Homebrew Fairies (Fey) Species Details

"She was standing there, in the room. Taller than a normal human woman with the haunting beauty of an elven maiden. Her hair black as night. Her skin blue like she had spent hours outside in the snow, patterns of frost dancing all over her. Her eyes were like glittering obsidian freckled with silver. Like a cape falling to the ground, she had beautiful wings that seemed to be made of frost and ice, akin to those of a moth. There, she held our newborn son in her arms, like it was hers, standing near the open window. When she saw us, she smiled. Her wings opened softly, and with a beating of them, she was gone. Gone with our child. ”

 — Cai Cairnstone &  Gwenaëlle Dawnbrew, whose child was stolen by the fey.

 

 

Fairies are creature of the Feywild. They personify chaos in the way that they are spontaneous creatures whose whims are as changing as the tides, winds and season. They usually avoid mortals on the material plane but it is not unheard of that some fairies tend to wander there to cause mischief, play pranks and make romances bloom with the beings that live there.

As Changing as the Seasons

Fairies, at least the ones that people are more familiar with, are beautiful creatures similar to elves and they posses physical traits that most humanoids find attractive. Most are born with such beauty but some use glamours to hide their ugliness, and their changing nature means they can come in many shapes and size. Some very tall while some are smaller. One can be muscular with impressive built while another can posses a more slender physique. As such, their height can range from about 5 feet up to 6 feet tall, sometimes slightly more. Male fairies tend to be slightly taller and heavier than females, but exceptions are common to that rule and an individual can weight from 100 pounds to about 250 pounds regardless of sex and gender.

The pigmentation of their skin can range as far and wide as humans and elves. Some individuals haves hues of more exotic colors, showing reddish, bluish or even greenish skin tones or even patterns that reminds of nature like vines or frost. As for their eyes, fairies often have bright, bold colored eyes, metallic flakes in the irises like gold, silver or bronze. Some even have completely colored eyes with no visible pupils. Fairies love clothes that are colorful, flowy with natural elements incorporated to them, either by patterns, shapes or by the materials used to make them. Some will favor simplicity while others, usually high in their courts hierarchy, will prefer more regal attires. They love accessories made out of wood, plant and animal material. They also enjoy some metals like gold, bronze, copper and sometimes silver and most gemstones, but usually avoid anything made of steel or iron as it burns their skin.

 

A Midsummer Dream

Fairies can live to a very advanced age. Most of them live to be over 750 to 800 years, and the ones that rule over the courts are so ancient that most do not know how old they exactly are. This long lasting life makes them not fully able to coexist with those who do not share their lifespan, and as such, fairies tend to spend most time with people of their kind. Regardless, they are usually respectful creatures as they are bound to follow strict codes of etiquette and good manners called The Law of Hospitality.

Fairies are dangerously smart with their words and they know how to turn a conversation to their advantage. They also have a knack for wanderlust and a hard to satiate curiosity. Hedonists, they love to dance, to love, to eat and to play music. Fairies also have an exceptionaly good memory of names and faces. They remember with whom to be mean and whom to be kind.

 

In Castles grown from the Wild

Fairies live in courts associated with the seasons; The Summer Court, The Autumn Court, The Winter Court and the Spring Court. The courts are well organized with their queens, kings, counts, duchesses, serfs and other peasentry, living and abiding to the rules of their social ranks. Fairies tend to build their habitations, cities and villages from raw natural materials, turning a forest into a network of beautiful habitations or living in glistening castle under the surface of a lake. The fairy royalty lives in splendid castles made of trees, crystals and other precious material, reflections of castles and other landmarks that are or were on the material plane. On rare occasions, some fairies build home in places in the material plane such as in ponds, lakes, grottoes, forests, mountains or hills.

Fairies are talented artisans and musicians, but they also love to acquire things from other people, especially food, jewelry and fine clothing. They hunt, gather and harvest food where they settle and are especially fond of honey and warm milk.

