History Main / SpaceElves

There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace or ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like FairFolk and often fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

Type I is a specific category of OurElvesAreBetter. Type II is a specific category of ProudScholarRace. Type III is a category of TheFairFolk. Type II-A is an oddly specific phenomenon that describes the tendency of Type II's to manifest as a [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Blue Skinned Space Babe]]. It is a reoccurring theme in several works and universes that all seem to be referencing [[{{Homage}} each other]]. Examples of all three types also fall under this trope.

Like other {{Proud Scholar Race Guy}}s, Type II are the most likely characters in the setting to have PsychicPowers (possibly confined to a [[BizarreSexualDimorphism single gender]]) and the most likely characters in the setting to be [[TechnicalPacifist Technical]] or [[ActualPacifist Actual]] PerfectPacifistPeople, in contrast to the warlike ProudWarriorRaceGuy, who are ironically more likely to be literal ElvesInSpace. Unless they have [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame beards]].

These are beings that fill the same function as TheFairFolk in the story or in popular consciousness, except that they (usually) [[EldritchAbomination Descended From Outer Space]]. This is ''very commonly'' associated with TheGreys, although not always. LittleGreenMen can replace {{Leprechaun}}s. AlienAbduction may take the place of a ChangelingTale. When they aren't snatching up our children, [[YearOutsideHourInside unnaturally extending our lifespans]], or performing mystic rites on us for shits and giggles, they're [[AliensStealCattle snatching up our cattle]] just like the [[OurFairiesAreDifferent Brownies]] of old, and impregnating our virginal ''(swear to god!)'' women-folk, thus leading to HalfHumanHybrids. They may be SufficientlyAdvanced, or [[AncientAstronauts older than the hills]]. See also TimeAbyss. One thing Type 3's share in common is they are invariably [[BlueAndOrangeMorality Inscrutable]].

Compare the '''[[RuleOfThree Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' ProudScholarRaceGuy (usually SpaceElves), ProudWarriorRaceGuy (posssibly [[ElvesVersusDwarves Space Dwarves]]) and ProudMerchantRaceGuy (all [[UnfortunateImplications too often]] depicted as SpaceJews), or SpaceAmish who may in fact be standard ordinary people [[EarthThatWas in a diaspora]] situation, thus occupying a [[{{Hobbits}} middle position]]. See also TelepathicSpacemen.

There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace or ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace or ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace or ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace, ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

Type I is a specific category of OurElvesAreBetter. Type II is a specific category of ProudScholarRace. Type III is a specific category of TheFairFolk. Type II-A is an oddly specific phenomenon that describes the tendency of Type II's to manifest as a [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Blue Skinned Space Babe]]. It is a reoccurring theme in several works and universes that all seem to be referencing [[{{Homage}} each other]]. Examples of all three types also fall under this trope.

Subtrope of OurElvesAreBetter. There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal [[EnlightenedMysticRace mystical philosophical]] beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace, ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

Examples of all three types also fall under this trope: Type I is a specific category of OurElvesAreBetter. Type II is a specific category of ProudScholarRace. Type III is a specific category of TheFairFolk. Type II-A is an oddly specific phenomenon that describes the tendency of Type II's to manifest as a [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Blue Skinned Space Babe]]. It is a reoccurring theme in several works and universes that all seem to be referencing [[{{Homage}} each other]].

Examples of all three types also fall under this trope: Type I is a specific category of OurElvesAreBetter. Type II is a specific category of ProudScholarRace. Type III is a specific category of TheFairFolk.

Type II-A is an oddly specific phenomenon that describes the tendency of Type II's to manifest as a [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Blue Skinned Space Babe]]. It is a reoccurring theme in several works and universes that all seem to be referencing [[{{Homage}} each other]].

