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Encyclopedia of Fey
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-A-
Aka :
Mare, Trud Origin :
Germany Element :
Air Appearance :
a rather invisible but demonic creature that can penetrate a house by
sneaking into the smallest hole. Friends/Foes :
The Alp is an evil creature that may be attached to a witch who send it
to cause mischief Tricks
: He presses upon sleeping people so that they cannot utter a sound.
These attacks are called Alpdrücke (nightmares). Alps often ride
your horses during the night, and the next morning you can see how
exhausted they are. It is also believed that the alp crushes animals to
death. Magic
: When an alp is pressing against you, you can put your thumb in your
hand, and he will have to retreat. In Zwickau they claim that the alp
will go away if one invites him for coffee the following morning. They
can also be repelled with horse heads. When a nurse diapers a child, she
must make the sign of the cross and open up a corner, otherwise the alp
will re-diaper the child. There are some witches who can send an alp to
those they hate or are angry with merely their thoughts. He comes out of
their eyebrows, looks like a small white butterfly, and sits on the
breast of a sleeping person. If you say to an alp that is pressing upon
you, "Trud, come tomorrow, and I will lend you something!"
then he will immediately retreat and come the next day in the form of a
human, in order to borrow something. Or you can call out to him,
"Come tomorrow and drink with me," then the person who sent
him will have to come. Aka :
Ottermaaner Origin :
Netherlands Element :
Water Appearance :
Alvens have bodies that are so light that they are almost invisible.
They can travel through the air by becoming encased in a water bubble.
Occasionally they will show themselves while wearing the skins of
otters. Friends/Foes :
They cherish night-blooming plants and will harm any human who attempts
to pick or destroy them. Fish is their only known enemies, and they
prefer to live in water enclosures where there are none Lore :
They are water faeries who live in ponds, lakes, and rivers, but the
River Elbe is their principal home. Aka :
Death, the Grim Reaper, Father Time Race :
Psychopump Origin :
Brittany, Ireland, Cornwall and Wales Element :
Fire Appearance :
He is male dark, wearing a black-robed costume pulled up high about his
head and a large hat that conceals his face. He drives a black cart,
though some say it is really a small coach or even a hearse, drawn by
four black horses. When there are two many patrons, he is assisted by
two skelettons who hurl the copses into the cart. He is always preceded
by a cold gust of wind. Function :
collect the souls of passed-over humans Friends/Foes :
Ankou shows neither emotion nor personal interest in humans or their
lives. Aka :
Lucky Piggy Race :
Fairy pigs Origin :
Isle of Man Element :
Air Appearance :
pigs with long hairs Friends/Foes : flee
any human Magic :
are supposed to bring good luck if one is to capture it. Aka :
Water Lovers, Asrais. Origin :
Scotland. Element :
Water. Time :
completely nocturnal Appearance :
They have almost translucent bodies, and are often mistaken for sea
ghosts. When captured or exposed to sunlight they melt away into a pool
of water. Lore :
underwater Aka :
Attocroppe literally means "little poison head" Origin :
England Element :
Earth. Appearance :
a small serpent with arms and legs who walks upright Friends/Foes :
very malevolent Lore :
in woodlands -B-
Aka :ben-dith
uh momay or Mother's Blessing Race :
cross-breed of Goblin and Twlwwyth Tegs Origin :Carmarthenshire
country in Wales Appearance :
have the ill-disposition and ugly appearance of goblins, but the glamour
of faeries Friends/Foes :
do not enjoy the company of humans Lore :
live in clans in underground caverns Magic :
make people's lives unpleasant. Stealing cattle and children, killing
farm animals Aka :
Bogles, Peat Faeries, Mudbogs, Bog-a-boos, Boggies, Boggans Origin :
Ireland, England, Wales, Cornouailles Element :
Earth. Function :
guardian spirits of the bogs. Appearance :
solitary mud-covered creatures of very small size. Their bodies are
almost completely round, and their long spindly arms and legs look too
thin and weak to support the weight. They speak no known language and
grunt and slobber instead of speaking. Friends/Foes :
harmless but unpleasant. The Bogle focuses the majority of its ill will
upon those who are lazy, incontinent, or guilty of crimes. Like many of
the fae kind, both manifestations enjoy leading unwary travelers astray. Lore :
near peat bogs or mud holes. Aka :
Jenny Greentooth, the Greentoothed Woman, The Bean-Fionn, Ban-Shoan,
Weisse Frau Race :
Water Woman Origin :
Ireland. Germany and England. Element :
Water. Appearance :
a white gown who lives beneath lakes and streams and reaches up to drag
under and drown children at play or work near or in the water. Lore :
in dark lakes or on the banks of muddy rivers Magic :
drown those who displease her or hurt children but sometimes believed to
be protective of children, gives directions to lost travelers Aka : Washer of the Shrouds, Washer at
the Banks, Washer at the Ford, Cointeach, Cyhiraeth, Cyoerraeth, Gwrach
y Rhibyn, Eur-Cunnere Noe, Beansidhe, Bean Chaointe, the Bean-nighe,
Kannerez-Noz Race :
Washerwoman, death spirit. Origin :
Ireland, Scotland, Germany Element :
Water. Origin:
The bean-sidhe (woman of the fairy) may be an ancestral spirit appointed
to forewarn members of certain ancient Irish families of their time of
death. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major
Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys
and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list. Appearance :
Whatever her origins, the banshee chiefly appears in one of three
guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a raddled old hag. These
represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death,
namely Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain. She has very long, flowing hair
and wear green dresses with grey cloaks. In Cornwall she is said to have
long black teeth. At times she is seen in lonely places, beside a pool
or stream, washing the linen of those soon to die, and folding and
beating it with her hands on a stone in the middle of the water. She is
then known as the Bean-nighe, or washing woman; and her being seen is a
sure sign that death is near. The Beansidhe's keening (mourning wail)
can also be heard at night prior to a death. In 1437, King James I of
Scotland was approached by an Irish seeress or banshee who foretold his
murder at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl. This is an example of
the banshee in human form. There are records of several human banshees
or prophetesses attending the great houses of Ireland and the courts of
local Irish kings. In some parts of Leinster, she is referred to as the
bean chaointe (keening woman) whose wail can be so piercing that it
shatters glass. In Kerry, the keen is experienced as a "low,
pleasant singing"; in Tyrone as "the sound of two boards being
struck together"; and on Rathlin Island as "a thin, screeching
sound somewhere between the wail of a woman and the moan of an
owl". The banshee may also appear in a variety of other forms, such
as that of a hooded crow, stoat, hare and weasel - animals associated in
Ireland with witchcraft. Lore :
dark rivers around big cities Magic :
In Mull and Tiree islands in Scotland, she is said to have preternaturally
long breasts, which are in the way as she stoops at her
washing. She throws them over her shoulders, and they hang down her
back. Whoever sees her must not turn away, but steal up behind and endeavor
to approach her unawares. When he is near enough he is to
catch one of her breasts, and, putting it to his mouth, calls herself to
witness that she is his first nursing or foster-mother. She answers that
he has need of that being the case, and will then communicate whatever
knowledge he desires. If she says the shirt she is washing is that of an
enemy he allows the washing to go on, and that man's death follows; if
it be that of her captor or any of his friends, she is put a stop to.
