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wickedsrest-rp · 1 year

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NAME: Spriggan (Pl: Spriggans)

RARITY: ★★☆☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 70-90 years

Supernatural abilities: Illusion magic, shrinking, fast healing, x-ray vision, fae glamours

Enhanced/special senses: Senses treasure

Immunities: Being fed on by fae

Weaknesses: Iron, inverted shirts, human dander, stealing is dangerous

Can detect: Other fae

Detected by: Hunters (wardens), other fae

Additional notes: This species does not have heightened strength or senses

DESCRIPTION: Most spriggans have some connection to the tight-knit, secretive communities in Cornwall, England, but today, spriggan communities can be found all over the world, sometimes in far-flung corners. These fae are goblin-like in appearance, and though not diminutive, they tend to be shorter than average. They have pointed ears, slender limbs with knobby elbows and knees, and a mouth full of pointed teeth that replace themselves if damaged much like shark teeth. Males have a pair of short horns growing from their head. Any spriggan over the age of 18 who was raised in a proper manner will have decorative green tattoos covering their body– an important rite of passage in spriggan society, marking them as independent adults. Though they certainly have a penchant for mischief, spriggans are not generally thought of as dangerous. More often, they’re described as thieving nuisances, using their illusions and x-ray vision to steal.

CULTURE: Spriggans have a nearly universal tradition: a spriggan of tattoo-getting age will be expected to leave the watchful eye of their parents and begin a life of thievery on their own, wherever that be. The green tattoos are given as a mark of independence, and a spriggan may no longer rely on their parents or even community to look after their needs once receiving them. Adult spriggans without tattoos are not considered to be spriggans at all within these communities and are rejected. While spriggan communities will take care of each other as a society, mostly to ensure safety, each individual is expected to be on their own when it comes to survival and meeting their own needs. This may seem like a harsh reality for an 18 year old, but it’s expected and normalized among spriggans. Spriggans often continue to receive tattoos that symbolize things they’ve achieved or places they visited; older spriggans are sometimes covered with tattoos and are respected for their tapestry of accomplishment.

Even compared to other fae, spriggans are considered exceptionally insular, and may not live among other fae in aos sí. Rather, they usually live only among other spriggan in spriggan-only aos sí, though some have spread out into more varied fae communities. They prefer to only have offspring with other spriggans but will settle for other fae. However, they much prefer their spriggan children to their non-spriggan children. Non-fae and human couplings are out of the question and will lead to ejection from spriggan society, among other traitorous acts that even chaotic spriggan society has agreed are irredeemable. Despite this, spriggans are curious and nosy by nature, so many spriggans do spend some time among humans. This is considered acceptable provided their loyalty remains with their community. Spriggans place such an emphasis on their traditions in part because their lifespans are shorter than those of most other sentient fae. This is a massive sore spot for them (it’s so human) and they want the same sense of culture and continuity that other fae can enjoy. In a way, they use their traditions to make themselves seem more like other fae species and less like humans.

THIEVERY: All spriggans love to steal, and tend to collect objects of a similar theme, whether it’s a color or a type of item, like padlocks or blue cloth napkins. Stealing is second nature to them, is hard to resist, and has made gracefully assimilating into human society impossible, though some have a degree of success. Viewed through a human lens, their thievery is akin to what psychologists would call kleptomania. Though humans aren’t aware of this, the folklore behind the “tooth fairy” is in fact based on a spriggan who had a fondness for stealing teeth. While spriggans prefer the company of their own kind and other fae, it’s not uncommon for some to spend time in human society to sell their services, wares, or scope out something they wish to steal. While spriggans are far more known for their thievery than violence, their coveted objects have a powerful hold over them, and they have been known to respond with force at any attempt to intervene.

ABILITIES: Spriggans are able to create illusions with their innate fae magic. They do this to help escape dangerous situations when they’re caught in the act of stealing. A common spriggan technique is creating up to two additional mirror images of themselves, all able to move and act independently. Some spriggans may be able to shrink in size for a short amount of time (though they can’t grow to larger-than-normal proportions). Others may be able to obscure themselves in an illusion of mist or fog when spotted. This magic functions as an extension of the fae and does not require external energy sources like spellcaster magic. Another boon to their thievery is their x-ray vision. When using it, they can see through solid surfaces and even skin, allowing them to locate valuables and exit points. They can only maintain this for a few minutes.

