Basic History
It is believed that the fae are perhaps the oldest of all races of Nor'Ova. While their true origins may never fully be known, fae folklore dictates that they were originally created by the first breath of the gods of the winds and seasons. Entwined in their dance, the faes helped to seed the world with life in the long distant past. Since then the fae have existed, not as a mighty race or even an ambitious one. Instead they existed in a carefree existence, tending to the whims of their patron deities and answering the call of their queen mother, the Queen of all Fae.
Sometime after the separation of the elven race, the fae two were divided. This division however was not one of punishment, but one of necessity. The Four Winds, together with Mother Ova, deemed it was necessary to have a race of fae that could interact with the larger races of the world. And so, half would be given the ability to grow and would retain the fae name. The other half would be called the sprites, and would forever retain their insect like size. The fae and the sprite-folk never would develop animosity between each other, such is simply not the fae way. The sprite folk would be left to the tending of nature and the fae, while also still needed for that important task, would also be the voices of nature to the larger beings that liven upon Nor'Ova.
When the Nor'Ovan Empire rose following the economic collapse, the fae went into hiding as did the sprite-folk. They could feel the warning on the winds of the coming doom, and began to prepare by hiding away seeds of life. After the great war went from atomic to magic and the very world fell, the fae and their kin remained hidden from the world protected by the winds and Mother Ova. The fae and the sprite-folk were the first creatures to re-enter the world after the long winter, for they were tasked with restoring the flora of the world.
In the centuries to follow such has been their sacred task. They care not of fame nor influence. They do delight in friendly mischief but their main task is the protection of Ova's bounty and service to their wind deity. A task that of course goes unrecognized by the races of Nor'Ova, not that the fae care.
Positives & Negatives
Fae are a quick, agile race which can shrink themselves as small as a large insect. Fae are highly agile, making them great rogues, archers, and mages. They are deeply connected to their runic element, but are only able to be born to the elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. While this may seem limiting, they are unmatched in magical power in those 4 elements. They can cast spells faster, requiring 1 less casting speed cost than the spell typically requires. They can cast spells at a 25% reduced Soul Cost as well. Furthermore they have skills that allow them to imbue their spells with added effects. Their negatives are the fact that they are physically weak, aloof, and can only be under the four listed elements.
Elemental Information
As noted above, fae can only be born under the following runic elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. As such you can only choose from the Runic Element pages a month linked to their element for them to be born in. Or you can use the table here.
| Month | Element | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Afteryule | Earth | Spring |
| Narvanye (1st half) | ||
| Narvanye (2nd half) | Life | |
| Chyr | ||
| Sulyme | Fire | Summer |
| Flamerule (1st half) | ||
| Flamerule (2nd half) | Space | |
| Tarsis | ||
| Kyporus | Air | Autumn |
| Varassis (1st half) | ||
| Varassis (2nd half) | Death | |
| Elasys | ||
| Yavannie | Water | Winter |
| Marpegoth (1st half) | ||
| Marpegoth (2nd half) | Time | |
| Elynt |
Fae do still have elemental affinities like other races, meaning you would choose between stone and floral for geomancy, for example. Fae have double the effect for environmental effects as well. Fae are unable to choose an element outside of the four listed here, however, they can learn spells from other elements through rune stones. They simply will not benefit from the reduced soul cost or casting time.
Racial Skills & Talents
Faes start with the following skills:
| Skill | Stat Cost | Range & Area | Duration | Check Roll | Effects | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental Imbuing | 2 Soul | self | instant | Easy Arcana |
Fae can imbue their spells with minor elemental effects, giving their spells added status effects. In this way you can make your fire spells always cause 1d4 burn damage per round, for example. The effects are as endless as your imagination. You will need to work with the GM, describing the minor effect you are adding here so that the GM can apply the correct result to the spell. |
be a fae |
| Fae Trickery | 2 Soul | within 6 spaces or 30 feet | 1d4 rounds | Normal Arcana |
The fae can create a minor illusion or sound that distracts the target, causing that target to need to make a normal focus check to cast spells (or continue casting a spell) and giving that target a -2 to evade. |
be a fae |
| Flutter-Step | 1 Power | self | instant | Easy Acrobatics |
The fae can move so quickly that they appear to teleport. Move up to half movement rate without triggering any reactions such as Attack of Opportunity. |
be a fae |
| Gossamer Shift | 2 Soul | self | until used again to change back | Normal Arcana |
The fae can shrink down to insect size (3 inches). This gives the fae a +8 to Stealth and +5 to Evade however they are unable to do physical combat, at least with normal sized creatures and races. Their magic power is unaffected. To return to normal size simply reuse this skill. |
be a fae |
Fae also start with the following talents:
| Talent | Effects | Requirements | Handicap Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquired Immunity |
After becoming poisoned, sick, plagued, diseased, or any other health effecting status ailment, except burns and other such physical problems, the character can develop an immunity to the status ailment. When effected make a Hard Immunity check. If you pass after you are infected, then your character will develop an immunity to that particular infliction. This must be done for every new infliction of any new health affecting status ailment. |
N/A |