She can also be caught and mastered and made to communicate her
information at the point of a sword. Aka :
Our Housekeeper, Ban-tee or Ban-Teeg Race :
faery housekeeper Origin :
Ireland. Element :
Earth. Time :
from Samhain to Bealtaine Appearance :
small elderly women in old-fashioned peasant clothing, with kindly,
dimpled faces Friends/Foes :
very friendly to humans Lore :
human homes of their choice Magic :
Protection of home, children, and pet, and aid in household chores. They
love fresh strawberries and crea Aka :
CuSith, Barguest, Cwn Annw Race :
fortellers of death Origin :
England and Scotland. Element :
Water. Time : night Appearance :
a large black dog with yellow eyes, horns on his head and sharp fangs
showing himself to those who will die within a fortnight. See
Cailleac
Bhuer. Aka :
Hobgoblins, Bogans, Bauchans, Gobelins, the Boogey Man, Boogies, Padfoot,
Hobbers, Gobs, Blobs. Race :
Goblins, cousins of the Brownies Origin :
Scotland. Element :
earth Appearance :
a male dwarf with a squat and distorted form. Friends/Foes :
cousin of the Brownie but ill-tempered and greedy Lore :
squats sometimes houses that he utterly destroys. He especially loves to
eat smooth wood like a termite and to torment children. One of the best
ways to get rid of him is to ask the boggart to leave the house and stay
out as long as 'the hollies are green'. It will mostly likely take at
least two seasons for him to remember that hollies are always green and
that he has been tricked. His resulting anger most likely needn't be
feared as he will never be able to enter the house again. Quote : One wee little Hobgoblin Mark Shapiro
The
Wee Little Hobgoblin Aka :
House Brownie, Bogle, Hobs, Little Man, Nis, Domovoi, Dobie,
Killmoulis,Bookha, Bwca, the Highland Bodach, the Manx Fenodoree,
Chin-Chin Kobakama, Yumboes, Tomtra, Tighe, Fenoderee, Origin :
Scotland, Denmark, Russia, Canada and the United States Element :
Earth. Time :
nocturnal Appearance :tiny,
shaggy-looking man with wrinkled brown skin about 25 inches in height.
They wear little ragged suits of green, blue, or brown, and small caps
made of felt. Their ears are slightly pointed and they have long, nimble
finger. Friends/Foes :
their cousins are the Leprechauns. Roosters are the familiars of
Brownies. Lore :
Brownies like to adopt houses which they look after. They come out at
night to finish small chores, look over the cattle. If there is a lazy
servant in the home, he might choose to plague him for it. All Brownies
expect in return is a bowl of cream or good milk and a honey cake. Never
leave clothes and never leave too much food. They find this offensive
and will leave. Care should be taken not to criticize their work. Magic :
All household tasks and protection of home, family, and animals. They
can lend their energy to prosperity spells. As with other faeries,
should a human mistakenly offer them clothes in return for their labors,
brownies will cease their efforts and disappear forever In the islet of Cara, on the west of
Cantyre, the old house, once belonging to the Macdonalds, was haunted by
a Brownie that drank milk, made a terrific outcry when hurt, and
disliked the Campbell race. In the old castle of Largie, on the opposite
coast of Cantyre, which belonged to the same Macdonalds, there was also
a Brownie, supposed to be the same as the Cara one. Since the modern
house was built Brownie has not been seen or heard. In Cara he is still
occasionally heard. It is not known exactly what he is like, no one
having ever seen more than a glimpse of him. Before the arrival of
strangers he put the house in order. He disliked anything dirty being
left in the house for the night. Dirty bed-clothes were put out by him
before morning. Dogs had to be put outside at night, as he often killed
those left in the house. He was much addicted to giving slaps in the
dark to those who soiled the house; and there are some still alive who
can testify to receiving a slap that left their faces black. He tumbled
on the floor water-stoups left full over-night. A man was lifted out of
bed by him, and found himself `bare naked', on awakening, at the fire. A
woman, going late in the evening for her cows, found Brownie had been
before her, and tied them securely in the barn.
-C-
Aka :
The Blue Hag, Black Annis, the Stone Woman. Origin :
Scotland (Caillech is used when referring to the Crone Goddess) Element :
Water. Appearance :
an old woman who walks by night, wearing either black or blue-white
tattered garments. She carries a staff made of holly topped with the
head of a carrion crow. Origin :
Greece, Albania, and Italy. Element :
Air Appearance :
small, skinny, and nude trooping fairies who ride chickens. They wear
elaborate headgear on their raids and have the feet of various animals.
