Difference between revisions of "Fairies"

From Felarya
Jump to: navigation, search
m
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Fairygamewiki.jpg|alt text]]
+
{{Navbar}}
 
+
Some cute fairies playing innocently. Picture by Gamera1985 and me.
+
 
+
  
 
----
 
----
  
Fairies are winged humanoids creatures, found on many magic-filled worlds.  A huge variety of them exist in Felarya, with many different species and tribes.  Felaryan fairies are widely feared and considered top predators.  They are voracious, they can fly, and are often efficient spell casters.  They love to snack on adventurers in the jungle, usually after shrinking them.  They're so dangerous that it's widely believed that being eaten by a fairy is the primary cause of mortality for [[humans]] in Felarya.
 
 
One of their most feared abilities is their [[Magic#Fairy Size-Shifting|size-shifting magic]], that make them able change their size at will, from 3 inches to 100 feet, although this range varies from one fairy to another, and some can't change size at all.  Moreover, almost all fairies also possess the innate ability to temporarily alter the size of another creatures.  It depends a lot on the original size of the target and its magic resistance, though.  For instance, if the target is too big to start with, the fairy will be unable to change its size at all.  A fairie's power is stored in their wings, meaning that if their wings are hurt their magical ability is decreased dramatically, to the point of preventing them from using even their most basic of abilities.  For example, fairies with damaged wings are unable to size-shift, and are stuck at their current size until their wings have healed, although healing occurs quickly in Felarya.
 
  
Fairies are usually playful and mischievous beings who love to have fun more than anything else.  The way they view good and evil is rather special and very different from the way humans view it.  However, contrary to popular belief, not all fairies are light hearted.  In their population you can find a wide range of attitudes that vary from the usual fun loving and carefree pranksters to solemn watchmen, serious scholars, mystic sages, and even dark brooding warriors.
+
__TOC__
  
Fairies get along pretty well with most other species, and especially with [[elementals]].  For some reasons, many fairies chose to mate with them instead of other fairies.  This results in a great number of crossbreeds, who are often much more dangerous than their parent species.  On the other hand, fairies see insects as a great threat.  Indeed, a lot of Felaryan insects have a high resistance to magic, are aggressive, and some of them are huge.  Fairies find themselves pretty powerless against them.
 
  
 +
[[Image:Teminursewiki.jpg|thumb|right|500px|[[Temi]] helping [[Liri]] with her dental problems ]]
  
=== Known Fairies ===
 
[[Melany]]
 
  
[[Temi]]
+
Fairies are humanoid creatures found on many magic-rich worlds. They are easily identified by a pair of insect wings growing on their back where the shoulder blades are located, accompanied by a pair of thin, insect-like antennae growing from their forehead. Their frame is lithe and slender, and both their hair and eyes are often of bright colors. Some fairies also posses pointed ears.
  
[[Alvar]]
+
===Biological Traits===
 +
Fairies share an uncanny number of traits in common with [[elves]]. Aside from having a similar physical appearance, their bones are just as light and ill-suited for physical combat as elves are. Furthermore, both races age much slower than other humanoids and possess a natural affinity for magic. It's interesting to note that many worlds boasting a sizable elf population also host an environment where fairies thrive. Being a world saturated with magic, it's no surprise that a large population of both elves and fairies live in Felarya. All of these facts have led some researchers to theorize that they may have once shared a common ancestor that split off long ago into the two different species we now know today.
  
[[Lily]]
+
Magic is as natural to fairies as breathing and they are almost all born with magical powers. They learn to cast simple spells at a very young age, ranging from illusions all the way to enchantments, elemental magic, and possibly more. As they grow older, fairies often develop an affinity toward a specific type of magic, not unlike how a [[humans|human]] develops a talent or interest in a certain field with age. Like elves, they have an innate talent and understanding toward more complex magic arts like rule-based and primordial magic, and are naturally more resistant against spells than other humanoids. Combined with their swiftness in flight, surprisingly good reflexes and craftiness, fairies often stand as far deadlier opponents than their cute exterior would make people think. Many species of Felaryan insects, however, are feared by fairies, as they typically possess very strong magic resistance. [[Fauna#Tonorion|Tonorions]] in particular are among the most dangerous creatures a fairy could possibly face, and some people believe they are their natural predator.
  
