One of my favorite creature types are fey. I've always been a huge fan of faeries myths and legends, especially the more old world beliefs where they really were treated more like spirits of the and and such. The big problem is that most game worlds pretty much treat them like just another monster. Sure, they are a faerie, but they are so pretty much in name and stats alone. As for their natures, the stories around them, or their place in the world, they are reduced to a butterfly-winged kobold or a tree-stepping obstacle.

In my games I have tried to restore the Fey to some of their former greatness. In my main campaign world of Arteara (homebrew that evolved organically since high school) I have worked them back int othe landscape and made them a true part of the world. I use faeries as NPCs, patrons, foes, friends, contacts, just about any role open in a game. I've even had a few Fey PCs. Putting the Fey folk into your world is really a pretty simple thing and it's all about the small things and just a good bit of role-playing.

Example One - In a particular part of my world known as Ravania (very much a slavic-themed setting) the people are very much connected to the faeries who they call "The Spirits of The Land". When my party spent the night in one of the inns there, they noted all manner of trinkets, charms and such hung by doors, windows, and chimneys.

As they were languishing in the common room toward the end of the night, they observed one of the barmaids laying out a saucer of milk, tankard of meed and some honey cakes at the great fireplace.

In the morning, as they sat down for breakfast, they noticed the dishes cleaned and stacked at the fireplace as well as several baskets woven from twigs and spider silk filled to the top with dead mice, rats, roaches, etc.

The party never saw the faeries, but their presence and importance in the world was definitely felt. The inkeeper and his staff/family had left an offering and in return their home/business had been cleansed of harmful pests. Of course this was just a glimpse, but from then on, the characters were mindful of the fact that there were more than townfolk about.

Example Two - In another kingdom of my world, much more conventionally fantasy, a deifferent party came across a strange, diminutive man fishing in a stream from a gnarled tree. He seemed agitated, on the verge of a fit. The party learned that he was trying to catch a mysterious white fish. The party agreed to help the old man catch the fish in exchange for one of the wishes it was said to grant.

So, the party manages to catch the fish. The fish is definitely no ordinary fish and sets out to sway the party from handing him over to the old man who he claims is not what he appears to be. The party, faced with the choice of trusting fish or man and the potential loss of a powerful wish decide to hand the fish over to the man.

Much to their dismay, the man gobbles the fish down in one bite and then, in a twinkle and a spin (using whimsical descriptors like this also helps making Fey seem more fey), transforms into a Trow and after taunting, belittling and then finally thanking the party disappears. The party is left empty-handed but fairly warned of the tricks and politics of of the faerie realm.

The party took away a bit of wisdom from this encounter and from then on were a bit more thoughtful in the choices they made and were less hastey to let greed rule them.

Using the Fey in your game world can be quite rewarding for players and GM alike. For the GM, it gives you a chance to play the fool but with purpose. Coming up with strange superstitions or whimsical observances can enrish your setting and allow the GM to play some lither hearted encounters. Faeries need not always be light and fluffy but even when they are wicked, they do it with a certain style.

For players it is a good way to break up the usual encounters with somthign a bit different.  It can also offer new ways for characters to practice beliefs without having to go all out religious. Folk beliefs are something that every character can access.

There are more good things about Fey in games but that couldmean going on forever.

Thanks,

-Eli 

Tags: Fey Faeries D&D RPG Commentary