Dark Elves

The term Dark Elves is used in different meanings in Norse nythology and fantasy fiction.

In Norse mythology

The Snorra Edda distinguishes between three kinds of elves: ljósálfar 'light elves', dökkálfar 'dark elves' and svartálfar 'black elves'. It is not certain whether the last two are actually different classes; also, either may be identical to dwarves. It is likely, however (given that the Snorra Edda is a somewhat artificial scholarly systematization of Norse mythology) that this tripartition of elves is artificial and influenced by a similar Medieval Christian tripartition of spiritual beings into angels (good, in Heaven), fairies (neutral, on Earth) and demons (evil, in Hell).

In Tolkien's legendarium

In the legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien, the term Dark Elves (Quenya Moriquendi) is rarely used, and refers to those Elves who never went to Aman: the Avari, the Nandor and the Sindar. They are only "dark" in not having seen the light of Aman, not "dark" in the sense of evil.

In modern fantasy fiction

In modern fantasy fiction, especially in role-playing games, the term Dark Elves refers to the notion of a subrace of Elves who have fallen to evil. Such Dark Elves occur, among others, in D&D (see Drow language) and in the Warhammer world. In the film Thor: The Dark World, the Dark Elves speak a language called Shiväisith (designed by David J. Peterson). A similar concept are the Blood Elves of the Earthdawn RPG and the World of Warcraft.