Dökkalfar

Dökkálfar, often translated as "dark elves," are a race of beings appearing in Norse mythology. Unlike their counterparts, the Ljósálfar or light elves, the Dökkálfar are generally depicted as dwelling in the underworld or in subterranean realms. Their exact nature and characteristics are not as extensively detailed in surviving Norse sagas as those of other mythological beings, leading to various interpretations.

Some sources associate the Dökkálfar with the realm of Svartalfheim, a dark and often grim place. Their appearance is sometimes described as shadowed or dark-skinned, contrasting with the luminous nature attributed to the light elves. Their activities are often portrayed as being more mundane or even malevolent, sometimes serving as craftsmen or dwelling in the earth.

The distinction between Dökkálfar and Svartálfar (black elves) is a subject of scholarly debate. Some scholars believe they refer to the same beings, while others posit a distinction. In some interpretations, the Dökkálfar are seen as akin to dwarves in their association with the earth and craftsmanship. However, the Dökkálfar are consistently presented as a distinct group within the Norse cosmology, separate from humans, gods, and other supernatural entities. Their limited but consistent presence in the mythological corpus suggests they held a specific, if somewhat mysterious, place in the ancient Norse worldview.