Written by The Only Cobra
There are beings of wonder, whimsical in demeanor and frail in stature. Such pretty things yet their power is a miracle. Fluttering beings, each as unique in appearance as they are in personality. They have the power to stave off death itself; a rare few have even stolen souls back from it. This cosmic overreach is the foundation of these fairies’ existence, and their society.
Long ago, when Life gazed upon the firstborn races fighting amongst themselves, They wept at the horror. So many precious souls departed so soon, They could not remain idle. Shortly after the war, the battlefield quickly became overgrown, corpses of the elves and humans reclaimed by nature, their blood drunk by the soil. From this, a great flower grew. The elves gathered to marvel at this strange phenomenon, not knowing of the creation being witnessed. The flower bloomed red, its petals blocking the sun. It swiftly lightened in hue, curling in on itself; it appeared to turn into a bud. Then it unfurled once more, and thousands of floating sprites were shot into the air, cascading down on the viewers. These sprites soon sprouted wings, moving at their own accord. Mirthful sounds echoed in the valley—a new race had been born.
The wounded amongst the elves felt their pain numb, felt their aches ease. Canes were dropped and bandages stripped. They bid farewell to pain and rejoiced. They cheered as a few of the recently felled had risen from their final sleep. The power of these fairies was remarkable—the elves sought a way to repay their kindness. Quickly, the fairies asked for knowledge, for they knew little of their world. So they were taught to make pretty little things, and whisper their needs to nature so that they may be provided. Thus the elves and fairies have an everlasting kinship.
All was not well, for after the powerful fairies resurrected the fallen Death took that personally. Unbeknownst to the fairy folk, they had been cursed, in frailty and candor. As brittle as a butterfly, as feeble as a mouse, they only had their quick flight and wits to aid them. Their healing magic was often not enough to save themselves, as a simple blow that would daze a human would shatter them. Their ability to cheat death, now rendering them unable to knowingly lie to another soul. Despite the elves’ pleading for their newfound kin to stay, so that they may be protected, the fair folk chose to hide their beauty, keeping to the dark recesses of the thickest woods, and are slow to trust.
Fairies are around 2 feet on average, but some are even as tall as humans. They have lithe, tiny bodies, their heads thin like the rest of their form. They have two eyes, similar to that of a human’s, but larger for their face. Their skin ranges in hue of the human spectrum and floral tones. Their wings and skin both have patterns unique to the individual. However, families show resemblance. Their hair looks similar to a human’s or an elf’s, but lighter, so much so that it drifts aimlessly in the air. Their teeth are small and sharp, able to peel off the flesh of the fruits and skin. They are incredibly emotional creatures, their patterns lighting up in different beats representing their current mood. Despite their volatile moods, the fairies have their own logic that makes sense to them. One could learn it if they’d spent enough time around this eccentric race. Their voices are small like a forced whisper. Which is why faeries prefer to communicate with each other using a whistling language that carries greater distances than their own spoken words could.
These tiny folk learned to adapt the lessons taught to them by their elven kin to their new domain. However, without a gift to designate one’s role, the faeries couldn’t sustain this system. Each fairy needed to learn how to support themselves and the skills required to do so. Soon academies were opened to share this useful knowledge for all their kin. These were fun, productive places where their young could dabble in each and every skill and academia they desired.
Fairies enjoy sweet foods and colorful things, especially if they shine in the light. Many of the young think the humans give each other “shinies” simply because of how pretty they are. With no concept of material wealth and commerce. Although they are perfectly capable of learning; the elves showed them weaving, so they weave with spider silk. They tasted wine, and learned to ferment their nectar. They care not for spiritual things, believing this life is for them to do as they please. They believe a person is measured by their deeds, and that the more remarkable someone is, the more attractive this makes them. While this is inherently true for faeries, they often believe this applies to other races, favoring the prettier folk they find wandering near their abodes, believing they are accomplished.
While these creatures learned much before they set out on their own, they quickly found that most of them lacked the gift of directly influencing nature as many of the elves did. They soon figured out that animals and wanderers alike are quite grateful when their otherwise painful or grievous wounds are tended, willing to provide favors in kind. These favors became the currency in which fairies used both amongst themselves and for outsiders. Since they cannot lie, every fairy holds true to their word, to the letter. They very much expect the same from outsiders, and punish them harshly should they stray from a deal.
Knowing now that death awaits them at every turn, these clever folk utilize their plentiful connections and binding deals to safeguard their home. Loyal beasts make their dens nearby, wildmen throw fairy hunters off the trail, larger folk build fairy homes, and are sworn to secrecy. These connections often last several generations. Although faeries did not inherit the elves' long lives, their children inherit all of the most treasured memories and people once the parent passes. Instinctively knowing the same folk as if they’d known them their whole lives. Through similar means, fairies recognize those they meet by their blood, and treat all of a bloodline as if one entity. It should be noted, their grudges are just as long-lived, passing on with every generation. From petty disputes to cruel betrayals, these little ones pay it back in equal measure. Unfortunately, this means an unsuspecting human who never met their father could be subjected to the vengeance of a cross-winged assailant.
Word quickly spread of the potent healing they possessed. Humans tried to find and bribe the fairies to come to their settlements, but fairies have no need for coin. Soon they sowed threats and coercion, to which the little folk laughed, for no one would find their home should they not want their company. Consequently, fairy hunting became a sort of sport for the humans. Using the sweets their elusive prey coveted, they crafted gilded cages that shone in the sun, latching shut when the bait was taken. Some were taken by desperate people, begging for their loved ones to be spared their illness. Others sought the riches nobility would pay for such a prize. In either case, the fate was the same. Each fairy would refuse to heal a single ailment, no matter what persuasions they were subjected to. Outright protesting their extortion; rather dying than giving these brutes what they sought. Many of their kind were lost in the initial wave, leaving a lasting mark of resentment for the humans that sought to use them. However, after generations without success, with not one of their desperate wishes granted, the demand for these blessed creatures faded entirely. Slowly fading into a children’s story of the stubborn caged healers.
While humans were the ones hunting them, there is another race that fairies fear: giants. One wrong step of a giant could mean half a fairy grotto destroyed. One wrong move could crush an entire family of them. The giants usually mean no harm, but harm is exactly what occurs. Conversely, fairies are small and irritating to the giants, with their shrill chittering voices and wild, sudden movements. Oftentimes taking considerable effort to find exactly where a fae may be hiding before one of their treats is stolen. Due to their mutual respect for elven kind, they mostly agree to keep their distance, appreciating the other from afar.