Faerie

Faeries are a remarkable species, having descended from the stars themselves as they fell out of the sky. Once these meteorites land in woodland, the sprouts that grow in the aftermath become faeries.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Faeries are bipedal with two arms. They also have feet with ten toes and hands with eight fingers and two thumbs. Most of their hair is on their head, though also like humans it can grow all over their body to a lesser extent. It should be noted, however, that faeries generally have less hair which comes in different colours. 
They have the ability to fly due to the wings on their back, which attach to the spinal column below the shoulders but above the waist. These wings can come in a variety of forms and colours, but they are consistently symmetrical and match the faerie's arm length on either side. 
Their ears are long and pointed, though they do not point upwards like elven ears. Some varieties, such as the forest fey, have a wave-shaped underside. This feature, as well as the overall length of the ears, differs depending on the faerie's ancestry.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

A faerie is named after where they are born, or very rarely after a unique physical trait. They do not use last names to differentiate themselves, since they often do not value birth family bonds as much as they treasure those they choose to keep in their company. These names vary depending on a faerie's culture, habitat and ancestry, but all follow these simple rules.

Major Organizations

Faeries have complete control over a geopolitical province known as Alain, though some types of faeries have little care for this fact. The citizens of Alain are primarily Dew or Forest faeries, who live in an ancient way not seen since the fall of the mages and the birth of Camelot.
Alain's political system is ruled by whoever is deemed the master of their version of magic, inherent to almost every faerie. The current rulers, King Oberon and Queen Titania, formed a truce and eventually married after their bout for control over the kingdom resulted in a tie. It is said that King Oberon is the most skilled and cunning with his magic, whilst Queen Titania is the most powerful.

Common Etiquette Rules

When a faerie owes someone a favour, they will help them in return. However, it is also expected that when someone saves a faerie, that they will pay them back for their kindness in the future. Those who forget this are subjected to their torment for many years - some short-lived species have to put up with their antics for their whole lives if the faerie thinks they haven't been sufficiently compensated. 
As such, what information a faerie provides, they will also expect an equivalent in return. For example, faeries have used this trick to gain the names and secrets of unsuspecting travellers who only wish to avoid a time of bother from these ancient tricksters. The parlour game Four Ribbons is based on this concept and rumoured to be one of their many inventions.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

In olden times, the fey considered humans and other aether-ignorant species their prey - even if some specimens knew how to use magic. Though they keep away from the act of draining souls for the sake of diplomacy, fey still regard these species as lesser or on more animalistic terms than themselves. They regard the more communal spirit of their culture as "ant-like" and thus a sign they lack a mind of their own. 
Other species descended from the stars - such as nymphs and dwarves - are seen warmly as cousins to the fey. Their union between Durmok created Light Elves, both of whom they treasure similarly. That said, they have a more positive relationship with Durmok, who have sworn a creed to preserve the balance of nature. The Light Elves are more concerned with they came from - the stars - than the world that they now live on. To a faerie, this outlook is somewhat foolish.

Alternate Names

Fey, Fairies, (diminutive) Pixies

Scientific Name

Stellus virgultum

Origin/Ancestry

Dew, Dust, Forest, Frost, Meadow

Lifespan

When there is no one left to remember them

Geographic Distribution

• Northern Beastwilds