Seraphina Jounin (S)
Posts : 186 Credits : 86625 Location : Makkuragakure
| Subject: Faery Thu May 22, 2014 1:59 pm | |
| Name: Faery (Covers all Fairy/Woodland Mythical Creatures) Normal Life Expectancy: Immortal Background: The early modern fairies do not have any single origin, representing a conflation of disparate elements of folk belief, influenced by literature and by learned speculation (e.g. alchemy). In folklore, they are variously regarded as a "natural" but hidden species, as spirits of the dead, or as descendants of either fallen angels or demons. Fairies are generally described as human in appearance and having magical powers. Their origins are less clear in the folklore, being variously dead, or some form of demon, or a species completely independent of humans or angels. The folkloristic or mythological elements combine Celtic, Germanic and Greco-Roman elements. Demoted pagan deitiesAnother theory is that the fairies were originally worshiped as minor goddesses, such as nymphs or tree spirits, but with the coming of Christianity, they lived on, in a dwindled state of power, in folk belief. In this particular time, fairies were reputed by the church as being 'evil' beings. Many beings who are described as deities in older tales are described as "fairies" in more recent writings. Victorian explanations of mythology, which accounted for all gods as metaphors for natural events that had come to be taken literally, explained them as metaphors for the night sky and stars. According to this theory, fairies are personified aspects of nature and deified abstract concepts such as ‘love’ and ‘victory’ in the pantheon of the particular form of animistic nature worship reconstructed as the religion of Ancient Western Europe. Many of the Irish tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann refer to these beings as fairies, though in more ancient times they were regarded as goddesses and gods. The Tuatha Dé Danann were spoken of as having come from islands in the north of the world or, in other sources, from the sky. After being defeated in a series of battles with other otherworldly beings, and then by the ancestors of the current Irish people, they were said to have withdrawn to the sídhe (fairy mounds), where they lived on in popular imagination as "fairies."[citation needed] Spirits of the deadA third theory was that the fairies were a folkloric belief concerning the dead. This noted many common points of belief, such as the same legends being told of ghosts and fairies, the sídhe in actuality being burial mounds, it being dangerous to eat food in both Fairyland and Hades, and both the dead and fairies living underground. One popular belief was that they were the dead, or some subclass of the dead. The Irish banshee (Irish Gaelic bean sí or Scottish Gaelic bean shìth, which both mean "fairy woman") is sometimes described as a ghost. The northern English Cauld Lad of Hylton, though described as a murdered boy, is also described as a household sprite like a brownie, much of the time a Barghest or Elf. One tale recounted a man caught by the fairies, who found that whenever he looked steadily at one, the fairy was a dead neighbor of his. This was among the most common views expressed by those who believed in fairies, although many of the informants would express the view with some doubts. Christian mythologyA belief held that they were a class of "demoted" angels. One popular story held that when the angels revolted, God ordered the gates shut; those still in heaven remained angels, those in hell became devils, and those caught in between became fairies. Others held that they had been thrown out of heaven, not being good enough, but they were not evil enough for hell. This may explain the tradition that they had to pay a "teind" or tithe to Hell. As fallen angels, though not quite devils, they could be seen as subject of the Devil. For a similar concept in Persian mythology, see Peri. Another, related belief was the fairies were demons entirely. This belief became much more popular with the growth of Puritanism. The hobgoblin, once a friendly household spirit, became a wicked goblin. Dealing with fairies was in some cases considered a form of witchcraft and punished as such in this era. Disassociating himself from such evils may be why Oberon, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, carefully observed that neither he nor his court feared the church bells. The belief in their angelic nature was less common than that they were the dead, but still found popularity, especially in Theosophist circles.