Like other fae, spriggans have accelerated healing. They’re also capable of applying (sometimes imperfect) glamours to themselves to blend into human society. However, most spriggans are uncomfortable with using glamours to conceal their true appearance and will neglect to do so if alone or with other fae/supernaturals. Spriggans are known to have a “supernatural sense of smell” that allows them to track down nearby supernatural objects with uncanny accuracy. It’s hard to hide something powerful and rare from the nose of a spriggan.

WEAKNESS: Spriggans have a weakness of iron, particularly cold iron. When faced with a spriggan that is violent, one can turn their shirt inside out and the spriggan will be unable to touch them (for whatever reason, for spriggans this seems to be the equivalent of religious iconography to a vampire). Their obsession and possessiveness of their treasure or collections can be exploited, and they may be trapped in the process of one of their thefts. Because they put themselves into potentially dangerous situations so frequently, it’s atypical for a spriggan to die of old age (though spriggans may brag about the coolest deaths their relatives had). Spriggans can be killed via injury to a vital organ or decapitation. Some spriggan are better at their illusions than others; occasionally one will have a hard time completely covering their true form, resulting in their tattoos, horns, teeth, or ears betraying their illusion of humanity. Embarrassingly, it’s common for spriggans to have allergies to human dander.

SPECIES DYNAMICS:

While these dynamics are considered to be typical, there are many outliers based on character histories, personalities, development, and plots.

Selkies: While selkie pelts can be charged with the magic of spriggans, they’re not as fussy about the loss as other fae. Spriggans have somewhat of a different outlook. Growing up in a culture of theft, they see the stealing of their abilities as fair play, and may even respect a selkie who one-ups them. Some spriggans and selkies may even go on the hunt for shiny things together, becoming unlikely treasure hoard loving buddies.

Humans: Despite spriggans’ love of their own kind and their aversion to humans, many actually have a sort of fascination with humankind. That may be one of the reasons a spriggan might want to steal from them, and others actively study humanity (though… perhaps not well). There is further irony buried in their fae superiority: With their identical lifespans comes the potential to better understand the human perspective than most other fae species. Most would never think or admit this.

Other Fae: As a sentient species of fae with a shorter lifespan, spriggans have complicated feelings about where that puts them in comparison to some of the other longer-lived fae species. They fear judgment from other species and accusations of being more similar to humans than they are other fae. As far as most fae are concerned, they’ve never thought this (and many find spriggans kind of strange), but spriggans often can’t get that chip off their shoulder.

Banshees: Because of their ability to predict death, some fae communities have a special reverence for banshees, even if most don't buy into the whole "fate" thing banshees always go on about. Others may think banshees are simply batshit. Two things can be true. Banshees tend to view other fae as equals and allies, but even so, remain secretive about their ways.

Spellcasters: Nearly every spellcaster coven is familiar with spriggans, and not in a good way. All of those rare magic items inevitably draw the attention of a spriggan who wants them, and sometimes this leaves casters empty-handed. Warding and protecting these items only seems to make it easier for spriggans to find their things. Many casters have to be careful about where they keep things as a result. It’s not unusual for each coven to have a “relationship” with a particular spriggan who is known to steal their things. Sometimes they never even see each other despite things being stolen for years. Additionally, some fae may look down on magic cast by humans and deem it as unworthy and lesser than fae magic. Others may be more interested in learning about the other’s magic and improving their understanding. Fae who have trouble fully concealing their non-human form may form relationships with casters who are able to help them. Spriggans sometimes need this help more than others.

Hunters: While relationships between fae and wardens are almost always violent, some slayers have forged alliances with fae in order to take down bigger groups of vampires. Fae are eager to stop those that seek out their blood, and slayers just want to reduce the number of vampires. Wardens and most rangers disapprove of this, and some slayers don’t know how binding these arrangements can be if they’re not careful.

Vampires: Aside from the whole “might want to drink fae blood” thing, spriggans don’t mind vampires. Vampires, however, probably mind them. Spriggans seek out the oldest vampires they can find and attempt to steal from their crypts or dwellings. The potential of all of those cool historical artifacts and shiny or even not-shiny things provides a constant temptation to some spriggans and they need to tread carefully.

Werewolves: Spriggans and werewolves may not know much (if anything) about each other, but if they do know anything at all, it’s that they both place the highest degree of importance on their community or pack. Because of this, the two species may understand each other more than others, and even offer protection for each other if circumstances call for it.

