RACE: Fae (Pronounced Fay)

NICKNAMES: Faeries, Shapers, Tree Folk, Little Folk, Changelings Derogatory Names: Pixies, Bone Gnawers, Lunatics, Wild Men, Leaf Eaters

CHARACTERISTICS: Like creatures from the dreamworld itself, the Fae occupy countless shapes and forms from the smallest beam of light to creatures of such alien beauty that entrance any traveler. They are beings which have emerged from a realm unlimited by possibility to take solid form. They can range from animalistic in appearance to humanoid. Generally speaking, the higher order of Fae, most of who are winged humanoids, possess greater intelligence while the lower order, such as wisps who are no more than points of light, possess limited intelligence.

The Fae which are known to have the highest intelligence and who interact with most mortals tend to appear much like Elves, slender with pointed ear lobes, but smoother and more ethereal, as if they could exist without the bones and joints necessary for mortal creatures to move. Most of them have wings of various formations and don themselves in what the forest provides, or what they have stolen from others, as they are notorious for being attracted to shiny or beautiful things and beings. However, they are a brash unpredictable lot who are as chaotic as the forces of nature themselves, easily offended, but can be generous if amused. They delight in mischief and are known for their pranks. A Faerie who owes you a favor is bound for eternity.

Fae are immortal, unless killed by unnatural causes, and can bare no children by other Fae, though on a very, very rare occasion, a Fae child might be born. Such a child is considered either a great blessing, or an ill omen depending on the stars. There were only a certain number of Fae created in the beginning, albeit this number is great. The greater number of their people exist in their native land while only a portion stay in the mortal realm. Some say their general sterility is the reason they sought to mingle with humans, but no one knows for sure and nobody is willing to ask, even if they could get a straight answer.

In recent times, there have been rumors of Fae children being sighted, but none have been able to trace the reason for this, nor discover whether the children are simply fae who resemble children, or actual young offspring. Still other types of Fae exist who have been corrupted by the forces of Shadow in the land. They have come to be called the Unseelie.

WEAKNESSES:
Fae are vulnerable to the metal iron, even in trace amounts. If a wound is inflicted by an iron weapon, the wound will be slow to heal and possibly become infected.

MAGIC: The Fae are creatures of pure magic whose bodies are vessels of great power. Fae instinctively understand magic and wield it without any prior training. Their forests teem with magic as do the ancient landmarks they guard which delineate the doorways to their native realms where they once repaired the Vale from the Rending. Where their magic exists, the forests thrive drawing rare enchanted creatures within their borders.

SOCIETY:
Fae come from a world between the dream world and the Vale. Their native land is a place beyond the mortal realm where time passes slower and they spend their days existing in euphoric harmony. However, when the Rending occurred, a fraction of their population took it upon themselves to heal the wounds in the fabric of the world left by the vengeful god, Shadow, and venture out into this new land. Their influence can be seen everywhere, from the glittering water spirits which keep rivers running clean and pure to the monsters that lurk in old ruins. In recent years, their settlements are mainly concentrated in forest villages where their people guard the borders dilligently. These villages are avoided by most races, but some have said that the Fae have begun to venture out to trade with others, hinting that perhaps the Fae have begun a process of blending in with the world instead of being apart from it. Even more intriguing, villages of supposed exiles have begun to spring up in areas away from their normal population centers hinting that perhaps there has been a schism between the native Fae and the ones who have settled in the Vale. Little is known about the workings of their native realm in order to make a comparison.

The longer the Fae stay in this realm, the more solidified they become, in spirit and form. In their native land, they are pure spirit, but in the Vale, they take on a form which is the most adapted to represent their own being and personality. Over the years, they forget their native land more and more, their beings 'corrupted' by the physicality of the mortal realm. The elders among them can see this change happening, still, the Fae are obliged to do as they please, for change is at the root of their being and the world shall run as Chaos dictates it, with free will and the natural cacophony of evolution.

OPINIONS OF OTHER RACES:
The Fae take great pleasure in fooling those of any race, particularly their descendents, the Elves, who have grown too formal and predictable for Faean tastes.


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