Some said they are partially or totally blind. Friends/Foes : Lore :
Yule Magic :
They like to foul fresh water, but a touch of hyssop is reputed to
counteract this, burning an old show will drive them away. Pork is their
favorite food. Aka : Callicanzaris,
Kontsodaimonas, Hosentefel, Gremlins, Leurre Origin : Greece,
Germany, Ireland, Scotland, France Appearance : an
imbecilic or deformed offspring of dwarves, elves, or faeries Function :The
changeling is supposed to replace the human child abducted by the Faerie
which explained why some babies borne as an idiot or a freak. Lore : in
the houses victims of such abduction Magic :
The return of the original child "may be effected by making the
changeling laugh or by torturing it; this latter belief was responsible
for numerous cases of actual child abuse". The changeling was converted into the
stock of a tree by saying a powerful rhyme over him, or by sticking him
with a knife. He could be driven away by running at him with a red-hot
ploughshare; by getting between him and the bed and threatening him with
a drawn sword; by leaving him out on the hillside, and paying no
attention to his shrieking and screaming; by putting him sitting on a
gridiron, or in a creel, with a fire below; by sprinkling him well out
of the maistir tub; or by dropping him into the river. Aka : Acorn
Lady and Melsh Dick. Origin : England. Element : Earth Appearance : Peg
is a woman and Dick is a man. Both are small dwarf faeries that wear the
peasant clothing of fifteenth century England. Their nature is very
capricious and they hate lazy humans. Function :
guard orchards and can terrify nuts and fruit thieves. Lore : Trees Aka : Monciello,
His Nibs Class : Leprechaun Origin : Ireland.
Italy. Element : Earth Appearance : The
Clurichaun is always drunk, but is impeccably well-groomed and
well-dressed. He also wears a red hat which may be made of plants. Function :
Guardian of the Cellar Lore : a
wine cellar Magic : will
prevent casks from leaking and wines from going bad, will chase away all
those who come uninvited by the master of the house. Occasionally he can
be heard singing Irish folk songs in the wine cellar. One of their
favorite trick is to ride sheep and dogs like horses in the moonlight. f
you ignore or mistreat him he will wreak havoc on your cellars and on
your home, and he will most definitely spoil your wine stock. Race :
Welsh Mine Goblin, cousins to the Cornish Knockers Origin :
Wales Element :
Earth Appearance :
These creatures using mining tools, are seen working industriously at
the seam faces. Function : The knocking
of their picks and hammers is lucky, a sign of heavy ore content.
-D- Aka :
Nix Dracae Race : Origin :
France,Germany, England Element :
Water. Appearance :
In their natural state Dracs appear as great floating purple blobs in
the surface of the water. But more often they are seen in the form of a
golden chalice or in female humanoid form. Function :
Dracs appear as beautiful women to lure human males. But more often,
when they play on the surface of water, they take the shape of a golden
chalice which they know will be highly attractive to avaricious humans.
When unsuspecting men reach down to grab the prize, they are dragged
under to the Drac kingdom. Lore :
They are sometimes found in damp, mossy caves and rocky outcroppings
near bodies of water. They are most populous in the English Channel, but
their former home of the Seine River, which was, until humans took it
over, their sacred kingdom. Race :
house spirits (A drake is also a western fire dragon) Origin :
England. Element :
Fire Time :
Night Appearance :
Benevolent and helpful, the only drawback to a Drake is that they do not
smell good at all. The odor they produce has been described as a cross
between rotten eggs and a dirty chicken coop. Function : Take
care of the fireplace Lore :
In Wood Piles, at hearthsides, and in deep woods with very old trees. Magic :
Aside from helping provide you with dry firewood, a Drake can lend
energy to any spell done in the fireplace Origin :
France, England Element :Earth. Appearance :
malicious dwarf faeries under two feet tall who wear lambskin jackets,
moleskin shoes and green hats. Function :
guard fairy paths and steer humans away from them, sometimes prey on travelers
and remove all directional signposts from a road. See
Red
Cap. Origin :
The origin of these beings is typically traced to the legends of
mythology. Later, the Gaelic and Norman peoples carried their traditions
to the British Isles. Description :
They are short, usually bearded and appear to be very old. Their aged
appearance seems to be caused by the fact that they reach maturity at
age three. Powers :
Mystical metal workers, dwarfs are at home amid their mountain forges.
Their knowledge of metal's properties, both physical and magical, is
legendary. Their work sells for astounding prices; their payment is
almost always made in gold or other magical treasures. Some of the most
famous weapons forged by the dwarves are the hammer Moljnir (Thor), the
lance Gungnir (Odin), the sword Durandal (Roland), the sword of Dooder
de Mayence and the cord that helped tied Fenfir. The dwarves' wealth is
best left untouched by humans. Tricks :
Those who reside in mines are more foul of temper than their mountain
brethren. Unless they receive offerings from their human counterparts,
they are known to sabotage efforts to extract earth's valuable minerals.
Their interference includes the breaking of tools and pulling down mine
roofs. Lore :
They exist mainly in the mountains of Scandinavia and in mines in
Germany Dwarfs prefer residing in communities to solitary lives.
Mountain dwarfs are typically organized in tribes or kingdoms, having chieftains
or kings, as well as dwarven armies. They are typically called
by the name Sidhe or Shee (Gaelic for "people of the hills").