Some anthropologists [[WildMassGuessing have speculated]] that the tendency to imagine any foriegn intruders who are different from us as ElvesVersusDwarves is hard-wired, like the theory that humans are hard-wired to imagine [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] because [[http://en.wikipedia.org/Dragon monkeys were afraid of snakes]]. By this logic, humans have an innate tendency to classify "alien" cultures as inscrutable, slender ([[TheGreys tall]] and/or [[LittleGreenMen diminutive]]) beings who were [[MagicalNativeAmerican here before us]], have better tools and are [[WitchSpecies not to be messed with]],[[hottip:**:([[HumansAreBastards i.e. us]]. All of which traits were [[OlderThanTheyThink once attributed]] to pygmies and other neolithic tribes by their Iron Age neighbors)]] versus [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame swarthy, hairy fellows]] [[UnfortunateImplications with large families]], who are industrious, engage in untouchable occupations such as mining, and are migrants.[[hottip:**:(all of which traits were once attributed to [[{{Oireland}} the Irish]] and [[RedScare European]] immigrants, along with pygmies whom neighboring tribes wished to subjugate.)]] Space Elves and [[ProudMerchantRace Space Dwarves]] would thus occupy an extreme niche as entirely legendary beings that personify the same archetypes.

Some anthropologists [[WildMassGuessing have speculated]] that the tendency to imagine any foriegn intruders who are different from us as ElvesVersusDwarves is hard-wired, like the theory that humans are hard-wired to imagine [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] because [[http://en.wikipedia.org/Dragon monkeys were afraid of snakes]].

By this logic, humans have an innate tendency to classify "alien" cultures as inscrutable, slender ([[TheGreys tall]] and/or [[LittleGreenMen diminutive]]) beings who were [[MagicalNativeAmerican here before us]], have better tools and are [[WitchSpecies not to be messed with]],[[hottip:**:([[HumansAreBastards i.e. us]]. All of which traits were [[OlderThanTheyThink once attributed]] to pygmies and other neolithic tribes by their Iron Age neighbors)]] versus [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame swarthy, hairy fellows]] [[UnfortunateImplications with large families]], who are industrious, engage in untouchable occupations such as mining, and are migrants.[[hottip:**:(all of which traits were once attributed to [[{{Oireland}} the Irish]] and [[RedScare European]] immigrants, along with pygmies whom neighboring tribes wished to subjugate.)]] Space Elves and [[ProudMerchantRace Space Dwarves]] would thus occupy an extreme niche as entirely legendary beings that personify the same archetypes.

'''Type III: MysticAlienIntruders''' ''[-(compare: TheGreys; TheFairFolk; LittleGreenMen)-]''

See also TelepathicSpacemen.

Compare the '''[[RuleOfThree Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' ProudScholarRaceGuy (usually SpaceElves), ProudWarriorRaceGuy (posssibly [[ElvesVersusDwarves Space Dwarves]]) and ProudMerchantRaceGuy (all [[UnfortunateImplications too often]] depicted as SpaceJews), or SpaceAmish who may in fact be standard ordinary people [[EarthThatWas in a diaspora]] situation, thus occupying a [[{{Hobbits}} middle position]].

Compare the '''[[RuleOfThree Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' ProudScholarRaceGuy (usually SpaceElves), ProudWarriorRaceGuy (posssibly [[ElvesVersusDwarves Space Dwarves]]) and ProudMerchantRaceGuy (all [[UnfortunateImplications too often]] depicted as SpaceJews, or SpaceAmish who may in fact be standard ordinary people [[EarthThatWas in a diaspora]] situation, thus occupying a [[{{Hobbits}} middle position]].

Compare the '''[[RuleOfThree Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' ProudScholarRaceGuy (usually SpaceElves), ProudWarriorRaceGuy (posssibly [[ElvesVersusDwarves Space Dwarves]]) and ProudMerchantRaceGuy (all [[UnfortunateImplications too often]] depicted as SpaceJews, who may in fact be any of the three Proud Race Guys, or they may be standard ordinary people [[EarthThatWas in a diaspora]] situation, thus occupying a [[{{Hobbits}} middle position]]. Compare and contrast SpaceAmish.

Compare the '''[[RuleOfThree Three Types of Proud Race Guy]]:''' ProudScholarRaceGuy (usually SpaceElves), ProudWarriorRaceGuy (posssibly [[ElvesVersusDwarves Space Dwarves]]) and ProudMerchantRaceGuy (all [[UnfortunateImplications too often]] depicted as SpaceJews, who may in fact be any of the three Proud Race Guys, or they may be standard ordinary people [[EarthThatWas in a diaspora]] situation, thus occupying a [[{{Hobbits}} middle position]].

