated with the word "elf" once again became one of tall, slender, human-like creatures of otherworldly beauty, so did the image associated with the Black-elves/Trow and the Dark-elves/Drow.
[edit] The Deed of Paksenarrion
In Elizabeth Moon's trilogy The Deed of Paksenarrion, the Dark Elves are a sect of elves that have wandered from the path and now follow the gods of evil, rather than the High Lord.
[edit] Middle-earth
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, the Moriquendi—the Elves of Darkness—are, in essence, the Elves that did not join the Great Journey over the sea and behold the light of the Two Trees in Valinor. However, such Dark Elves were not inherently destructive and were sometimes portrayed as quite noble. The term "Dark Elf" in Tolkien's writing seems to hold an additional special meaning, as it is given as a special title of Eöl of Nan Elmoth. Eöl wears black armor, carries a black sword, is dark-hearted (that is, a villain), and spends a lot of time with Dwarves, underground, in the dark. His title is therefore quite fitting.
It could be argued that the true evil elves of Middle-earth are the Orcs, since in some editions of Tolkien's writings they were once Elves, but were transformed by torture and sorcery into servants of evil.
[edit] Dungeons & Dragons
In the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, especially in the worlds of Greyhawk, the Forgotten Realms and Eberron, dark elves are commonly called drow. They are dark-skinned and white-haired and are generally, but not exclusively, evil. Many other games and works of mainstream fantasy fiction derive their "dark elves" or "night elves" from the drow of Dungeons & Dragons.
In the Mystara/"Known World" setting, shadow elves are a race of subterranean elves who have been mutated via magic (possibly as a nod to the origin of orcs in Middle-earth).
In the Dragonlance setting, dark elves are not a separate subrace of elves (in fact, the drow of other worlds do not exist on this one). In this setting, "dark elf" is a label given to any elf that is outcast from elven society, typically (although not always) for evil practices.
- It should be noted that in the Forgotten Realms setting Dark-elf is not entirely synonomous with Drow. As explained on pages 54-56 of the supplement Lost Empires of Faerun by Richard Baker et al., The dark-elves were a subrace of elves and the majority were not inherently evil. Actions of the dark-elves of Ilythiir during the Second and Fourth Crown Wars led the other elven kingdoms to perform powerful ritual changing all of the dark-elves into drow. "The word dhaerow- which meant traitor- was likewise corrupted to 'drow,' which became the name of the corrupted dark-elves. Why all the dark elves, and not just the Ilythiiri, were transformed into drow remains one of the enduring mysteries of the Descent" (56).
[edit] Record of Lodoss War
Dark elves from the fictional world of Record of Lodoss War are brown-skinned and not necessarily evil, but primarily aligned with the forces of Marmo, the enemies of the story's heroes. These Dark Elves are capable of deep loyalty and love.
[edit] Shadowrun
As with most metahuman races in the Shadowrun world, many elves are born from the same ethnic groups that normal humans come from, meaning that there are African elves, Indian elves, and Arabic elves, for example. However, the closest thing to the "dark elf" in Shadowrun is the elf metahuman variant subgroup called the Night Ones, most of which come from Europe. The Night Ones have an aversion to sunlight and are different from other elves by possessing a fine fur coat that covers their bodies, indistinguishable from their skin at a distance and usually colored from black, violet, or dark blue. Popular media has dubbed them dark elves, and the group is sometimes stereotyped against as being members of a cult or an "evil" metahuman race. In the in-character comments of a sourcebook, a character derisively calls a group of Night One pirates, "the Muppets", because of their purple fur resembling the Muppet Grover.
[edit] Warhammer
In the fictional universes of Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000, the generally evil Dark Elves (known as Dark Eldar in the Warhammer 40,000 universe) do not dwell underground, nor are they dark-skinned.
In the Warhammer universe, they call themselves the Druchii and live under the ruthless fist of the Witch-King Malekith and his sorcerous mother Morathi. The Druchii live in Naggaroth and are cruel raiders with much hatred for all other races; especially their lighter kindred, the High Elves. The Dark Elves were actually the ones responsible for sparking "The War of the Beard", the great war that divided the formerly-friendly Dwarf and High Elves, though only the High Elves know this and the Dwarfs would disbelieve it if they found out.
In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Dark Eldar live in the extra-dimensional city of Commorragh from which they launch raids upon the rest of the galaxy to capture slaves to be brought back to Commorragh as playthings or torture victims.
