Vampires vs. Elves

I don't know when the idea first occurred to me, but it's been brewing for a while. I'm pretty sure I first arrived at it through comparing the traditional rivalries between elves/dwarves and vampires/werewolves. It's kind of hard to compare dwarves and werewolves -- there are a few points where you could stretch a similarity, but it doesn't go that deep, IMO. Elves and vampires, on the other hand....

Elves are the higher beings of high or epic fantasy. Where they exist, they are stronger, more long-lived, wiser and -- most importantly -- more magical. Usually their critical flaw is some combination of hubris, arrogance and refusal to keep with the times. Diana Wynne Jones wrote in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland that elves are somehow "less gross and substantial" than humans, and that sentence stuck in my mind as being a central part of their appeal. Even though they have bodies and not just spirits, they're somehow more ethereal than any other fantasy species.

And, of course, they're beautiful. ( Vampires vs. Elves )

Grr. Argh.

I am too tired and cranky and generally upset to post about how certain authors feel about psychiatric medications and so-called "artistic temperaments". Suffice it to say, I am not well pleased. More comprehensive coverage can be found here. This sucks especially, since this time it's hit one of my favorite authors. Ugh.

Playing around with evil sims is much more relaxing. Do you know what qualifies for evil among sims? Ineffectually "masterminding plots" and stealing candy from babies, which makes them cry, but which they would not otherwise be able to, you know, eat. Sometimes they glow red. They don't mind unlit rooms or haunted graveyards. Sim evil is much more benign than human good.

Tomorrow: vampires vs. elves.