[33][34] Informants who described their nature sometimes held aspects of both the third and the fourth view, or observed that the matter was disputed. ElementalsAnother view held that the fairies were an intelligent species, distinct from humans and angels. In alchemy in particular they were regarded as elementals, such as gnomes and sylphs, as described by Paracelsus. This is uncommon in folklore, but accounts describing the fairies as "spirits of the air" have been found popularly. A hidden people1896 illustration of a fairy from Ernest Vincent Wright's The Wonderful Fairies of the Sun One common theme found among the Celtic nations describes a race of diminutive people who had been driven into hiding by invading humans. They came to be seen as another race, or possibly spirits, and were believed to live in an Otherworld that was variously described as existing underground, in hidden hills (many of which were ancient burial mounds), or across the Western Sea.[4] A less-common belief was that the fairies were actually humans; one folktale recounts how a woman had hidden some of her children from God, and then looked for them in vain, because they had become the hidden people, the fairies. This is parallel to a more developed tale, of the origin of the Scandinavian huldra. In old Celtic fairy lore the sidhe (fairy folk) are immortals living in the ancient barrows and cairns. The Tuatha de Danaan are associated with several Otherworld realms including Mag Mell (the Pleasant Plain), Emain Ablach (the Fortress of Apples or the Land of Promise or the Isle of Women), and the Tir na nÓg (the Land of Youth). The concept of the Otherworld is also associated with the Isle of Apples, known as Avalon in the Arthurian mythos (often equated with Ablach Emain). Here we find the Silver Bough that allowed a living mortal to enter and withdraw from the Otherworld or Land of the Gods. According to legend, the Fairy Queen sometimes offered the branch to worthy mortals, granting them safe passage and food during their stay. Some 19th-century archaeologists thought they had found underground rooms in the Orkney islands resembling the Elfland in Childe Rowland. In popular folklore, flint arrowheads from the Stone Age were attributed to the fairies as "elf-shot". The fairies' fear of iron was attributed to the invaders having iron weapons, whereas the inhabitants had only flint and were therefore easily defeated in physical battle. Their green clothing and underground homes were credited to their need to hide and camouflage themselves from hostile humans, and their use of magic a necessary skill for combating those with superior weaponry. In Victorian beliefs of evolution, cannibalism among "ogres" was attributed to memories of more savage races, still practicing it alongside "superior" races that had abandoned it. Selkies, described in fairy tales as shapeshifting seal people, were attributed to memories of skin-clad "primitive" people traveling in kayaks. African pygmies were put forth as an example of a race that had previously existed over larger stretches of territory, but come to be scarce and semi-mythical with the passage of time and prominence of other tribes and races. Special Abilities: - Faery Physiology:
Name: Faery Physiology Type: Species Description: User with this ability either is or can transform into a faery, a being that is either nature spirit, pagan god, angel aligned with neither Heaven or Hell, or something completely else. The way this power manifests varies greatly, but among the possibilities are pointed ears, unusual coloring (hair, skin and/or eyes), animalistic features (horns, animal ears or eyes, tail, antennae, etc). Others change their size, manifest sigils over their body, ethereal glow or no changes at all: faeries are among the most variable known beings. In moral scale users can be good or evil, but are most commonly neutral. For practical reasons faeries can be divided into three groups defined by what they are formed from: Physical Faeries aren't necessarily solid matter, but they are material/energy beings with relatively defined/stable form and often at least somewhat human-like mind. Most users that aren't originally of faery stock have this variation. Note that faeries of this group aren't necessarily any weaker than those of the other groups, they are simply more "solid" in mind and body. Spiritual Faeries are completely spiritual beings, and thus far less bound to the laws of physics or single form. Many of them think in ways that are only tangentially relatable to humans, and their forms are both transient and often downright surreal. Ethereal Faeries are often both the most powerful and ancient faeries, in some ways closer to sentient concepts representing aspects of nature than anything else. As such, relating to them in any way is likely impossible. - Applications:
Physical Faeries Enhanced Condition or Supernatural Condition: Possess physical attributes that surpass normal humans.. Enhanced Agility: Gain enhanced ability to perform feats of super speed and reflexes. Enhanced Dexterity: Make quick and precise movements in almost any situation. Enhanced Durability/Invulnerability: Become impervious to most forms of harm. Enhanced Strength: Gain enhanced strength. Malleable Anatomy: alter the body to a limited degree. Spiritual Faeries Cosmic Awareness: Have the mind become one with the universe. Empathy: Be able to perceive the emotions of others. Energy Manipulation: Generate/Control multiple forms of energy.at a high degree. Absorption: Absorb different forms of energy for defense or recharging purposes. Barriers: Set up energy shields that are nearly impenetrable. Blasts: Project energy blasts that can level a whole city. Constructs: Create a number of constructs that can assist in any situation. Enhanced Condition or Supernatural Condition: Gain superhuman attributes that surpass mere mortals. Invulnerability: Become nearly impervious to any type of harm. Malleable Anatomy/Shapeshifting: Alter the body to help with stealth or offensive situations. Spirit Physiology: Possess the physical form of a powerful Spirit. Flight: Defy gravity and fly at speeds of sound. Illusion Manipulation: cast powerful illusions that seem nearly real Intangibility: Phase through object and avoid attacks with ease. Possession: Enter a targets body and control their actions. Telekinesis: Psionically manipulate structures at an advanced level. Teleportation: Transport to a far location with merely a thought. Ethereal Faeries Twilight Physiology: Possess the supernatural body that is natural for a being of Light and Darkness. Ethereal Form: Gain the form of a powerful ethereal being. Energy Perception: Possess the power to see all the energy that surround you. Extrasensory Perception: Posses senses that surpass those of normal people. Supernatural Condition: Possess the superior Physical/Mental attributes of a super being. Immortality: Go without the need for food, water, and air while becoming immune to things such as disease. Omni-Shifting: Wield limitless shapeshifting abilities. Possession: Enter a targets body to control them for any purpose Quintessence Force: Generate a limitless amount of energy for almost any kind of use. Twilight Manipulation: As ethereal beings that exist outside those of Light and Dark, wielders can control the ethereal energy that exists between both forces. Ethereal Manipulation: Have Master-level control over the "Universal Element/Energy". Mana/Life-Force Manipulation: Control the mystic force found in every form of Life and Creation. Dimensional Manipulation: Control Dimensional Energy for many uses. Energy Matter Manipulation: Possess a Transcendent level of control over a supernatural substance that works as both Energy and Matter. Space-Time Manipulation: Command the energies of Time and Space. Conjuration: Create/Summon anything the wielder desires. Resurrection: Wielder can resurrect any desired target. Subjective Reality: Control the border that exists between Fantasy and Reality.
- Common Powers:
Following powers are among the most common ones faeries may have:
Immortality Extrasensory Perception Fairy Aura Fairy Dust Manipulation Flight possibly with Wing Manifestation Magic Energy Manipulation Healing Illusion Manipulation Nature Manipulation Environmental Manipulation Elemental Manipulation Nature Enhancement Weather Manipulation Telekinesis Space-Time Manipulation Wish Granting Mental Manipulation Confusion Inducement Dream Manipulation Sleep Inducement Misdirection Shapeshifting Supernatural Condition
- Variations:
Fairy are highly variable and many are completely unique, but several broad groups exist: Elves Also Alvar, Daoine Sidhe, Sidhe: likely to create/ live in their own communities, nations and states: either close relatives for faery or near-mortals with exceptional living-span and magical inclination. There doesn't really seem to be anything between.
Forest/Sylvan Fairies Include Dryads, Leshy/Leshachikha/Leshonky (male/female/child), Wild Men/Women: often have some animal or plant-like features, may be solitary or form their own communities. They are powerful and territorial. Animal Manipulation, Confusion Inducement, Illusion Manipulation, Plant Manipulation, some can use Weather Manipulation. Most powerful may have Forest Manipulation.
