Homebrew Faerie Species Details

Fairies are a deeply magical race, drawing power directly from the elements around them. They are most commonly found in the feywild, their homeland, though they can be found in the material plane as well. They are playful creatures, often playing tricks or pranks upon others, but on the rare occasions that they are serious, they ought to be taken as such, or you will pay for it.

 

History

Fairies don't age, they are created as they always will look. They have no body or facial hair, with the exception of the Oread. They are living embodiments of the forces of nature and are not held by the same boundaries of longevity like most. Thus fairies have the potential to live eternally, however most actually chose not to, returning back to nature in a variety of ways. Floran often become plants, water fairies may rejoin the rivers from which they were born, there really is no single way in which it is done. Some fairies become fairies again , after thousands of years of slumber in another form. They may not, however, return looking the same.

Not Made Like Most

Fairy's are not born from two parents like other creatures, they simply come in to existence, fully formed in an instant. A fairy awakens withing a blossoming flower. As water rushes over the edge of a cliff a fey spirit emerges from the falling brook. Children dance around a fire in celebration of midsummers and a spritely creature dances within the flames. All fairies come into existence in their own way.

Not all Fairies even belong to the same element! As they are quite literally the forces of nature, their states eb and flow over eons, never truly settling in one state.

Because of their near-eternal lifespans, fairies have many secrets that they have collected over the years such as historical events, scandals, deeds of good and evil. However it is very difficult to get these secrets from fairies, they often times must be tricked into doing so, or if they grow a deep bond with someone, they may reveal some occasionally. Fairies are curious creatures and obsess over finding out more about anything that strikes their fancy, playing with a child in a family they have watched for years, exploring the streets of a town at night, or exploring the depths of the darkest caves.

The fae are hard to befriend, they often times don't realize the limits placed upon mortals, and as such are often reckless and carefree. It takes time to form a real bond with a fairy. Some of these fey spirits joke about everything, and it can be difficult to deal with them at first, but once you get past the trickery and actually start to play along is what will form a true friendship. However, taking the time to do so is worth all the effort as they are driven by loyalty to those they care about.

 

Society

Fairy villages reside in places of natural beauty, building villages with whatever they can find around them in hidden groves and enclaves. Common fairy activities include watching over animal and plants, playing tricks, and gathering resources such as nuts and twigs. Fairies are masters of enchantments, creating magical items of legend.

It is seldom known to see a fairy far from its village, with the exception of those to chose to explore the world as adventurers, but even those are rare.

Most fairies are not made to brave the outside world, most would much rather stay at home and attend their daily duties. But for those who do decide to leave it is because of one of two reasons, either their homeland is in danger, or they feel that they have nothing better to do. A fairy may wander into a nearby village to cause some mischief, leading them to a local tavern with a band of adventurers. Should the fairy become interested it may join up with them, and assist them on their adventure.

 

Physical Appearance

Fairy’s are mostly known for their smaller winged forms, known to most as their pixie form. As a pixie, they are almost weightless to the point where it is nearly impossible to measure or compare the weights of fairies, with the exception of the rock heavy Oread and the feather light Aethril. Their overall build is heavily dependent upon the elemental affinity of the fairy, but usually they are skinny and lean.

Fairy skin tones and hair color can be as dark or light as that of a human, but it is always a hue of their elemental color at varying degrees. For instance a water fairy could have bright blue skin, or almost white to the point that you could only notice its blue coloration in certain lighting. All fairies glow in varying degrees when they are in pixie form as well as their giant form, although it is usually very slight as a giant. A fairy’s clothing always displays an affiliation with their element by means of color, motifs, symbols, and/or accessories.

 

Fairy Names

Fairies have a unique naming system, they have two names like other humanoids. What set the names of these fae spirits is the way in which they receive their names. The first name that a fairy receives is their fae name, which is given based off of how the fairy was born (Ex: a fairy born out of a flower in the morning could take the name of Morningblossom). The second name a fairy receives is its common name, usually given to the fairy by the first non-fairy humanoid it befriends. Ironically, though they receive their common name last, they use it as their first name. Fairy common names are usually names of the name giver's race (if an elf gives the name, it is probably an elf name), however this isn't necessarily always the case.

Fae Names: Blacksmoke, Dancingember, Daylily, Dewdrop, Earthbreaker, Ivy, Nightgust, Riverbrook, Rockhammer, Splashbubble, Summerbreeze, Sunspark, Twig, Windweaver

 

FAIRY TRAITS

 

Nature's Child

The children of the Feywild have a natural gift for the outside world. You are proficient in the Nature skill.

 

Tiny Dimensions

Due to being a creature of Tiny size, there are several things that apply to you:

• You have Proficiency in Stealth
• You can end your turn whilst occupying the same space as another creature of size Tiny or Larger
• You have a reach of 0ft. You must occupy the same space as the target of a Melee attack, or a spell requiring Touch.
• You have disadvantage on all Strength rolls

 

Darkvision

Living mostly outdoors outside of traditional lighting, you have superior vision in dark or dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

 

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep. You also do not need to sleep but meditate for at least 4 hours.

 

Magical Wings

If your wings are cut or damaged, your inherent magic causes them to regrow by the end of a long rest. If the wings are Magically or physically torn off, take 1 long rest and 1 short rest to fully repair them. until then, take -3 Dexterity.

 

Pixie Magic

You can shrink objects sized for a medium or small creature to suit your size while it is carried by you. While shrunk, a weapon can be used normally.