[[Aya]]
+
A fairy's magic is stored in their wings, meaning that if damaged, their magic power would decrease drastically or stop working altogether. Fairies are well aware of this crippling weakness and so make full use of their ability to sense the magical signature of other creatures both as a hunting tool and as a way to detect potential danger. Interestingly, dragonfly and butterfly wings seem to be the most common wing type among fairies, though the shape and type of wings have no effect on their magic. Fairy wings are highly sought after by mages, especially alchemists, and can fetch a ridiculously high price on some markets. Quite a few overzealous fairy hunters come to Felarya in the hopes of making their fortune there. Unsurprisingly, they very rarely last long in this perilous world because they tend to bring horribly inadequate fairy hunting equipment with them. It is commonly believed that a fairy's antennae are feelers designed to detect magic, but there isn't enough evidence to support that theory."
  
Relina
+
===Size-Shifting Magic===
 +
The most feared ability of Felaryan fairies is their size-shifting magic. They are able to change their size at will, from 3 inches to about 100 feet within mere seconds, although this range varies from one fairy to another, and in some very rare cases, a fairy may be unable to change their size at all, effectively leaving them stuck in one size. Fairies usually prefer to stay tiny as it gives them more room to maneuver and a plethora of hiding places. Like with their other magic powers, a fairy with damaged or broken wings is unable to change their size. A disabled fairy can quickly get in a world of trouble and fall dramatically in the food chain order until their wings heal again.
  
Mantis
+
Almost all fairies also possess the innate ability to temporarily alter the size of another creature in a similar fashion. This power is however not without drawbacks. In order to effectively alter a creature's size, a fairy must be relatively close to their target and have to concentrate for a few seconds.  A careless fairy trying to shrink an armed human right in the open would find themselves wide open for a counterattack. As such, fairies rarely use this ability as a weapon unless they know for certain they can safely get away with it, and prefer to neutralize dangerous preys with other spells first. It is possible for a fairy to affect multiple targets at once if they are powerful enough, but all of their preys must be close to each other.
  
Cynthia
+
Naturally, fairies cannot effectively shrink something if its magic resistance is too strong, however the same holds true if the creature's original size is too big. The ceiling on what is considered too big varies widely from fairy to fairy, but suffice to say, shrinking something like a giant [[nagas|naga]] or even a Kensha Beast to the size of a human would normally be an impossible feat unless the fairy is abnormally powerful. The reverse is also true as fairies are usually unable to enlarge a creature past this same threshold.
  
[[Lucilya]]
+
A creature who has had its size changed by a fairy usually returns to normal within a time lapse varying depending on the fairy's power. However, unlike a typical size-altering spell whose effect end as soon as the magic runs out, the effects of a fairy's size-shifting spell last indefinitely as long as the affected item stay withing a certain range of the fairy who cast it. As such, an adventurer who has been swallowed by a fairy won't ever revert to his or her normal size while it remains trapped inside the fairy's stomach. Oddly, when a fairy shrinks or grow, whatever shrunken creature held in their stomach grows and shrinks along with them. Some clever fairies have trained to enlarge preys in their belly, either to get the most out of their catch or to compensate for a poor hunt. Similarly, mundane items worn or carried by a fairy also changes size alongside them. Some items such has [[Fairy Culture#Fairy Glass|fairy glass]] have been crafted specifically to keep preys shrunk indefinitely while the fairy is away. People speculate whether or not this is unique to a fairy's magic, or if the presence of strong fairy magic would also affect a size-altering spell cast by other creatures. Nobody is in a hurry to find out for obvious reasons.
  
 +
Obviously, shrinking or enlarging an inanimate object is much easier as they are completely devoid of magic resistance. The ceiling on how big an object can be enlarged is substantially more lenient and it's not too difficult for a fairy to keep inanimate items at their new size with dedicated training. Most magic items are a different story, as their mystical nature lends them an inherent magic resistance like other living creatures. The more powerful the magic, the more difficult it is for a typical fairy to affect them. It's important to note that a fairy's magical power do not increase or decrease with their size the same way physical strength does. A fairy's illusions, charms or enchantment would be no more believable or powerful if cast while giant than if cast while tiny and casting a giant fireball or a shower of lightning bolts is just as difficult and taxing whether the fairy is big or small, hence why fairies also prefer to rely on stealth and stay at a small size."
  
