Mythological Creatures (old version)

Elves

Elves are naturally immortal, and remain unwearied with age. In addition to their immortality, they can recover from wounds which would normally kill a mortal. However, Elves can be slain, or die of grief and weariness.

Norse elves are mainly females, living in hills and mounds of stones. The Swedish älvor are stunningly beautiful girls who lived in the forest with the elven rulers.

Elves can be seen dancing over meadows, particularly at night and on misty mornings. They leave a circle where they had danced, which arecalled älvdanser (elf dances) or älvringar (elf circles).

Typically, elf circles are fairy rings consisting of a ring of small mushrooms or flowers, but there was also another kind of elf circle. On lake shores, where the forest meets the lake, you can find elf circles. They are round places where the grass had been flattened like a floor. Elves have danced there. It is dangerous and one could become ill if they have trodden over such a place or if one destroyed anything there.

If a mortal watches the dance of the elves, they would discover that even though only a few hours seemed to have passed, many years had passed in the mortal realm.

Elves are wiser and more beautiful than humans, and have sharper senses and perceptions as well. They are also gifted in magic, and are mentally sharp. They lovers of nature, art, and song. Most are highly skilled archers, and are recognizable by their pointed ears.