[edit] Warcraft
In the Warcraft series of computer games, night elves, though not quite the traditional Dark Elf, are a predominantly good ancient race of elves with varying skin colors from pale blues to pale pinks to white. They have glowing eyes, as well as extensive lore. They are remarkable for being influenced by historical pre-Christian Celtic, Norse and Hellenic Artemisian culture in design, featuring antlers and so forth, with significantly few Dungeons & Dragons trappings. They live within a matriarchal society, as the result of most male dark elves (the druids) having been in hibernation for about 10,000 years. When not dressed for war, Night Elves dress elegantly in Japanese-influenced robes in beautiful, elaborate nature-focused yet permanently nocturnal cities.
The Blood Elves could also be considered Dark Elves, despite their High Elven appearance. They were corrupted by the Undead (and partly by their extensive use of magic) to using dark magic to fulfill their addiction to magic. Betraying their former allies and joining The Horde in order to use this magic more free, Blood Elves could be thought of as the true evil elves.
[edit] The Elder Scrolls
In The Elder Scrolls series of computer role-playing games, Dark Elves (often referred to as Dunmer) lived generally peacefully with other races. They were the predominant race in Morrowind, their native province, and held many of the highest positions of authority. In addition, much of the mythology surrounding Morrowind revolved around them. They are generally conservative by nature, being very devoted to their pantheon of gods, and are distrustful of "outlanders". Dunmer culture is split between the settled people of the cities and the nomadic Ashlander tribes. Dark can easily be applied to them as "gloomy" or "morbid", for such is their temperament. Dunmer are said to have been punished with their red eyes and dark-bluish skin colour by Azura, one of the most prominent Daedra, either for disobeying her in one of the most crucial moments of their history or for turning to worship the Tribunal, along with the Tribunal killing Nerevar, the savior of the Dunmer. Many Imperial scholars prefer the theory that the bluish-grey skin is an adaptive response to the frequent volcanic eruptions on Vvardenfell.
In truth, the term Dunmer more properly means Cursed Elves than Dark Elves. However, the term Dark Elves is far more complimentary. Although generally civilized, the Dunmer possess many savage and barbaric traits. While the Tribunal maintains a general peace amongst the people, the House Wars amongst the ruling class remain strong in memory. In addition, thanks to the Armistice allowing Morrowind to maintain many of its own laws, it is the only province which practices chattel slavery of the "lesser" races, which the Dunmer consider to be most other races and even some of their own species including High Elves and Wood Elves. A long lifespan is common among members of the race. Some Dark Elves are said to have lived for 1000 years.
Among those who played the older Elder Scrolls games, the Dunmer had something of a reputation for being promiscuous due to several in-game jokes to that extent.
[edit] EverQuest
In the MMORPG EverQuest Dark Elves are a playable race that may be chosen by a player when creating their character.
The Dark Elf being of the Tier'Dal or Elves have magical abilities which lead to them the classes of the Cleric, Enchanter, Magician, Necromancer, and Wizard. They may also take on the classes of Rogue, Shadow Knight, and Warrior. The deities that they follow are those of evil like their creator Innoruuk, or the god Solusek Ro. They may also swear fealty to other gods like Bristlebane or Rallos Zek.
The Dark Elves are a spawn of Innoruuk, who created them from Tunare’s Elven race. They are quite similar the other forms of Elves throughout Norrath, but tend to lean more toward evil ways: necromancy, death and destruction. The Dark Elves have a skin tone of dark blue and also are very fragile creatures. They reach a height of about five feet with evil running through their blood. The Dark Elves reside in Neriak, which is a large city divided into three sections. They tend to prefer the dark and the underground, and ally themselves with the dimwitted, but strong and black-hearted Ogres and Trolls.
Dark Elves in EverQuest have high agility and intelligence and rely on these attributes more than anything else.
Dark Elves also make an appearance in other games in the EverQuest series. Most notably its sequel EverQuest II
[edit] Final Fantasy IV
In both the RPG Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy IV Advance, the Dark Elf holds the Crystal of Earth, which he stole from the peaceful kingdom of Toroia. The player is tasked with retrieving said crystal, a task complicated by the Dark Elf's ability to manipulate magnetic fields — metallic equipment does not work in the cave in which he lives.