== Water Sprites ==
+
===Behavior===
Water sprites are a sort of mix between fairies and [[Elementals|water elementals]]. Their skin is light blue and their wings are not very developed, looking more like wide translucent fins than wings.  These allow the sprites to jump out of the water and glide for long distances. Unlike other fairies, a sprite's power is not stored in its wings: they draw it from the surrounding water instead. Their body is partially made up of water and is extremely malleableSkilled water sprites can instantly transform their hands into blades, or stretch their arms into whips, for example.
+
The most popular depiction of fairies is that of playful, curious and mischievous beings who love to have fun more than anything else. While many fairies are indeed light-hearted, carefree pranksters, this isn't entirely accurate. One can find solemn watchmen, serious scholars, mystic sages, and even dark, brooding warriors within their population. It is more accurate to classify fairies as beings of raw emotions. Indeed, they often let their feelings guide their actions, and rarely keep their emotions bottled up. For example, an angry fairy usually yell and vent their rage on the nearest object, and a sad fairy will burst in tears and cry out loud. One would assume that fairies don't work well in groups, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Social beings, fairies tend to naturally form packs and even small tribes, and are usually decently organized. People are often baffled at how such tribes don't immediately devolve into chaos, but it is commonly believed that while whimsical, fairies are considerate of their friends to some degree, and try to act responsibly so as to do them no wrong, not to hamper or harm themMost often, the smartest or oldest member of the group acts as unofficial leader, whose duty is mostly to solve arguments.
  
If their body becomes too damaged, a water sprite can leave it and make another body from some nearby water;  however this process takes a very long time and is very traumatic. Unlike water elementals, it takes years for a water sprite to develop a body from water.  To avoid any outside interference, the deceased sprite's spirit will usually go to the rebirth chambers of the nearest tribe, where it's protected new body can be formed faster.  This ability to create a new body makes other fairies consider water sprites to be more elemental than fairy. This is why water sprites generally prefer the company of water elementals with whom they usually get along with very well.
+
Although they don't have a distaste toward advanced technology like elves do, fairies very rarely craft complex tools. Aside from sometimes making simple devices out of common material, and occasionally making rudimentary clothes and accessories, fairies see little reason to create complex mechanisms and think it's just easier use magic to solve most of their problems. However, they are almost all fascinated by human inventions. It's not uncommon for fairies to rummage through a human's belongings, trying to find new and exciting items to fiddle with in hopes of discovering its intended use, usually with mixed results for both parties involved. In general, fairies tend to be very curious and love to learn new things. A little known fact about them is that they love reading and they form one of the few fully literate races in the wild.
  
 +
Fairies tend to like the company of [[dryads]], as they are naturally comfortable around trees and they and are always eager to learn about various stories of faraway lands, and they love to bring preys she caught to them as a sign of strong friendship. Fairies also get along quite well with [[deerataurs]] thanks to their connection with nature. Their most interesting relationship however is with [[elementals]]. For some reason, many fairies choose to mate with them instead of other fairies. This results in a great number of crossbreeds who are often much more dangerous than their parent species. How fairies are able to mate with elementals is a complete mystery, leading researchers to believe that fairies reproduce in a manner far different from other humanoids.
  
== Crimson Maidens ==
+
===Hunting Habits===
The Crimson Maidens are an isolationist tribe of fairies residing in the [[Jungle of perils#Crimson woods|Crimson woods]].  Rarely seen outside of their borders, they are extremely powerful magic users, especially in their mastery of fire magic.  Typically tall and thin, most have red or pink hair and bright red eyes. Their society is almost entirely female, most of the males having perished in the last war they waged. They are organized around their leader Alsherala and together they defend their domain against any intruders.  They take little interest in affairs outside their wood, and only in the face of serious invasion do the Maidens assemble their dreaded Fire Legions and march to war. Every time they have done so, their enemies have run in terror after facing them in battle.  Those few who survive can only speak of horrible monsters who could turn things to ash with a touch and whose gaze melted everything they rested upon.
+
Thanks to their ability to fly, their great proficiency with magic, and the ability to shrink and grow at will, fairies are among the most fearsome predators in Felarya. Though fairies love to eat fruits, they especially enjoy to hunt live preys, as they see the process of stalking and plotting how to catch their meal as a fun game. Fairies like to hunt in groups, although it's not rare to find fairies hunting alone, and because they are able to hide virtually anywhere, they have a myriad of ways to catch prey at their disposal. Fairies like to play with their catches, often teasing or giving them false hope of escape before gobbling them up. They are voracious and love to stuff themselves until their stomachs is full. Such is the threat they pose that a popular -but erroneous- belief is that being eaten by a fairy is the primary cause of death for [[humans]] on Felarya.
  
Unlike most fairies, Crimson Maiden warriors wear armor in battle, usually metallic breastplates and greaves which deflect magical attacks and amplify their already deadly fire abilities. Crimson maidens are, by far, the most dangerous species of fairy you could encounter in Felarya.  Fortunately they rarely venture outside their domain except for younglings who are on their proving quest.
+
===Psychology===
 +
Despite fairies being so dangerous, some [[humans]] have managed to live normal lives among them in [[Kortiki|the city of Kortiki]] and have come to understand them better. Among them is the prominent scientist Dr Larken Adroon who wrote several essays on the subject of fairy psychology.  
  
