Leprechaun
Leprechauns are some of the most magical fae. They have the unique ability to craft rainbow bridges which they can travel on. The unfortunate aspect of these bridges is that they only work for the leprechaun who made it. A new mother can take her child along her bridge until two days after birth. This means if they are travelling with companions they choose to use the same mode of transportation as their companions, even if it does mean taking longer to reach their destination.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
Leprechauns are named after the first thing their mother sees the morning after the child is born. These usually consist of the plants or landscapes outside the window. There have been times when the first thing the mother has seen was another fae. When this is the case, the child is named after the person, not the ethnicity. Some leprechaun mothers will choose the second thing they see since they really do not like first thing they saw.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Leprechauns speak in riddles and metaphor often. They prefer not giving a straight answer to any question, especially if the answer is obvious to the leprechaun. Instead, they will give an answer that forces the questioner to think for themselves. Even though the answer is in the response it takes some working out to decipher.
Leprechauns are reliant on the birthing pools for survival. These were originally natural pools infused with the magic of the leprechauns until they began being desecrated for the gold.
Common Dress code
Leprechauns like their hats and headbands. These are always some shade of green. In standing tradition, leprechauns wear a white shirt with a green velvet jacket in differing styles, dependent upon personal preference, and a choice of trews or kilt. If they choose to wear the kilt, they will have a sporran as well.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Leprechauns celebrate the coming of spring in a festival similar to Beltaine. These celebrations are carried out in specially designed festival caverns , which can only be reached by rainbow bridge.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Leprechauns are all birthed in a festival cavern. This is because they were designed for the celebration of new and returning life. They are attended only by the mother and her/their midwife. Within the cavern is a birthing pool which is off-limits to male leprechauns. Male identifying leprechauns who find themselves in a family way are allowed into the birthing cavern as that is the only way a young leprechaun is born. The few leprechauns who were born away from a birthing pool have suffered from either madness, crippling disabilities, or simply have not survived the birthing process.
Coming of Age Rites
A leprechaun is considered to have come of age once they have mastered the rainbow bridge. The crafting of the bridge takes much practice and skill. Once a leprechaun claims to have mastered it they will be set a test, to prove their mastery. The controlling of the rainbow bridge is the starting trigger for which the new adults become fertile.
Leprechauns have a ritual that must be completed within five minutes of beginning to be effective. This ritual is crafted in two parts, the first being done before the bridge is created. The second at the other end of the bridge. The two leprechauns adjudicating the test and performing the ritual will have arranged time and locations before the proof is required of the one being tested.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Leprechauns, when they pass away, quite literally pass away. Their bodies turn to gold dust as their hearts stop. If they pass while outside their bodies are carried away by the wind, which is quite a sight to see. As the wind carries the gold dust away the magic returns to the world. Those who pass away indoors are respectfully interred within the festival cavern. Truthfully their essence is added to the pools within the cavern to enhance the magics contained there.
Common Myths and Legends
Contrary to popular belief, leprechauns do not have large pots of gold hidden anywhere. The myth of following the rainbow to its end, and you will find the leprechaun's pot of gold, was a rumour that was spread by the mischievous pooka as a practical joke. The pooka are still laughing about it to this day, because not only did the humans fall for it, but it has driven the leprechauns mad. This is because they can no longer use the rainbow bridge to travel from their home anymore.
Encompassed species
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Related Myths
Hehe the pot of gold thing being spread by pooka is something I can definitely see happening. Nice take on the leprechaun. :D