Elves
Elves, also known as alfes or alfios, are elemental beings of Norse mythology and are associated with the element of earth. They are said to have a human appearance, though their hands and feet are somewhat larger than the rest of their body. They also have slender legs, a wide mouth, and characteristic pointed ears. They dwell in caverns and subterranean places.
Tolkien immortalized this type of entity in his work The Lord of the Rings, in which elves represent a benevolent people of supernatural powers who, allied with humans, mark the end of an age. However, beyond Tolkien’s literary characterization, Norse traditions identify three different types of elves:
Light Elves (White Elves)
These are benevolent beings who are often found dancing on the grass, flying through the air, or swaying upon the treetops.
Dark Elves (Black Elves)
These are malevolent beings who can cause harm to human beings.
Mountain Elves
Intermediate beings whose behavior is somewhat ambiguous. They love music and cleanliness. They dwell in grottoes or hills and can sometimes take on human forms.