| “ | Many of the elves became addicted to their newfound power, and thus, the Light Elves were born. | ” |
–Týr | ||
The Light Elves, also known as the Ljósálfar, are one of the two factions of Elves that inhabit Alfheim, luminous beings that claim to be the rightful owners of The Light. They first appeared in God of War (2018), and return as enemies in God of War Ragnarök.
Norse Mythology[]
The Ljósálfar are a contrasting type of Elves in Norse Mythology, with their counterparts being the Dökkalfar. While the Dökkalfar live underground, the Ljósâlfar are shown to live in the cosmic world of Alfheimr.
God of War (2018)[]
It's unknown which race of Elves came first, and it's such lack of knowledge what sparked the conflict between the Light Elves and their dark counterparts for the dominion of the Light of Alfheim.
A leader of the Vanir Gods, Freyr, is noted to have a long history with the Elves, and because he took their side in the long-raging war, the Vanir was appointed as the absolute leader of the Light Elves.
Despite the eternal conflict in their home realm, the Light Elves seem to have had some notable presence in Midgard. A gateway of their design was guarding the entrance to the River Pass which leads to the Lake of Nine where Týr's Temple rests.
Light Elves were also among the races that assisted in the construction of Týr's Temple, presumably being the ones who designed the solid light bridges and the ones who granted the Light of Alfheim that powers the Realm Travel Bridge.
They also had a now abandoned outpost near the aftermentioned temple which was submerged by the World Serpent over a hundred years ago.
Freyr mysteriously disappeared, however, and without his aid, the Light Elves were on the losing side of the war for The Light. Many were forced to retreat and seal themselves in Freyr's Temple, expecting that their missing lord would come to their rescue.
By the time Kratos and Atreus arrived at Alfheim, several of their corpses were scattered throughout the realm as the war continued. The father and son bore witness as the Dark Elves murdered many Light Elves without provocation.
By the time duo released the Light of Alfheim and the Light Elves alongside it, the first order of action of the Elves was to look out for their missing Vanir Lord.
God of War: Ragnarök[]
Three years after they regained the Light of Alfheim, the Light Elves, having been unable to find Freyr, drastically added in new security measures for the Ringed Temple, as well empowering themselves with the Light and assuming a more combative and hostile approach towards anyone. When Kratos and Atreus ventured to Alfheim with Týr, they now acted as enemies towards the duo. The Light Elves' origins are later revealed: Centuries ago, they and the Dark Elves were equal until some of their kind discovered the light of the Lake of Souls, which gave them power via the temple they built to harness the energy. Sadly, this caused many of them to become obsessed with their newfound power. Eventually, due to having stayed in the Lake overtime, they permanently changed into Light Elves.
When Freyr returns to Alfheim and convinced the Elves into joining the invasion on Asgard, the Light Elves formed a truce with the Dark Elves and they both joined in the fight with Kratos and his allies. Unfortunately, due to the formidability of the Asgardian forces, the Light Elves began struggling during the battle in which they began losing most of their comrades. In the aftermath of Ragnarök, some of the Light Elves had survived Asgard's destruction. If Kratos returns to Alfheim, not a single Light Elf is seen again.
Appearance[]
God of War (2018)[]
The light elves are portrayed as beautiful and luminous beings, they have perfect skin of different colors, all light gray, marble white and pearly white. Most of them have bright eyes of pink, gray and light blue colors. The light elves have horns which they seem to have shaven down and decorated with white veils and have their typical pointed ears. The light elves wear fine fabrics of white and light blue colors and usually wear veils that cover their faces, whilst the warrior elves wear armor and masks imbued with light.
God of War: Ragnarok[]
The light elves appear more diverse than when Kratos and Atreus first visited their realm. They all share the same features as a golden face mask that perfectly matches their true faces, down to their facial contouring and the characteristic scar-like lines all elves possess. Light elf soldiers are mostly female with curved, almost tusk-like horns partially wrapped in white cloth. Minimal gold armor protects the torso, likely to allow maximum maneuverability in their weightless, dancing style of fighting. Beneath their mask, their skin is stony blue.
Powers and Abilities[]
At first the light elves are shown as a peaceful people who are not seen to have an affinity for combat, however in the events of ragnarok it is revealed that the light elves are incredibly powerful warriors, more than the dark elves could be In other words, this is because of their great connection with the magical light of alfheim which gives them the ability to create powerful weapons made of magical light such as swords, knives and cannons, in addition to being excellent builders of light, unlike dark elves, the light elves do not have wings but the light gave them the ability to levitate in the air and fly without the need for wings.
Known Light Elf Types[]
- Light Elf Warrior
- Light Elf Mystic
- Light Elf Slayer
- Alva: Warrior Queen of the light elves
- The Maven: A Light Elf librarian and the guardian of the Light Elf Sanctun
- Byggvir: Beyla's husband and a resident of Vanaheim.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Light Elf Mystic (Bestiary).jpg (83 KB)")
.jpg "Light Elf Warrior (Bestiary).jpg (87 KB)")
.jpg "Light Elf Slayer (Bestiary).jpg (81 KB)")
Light Elf Warrior[]
Light Elf Slayer[]
Light Elf Warrior[]
Light Elf Mystic[]
Trivia[]
- Despite being seen as innocent victims of war by Atreus, the Dark Elf King Svartaljofurr's final words before dying, suggests that there may be more to the Light Elves than is currently known.
- While telling the story of Starkaðr, Mimir mentioned an unnamed Elf Queen, hinting that the Light Elves either have a monarch ruling system or used to have one since Freyr now seems to be the sole ruler of the Light Elves.
- However, since the Aesir were spreading lies about Starkaðr with the sole purpose of slandering him (and with Odin being well known for his deceit and dishonesty), it's possible that such Elf Queen never existed in the first place.
- The Light Elves have yet to be seen engaging in any type of warfare, no Light Elf has been seen raising arms even to defend itself, nor carrying weapons or armour of any sort. However, a scroll found inside Freyr's Temple mentions a "sword of legend" gifted to them by Freyr, and one of the shields Kratos can use is the "Shining Elven Soul-Shield" said to be crafted by the Light Elves.
- The "sword of legend" mentioned in the scroll may be the fabled "Sumarbrandr", the magic sword Freyr gave to his servant Skírnir for Gerðr's love in Norse Mythology. The sword is said to be capable of fighting on its own "; if wise be he who wields it", thus not requiring the wielder to be proficient in combat to use it.
- Their ability to craft shields but not using them may be a trait shared with the Dwarves, who are experts at weapon and armorsmithing but are poor fighters.
- 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 Spartans and Athenians. 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).