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{{trope}}
[[File:
There are certain races in [[Speculative Fiction]] that appear to occupy an equivalent niche that elves do in a fantasy setting; the idealized, [[Closer to Earth]] culture reaching toward utopian ideals, or the inscrutable, ominous [[Fair Folk]] for whom [[We Are as Mayflies]]. Or both at once, of course.
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Sometimes the elf-like race is implied to be [[Ancient Astronauts]] themselves, misremembered or otherwise. Sometimes they are literal Elves [[In Space]] or at the very least have elf-like characteristics such as longevity and [[Pointy Ears]].
Some anthropologists [[Wild Mass Guessing|have speculated]] that the tendency to imagine any foriegn intruders who are different from us as [[Elves Versus Dwarves]] is hard-wired, like the theory that humans are hard-wired to imagine [[Our Dragons Are Different|dragons]] because of our [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?|bad experience]] with snakes. By this logic, we have an innate tendency to classify "powerful" cultures as inscrutable, slender ([[The Greys|tall]] and/or [[Little Green Men|diminutive]]) beings who were [[Magical Native American|here before us]], have better tools and are [[Witch Species|not to be messed with]],<ref>([[Humans Are
There are three types of Space Elves:
Type I is a category of [[Our Elves Are Better]] -- [[Our Elves Are Different|actual elves]] [[Recycled in Space|in a non-standard]] [[ISO Standard Fantasy Setting|fantasy setting]]; Compare [[Urban Fantasy]], [[Mundane Fantastic]]. Type II is a category of [[Proud Scholar Race]] -- [[Enlightened Mystic Race|archetypal mystical]], [[Proud Scholar Race|philosophical beings]] that fill the ''same role'' as elves in a non-fantasy setting; Compare [[Proud Warrior Race]] or [[Proud Merchant Race]] for the [[Elves vs. Dwarves]] equivalent. Type III is a category of [[The Fair Folk]]
'''Type I: [[Elves in Space]]''' ''<small>(main article: [[Our Elves Are Better]])</small>''
Standard fantasy elves or [[Call a Rabbit a Smeerp|equivalent beings]] with [[Serial Numbers Filed Off]]... {{
'''Type II: Enlightened Mystic Race''' ''<small>(main article: [[Proud Scholar Race Guy]] (Type II)</small>''
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Personality-wise, they may be aloof and detached, or (in the case of empathic types) quite gregarious. Either way, they have a tendency to be more mystical or philosophical than most of the other species in the setting. These are almost by definition a [[Proud Scholar Race]], and they are typically pitted against [[Proud Warrior Race Guy]] in a straight application of [[Elves Versus Dwarves]]. For more information on Type II, see [[Proud Scholar Race]].
Like other [[Proud Scholar Race Guy
'''Type III: Mystic Alien Intruders''' ''<small>(compare: [[The Fair Folk]])</small>''
These are beings that fill the same function as [[The Fair Folk]] in the story or in popular consciousness, except that they (usually) [[Eldritch Abomination|Descended From Outer Space]]. This is ''very commonly'' associated with [[The Greys]], although not always. [[Little Green Men]] can replace [[Leprechaun
'''Psychic [[Green Space Babe]] Variety (usually Type 1 or 2)'''
An oddly specific and [[Older Than They Think|not-so-recent]] phenomenon. For some reason, certain Space Elves tend to manifest as an [[Always Female]] [[Green-Skinned Space Babe]] with [[Psychic Powers]]. Sometimes known as "blue hotties", they're more likely to be [[Good Colors, Evil Colors|blue than green]].<ref>Possibly because of the "[[Little Green Men]]" stigma about [[Sci Fi Ghetto|science fiction]], and the fact that green skin is more likely than blue to look like you have a horrible fungal infection.</ref> Sometimes they are part of a [[Matriarchy|Sexy Matriarchy]]. Examples of "Type B" need not be listed separately, but are worth noting where found: e.g. Type 1-B [http://well-of-souls.com/outsider/outsider050.html here] or Type 2-B [[Avatar (film)|here]]. It is a reoccurring theme in several works and universes that all seem to be referencing [[Homage|each other]].