Kitsune: The hoshi no tama of kitsune hold a delightful appeal to spriggans, and they would like to steal them, please. An overzealous spriggan may cost a kitsune their tails, and as such, they tend to be very cautious when in a fae-filled area, just in case a spriggan may be in their midst.

Empaths: Because empaths are able to sense emotions, they can also detect the presence of a spriggan no matter how stealthy that spriggan is trying to be. This can make empaths useful guards in cases of repeated theft, and spriggans fear being perceived by them.

VIEW OPEN SPRIGGAN SKELETONS

#fae species #species #spriggan species

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ganondoodle · 10 months

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you need to know like 5 levels of lore for my zelda fanworks to know how the lil guy in this sketch is demise (it makes sense i swear)

#ganondoodles #art #zelda #tloz #loz #demise #character design #doodles #big guy is one of his dads #yeah he got two dads what about it #havent decided yet which one is fae and which one is rahim #this one is based on lynels #other is of a more humanoid species hence why lil demise is a mix

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minecraftbookshelf · 10 months

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Random Minecraft YouTube Cinematic Universe Headcanon #1

Ethoslab and LDShadowLady are the same species.

They aren’t but they are.

He is Void and she is Shadow. Little fragments of the primordial universe given sentience and a name and a Player form.

#they share a species and that species is ‘Eldritch’#and now his hobby is being a slightly revered and fondly mocked cryptid #and hers is scamming her friends and playing pranks #just fae things #ldshadowlady #ethoslab #mcyt #rain rambles #thinky thoughts

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hihopelessromantics · 1 month

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Fantasy Tails

Messing around with magical biology with some rough sketches and lore :) Tagging some who might be interested :3

@librathefangirl @zorria @7-ratsinatrenchcoat @theprinceofliones @stvrlightthearts

Demon

Another take on the traditional (?) demon tail! The heart on the end protects the demon's retractable, venomous (or just very pointy) barb.

Tails, venomous and nonvenomous, are used for balance, especially while the demon is maneuvering in mid-air. whether they are jumping or flying. flight. They're deceptively strong even though their mechanisms seem delicate and the fluff covering them doesn't appear as tough as the rest of the demon's skin. A younger demon’s tail reaches full size before they reach their adult height. Coloration depends on the demon’s primary colors, including features like hair, eyes, teeth, skin, and tongue.

Tail venom develops during late adolescence- an evolutionary process that serves two purposes. One, that the baby and toddler cannot injure its parents, itself, or its other potential packmates with a potent and uncontrolled poison. Second, that the toxin may adapt to whatever might suit the demon best as it grows. Environmental conditions are thought to play a direct role. High-level demon venom has no ‘antidote’ because it, structurally, is one-of-a-kind; antivenom would require an (albeit slightly) different formula even between identical twins. There are three official categories this venom can fall into: defensive, offensive, and constructive. Some demons will inject their venom into themselves or other demons on a circumstantial basis to help, not harm! A few toxins specifically adapt to treat a temporary condition their demon frequently suffers from- for instance, to treat extreme insomnia or muscle cramps, to dissolve abscesses from the inside, or to reset one of the body’s natural cycles. Level of toxicity can fluctuate throughout the demon’s lifetime.

Goddess

Goddesses’ legs are built for flight - not just for landing - they are very strong!

Feathers all along the tail can fan out and adjust individually, though, of course, the tail end has the most maneuverability. For potion recipies requiring the physical essence of a goddess feather, it is not usually specified whether it need be a tail or wing feather. Instead, the recipe will reference a specific altitude or bloodline. The wings and tails of goddesses contain special adaptations per their homeland and family line. A feather separated from the body of some goddess species becomes serrated and sharp like a blade, for instance, and these contain a potent defensive energy. Coloration also depends on place of origin and closely resembles that of the wings.

While aiming for the wings is considered a legitimate battle tactic, aiming for the tail is considered an extreme insult and foul play, a sentiment largely reciprocated and respected by the Demon Clan.

Fairy

The creatures known as fairies / fae / faerie display immense biological and magical diversity and that's fascinating to work with, so I added them to the list for funsies.

A fairy’s tail begins as a simple prehensile limb and grows into a symbol of the fairy’s power as they mature. In their base form, tails are most often used in dancing and in daily nonverbal communication. Fully awakened fairies’ tails transform in the likeness of their wings, sprouting insect-like appendages which greatly increase the speed and maneuverability of the fairy’s flight. For those of the highest ability, it becomes near-impossible to disorient them or to knock them from the air.

Some examples I thought up!

