Faerie

Faerie, also known as Fairies, are a collection of Fey spirits native to Nirn. They are sometimes referred to as Lesser Fey, akin to Lesser Daedra. Like the mortal races, they originated from the Ehlnofey, the Earth Bones and first "spirits of the mortal realm", during the Early Merethic Era. Alongside the various Beast-folk, they were the aboriginal inhabitants of Tamriel before the arrival of Men and Mer. The Faerie are long lived even by elvish standards, with some being biologically immortal.

History[]

The lands of the Summerset Isles, sundered from the rest of Tamriel after the Ehlnofey Wars, became the home to two main Faerie races: the Gheatus and the Ilyadi. They lived in peace, with the Gheatus being the dominant power despite being fewer in number. They maintained balance on the islands until the Middle Merethic Era when the Aldmer first appeared. They had sailed to the islands from their lost continent of Aldmeris, seeking refuge in this new home. The elves, however, did not respect nature as the Faerie did and quickly came into conflict with both the Gheatus and the Ilyadi. The Faerie fought against the elves, who outnumbered them, and were winning before the leader of the elven forces Torinaan the Foresailor learned to wield dawn magics with meteoric glass. By channeling aetherial energy, the elves were able to overcome the powerful Faerie and within a few short years the war was won by the mortals. The Ilyadi were completely wiped out, but a few of the more powerful Gheatus were able to retreat into the earth, going into hibernation while the mortals took over the islands.

Faerie Races[]

The Faerie races are organized in terms of power, dubbed the Faerie Chain by Aldmer scholars. The weakest of the Faerie are small magical creatures, commonly called Minor Faerie. Above them are the Regal Faerie, whom are spirits that can reach considerable levels of power, some strong enough to grant mortals boons as powerful as immortality. The most powerful of the Faerie, the Divine Faerie, are described as god-like and among the most powerful beings on Nirn, akin of Demigods in strength.

Sygria[]

Sygria are nature spirits that take the form mer-like individuals. They are said to be the closest Faerie to the Ehlnofey of old, both in terms of powers and appearance. They are often accompanied by Sylphim, whom serve them as pets and attendants. There are very reclusive, only found in certain sites across Tamriel teeming with dawn magic, like the location of the Towers. They attempt to protect these locations from mortal interference. While they do keep to themselves, they do live in small close-nit communities that guard the places of power.

They are the strongest of the Faerie races, being one of the Divine Faerie. They immune to aging, being immortal beings. The Sygria are said to be able to wield these ancient magics from the Dawn Era, making them very dangerous. They can morph nature to their will, using it to create clothing, armor or weapons that appear to be wooden, but are as hard as ebony.

Chonus[]

Chonus are sky spirits that take avian appearances. They are very rare, with no mortal ever having seen one and knowing about them from other Faerie who knew of their existence. They are very reclusive, perhaps the most lonesome of all the Faerie races. As one of the Divine Faerie, they are said to be immortal and very powerful, able to manipulate the weather itself by tapping into ancient dawn magicks. Because of their ability to alter the weather they are believed to be connected to Kynareth.

Gheatus[]

Gheatus are rock spirits that take the form of a man or a group of men formed by the earth itself. They are one of the Divine Faerie, not only being immortal but being so magically powerful that they could bend nature itself to their will. They once inhabited the Summerset Isles, before the arrival of the Aldmer. When the elves came to the Isles and spread across them, the Gheatus attacked them to protect their habitats alongside the Ilyadi. They were successful due to their god-like power before Torinaan the Foresailor used ancestral lore and meteoric glass to channel aetherial energy to kill them and destroy their souls so they could not come back. The Faerie were exterminated in a few short years, though legends claim that the Gheatus survived and just went into hibernation beneath the earth.

Ilyadi[]

Ilyadi are forest spirits who take the form of many-eyed giants taller than the trees. Their heads are covered with eyes. They were native to the Summerset Isles, before the arrival of the Aldmer. They are one of the Regal Faerie and thus were immune to aging, while also having a very potent regeneration ability. Like all other Faerie they were innately magical. In current times they are believed to be extinct.

When the elves arrived on the Isles, they came into conflict with the Ilyadi who tried to protect their forests form the Aldmer as did the Gheatus. The Faerie were winning the war due to their rapid regeneration that allowed them to heal from practically any injury that the elves gave them. This was before the Aldmer leader, Torinaan the Foresailor, discovered a way to wield aetherial energies through meteoric glass to vanquish the Ilyadi. With this new weapon the elves exterminated them in a few short years, bringing the race to extinction.

Nymphs[]

Nymphs are woodland spirits. They are more often found in High Rock or Valenwood. Nymphs tend to gather in places filled with nature magic, like sacred groves of Y'ffre. They live in small tribes and tend to be isolationists, even from other Faerie, though they sometimes form communities with lesser Faerie. The Nymphs possess their own language, which diverged from the Faerie language and became closer to Ehlnofex. Due to this it is often compared to Ayleidoon as they sound very similar.

They are one of the Regal Faerie, being immune to aging after they mature to their adult form. Their bodies, however, can die. Nymphs can birth new nymphs, but they require a male partner from another race. They are naturally gifted with nature magic and are capable of wielding the energy of the magical nexus they inhabit.