Compare the '''[[Rule of Three|Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' [[Proud Scholar Race Guy]] (usually
'''<small>Note: Type II Space Elves are also Type II examples of [[Proud Scholar Race]].</small>'''
<small>''This is a [[Super-Trope]] discussing references to
{{examples}}
=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
* The Abh in ''[[Crest of the Stars]]''.
* The Raalgons of ''[[Irresponsible Captain Tylor]]''.
=== [[Comic Books]] ===
* The Elves in ''[[Elf Quest]]''.
** The ''[[Elf Quest]]'' elves ironically didn't take on elf form [[Ancient Astronauts|until after]] they were stranded on Planet Abode, and didn't get back ''into'' space for about 20,000 years.
* There are some elven beings in ''[[Star Wars]]'' comics, including the Jedi Master [[Meaningful Name|Fay]]. Fay was unfortunately a one-issue wonder.
** The [[Marvel Star Wars]] comics had a major story arc dealing with Space ''Dark'' Elves: the Nagai are a race of tall, slender, pale,
** And the [[New Jedi Order]]'s Yuuzhan Vong are what happens when the mindset of Space Dark Elves meets the appearance and brutality of Space Orcs.
=== [[Literature]] ===
* The Taredhel of (Feists [[The Riftwar Cycle|Demonwar Saga]]) were the first amongst slaves; magic users, lovers and diplomats of the Valheru. They eventually left to the stars conquering an empire of planets. Not nice.
* The [[Our Fairies Are Different|fairies (including elves)]] of the ''[[Artemis Fowl]]'' series are traditional, native-to-Earth fairies, with magic that does some things, but they're also very high-tech and in a distinctly sci-fi setting. A fairy space probe plays a part in "Atlantis Complex," among other things.
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* the ''wess'har''in Karen Traviss' ''Wess'har Wars'' series. Tall, slender, ancient and dedicated to , often agressively to the point of genocide, depending on the faction, preserving the ecological balance.
* The Liaden from Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's [[Liaden Universe]] novels. Although to call them this is as much as an oversimplification as it is in most other cases, it does merit special mention for being [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] in ''the second book''.
{{quote|
=== [[Tabletop Games]] ===
* The Eldar in ''[[Warhammer
** Also, their "Dark Kin", the Dark Eldar are Space Dark Elves, a particularly terrifying example of Dark Elves no less.
** Hell, the planet bound Exodites live off the land, have a harmonious relationship with their planets, don't really get involved in fights unless the place they live is threatened...sounds like text book Wood Elves to me.
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* The [[Our Elves Are Better|Elves]] of [[Pathfinder|Golarion]] are literally from a foreign planet in the same solar system.
=== [[Video Games]] ===
* ''[[Jak]]'s'' race is another example - Jak strikes one as [[The Legend of Zelda|Link]] [[In Space]], and Link was constantly mistaken for an elf.
=== [[Web Comics]] ===
* The Loroi from the webcomic ''[[Outsider]]'' are Type I-B, blue space elves. Aside from being [[Blue Space Babe|mostly-female]] and psychic, they've got an explicit [[Proud Warrior Race Guy|"warrior elf"]] [http://well-of-souls.com/outsider/outsider050.html thing] [http://well-of-souls.com/outsider/outsider078.html going].
{{quote|
* In the spanish webcomic [https://web.archive.org/web/20131109084934/http://www.afrikislife.net/eagerscout/ Eager Scout], Carl is a space prince elf...who travels along the sister of the most feared [[Space Pirates]] in the universe.
=== Examples of Type II (Enlightened Mystic Race) ===▼
::''See [[Proud Scholar Race]] (Type II) for more examples.''
=== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ===
* The Abh in ''[[Crest of the Stars]]'' are blatant type 2's, with a good helping of [[Can't Argue with Elves]]
===
▲* The Abh in ''[[Crest of the Stars]]'' are blatant type 2's, with a good helping of [[Can't Argue with Elves]]--they're world conquerors and we're supposed to ''sympathize'' with them.
* The Guardians of the Universe from ''[[Green Lantern]]''. Not tall at all, but immortal? Check. Has incredible powers? Check (the Green Light that empowers the Corps). [[The Spock|Aloof and distant]]? Check. ''[[Can't Argue with Elves|Can't Argue With 'Em]]? [[Screw You, Elves|They'd like to think so...]]