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l4wlii · 9 months

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No one asked for it but I present to you, this!

It's messy, maybe I'll make a cleaner version in the future, but here's quick guide for my Mawthfolk if anyone's interested in drawing one of your own!

Also here's more examples of these "birdified moth wings" that I was experimenting with:

Anyway, if you do decide to make your own, plz tag me! I'd love to see!!♡

#original species art #open species #mawthfolk #digital art #digital sketch #manga art #artists on tumblr #character design #fae #mothcore #moth character #wings

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brucewaynehater101 · 1 month

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Y'all, every once in a while I get reminded of changeling. Instead of thinking about how its a weird folktale, I think about how its origins are probably ableist.

Changeling are children the fae switched out at birth. They look just like the og child, and there's no physical difference between them. For some reason, the fae just wanted you to raise their kid instead of yours (look into the myth yourself if you want more clarity).

So, how can you tell if your child has been replaced by a changeling? If it acts weird. There's no way that you would birth a child with habits, thoughts, and movements not compared to your own. If the child acts strange (aka neurodivergent), then they killed the child. After all, that's not your child and changeling are bad.

That sad part about this is that either the child gets killed alone for being different, or the mom probably gets killed as well for birthing the kid.

So....

#tw death #tw murder #tw ableism #changeling #could be some cool symbolism for stories talking about ableism #it has shitty origins but being considered part fae (powerful beautiful mystical etc.) could be fun #makes me wonder about the ties between autism and telling the truth #also the slander about fae being tricksters #is the entire fae species just a representation of being neurodivergent?

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thekatebridgerton · 8 months

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Speaking of which, if I ever had to do a collab with someone I would do a Labyrinth au with @sea-owl

Where the Bridgertons are the rulers of the Goblin court and their spouses are adults who have drawn the attention of the fae, as either kids or adults and the fae court wants to lure them into the fae lands by making them run the Labrynth, so they kidnap their ‘children’ aka, their younger siblings.

Kate went to a town fair with her little sister and in the process of getting rid of a guy that was way too confident in himself, she insulted the Goblin king, probably told a glamoured Anthony to his face that he wasn’t that attractive and that his flirting didn’t work on her. So Anthony took little Edwina as petty revenge and now Kate has to brave the fae lands to rescue her. But she’s not letting him win, and she sure isn’t letting him have her sister! That overconfident jerk.

Simon actually was rescued from the Labrynth by his Aunt Danbury when he was a kid, apparently ‘the little Duchess Daphne’ of the Goblin court took a linking to him when his father wished him away, but Aunt Agatha rescued him. Now as an adult, with the disappearance of Aunt Agatha, Simon was left as the sole guardian of his 14 yo cousin Gareth, and somehow the fae have taken him as payment for Simon. And now, it turns out, that the little duchess who used to like him, is not so little anymore. And Daphne still thinks he’s handsome.

Penelope actually broke a promise when she was a child to one of the members of the Goblin court. As a kid she used to think they were imaginary friends, since she lived in a very old house near the forest, so she had no problem promising she would marry the handsome boy who liked to play with her in the garden in exchange for having someone in her family who loved her. When her sister Felicity was born, Penelope’s family moved away, and she forgot her promise, now she’s back in Mayfair, and it seems like her handsome imaginary friend, isn’t that imaginary, or that benevolent anymore. How was she supposed to know Colin was the most chaotic brother of the Goblin king? Or that he’d take his gift back, in order to force Penelope to come to him.

Phillip didn’t know that the very pretty girl who used to sit by the lake with him when the twins were born, was some sort of magical creature. Eloise was kind, a little eccentric but she listened to him when he was a struggling new dad. She seemed to like the newborns too. So when Marina started to lose her temper more and more, with the onset of her illness, it was natural for Phillip to confide in his nice mysterious friend. He didn’t expect Marina to have an accident in the lake shortly after that. He had to move away because of the accident. He knew something was wrong with the lake and feared something could happen to him and the kids. He didn’t know Eloise could be patient, waiting until he came back to Mayfair, with his cute little twins. Ready to be fully lured into the Goblin court.

Araminta always told Sophie that one day the Goblins would come to take her back because she wasn’t really her father’s kid, but rather an unnatural bastard left on their doorstep and sure she sometimes dreamed about being spirited away when she was asleep, but she didn’t want little Posey to be stolen by the fae when Araminta wished for Sophie to be gone instead. A very handsome Goblin offered to help her find and rescue Posey, but the thing is that he also seemed to want her to be his mistress in the Goblin court. Ugh what had she gotten herself into?

