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Fasd

Fairy (Art by Sandra Duchiewicz)

Did you honestly believe that I would be some small, diminutive thing that gives people favors? Well, you certainly seem uneducated in the true ways of the fairy. Allow me to educate you.
~ An unidentified fairy to an unfortunate human.

A Fairy, also known as Faeries, Fae, or Little People, is a type of mythical creature in European folklore often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural. While they are commonly believed to be sweet and innocent beings, they are in fact, far from it. Fairies of folklore were vicious, vindictive and cruel; embodying forces of nature and often appearing as monstrous figures rather than the winged pixie-like beings we associate the word with today.

Appearance[]

Fairies are generally described as being humanoid in appearance and having magical powers, though they often come in varying shapes and sizes. Nonetheless, they are regularly touted as some of the most beautiful creatures known in the supernatural world. Diminutive fairies of one kind or another have been recorded for centuries, but occur alongside the human-sized beings; these have been depicted as ranging in size from very tiny up to the size of a human child. Even with these small fairies, however, their small size may be magically assumed rather than constant. Some fairies though normally quite small were able to dilate their figures to imitate humans. They are ornately painted and represent the most prominent aspects of their domains

Fairies were a species scientifically known as either Homo sapiens sidhe or Trans stellaris, which mostly looked identical to normal humans, but with notable differences. As Homo sapiens sidhe, fairies were taller than humans, possessing ethereal wings, big black eyes, pale skin, and hair resembling the color of various aspects of nature. As Trans stellaris, fairies were smaller than humans, possessing light green skin, and six eyes positioned in two vertical columns. After losing their names, they also lost their true form, resulting in them undergoing changes in physical structure when unobserved and often resembling animals. As such they create carapaces similar to that of insects, and ones that hide their true forms underneath which can only be exposed when one speaks their true name.

Overview[]

Fairies were said to have inhabited the spiritual realm before humans ever set foot on Earth, or perhaps even before humans were created as a whole. Their true origins is largely shrouded in mystery as even a majority of the fairies themselves are unsure of where they came from or who created them, although several implications point towards the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Irish pantheon of gods, who created the fae race from "stardust" to be their assistants or servants in mending and overseeing the development of nature itself. Oberon and Titania were said to be among the greatest of the fae created by the gods (another account states they were one of the Tuatha Dé Danann) but defected from their ruling as they believed they could explore their potential more without being limited to what the gods told them to do. As such, they set out to make their own kingdom with themselves becoming rulers.

Several of the fae followed Titania and Oberon while many others split apart in different factions across the world, becoming the different species of fae known in the supernatural world and gaining different names and monikers by the indigenous humans they encountered and wrote about in their folktales, although some of these fairies had different origins. Fairies usually looked at humans with contempt and amusement, as their bodies could easily be broken and their minds easily shattered. This gave birth to the fairies told of in traditional lore. Fairies of folklore were blamed for all manner of mischief and ills, ranging from petty vandalism and theft to outright murder and kidnap and they would frequently be blamed for causing livestock to grow sick or die, they would lead travelers astray at night or lure men to their doom near ponds and rivers and if sufficiently angered they would even kill.

Fairies could kidnap women, children or men as they saw fit, often at times replacing infants with Changelings. But more frequent targets of fairies were travelers and musicians as many Fairies were said to love song and dance. Legends speak of the dangers of such merriment as many mortals have been captivated by a troop of fairies dancing,  although not particularly an act of malice these fairies would often spirit the captivated mortal away to the "other world" to live with them, often never to be seen again by mortal eyes.

Hierarchy[]

The fairies came in several distinct types, which are often separated into courts. While most believe that the fairies are ruled by only two courts, that being the Seelie and the Unseelie, there are actually six courts with numerous chiefs whom act as the ruling body of the fae race. These chieftain fairies would distinguish themselves by wearing a ring of gold, called a "circlet", around their head.

elves were often said to be "archfae" compared to the regular fae like the typical fairies. The fae offspring of Titania and Oberon are likened to demigods and are also said to be worshipped in some form or another by the fairies.

The most feared and malicious were the Unseelie Court who would often attack and harass mortals without cause or reason. They consisted of Redcaps, Goblins, Hags and other malicious spirits. Out-with the Unseelie Court were other fairy troops and individuals, such as the Seelie Court, though these were more amoral in regards to mortals they were still greatly feared and ruled in a manner not unlike that of ancient gods namely with vengeance and fear.

Fae Courts[]

  • Seelie Court: Seelie means "blessed" or "holy" These faeries tend to be more benevolent & will always repay favors, but they also avenge insult. They are prone to mischief and the word "silly" comes from their name. They are typically kinder & have a brighter disposition.
  • Unseelie Court: The Unseelie Court is typically viewed as the opposite of the Seelie court. They are more malicious and nearly always unfavorable to humans. These faeries are not always evil but they tend to prefer harming rather than helping. Unseelie faeries like to travel in a group at night and assault travelers physically, mentally, and emotionally, especially if they are spiritually ignorant.
  • Spring Court: The Spring court is subordinate to the Summer court, and they share key values. Spring court fae are very focused on nature, growth, and life. They are cheery, peppy, and calmer than the Summer court. They embody the qualities of Spring.
  • Summer Court: The Summer court gains power at the Spring equinox. They represent mature life and their focus is on sustaining life, making more pragmatic decisions than the Spring court. They tend to be more arrogant and are capable of cruelty, but are polite well-mannered.
  • Autumn Court: The Autumn court is subordinate to the Winter court. They are associated with death and decay and are as equally malevolent as the Winter court. They do a lot of the "dirty work" and trooping for the Winter court. They believe in the expressing of all emotions.
  • Winter Court: The Winter court gains power at the Autumn equinox. They epitomize the qualities of Winter. They tend to be more malevolent, but view life and death both as important forces. They are sensible and calculating with a darker disposition. They can be quite cruel.

Not much is known about their religion, apart that they worshipped some deities such as Gaia, but more notably Titania who they revere to as the Goddess of the Stars and Oberon her King Consort and the "Lord-Father" of all the fairies. Although Gaia was the central figure in their religion, the Faeries favored Cernunnos over her. It is implied that fairies also worshipped the Leshy as their guardian.

While most fairies seemed to exist in the continent of Europe, some live in Africa, such as Jengu in West Africa, Peri in the Middle East and Dokkaebi in Korea.

Types of Fairies[]

Gallery[]

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