** Also, an all-female offshoot of the Guardians called the Zamarons falls well enough into the [[Blue Skinned Space Babe]] variety.
=== [[Film]] ===
* The [[Avatar (film)|Na'vi]] are [[Our Elves Are Different|Wood Elves]]. Type II-B to boot: the most recent example.
=== [[Literature]] ===
* The chieri from [[Marion Zimmer Bradley|Marion Zimmer Bradley's]] ''[[Darkover]]'' series.
* In addition to the many live action TV examples from [[Star Trek]] (see below), the [[Star Trek Novel Verse]] portrays the Deltans as this - spiritual, emotionally controlled, older than humans and with a near-mystical sense of peace that comes with their "evolved" philosophies and [[Ethical Slut|sexualities]].
** The Vedala, as portrayed in the novel [[Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations|''Forgotten History'']], fit the bill perfectly. They're generally benevolent, older than other spacefaring races, very advanced and isolationist, and seem ever-so-slightly smug about their status in relation to younger "child" races. Behind their reasonable manner is the clear belief that [[Our Elves Are Better|Vedala are better than you]].
* Ythrians of [[Technic History]] are a downplayed style of this. It is not claimed that they are better then humans and in fact in some ways they are more cruel. However they have a lofty poetic nature and most of the things they do seems to have a bit of grandeur.
=== [[Live-Action TV]] ===
* The Minbari of ''[[Babylon 5]]'' like to see themselves as [[Our Elves Are Different|High Elves or Grey Elves]]. However when they think no one else is looking, they are not only highly arrogant and racist, but also extremely violent and brutal and start a [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]] for almost any offense. And their supposedly sacred rule of [[Ape Shall Never Kill Ape|Minbari Shall Never Kill Minbari]] gets ignored all the time. Think of Klingons that look like Vulcans.
** They are ''slightly'' better than that. They did manage to keep the No Killing-rule in effect for a thousand years, after all. Their claim about never lying is a total bull, though. But excluding the Soldier Caste they aren't too bad if the
***The Minbari go down a bit easier for the viewers because the ones we see most are Deleen and Lenier who, while obsessed enough with tradition to make Maimondes think they are going a bit to far about it, are personable, cultured, and polite to everyone. Nor do they act as if they think a Minbari is automatically better then someone from another species.
* [[Star Trek|Spock and his Vulcan ilk]] are scholarly, long-lived, [[Pointy Ears|pointy-eared]], [[Four Humour Ensemble|phlegmatic]], and psychic.
** Vulcans are also vegetarian, and consider their way of life superior to humans'. There are already Vulcan examples in [[Can't Argue with Elves]]... because you can't.
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*** And it doesn't stop there. Klingons are Space Orks and Ferengi are Space Goblins. In fact both are so similar to the [[World of Warcraft]] Orcs and Goblins one is tempted to think that they inspired them.
** The Metrons are also pictured as being elven: A tall, powerful but aloof race, with grey skin, white hair, shimmering silver clothing and gladiator-style shoes.
** [[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Betazoids]] are a race of [[Closer to Earth]] [[Telepathy|telepaths]]. Like Spock, [[The Chick|Troi]] was a [[Half-Human Hybrid]], but rather than promoting [[Straw Vulcan|detached logic]], her entire job was to [[Inverted Trope|help everyone be more in touch with their emotions]]. If Ambassador [[Grande Dame|Lwaxana]] [[Cloudcuckoolander|Troi]] was any indication, Betazoids saw themselves as the Federations's own planet of [[Planet of Hats|planet of]] [[Manic Pixie Dream Girl|Manic Pixie Dream Elves.]]
** [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|The Bajorans]] are a [[Proud Scholar Race]] who have been living as [[La Résistance]] for the past few decades, and seem rather fond of reminding everyone. They do not have any mystical abilities themselves, but their [[Sufficiently Advanced Aliens|"Prophets"]] do.
** ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' [[Deconstructed Trope|deconstructed]] this trope with the, naive, sheltered, [[We Are as Mayflies|short-lived]] Ocampa. They went further to turn this trope on this ear with Lon Suder, an [[Ax Crazy]] Betazoid, Seska, a rather [[Jerkass|unpleasant]] Bajoran
=== [[Tabletop Games]] ===
* The Fraal from ''[[Alternity]]'' explicitly ''are'' [[The Grays]], so they look like the stereotypical Type III, but their culture is actually Type II.
=== [[Video Games]] ===
* There's also the asari from ''[[Mass Effect]]''. They also fit the scheme of Type II-B. Female, Blue, Space, Psychic, somewhat elfish.
** {{spoiler|The quarians might also qualify as far as looks and personality go, but they're not ''quite'' as mystical as the asari.}}
* The Syreen from the ''[[Star Control]]'' series of games are Type II-B.
* The Protoss from ''[[
* The Elerians from the second and third ''[[Master of Orion]]'' games are Type II-B, or possibly Type I-B given their explicitly elfish appearance.
* The Numans/Newmans of the ''[[Phantasy Star]]'' series are often sardonically referred to as "space elves" due to their [[Flanderization]] as a race. Their role in ''[[Phantasy Star Universe]]'' most closely fits the Space Elf Type II archetype, despite the fact they were still genetically-engineered by humans.
=== [[Web Comics]] ===
* The Cotyorites from ''[[The Lydian Option]]'' are a philosopher race who are "not dangerous to anything but your time."▼
=== [[Western Animation]] ===▼
▲* The Cotyorites from [[The Lydian Option]] are a philosopher race who are "not dangerous to anything but your time."
▲== [[Western Animation]] ==
* Not from a matriarchy or a female-dominated race, but other than that, Mira Nova from ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]'' fits the bill of Type II-B perfectly.
::''See also [[The Greys]] for similar species.''
=== [[Film]] ===▼
▲== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', given their habits toward humans.
* ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.]]'' and his people start out as this, but are revealed to be Type II and a [[Friend to All Living Things]] in the [[All There in the Manual|supplemental fiction]].
* The Water Beings from ''[[The Abyss]]''.
=== [[Literature]] ===
* [[The Greys|Mr. Grey]] and his enemy, from ''[[Dream Catcher]]'' by [[Stephen King]], masquerade as this [[Glamour|to deceive]] impressionable humans from their [[To Serve Man|true intentions]]... which means they fit the bill of Type III [[The Fair Folk|quite nicely]], [[Eldritch Abomination|come to]] [[Puppeteer Parasite|think of it]].
*The Alori in ''Star Ways''(republished as ''[[The Peregrine]]'') by [[Poul Anderson]]. They fit the bill for [[The Fair Folk|Fair Folk]] including being [[Closer to Earth]], kidnapping humans, and on one occasion falling in love with a human.
**They do not however have [[Blue and Orange Morality]] per se, they are just xenophobic and fanatically protective of their [[Hidden Elf Village]]. But though their psychology and culture are odd a human can understand many of their motivations. They are something between type 2 and type 3 and resemble [[Avatar (film)|Naavi.]]
=== [[Live Action TV]] ===
* The Asgard from ''[[Stargate SG-1]]''. At least [[The Greys|physically]]; their [[Proud Scholar Race|culture]] and [[Crystal Spires and Togas|aesthetics]] are more reminiscent of Type II.
* The
* ODX in [[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]] ''Journey to Oasis, is more like a [[Little Green Man|Little Blue Man]]. He is a likeable, mischievous gnome and he seems to have a [[Blue and Orange Morality]] for he cares more about his games then preventing an impending interstellar war. In fairness his strange morality applies to himself and he refuses to tell the weakness of a sword wielding demon in their path, who is his great nemisis lest that [[Honor Before Reason|take advantage.]]
=== [[Tabletop Games]] ===
* ''[[Changeling: The Lost]]'' explicitly notes the similarity of [[Alien Abduction]] to changeling tales. There are quite a few [[The Fair Folk|True Fae]] that imitate aliens, especially [[The Greys]], but only because they've been reading humanity's subconscious. Even they don't know if aliens are real.
=== [[Video Games]] ===
* The Ariloulaleelay from ''[[Star Control]] 2'' would qualify as a Type III. They live in another dimension, are as old as dirt, and imply that performed experiments on humans in the past.
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