Like ylfe, dweorgas are Otherworld beings, but they are neither male nor female. They are mostly associated with bringing about illness, particularly disease and nightmares. Unlike the ylfe who are somewhat ambivalent in their connection to the world of men and women, dweorgas are predominantly understood as malevolent creatures that shun the light of day. Dweorgas are connected with mountains, standing stones, barrows, and the Underworld. Cautionary folk conduct propitiatory rites at such locations to avoid their terrible wrath. The brave and the desperate sometimes seek out the dweorgas and offer gifts in hopes of receiving some benefit or magical item. Some folktales describe dweorgas as re-embodied souls of the dead whose burial hoard was disturbed or looted, and now only offerings of gold, gems, and fine ornaments will appease their restless spirits.