One of their favorite indulgences in life is mead, of which they were
master brewers. Element : Earth Magic :
They are sensitive about showing their feet since they are usually
deformed in some way. If you are curious of their feet, the only way to
get an idea is to put flour, ash, or something of that sort in their
path and to look at their footprints. Dwarves can't be above ground
during the day since sunlight turns them to stone. Some say they exist
as toads during the day and assume their familiar dwarvish form at
night. -E- Race :Welsh
elves. Origin
: Cornwall and Wales Element :
Water. Appearance :
small inland lake faeries who transport themselves by riding on
eggshells. Their food is toadstools and fairy butter, a fungoid
substance found in the roots of old trees and in limestone crevices Function :
guardians of the Lady of the Lake Lore
: at the bottom of Dosmary Pool, a lake in Cornwall Aka :
Elb, Erl, Mannikin (Germany) Race :
Elves Elves is often used as a general term
for fairies especially in the XIXth anglo-saxon litterature. The king of
the elves, Oberon, and his wife Titania appear in some very important
works of medieval literature, such as Huon de Bordeaux and Shakespeare's
A Midsummer Night's Dream. In this section, we mainly deal with
the Celtic elf, even if we have incorporated features from other
cultures. There are quantities of descriptions that may vary from
Monstrous’, especially in RPG games. You may also be interested in how
Tolkien rendered the elfic concept in his own mythical saga. Read Lord
of the Rings. Origin :
Elves were a very mysterious race from the beginning of time. Later they
became supernatural beings, mainly shaped as humans. They were
worshipped in trees, mountains and waterfalls. Description
: Elves vary in size from 4'10" and 5'8". However, according
to their delicate bodies they seem much taller than they really are.
Often male and female elves are hard to discern, at first glance. Both
sexes usually have big, expressive eyes (in the most splendid colors).
They wear their hair uncut and open, have graceful, fragile features and
are of extraordinary beauty. Male elves also don't have any beard
growth. Very typical for elves are their pointed ears, and high
cheekbones. In modern descriptions, elves are either light or dark, the
light elves having starlike eyes, faces brighter than the sun, and
golden-colored hair; the dark elves are pitch black and have sometimes
fluorescent eyes, this quality being indicative of their dealing with
black magic. Both are attractive, in appearance at least. Elves prefer
greens and greenish-greys while dark elves prefer blacks, dark gray, and
sometimes silver. Species:
Dark or light, the elfic race is rarely seen and if so, elves only
appear on certain times and on special places in the untouched nature.
During the course of time elves moved to other places in the world and
in many tribes their spiritual shape was lost completely and elves
changed to beings consisting of blood and flesh. The light elves are a
peaceful, nature-loving who love beautiful things and often try
themselves in the arts of drawing and music. The black or dark elves are
also called "Drow". Beautiful, agile, proud, dexterous and
extremely deadly, they are the Drow, Elves of the underground. Very few
is know about them. Powers:
In comparison to humans elves are stronger in spirit and in limb and
have an exceptional constitution and endurance. When they grow older
they seldom get weaker, instead they become wiser and even more fair.
Elven senses, especially of hearing and sight, are much keener and
intense than those of Men and are highly resistant to extremes of
temperatures and also have several natural defenses against magical
influences. The long life-spans of elves may be accounted to one of the
main reasons that elves are very calm and patient in all their actions. Even if some elves are said to be
immortal, elves of all other tribes die a natural death after long
lives. The amount of years elves live indeed varies enormously, ranging
from 100 years to over 1000. It is also known that very often elves end
their lives of their own will when they see a necessity to do so or if
they think that their life's goal has been reached. Of course elves may
also die when they are wounded severely, but in general elves heal very
fast when they are tended to quickly. Death on the other hand is nothing
an elf fears. The fact of death is interpreted by the elves as a return
to nature. Lore:
Elves live in forests while dark elves live in deep underground caves.
In spring they are viewed celebrating the blossoms and during the summer
they swim in the rivers with their friends ondines. Elves usually settle
in dense forests or at wooded lakes and lead quiet lives without
interfering directly in other races activities and struggle for
domination. Aka :
Ellerkonge Race :
Death spirit Origin :
Germany. Denmark. Element :
Air. Appearance :
an Elf with a huge golden crown and expensively tailored clothing Function :
he appears only to the one about to die. Lore :
Valhallah Source :
Erlkonig by J.W. von Goethe; Franz Schubert Aka :
The males are called Hardmandlene, the females are called Erbiberli. Origin :
Switzerland. Northern Italy, Western Austria. Element :
Earth. Appearance :
These dwarf faeries have webbed feet. They wear hoods, smocks, and long
cloaks which always drape over their feet. Friends/Foes :
They used to be helpful to farmers, but now seem to dislike humans. See
Gnome.
-F- Aka :
Peg Leg Jack Origin :
Scotland. Element :
Air. Appearance :
He has only one head, one eye, one ear, one arm, one leg, one toe, all
centered directly down the middle of his hairy and feathered body. In
his one hand he carries a spiked club which he swings as he chases away
visitors from his home atop the highest Highland mountains. Friends/Foes :
He hates all other living things and chases them away with his
vicious-looking club. Lore :
Highland mountains Aka :
Follets Origin : Brittany Race
: lutins Function
: Guardians of treasures, they also help at home. Appearance :
little and funny creature of 30 cm, aristocrats of Fayriland Lore :
in Brittany under the dolmens or in warm houses during winter Aka :
Fee, Fey, Fada, Fae, Fata, and Fas. Origin :
Greece Element :
Air. Appearance :
tiny, winged seasonal faeries who are born teasers. These faeries have
four guises, one for each season of the year. They also love to dance
and play with the forest animals. Function :
aid plants through the seasons’ changes by doing little tasks like
shaking trees in autumn to help work loose the dead leaves and opening
blossoms on spring flowers. Friends/Foes :
capricious but never malicious. Aka :
Sea Gardeners, the Lady's Own. Origin :
Scotland, Cornwall and Wales. Element :
Water Appearance :
small human-like faeries Function :
gardening and taking care of the underwater world. Friends/Foes :
avoid humans Lore :
