Fey Cultures

Within the lore of Dungeons and Dragons as a whle, the most common race within the Feywild (fairies) are also, somewhat frustratingly, the least written about. In 5th edition, the fairy race was introduced with only a paragraph of lore behind it. I believe what the writers were trying to convey is the overwhelming diversity of the fairies, but failed to truly reflect that concept.

When you picture a fairy, what do you imagine? A tiny, brightly-colored pixie with butterfly wings and a comically small bow or wand that they use to combat their enemies? In reality, the term "fairy" is more of an umbrella term to cover the vast array of fey creatures that share little commonalities; some fairies don't even have wings. Between the different fey cultures, the only things outside of their player character racial features that unite them under one race is their Feywild origin, innate magic abilities, and the diluted, yet still ever-present power of their distant Tuatha De Dannan ancestors.

The following cultures listed are known fairy varieties. Keep in mind, however, that this list is not exclusive. If you choose the "Fairy" playable race, and pick one of the following cultures to build your character around, you may work with your DM to tweak your racial features. For example, your fairy may or may not have wings, so instead of the "flight" racial feature, your DM might allow you to take a feat.

Aillen (AYE-lin): These fairies roam through the Feywild, burning and seeking to destroy anything in their path. Strangely, most of their abilities do not harm other fey. Therefore, they stick to roads and well-traveled paths -- especially the Winding Way -- hoping to catch a traveler unaware. They are recognized by the red lines that extend vertically downward from their eyes, as well as their corona of flames that adorn their head.

Asrai (AZZ-ray): The Asrai are known by their black and blue shaded eyes. They are quiet, but enjoy dance and the more unusual drinks within the Feywild. They can often be found at the Forever Pools of Arliss, and never come out during the day. Rumor has it that they prefer to literally bathe in the moonlight, from which they draw their unusual powers.

Azure Sik (AZZ-sure SEEK): These seelie fey are typically associated with earth, and they appear as human, except for the small, blue flickering flame near the hairlines. These elusive fey can be found underground, in many twisted tunnels dotted with precious jewels. They will occasionally help a miner, fey or mortal, to locate valuable and unusual mineral deposits.

B'anth (BEE-anth): Typically associated with the season of autumn, these fairies are often seen wandering through great and ancient trees, or sitting upon rocks pondering. Sometimes, B'anth will have gatherings and share their knowledge with one another. They are the advice givers of the fey and share their advice with you whether you wish them to or not. B'anth love to talk and ask questions, but rarely are quiet enough to hear the answers.

They are identifiable by the feathers they wear in their hair (typically black) and their orange colored eyes.

Caillair (KAY-LARE): These fey are considered one of the more sinister of the unseelie, and they typically wander the colder or more desolate areas of the Feywild. Their appearance adapts to whatever harsh environment in which they have taken up residence. A caillair in the tundras might have pale skin and pure white hair, whereas a caillair in the desert might have cracked beige skin.

Theyy travel with packs of perkein fairies who help to bring down the caillair's prey in exchange for continued promises to return them to their previous mortal state.

It is also believed that the caillair have collections of frozen hearts. They also carry a staff they use to freeze thei victim to the ground, rip out their hearts, and then channel magic to freeze the still-beating organ.

Cait Sidhe (KATE SHEED): Cait Sidhe are faires that are easily recognized by their cat-like appearance. They are great lovers of secrets and they can be quite fierce when necessary. But their preferred weapon against adversaries is their vast wealth of information.

Colbynik (COAL-bee-nick): Colbynik are unseelie fey that are tenacious fighters. They do not possess great poweres, but they do make up for it with their large numbres. They are recognized by their jet black skin, and white tatoos that seem to glow ever so faintly.

Before battle, they knock or tap against nearby objects, which has been known to drive fear and even insanity into the hearts of those who face them in battle.

Conlead (CON-lee-ad): These seelie fey are known for their love of games and music. The conlead love spreading joy and happiness throughout the Feywild and are notable performers.

