well, came here to figure out why i couldn't open any chests, trash bins, or any container (never encounter that bug before XD ) and found something amazing to my favorite RPG years later. ill simply say thank you.

since when are dark elves a different race? there was always a "dark elf" background.

There was always a "dark elf follower" background. (+2 to Willpower, in exchange for -2 to Charisma)

Drog Black Tooth decided to go one better, with an actual Dark Elf racial choice: none of the elven Constitution and Strength penalties, but in exchange they're evil-aligned (their alignment can never go above -10).

A great choice if you're planning to play an evil magic user. Or if you want your alignment to stay close to neutral, no matter how good you choose to act in game (to get a certain follower, for instance).