People in the Legends
J. R. R. Tolkien was an English writer and philologist who studied Old English and medieval literature at the University of Oxford.
Building his own world from Norse mythology and old legends, he published The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955). His portrayals of noble, beautiful elves, bearded master-smith dwarves and evil goblins (orcs) laid the foundation for the images of later fantasy novels and games.
A fairy people rooted in Norse mythology, said to include light elves and dark elves. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings created the standard fantasy image of a long-lived, beautiful race.
An ugly, mischievous little creature of European folklore. There are also friendly hobgoblins that live in houses. Through Tolkien's works, goblins became standard enemy characters in games.
In Norse mythology, a race of master smiths who live underground and inside rocks. They are said to have made the gods' weapons, such as Mjolnir and Gungnir. In fantasy, they are the classic stubborn, bearded craftsmen.
