[Lore Proposal] Fairies

[Luciloo 2680]

~+~  Fairy Lore  ~+~

 

 

 

 

 

 

((Obligatory Meme))

 

Many will have exchanged stories of these remarkable and secretive creatures. Known by many names including The Fae, The Fair Folk, Wee Folk, Little People, Sprites (even Malilomi or elleyii amongst Elves), most commonly however, the word ‘fairy’ is used to allude to the mysterious, the magical and the unknown (e.g. Fairy Rings, Fairy Tales) and many would argue this is appropriate.

 

Fairies are highly unlike the descended races. They do not exist as a people separate from nature. They are not like Elves, who are often believed to be close to nature, instead fairies are nature, they are more like insects, birds and plants. Fairies do not ‘guard’ nature as a Druid does, but instead they are part of that which a Druid protects.

 

A difficult concept to grasp reader, is that while fairies may seem alien to ourselves, it is we who are alien to them and nature by and large. They are unlike the Cervitaur, who is attuned to nature, instead the fairy is ‘within the looking glass’ in that regard.

 

 

* ~ Appearance ~ *

Mature fairies typically average around a few inches tall ((Think matchbox sized)). Younger fairies are smaller still. Walking upright on two legs, the fairy’s limbs are long, slim and visibly longer than the torso, giving fairies a fragile and delicate-looking anatomy. From under the shoulder-blades sprout wings of varying types, some resemble those of butterflies, others of dragonflies, the colours and patterns of which vary greatly.

 

The face is much more alien than the more beautiful races might wish to believe. The eyes are very large, glossy black and resemble those of flying insects in both appearance and function. The nose is almost entirely flat, possessing very little mass and the small, slanted nostrils appear slightly higher than half-way down the face. The cheekbones are very high and along with the jowls and chin, are sharp and thin. The ears are pointed, but smaller in proportion to the head, than those of Elves.

 

The fairy’s body is partially protected by a rough carapace, like those of giant stick insects. Though this protective casing varies in growth pattern between individual fairies, it typically conceals the areas we would consider intimate of our own bodies. In many cases, this carapace camouflages the fairy from predators, allowing them to blend into the bark and leaves of their chosen habitat. Many stories will speak of fairies wearing tiny clothing and witnesses of a fairy-sighting will claim the same thing, this is an error assumed of fairies. No clothes are worn, but instead this carapace is often mistaken for clothing or even armour.

 

((Giant Stick Insect, for carapace reference))

 

 

An artist’s impression of a fairy

 

 

 

Where the carapace does not cover, smooth hairless skin appears instead. The skin varies in colour, from green, to brown, blue is not uncommon, pink, orange and even purple. Typically the skin colour will remain mostly consistent with that of the carapace. The head appears to be bald and is shaped like that of a Human or Elf, but is most often covered in carapace. Some fairies have been seen to conceal the head in flowers and leaves. The mouth is small and the lips thin. The fairy’s teeth reflect a herbivore diet.

 

The hands and feet possess only four digits each, the fingers and opposable thumb quite long and thin, like the limbs. Distinguishing between male and female fairies can be difficult, as both possess a waifish and fragile appearance; a mature male will however, begin to grow antler-like appendages from the top of the head. At night, fairies will glow much like a torchbug, or firefly and they will most often be mistaken for either of these.

 

* ~ Behaviour ~ *

It is unclear if fairies are naturally reclusive, or if this is an adapted survival behaviour when confronted with expanding territories of the descended races.

Fairies make themselves extremely hard to find. They will not answer to whistles or calls, chants or singing. If one were to unwittingly approach a fairy’s home, they would likely pass it by without incident, for the fairy will not bring attention to itself.

 

Prolonged exposure to nature, such as forests, glades, fields, ponds, caves etc. increase the chances of a fairy-sighting, though one is never guaranteed. Even a Druid would have difficulty in encouraging a fairy to reveal itself.

 

This is not to say that fairies are timid, for they possess a playful curiosity. A wanderer or traveller may attract the fairy’s attention, and indeed a traveller may be followed for quite a distance by a curious or even protective fairy, but they will do so in such a way to avoid being seen. They would sooner flee and hide, than confront.

 

Fairies are nocturnal. Their large eyes appear to reflect this, as well as the fairy’s bio-luminescence.

 

When confronted with danger a fairy will produce a fine spray from under its wings. If inhaled, the mist causes intense drowsiness and will quickly incapacitate a would-be predator, sending them into a dream-filled slumber. A single fairy could easily send a rat, or even a bird of prey to sleep, however substantially more fairies would be required to fully incapacitate anyone of the descendant races, wolves, big cats, anything of this size and larger. This is thought to be the origin of the folk tales surrounding ‘Fairy Dust.’

 

* ~ Diet ~ *

Fairies are herbivorous eaters. Their diet primarily consists of leafy greens, supplemented with berries, nuts and fungi. When sap leaks from trees, they eagerly collect it and prize it as a treat.

