Homebrew Fey Species Details

"He introduces himself as Áed, although you suspect it is merely a nickname. Then, holding out a hand, he asks, 'And your name, please?'

There is your grandmother’s warning at the back of your head: names give power over people. The Fæ is asking you to literally give him your name, and who knows what he’ll do with it - he might as well use it to take you away, like he surely did to Nimia. To all the people who have never been seen again. To your own mother, two years after you were born, even though she was too clever to be caught by a Fæ’s trick.

So you remain quiet, watching him with wide eyes, until his own stare darkens, and he shakes his hand under your nose.

'Your name, little one.'

You pull yourself together. He might curse you if you don’t answer. You gather your courage, and, with the spontaneity of children who have freedom in their veins and do not bend to rules, you stretch out your hand back without touching his.

'I am sorry, lord Fæ. I haven’t heard you very well. Can you give me your name, please?'

He looks at you with surprised amusement. “Oh, well played, little one. You’re clever. Just for this one, I will let you go.'"

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Sharp Edges Hidden Under Soft Clothes

Often dressed in soft, flowing fabrics, one might mistake a fey for a noble child at first glance. However, this mistake rarely lasts long. Every edge of the moss skinned fey is sharp even when disguised to be beautiful. Their hair is rough and tangled with leaves and branches more often than not. Their eyes seem to look nowhere and everywhere with no iris or pupil, only a faintly glowing, brightly coloured sclera. 

Smiling, Mouth Closed To Hide Sharp Teeth

Fey go out of their way to seem kind almost always. They offer promises and gifts. However, one should always be cautious when dealing with fey, because this kindness is rarely more than a smoke screen. In the feywild, the fey have their own sense of moral and honour codes that seem indiscernible. Even when they are not purposefully cruel, their actions are regularly harmful to mortals.

Wild But Ruled Strictly

While individual Fey are chaotic in nature, there are strict rules within their world. Fey are born from trees in the feywild. Families form from Fey born of the same tree, and the eldest among these families will name newborn fey. While they have this sense of unity, family members are often mistrustful of each other as they all know each others full names. 

Beyond tree families, are the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. All Fey are ruled by the Seelie Queen and Unseelie King, who choose other Fey to be members of their courts. The Seelie Queen and Unseelie King meet at the equinoxes and solstices and are bound for life. They will die at the same time and are expected to choose successors before that happens.

Names

Fey names sound ancient and strange to mortal ears. This helps them simultaneously stand out and have their name forgotten or remember incorrectly. Their family names are of the trees that birth them. As well, all fey have at least one secret name that they will not share unless the situation is dire. These secret names often seem familiar to mortals as the characters of fairy tales.

Male Names: Áed, Amon-hen, Banazîr, Blazh, Dunharrow, Faloth, Olos, Temür

Female Names: Drû, Eärrá, Inqua, Kinn-lai, Lairë, Meril, Parma, Valwë

Family Names: Acacia, Cedar, Fig, Juniper, Larch, Mallorn, Oak, Yew

Secret Names: Aelin, Alice, Baba, Elsie, Hans, Holle, Jack, Maleen

Fey Traits

Your fey character has certain characteristics in common with all other fey.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Dexterity Score increases by 1.

Age

Fey mature during their second century, and live at least a millenia.

Alignment

Fey tend to be Chaotic, as many of them are tricksters at heart.

Size

Fey are between 2 and 3 feet tall and average about 25 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision

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 colour in darkness, only shades of gray.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. You can't be wearing medium or heavy armour in order to fly.

Power in a Name

You have advantage on all Charisma checks for beings whose full name you know.

Fey Blink

As a bonus action, you can move to the Ethereal Plane until the start of your next turn. When you return, you can move to an unoccupied space within 10 feet of where you vanished. On the Ethereal Plane, you can see up to 60 feet and in shades of grey, and hear the plane you came from. You can only affect and be affected by creatures on the Ethereal Plane, and creatures that aren't there can't perceive or interact with you unless they have an ability that allows it. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Fair Truth

When you reach third level, your fey blood matures and you can cast Zone of Truth. However, until the end of your next long rest you have disadvantage on Charisma (Deception) checks. You can still speak cleverly to imply untrue things as long as you do not outright lie. You regain the ability to cast Zone of Truth when you finish a long or short rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this trait.

Languages

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