 

Wings most Precious

Fairies posses a visceral need to fly. It runs through their entire being and one can fall into great melancholy when they can't fly for a long time. Hence, a fairy's wings are amongst their most prized possession, as they are the symbol of their freedom. This particularity made it so that one of the most severe punishment in fairy society is the permanent clipping of their wings. This atrocious sentence, consider by most fey kind as worst then death, is performed by using a pair of cold iron blades or scissors. This sentence is only delivered by Hags, for only them can properly do it without burning their hands. Clipped fey are often casted aside by their kind and most take their own lives shortly after. Those who don't usually leave their community or even the Feywild altogether and pass as elves or half-elves. This permanent clipping of the wings is one of the reasons some fairies left the Feywild and became Domestic Fairies.

When a fairy's wings are badly damaged, it becomes difficult to fly properly before they fully heal. When they are destroyed, it becomes impossible and it then takes some time before they regenerate and grow back. A fey who got their wings clipped permanently can regain them by the means of powerful magics. Few methods are know, but it is said that some Hags know of these techniques. These wicked fey crones know that these magical techniques are extremely precious to their kind and thus, keep them a secret or pretend not to know.

 

Exploration and Adventure

It is rare that fairies will leave their world or home to adventure. When they do so, it's usually out of wanderlust, curiosity, tantrum or banishment. With the gift of a long life, fairies can wander around the world to explore and discover. Individuals that are more inclined to good often act as judges or morality. These fairies will be attracted to act as servants of justice or vengeance. Some even seek to become godfathers and godmothers. Those who are less inclined to do good often work for their own benefits or for their court, to extend their queen's influence and reach on the mortal world or to gain power for themselves. They roam the world in search of sensory experience, be it food, music, fabrics or love. In some rare case, they will settle down with mortals and give them children, often under some various conditions which, throughout history, led to many legends and fairytales.

 

Fairy Names

Fairies age at a pace similar to humans and are considered adults by their kind when they reach the end of what they call their flower years, about 18 years in human age. They then age at an incredibly slow pace for centuries to come.

When they finish their flower years, fairies pick a ''flower name'', a name they will use when interacting with non-fairy folk so they cant hold sway over them. Flower names, despite the name, are not limited to flowers and vegetation. It can also be a human name in Common language so that many can pronounce it.

As for their other name, fairies use either Sylvan for their first name and sometime a combination with Elvish and Sylvan for their last name when they choose one or have one. Fairies often name their children out of phonetic preferences. The more beautiful it sounds to an individual, the more likely they will pick it for their offspring or themselves. Some Sylvan fairy names are similar to Elven names by their sound and how they are written.

Female Flower Names: Primevère, Gwenaëlle, Maëlys, Nolwenn, Aziliz, Tumet, Amaryllis, Yazbaltrine, Maden, Morgana, Mélusine, Maedb, Méïlyr, Mevanwi, Guenièvre, Rose, Lilac, Lily

Male Flower Names: Gaël, Hyacinth, Jasmin, Erwan, Lenaïc, Ivain, Gauvain, Lys, Gwenaël, Hydrangée, Narcisse, Maden, Lupin, Ferréole, Obéron, Mordred, Lotus, Cedar, 

Male Names: Aguariel, Gloriel, Veshariel, Deipnon, Kléophel, Meïdaverel, Sheaderil, Bolkarion, Velmeneril, Yélérae, Solestiel, Berrial, Sovélion, Daélorill

Female Names: Shavira, Milneria, Calpernia, Imshari, Valmareh, Shatraya, Ashabelloré, Vishtaya, Najireh, Primaya, Kléophé, Solestia, Madavera, Naïvérala

Subrace

Fairies can belong to one of four factions called Courts. Each have their own agenda, politics and at some extent, cultural differences. The Seelie are perceived by outsider as the good ones and the Unseelie as the bad ones. But reality is more complex. Their nature cannot be placed orderly in a box.

 

The Summer Court: Fairies of the Summer Court are chivalrous, brave, bold and they tend to be more serious than fairies of the other courts. They are moved by the ideas of justice and heroism. Summer Court fairies are also the most warrior like of the fey. They fend off evil creatures that deface the beauty of art and nature and are the most prone to help dwellers of the material plane. Some Summer Court Faye make it a goal to become godfathers or godmothers for mortal children with promising destinies. They are most active when the dawn ends, throughout the day and up to dusk.

The Spring Court: Fairies of this court are the most child-like in the way that they are the most care-free and spontaneous of the fey. They are joyfull, kind hearted, optimistic and open minded. Their curiosity knows almost no bound and it can lead them to either trouble or friendship. Spring Court fairies aren't drawn to art as much as the Winter and Summer fey for they prefer the wonders of nature like fields, stables and the company of farmers and shepherds. Spring Court fairies represent new birth and life. They are at their best at the first light of dawn when dew drops are still fresh.

