Fae

Legendary beings that hold tremendous power, the Fae are now all but extinct. Only a handful live within this world. Blessed beings that have evolved to become one with nature itself, bonding with the true magic of the world and worshipping Nature before its destruction. Fae are the symbols of both the beauty and power of nature.

— Grand Scholar of Conlis, Magnus Everlight

Summary

The Fae are the first species in the "Faedran" line of creatures. These are the descendants of the Firstborn that lingered alongside the world tree, instead of exploring the world directly. This allowed them to adapts and evolve based on the energy that overflowed from the Fountain of Life, providing them with tremendous mystical prowess. As the line evolved they began to adopt unique traits that formed through necessity. Living within the great tree and bonding with the true magic granted them wings. These wings evolved to be akin to dragonfly wings, their crystalline structure full of mystical veins to absorb energy from birth.
Over the thousands of years that they evolved, the Fae flourished. Having adapted perfectly for the magically rich environment, their bodies shrinking and wings growing to ensure that they could survive with ease. However, this all changed with the Great Rupture. With the World Tree's fall, the overflowing magical energy that filled the island no longer functioned the same as it once did. Though it was by far one of the most mystically potent areas of the world, it was no longer the overflowing abundant energy that it once was. This caused the Fae to rapidly begin dying out.
With their grand city within the tree broken and shattered, and far less magic in the air for them to absorb, the need for their wings had disappeared. Furthermore, their bodies had acclimated, needing magical energy to sustain themselves and function properly. With their source broken, the species was forced to rapidly evolve with the assistance of magic. Due to this, the species began to go extinct. The first new 'species' to evolve from this were the Pixies that shrank in size in order to adapt to the amount of limited mana in the air.
With this new species stepping forward, still imperfect for the new environment but far more suited for it than their Fae ancestry, the Fae blood began to disperse and fade. Now the species is on the brink of extinction, and they quietly accept such. Though there are some hybrids, many holding half or partial Fae blood, it's only a matter of time before the species begin to disappear entirely from the history books. Many individuals of diluted Fae blood are known simply as "Faedra" and depending on how much pure Fae blood is in their veins, they can be called the slang terms of "Dryads", or "Elves".

Anatomy

Physically, Fae look akin to their Firstborn forebearers but far more specialized, and 'beautiful' by what many humans would consider. Their features tend to be angled and sharp, with almond-shaped eyes set at a slight slant within their skulls. These eyes are often abnormal colors, such as shades of red, pink, purple, and so forth. With high cheekbones, and ears that are slightly elongated, coming into faint points at their tips.
The early generations tend to lack any hair at all, and as they progress to more 'modern' fae, they begin to have variations in hair decorating their heads and eyebrows as their bodies evolved with new mating rituals, akin to humans. Their hair tends to be unnatural hues often found in nature, from brilliant blonde akin to the sun, or green and browns matching plantlife. Many even have abnormal hair coloration, such as brilliant pink or red, matching flowers and so forth.
Their heights tend to be on the shorter side of the spectrum, averaging at around five foot in height, with a few rare individuals reaching up to six feet. With lithe, but not weak builds by any means. Their bodies fueled by the natural energy absorbed from the world around them to provide their small stature with enhanced power and durability.
This comes to the most notable aspect of Fae, their brilliant set of four insect-like wings that grow from the smalls of their back along their lumbar vertebrae. These wings are locked into special sockets built into these vertebrae and have a stained-glass look to them. Hundreds of small veins spread throughout the wings, each of the four capable of complete rotation for mid-air maneuverability. These are also what allow them to absorb natural magic from the world around them. Their coloration tends to match their eyes.

Abilities

The abilities of the Fae are great, though these powers eventually led to their near-extinction when used en-masse, as their numbers dwindled the power that they hold now is immense. The ability to passively absorb the magical energy from the world around them, and instinctually utilize such magic is a tremendous power well beyond anything a normal human can even dream of. Passively augmented with magic, holding durable bodies, tremendous pools of raw stamina and energy, great resilience to sickness and damage, and an elongated lifespan they are potent enemies to battle. Their only weakness being their weaker physical power that they are able to deliver, due to their evolutionary focus on their mystical adaptability.

• Winged: All Fae are born with a set of four dragonfly-esc wings that allow them to fly at will. These wings are in socket joints connected to their spinal column, and are able to rotate in any direction for ease of mid-air mobility. These wings also act as the key to their absorption of natural energy around them, providing them with their powers of true magic.


• True Magic: Fae are able to naturally absorb energy from their surroundings using their wings as a medium. This allows them to instinctually utilize True Magic. When a Fae loses their wings, ripped out by the roots, they are guaranteed death due to the wing's connection to their spinal column and brain stem. However, if the wings are merely cut off, then the Fae will survive. Though they will obviously lose their ability to fly, they will retain their ability to utilize True Magic but will need time to acclimate to using such again without the ease of their wings absorbing it for them. Young Fae that lose their wings tend to be unable to use True Magic with any more talent than an elf.


• Mystical Aptitude: Fae are naturally gifted at the art of magic, even without their access to True Magic. When it comes to natural magic and understanding of the elements they are gifted mages. Holding tremendous reservoirs of magical energy, and being able to release spells with raw power and natural skill that rivals the other races' use of primordial magic.


