He became merged with Tomten, which was previously an elfish/dwarfish farm guardian. They had pointed elfish ears and pixie faces. Gamine is a term for an mischievous, playful, elfish, and pert girl or young woman. The "Jak and Daxter" universe is populated primarily by a humanoid elfish species. Elfish beings appear to have been a common characteristic within Indo-European mythologies. He was drawn to fantasy after penning "The Elfish Gene". Khmer culture in Cambodia includes the "Mrenh kongveal", elfish beings associated with guarding animals. His experiences as a child are detailed in his book "The Elfish Gene".