 +
According to her, the first thing important to note is that fairies view right or wrong and perceive other creatures quite differently from most sapient races. Fairies rarely care about the short or long term consequences of their actions. They find it much easier and pleasant to live in the moment than to worry about one's future or dwell too much something they've done in the past. As such, what they consider as right or wrong often boils down to whether or not something will make them feel good right away, or if it will hurt a friend in some manner. Moreover, fairies value friendships above all else. To them, a friend is akin family, and a friendship with a fairy is often one that lasts for a lifetime. Fairies care not for a friend's species, appearance, and especially not sizes since they can change their own at will.
  
=== Known Crimson Maidens ===
+
This means that fairies sees befriending something as tiny as a [[Neeras|neera]] as no different as befriending something as colossal as a [[dryads|dryad]]. Conversely, this also means that they see no wrong in preying on a creature regardless of its race or size if it is at all possible. Likewise, they see nothing wrong with becoming friend with a human even if they are going to happily gobble up every other humans they come across. In any event, their loyalty is such that losing a friend is often seen as either a very tragic event, or a traumatic betrayal depending on the circumstances. The friends of a friend are also viewed as friends, although that usually doesn't stop fairies from teasing them. For example, a fairy who is friends with a human would keep her word that she won't ever eat her companions, but she'll often messily lick her lips in front of them and remind them of how delicious they look. This is all in good fun, really.
[[Kiki]]
+
  
Neti
+
Many fairies eat other sapient creatures not just because they must eat other creatures to survive, but also because they act like typical preys. They are always on the lookout for danger, and when threatened, they either flee or become aggressive. From the perspective of a fairy, this is exactly how all preys act, and since they taste good like food, they fill their belly like food, therefore they fill all the criteria to be considered food. With time, many fairies have come to equate some races like humans with meals by default, unless proved otherwise; namely being a friend. That emphasis on friendship is also likely the prime reason why they almost never prey on their own kind. They grow up surrounded with other fairies and most of their friends are fairies too, thus they equate fairies with friend by default. However, in the case of wild fairies growing up alone, it's interesting to note that some specimens can become cannibalistic and keep that habit later on. Plus there are always exceptions to the rules anyway, like Soinee, a fairy whose diet is largely comprised of other fairies.
  
 +
It's interesting to see Dr Larken Adroon conclude her essay on a surprising note; according to her, pleading with a fairy who have captured you is useless. Stating you are a person and that eating you would be wrong will pretty much seal your fate as food because, for a Felaryan fairy, that's just how prey act! Trying a different approach and saying "Hi! I'm (your name)! Let's be friends!" would grant uncertain but overall much better chances at survival. Needless to say this strange theory raises a lot of skepticism. 
  
== Mist Fairies ==
 
This specie of fairy can be mostly found in the [[misty glade]] and parts of the [[mist ocean]].If most fairies are good at illusions, then mist fairies are masters of it.  From creating mirages to altering the senses, all of their illusions look incredibly real.  The first spell a mist fairy ever learns is duplication.  They use it almost constantly, often without even thinking about it.  The duplicates look so real that sometimes you can't even tell if the mist fairy before you is the original or not.  Mist Fairies know about this confusion of course, and take advantage of it: they might use a double to scare the living daylights out of a poor adventurer by fake-eating him, or they might play some practical jokes on him, or both.
 
  
The double is not just an image though: it can speak, see, hear, and, if the fairy is really skilled, fight and cast magic as well.  There are even cases where mist fairies have been seen creating doubles of themselves to solve a problem, with each of the copies thinking about a different aspect of the problem. The ability to duplicate makes mist fairies powerful indeed, but fortunately they are one of the less aggressive and dangerous species to humans on Felarya.  The magical mist where they live sustains them, so a mist fairy will never get really hungry as long as they remain in the mist.  Although this doesn't make an encounter with them perfectly safe, it gives them a rather good reputation among adventurers. If they leave the mist however, they become just as hungry as other fairies, and even more dangerous because of their skill at illusions.  Unfortunately for adventurers everywhere, Mist Fairies are curious and adventurous by nature, and are sometimes seen very far from their nourishing mists...
+
==[[Fairy Culture|Culture]] ==
  
 +
=== Known Fairies ===
 +
*[[Melany]]
  
[[Image:FairyGenzowiki.jpg|Mist fairy]]
+
*[[Temi]]
  
Picture by Genzoman and used with artist's permission. For larger version visit [http://genzoman.deviantart.com/ Genzoman's gallery]
+
*[[Subeta]]
  
 +
*[[Alvar]]
  
== Canopy Fairies ==
+
*[[Lily]]
This particular species can be found in [[Deeper Felarya]] and a few other zones.  They are rather similar to other fairies, although with more pronounced elven traits such as pointy ears. They also look generally wilder, with unkept hair, various patches on their skins, and reckless personnalities. They usually live near the top of the trees.
+
  
