Fairy

## Introduction

Although all fae in the fae realm are called 'fae', not 'fairies', but are sometimes described as fairy-like, fairies appear to be a specific species of fae, ranging from human-like fae like Ach'for, to small fairies that are consumed by swan shifters.

## Physical Description

Ach'for is the only named fairy in the canon, and in his human-form was 'tall with long antennae fringing out and framing his face.'

Fairies can also be quite small, such as the ones Eran Iliakambar encountered in a woodland near where he first met Mosk Manytrees: the fairies were 'no bigger than Eran’s index finger – flitting about and disappearing before Eran could get a good look at them.' Gwyn ap Nudd described the fairies who attended his Debut as 'diminutive' and 'diaphanous winged creatures in their spider silks and leaf shoes – smiling upon brown, black and white faces alike . . . with the wings of monarch butterflies, dragonflies, huge lunar moths. They smiled sharp teeth at him, unfurled proboscis.'

## Characteristics (culture, habits)

Gwyn noted that fairies, 'more than many – needed havens and the protection of a Court. They were too small, too fragile. Even more peaceable species of Unseelie fae – like swan-maidens – would eat the tiny fairies if they could grasp them beyond the bounds of the Court.' The small fairies who resided in the Dubna sometimes lived in seeming harmony with the swan shifters, despite serving as swan shifter prey (at least according to Julvia Dubna Vajat, who ate them).

The cabin Gwyn ap Nudd built after the events of *Deeper into the Woods* had 'the very rare fairy hornbeam' growing nearby, which was a plant that was 'attractive to the diminutive fairy species.'

Ach'for works as a kennel attendant at the Unseelie Court, so certain fairies can hold jobs in the fae realm.

## Trivia

* 'Hornbeams are hardwood trees in the flowering plant genus *Carpinus* in the birch family Betulaceae.' They 'are small to medium-sized trees, *Carpinus betulus* reaching a height of 32 m.'

## Folklore/Mythology

'A fairy (also *fay*, *fae*, *fey*, *fair folk*, or *faerie*) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, German, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural.

Myths and stories about fairies do not have a single origin, but are rather a collection of folk beliefs from disparate sources. Various folk theories about the origins of fairies include casting them as either demoted angels or demons in a Christian tradition, as deities in Pagan belief systems, as spirits of the dead, as prehistoric precursors to humans, or as spirits of nature.

The label of *fairy* has at times applied only to specific magical creatures with human appearance, magical powers, and a penchant for trickery. At other times it has been used to describe any magical creature, such as goblins and gnomes. *Fairy* has at times been used as an adjective, with a meaning equivalent to "enchanted" or "magical". It is also used as a name for the place these beings come from, the land of Fairy.

A recurring motif of legends about fairies is the need to ward off fairies using protective charms. Common examples of such charms include church bells, wearing clothing inside out, four-leaf clover, and food. Fairies were also sometimes thought to haunt specific locations, and to lead travelers astray using will-o'-the-wisps. Before the advent of modern medicine, fairies were often blamed for sickness, particularly tuberculosis and birth deformities.

In addition to their folkloric origins, fairies were a common feature of Renaissance literature and Romantic art, and were especially popular in the United Kingdom during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The Celtic Revival also saw fairies established as a canonical part of Celtic cultural heritage.'

## References

1. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 21: Fracture. Accessed 31 May 2021.
2. ↑ *The Ice Plague: Book 3 - The Ice Plague*, Chapter 1: The Ice and the Dryad. Accessed 31 May 2021.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 55: Refuge. Accessed 03 May 2021.
4. ↑ *The Ice Plague: Book 1 - The Forest of Fire*, Chapter 1: The End of the Hunt. Accessed 31 May 2021.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 7: Debut. Accessed 16 October 2021.
6. ↑ *The Ice Plague: Book 3 - The Ice Plague*, Chapter 7: Bad Habits. Accessed 31 May 2021.
7. ↑ *Game Theory*, Chapter 32: Forest. Accessed 31 May 2021.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Hornbeam". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbeam. Accessed 31 May 2021.
9. ↑ "Fairy". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy. Accessed 31 May 2021.