Homebrew Fae (Underland) Species Details

𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓤𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭

The Old Magic Given Flesh

“Be careful what you promise beneath an Underland moon. The Fae are listening.”

𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓭𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓹𝓱

The Fae are the old magic of Underland given flesh.

Older than many kingdoms and stranger than most mortal creatures, the Fae are woven from the ancient magic that existed within Underland before its borders were divided and its kingdoms were named. They are beautiful creatures, but beauty is often the least dangerous thing about them.

Fae are capricious, clever, emotional, and intensely aware of the power of words. They understand that a name can be a key, a promise can be a chain, and a favor can become a debt.

Fae can be found throughout Underland. Some dwell in glittering courts hidden beneath mushroom groves or within impossible forests. Others wander the roads, operate businesses, serve kingdoms, or live quietly among mortals.

They come in countless shapes and sizes. Some possess delicate wings. Others have antlers, horns, tails, claws, pointed ears, glowing eyes, flower-like features, or entirely unusual traits. Some appear almost entirely mortal.

There is no single appearance that defines a Fae.

There is, however, one thing nearly every Fae understands:

Never give something away for free.

𝓟𝓱𝔂𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

Fae beauty is difficult to define because it is rarely entirely human.

A Fae might appear as a graceful humanoid with pointed ears and luminous eyes, or as something far stranger. Their bodies often reflect the magic from which they originated.

𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮𝓼

Common Fae traits include:

• Unnaturally vibrant eyes
• Pointed or unusual ears
• Glowing freckles or markings
• Hair that changes color with emotion
• Unusual skin tones
• Antlers, horns, or crowns of living branches
• Claws or sharpened teeth
• Tails
• Flowers growing from their hair or skin
• Naturally magical markings
• Unusual shadows
• Voices that carry strange echoes

Some Fae have wings, while others do not.

Wings may resemble those of butterflies, moths, birds, dragonflies, bats, leaves, stained glass, or something entirely unknown.

A wingless Fae is no less Fae than one with wings.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓕𝓪𝓮

Fae beauty is often described as too perfect.

A mortal might notice that a Fae's smile is slightly too knowing, their eyes too bright, their movements too graceful, or their voice strangely difficult to forget.

The closer one looks, the more likely they are to notice something that does not quite belong.

That is part of the point.

𝓐𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓽𝓾𝓭𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓟𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓲𝓮𝓼

Fae tend to view the world differently from mortals.

To a Fae, words have weight.

A promise is not merely a statement of intent. It is a magical thing.

A name is not merely what someone calls you. It is part of who you are.

A favor is not kindness.

It is a debt waiting to be collected.

𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓼 𝓗𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽

A Fae rarely says something without considering how those words could be interpreted later.

They are masters of technically truthful statements, careful wording, double meanings, and deliberate ambiguity.

A Fae might say:

“I never said I wouldn't help you.”

That does not necessarily mean they intend to help.

𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓗𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓟𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻

Names are sacred among the Fae.

A Fae's true name is something precious and rarely given freely.

Most Fae possess a public name, a private name, and a true name.

Giving someone your true name is an act of tremendous trust.

Some Fae will never reveal theirs.

𝓓𝓮𝓫𝓽𝓼 𝓜𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓑𝓮 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓭

Fae society revolves around exchange.

A favor creates an obligation.

An obligation creates a debt.

A debt must eventually be paid.

The payment does not necessarily have to be unpleasant, but the Fae consider an unpaid debt deeply improper.

𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓸𝓻

Fae morality is not always the same as mortal morality.

A Fae may lie through omission, manipulate a situation, or exploit a loophole without believing they have done anything wrong.

They may consider themselves perfectly honorable because they kept their word.

To a Fae, keeping the exact promise you made can matter more than fulfilling the intention behind it.

𝓒𝓾𝓵𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮

Fae culture is ancient, elaborate, and deeply tied to magic.

Their societies vary dramatically, but most recognize some form of Bargain Law.

𝓑𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓼

A bargain between Fae is sacred.

Before agreeing to one, a Fae considers:

• What is being offered?
• What is being requested?
• What exactly are the words?
• What happens if someone breaks the agreement?
• Who benefits?
• What was not said?

Fae often enjoy bargaining even when no magical contract is involved.

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓼

A promise made by a Fae carries unusual significance.

Breaking a serious promise can result in magical consequences, social punishment, or both.

The exact consequences vary between Fae communities.

𝓕𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓼

Fae favors are rarely free.

A Fae might rescue someone simply because they enjoy them.

But eventually they may smile and say:

“Now, about that favor…”

𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓽𝓼

Many Fae organize themselves into courts, though not every Fae belongs to one.

