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Dark elves is the name for the (mostly) evil counterparts of the elves in many mythologies and fantasy settings. They are often at war with other elves.
Norse mythology
In Norse mythology, the Svartalfar or the black elves are ugly, misshapen, subterranean and generally evil creatures who dwell in the world of Svartalfheim, often confused with the Dokkalfar or the dark elves, the light-avoiding (though not necessarily subterranean, nor necessarily evil) counterparts of the light elves. They are sometimes called Dwarves.
Celtic mythology
In Celtic mythology (Gaelic), the Daoi-Sith are dark elves, while the Du-Sith are black elves.
Scottish folklore
In Scottish folklore, the Trow or the black elves are similar to the Svartalfar and inhabit mines and caves beneath Orkney Isle. They may be either good or evil, but the evil variety are more common. They are probably based on the Du-Sith of Celtic mythology.
The Drow or the dark elves are presumably the Shetland Isle equivalent of the Trow, but unlike the Trow, they are thought of as exclusively evil. They are probably based on the Daoi-Sith of Celtic mythology.
Middle-earth
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, the Moriquendi—the Elves of Darkness—are, in essence, the Elves that did not join the Great Journey over the sea and behold the light of the Two Trees in Valinor. The term "Dark Elf" in Tolkien's writing seems to hold an additional special (not explained) meaning, as it is given as a special title of Eöl of Nan Elmoth.
Dungeons & Dragons
In the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, especially in the worlds of Greyhawk, the Forgotten Realms and Eberron, dark elves are called drow. They are dark-skinned and white-haired and are generally evil.
The Dark Elf Trilogy is a series of books written by R. A. Salvatore and set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
Record of Lodoss War
Dark elves from the fictional world of Record of Lodoss War are brown-skinned and not necessarily evil, but primarily aligned with the forces of Marmo, the enemies of the story's heroes. These Dark Elves are capable of deep loyalty and love.
Warhammer
In the world of Warhammer Fantasy, the generally evil Dark Elves (Dark Eldar in the Warhammer 40,000 universe) do not dwell underground, nor are they dark-skinned. They call themselves the Druchii. The Druchii live in Naggaroth, the geographic equivalent of North America in the Warhammer World, and are cruel raiders with much hatred for all other races; especially their lighter kindred, the High Elves.
Other occurences
There are also Dark Elves in the fantasy world of Glorantha.
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