Canopy fairies are famous for their excellent skills in dimensional magic.  Phasing in and out of this dimension is as natural as breathing to them, which needless to say, makes them extremely dangerous.  When a being phases out of this dimension it becomes almost invisible to normal eyes and cannot be harmed by any physical means.  As if this ability wasn't bad enough, a canopy fairy can resort to deadly spells such as their terrible "belly warp": an almost invisible magical trap that teleports the victim directly into the stomach of the fairy who set it ! If you're sneaking into the lair of canopy fairy while not invited, you are almost bound to walk into one.
+
*[[Kiki]]
  
 +
*[[Aya]]
  
=== Known Canopy Fairies ===
+
*[[Liri]]
[[Subeta]]
+
  
 +
*Relina
  
== Storm Sprites ==
+
*[[Lucilya]]
Another mix between fairies and [[elementals]], storm sprites are one of the most dangerous species of fairy on Felarya.  Not only are they extremely fast, but they can also turn themselves into pure magical energy (along with whatever they wear and anything (or anyone) they have inside them), allowing them to enter electrical circuits as a mean of transportation, or simply to destroy them.  This ability means that a storm sprite could infiltrate a very well defended base, eat some of its occupants (or play practical jokes such as disabling security turrets) and then exit at will.
+
  
With their chaotic and fun-loving character, they pose an enormous threat to technologically advanced settlements.  Fortunately they are rare and need to "recharge" themselves from a nearby source of energy from time to time in order to stay healthy.  This source is usually a storm but could also be an energy generating reactor. Another scary ability they have is one called "flash digestion": if the fairy is in a hurry, they can literally disintegrate any prey in their stomach in mere seconds. They prefer to digest the good old fashion way though, and use it rarely.
+
*[[Leppy]]
  
  
<font color = #900>
+
==Fairies Sub-species ==
== Dusk Nymphs ==
+
*<b>[[Water Sprites]] </b>
</font>
+
A crossbreed between darkness [[elementals]] and fairies.  Dusk Nymphs usually begin their life in dark places such as [[Evernight forest]] and [[fairy kingdom#Sunfall thicket|Sunfall thicket]], but are known to wander a lot and are found in many places.  Their skin is pure black in color and contrasts strikingly with their red eyes.  Their hair is typically a dark color of some sort, although blazing red haired nymphs exist as well.  Their body is surrounded by a faint halo that glows red, giving them a menacing look.  Dusk nymphs are deadly creatures indeed, and like storm sprites, are among the most dangerous kind of fairy you can encounter in Felarya.  Fortunately they are very rare, as darkness elementals are rare themselves.  Contrary to popular belief, dusk nymphs don't die if exposed to intense light.  Dusk nymphs just deeply dislike it, just as they dislike complete darkness.  This typically makes them creatures of the night.
+
  
One of their most scary traits is their ability to turn themselves into a shadow.  It allows the fairy to slip in and out of places with ease, binding themselves to the shadows of travelers, which allows the fairy to follow the travelers even if they walk into direct sunlight.  Then, when night falls, the unlucky traveler (unaware of their "passenger") is promptly eaten.  Moreover, dusk nymphs often live and hunt in small packs, and several of them can hide in a single shadow.  They love playing games with their prey, like stalking a group of wandering adventurers in the dark and picking them off one by one under the cover of darkness. Once, a dusk nymph caused a great panic in [[Negav]] and ate several citizens before being chased away.  For some reason, this kind of fairy appears to be totally immune to the effect of the Isolon Eye, the main defense of the city.  Even the [[Humans#Ps'isol Magiocrats|magiocrats]] are utterly clueless as to the reasons for this immunity ...
+
*<b>[[Crimson Maidens]]</b>
  
 +
*<b>[[Mist Fairies]] </b>
  
==Frost Sprites==
+
*<b>[[Canopy Fairies]] </b>
Frost Sprites are another fairy / [[elementals|elemental]] hybrid species and are born when a fairy mates with an Ice elemental.  They can also be born from the union of two Frost Sprites, though the children's powers get slightly weaker with each generation.  The strongest Frost sprites are the "purebloods" the ones born from the mating of a fairy and an Ice elemental.  At first glance, most Frost sprites don't appear much different from other fairy species.  They usually have blue hair varying from light, almost white, blues tones to darker, almost black tones, and have pale and fair skin.
+
  
