Hi, 

I love the Fae and always have; I think they are fantastic, and I have always wanted to play one.  So, when I found out that I could now play a fairy, I was excited.  I did not want to play the typical tinkerbellesque fairy, though; I wanted to play something different, and I came up with the idea of making my fairy character into a warlock; however, instead of being a warlock of The Archfey, I decided to make them into a demonic warlock, corrupted by the pact they made with a demon lord from the bowels of the abyss.  

Why would a fairy make a pact with a demon?  Because they are young, foolish, impatient and desperate for power and glory.  

Why would a demon think a fairy was worth the trouble of not only making a pact with but honouring it?. Only they know for sure - not even the character knows why a demon lord took an interest in them, only that they did and promised them power, fame and glory if only they obeyed.  Their patron's requests were simple, too, with the character asked to do things such as building a shrine to their patron in the Feywild, tell other Fae about the glory and power of their patron - go and locate a “key.” on the material plane and so on.  

With each request that the character fulfilled, their patron granted them more power, and one more sliver of their soul turned cold and dark as they were twisted and corrupted by the power of the abyss that their patron was pouring into them.  

So, they remain a fairy kind of; they still have fairy wings, fairy magic, and still possess fairy light - to any mortal,  the character is a fairy, and yet, they are not.  They are both more and less than the fairy they once were.  Others of their kind shun them because they are different, so when their patron asks them to go to the material plane and locate a ”key”, there is little for them to leave behind - even the Feywild has lost its charm as they have become distant and disconnected from it as a direct result of the abyss slowly consuming their soul.  

So, how do I do this? How do I play a corrupted demon fairy whose soul and even their physical form are slowly getting devoured by the abyss without being an edgelord or stealing the spotlight?

Any thoughts that you might have on how I could play this character and make them work in a collaborative storytelling game are most welcome. 

Thanks

XD

If I were you I'de have the fairy not talk about where they got their powers much. That way, it makes it more mysterious, and when the other players learn about it, they'll feel excited to know more and not like you're 'stealing the spotlight'. Just play your character as you want, and maybe ask your DM to incorporate your backstory into the adventure (If he's not doing so already).

PS. Most players I know that are worried about 'stealing the spotlight' dont actually do that. So as long as you just remember the other PC's need time too, then you'll probably be fine.

I would suggest using the Haunted One background and specify that you're haunted by a demon that's corrupting you.

Ultimately this will cme down to how you roleplay, and that falls o nthe same ground rules as all games - don't make everything about your character, and let the other players have a fair share of the spotlight.

For roleplaying the character, I suggest that you try not to make every aspect of the character about one thing - it leads to predictable or one-dimensional characters. Yes, they are being converted by a demon, but they also love animals, hate people who gamble, and like pulling practical jokes. Make them more than just their pact! Not every point of a character has to seem character-defining, after all. You've got the main bit which justifies your build, but fo rroleplay you need the fluffy stuff - what sort of food do they like? Is there anythng they are obsessed with, or scared of?

How someone acts needs to be about more than their class, to make them into an actual character and not just a trailer full of game mechanics!

The Fey are used to striking bargains, it’s kinda their thing. I pro’ly wouldn’t have them strike one with a Demon though as they are notoriously untrustworthy. But a Fey and a Devil both thinking they’ve gotten the better end of a Pact arrangement would be fun. But that’s just me, you do you.