An elf (from Proto-Germanic *albiz) is a class of beings in the folklore of the various Germanic-speaking peoples whose exact qualities vary by region. However, they have a commonality of being humanoid and having magical powers.
In England and Scotland, elves were believed to bring illness to humans. By the early modern period in England, elves were mostly replaced in the popular imagination by fays (a loanword from French).
In Germany, elves (Albe) were believed to cause nightmares by sitting on a person's chest while they were asleep, being absorbed into the concept of the nightmare (Mahr).
In Old Norse writings, elves (alfar or álfar) are associated with the gods, and Snorri Sturluson writes about the different kinds of elves in the Prose Edda: svartálfar (black elves), ljósálfar (light elves), and dǫkkálfar (dark elves). Black elves are perhaps the same as dwarfs (dvergar).
In early modern Scandinavian folklore (mostly that of Sweden and Denmark), elves (Swedish: alver or älvor, Danish: elverfolk) are a supernatural fairy-like being often believed to dance in fields and meadows. Additionally, several of Elf's official profiles in the Shin Megami Tensei series mention a hollow back and cow's tail, which are actually features of the skogsrå or hulder, from Swedish and Norwegian folklore respectively.
The modern fantasy genre depiction of elves is heavily influenced by J. R. R. Tolkien's writings.
Design
In Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II Elf is a recolor of the sprite used by Bodyconian and Rusalka, having green skin and long pink hair. Her corset teddy and thigh bands are green and gold-striped, and her shoes and bracelets are golden.
Her Shin Megami Tensei design is a woman with long pointed ears and flowing blue or green hair. She is barefoot and wearing a white sundress with detailing on the trims, as well as black bands around her upper arms and forehead.
In Last Bible Special she is wearing a floor-length short-sleeved pink dress and has long pink hair. Her sprite was recolored for Dryad and Usas.
Origin: Western Europe Fairies that live in hills and valleys. They seem to have originated from Scotland. Though they appear as beautiful girls, they have cavities on their backs and cow's tails. They formed their own kingdom and have built a society like humans.
A type of fairy that lives underground in the hills and fields where nature remains unspoiled. They are thought to have originated in Scotland, but appear in folklore throughout western and northern Europe. Both male and female elves appear young and beautiful, and enjoy eternal life. It is said that if a human sees one, he or she will fall in love at first sight.
Elves have a hollow in their backs and a long cow's tail. They are a gentle folk who love music and sometimes dance on the hilltops. However, some elves live in human houses and cause mischief. The elves are said to have their own kingdom and a society much like ours.
美しい姿をした神秘的な種族で、長く尖った耳が特徴。身のこなしが軽く、すばやく、魔法が得意だが、戦闘はあまり好まない。人間に比べ、かなり長生きする。Translation: A mysterious species with beautiful looks, characterized by long, pointy ears. They're light, quick, and have magical prowess, but they despise fighting. Compared to humans, their life is considerably longer.
Elf appears starting on the 3rd floor of Grim Reaper's Cavern, floor 6 overall. She looks around and periodically shoots arrows. If the player is within her line of sight, she will target the player; this extends off-screen, so the player can be hit without necessarily knowing how far away Elf is.
Pixie says the following on the floor in which she is first encountered:
Wait a minute...I hear something...a bow? Sounds like Elf is around. Avoid the arrows and try to defeat her!
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