Fairy

Brynn, a famous fairy mercenary

**Weepers**, better known as **fairies**, **zanas**, **fadas**, **vilas** or **fay** by Nordlings and Nilfgaardians, **azizas** by Zangvebarians, **peris** by Zerrikanians and **yakshas** by Melukkans, are a sentient race classified as Fey and originate from the sphere of Tír na nÓg. Upon their arrival on The Continent during the First Conjunction of the Spheres, they suffered from the difference in magic, causing them to become more "primitive" for a while. This led humans to view them as evil beings due to their customs, almost leading to their extinction. However, unlike the ogroids, fairies recovered their previous level of intellect quickly. Other types of fairies mutated due to the difference in magic, such as the misnamed "Tooth Fairy," who transformed into a monster, contributing to their bad reputation.

## Physical description

Fairies are known for their striking physical appearance. In their first stage of development, fairies have a slender, humanoid shape with a noticeable, skin-covered tail. Their hair is usually black, and they have all-black, wet eyes that appear to weep, giving them a melancholic look. One of the most distinctive features of young fairies are their grass-like antennae, which protrude from their heads and help them to navigate their environment.

As fairies enter their equivalent of puberty, which typically lasts for only a few months when they reach the age of eighteen, they undergo a dramatic transformation. During this period, they lose their antennae, tails and the all-black color of their eyes, they develop wings and acquire hollow bones. Their eyes become more human-like in shape and color, with a hint of iris and pupil that is absent in their juvenile form. The fairy's overall appearance becomes more human-like as well, making it easier for them to blend in with other humanoid races. However, even as adults, fairies retain a few physical characteristics that distinguish them from humans. For instance, their eyes are slightly larger than those of the average human, lack arcus senilis, and typically show no signs of dark circles after inadequate sleep. In addition, they have a pair of delicate, translucent wings that they can use to fly at will. Fairies can also hide their wings at will, making it easier to disguise themselves among other races. The color of the wings is inherited from the mother.

It is worth noting that the physical appearance of fairies can vary depending on their ancestry. Pure fairies tend to have all-black hair and dark eyes, while fairies with an ancestor of another race may have different hair, eye colors and other traits that gradually appear as they grow older. For example, fairies with an elven ancestor may inherit the elves' pointed ears.

The extent of fairies, according to reports from explorers such as Fabio Sachs and those who accompanied him on his journeys, as well as stories from Zangvebarian and Zerrikanian traders, among other people from overseas, reveals that fairies exist in other parts of the world beyond the Empire and the Northern Realms. Among the Zangvebarians, they are known as azizas, while the Zerrikanians refer to them as peris, and the Melukkans as yakshas. But it is not known whether this fairies are a subspecies of the Nordling and Nilfgaardian ones or not.

## Biology

They age at a slower rate compare to humans, dwarves and even elves. Like the last one, they don´t suffer the effects of aging, with the exception of infertility. Fairies main distinction is their ability to fly due to their muscular hydrostat wings. These wings allow faeries to take off and land swiftly, smoothly and quietly. With their hollow bones they are light enough for the wings to fly them. The age of a fairy can generally be told by the veining on their wings.

Another interesting aspect of fairy biology is their ability to heal quickly. Fairies have a remarkable regenerative ability, allowing them to recover from injuries at a much faster rate than most other races. Most likely, their increased regenerative ability is due to a compensation for their hollow bones.

It's also worth noting that fairy biology is heavily influenced by their environment. Fairies that live in the forests have a slightly different appearance and behavior than those that inhabit urban areas, this is because most of cities fairies for example are not pure fairies like the ones who live in the forests since they are often (but not always) rejected by the pure fairies.

## Reproduction

Fairies have two modes of reproduction: one similar to creatures like the aguaras, where they transform abducted children (mainly boys) into fairies, and the other similar to the dryads. This is why they abduct children, especially boys, to "purify" them, because although they could simply reproduce the other way, their genes are not strong enough. From the third generation, more of the father's characteristics start to come out, until the fairy genes are lost. The process of abduction and transformation is also essentially due to the fact that pure male fairies are very rare to be born; one male is born for approximately every fifteen females. This scarcity further reinforces the importance of transformation as a means of preserving their genetic material. However, with a boy transformed into a fairy, this issue is not a concern. As compensation for the parents of the other race, fairies usually put their offspring in substitution for the kidnapped child. This may seem like a fair trade, but it can lead to confusion and conflict among the families involved.

## Culture

Fairies have a complex and multifaceted behavior, ranging from their mischievous pranks to their reproductive practices of kidnapping mostly human boys. This mischievous behavior is an integral part of their culture and can be seen as a way to assert their power or simply to have fun. However, it can also cause harm to those around them, and other races have been known to fear fairies because of this. The vast majority of existing fairies, after their near extermination by mainly humans, live in the forests or in the reservations where vrans and other non - humans are located. Although there have been cases of fairies living in cities, in their non-human ghettos. In these urban environments, fairies may struggle to adapt, and they often face discrimination and mistreatment from other races besides humans, like werebbubbs for example. Some fairies in these situations turn to criminal activities or prostitution as a means of survival.

Despite their reputation for mischievous behavior, fairies are inherently peaceful non-humans who do not harbor intentions of causing harm. Exceptions exist, notably among non-pure fairies who have been assimilated by humans, partially integrating into their societies, with some becoming mercenaries, for instance. A Nordling expression captures this peaceful nature of fairies: "You fight like a fairy." This expression means that someone fights with gentleness and a reluctance to cause harm.

Fairies have a strong connection to nature and often hold it in high regard. They are known to be protectors of the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. This reverence for nature is often reflected in their cultural practices, such as their use of natural materials in their clothing and adornments, as well as their diet, which is mainly ovo-vegetarian. However, with the near extinction of the grouse, this has, on some occasions, led to fairies stealing eggs from farms, causing more conflicts with the Nordlings.

In terms of sexuality, fairies have a more open and accepting attitude compared to other races. They do not view sex as taboo or shameful, and it is often seen as a natural part of life. It is very likely that this view of sexuality was taken from the dryads when their territories expanded beyond the Brokilon forest, as well as other cultural practices and values, especially those related to nature.

## Language

Similar to dryads and merpeople, fairies speak their own language or a dialect of Elder Speech. Since it is nearly unintelligible with Elder Speech and the dialects of the two races mentioned before, it is believed to originate from the ellylon of the Aen Elle, making it at least, probably a dialect of that elven language. Some scholars already consider it a distinct language rather than a mere dialect.

In contrast to dryads, who abstain from written records to avoid harming nature, fairies do possess them. These writings are typically found engraved on stones in the areas where they inhabit. Consequently, they have developed their own alphabet. This alphabet utilizes a unique runic system but bears some resemblance to the Aen Seidhe runes. Therefore, it is believed that, akin to their language, their alphabet is a derivative of the ellylon of the Aen Elle.

## Trivia

* This article is an expansion of the canon article on The Witcher Comics' Weepers, expanding on them and integrating the classic concept of fairies and the version mentioned by Netflix's The Witcher with a bit of inspiration from the Faerie from the Carnival Row Universe.
* The change that occurs at puberty in fairies is a more than obvious reference to the transformation of larvae into butterflies.
* Some pure fairies are known to inhabit Brokilon Forest with the dryads.