Faeries

Faeries are a humanoid species found in natural areas throughout the world. They are believed to be some of the oldest humanoids in the world, predating humans, vampires and werewolves. Faeries are well-known for being private and mysterious, and as a result very little is known about faerie culture and society.

## Appearances

Faeries are generally about the size of a human child, between 4 and 5 feet tall, and have soft, del

icate features. Many of their characteristics appear human-like, including their skin and hair colours. However, they are characterised by their bright green eyes, pointed ears and teeth, and wings that mimic the appearance of butterflies and moths. They are often described by humans as extremely beautiful.

## Abilities

### Biological

Faeries are able to use their wings to fly despite how fragile and delicate they appear. In fact, faeries are much stronger than they appear and can carry great weights, even when flying. They also have the ability to become invisible to the human eye as they please, and are able to mimic a large range of sounds with frightening accuracy.

### Magic

Faeries are some of the most powerful magic users in the world. One of their most commonly used abilities is the power to affect luck. While many faeries use this to improve the luck of people who have treated them well, they can also use it to reduce the luck of someone who has wronged them. Faeries also have light-based powers, which are usually used for distraction or to blind potential threats but can be used offensively in a concentrated blast if a faerie feels especially threatened. Other magical abilities depend on what Court and disposition a faerie is. Certain faeries can make convincing and vivid illusions and make objects appear and disappear, both usually with the intention of tricking or pranking others. Others have the ability to heal living things, promote growth in plants, and lift the spirits of others.

## Culture

Faeries have one of the most complex and unique cultures in the world, however it is very closely guarded so little is known about it. They are known to speak predominantly in Sylvan, the language of nature spirits, however some also speak their local human language. Most are not closely associated with other species or the larger world. Their society relies heavily on the natural environment, and many faeries who have lived in urban environments find the separation from nature stifling.

Faerie society is ruled over by a Faerie King and/or Queen, who have the highest level of control over the four faerie Courts. Each Court has a distinct type of faerie associated with it and are presided over by a Chief, who answers directly to the Faerie King and/or Queen. Outside faerie society, the Faerie King and/or Queen are treated much like presidents or prime ministers in the human world, and have considerable respect from other dignitaries.

#### Daylight Courts

##### Spring Court and Summer Court

Faeries associated with the two daylight courts are typically associated with more positive forms of magic. Spring Court faeries are the most generous faeries and are the most interactive with other species. Their main form of magic is healing, both physically and emotionally, which they bestow on the lost and those who treat them kindly. Summer Court faeries are also fairly gregarious, however they can be easily offended by careless words. Their main form of magic is growth (generally for plants) and they possess the strongest light magic of any Court.

Faeries from the Daylight Courts are most active during the day, hence their name. They are easily characterised by their wings, which are typically more butterfly-like and colourful than their counterparts from the Moonlight Courts.

#### Moonlight Courts

##### Autumn Court and Winter Court

Faeries associated with the Moonlight Courts have historically had more negative connotations. Autumn Court faeries are the least likely to interact with other species, and are generally more isolated and closed off than the other courts. As a result, their magic is rarely used, however they are known to create illusions to distract and confuse people who come too close. Winter Court faeries are tricksters, and are known to be master illusionists and dealmakers. They are generally the faeries known for luring people into the woods and playing pranks on the unsuspecting.

Faeries of the Moonlight Courts are generally active at night. They are characterised by their moth-like wings, which generally have simple patterns and fewer bright colours.

#### Courtless Faeries

##### Seelie and Unseelie

While rare, some faeries do not associate with any of the courts. The titles for different Courtless faeries come from the old names for the courts prior to the Faerie War, and are generally taken to mean 'good' and 'evil'.

Faeries who are considered Seelie Courtless are generally those who take part in the human world. Often they are in places of power as representatives for all faeries, and therefore can't be associated with a singular Court. These faeries are generally closely associated with the four Chiefs and the Faerie King/Queen.

Faeries who are considered Unseelie Courtless are those who have committed crimes. Faerie laws are unknowable outside faerie society, however they take the enforcement of these laws very seriously. The Unseelie Courtless are identified by their wings, which are torn before they are exiled from their Court because, depending on the severity of the damage, will weaken or nullify a faerie's magic. It is very rare for a faerie to become Unseelie Courtless because of how strict faerie laws are said to be. Most historical Unseelie Courtless were those from the Moonlight Courts who fought in the Faerie Wars.

## History

As nature spirits, faeries are one of the oldest humanoid species on earth. Their very early history isn't well documented, however they are present throughout a lot of European folklore. Traditionally, they formed two Courts, Seelie ("good") and Unseelie ("evil"). The two Courts were opposed for thousands of years, however there were no considerable violent clashes between the two Courts until the 1500s.

The 1500s were a turbulent time for faerie society, as the Seelie King passed away without an heir, leaving the Seelie Court vulnerable. The Unseelie Court had never had a ruler as there were many different kinds of faeries that fell under the title, so many Unseelie faeries used the Seelie Court's vulnerability to commit pranks and tricks that the Seelie Court would normally have disapproved of, causing considerable harm to the human world at this time. Many Seelie faeries attempted to restore order, causing great disagreement about whether or not the human world deserved such great disturbance. This caused what were considered the first violent encounters between Seelie and Unseelie faeries. The conflict was not clear-cut, as there were factions of both Seelie and Unseelie faeries who sided with the opposite Court, which many historical retellings overlook.

The conflict lasted to the end of the 1560s, and was broken up by periods of peace and intense conflict. However, despite being today known as the Faerie Wars, the casualty count is comparably low given the length of time the two Courts were 'at war'. It did, however, have a considerable impact on the natural environment and sparked great fear and reverence for faeries among other humanoid species. The end of the Wars is considered to be the marriage of a Seelie faerie believed to be of royal blood to his Unseelie sweetheart, effectively uniting the two Courts. However, conflicts still arose in the next 20 years as the new Court system was implemented, doing away with the broad and unnuanced Seelie and Unseelie titles.

Due to their private nature, faerie history outside of the Faerie Wars is not well known by other humanoids.

### Hybrids

As far as modern knowledge goes, there are no confirmed faerie hybrids.