Finally, wickedly flirtatious Michael, who lost all his family in a freak house fire that left him and 6 yo Lucy as the sole survivors. Michael only survived because a beautiful fae girl from the Goblin court was there during the fire and let them live because she used to like his dead cousin John (who in that house had offended the bloody fae??, Michael always suspected it had been Lucy’s uncle). Michael of course raised Lucy as well as he could, far away from Mayfair. Until he came back for a visit and the messenger from the Goblin court appeared, letting him know that the lady Francesca was no longer satisfied with their last bargain and now she wanted Michael to provide a playmate for her little brother Gregory. But Michael didn’t want Lucy to be taken forever by the Goblin court. So if the sister of the Goblin King wanted him to be wicked, he would show her wicked.

Cue Kate, Simon, Penelope, Sophie, Phillip and Michael teaming up to run in the Labyrinth and survive the respective traps set by the fae in order to rescue their siblings. Maybe I just want to see the Bridgertons hosting the most decadent fae masquerade ever, while their significant others are decked to the nines in the most exquisite finery known to men, dancing to music that’s too good to be true. But also extremely suspicious of these very powerful fae that claim to love them, but are still, technically kidnapping kids to keep them from leaving the fae lands.

(In Eloise defence, she always planned to adopt Phillip’s cute twins, it’s not kidnapping because she technically never planned to give them back.. Anthony, Colin, Benedict and Daphne yes that qualifies as kidnapping, and Hyacinth is getting way too chummy with Gareth but look at Francesca, she never intended to keep Lucy for long, sure, Gregory did get a strange fixation and he did want to keep Lucy forever, but the point is, Francesca was okay with returning Lucy to the human world after a few days, Michael just took her summons the wrong way and that’s the story they’re sticking to if he survives the labyrinth)

I just think this is an au that’s been running through my head and @sea-owl would understand why.

#because which species is more yandere than the actual Fae?#polin #kanthony #benophie #labrynth au #anthony bridgerton #eloise bridgerton #kate sharma #benedict bridgerton #sophie beckett #penelope featherington #imma be honest I think Eloise killed Marina #Hyacinth is having so much fun with Gareth

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elbiotipo · 4 months

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Tolkien wrote "half-elf" a couple times, and D&D was like "y'all mind if I bring back the sistema de castas"

#cosas mias #and when Tolkien wrote elves and half-elves while he was still as racist as one could expect from an Englishman born in South Africa #he was implying more of a connection to something supernatural (elves are more akin to what we could call 'fae')#it was D&D that turned them into full Races and Species with numerical stats in the style of XIX century anthropology #which speaks a lot about modern fantasy #fantasy #worldbuilding

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mrsthunderkin · 24 days

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SOBS

LOOK AT HOW SHORT BART IS

MY BBY BOY YOU'RE SO SMOL

SOBS HARDER

#sketcharoonie #wip #tbd #i just need people to appreciate Bart being so short compared to other appropriately sized males of his species #bart the bard #bartemus Bagiery #bran #Hare #seelie fae #unseelie fae #sketch

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humming-doodles · 2 years

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catch me realizing i don’t need to design outfits for an oc if i just make them an orb instead

anyways here’s Fayre whose primary character trait is having permanent 0.0 face and deciding that reflecting other people’s expressions is a valid workaround that definitely isn’t just as creepy. Their wings are also constantly putting out a confusion aura a la morpho’s screen inverting move so they keep em tucked out of the way when interacting with civilized folk - absolutely 100% a cryptid

#they use telepathy to communicate which is fortunately fairly common given like 50%of kirby species don't have visible mouths #I’ve been wanting to make some sort of oc with those wings i designed ages ago for a while now #but again i Really don't like designing outfits especially the fancy flowy stuff i am just not good at it #like i will Eventually do it cause i do like this character concept and i do think it'd work well for a humanoid but i also am Lazy #i'll get to it one day until then enjoy Orb #anyways who can guess how many fae lore references i can cram in this character #not a comic #kirby #kirby oc #puffball oc #idfk what to tag this as #art for me that i enjoy making cause it's fun #fayre

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windwhisperer-windy · 14 days