Courts may be ruled by:

• Queens
• Kings
• Princes
• Princesses
• Lords
• Ladies
• Ancient spirits
• Powerful archfey
• Councils
• Something stranger

Titles carry considerable social importance.

A Fae without a title may possess more power than a titled noble, while a seemingly insignificant courtier may hold tremendous influence through favors and secrets.

𝓡𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓞𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓼

Fae interact with nearly every people of Underland.

They are often fascinated by mortals because mortals are emotional, unpredictable, and wonderfully easy to surprise.

Some Fae adore mortals.

Some consider them amusing.

Some distrust them.

Others genuinely care for them.

A Fae's relationship with another person is almost always personal.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰

The Breaking disturbed something ancient within the Fae.

The Ink Master's escape from the Library of UM did more than unleash monsters.

It disrupted the old magic woven through Underland.

Some Fae changed.

Some disappeared.

Some became twisted by Ink.

Others claim they could feel the Breaking before anyone else realized something was wrong.

There are Fae who believe the Breaking was not merely an attack on Underland.

They believe it was an attack on the magic that created Underland in the first place.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓘𝓷𝓴

The Ink is deeply disturbing to the Fae.

Ink does not behave like ordinary magic.

It changes things.

It rewrites things.

It takes what already exists and makes it something else.

For creatures who believe magic is part of the natural order of Underland, this is horrifying.

Some Fae have dedicated themselves to studying the Ink.

Others want it destroyed.

A dangerous few believe the Ink represents the next evolution of Underland's magic.

𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓐𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓼

A Fae might leave their court or homeland for countless reasons.

They may be:

• Searching for a stolen name
• Fulfilling an ancient promise
• Collecting a debt
• Escaping a court
• Seeking a missing relative
• Investigating the Breaking
• Hunting an Inkling
• Looking for someone who owes them a favor
• Searching for their true name
• Curious about the Upperworld
• Running from a bargain gone wrong
• Trying to break a magical contract
• Seeking something they were promised long ago

Some Fae adventure simply because they are bored.

Others have been wandering Underland for centuries.

 

𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Fae names often sound beautiful, ancient, or slightly strange.

Some are inspired by nature, stars, seasons, flowers, gemstones, dreams, music, or forgotten languages.

𝓕𝓪𝓮 𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Feminine:

Aelira, Elowen, Isolde, Seraphine, Maelis, Elaria, Vespera, Aurelia, Nyxara, Faelith, Roselyn, Liora, Evelith, Sylvara, Thalindra

Masculine:

Aeron, Caelan, Evander, Lucien, Oberon, Sylas, Thorne, Alaric, Faelan, Eryndor, Rowan, Lorcan, Aeric, Corvin, Eldrin

Unisex:

Aster, Briar, Rowan, Wren, Fable, Echo, Winter, Raven, Ember, Sage, Ash, Clover, Silver, Starling, Rune

𝓣𝓲𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓼

Fae may also possess titles instead of surnames.

Examples include:

• The Thorn-Crowned
• The Moon-Touched
• The Namekeeper
• The Debt Collector
• The Rose Beneath the Hill
• The Silver Tongue
• The Keeper of Promises
• The Uninvited Guest
• The Last Daughter of Spring
• The One Who Owes Nothing
• The Lady of Seven Bargains
• The Prince Beneath the Roots

 

Fae (Underland) Traits

Fae possess an innate connection to the ancient magic of Underland. Their traits reflect their supernatural nature, granting them resistance to enchantment, a touch of natural magic, and an uncanny talent for words, bargains, and reading the intentions of others.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity is increased by 1 and increase Charisma by 2

Age

It is thought that a fae's ageing process stops once they reach physical maturity at 20.A fae can live for as long as an elf they can still die from old age if they do not undertake the settling .

Size

 Fae are between 4 and 7 foot and can range from 150 to 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Dark Vision

 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.

Fae

Your creature type is both humanoid and fey. Additionally, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.

Heightened Senses

 You are proficient in the Perception skill.

Of Mystique and Understanding.

 You are proficient in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Deception, Stealth, and Survival.

Languages

You can speak, read and write, Common, Undercommon and Sylvan.

Fae Magic

You know one cantrip of your choice from the Druid or Wizard spell list.

Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability for it.

Fae Tongue

You gain proficiency in Deception, Persuasion, or Insight.

With or Without Wings

Your appearance may include wings, but having wings does not automatically grant a flying speed.

If your specific Fae lineage grants flight, use the appropriate lineage or subrace traits.