 

Fairies are gatherers. They will pick their food from the areas adjacent to home, but do not cultivate plants for their purposes. A fairy will often take advantage of the crumbs, seeds or berries left out for the birds

 

* ~ Habitat & Social Organisation ~ *

Fairies are a social creature. They thrive amongst others of their kind and rely heavily upon cooperation for their continued survival. They live in colonies or ‘hives’ which may support anywhere from 20 to 100 fairies at one time. When a hive dies, fairies will seek out other colonies to join. An isolated fairy will quickly succumb to dysfunction and will suffer greatly.

 

Fairies will inhabit quiet areas of forests, swamps and other places in nature which are left alone by the descendent races. They will repurpose the hives of bees and wasps, should the original occupants die or leave, but will inhabit the trunks of large trees or the stems and caps of particularly large mushrooms, too.

 

Although fairies appear to organise themselves with a dominant male and female (Or King and Queen) of a hive, all members may mate freely with one another. Childrearing is shared amongst the hive and the dominant male and female of the hive lead through wisdom and experience, rather than a system of royal ascent and lineage.

 

Fairy Rings: Although the magical rings of mushrooms are associated with fairies, they are not of fairy origin. Fairies do not make them or maintain them. Fairies may be drawn to Fairy Rings, but not much more-so than other curiosities of a natural or magical sort. One should not expect to see fairies dancing around a Fairy Ring, particularly if that Ring is used frequently by those seeking its associated ‘high.’

 

* ~ Reproduction & Life-Cycle ~ *

Fairies court during The First Seed. The potential couple perform a mating dance together and if both fairies reappear to dance for three consecutive nights, the couple will mate. The First Seed is the most likely time to see a fairy, when collectively their mating dances will present a beautiful sea of glowing lights in forests and glens.

 

 

 

 

Fairies give birth to live young, approximately ten Seeds later. The couple will remain together during this time, but will disband two Seeds after the birth. In their lifetime, fairies may have multiple mates, or they may choose a single mate to return to each First Seed.

 

Fairies will reach five years of age before they leave the hive for the outside world. At this point, they help to gather food, while under the guidance of other fairies. At twenty years, a fairy reaches maturity.

 

The natural life-span of a fairy nears 500-years, however many will be eaten by predators before they reach this age.

 

* ~ Misconceptions ~ *

• Contrary to several stories, fairies maintain their diminutive size. They have no shapeshifting powers and the stories of tall, beautiful fairies can be attributed to Elves.

 

• Similarly, the stories of young infants abducted by fairies, even replaced with a fairy-child, are false. It is possible these stories emerged from anti-Elven prejudices, with Elven infertility a likely means to accuse Elves of a need to steal the children of other races, to supplement their own numbers.

 

Pros

• Good natural life-span, if not eaten
• Naturally small, nimble and easily hidden
• Can fly
• Sleep-mist used to evade predators/attackers
• Clever, ‘tricksy’

Cons

• Small and weak; a lone fairy is very vulnerable
• They are often sought as an ingredient in folk-medicine
• Are at the mercy of environmental destruction e.g. logging
• Mating season makes them vulnerable to being seen
• Susceptible to all forms of magic, including mind-magic
• Unable to use magic themselves

 

 

* ~ Red Lines ~ *

• Do not grant wishes (though may deceive the ingorant into believing they do)
• Will not sit in your pocket
• Do not want to be your best-friend
• Are not playable

[Luciloo 2680]

(( Feedback would be appreciated. If you have some ideas, please feel free to comment! :D ))

[Wyvernbane 252]

There is another lore similar to this called Sprites that is currently being rewritten. I see no need for it considering the other.

[Luciloo 2680]

I had asked the lore team concerning fairies and was not told about sprites or a rewriting of their lore.

Could you perhaps link me?

[oblivionsbane 714]

There have been events with Faeries before. I do not think the lore is needed if they are unplayable.

 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/122547-lore-creatureplayable-sprites/

[Luciloo 2680]

 

There have been events with Faeries before. I do not think the lore is needed if they are unplayable.

 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/122547-lore-creatureplayable-sprites/

 

 

 

This link doesn't appear to lead anywhere, unless I am being really thick.

 

My intention was for the fairies to be accessible for the ET, rather than let everyone run amok with them.

[Wyvernbane 252]

The sprites cannot be played by everyone. There were certain people chosen to play them. We're now awaiting the lore rewrite before we can play them again. Also the faery ring has nothing to do with small flying creatures!

[SMaddieM 105]

I think what you have here is excellent work. Really well thought out and written clearly. :)

[oblivionsbane 714]

This link doesn't appear to lead anywhere, unless I am being really thick.

 

My intention was for the fairies to be accessible for the ET, rather than let everyone run amok with them.

Oh, you're right. I just went and got if off the lore list page, but apparently the original was either moved or taken down.

[Dohvi 622]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.