Faerie

>    *“The Centaurs marched into our villages. Razed our homes. Murdered our people. They call themselves chivalrous, we call them barbaric. But they underestimate us. They might call this land theirs, but the forests, the forests are ours.” -* Grace Fernroot, a Great Sage of the Faeries.
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When the Centaurs settled in the lands now known as Raiontaine, little did they know that the Faeries, also known as the Fae or Fairies, were already there. The emerald plains and deep forests were, in fact, their lands - territory that they kept perfectly in sync with the natural world. Nevertheless, the Faeries welcomed these new settlers with open arms, and co-operated with them for a time. However the Centaurs of Roylandia did not trust the Faeries, believing them to be malevolent tricksters and manipulators, beings that would lure the weak away to devour on their souls. And so the Fae Purges, also known as the Faerie Genocide, began. Their villages were razed to the ground, their populations slaughtered. As a result, the Fae retreated to the safety of the forest, where they have remained in relative calm ever since.

## **Physical Description - Light as a Feather**

Faeries are, by nature, a rather small and light race. Their height ranges from between 3-4 feet on average and they typically only weigh about 30-40 pounds. Their skin varies from pale white to dark brown, but is typically of a paler colouration. Their eyes are also all the typical colours, but can also be vibrant purples, deep greens, piercing reds, and many more. Though faeries are capable of growing facial hair, this is rare as many choose to remain mostly clean-shaven.

Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the Faeries are the large pair of wings they have protruding off their backs. These wings are fully-functional, making Faeries one of the few intelligent races capable of unassisted flight. Their wings are typically insect-like in appearance, but vary in specifics. Faerie wings can look butterfly-like, moth-like, even dragonfly like - with four wings instead of two.

## **Mentality - Shy and Reclusive**

Due to what they see as an unforgivable betrayal by the Centaurs, Faeries are typically very shy and reclusive individuals. They do not enjoy the presence of new or unfamiliar people, a feeling that can manifest itself in shyness, cowardice, or even violence. A Faerie places great importance on stability, consistency, and structure. As a result they take comfort in the order of the natural and spiritual worlds. Faeries are typically more in-touch with the natural world than some other races, and so can better understand the order of this believed-to-be chaotic aspect of the universe. It is rare for Faeries to leave their original homes, for the chaos of a completely fresh start can prove to be too much for the minds of some of their race.

That is not to say Faeries are lazy or overly-complacent, though. Far from it, Faeries are incredibly dedicated and passionate. They are constantly trying to learn more about the spiritual and natural worlds, supposedly amassing large libraries worth of research on these subjects. Individual Faeries, to, are constantly trying to improve themselves and their society.

Faeries are also a very kind and helpful people. Though reclusive, they are not necessarily hostile - unless they feel threatened. Indeed, the collectivist nature of their society instils and compels Faeries to actively assist one another when they need it. Those born outside of the remaining Faerie villages might not necessarily have this innate feeling, but are still typically considered quite selfless individuals.

## **Society - One with the Woods**

Most Faeries live in close-kit, collectivist communities dotted throughout their forest home. No cities or even large towns exist in this part of the world, for the terrain does not allow for it nor do the Faeries have the population to justify such a settlement. Each Faerie community is collectivist in nature, though the extremes to which they take this idea varies from village to village. In every settlement, the wider community is considered more important than the individual, but in the most ‘extreme’ cases there is no bartering, trade, or currency. Instead, goods and items are simply given to the Faerie that needs them, and each Faerie is trusted to not take any more than what they need.

For a Faerie to permanently take up residence in another realm, they likely rejected the isolationist, collectivist nature of their homeland. They might be seeking a fortune or better life for themselves. Or perhaps they are working to forge a place for their kind in the wider world. Whatever the reason, one can expect to find Faeries in a variety of roles - from pirate to miner.

## **Faerie Adventurers - Rebuilding Their Place**

Faeries that become adventurers do so for a variety of reasons. The more self-centred of their race might do so for selfish reasons - glory and fortune and the like. However a majority of Faerie adventurers seem to be drawn to such a profession due to the reputation that comes with it. Not reputation for themselves, mind you, but rather for their whole race. Many Faerie adventurers hope to build a good reputation for Faeries everywhere. They work so that their kind might, one day, re-emerge from their isolation and take their place in the world beyond the woods.

## **Faerie Names**

As a result of their culture and fixation on the spiritual world, Faerie names are usually based on natural elements, like plant names or geographical areas. Compared to some other races, like the Orcs, Faerie names might come across as tamer or ‘cute’ - but this is not by design. Family names, to, are typically designed around the natural elements. Having said that, these names are usually based on their family’s typical role in the community. Members of a warrior family, for example, have a family name that might come across as mysterious or vicious.

**Example Male Names -** Caraway, Brock, North, Dusk, Albedo, Aeden.

**Example Female Names -** Helen, Parsley, Gardenia, Pecan, Soleil.

**Example Family Names -** Elmplume, Flickerheart, Mossvalley, Isleheart, Shadowmoon.

## **Faerie Traits**

Your Faerie character has certain characteristics in common with all other Faeries.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Dexterity score increases by 2.
* ***Age -*** on average, Faeries mature at roughly the same rate as a Human child and can live to be about 150 years old.
* ***Alignment -*** Faeries that stick to the safety of their forest communities are usually lawful neutral in nature. They will follow the rules and structure of their society but will not interfere with external affairs. That said, Faeries of every alignment and creed exist.
* ***Size -*** Faerie height ranges from 3-4 feet and are typically incredibly light. Your size is Small.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 25 feet. You also have a flying speed of 30 feet and can hover no more than 10 feet off the ground.
* ***Darkvision -*** you are accustomed to living in twilight forests and dark undergrowths. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness if it were dim light. You can’t discern colours in darkness, only shades of grey.
* ***Sylvan Ancestry -*** you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and magic can’t put you to sleep.
* ***Invisibility -*** once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the invisibility spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a short or long rest. Charisma in your spell-casting ability for this spell.
* ***Faerie Wings -*** you have a pair of insect-like wings that you can use to fly. Unfortunately, due to limitations in the wing structure, you cannot hover any higher than 30 feet for an extended period of time. If you end your turn above 30 feet you will drop by 10 feet until you are within 30 feet off the ground.
* ***Tiny Limbs -*** you have disadvantage on Athletics checks, but you are proficient in the Sleight of Hand skill.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read and write Common, and Sylvan. Faeries typically speak with soft and aloof voices, though they might be hiding a secret viciousness behind it.