Alaiheu

Lesser Fae are diverse in nature, with features that closely mimic the wildlife closest to their region. Some resemble trees and may even disguise themselves as such; others, animals.   As such, Fae skintones will often look like their natural counterparts. Aquatic sets will have blue and green undertones; a fox Fae, for example, may have skin in a dull orange, while an oak Fae will have skin the color of bark, or a birch Fae white skin dappled with patterning. In humanoid form, most have two arms (although tree Fae may have up to four) and two legs, and are bipedal. Their body shape can range from tall and lean to short and fat.

Lesser plant Fae are capable of reproduction via pollination through their nature form, which will take place via the natural cycle of their closest plant counterpart's fruit cycle. See growth rate for the development of Lesser plant Fae from seedlings to maturity.   Lesser animal Fae will reproduce in human form, and often bear a gestation period similar to that of their closest animal counterpart even as they remain humanoid. Fae will generally only be able to produce offspring with another member of their animal subspecies.

A Lesser plant Fae begins as a seedling, which looks like a normal plant seed native to their parent's species. However, these Fae sprout at a rate independent from their native plant species. All plant fae will grow to sapling or bud within 2 - 6 months of planting, and will have become an adolescent by their first year of life. At the adolescent stage, the Fae will develop its shape-shifting abilities completely and be capable of taking a humanoid form. At this point, growth slows for the next two to three decades. A tree Fae is not considered truly matured until their fiftieth decade. They will be considered a senior at their second decade, and will likely die between the ages of 300 and 400.   Animal Fae develop at a rate more similar to humans. Growth rates will vary depending on race (a rodent Fae may be considered an adult by age 15, while a deer would be closer to 30), but all go through a 2 - 5 year long toddler stage, followed by another five years of adolescent. Depending on their natural counterpart, they will be considered a juvenile between the ages of ten and twenty; the youngest will be adults by fifteen, while the oldest will not be matured until they are thirty. Animal Fae may live to be 100 - 200.

Fae will flourish in any rural or uncultivated habitat. As mentioned, they may merge with (as some plant Fae do) or shift into their counterpart species. Generally, they do not stray from their native habitats, where they will remain to protest the natural environment from outside interference or invasive species.   Few Lesser Fae reside in the wintery north, as they seem to stick exclusively to forest species. However, some have been observed in the mountain ranges and fir forests. These Fae are fiercely independent and protect their habitat with much more harshness than their warmer counterparts.

Plant Fae feed through photosynthesis; animal Fae will hunt and forage in their animal forms, depending on what dietary needs their counterpart species requires.

Lesser Fae are most active during the blooming period, during which they breed, blossom, and sprout. They are most dormant in the middle of the harvest season, when many animal species enter a month-long period of hibernation.   The raining season is used primarily for growth and cultivation. It is in the middle of this season when Fae are at their most likely to interact peacefully with humans, as they are neither preparing for their dormant periods nor attempting to reproduce.

Lesser Fae answer entirely to the beck and call of Grand Fae. Tree Fae, however, are considered superior to animal Fae, who are in turn superior to flower Fae.

Most common in the South and West forests and the Eastern coastline. Little is known of mountainous and Northern Fae.

Sentient and capable of speech, bargaining; slightly less intelligent than humanity

All have some degree of shape-shifting capabilities between a nature form and a humanoid one. They may have strong influence over the natural elements around them if it is their native habitat, and may put glamours on their speech to influence the listener.   They do not speak Arcane and cannot form the words.