Fairies
Fairies are not native to this world, but some live here and many more visit from their original home: the Fae Realm. While they share physical similarities to elves in most ways except size and wings, fairies sleep, eat, and function more like other humanoids. How these or if these needs manifest in the Fae Realm is unclear.
Physiology
Fairies are tiny, elf-like humanoids that grow 11-14 inches tall.
Some fairies-- especially those born in this world-- can have plant-like features, including blossoming hair and green skin. Others may just enjoy the look and wear petal-like garments.
Fairies have no gender, they simply are fairies. Some prefer masculine or feminine pronouns, but this is due to personal taste rather than assigned factors.
Wings
1-3 pairs of wings sprout from a fairy’s back, giving them the coveted ability of flight. Flight is hard work, and some don’t master it past gliding. Others strengthen their wings enough to be able to fly upward without losing speed, make sharp turns, stop in a moment, or even hover.
Fairy wing types vary greatly, seemingly random, even among related fairies. Some reflect those of existing creatures, such as butterflies, bats, or dragonflies. Others have feathers or scales but may not look like bird or dragon wings. Some have shapes unique to the fairy themselves with designs and structures that only seem possible in the Fae Realm.
The size of a fairy's wings varies greatly, with no definite uniformity among them.
Eyes for more than sight
Fairies don’t see things like people do. Some fairies may see the purpose of an object instead of the object itself. Some fairies may sense the stories an object experienced instead of its beauty or value. The eyes of a fairy reveal more than color and familiarity, but can also miss something obvious to others.
Extra sensory input
Fairies have a pseudo sixth sense. Some call it an instinct. Some call it magic. The truth is, no one can define it, for its origins lay in the chaos of the Fae Realm.
Inherent magic
Some fairies came from the fae realm while others were born or raised in this world. Despite their origins, fairies as a people have a direct connection to magic, allowing some to have innate spellcasting. This innate magic can take many forms. Abilities such as granting manipulating sensory input, borrowing elements of the Fae Realm, and bestowing curses are a few of the many possibilities.
Those with fae blood may have this trait as well. Given their physical similarities (aside from size), some believe the origins of the elves involves fae bloodlines.
Extraplanar origins
Fairies may fly around within this world, but they are not from it. They always have an odd sense of otherness to them. Their motivations, logic, and priorities can seem nonsensical to terrestrial folk but completely understandable to other fairies.
Some fairies never shake the sensibility of the Fae Realm, giving them a strange duality of awareness and ignorance.
Lifespan
Fairies can live around 500 years, longer if they spend more time in the Fae Realm (even though time is technically different there).
A fairy can look old, but their bodies do not adhere to the rules of aging like others do. When a fairy passes naturally, it is as swift and gentle as a leaf falling from a branch.
Qualities:
- Tiny - Their minuscule size allows them to avoid obstacles that hinder most folk
- Flight - Most obstacles don't pose a problem, so long as they can fly over it
- Powerful wings - * High winds, zipping past enemies, and making tight turns is no longer a serious problem*
- Maneuverability - It takes serious work to slow a fairy
- Innate Magic: Invisibility - Defying logic and understanding, fairies can will themselves invisible for a short time
- Sixth sense - Fairies have the strange instinct to sense things that go otherwise unnoticed
- Naturally chaotic - Their Fae Realm origins allows them to function in overwhelming situations
- Captivating - Through social grace, strangeness, or some other means, fairies often captivate the attention of those they engage
- Resist intimidation - With nearly everything appearing massive, it is difficult to intimidate a fairy
- Unhindered - For good or ill, sometimes fairies can subvert expected outcomes to bring about chaos
Shortcomings
- Tiny - Despite their abilities, their minuscule size can prove problematic when dealing with big things
- Dependent on flight - Fairies are vulnerable when they cannot fly
- Bullied - Given their small stature, creatures can often push fairies around
- Poor temporal understanding - They have a horrible sense of time
- Otherworldly - Since the Fae Realm is fundamentally different, fairies can have difficulties navigating the norms of this world