While they adore praise, they do not like to be touched. Lore has it that if touched by a traveler, a conlead will turn into a small pile of coins or gems. But a word of warning: those that touch the coins or gems will often find themselves having unfortunate accidents or experience great misfortune.

Conlead are most likely the most diverse in appearance, though they are the only fey to possess to different colored eyes -- specifically green and purple.

Derrilk (dare-ILK): These unseelie fey live beneath the ground, rarely coming up to the light of the day. Dwarvish in appearance, except for their hair comprised of moss, they are the miners of the fey. They are gruff and do not like anyone except for their own kin.

If you enter their tunnels or mines, beware, for they jealously guard them and view anyone who enters as a threat.

Daga (DAY-guh): These fairies are unseelie monsters, similar to vampires from the Material Plane or the Shadowfell. They have a deep blue ichor perpetually dribbling from their mouth. The main difference between vampires and daga is that the daga will hunt in large packs, seeking out victims to feed their unsatiable hunger for fey blood.

Commonly found in the Plane of Winter, though they have recently started spreading through all Domains of Delight within the Feywild as well. They live in small communities consisting of their hunting parties and prefer dark places.

Eolin (ee-YO-lin): Rare in the fey, these white-eyed feyfolk are known for being able to contact the spirits of the dead. They are also noted for their abilities to identify the origins of strange and unusual blights upon the land.

They are the only fey known to revere one of the mortal deities, as they all have serpent-like tattoos that slither around their bodies in respect to Chevelure, the malevolent goddess of medicine.

Fir Graudh (FEAR grew-DAH): The fir graudh were created from the curse of a powerful archfey, the Leshen. They slumber in large trees until summoned by someone to the hunt. They will then appear as humanoids with bark-like skin and claws.

Only those truly betrayed or harmed by another dare to summon the fir graudh, for it takes a mighty toll on the summoner.

The fir graudh are destined to forever hunt the quarry chosen by the summoner. They will often kill or maim those to the quarry before killing the actual quarry itself.

Jipni (JIP-knee): These fey are uually found all across the Feywild and can easily traverse the borders between the Domains of Delight, practicing their knife-work and juggling.

Noticeable by their short elk-like antlers, they are the messengers of the fey. They travel throughout the Feywild, the Material Plane, and other planes with the messages they are entrusted with.

They will never reveal a message they are carrying, except to its intended. It is rumored that they are the ones who invented the autumn boxes.

Katirna (kuh-TEAR-nuh): Known for their hex magic that they stole from a hag that ruled over the domain they originated from, katirna are unseelie fey that possess lovely voices that can lull an unwary traveler to sleep, whereupon the katirna will slit their throats.

They are often guarded by the forests they live in, specifically treants, who will warn them of trespassers and defend against them.

There is no proof, but it is thought that katirna collect riddles and puzzles they are unable to solve. Those that find themselves in danger from the katirna may be able to bribe them with suc an offering.

Lhiannan Sidhe (lee-ANN-an SHEED): These seelie fey live for the creative. Known for their elf-like appearance and attire made of flora, they were once some of the greatest creators of music, stories, and drinks in the Feywild. However, due to a mighty curse bestowed by an unknown archfey, they have lost their ability to create.

While they can no longer create or perform on their own, they are able to inspire others and help them discover their creative knack.

Naithera (nay-THERE-uh): These fey are known for being excellent traders, merchents, and dealers, marked with several blue tattoos on their face.

Some make an honest living, sailing the seas of the Feywild, bringing trade goods throughout the Domains of Delight. Others work behind the scenes, dealing in information of a darker sort of goods. Either way, like always, a deal made is a deal sealed.

Perkein (pear-KAY-en): Now considered unseelie, the perkein are one of the saddest creatures of the fey. Victims of curses placed upon them by the caillair, these creatures used to be mortals who are stuck in the Feywild and are now horribly disfigured. They typically wear animal masks to hide their disfigurement and remind themselves of their former lives.

Bound magically to the caillair, they help hunt and bring down victims for the caillair, who have promised to eventually return them to their former mortal selves. But the caillair are excellent in twisting deals to the point that it is heavily weighted in their favor.