One of their most unique feature are their eyes.  Gold is the most common color, but when they get upset, or focus their magic, their eyes glow and icy blue.  If you anger a frost sprite and its eyes change color... well, you're about to get VERY cold VERY quick!  Their wings are usually a little thicker and more durable than their cousin's, to help counteract the cold environment and falling snow that can be found in their usual territory.  Their wings and antennae are often similar to those of wasps or hornets.
+
*<b>[[Storm Sprites]] </b>
  
Frost sprites are capable of manipulating ice and snow at will, an essential survival tool in their natural habitat.  It allows them to walk across snow without sinking into it, to keep falling snow from clumping on their wings, and to manipulate ice to create shelters, barriers, and make their harsh environment a little more bearable.  Outside of arctic areas, these powers are also very useful.  Frost sprites can rapidly freeze moisture in the air and ground around them to form weapons, barriers and tools out of ice.  When they focus their magic, the air temperature around them drops, causing their breath to come out as a light mist, and coating the ground around them and their wings in a thin layer of frost.  They tend to tire easily when using their powers in warmer areas.
+
*<b>[[Dusk Nymphs]] </b>
  
Some of the more powerful Frost sprites are said to be able to turn their entire bodies into ice and merge with the ice and snow around them, travelling through it and reforming a short distance away.  This ability is very rare though, and is usually only found in "purebloods".  Most Frost sprites are able to coat their body in ice when in danger, creating a kind of armor.
+
*<b>[[Frost Sprites]]</b>
  
Frost sprites, on average, tend to be calmer than most other fairy species, though they are still prone to occasional bouts of mischief.  They are also more solitary, usually living in small groups of three to six, instead of forming large packs.  They are usually less voracious as well, eating a couple times a day and enlarging their meal once it arrives in their stomach to get the most out of it.  They do eat [[humans]] that wander into the frozen areas where they live, but have been known to sometimes help lost travellers find their way back to where they came from.  Overall, Frost sprites have a reputation for being pretty fair and level-headed, if a little mischievous sometimes.
 
  
 +
[[Category:Races]]
 +
[[Category:Fairies]]
  
*Credits goes to rcs619 for Frost sprites, and to Randomdude for the Crimson maidens. <font color = #900>Dusk nymphs belongs to Melancholy-Melody13.</font>
+
*Credits to Shady-knight for writing the revised description of fairies and to Stabs for developing their psychology.
 
+
[[Category:Races]]
+

Latest revision as of 01:15, 2 July 2024

General content: | Felaryan fauna | Felaryan flora | Races | Characters | Locations | History and Lore | Science and Magic | Culture and Customs | List of all available articles



Temi helping Liri with her dental problems


Fairies are humanoid creatures found on many magic-rich worlds. They are easily identified by a pair of insect wings growing on their back where the shoulder blades are located, accompanied by a pair of thin, insect-like antennae growing from their forehead. Their frame is lithe and slender, and both their hair and eyes are often of bright colors. Some fairies also posses pointed ears.

Biological Traits

Fairies share an uncanny number of traits in common with elves. Aside from having a similar physical appearance, their bones are just as light and ill-suited for physical combat as elves are. Furthermore, both races age much slower than other humanoids and possess a natural affinity for magic. It's interesting to note that many worlds boasting a sizable elf population also host an environment where fairies thrive. Being a world saturated with magic, it's no surprise that a large population of both elves and fairies live in Felarya. All of these facts have led some researchers to theorize that they may have once shared a common ancestor that split off long ago into the two different species we now know today.

Magic is as natural to fairies as breathing and they are almost all born with magical powers. They learn to cast simple spells at a very young age, ranging from illusions all the way to enchantments, elemental magic, and possibly more. As they grow older, fairies often develop an affinity toward a specific type of magic, not unlike how a human develops a talent or interest in a certain field with age. Like elves, they have an innate talent and understanding toward more complex magic arts like rule-based and primordial magic, and are naturally more resistant against spells than other humanoids. Combined with their swiftness in flight, surprisingly good reflexes and craftiness, fairies often stand as far deadlier opponents than their cute exterior would make people think. Many species of Felaryan insects, however, are feared by fairies, as they typically possess very strong magic resistance. Tonorions in particular are among the most dangerous creatures a fairy could possibly face, and some people believe they are their natural predator.

A fairy's magic is stored in their wings, meaning that if damaged, their magic power would decrease drastically or stop working altogether. Fairies are well aware of this crippling weakness and so make full use of their ability to sense the magical signature of other creatures both as a hunting tool and as a way to detect potential danger. Interestingly, dragonfly and butterfly wings seem to be the most common wing type among fairies, though the shape and type of wings have no effect on their magic. Fairy wings are highly sought after by mages, especially alchemists, and can fetch a ridiculously high price on some markets. Quite a few overzealous fairy hunters come to Felarya in the hopes of making their fortune there. Unsurprisingly, they very rarely last long in this perilous world because they tend to bring horribly inadequate fairy hunting equipment with them. It is commonly believed that a fairy's antennae are feelers designed to detect magic, but there isn't enough evidence to support that theory."