• Commune with Nature: Fae are able to telepathically communicate with plants and animals that they are making skin contact with. This is not done through words, but through exchanging mental images, emotions and sensations. It is limited to what the creatures can understand, and plants are even more limited and tend to be quite slow to respond without granting them energy to speed up their 'feelings'.

Social Behavior

As a species, Fae are incredibly relaxed and calm. They have a habit of 'Going with the flow', and accepting things for how they are. Strictly tied to the way of nature itself, they do not view death as a negative thing, nor do they value anyone's life of a living creature over another. A Fae is just as likely to protect an abandoned bear cub, as they are one of their own children. They are protectors of nature and the natural order. Holding a deep disdain for necromancy, control of spirits, unnatural death, and mass slaughter. On the other hand, they may view death by illness, plague, natural disaster, or age, as 'natural' and accept it casually.
In many ways, the Fae are the most mystically powerful species to exist, but they are sheltered by their island home. Few Fae understand the purpose of technology, runic or incantation magic, alchemy, and the like. Seeing their own magic as superior, and bending the world around them to their whim as more efficient. There is no need to create grand orchards when one can ask a tree to grow a fruit for them with a bit of energy. No need to build a house to protect one's things if one has no items, nor protect oneself if one can simply ask the forest to guard them as they sleep.
As such, many consider them wise, powerful, but also primitive and primal. It's not as though they are not intelligent, they just see no need for such things. Due to this their concepts of beauty are very different from many other races, as they don't see wealth, items, or glamor as important in the slightest. Instead, to Fae, the most important aspect is the individual's mind, body, and mystical aptitude.
Between a mixture of their longevity, boredom and natural primal social outlooks Fae are often viewed as hedonistic. Happy to give in to their desires on a whim causing casual mating and flirtation to be quite common. They enjoy using their Sylvanic magic to grow unique magical fruits and vegetables that hold narcotic effects, and have many festivals that could often be compared to hedonistic rituals of narcotics, mating, song and dance.

Reproduction

Courtship
When courting one another, there is no specific gender that is seen as the 'lead'. Instead, it comes down simply to whether or not the Fae involved views their partner as suitable. They must be physically powerful, healthy, durable, and with mystical aptitude. If these basic marks are checked then generally it comes down to their individual preferences. However, it's not uncommon for age to play a large role, as often Fae view age as proof of wisdom and skill instead of just accumulative knowledge. Proof of survivability. As such it's not unusual at all for there to be a vast age difference between mating couples.
Mates are not something chosen by life, sometimes it lasts only until the pair have sufficiently raised their young, and sometimes it lasts for a lifetime. This specifically comes down to the individuals themselves, and how well they enjoy one another's company.
A common sign of interest in courtship is growing a plant that the Fae thinks reflects the other. This is often done multiple times, first based on initial impressions and attraction if one is interested in something physical. Afterward, if the flower is accepted, and the relationship progresses, Fae are expected to continue growing plants with their magic for one another reflecting more and more intricate knowledge they have come to learn and value in their partner. Signifying their growing bond.
Birth
The birth of a pure-blood Fae is something that is incredibly rare. However, such is not celebrated any more than any other birth. Due to their heightened age, they are generally fertile only once per year. As such, pregnancy and birth are treated as cherished times where the mother is taken care of and well-protected not only by their partner but the entire local community. Children are seen as rare, precious things and a group effort is put in to ensure both the mother and child's future and health.
Death
Matching birth, Death is viewed widely as something natural. Though all of the Faedran line of species have this thought process with their ties to nature, Fae are especially connected to the idea. Death is something to be celebrated as the sum of the individual's life, and the return to the great cycle. To the roots of the world tree itself. When a life ends the entire community will hold a grand festival. Celebrating the life of the individual, and their return to the great roots of Gaia herself to nourish new life with their body and soul.
Stories of their lives are often told, jokes, food and lessons to the young are offered. Thanks to this, the idea of death is rarely a concept ever feared by any individual of the Faedric lines. Though they aren't the type to offer their life pointlessly by any means, nor will one be swayed by the idea of death, seeing it as a blessing to enter the embrace of Gaia once more.

Lifespan
800 Years
Average Height
5'1" (154 cm)
Average Weight
104 lbs (47 kg)
Social Ranks

• High Queen/King (Leader of all Faedran)
• Queen/King (Rulers of Countries)
• Cosantóir (Ruler of a City)
• Mat/Pat-riarch (Town Leader)
• Domina/o (Village Head)
• Chieftan (Family Head)

Genetic Decendants

• Dryad: A term used to represent various Human/Fae Hybrids or new "Young" Fae that have evolved over the past few thousand years to live without the overflowing mana of the Tree of Life.
• Elves: A term used for the children of Humans and Dryads. Generally only have a few Fae-like traits such as pointed ears and exotic colored hair or eyes.
• Pixies: A unique genetic off-shoot of Fae that sacrificed their wings and reliance on True Magic to instead live more closely to nature. Known as "Tooth Fairies" due to their habit of accepting human teeth for gemstones and metals.
• Hags: A term used to represent the end result of a Daevata and Fae union. They are generally chaotic, selfish and powerhungry creatures that take the worst traits from both species. Founders of many dark magics such as Soul Coins.