Fae

Fae

At first glance, the Fae are often mistaken for elves due to their similar appearance—pointed ears and generally graceful features. However, upon closer inspection, several key differences become apparent. Fae ears are much longer, thinner, and slightly curled. They are also shorter than the average human and possess more rounded facial features, with luminous eyes that seem to faintly glow in low light.

Fae have slender, agile bodies, often quite muscular, and the women have pronounced curves, similar to many other races. They are easily recognizable by their unique traditional forms of body painting. These painted lines, typically in shades of green or blue (though red, yellow, and brown are also seen), are drawn in sweeping, connected patterns meant to channel and unify their internal energies. Their clothing is distinctive—minimalist yet functional—woven from grasses and vines, and decorated with preserved flowers, insect carapaces, and animal teeth or bones.

Anatomy and Lifecycle

Fae are mammalian omnivores, with internal physiology nearly identical to humans and elves. They exhibit mild sexual dimorphism, with males tending to be slightly taller. Their natural build is lean and wiry, well-adapted to forest life. Their diet primarily consists of meat, nuts, and fruit, but they are also specialist foragers, having deep ancestral knowledge of natures edible plants and herbs, as well as mushrooms.

Females are only fertile during the spring, giving them a narrow reproductive window of roughly three months each year. Gestation lasts about thirteen months, and they experience a six-month period of post-birth infertility. As a result, Fae reproduction is slow and spaced out, with most individuals bearing a child only once every two to three years.

Fae, like many of the Mystic races, age slowly, reaching adulthood around the age of thirty.

Lifestyle and Society

Fae live in small, nomadic forest tribes led by the eldest couple, who act as tribal elders and arbiters. They live communally, raising children together and sharing resources freely. Monogamy is the cultural norm, and Fae strongly value lifelong partnerships.

It is not uncommon for individuals to bond with members of other tribes. In such cases, one will join the other’s group, typically whichever has better foraging territory. Occasionally, a tribe may split if it grows too large to function efficiently, though this is rare due to the Fae’s low reproductive rate and stable populations.

Magic and Mysticism

Fae, as one of the mystic races, posses strong magical abilities. Their talents are strongest in healing and protective magic, which are deeply respected within their culture. Particularly gifted individuals may develop nature-based abilities, such as plant manipulation or communication with nature, and especially its animals. Proficiency in these abilities elevates their status within the tribe.

Hunting and Defense

Fae are adept hunters, especially with bows and spears, and their stealth in dense woodland is unmatched. However, they are not a warrior people and do not maintain standing militias or formal martial traditions. Inter-tribal conflict is rare, and most tribes keep to their own territory, only meeting others for shared festivals or ceremonial gatherings.