You also develop immunity to positive status effects in the same way and must make immunity checks to them. |
| Antennae Array |
The fae can sense things perfectly even when their sight is obstructed. This makes them immune to vision affecting status effects and able to retain their perception even in the darkest of places. |
must be a fae |
Antenna Dependence: To the fae the antenna are a vital sensory organ. Damage to one antenna requires the fae to need to make Normal Perceive checks for every action. Damage to both changes the checks to Impossible Perceive checks. Antenna can be healed like any other limb. |
| Hovering Flight |
Unlike other races that can fly, fae do not need to land. They can hover in place. Nor is flight a skill at which they can fail as flight is natural to them. A fae can choose to walk moving at Fae Walking movement rates, or a fae can choose to fly moving at Fae Flying movement rates. |
must be a fae; must not carry weight that is half or more of weight limit. |
N/A |
| Nature's Kin |
Fae can communicate with insects and small woodland animals. |
be a fae |
Delicate as a Butterfly: All physical damage done to the fae is increased by +2 |
| Strong Willed |
This talent makes it more difficult for others to con you, trick you, influence you, charm you, or seduce you in any way. It does so by giving your character a bonus of +3 to Mental Balance to guard against any effect that would take away the control of your character. |
This talent cannot be used if you have any handicap that lowers your character's Mental Balance against being controlled or influenced. |
Having this talent lowers your Mental Balance when resisting mind, mental, or psychological affecting status effects and attacks, such as fear, by 2 points. |
| The Natural Bard |
Faes are natural bards. The effects of any singing or dancing skills are increased by 50%. |
must be a fae |
N/A |
Lifespan
Fae have two stages of life. The first stage, age of development, last from birth until 20. During this stage the young fae grows and develops it’s many skills needed for survival, following the same path a typical human would follow. The young fae stays at home until he or she is at least 20.
The month and element that the fae is in determines the deity that the fae is connected to.
- Earth: these fae are linked to Ova, the goddess of nature. They are the builders and gardeners. They are very grounded and neutral.
- Fire: these fae are linked to Solara the goddess of the southern wind. These fae are guardians of warmth and light. They are very high energy and passionate.
- Air: these fae are linked to Zephyr (the West Wind) and Eros (the East Wind). These fae are the scouts and messengers. They are pranksters and jovial.
- Water: these fae are linked to Tyria. They manage the rains and winter snows and are stoic and calm.
The final stage, adulthood, last from 21 until death. During the first 40-80 years of this time period, the fae will venture forth into the world to learn his or her place in it and better understand how the world functions. This is part of their pact with the winds and Mother Ova as the voices of nature as they are meant to be both its ambassadors and caretakers. When the agreed upon time frame has ended, the fae will then return back to the colony they belong to. They cannot resist this return, as it is a impulsive desire built within them to return to their queen. Upon returning fae may mate and will become part of the colony. At the end of their life span, the fae create a cocoon out of silk materials and hangs it in a tree. The fae will then seal him or herself in it and perish. The body of the fae during this time shrinks and transforms into a multicolored butterfly, which will fly out of the cocoon and join the natural world.
Appearance
Fae are your basic fairy. Though their true form is somewhat shorter than a human, they can shrink themselves to 3 inches tall. Fae usually all have long hair of either blond, reed, blue, pink, purple, or green color. Their eyes match their hair color. Fae also have large butterfly wings which match their hair color. Fae have feelers that protrude 18 inches from their head. You will never find a fae that is overweight, all fae are very slim
Living Habitat
Fae live out in the woods in colorful huts within the trees. They are a very flirtatious race who will gladly tease and jest with other races, though are unable of reproducing with them. Any fae out traveling is between the ages of 21-80, though it may be hard to know this by simple glance as all fae, young and old, always appear young.
Food & Sleeping Requirements
Fae must sleep a full night cycle and eats a diet consisting of insects and nectar, or give way to fatigue.
Culture
Fae live in a matriarchal society where there is a queen fae of their colony that dictates the lives and routine of the fae that live in that colony, or were born to it. Faes are grouped in colonies of several hundred and share the colony with the sprite-folk. In the household, it is the mother or the female who is the head while the males take on the domestic matters. Fae are extremely flirtatious and born practical jokers. They are polytheistic in belief, worshiping the four winds and nature, and as so in relationship matters with one fae female often having multiple fae husbands.
Fae do not care so much about surnames, but when relating to others they will state that they are the daughter of and give their mother's name. First names often have something to do with nature or magic.
Every once in a while a fae will be born with black hair, eyes, and wings, and black is considered unnatural and evil. These fae are either expelled with their father at a young age, or both are killed as they are considered to be dark fae. It is extremely rare for a so-called dark fae to survive and live into adulthood. Those rare fae will not have a connection to the colony queen and will always be shunned or attacked by other fae and sprite-folk. Those that do survive may harbor destructive feelings towards their kinsmen.
Racial Relations
Fae’s are flirtatious and friendly and will try to get along with anyone, regardless of race. However their practical jokes often make more enemies than friends. Some races are allured by a fae's natural beauty and charms despite the fact that they have no way to really have a romantic relationship with the fae.