the lochs of Scotland Aka :
Rat Boys, Fear Durgs Race :
sub-race of the Formorians Origin :
Ireland. Scotland Element :
Water. Appearance :
fat, ugly faeries with dark, hairy skin and long snouts and tails which
give them a rat-like appearance. They wear torn and shabby costumes
which look as if they date to the Middle Ages and carry a shillelagh
(Irish walking stick), topped with a skull of unknown origin. Friends/Foes :
dangerous Lore :
Along polluted coastlines, swamps and in coastal ruins, damp baths or
marshes near the sea. They also enjoy the heat near human fireplaces. Aka :
Farm Faeries, The Harvesters. Origin :
The Isle of Man. Element :
Earth. Time :
they hibernate through winter. Appearance :
nude, covered with patches of brown, coarse hair, and in general are not
very physically appealing Friends/Foes :
help farmers, but they are not known for being very bright. Lore :
In fields that are either about to be cultivated or harvested. See
Pillywiggins. Aka :
Wind Knots, Salvanelli, Sumascazzo and Grandinilli Race :
Weather faeries Origin :
Sicily (Italy) Element :
Air. Appearance :
so small and light that they are practically invisible. Function :
Change the weather. They like to whip up wind storms which they can ride
on, or hail storms during which they can be heard laughing gleefully. Friends/Foes :
Folletti love to ride grasshoppers in a game which looks something like
a polo match Lore :
hollow oak trees Aka :
Formors. Race :
The Formorians were an early fairy race which conquered Ireland and was
later banished. They were driven into the sea by the Tuatha De Dannan,
and condemned to live forever as sea monsters. Origin :
Ireland Element :
Water Appearance :
The bodies of these giant demons were composed of a diverse collection
of twisted human and animal parts. Some had animal bodies and human
heads, some had only one leg and other four lags and two wings. These
Formori were believed to have existed before the Great Flood and were
skilled in the magical arts. Story : Their
leader was King Conan and the most evil was Balor whose venomous single
eye killed anybody instantly. The Formori were a warlike people which
defeated most of their adversaries before they were conquered by a new
brave race armed with golden spears and helmets, the Thuata de Danaan,
who slaughtered the whole race or turned them into sea monsters. Origin :
Norway. Element :
Water. Appearance :
smaller than humans, perfectly formed except for their feet, which tend
to taper off into a misty nothingness. They are expert harpers and have
beautiful singing voices. They appear as attractive, virile men and
women, which makes them very alluring to young humans. Function :
guardian spirits of waterfalls Friends/Foes :
their mood and intent is often unpredictable. Lore :
In and near Norway's waterfalls and fjords. Magic :
change in a heartbeat from one sex to the other. Origin :
Iceland. Element :
Air. Appearance :
A Fylgiar can only be seen by its human familiar just before the person
dies. Function
: familiar Friends/Foes :
was said to be the shadow familiar of children born with a caul over
their head. The Fylgiar serves this person, and it is believed that the
person also serves the Fylgiar while asleep or when making deliberate
astral projections. He also accompanies him to the Valhalla, the Nordic
Land of the Dead, when he dies and remains until the human soul is
comfortable and accepting of his demise.
-G- Race :
Pixie Origin :
Ireland. Scotland. Element :
Fire Time :
At night Appearance :
depicted as being very small (a few inches in height), with huge eyes
that curve upward on the ends and large pointed ears. They also have
small wings but prefer to move from place to place by dematerializing. Function :
guardians of home hearths. Friends/Foes :
They sometime help but have a tendency to play pranks. Enjoy drinking
fresh milk Lore :
Around a blazing fire at your hearthside. Aka :
Gillee Doo or Yoo Race :
guardian tree spirits Origin :
Scotland. Element :
Fire. Time :
At night. Appearance :
disguised as foliage Friends/Foes :
dislike human beings. People traversing enchanted woods must take care
not to be grabbed by the long green arms of a Ghillie Dhu, or they could
be enslaved into the service of the guardian forest spirit forever. Lore :
In trees, especially birch trees. Race :
wood Elves Origin :
Italy. Element :
Earth. Appearance :
They wear old-fashioned peasant clothing and large, pointed hats made of
animal skins. They are nearly always seen with small spinning wheel
spindles in their back pockets. Function :
They are master cloth weavers Friends/Foes :
very shy and scared about humans machines Lore :
In woodlands, especially enchanted woods in the forests of northern
Italy. Magic : Foretell
the future by scrying into their moving spinning wheels. Italian
folklore says that possessing a small piece of their woven cloth is a
powerful good luck talisman. Aka :
Griffith, Griffin, Gryphon, Geetoe, Phookas Origin :
Wales, Ireland Element :
Air. Time :
In fields at harvest time after sundown Appearance :
have the heads of horses and the bodies of goats, but speak and laugh
like humans. They have no wings but can fly for short distances. Friends/Foes :
Malevolent faeries Magic :
Gittos like to blight crops and claim for themselves all crops left in
the field after sundown on Samhain Aka :
Hawlaa, Howlies, Howlers Race :
goblin Origin :
The Isle of Man, Scotland Element :
Air. Time :
During storms. Appearance :
half cow and half horse. If the head part is a cow his is stupid; if a
horse, he is shrewd and cunning. Function :
appear during storms and probably raise them. Usually howl loudly just
before storms hit. Origin :
Scotland Element :
Water Function:
tutelary guardian of the site to which she is attached Time :
At night. Appearance :
She is a woman of human race, who has been put under enchantments, and
to whom a Fairy nature has been given. She wears a green dress,
but her face is wan and gray, whence her name Glaistig, from glas,
gray. As a monster she appears half woman and half goat. Friends/Foes :
The Glaistig lures men to dance with her before she feeds, vampire-like,
on their blood. Her nature is typically faerie-perverse for she can also
be benign and gently tend children or old people. She will also
sometimes herd cattle for farmers. Lore :
in castles and around houses and stables Gnomes are very widespread species,
known to a number of human races. Germans name them Erdmanleins, except
in the Alpine areas, where they are called Heinzemannchens. In Denmark
and Norway they are Nisse; Nissen is a Swedish variation. In Brittany
they are called Nains. Tontti to the Finns and Foddenskkmaend is their
name in Iceland. The Polish call they by the familar Gnom. Bulgaria and
Albania, however, use Dudje. In Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia,
Gnomes are called Mano. The Dutch use Kabouter and the Belgian, Skritek.