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Sen Anno Aos

Name: Sen Anno Aos Aliases: Sticky – Heritage: Fae, Immortal, Shifter Bio-gender: Male Age: Ageless (seems 73, Immortal) Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual Martial Status: Married – Height: 5 ft 9 Weight: 164lbs Eyes: Blue Hair: Blond and it is long to his ass Body Build: Athletic, muscular and perfectly portioned Complexion: Caucasian Special Features: A goatee beard and a…

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#Character Bios.#Fae Species #Immortals

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wickedsrest-rp · 1 year

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NAME: Nymph (Pl: Nymphs)

RARITY: ★★☆☆☆

LIFESPAN: Variable

DESCRIPTION: Nymphs are a category of fae with many subtypes, all tied to elements, biomes, plants, animals, or even musical motifs. They’re the most ancient groups of fae, and one of the most magical. Being so tied to nature, it’s not uncommon for nymphs to put their connection and bond with the environment over the lives of the people around them. Sometimes even other fae come second to their element. Most share a love for games and trickery – naturally, these “games” are often deadly or dangerous for the humans involved. Many nymphs are insular and keep close to their own kind, choosing to reject most human company. The appearance and abilities of nymphs vary widely and are related to whatever element or area that type of nymph is connected to. Generally speaking, nymphs will have obviously inhuman characteristics representative of their connection; most mask their appearance with glamours, but how effective this is depends on an individual’s level of experience. Most lack the insectile wings of their non-nymph fae relatives (wings listed under type abilities if present).

ABILITIES: All nymphs have a deep connection with nature and may physically feel when a tree, earth, forest, ocean, or body of water is upset or unbalanced, depending on their domain or element. Through this deep connection with a specific domain, they’re able to manipulate certain parts of the world around them. This is a far more raw kind of magic than that used by spellcasters, and is driven by communication with the domain rather than brute control over it. Using this connection, nymphs can become forces of nature, controlling tidal waves, stirring up sandstorms, and ensnaring others with vines. Some may even be able to work within their domain to create illusions, such as the sound of the sea in someone’s ears or a massive swarm of bees surrounding someone. Additionally, some types of nymphs have additional abilities, such as breathing underwater, flight, and heightened senses or strength. While nymphs are most dangerous when near the part of nature they’re tied to, like other fae, their ability to bind others with words should not be underestimated.

WEAKNESS: Nymphs are connected to life and energy itself, and the world can be an unstable place. At times, their domain or element may not have the same feelings or goals as a nymph, resulting in a lack of alignment on what the nymph requests of it. When there’s disagreement, the element will take on a life of its own should the nymph attempt to use the connection for their natural magic, causing chaos even the nymph may not appreciate. Although, that depends on how chaotic they’re feeling.

Some nymphs lack preternatural strength and senses, meaning they can be harmed or killed using ordinary weapons and methods. Like other fae, they’re susceptible to iron, especially cold iron. Their close ties to nature can be used against them, as most types of nymphs can be harmed or killed if what they protect is destroyed. They can be especially sensitive and volatile. It’s not uncommon for nymphs to become dangerous or lethal to those who try to harm what they’re connected to or intrude on their domain. Many types of nymphs have specific weaknesses based on what they’re connected to.

PLAYABLE TYPES:

The types below represent some of the better known types of nymphs, but there are nymphs tied to almost every facet of nature, as well as themes such as music, weaponry, and more. If you want to apply for a nymph not listed below, please reach out to us and we can talk through balancing their strengths and weaknesses.

NAME: Anthousa (pl: Anthousai)

NYMPH OF: Flowers and other non-tree plant-life

RARITY: ★★☆☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 200-800 years

Universal abilities: Fast healing, make flowers bloom, communicate through flowers, pollen may have various effects, may have wings

Universal weaknesses: Fire, lack of sunlight, iron, chemicals harmful to plants

Known for their beauty and whimsy, anthousai are nymphs of flowers and other plant-life such as bushes or even moss. Like leshy, which are tree nymphs, the appearances of anthousai vary widely based on what species or types of plant the nymph is connected to. Many have flower blooms in their hair and may be surrounded by a cloud of yellow pollen, though their physiology is similar to that of other fae and not primarily plant-based. Where leshy are serious forest guardians, anthousai are playful and can be quite superficial. They cherish their connection to their domain and will strike down those who oppose them, but are not known for being rageful. Anthousai can use flowers and other plants as a means of communication, able to hear and sense whatever their domain can, and even communicate back through them; this gives them “ears” all over their forest. The pollen that they naturally exude can have varying ill side-effects on those who breathe it in or make contact. Their very presence in an area can result in magnificent blooms.