After the initial encounter, the player loses to the Elf. However, provided they earlier picked up the Twin Harp from Edward, Edward helps the player out by playing his harp, disrupting the magnetic field and enabling the player to equip metallic equipment, thus enabling the player to defeat the Elf.
[edit] Age of Wonders
In the Age of Wonders series of computer strategy games, the story begins with the arrival of humans to the Valley of Wonders and the slaying of the elven leader. This causes the elven race to split into two parts: the light elves (keepers of the light) and the dark elf (the cult of storms). The light elves wish to keep peace with the humans, while the dark elves want to take revenge and destroy all traces of mankind. It is explained that while "the immortal-born elves cannot truly know death of the body" they can still experience death of the spirit, which transforms them into utterly evil and ultimately self-destructive creatures.
The player has to choose in the campaign one of the two factions.
[edit] Lineage
Lineage is a Korean MMORPG. Dark elves are introduced in the later expansion packs. In its sequel, Lineage II, the user can choose from five races: Human, Light Elf, Dark Elf, Orc, and Dwarf. Dark elves were once members of the light elves that were banished for practicing dark magic. They have opposing qualities and traits: light elves use white magic and are quick and agile, but lack offensive strength. Dark elves practice dark magic, have high offensive capabailities due to superior mental and physical strength, and are nearly as agile as the light elves. However, dark elves suffer from weak defensive abilities, and are more prone to being stunned. As with every class (except Dwarves), the dark elves are separated into two classes: fighter and mystic, opening several avenues of play style. They worship Shillien, the goddess of Death, and are considered malevolent.
[edit] Sacred
Sacred is a classic Hack and Slash RPG by the German company, Ascaron. One of the possible races is Dark Elf.
[edit] Mega Man Zero
In Mega Man Zero the Dark Elf was created as the ultimate weapon during the era of Cyber Elf development, towards the end of the Maverick Wars. According to legend, the original X used the power of this Elf to finally destroy Sigma for good, thus ending the years of constant fighting. Following the construction of Neo Arcadia, the Elf was stolen from a laboratory, and used by the evil Dr. Weil to instigate the Elf Wars. X and Zero together stopped Weil and his reploid Omega, and after Zero went in to suspended animation for 100 years, X sealed the Elf away for good using his own body as the seal.
[edit] Arcanum
Dark Elves in Arcanum are Elves who believe in the old Elven beliefs, that Elves are superior to all other races. They have also chosen to actively attack humans for their use of technology which interferes with their magic and their destruction of the Elven forests. If the player in the game chooses to turn evil he spends some time working for the Dark Elves. Unlike in most modern fantasy fiction the Dark Elves do not appear physically different from the Light Elves, they can only be recognised by their set of ethics.
[edit] Midkemia
Midkemian dark elves - called moredhel - resemble the elves (eledhel) and the glamredhel, the "mad ones", but have dark hair. They're quite warlike because of the path they follow of dark powers. They mostly inhabit the Northlands, and also the continent of Triagia, and are usually only seen in the more populated parts of the world robbing and raiding. Some of the moredhel return to reside with the eledhel in a process of change inwardly and outwardly, called the Returning, but they are often killed by their kin before they reach the home of the elves, Elvandar.
The truth, known only to the elves themselves and few elf-friends, is that the moredhel and eledhel are the one race both of whom were slaves under the Valheru. When the latter disappeared the field slaves turned their back on their former masters' evil ways and became the eledhel, while the house slaves who had been in closer proximity to their masters sought their power and methods and became the moredhel. The eldar, keepers of lore and of the Valheru's sacred objects, left Midkemia and made their home on the world of Kelewan unbeknowest to anyone, as they kill anyone who tries to enter their forest.
They play a significant role in the novel A Darkness at Sethanon (Riftwar series) and the computer game Betrayal at Krondor.
[edit] Disciples 2
The Dark Elves in Disciples 2 are slain Elves reanimated to serve Mortis queen of the Undead Hordes. They are usually lost and confused, but driven on by Mortis.
[edit] Might and Magic
In the Ashan continuity of the Might and Magic series, the dark elves are a renegade faction of elves who live in underground dungeon towns of the land of Ygg Chal and worship Malassa, the Dragon of Darkness, while their wood brethren from the kingdom of Irollan worship Sylanna, the Dragon of Earth. While traditionally the two breeds of elves hated each other, the most recent event of Ashan history, Queen Isabel's War, saw the first ever military alliance between the two communities - namely, between Findan of Irollan and Raelag of Ygg Chal.