Size-Shifting Magic

The most feared ability of Felaryan fairies is their size-shifting magic. They are able to change their size at will, from 3 inches to about 100 feet within mere seconds, although this range varies from one fairy to another, and in some very rare cases, a fairy may be unable to change their size at all, effectively leaving them stuck in one size. Fairies usually prefer to stay tiny as it gives them more room to maneuver and a plethora of hiding places. Like with their other magic powers, a fairy with damaged or broken wings is unable to change their size. A disabled fairy can quickly get in a world of trouble and fall dramatically in the food chain order until their wings heal again.

Almost all fairies also possess the innate ability to temporarily alter the size of another creature in a similar fashion. This power is however not without drawbacks. In order to effectively alter a creature's size, a fairy must be relatively close to their target and have to concentrate for a few seconds. A careless fairy trying to shrink an armed human right in the open would find themselves wide open for a counterattack. As such, fairies rarely use this ability as a weapon unless they know for certain they can safely get away with it, and prefer to neutralize dangerous preys with other spells first. It is possible for a fairy to affect multiple targets at once if they are powerful enough, but all of their preys must be close to each other.

Naturally, fairies cannot effectively shrink something if its magic resistance is too strong, however the same holds true if the creature's original size is too big. The ceiling on what is considered too big varies widely from fairy to fairy, but suffice to say, shrinking something like a giant naga or even a Kensha Beast to the size of a human would normally be an impossible feat unless the fairy is abnormally powerful. The reverse is also true as fairies are usually unable to enlarge a creature past this same threshold.

A creature who has had its size changed by a fairy usually returns to normal within a time lapse varying depending on the fairy's power. However, unlike a typical size-altering spell whose effect end as soon as the magic runs out, the effects of a fairy's size-shifting spell last indefinitely as long as the affected item stay withing a certain range of the fairy who cast it. As such, an adventurer who has been swallowed by a fairy won't ever revert to his or her normal size while it remains trapped inside the fairy's stomach. Oddly, when a fairy shrinks or grow, whatever shrunken creature held in their stomach grows and shrinks along with them. Some clever fairies have trained to enlarge preys in their belly, either to get the most out of their catch or to compensate for a poor hunt. Similarly, mundane items worn or carried by a fairy also changes size alongside them. Some items such has fairy glass have been crafted specifically to keep preys shrunk indefinitely while the fairy is away. People speculate whether or not this is unique to a fairy's magic, or if the presence of strong fairy magic would also affect a size-altering spell cast by other creatures. Nobody is in a hurry to find out for obvious reasons.

Obviously, shrinking or enlarging an inanimate object is much easier as they are completely devoid of magic resistance. The ceiling on how big an object can be enlarged is substantially more lenient and it's not too difficult for a fairy to keep inanimate items at their new size with dedicated training. Most magic items are a different story, as their mystical nature lends them an inherent magic resistance like other living creatures. The more powerful the magic, the more difficult it is for a typical fairy to affect them. It's important to note that a fairy's magical power do not increase or decrease with their size the same way physical strength does. A fairy's illusions, charms or enchantment would be no more believable or powerful if cast while giant than if cast while tiny and casting a giant fireball or a shower of lightning bolts is just as difficult and taxing whether the fairy is big or small, hence why fairies also prefer to rely on stealth and stay at a small size."

Behavior

The most popular depiction of fairies is that of playful, curious and mischievous beings who love to have fun more than anything else. While many fairies are indeed light-hearted, carefree pranksters, this isn't entirely accurate. One can find solemn watchmen, serious scholars, mystic sages, and even dark, brooding warriors within their population. It is more accurate to classify fairies as beings of raw emotions. Indeed, they often let their feelings guide their actions, and rarely keep their emotions bottled up. For example, an angry fairy usually yell and vent their rage on the nearest object, and a sad fairy will burst in tears and cry out loud. One would assume that fairies don't work well in groups, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Social beings, fairies tend to naturally form packs and even small tribes, and are usually decently organized. People are often baffled at how such tribes don't immediately devolve into chaos, but it is commonly believed that while whimsical, fairies are considerate of their friends to some degree, and try to act responsibly so as to do them no wrong, not to hamper or harm them. Most often, the smartest or oldest member of the group acts as unofficial leader, whose duty is mostly to solve arguments.

