Darkalf
Up to date: December 2025
The blue-skinned estranged cousin of the Lysalfs. Darkalfs are Fey Folk historically living in Netherworld - subterranian Otherworld pockets, commonly individually referred to as Courts.
The blue-skinned estranged cousin of the Lysalfs. Darkalfs are Fey Folk historically living in Netherworld - subterranian Otherworld pockets, commonly individually referred to as Courts.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A Darkalf is first of all an Alf. Everything about them is still an Alf, except for one thing - coloration.
With varying nuances, Darkalfs have completely blue skin and hair blacker than pitch.
With varying nuances, Darkalfs have completely blue skin and hair blacker than pitch.
Ecology and Habitats
To most, low light surroundings are preferred not to strain their eyes. Humidity and cool air is usually better too, as is higher CO2 levels in the air.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Underground living has moved the Darkalfs to a more fungus-based diet, and thus surface dwelling Darkalfs will often need supplement B-vitamins and essential metals.
Biological Cycle
Netherworld is void of seasonal changes, which in turn means, they usually react more to changes in weather, if they reside in Our World.
Behaviour
Due to not having a sun to guide daily cycles, life in the Netherworld is very desynchronized.
Individual pockets or Courts may have devised some shared sense of time, based on a mechanical clock or the like, but most function in that desynchronization, meaning you sleep or recuperate when you’re tired, and you work when you’re awake.
Individual pockets or Courts may have devised some shared sense of time, based on a mechanical clock or the like, but most function in that desynchronization, meaning you sleep or recuperate when you’re tired, and you work when you’re awake.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Since every Court has a history of being self-contained, there is large room for great differences between each Court, however mimicking the time from whence they started, many have started as a chiefdom or self-proclaimed monarchy, and many still reflect that.
In general, diligence and dedication to skill is very valued in Darkalf society, giving a sense of status in an otherwise often flat status structure (outside of the monarks).
In general, diligence and dedication to skill is very valued in Darkalf society, giving a sense of status in an otherwise often flat status structure (outside of the monarks).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
As the schism happened further back than remembered history, the size of it is uncertain. Darkalfs are openly present in Europe, especially towards the north, but are otherwise rare.
While the vast majority remain in their hidden or revealed Netherworld Courts, following the Unravelling, an increasing number is openly travelling to or even living in Our World.
While the vast majority remain in their hidden or revealed Netherworld Courts, following the Unravelling, an increasing number is openly travelling to or even living in Our World.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Life in the Netherworld has slowly taken its toll on the Darkalf genealogy. While most sources of natural light have been absent, light has still been a priority, but living in dim light has made other senses more important to rely on, such as smell, hearing as well as a more nuanced sense of touch.
The trade-off being that many Netherworld-dwelling Darkalf specifically has more light-sensitive eyes, and in general Darkalf suffer more often from short-sightedness than Lysalfs.
The trade-off being that many Netherworld-dwelling Darkalf specifically has more light-sensitive eyes, and in general Darkalf suffer more often from short-sightedness than Lysalfs.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Much like Italian, dialects vary greatly from Court to Court, and while the Lysalf language have clearly been influenced by the Proto-Norse language of the Vettir (or the other way around), each Court’s language has been somewhat influenced by the local human society.
Common Dress Code
A custom of interest is how nobility has taken to wear intricate neck jewelry in lieu of crowns, and as such no other Darkalf wear anything covering their neck (while in a Court at least).
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The bitter past with the Lysalfs and the very different geological habitats from theirs mean that the schism has never evolved beyond an indifference at best.
Curiously enough the Darkalfs have a stronger connection to Humans than the Lysalfs, sharing the enthusiasm for industry and technology in contrast with the more amish-adjacent, simple nomadic lifestyle of the Lysalfs.
Curiously enough the Darkalfs have a stronger connection to Humans than the Lysalfs, sharing the enthusiasm for industry and technology in contrast with the more amish-adjacent, simple nomadic lifestyle of the Lysalfs.
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