Switzerland and Luxembourg use the same name, Kleinmanneken, which means
"littlemen." Domovoi Djedoes is used in western Russia. Race :Gnomes
consist of a number of different types. The most common is the Forest
Gnome who rarely comes into contact with man. The Garden Gnome lives in
old gardens and enjoys telling melancholy tales. Dune Gnomes are
slightly larger than their woodland brethren and choose remarkably drab
clothing. House Gnomes have the most knowledge of man, often speaking
his language. It is from this family that Gnome Kings are chosen. Farm
Gnomes resemble their House brethren, but are more conservative in
manner and dress. Siberian Gnomes have been more interbred than other
Gnomes and associate freely with trolls. They are much larger than the
other types and have an infinitely more nasty nature. It is best never
to evoke the ire of such Gnomes for they delight in revenge. Origin :Originating
in Scandinavia, Gnomes later migrated to the lowlands some 1500 years
ago. Description :
Gnomes are usually an average of 15 centimeters tall, but with its cap
on it appears much taller. Their feet are somewhat pigeon toed which
gives them an extra edge on speed and agility through the wood and
grass. The males weigh 300 grams, and female is 250-275 grams. The male wears a peaked red cap, a blue
brown-green pants, and ether felt boots, birch shoes, or wooden clogs.
Around his waist is a belt with a tool kit attached, holding a knife,
hammer, etc. They are fair of face, though the boast rosy red cheeks.
Long beards adorn their faces and turn gray far sooner than their hair. The female wears gray or khaki
clothing, consisting of a blouse and skirt (to ankles). She also has
black-gray knee socks and high shoes or slippers. Before she is married,
she dons a green cap. Prior to marriage her hair in hanging
down, the outfit is complemented by a green cap and braids with which
later disappear under a scarf while the green cap is replaced by more
somber tones after she marries. Friends/Foes :Males
are the guardians of animal kind and show little preference for their
animal friends, not withstanding their aversion to cats both wild and
domesticated. They are known for freeing wildlife from man's traps and
for operating on farm animals whose owners have neglected them or who
are simply to poor to afford a veterinarian. Their enemies are mainly
Trolls, and other beings who would try to destroy them or their homes.
Otherwise, they are mostly peaceful beings. Lore :
Gnomes tend to live in hilly meadows and rocky woodlands. In Huygen's
book, it says they live in three trees, the house itself, with a hidden
entrance from another tree, and then a third is the supply room, with
grains, beans, potatoes and everything else the gnomes may need during
the winter. Powers :Most
Gnomes are 7 times stronger than a man, can run at speeds of 35 miles
per hour, and have better sight than a hawk. These abilities help the
Gnome to do many things, such as find wounded, dying animals for which
they feel they are responsible for. Because of their love for animals,
all the animals of the forest are the Gnome's friends and are willing to
help him at any time. Many people say that gnomes have elevated
practical jokes to an art form. But most especially they love gems and
jewelry and are considered by many to be the best gem cutters and
jewelers in existence Element :
Earth They are generally vegetarian and never
worry. The main meal consists of: Nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, beechnuts,
etc), mushrooms, peas, beans, a small potato, applesauce, fruit, berries
(all kinds), tubers, spices, vegetables, and preserves for dessert. As a
beverage, the gnome drinks mead dew (fermented honey), fermented
raspberries (which have a very high alcohol content), and spiced gin as
a nightcap. The gnome eats no meat, so often consumes the nectar of the
high protein plant called 'Vicia Sepuim'. fluffy willow catkins,
dressing them up like dolls. Source :
Wil Huygen's books, Gnomes, Secrets of the Gnomes and
The
Complete Gnomes Aka :
Hobgobs, Gobelins, Hob-thrush, Blobins, Bogles, Bogies, Brags, Boggarts,
… The word goblin is derived from the
Greek "kobalos" meaning rogue. The term goblin can apply either to the
ugliest members of the fae, or to certain sub-races. Those fae numbered
among the goblin subraces, include the Scottish Trows, English Spriggans,
Welsh Knockers, Cornish Knockers, German Kobolds and Wichtlein, the
Irish Phooka and even Shakespeare's infamous Puck . Origin :
England, Germany Element :
Earth, associated with Death Description :They
grow up to 30 cm and are covered with a thick coat of black/gray hair.
The Goblin is usually found wearing very dark colored cloths and a tall
cap similar to that of the Gnome. They can appear as animals. Friends/Foes :
Often portrayed as the villains and troublemakers of faerie, Goblins are
not truly completely evil. Though they seem to have no moral code of
their own, they are happy to enforce the one of their human hosts. The
miserly and lazy are apt to feel their pinch or find their rooms and
possessions in disarray. Tricks :
Goblins are pranksters, and are known for rearranging items in the
house, tangling horses, banging pots and pans, removing the clothes from
sleeping humans, knocking on doors and walls and even digging up the
graves to scatter the bones around. Mine goblins make knocking noises by
striking pickaxes and hammers against the stones. Some miners take the
resulting sounds as a sign of good luck, believing they indicate the
presence of rich deposits of ore. Other believe that they (Kobolds and
Wichtlein) just imitate the miners to fool them. As a death companion he
is sometimes accused to cause underground fires or warn for the coming
deaths. To avoid the Knockers' wrath, a pastie (traditional miner meal)
should be left for them. Lore :
The English Hobgoblin loves to live in homes where he makes much trouble
for the people who live there. Some other reside in mines where they
search for treasure/trouble. Still others of the family prefer grottos,
often residing in the same one for their entire life. Race
: Goblins Origin
: Wales Element
: Earth Appearance
: small men-like mountain faeries Friends/Foes :
sit amongst the rocks along mountain paths and stare evilly at those
passing by, creeping the travelers out.
-H- Aka :Hamadryads Race :
Dryads Origin :
Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Greece Element :
Air Time :
Daytime Appearance :
tree spirits who appear as living foliage Friends/Foes :
hate humans Lore :
In trees Magic :
For them to touch the earth at night is to vanish forever. Aka :
Moor Sprites Race :
Pixies Origin :
Scotland, England. Element :
Earth Appearance :
Pixies carrying golden auras and delicate translucent wings Friends/Foes :
attracted specifically to the moors and to the heather which covers them
enjoy spinning flax. See
Santa
Claus. Aka :
Huldras, Hulda, Dark Elves Origin :
Scandinavia. Element :
Earth. Friends/Foes :
hostile Lore :
in the burghs and damp caves in the many mountains of Scandinavia. Magic :
blight humans with deformities with a lick of their dark brown tongues.