Prior to this, dark elves were part of Might and Magic VIII as one of the dominant species on the continent Jadame, which is on the same (unnamed) planet as Enroth and Antagarich. These dark elves are peaceful and inhabit the country of Alvar, which includes Jadame's major port city Ravenshore in the south. The lands of Alvar north of Ravenshore are troubled by aggressive ogres. There is a dark elven prophecy concerning the end of the world.
[edit] Famous Dark Elves in fiction
[edit] Shadowblade
Shadowblade is an elite assassin in the world of Warhammer. He is an assassin in the society of the Dark Elves, considered the most brilliant assassin ever to have lived. Even though he's still young by Dark Elf standards (a mere 150 years old) he is still a legend amongst the Druchii, his exploits told as fireside tales to eager Dark Elf children. Most celebrated of all is his single-handed massacre of the entire crew of a High Elf Hawkship, whom he murdered one by one over several days, each killed in a different fashion. The mere thought of Shadowblade's murderous attempts is enough to keep all but the most stupid or brave Dark Elf from plotting against the Witch King.
[edit] Malus Darkblade
Malus Darkblade is a Dark Elf Noble of evil renown in the Warhammer Fantasy world - he is possessed by a Daemon called Tz’arkan. His quest to rid himself of this Daemon is legendary. At one point he succeeded although it cost him his own soul. It took many years after that to track down the Daemon again and win his soul back, only to have Tz’arkan imprisoned inside him again.
For now it seems Malus has accepted his fate and has returned to his home of Hag Graef to lead its armies to war. None know what his true intentions are, but he has lost none of his thirst for power - he has been appointed Drachau of Hag Graef and placed in command of the armies of the Witch King.
In battle he rides upon his trusted Cold One Spite and wields the fearsome Warpsword of Khaine. In times of need he can summon the Daemon and allow Tz’arkan to control his actions, by the mechanism that the daemon holds sway while he sleeps and he is in control while awake. To this end, he carries a variety of stimulants and soporifics, so he can fall asleep in combat. This is great risk though, as while posessed he can attack his own troops as well as enemies.
[edit] Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden is a Drow in the Forgotten Realms fantasy world. Drow are dark elves that live in subterranean caverns deep beneath the surface in the Underdark of Forgotten Realms. Not only does Drizzt refuse to reside in the Underdark, he has renounced the Drow's Spider-Queen Lolth (instead embracing Mielikki, goddess of the forests and rangers), ruined his family and half-destroyed Menzoberranzan, the city of the Drow, and is thus considered a renegade. While most Drow are considered evil and power hungry, Drizzt is benevolent and humble. He is often persecuted for the reputation of his race, but as he does more good deeds, he slowly gains a reputation for himself, allowing him acceptance without prejudice. His preferred weapons are twin scimitars, although he is perfectly capable of using a variety of other weapons should the need arise. His primary companion is Guenhwyvar, a magical panther who is summoned to Drizzt's plane of existence by means of a small figurine.
[edit] Gorath, Cheiftan of the Ardanien
Gorath is a renegade Dark Elf (Moredhel) from the fantasy world Midkemia. He betrayed his people to travel south across the Teeth of the World (a mountain range which separates the Moredhel from the rest of the world) in order to warn Prince Arutha ConDoin of the coming war in an effort to stop the Moredhel leader, Delekhan, and save his people from utter destruction. His story is portrayed in the video game Betrayal at Krondor and again in the novel based on the computer game, Krondor: The Betrayal. This book is the first novel in The Riftwar Legacy, followed by Krondor: The Assassin, Krondor: The Tear of the Gods, Krondor: The Crawler (Not yet released), and Krondor: The Dark Mage (Not yet released).
[edit] Nerevar Indoril
Nerevar is the legendary Hortator and King of the Chimer from the fantasy world The Elder Scrolls. Technically, he is not a Dark Elf, but events that he was involved in resulted in events pertaining to Dark Elves. With the aid of the Daedra Prince Azura, he rose to power over the Chimer by overthrowing the Nords. He continued as the king of Morrowind for many years, but when he fought a battle with the Dwemer at Red Mountain, he was victorious but mortally wounded. His three councillor (who later became the Tribunal) betrayed their oath to him and used a forbidden magical artifact. In punishment for this Azura turned his race with dark blue skin and red eyes, transforming them into the Dunmer, the Dark Elves. He was later reincarnarted, as the player character of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