They are exclusively female and have a mer-like appearance with pointed ears, but softer features and always youthful appearance. There are various kinds of nymphs, those that live in the forests, in groves, in marshes, etc. Their skin colors can range from greens, to yellows, to blues or purples depending on their habitat. Their hair and eyes colors can range from a variety of colors. All nymphs have pieces of nature growing upon them, like leaves, mushrooms, bark, etc. The most often appear naked, which adds to their perceived beauty, but sometimes their nature growths form into clothing-like patterns.

Nephrines[]

Nephrines are woodland spirits that take the form of winged humanoids. They are much like the Nixads, but without the chitinous skin and more human appearance. They are the strongest of the Minor Faerie and stand apart from the others in their usage of tools. Not only are they skilled in magic, but they can also craft basic armor and weapons from natural materials, to use to defend themselves. They are skilled archers and nimble warriors. These spirits tend to live together in small villages in the woods, where they build shelter among the treetops or inside them for larger trees. They stand at about three feet tall, have two or four wings and large pointed ears. Their skin can take on various colors, from blues, to greens to tans. Their hair colors range from blondes, to browns to greens and blues. Like other Minor Faerie, they live for several hundred years.

Nixads[]

Nixads are elemental spirits that take the form of insectoid with bug-like wings and chitinous skin, making them appear like humanoid moths. They are said to have been originally created by Dibella. They are very colorful in appearance, with their skin and wings ranging from a variety of colors. Nimble and passive, they tend to keep to themselves but are friendly enough to make bonds with other mortals. They live in various parts of the Tamriel, from the Summerset Isles in the southwest to Vvardenfell in the northeast. They can range from two feet tall to four feet tall, with the latter being rarer and colloquially called 'Giant Nixads'. They are skilled with magic, most notably conjuration, destruction and mystical magicks.

Blue Shock Nixads are lightning-aligned spirits. They are hard to find most times, but tend to come out of their nests during lightning storms. They are skilled in lightning magic and can create Storm Atronachs to aid them should they be threatened.

Brimstone Nixads are fire-aligned spirits commonly found in Vvardenfell in the shadow of the Red Mountain. They are very skilled in fire magic as well as able to create powerful constructs called Iron Atronachs from the magma of the volcano. Those Brimstone Nixads that do not live in Vvardenfell instead create Flame Atronachs instead. Legends claim that Brimstone Nixads are responsible for lighting all the candles, torches, and lanterns found burning underground, flying ahead of adventurers to ignite them in the dark.

Ice Nixads are ice-aligned spirits. They are found in the northern parts of Tamriel like Skyrim and High Rock, but most often during the winter. They are said to hibernates during the warm months. They are skilled in ice magic and creating Ice Atronachs.

Orchid Nixads are wind-aligned spirits. They are the rarest of the Nixads and said to be sacred to the Goddess Dibella. They are only found in places hallowed to her worship. Capable of using wind magic and creating Air Atronachs.

Sylvan Nixads are nature-aligned spirits, commonly found in Cyrodiil's Great Forest and Gold Coast. They live among the glades and meadows. They are very friendly to mortals, making them loyal and charming companions. They can manipulate plants with their magic.

Turquoise Nixads are water-aligned spirits. They live near rivers, lakes and ponds, making it common to see them near Nereids whom often take them on as companions. They can wield the power of water magic.

Sylphim[]

Sylphim are nature spirits who tend to gather around and serve stronger Faerie, most notably the Sygria. They are weak, so they purposely serve stronger Faerie for protection. They have the appearance of small winged humanoids, similar to other Minor Faerie, though unlike Nixads they have a less insectoid features. They have four wings, and having glowing skin. They are known for making 'Fairy Circles' in forests.

Pixies[]

Pixies are nature spirits known for their trickery. While Sprites feel the urge to help others, the Pixies instead use their powers to mess with other races. They either lead them astray, get them lost, or lead them into dangerous situations. What makes them more tricky is that like Sprites they are tiny creatures that glow intensely making the two hard to distinguish.

Sprites[]

Sprites are considered the weakest of the fairy spirits, being at the bottom of the Faerie Chain. They are tiny flying creatures known for their strong glow that when active gives them the appearance of a ball of light. Their 'Faerielight' is seen by elven cultures as a good omen, as Sprites are friendly creatures make a habit of helping guide others, especially adventurers. They are intelligent creatures, able to speak the Faerie language and communicate with mortals.

Stats[]

Main Attributes[]

Personality
Willpower

Main Skills[]

Alteration
Alchemy
Enchanting
Illusion
Mysticism
Restoration

Racial Abilities[]

Timeless (Divine and Regal Faerie): Immune to aging, the passage to time means nothing to the Faerie.

Notable Faerie[]

Evegarte: A Nymph of the Northern Woods
Levunorr: A Nymph Matriarch of Menevia, met with Topal the Pilot.

Trivia[]

Nymphs are not stated as being Faerie in the lore, but are described as magical spirits who inhabit the woodlands and forests.
- In real world greek mythologies, Nymphs are minor deities and nature spirits.