NAME: Leshy (pl: Leshy)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Lleshi, Lesovi, Lesovy, Lesun, Hejkal

NYMPH OF: Trees

RARITY: ★★★★☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 800-2,000 years

Universal abilities: Plant magic, fast healing, can augment themselves by incorporating new plants into their physiology

Universal weaknesses: Fire, dehydration, iron, chemicals harmful to plants

Leshy are an all-male species of nymph that tend to take themselves more seriously than their mischievous cousins. Though there are many types of nymphs tied to other plant life such as flowers and moss, leshy are the protectors of trees and trees alone. Their appearance may vary wildly depending on what type of trees they protect and what part of the world they sprouted in. If they are moved to a habitat unlike the one they grew up in, the leshy will default to caring for whatever species are native while still retaining the unique qualities of their progenitor tree. Their cells function using chloroplasts; leshy breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, and whatever tree they grow to emulate will also dictate their dietary needs. They are incapable of reproducing sexually and not much is known about how the species proliferates, which leads to many leshy being adopted and raised by whoever first discovers them in the wild.

NAME: Lampade (pl: Lampades)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Lampad, Nymphae avernales

NYMPH OF: Darkness

RARITY: ★★★☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 600-800 years

Universal abilities: Merging with existing shadows to become incorporeal, madness stare, fast healing

Universal weaknesses: Iron, prolonged exposure to sunlight, bright light

In their true form, lampades are humanoids with dark, wispy appearances and long, stag-like antlers on their heads. They are beings of shadows and in mythology have often been associated with the underworld. In reality, they are protectors of the shadows and those who call the shadows home. Their ability to become shadows themselves makes them particularly dangerous to anyone or anything that is perceived as a threat to shady and dark places. Their bright, lantern-like eyes inspire madness in any non-fae that looks into them, which can present differently depending on the individual and can last varying lengths of time. This madness they induce typically turns those who would dare bring light to their shadows away. Some lampades like to say they created fear of the dark though whether this is true is unknown. Their antlers (especially the velvet they shed each autumn) are a sought-after magical component desired by spellcasters. Lampades typically grow taller with age, some even reaching a height of fifteen feet.

NAME: Mycenid (Pl: Mycenides)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Myceliod

NYMPH OF: Fungi, yeast, and mold

RARITY: ★★★☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 100-200 years

Universal Abilities: Fast healing, make mushrooms thrive, communicate through mushrooms, can make fairy rings, spores may have varying effects

Universal Weaknesses: Dry environments, soft-bodied, cannot use fae word binding/geas without fairy rings, smell musty

Like mushrooms themselves, mycenides are typically found in damp and dark places, preferring to call the darkest parts of the woods or the insides of caves home. These fae have similar physiology to fungi, and are physically quite delicate, but their spores allow for other means of defense. With variation across individuals, some have spores capable of immobilizing others, some may promote decomposition or cause poisoning, and some can even exert mind control over victims. Fairy rings naturally spring up around mycenides, and they can use these rings to toy with, control, or torment humans despite not having the natural ability to bind others to their words (and indeed tend to be exceptionally mischievous). Gnomes are attracted to them and often follow them around. Mycenides can also sense and communicate through mushrooms in their surroundings. Because they're soft-bodied, it's especially important they maintain moisture, and as such they're prone to drying out and can become sick. Mycenides have a musty smell.

NAME: Nix (pl: Nixies)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Nøkk/Nøkken, Neck, Nyx, Naiad

NYMPH OF: Rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of freshwater

RARITY: ★★★☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 150-200 years

Universal Abilities: Breathing under freshwater, accelerated healing while in water, agility

Universal Weaknesses: Saltwater, water separation, water pollution

Nixies are nymphs that take a great deal of pride in protecting bodies of freshwater. Most will feel drawn to a particular source such as lakes or rivers. Most commonly, they appear as a fish-like humanoid with claws and sharp teeth though they are known to take forms similar to other freshwater species like frogs or even the water itself. As nymphs, they consider the water they guard off-limits to those who decide to take a swim uninvited. Most will drown those who enter their waters and have fun while doing so. The range of their abilities is typically tied directly to their form, but all have a great degree of agility in the water. While nixies who appear more like fish have their claws and teeth, others who may appear more like frogs can pull people under with their tongues. Others may have a degree of camouflage while present in their waters. Particularly practiced nixies can manipulate their water to varying degrees depending on how in tune they are with the water itself. This can present in the way of changing currents, inducing flooding, and other forms of water elemental magic. Nixies are at their strongest when in their waters though they are not a threat to be taken lightly on land.

