Pixie Dust

"Glare, that isn't going to help. That farmer is only going to come back with more people, or worse. He may come back and set the whole forest ablaze."
"Well then Glimhook, help me transplant some trees that are harder to burn. I think a few poplar or birch would be a good choice. Besides, if he does try to burn the forest he also has to consider his field. Won't it burn quicker than the forest?"
"It might at that, though I think I have a better idea. Leaf, could you go grab Chase and Prance? We can build a fire break inside the forest between where we grow the new trees and the oldgrowth."
Leaf nodded and flew off. Glare was dancing in delight.
"Oh I should talk to the naiads about rerouting the stream through the fire break. Then the forest will have more protection."

— Discussion about how to prevent the deprivation of the forest from humans.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Pixie dust is just that, dust.  It has a bioluminescence while it is "live".  Trying to gather and store pixie dust causes it to go inert, becoming regular dust.

Physical & Chemical Properties

While it is "live", it causes miraculous growth to any plantlife it touches.  Water that has been infused with pixie dust is sought after, for its ability to cure blight.

Origin & Source

Pixies are the only source of pixie dust.  This doesn't bode well for the pixies.  The fact that pixies do not survive in captivity, has stopped people from hunting them for their dust.  Pixie dust is only useful for a short time after being shed by the pixie.

Life & Expiration

Pixie dust is effective for about three minutes from the time of being shed. Dust from the death of a pixie has a longer time; only so long as it is within the protective territory of the pixie. If the dust or the pixie are removed from their domain, they expire if not returned within two minutes, or are set free to return.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Pixie dust has two uses.  The first is for the benefit of wild plants.  The second is more for the benefit of the pixies themselves.
For the pixies, this dust allows them to grow, up to twelve times their normal size.  On the rare occasion, they will use it to shrink their paramour down to their own size.  Or when necessary both; as when their paramour is a giant.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Pixie dust is only accessible to pixies.  No other can control its magical powers.  The pixies, are free with the use of their dust in the efforts to assist another fae in maintaining the plant life.  They cannot harvest it and pass it along to others, much to their dismay.
Pixies have been known to leave bogs alone, but use their dust on the plants around the bogs.  This is to disguise the whereabouts of the bogs as natural traps for the unwary.

Environmental Impact

Pixie dust has a very important role in the environment.  It keeps the forest growing strong and healthy.  Removing the pixies and their dust from a forest will mean the forest is affected by more of the natural ailments; such as blight and pests, like pine beetles.

Corrigenda    Fae    Fae Wildlands      Fae      Pixie      Pixie Dust

Type

Biomaterial

Odor

Pixie dust has no discernable odor.

Taste

The few who have tasted pixie dust have claimed it is sweet. This has never been verified.

Color

Pixie dust comes in a variety of colours depending on the skin tone of the pixie.

Common State

It is found in its solid state.

It is said that the forest border of Thormalk is haunted. In truth that is not the case. Those forest lands are filled by many of the fae who have chosen to live outside the fae wilds. Primarily, satyrs, pixies, sprites, and drus.
They have formed an agreement with the Hunters of Thormalk. It is one of mutual defense. The fae use their wiles to scare the unwary away, and if that doesn't work, the Hunters move in and repel them.
This agreement has been in effect since 763OTO. The giants have been protecting the northern and eastern borders for as long as many of us can remember. Yes, the rumours are true.
Alas that is not the lesson at hand. The pixies have used their dust for the enrichment of all Corrigenda though the humans are still blissfully unaware. The one thing you will also find in a pixie protected forest are what many have come to call fairy rings. These circles are usually six inches to three feet in diameter. They are comprised of death's head mushrooms. These circles are created by the spores given off upon the death of a pixie.

— Excerpt from a lesson about life in the forest

by kropekk_pl

Header picture by pixaline from pixabay.com
Mushroom pic by kropekk_pl from pixabay.com
Elf and pixie pic by kellepics from pixabay.com