Norse Mythology - Dwarves, Elves, Dark Elves, and Giants

Many different races populate the Nine Realms of the World. The most powerful beings are the Aesir – Lord Odin, Thor, and the other Gods and Goddesses. They live in Asgard, the Shining Realm. Although each deity has a war-like aspect, they are each also tasked with overseeing some aspect of the Nine Worlds.

The Vanir are fertility Gods and Goddesses. The Lady Freya and her family are the best known of the Vanir, and the denizens of Vanaheim are as powerful as the Aesir. After the Great War between the Aesir and the Vanir, Freya, her brother Frey, and their father Njord came to live in Asgard.

Elves, dwarves, giants, and other lesser beings populate the other realms. Midgard – the Middle Kingdom – is where humans live. There are dragons, wolves, and other creatures, but the major races are: Aesir, Vanir, elves, dwarves, giants, dark elves, and humans. Although the races are separated, there is always some interaction. In particular, the Aesir and Vanir journey freely amongst the Realms, for they are the most powerful of all.

The Races
Dwarves		Dwarves are small in stature but large in skill. They live under the ground in Nidavellir, creating beautiful art, mighty weapons, and magical objects.
Elves		Elves are beautiful, good beings found primarily in Alfheim. Immortal, elves are creatures of magic. Often shy, there are a large variety of elves.
Dark Elves		The sinister dark elves of Svartalfheim are as magical as their good cousins, but wicked. Few have survuved their encounters with dark elves to report on their culture.
Giants		The giants of Jotunheim are mostly evil and immensely large and powerful beings. Mostly, they are associated with stone, mountains and winter.