svartálfr
Svartálfr is the Old Norse name for a class of beings often identified with dwarfs in Norse mythology. The term translates roughly as “black elves” and is used to distinguish these underground, skilled craftsmen from the ljóssálfar, or “light elves,” who are said to inhabit the above-ground realm of Alfheim. In medieval sources, Svartálfaheimr (often equated with Nidavellir in later lore) is described as the home of the svartálfr and their underground halls.
In the primary texts, the svartálfr are closely associated with metalworking and smithing. They are depicted
Scholarly discussion emphasizes taxonomic ambiguity in the source material. Some theories treat svartálfr as a subset
In modern fantasy, svartálfr are commonly associated with dwarven archetypes, retaining their reputation as skilled smiths