Dark Elves in Folklore
Dark Elves have appeared in the lore of several cultures, inclusive of the Norse, British, and Irish folklore.Norse
In Norse folklore, there are creatures called svartálfar (black elves) or dökkálfar (dark elves) that dwell in the underground of Midgard. It is said that they are responsible for the maladies that befall humanity, and that the that they have dominion over the realm of nightmares.British
The British Trow or "black elves" are similar to the Norse svartálfar, and they are said to dwell in mines and caves. Although they are depicted as mischievous/evil most of the time, it is believed that they can either be helpful or harmful. However, the equivalents of the trow in the Shetland Isle (called Drow or "dark elves") are thought of as exclusively evil.Irish
The Irish Drow are said to be similar to trolls, and are said to be stone monsters belonging to the Fomori (a semi-divine race that is believed to have dwelled in Ireland before humans came along).