The Autumn Court: The Autumn Court fairies are considered the wise one's in fey culture and society. Even if their place is in the Unseelie, they aren't much prone to trickery, not as much as the other seasons. Autumn Court fairies are generous, wise, caring and calm. Their community is important and is the center of their culture. Autumn Court fairies tend to leave food for people lost in the woods or help them by finding their way. Considered the wises of the fey, fairies of other courts sometimes seek their advice. As wise as they are, they tend to be stuck in their ways, trusting more in the lasting traditions than in innovations and novelty. Autumn fairies are at their best when the sun fades, when the sky turns into bold colors and when the first stars start to shine.

The Winter Court: Fairies of the Winter Court are like a dark reflection of the summer fairies. Chivalry becomes conquest. Justice becomes prideful honor. Even if they love to cause mischief, they still abide by the same rules as all other fairies. As such, they never brake a promise or ignore an engagement. Like their summer counterpart, fairies of the Winter Court love art, romance, intrigues and political games. Some of these fairies see other fairies as less important and non fairies as unimportant. The individuals are at their best at night, after sunset and before sunrise and when the moon is full.

Domestic Fairies: This name is manly used by members of the courts to describe and talk about fairies who do not belong to any faction. These fey live mostly on the material plane and appreciate mortals, especially humans, gnomes and halflings. They often take home in larges rocks, rivers, ponds, large trees and hills and, rarely, inside homes. Domestic fairies take care of barn animals, protect crops, take care of cleaning in exchange for either food or drinks and sometimes small trinkets. They are generally benevolent unless the mortals around them show them disrespect. In that case, it isn't rare that they make milk go bad, preventing hens from laying eggs and crops to grow properly. Domestic fairies aren't as impacted by seasons or time of day. As such, they are generally comfortable in any situations.

Fairies (Fey) Traits

Your fairy character has a variety of natural abilities that hail from the magic inside them, their bond to nature and their court.

Ability Score Increase

Both your Dexterity and Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

From the moment of their birth, fairies age at the same rate as humans do. When they reach the end of their flower years, about 18 years old, their physical shape ages at an extremely slow rate. 

Alignment

Fairies are at their best when they can express their emotions and desires, making them lean generally toward chaos. Some summer fairies can show aspect of Law and Good. Autumn fairies also share summer's goodness while sometimes preferring neutrality than chaos. Fairies of the Spring Court are generally almost chaotic and good, as they incarnate these traits the most. Last but not least, winter fairies are generally chaotic and neutral, while the highest members or their hierarchy tend toward Law, evil and neutral.

Size

Fairies range from about 5 to over 6 feet. They can posses a slender, athletic or muscular built. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

Beautiful large wings adorn your back, falling down to your ankles or feet. They seem to be part of your clothing or as a cape to other non-fey. They give you a flight speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor or armor made of iron or steel.

When you are submerged in water, you can move to half your flying speed to move freely as if you were gliding through the water.

When the wings of a fairy are badly damaged, they can only fly half their flight speed and loose the ability to flow through water. It then takes 2 weeks to regenerate to their full splendor.

When the wings of a fairy are destroyed by other means than permanent clipping, it takes three months for them to grow back to their full splendor.

Aspect of Change

You can change your body from male to female or from female to male after you took a long rest. You can only use this feature once per week. You must keep your general proportions, meaning you cant be much smaller or much taller than your original shape. You curves, musculature and such other details can be altered at will.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and 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.

Silver Tongued

You have proficiency in the Performance and Persuasion skill.

Fey Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Midsummer Dreaming

Fairies can sleep but they don't need it. Instead, they can enter into a deep meditative state, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “mid-dreaming.”) While in this state, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common, Elvish and Sylvan. Sylvan is fluid, flowy, almost singing. It is similar to Elvish but the vowels are more pronounced and articulated. The sound of Sylvan has an almost bewitching effect on the non-fey. Their songs, poems and ballads can be soothing and relaxing and other times peppy and rhythmic without loosing its fluidity. Bards often seek fey creatures to learn Sylvan in hope of adding that mesmerizing quality to their craft.