What is the difference between goblins and elves?

Answer 1

Just about everything, except for the pointed ears bit.

Elves are usually perceived as looking near-human, except for pointed ears, pale skin, and usually fine, elegant features. Basically, the ideal human. Stereotypical Elves are one with nature and magic, yet refined and educated. There are also many sorts of elves, as any hardcore magic or DnD fan will tell you. In fact, elves have garnered all sorts of fans, thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien and his works.

Goblins, on the other hand, are nowhere near as pretty. Yes, they have the pointy ears, but they usually have weird skin colors (green is the most common), and faces that not even their mothers could love, much less fantasy geeks. Goblins usually stick to brute force instead of magic, though like elves, they are more aligned with nature than they are with technology. Why? Because seeing a shrively, green-skinned monster driving a moped is something no one wants to imagine.