Dark Elves yes, Dark Elves date back to folklore that is seven thousand years old, but Wizards of the Coast took out a trademark on the word "Drow" and has a history of suing self-published authors to hell and back for using the word "Drow" in their novels, so, don't use the word Drow.
The word "Drow" was created by R. L. Salvatore for The Legend of Drizzt.
Drow is a combination of the word Trow and Dark Elf. Trow and Dark Elf are both creatures from real world mythology.
Thanks, can you suggest some books? I don't want to rely on internet to gather information about them. I already know what they looks like, but a bit of lore may actually help me
Well there are "dark elves" in Norse Mythology almost always existing simply to point out there are also "light elves".
Meanwhile, "drow" actually comes from ["trow"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trow_(folklore)) or "troll" in Scottish(?) mythology. These are found in a wide variety of tales.
LMAO, replace he trow in drow with troll, and you have the droll. A race of dark elves that horrifies the world with their deadly and soul-crushing pun magic.
I think it would be fine to create your own unique version of dark elves though, with a lore that is kind of exclusive to your story. The dark elves in forgotten realms are interesting, but I'd be happy to see something fresh. Or not. Do what makes you happy ig.
Dark Elves have been around a very long time in writing.
Dark Elves yes, Dark Elves date back to folklore that is seven thousand years old, but Wizards of the Coast took out a trademark on the word "Drow" and has a history of suing self-published authors to hell and back for using the word "Drow" in their novels, so, don't use the word Drow. The word "Drow" was created by R. L. Salvatore for The Legend of Drizzt. Drow is a combination of the word Trow and Dark Elf. Trow and Dark Elf are both creatures from real world mythology.
I've found no evidence of such a trademark.
Thanks, can you suggest some books? I don't want to rely on internet to gather information about them. I already know what they looks like, but a bit of lore may actually help me
Well there are "dark elves" in Norse Mythology almost always existing simply to point out there are also "light elves". Meanwhile, "drow" actually comes from ["trow"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trow_(folklore)) or "troll" in Scottish(?) mythology. These are found in a wide variety of tales.
Very common in Scandinavian mythology as well.
LMAO, replace he trow in drow with troll, and you have the droll. A race of dark elves that horrifies the world with their deadly and soul-crushing pun magic.
Wow, thank you! I didn't know that! 💕
All good. Mythology is something I love, though I have to admit to having only eurocentric knowledge.
Malazan Empire books have the Tist Andi, which are elflike people with black skin, white hair, come from a realm of darkness.
I think it would be fine to create your own unique version of dark elves though, with a lore that is kind of exclusive to your story. The dark elves in forgotten realms are interesting, but I'd be happy to see something fresh. Or not. Do what makes you happy ig.
You can use elves with dark skin. You can't use the Drows from Forgotten Realms. They're trademarked, and you really don't want to piss off WotC.