Baldness or a crooked nose are their favorite tricks. Story :
there was once a farm girl who came across a woman giving birth in a
field. She helps her to deliver the baby and is rewarded with an apron
full of woodchips. Disgusted, the girl dumps them out and returns home.
Then a look at her skirt reveals that the chips still stuck to her apron
had turned to gold. She went back in search of the rest of the woodchips
but they had disappeared.
-IJ- Jenny Greenteeth Aka :
Peg Powler, Lorelei with green tresses Race:
water nymphs Origin
: England Element
: Earth Appearance
: a green water Hag with long hair and sharp teeth. Function
: These tales were meant to scare young children away from the
precarious banks of rivers and streams Friends/Foes : She
is fond of grabbing the ankles of those who stand too close to or wade
into the water and pulling them underwater to drown. Lore :
the River Tees
-K- Aka :
Uisges, Fuath, Shoney, Nickers, Nuggies, Goborchinu, Afanc, Endrop, Each
Uisge, Anthropophagi Race :
Water horses. There are two kinds: the horses of the sea (Hippocamps)
who serve Poseidon and the lake or river horses who are demonic
creatures. Origin
: Scotland, Ireland, Germany They are the steeds of the Goddess of
the Sea (Sjofn) and the God of Night (Celtic) or have been created by
Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Element
: Water and moon Appearance :
They are shapeshifters who can assume a number of forms. In horse form,
it is a splendid young steed with backwards pointing hooves having the
tuft on pastern reversed. As a monster, he has the head, foreparts and
front legs of a horse and the lower half body and tail of a fish.
Sometimes, it appears in human form, usually with seductive body to lure
its victim. In Ireland, the Kelpie becomes a woman after coming on land
and shedding her seal skin. Friends/Foes
: A Kelpie will wait by the waterside until a unsuspecting traveler sees
it and tries to mount it. Then, he dives suddenly in deep water, leaving
its unfortunate rider to swim or drown. The Ech-Ushkya from Ireland is
impossible to dismount and usually eat its victims after tearing them
into pieces, except for the liver, which they leave on the shore. Lore :
North Sea ands the Lochs of Scotland Magic
: Someone who knows the wiles of a Kelpie can overcome it. The trick is
to exchange its own bridle for an ordinary one and the Kelpie will
become tame and obedient to his new master. But it should not be kept
for too long or it will curse its captor and descendants forever. They can be detected in human form
because they are unable to keep their hair from appearing like seaweed.
Any mortal man who manages to steal the selkie's skin will have power
over her to such an extent she has been known to marry and bear children
to mortal men who manage the theft. Once she finds her skin, however,
nothing, not even marital devotion, will keep the selkie from the sea.
This tale bears a resemblance to the many tales of mermaids who may be
controlled through the theft of their combs, their mirrors, their
musical instruments, or their cloaks or caps. Race : Brownie Origin
: Germany, Belgium, Holland Element
: Earth Appearance
: He is characterized by an enormous nose and no mouth. To eat he
presumably stuffs the food up his nose Friends/Foes : Although
a Killmoulis works hard for the miller, he delights in practical jokes
and can therefore be a hindrance rather than a help. Lore :
mills Aka :
Water Mannikins Origin
: Germany, Belgium, Holland Element
: Water. Appearance
: invisible Function
: guarded the ship from sickness, rocks, storms, and dangerous winds. If
a ship with one of these faeries aboard sank, the fairy sank with it and
then aided the souls of the sailors out of the waters and into the Land
of the Dead. Dutch sailors once believed that to sink without a
Klaboutermannikin meant your soul was condemned to the water for
eternity. Lore :
in the figurehead of any ships which they chose to protect. Aka :
Coblynaus, Wichlein Paras, Black Dwarves, Koblernigh Origin
: South Central Europe Element
: Earth. Appearance
: have a reputation for frightening the miners by showing up
unexpectedly and making silly faces Function :
get their name from the knocking sound they make when directing miners
to a rich vein or some trap. They announce the death of a miner by
tapping three times. When a disaster is about to happen they are heard
digging, pounding and imitating miners work. Lore :
In caves and mines. Some mines in Cornwall have been closed doe to the
Knockers who wish to keep a few of these underground places to
themselves Magic
: they are treated with great respect, and food and drink are left for
them regularly. Aka
: Kobauld, Cobald, Kobolde, Kolbalds, Hutchens, Heinzelmannchens, Nis,
Niagruisar,Para Race
: Brownie Origin
: Northern Europe Element
: Earth. Appearance
: dwarf faeries wearing little brown knee pants and caps. Friends/Foes
: untrustworthy, can be very helpful but will turn abusive if ignored or
belittled Lore :
when not in human homes, Kolbalds live in hollow trees, caves or mines Magic
: sometimes held responsible for poltergeist activity when making noise
and throwing things about. Aka :
Corrigans, Korils, Poulpikans,Teuz, Kornikaned Races
: Kornikaned dwelled in forests, Kornikaned on moors, Korils in swamps
and Teuz prefer human houses whose inmates are human. Origin :
Brittany, Cornwall. Element :
Earth Appearance :
little and ugly men that are able to inflate to a huge size and
shapeshift. They have two horns, the feet of a goat and claws like a
cat. Despite their small size, they are stronger than 2 men. Function : guardians
of treasures Tricks :
Shapeshifters, thieves and villains, they rob humans and children and
cast storms. Enjoy dancing all night around faerie circles and dolmen. Lore :
under Karnach and Plendren and the cliffs along the Brittany shore. See
Phooka. Aka
: Korrs, Kores, Pyrenee Origin
: Brittany Element
: Earth. Appearance
: They have wild spiky hair and long pointed noses. Compares to the rest
of their body, their facial features are huge. Their hairy bodies
resemble those of monkeys, and they have cloven feet and loud hooting
laughter. Function :
guardians of the dolmens (stone altars) and standing stones of Celtic
Brittany. Friends/Foes
: Scaring humans is a big part of their life, and they take their task
seriously. Lore
: In the standing stones of Brittany
-L- Aka
: The Gentry, Monaciello, Fir Darrig, Cluricaune, Logherima, Race
: treasure-hoarding faeries Origin
: Ireland. Originally coined by Thomas Keightley in The Fairy Mythology
(1850) from the Irish "Leith bhroyan" or "Leith phroyan"
meaning "one shoemaker," comes the name Leprechaun. Element
: Earth. Appearance
: solitary dwarf male faery wearing green clothing of a costly material
and green tri-cornered hats. Infamous hoarders, they are loathe to spend
a single penny, which probably explains their poor appearance in spite
of their great wealth. Function :
shoemakers by trade, but their clientele is limited to the faery world
and they only work on one shoe Friends/Foes
: trickster who loves to play pranks Lore
: around springs in wild areas with large grassy hills, sometimes in
cellars Magic
: Music, dancing, fox hunting, and drinking Irish whiskey are said to be
the Leprechauns' favorite pastimes. Once a leprechaun begins dancing to
a human's song, it is said that he cannot stop until the tune ceases.
