From June 2008 to March 2011 more than 400 elves have been recorded by cameras in southern France and northeastern Spain. A considerable fraction of elves are not as uniform as predicted by theory. We demonstrate examples and analyses of events displaying an asymmetrical distribution of luminosity in elves, gravity wave patterns, and even elves not recognizeable as a ring, and a distinct meteor trail. Emissions were enhanced by the meteoric dust deposition. The observations imply that the conditions in the lower ionosphere significantly influence the luminosity output. Furthermore, certain elves were accompanied by unusual electromagnetic signals, and we discuss the symmetry of their polarity, meteorology and land/sea differences.