Little People Include Leprechauns, Pech, Pixies, Trow: small but with startlingly broad magical powers. They often form small communities and enjoy tricking mortals, especially if they are drunkards, bad tempered, lazy or proud. Nature Manipulation, Confusion Inducement, Illusion Manipulation, some can fly with or without wings.
Leprechaun Physiology Mountain Fairies Include Gwyllions, Knockers, Korreds/Korrigans (male/female), Mimi, Oreads, Vila (Wila, Wili or Veela): relatively human-like fairies dwelling on and in mountains and hills. Territorial but may be willing to make a deal with respectful mortal.
Earth Manipulation, often Air Manipulation for those who don't live underground. Most powerful may have Cave Manipulation and/or Mountain Manipulation. Nymphs Include Dryads, Oreads, Naiads, Nereids: spirits who animate nature, beautiful female nature entities, either bound to a particular location or landform or servants/retinue of more powerful being, often a deity.
Water Fairies Include Asrai, Naiads, Neck/Nixie, Nereids, Tritons, Undines: often female and quite willing to mate with mortals: several families claim one in their ancestry.
Water Manipulation, many can use Sound Manipulation by singing or playing instrument. Some can use Weather Manipulation over the body of water they reside. Most powerful may have Lake/River Manipulation or Ocean Manipulation. Other varieties include: Dullahan Physiology Gremlin Physiology Nuckelavee Physiology Vegetable Fairy Physiology
- Trickster (For Fairies):
Name: Trickster Type: Species Trait Description: User is (or can draw power from) a Trickster: a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. The Trickster openly questions and mocks authority, encourages impulse and enthusiasm, seeks out new ideas and experiences, destroys convention and complacency, and promotes chaos and unrest. At the same time, the trickster brings new knowledge, wisdom and many An Aesop. Even when punished horribly for his effrontery, his indomitable spirit (or plain sheer foolishness) keeps him coming back for more. Tricksters can be anything from gods of chaos, bedeviling heroes for a few laughs, to master manipulators who use cruel ploys and sadistic choices. They can also be heroes (or more likely Anti-Heroes) who make up for a lack of strength or bravery with manipulation, planning, or just plain cheating. The trickster is often a Master of Disguise and may have magical or super-powers. In mythology and religion, the trickster deity breaks the rules of the gods or nature, sometimes maliciously but usually (albeit unintentionally) with ultimately positive effects. Often, the bending/breaking of rules takes the form of tricks or thievery. Tricksters can be cunning or foolish or both; they are often funny even when considered sacred or performing important cultural tasks. - Applications:
Combat Perception Escape Artistry Enhanced Charisma Enhanced Condition Contaminant Immunity Enhanced Dexterity Enhanced Durability/Invulnerability Enhanced Endurance Enhanced Flexibility Enhanced Jump Enhanced Intelligence Enhanced Reflexes Enhanced Senses Enhanced Speed Regenerative Healing Factor Enhanced Thievery Illusion Manipulation Indomitable Will Luck Psychological Intuition Rule Bending Shapeshifting Gender Transformation Tactical Analysis Trapping Intuition Treachery Unpredictability
- Variations:
Powerful Tricksters can reach nearly or even fully divine status:
Chaos Manipulation Cheating Fraud Empowerment Freedom Magic Nigh Omniscience Probability Manipulation Reality Warping Supernatural Condition Supernatural Intelligence
Disadvantages: Faery creatures are often sought after for their unique abilities: meaning they're often hunted down either for sport, some sort of gain (like catching a Leprechaun forces them to lead you to their gold, catching a Fairy gives you a life-time supply of fairy dust, ect), or for extinction due to their history as sometimes being portrayed as creatures of demonic origin. Special Customs: The majority of the Faery race either stays completely away from humans as much as possible: only treading into their territory when absolutely needed, or they blend in well to keep their identities secret and projected. | |
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