Although they don't have a distaste toward advanced technology like elves do, fairies very rarely craft complex tools. Aside from sometimes making simple devices out of common material, and occasionally making rudimentary clothes and accessories, fairies see little reason to create complex mechanisms and think it's just easier use magic to solve most of their problems. However, they are almost all fascinated by human inventions. It's not uncommon for fairies to rummage through a human's belongings, trying to find new and exciting items to fiddle with in hopes of discovering its intended use, usually with mixed results for both parties involved. In general, fairies tend to be very curious and love to learn new things. A little known fact about them is that they love reading and they form one of the few fully literate races in the wild.

Fairies tend to like the company of dryads, as they are naturally comfortable around trees and they and are always eager to learn about various stories of faraway lands, and they love to bring preys she caught to them as a sign of strong friendship. Fairies also get along quite well with deerataurs thanks to their connection with nature. Their most interesting relationship however is with elementals. For some reason, many fairies choose to mate with them instead of other fairies. This results in a great number of crossbreeds who are often much more dangerous than their parent species. How fairies are able to mate with elementals is a complete mystery, leading researchers to believe that fairies reproduce in a manner far different from other humanoids.

Hunting Habits

Thanks to their ability to fly, their great proficiency with magic, and the ability to shrink and grow at will, fairies are among the most fearsome predators in Felarya. Though fairies love to eat fruits, they especially enjoy to hunt live preys, as they see the process of stalking and plotting how to catch their meal as a fun game. Fairies like to hunt in groups, although it's not rare to find fairies hunting alone, and because they are able to hide virtually anywhere, they have a myriad of ways to catch prey at their disposal. Fairies like to play with their catches, often teasing or giving them false hope of escape before gobbling them up. They are voracious and love to stuff themselves until their stomachs is full. Such is the threat they pose that a popular -but erroneous- belief is that being eaten by a fairy is the primary cause of death for humans on Felarya.

Psychology

Despite fairies being so dangerous, some humans have managed to live normal lives among them in the city of Kortiki and have come to understand them better. Among them is the prominent scientist Dr Larken Adroon who wrote several essays on the subject of fairy psychology.

According to her, the first thing important to note is that fairies view right or wrong and perceive other creatures quite differently from most sapient races. Fairies rarely care about the short or long term consequences of their actions. They find it much easier and pleasant to live in the moment than to worry about one's future or dwell too much something they've done in the past. As such, what they consider as right or wrong often boils down to whether or not something will make them feel good right away, or if it will hurt a friend in some manner. Moreover, fairies value friendships above all else. To them, a friend is akin family, and a friendship with a fairy is often one that lasts for a lifetime. Fairies care not for a friend's species, appearance, and especially not sizes since they can change their own at will.

This means that fairies sees befriending something as tiny as a neera as no different as befriending something as colossal as a dryad. Conversely, this also means that they see no wrong in preying on a creature regardless of its race or size if it is at all possible. Likewise, they see nothing wrong with becoming friend with a human even if they are going to happily gobble up every other humans they come across. In any event, their loyalty is such that losing a friend is often seen as either a very tragic event, or a traumatic betrayal depending on the circumstances. The friends of a friend are also viewed as friends, although that usually doesn't stop fairies from teasing them. For example, a fairy who is friends with a human would keep her word that she won't ever eat her companions, but she'll often messily lick her lips in front of them and remind them of how delicious they look. This is all in good fun, really.

Many fairies eat other sapient creatures not just because they must eat other creatures to survive, but also because they act like typical preys. They are always on the lookout for danger, and when threatened, they either flee or become aggressive. From the perspective of a fairy, this is exactly how all preys act, and since they taste good like food, they fill their belly like food, therefore they fill all the criteria to be considered food. With time, many fairies have come to equate some races like humans with meals by default, unless proved otherwise; namely being a friend. That emphasis on friendship is also likely the prime reason why they almost never prey on their own kind. They grow up surrounded with other fairies and most of their friends are fairies too, thus they equate fairies with friend by default. However, in the case of wild fairies growing up alone, it's interesting to note that some specimens can become cannibalistic and keep that habit later on. Plus there are always exceptions to the rules anyway, like Soinee, a fairy whose diet is largely comprised of other fairies.

It's interesting to see Dr Larken Adroon conclude her essay on a surprising note; according to her, pleading with a fairy who have captured you is useless. Stating you are a person and that eating you would be wrong will pretty much seal your fate as food because, for a Felaryan fairy, that's just how prey act! Trying a different approach and saying "Hi! I'm (your name)! Let's be friends!" would grant uncertain but overall much better chances at survival. Needless to say this strange theory raises a lot of skepticism.


Culture

Known Fairies

  • Relina


Fairies Sub-species

  • Credits to Shady-knight for writing the revised description of fairies and to Stabs for developing their psychology.