Fairies

Fairies are a close cousin of their fellow tiny winged fey sprites and pixies but unlike the others, fairies are unique in that their bodies naturally produce and shed a fine magical dust that can be refined into a variety of magical components. The most valuable of the derivatives of their natural shedding is "pixie dust" an illicit drug banned in the empire due to its harsh side effects and highly addictive nature.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A humanoid bipedal creature with flight capable wings, resembling those of dragonflies, on their backs.
Their appearance can vary just as much as humans in terms of (relative) height and weight, skin color, hair color, eye color, etc. They do all share a common elf like pointed ear shape, but otherwise a vast full spectrum of appearances is represented across the species.

Genetics and Reproduction

As fey creatures, reproduction is a little different for fairies. The first time in their life a baby laughs, that laugh gives birth to a new fairy.

Growth Rate & Stages

Born as fully functional fairies (as opposed to infants, toddlers, or children), roughly equivalent to human teenagers in terms of maturity levels fairy aging is similar to elves in that they are extraordinarily long lived and mature intellectually over a much longer time frame even if their physical maturity comes on much quicker.

Ecology and Habitats

Fairies typically have a close bond with nature and can thrive in almost any climate or biome as they naturally attune to the local ecology, however they particularly drawn to forests, meadows, and plains as that is where the densest population have most often been found.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Fairies are bred almost exclusively for the purpose of producing pixie dust insufficient quantities to meet the ever growing demand for the harmful drug.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Keen senses, as well as strong sight in darkness and a supernatural ability to assess the true intentions of one's heart if they make physical contact.

Lifespan

1,000yrs +

Conservation Status

Not explicitly conserved as the population is considered stable, but trapping and breeding of fairies as well as their cousins sprites and pixies has been completely outlawed.

Average Height

5 inches +/- an inch

Average Weight

a few ounces