* ''{{Jak}}'s'' race is another example - Jak strikes one as [[LegendOfZelda Link]] InSpace, and Link was an elf.

Like other {{Proud Scholar Race Guy}}s, Type II are the most likely characters in the setting to have PsychicPowers (possibly confined to a [[BizarreSexualDimorphism single gender]]) and the most likely characters in the setting to be [[TechnicalPacifist Technical]] or [[ActualPacifist Actual Pacifists]], in contrast to the warlike ProudWarriorRaceGuy, who are ironically more likely to be literal ElvesInSpace. Unless they have [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame beards]].

By this logic, humans have an innate tendency to classify "alien" cultures as inscrutable, slender ([[TheGreys tall]] and/or [[LittleGreenMen diminutive]]) beings who were [[MagicalNativeAmerican here before us]], have better tools and are [[WitchSpecies not to be messed with]],[[hottip:**:(all of which traits were [[OlderThanTheyThink once attributed]] to pygmies and other neolithic tribes by their Iron Age neighbors)]] versus [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame swarthy, hairy fellows]] [[UnfortunateImplications with large families]], who are industrious, engage in untouchable occupations such as mining, and are migrants.[[hottip:**:(all of which traits were once attributed to [[{{Oireland}} the Irish]] and [[RedScare European]] immigrants, along with pygmies whom neighboring tribes wished to subjugate.)]] Space Elves and [[ProudMerchantRace Space Dwarves]] would thus occupy an extreme niche as entirely legendary beings that personify the same archetypes.

Like other {{Proud Scholar Race Guy}}s, Type II are the most likely characters in the setting to have PsychicPowers (possibly confined to a [[BizarreSexualDimorphism single gender]]) and the most likely characters in the setting to be [[TechnicalPacifist Technical]] or [[ActualPacifist Actual Pacifists]], in contrast to the warlike ProudWarriorRaceGuy, who are ironically more likely to be literal ElvesInSpace.

Subtrope of OurElvesAreBetter. There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non]]-[[ISOStandardFantasySetting standard fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal mystical philosophical beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace, ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

Subtrope of OurElvesAreBetter. There are three types of Space Elves: [[OurElvesAreDifferent actual elves]] [[RecycledInSpace in a non-standard]] [[ISOStandardFantasySetting fantasy setting]] (compare UrbanFantasy, MundaneFantastic); archetypal mystical philosophical beings (ProudScholarRace) that ''could'' be elves if it were a fantasy setting (compare ProudWarriorRace, ProudMerchantRace for the ElvesVsDwarves equivalent); and beings which are definitely alien but behave almost exactly like the FairFolk and sometimes fill the same function (compare AncientAstronauts, TheGreys, LittleGreenMen).

* ''{{Jak}}'s'' race might be another example - Jak strikes one as [[LegendOfZelda Link]] InSpace, and Link was an elf.

** Vulcans are also long-lived, vegetarian, and consider their way of life superior to humans'. There are already Vulcan examples in CantArgueWithElves... because you can't.

* There's also the asari from ''MassEffect''. They also fit the scheme of Type II-A. Female, Blue, Space, Psychic, somewhat elfish.

[-'''''This is a {{supertrope}} discussing references to SpaceElves in various tropes, such as: OurElvesAreBetter, ProudScholarRaceGuy (Type II), TheFairFolk, and TheGreys. Examples of each type would also fall under those tropes.'''''-]

[-'''''This is a {{supertrope}} discussing references to SpaceElves in various tropes, such as: OurElvesAreBetter, ProudScholarRaceGuy (Type II), TheFairFolk, and TheGreys. Examples of each type would still fall under those tropes.'''''-]

* There's also the asari from ''MassEffect''. They also fit the scheme of ''Type II-A''. Female, Blue, Space, Psychic, somewhat elfish.

* Not from a matriarchy or a female-dominated race, but other than that, Mira Nova from ''BuzzLightyearOfStarCommand fits the bill of ''Type II-A'' perfectly.

'''Type II-A: PsychicBlueSpaceBabe''' ''[-(main article: GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe)-]''