His exhausted state may cause him to make outlandish offers, including
his crock of gold, if you will please only allow him to stop dancing.
Other means of finding his gold include looking at the end of a rainbow,
which may lead him offer 3 wishes in exchange for his treasure. His
promises of gold always proves hollow, as the Leprechaun always employs
clever tricks in his granting of wishes, often resulting in the
embarrassment or injury to the one who expected a bounteous reward. I caught me a Leprechaun, Aka
: Leshes, Zuibotshniks, Leshiye, Vodyaniye Origin
: Ireland. Element
: Air Time
: Spring and summer Appearance
: owl, a wolf, or disguised as foliage Function :
a guardian of the forests Friends/Foes
: like to mimic mockingbirds Lore
: deep woods Lob Race
: goblin Origin
: Wales, Germany or England. Element
: Air. Appearance
: a small dark blob that looks rather like a rain cloud with arms Function
: enjoy raising quarrels and fights Friends/Foes
: The Lob is attracted to ugly, raw emotions and to arguments and
fighting. Origin : Ireland,
Rome Element : Air Time : night Appearance : small,
bald, old men with pointed ears, long teeth, long arms and fingers which
enable them to climb easily. Function :guardians
of the blackthorn tree Friends/Foes : hate
humans with a fervent passion Lore : blackthorn
trees Aka
: Follet Origin
: France, Cornwall Element :
Air Appearance
: Lutins are expert shapeshifters who have not held one form long enough
for any human to characterize their appearance. They shapeshift
constantly into both animals and inanimate objects, but never into the
form of humans. One of their favorite games is to shapeshift into a
nugget of gold and watch humans chase after them. They move from place
to place with a little flash of light. Friends/Foes
: extremely capricious Lore : some live in human homes and
others in trees near water, but they are believed to change homes as
often as they change their outward forms. Origin : Scotland. Element : Water Appearance : He
dresses like a soldier and can only be distinguished from a real one by
his small size and his red right hand. Function : It
is reported that he will stop his mark on a road or path (especially if
it is near water) and challenge you with a raising of his red right
hand. The best thing to do in this instance is to retreat, because if
you allow him to engage you in combat you will die within a fortnight.
His red hand is said to be the result of many years of bloodstains from
those he has killed in combat. Lore : On lonely
roadsides near water
-M- Aka
: Merewipers, Meerweibers, Lorelei Race
: Siren Origin
: Greece, Germany, England. Element :
Water Appearance
: lovely young woman fairy who sits on the cliffs and sings, luring
sailors to their deaths in the rocks below Lore
: on islands or on the seashore Aka
: Melusine, Serpentine Race
: Dragoness, Fea, Water nymph Origin
: France, Germany, Switzerland Melusina is a famous nymph that married
the heir of the Lusignan family in F
All dressed up in red,
Was spying on a farmhouse
With mischief in his head.
"this place," said the little Hobgoblin,
"It could be lots of fun,
Everything's so clean and tidy,
And begging to be undone."
So the wee little Hobgoblin
He went to work with glee,
He let the cattle out the gate
And set the piglets free.
He spilled some milk in the kitchen,
And overturned the butter churn.
He yanked the laundry off the line
And caused the soup to burn.
He pinched the baby and scared the cat
And had the mostest fun.
And when his spree was over
He said, "That's a job well done!"
Magic : control over the weather
and you know what that means!
I got me three big wishes,
and I wanted so many things.
I wanted silver and I wanted gold,
and riches beyond my place,
And castles all in clover,
and love a beauteous face.
"So what it be, your wish number one?"
asked the Leprechaun all in green.
"I wish I might have beauty,
the most bewitching ever seen."
"Done!" said the green little Leprechaun,
with a wave of his hand.
"And I wish," I said, "to have riches,
the greatest in this land."
With a flourish and a flutter they did appear,
great beauty and my gold,
And then I wished for a lover fair,
all that my heart could hold.
Bedazzled I was when I saw him there,
my knight in armored bob.
"Thank you, Leprechaun," I gushed with glee,
"You've done a most splendid job."
But the Leprechaun stood near me, seeming unanxious to leave.
"I'm glad you know your mind, lass.
So many waste wishes, you see."
So enraptured I was with my bounty
that I hardly noticed when
That wee little, green little Leprechaun
began chattering away again.
"Tis a bonnie day, is it not, my lass?
Don't you wish, lass, it would bid
To stay like this all year long?"
And I replied ... I did.
The little Trickster laughed with mirth,
and then my face did fall.
"The rules be, lass, if a fourth wish you make,
then you lose them all!"
"The Three Wishes" by Mark Shapiro