In the Teutonic tradition, Elves court mortal women, seduce them, and sometimes, if the women resist their advances, become kidnapers and rapists. The Elves are the offspring of the unions of demons with mortals and their gestation period may be as brief as four weeks or as long as one year. They may be born singly, as twins, or in litters. They are inclined to mischief of all sorts and often assist their witch-mothers in injuring human adversaries.