Homebrew Archfey Species Details

Fey Bloodline

Like most of their parents, the children appear vaguely human. However, their fey heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. All Archfey have extremely long, slightly curling pointed ears, much longer than those of elves. Considered the height of grace and elegance most Archfey and their children are tall and slender.  Do not let their smaller frames fool you, Archfey are quick and deadly in close quarters. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are uncanny, some mismatched in color, some with the colored sclera, and some have irises that are entirely black with no discernible pupil. Their skin tones can vary from the normal range of human color to green, purple, or in rare instances, blue. Their hair is likewise uncanny, tending to grow faster than that of other creatures, reaching terminal length at ankle length when straight, and coming in any color.

Born into Chaos

Archfey children are rare and precious to their Archfey parents. When Archfey are born into their court it is common for their parent to keep a close eye on the child as they grow. In the Fey Wild, Archfey children are raised close to their parents especially those born to nobility, learning the ways of the chosen court, and living in their parent's shadow. Archfey on the Material plane are often mistrusted, called changeling, and regarded with suspicion and in some unfortunate cases, maybe attacked or exorcised.

Forests call to the Archfey, and in times of distress, Archfey often feels an impulse to dive into the nearest copse of trees or thicket. If an Archfey child goes missing, it is often a good idea to check the woods, where they are often found curled in the boughs of a conveniently shaped tree, nestled in the hollow of an ancient tree which no one remembers, or sleeping unharmed in a nest of brambles. As adults, Archfey might become uncomfortable in a place of industry or somewhere without trees or other lush vegetation.

Archfey Names

Archfey names vary based on where and how they were raised. Raised on the Material Plane, they often have names based on the culture in which they were raised. In the Fey Wilds they are often named in Sylvan by their Archfey parent as a placeholder, and later choose their own name when they reach adulthood.

Archfey are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world.

Exploration and Adventure

Archfey take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society, which is regimented from day to day but constantly changing over decades, so they find careers that let them travel freely and set their own pace. Archfey also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and others might become champions of moral causes.

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.

 

 Archfey Traits

Archfey shares certain racial traits as a result of their fey descent.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Archfey matures slightly more slowly than humans and reach maturity at 40 years old. Archfey doesn't generally die unless they are killed.

Alignment

As children of Archfey, tend to be very chaotic.

Size

Elegant and graceful Archfey stand anywhere from 5'9 --7 feet tall Archfey are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your fey ancestry, 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.

Fey Resistance

You have resistance to being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

Fey Legacy

You know the druidcraft cantrip. When you reach the 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the [spell]misty step/spell] spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Silver-Tongued

You have proficiency in the Performance and Persuasion skill.

Languages

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

 

Archfey Traits

Your Archfey character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of refinement.

Silver Tongued

You have proficiency in the Performance and Persuasion skill.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry

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

Trance

Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, 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, Sylvan, and Elvish.