 

 

Ability Score Increase: You get your ability score increase when you choose your subrace

Age: Fairies age very slowly, if at all. They are created fully formed, physically and mentally, taking on the appearance of a beautiful human of the ages 10 to 30 with pointed ears.

Alignment: Fairies are as wild like the elements of nature they were created from, but also know that nature has its rules to follow. As such, the fae are often neutral on the lawful-chaos spectrum, though (like many other races), some go to one of the extreme ends. Protecting nature and its freedom is of utmost importance to fairies, much like other fey, and they are more often good than not.

Size: Fairy sizes range from 3 to 6 inches. (Tiny)

Speed: Your base walking speed is 15 ft and your base flying speed is 30 ft.

Languages: You can speak, read and write Common, Sylvan and Elvish. Sylvan is an old language, being the root of elvish. The language is most commonly known for being used in spell incantations, and it is said that one can become entranced by its beauty and fluidity.

Subrace: All fairies are created with a connection to a particular aspect of the natural world, influencing their appearance and abilities to mimic said element's qualities. These elements create various subraces. Pick one of these subraces:

 

Aethril:

These fairies born of the wind and air and are most notable for their speed and agility. They zip through the air, whistling through the tree branches and often take up messenger rolls between other fairy colonies and their own. Aethril are experts of mobility, always looking for the perfect opportunity to strike. Aetherial are slightly shorter then other fairies at 3 to 3 1/2 inches. Their elemental colors are light blues, occasionally with a hint of mint green. Their hair is silky and floats through the air, almost like that of a ghost or banshee. Their wings are long and slender, often making sound due to their speed.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score is increased by 2 and your Wisdom score is increased by 1.

Like the Wind: Your base walking speed is 25 ft and your base flying speed is increased to 40 ft.

Stable Flight:  Difficult terrain involving weather changes, such as strong winds, does not restrain your movement.

 

Floran

Floran have the strongest bond with the wilderness. They spend their time growing plants and playing with creatures of all sizes. They see the potential in everything, seeing gardens in barren landscapes, and hope for the weary. In combat, they call upon the forces of the wild to their party's assistance. They are average in size, with wings that resemble butterfly wings for diurnal Floran fairies and moth wings for nocturnal Floran fairies. Floran elemental colors are greens, browns and whites and its fairies often adorn themselves with leaves and blossoms. Their hair is laced with vines budding flowers of all sorts, not limited to those that normally grow on vines.

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score is increased by 2 and your Intelligence score is increased by 1.

Attunement with Nature: Due to your strong connection with flora and fauna, you know the druidcraft cantrip.

Natural Dominion: Your connection to the plants of the living world begins to awaken. Difficult terrain caused by plants of any kind now functions as normal terrain for you. Additionally, any areas of plants (such as grass or underbush) within 10 feet of you can entangle enemies. This increases to 15 ft. at 6th level, 20 ft. at 12th level and 30 ft. at 18th level.

 

Ignan:

Those created from flames have explosively unstable personalities. They are often times the most problematic, due to their short fuses, but Ignan are highly valuable allies. What these flaming pixies lack in predictability, they make up for in their ability to channel magical forces, making them powerful sorcerers. Ignan elemental colors are vibrant oranges and reds. Their shimmering hair is short and forms into wispy shimmering locks, causing it to resemble actual fire. Their wings resemble autumn leaves, and have even length to width proportions.

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score is increased by 2 and your Intelligence score is increased by 1.

Burning Spirit:  You are resistant to fire damage.

Pyromancy: You know the fire bolt cantrip, Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this cantrip.

 

Nereid

Nereid are the calmest of all fairies, going with the flow and adapting to their surroundings. Their movements are loose and fluid. Common Nereid pastimes include creating music, training fish, and skating on top of water. They are the most passive of fairies due to their gentle nature, and would much rather be healing allies then actually fighting. These fairies are average in size and their elemental colors are deep blues with the hint of purple from time to time. They have hair representing a sea wave that flows and is often wavy. Nereid hair is also usually kept longer. 

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score is increased by 2 and your Dexterity score is increased by 1.

Amphibious: You have the ability to breathe underwater and move at normal speed when swimming.

Hydromancy: You know the shape water cantrip, with an additional bonus. In addition to shape water's noted uses, its range is increased by 30ft and you may use an action to attack. When using shape water feature to attack, make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage (your choice). The spell's damage increased by 1d8 and it's ranged increased by 5 ft at 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8) and 17th level (4d8)

 

Oread

Oread are the most physically strong of all fairies. They are stubborn like the rocks and mountains that they emerge from, and often spend time proving their strength to one another, as well as protecting their colony. As an Oread, you specialize in getting up close and personal with foes, dealing damage while also being able to take a lot. They have chiseled features that further extenuates their broad-shouldered, athletic builds. Their elemental colors are oranges and reds, though not as saturated as the Ignan. Their skin is slightly rougher and their hair is spiky, sticking out in odd angles. Oread fairies sometimes even have a snaggletooth giving them an appearance similar to that of a half orc. They are also taller and heavier then most fairies at 5 1/2 to 6 inches. Additionally, their wings are hard and resemble different kinds of crystal.

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score is increased by 2 and your Constitution score is increased by 1.

Rock Hard Abs: You have proficiency in Athletics

Stone Core: You have advantage on Constitution saving throws against poison and disease.

Faerie Traits

Due to their connection with nature and their tiny size, fairy traits are very much influenced by those 2 things.