Flit

**Flits** are a benevolent and very elusive species apart of the elven/fairy group. They are said to have lived for almost a million years and were formed from the tears of the Harvest Moon, and wherever the tears dropped, it eventually formed into a flit. Flits are said to be no bigger then a grown man's left thumb and has wings that beat as fast as a hummingbird's and are said to inhabit northern countries like Parlinn, Elsenord, Vindborg, Cheskachena, and in some instances, northern Seyeong (Where they are referred to as *Sowona)*)

## In Mythology

According to Northern Paranian folklore, flits are said to be extremely shy creatures and are extremely rare to be seen by the human-eye. The most likely times you would see a flit would be late at night during the night of the Harvest Moon where the tears of the Harvest Moon begins to produce more-and-more flits. Flits are most likely very shy because they are very delicate creatures and can be perished very easily and can only grow in population during the Harvest Moon. Many Parlinnian, Vindborgian, Elsenordian and Cheskachenan farmers believe if they catch a flit; their crops would miraculously grow to the thousands, their weeds would die down, their cows' milk would become extremely fresh and desirable, and pests (Like foxes, deer, rabbits, etc) would be warded off for good. Legends of the flits grew extremely popular by the 1600s, where many farmers, botanists and gardeners trekked through the forests to catch "flits" but many caught commonly mistaken creatures such as green longhorn moths (*Adela reaumurella)* and many others. Eventually, the legend passed onto western Nareemia and Siere and many would mistake winter fireflies (*Ellychnia corrusca*), blue dashers (*Pachydiplax longipennis*), and especially juvenile silvery blue butterflies (*Glaucopsyche lygdamus*) for flits. When nothing happened after placing the mistaken insects into jars and cups, controversy grew and many began to disbelieve in flits, making the beliefs skyrocket halfway down in the mid 1700s.

In the 1830s, the legend was shared to the Seyeongese by Nareemian travellers from Athens and since agriculture was extremely common in Seyeong, many began to attempt to catch "lookalikes" of the flit, such as great blue skimmers (*Libellula vibrans*), *Eusilpha jakowlewi,* and many other insects. The belief of flits surprisingly skyrocketed to 21% of the population between 1855-1860 when plants began to overgrow in agricultural farms in Seyeong after many caught the insects, but it was proven 20 years later it was because of the invasive white bamboo which is said to grow extremely fast, and was grown especially faster between the 1850s and 1860s due to shipments from northeastern Xingshuan when it was not yet native to Seyeong and was grown better in Seyeong due to the humidity and rich forestry of the country. Many called the flits "Sowona" meaning wish.

## Flits in Modern Society

Today, only 0.8% of the Nareemian population believes in flits and follows the rituals of attracting one. But flits are commonly used in childrens' folklore in Northern Parania and are a common replacement for the fairy, which is more common in other countries' folklore. Around 2.3% of northern Parania still believe in flits power, (down from 34% in the 1600s). However, many still do participate in the activities of the flits during the Harvest Moon for fun in Parlinn, where flit-catching is a common activity during The Harvest Moon Dinner. Flits are barely known about in countries other then Parlinn, Elsenord, Vindborg, western Cheskachena, and Seyeong with around 1.0% of the world population (besides Parlinn, Elsenord, Vindborg, Cheskachena and Seyeong) knowing about flits.