Elves

Elves are a race of humanoid beings native to Alfheim, one of the Nine Realms of the World Tree. The Elves are divided into two factions; the Light Elves and Dark Elves. The Light Elves are luminous beings that wear white robes, and the Dark Elves are winged beings with insectoid traits and are typically seen wearing martial clothes.

Norse Mythology[]

Elves are a type of human-shaped supernatural beings in Germanic mythology and folklore. In medieval Germanic-speaking cultures, Elves seem generally to have been thought of as beings with magical powers and supernatural beauty, ambivalent towards everyday people and capable of either helping or hindering them. However, the details of these beliefs have varied considerably over time and space, and have flourished in both pre-Christian and Christian cultures.

The word Elf is found throughout the Germanic languages and it seems it was originally to have meant "white being". Reconstructing the early concept of an elf depends largely on texts, written by Christians, in Old and Middle English, medieval German, and Old Norse. These associate Elves variously with the Gods of Norse mythology, with causing illness, with magic, and with beauty and seduction.

The Elves are usually contrasted in two types: the Dökkálfar (Døkkálfar "Dark Elves", singular Døkkálfr) and the Ljósálfar ("Light Elves", singular Ljósálfr); the former dwell within the earth and are most swarthy, while the latter is "fairer than the sun to look at". This light and dark duality may have originated from Christian influence, importing the concept of good and evil, representing angels of light and darkness. A kenning for the sun in Norse poetry is Álfröðull, "elven wheel".

God of War (2018)[]

While they are intelligent and civilized beings that possess their own architecture, spoken and written languages, the Light Elves and Dark Elves have been at war for eons, always fighting over control of the Light of Alfheim, a conflict that has lasted so long that neither side has secured a permanent victory. Because of such eternal war, the Elves are an isolated race, rarely interacting outside of their home realm.

By the time Kratos and Atreus arrived at Alfheim, the Dark Elves were in the winning side of the war, but after the traveling Gods defeated them to take a portion of The Light, the Light Elves once again became the rulers of The Light.

God of War: Ragnarok[]

Týr reveals that a long time ago the elves were not divided between light and darkness but that they were all equal, however after a group of them discovered the light of the well of souls and having remained exposed to its magical waters for a long time, they changed into the elves they are today, which are the Light Elves. The Light Elves wish to keep using the Light of Alfheim, while the Dark Elves wish for the Light to be left alone, leading to their conflict over its control.

After Freyr's return, both light and dark elves made a truce to attack Asgard during Ragnarok, admitting that their hatred for the Asgardians is greater than their hatred for each other.

Powers and Abilities[]

Elves have several magical abilities, one of the main ones is the ability to fly either by means of wings or telekinetically. They are excellent in hand-to-hand combat and are very accomplished builders.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

During the E3 trailer, two Elves could be seen.
- After the fight against the Draugr, a prototype Light Elf who was wearing slightly darker coloured robes could be seen in the background. When Kratos came close to him, he flew off.
- After killing the Troll, a prototype Dark Elf who had less armour and looked far more insect-like could be seen flying off in the background.
Taking into account the completely different lifestyle as well as the values that seem to be cultivated by their societies, the Light and Dark Elves could be compared, respectively, with the Athenians and the Spartans. Dark Elves seem to be a warrior people (like the Spartans) who give importance to battles while the Light Elves are a people that give more importance to the search for knowledge (like the Athenians).
While the portrayal of Light Elves and Dark Elves are most of the common depiction are humans notably their ears are pointed, this version of elves are commonly describe as their appearance based on Norse/Germanic Mythology. The Light Elves are luminious being and their ears are horn-like crown. While the Dark Elves are insectoid-like human with luminescence and their ears usually unique horns(not based on the myth) their traits is likely based on bees or moths due to them building their hive in the light of alfheim and raid/war between the light elves.