NAME: Nereid (pl: Nereides)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Oceanid

NYMPH OF: Ocean, sea, and a variety of ocean species

RARITY: ★★☆☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 700-1,300 years

Universal Abilities: Breathing under saltwater, strong swimmers, fast healing when in saltwater source

Universal Weaknesses: Freshwater, iron, water separation, water pollution

Like the oceans and seas themself, nereides are variable in both their appearance and abilities. These nymphs can be tied to different sea faring species, oceanic plant life, and even the water itself. What part of the ocean they’re tied to will greatly determine their strengths and weaknesses. All nereides experience a connection with the species they’re tied to while an exceptionally experienced nymph may also have a strong tie with the waters they reside in. Some larger nereides may have enhanced strength in the water while smaller nereides may be more adept with agility and illusions. Nereides as a whole are stronger when the tides are high and a bit weakened when the tides are low. This makes them particularly dangerous during a storm, adding to the risks stormy waters pose. Across the board, it seems most nereides take joy in drowning people and tipping over sea-faring vessels. Outside of their waters, nereides lack most of their supernatural abilities though they should not be underestimated.

NAME: Oread (pl: Oreades)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Orestiad, Oreiad

NYMPH OF: Mountains and rock formations

RARITY: ★★★☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 1,000-2,000 years

Universal Abilities: Shifting into rock formations, sensing vibrations in the earth, burrowing by becoming one with earth

Universal Weaknesses: Damage to rock form is often permanent, disoriented when not on solid ground, iron

Oreades are nymphs that are connected to various aspects of mountains themselves. These nymphs range from being guardians of entire mountain ranges, cave networks, or even plate formations. As such, oreades tend to be durable and long-lived like rocks themselves. These nymphs are particularly territorial when it comes to their range of mountains, rock formations, or cave systems. Most do not take kindly to humans or even other fae exploring the areas they protect uninvited. All oreades have some degree of connection with rocks though their abilities change with what they’re tied to. An oread connected to a system of caves may be able create the illusion of pitch black darkness or trap anyone who explores their caves by shifting the rocks that make it up. Those connected to particularly strong rocks may be able to use them as projectiles and those tied to full ranges may be able to shift the earth to a degree that they can quite literally throw people off their mountains. Their weaknesses are just as varied. Those who protect more fragile rock formations may be more prone to damage while others may experience a decrease in strength with natural erosion or disasters.

NAME: Sylph (pl: Sylphs)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Aurai, Boreas, Sylphid

NYMPH OF: Air, skies, or winds

RARITY: ★★★★☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 500-800 years

Universal Abilities: Can manipulate the wind, sending messages through the wind, and able to travel through the wind, may have wings

Universal Weaknesses: Physically weak, air pollution

Very little is known about sylphs as much like the wind they embody, they are constantly moving and flowing through the world. The howls in the wind have often been attributed to the messages they send far and wide. Their true forms tend to be very transparent and expansive as they take on qualities of the air. This allows sylphs the ability to ride the winds, which looks much like flying. In the absence of strong enough winds, they travel by foot. Most sylphs find their purpose in creating the movement needed to keep the world turning. From carrying pollen from the smallest dandelion to being the power behind a storm that brings rain to a drought, the variety of roles any given sylph takes on is varied. Given that pollution to the air weakens both themselves and their charge, sylphs often attack anyone or anything that is causing harm to the air. Vehicles are particularly loathsome to them and they often go after individuals causing air pollution in any way. On larger scales, they may be inclined to go after power plants that cause a great deal of smog. While they aim to fight this pollution, they often cannot stay in polluted cities for too long without taking on a good deal of damage themselves. Because of this, most sylphs alternate between attacking threats to the air and aiding the wind in keeping ecosystems thriving.

NAME: Entomid (pl: Entomae)

NYMPH OF: Insects

RARITY: ★★☆☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 50-300 years

Universal Abilities: Communication with bugs they are representative of, often have wings

Universal Weaknesses: Harsh weather conditions, pesticides

Entomae are insectile nymphs with abilities as varied as the creatures they represent. While most entomae are insect-like, some may have ties to other terrestrial invertebrates. Most are stronger than they appear, often appearing smaller in stature than other nymphs. Entomae often have wings, though they aren’t always functional and may instead serve as a status symbol; functional wings may be only for certain positions within their communities, with others either only having vestigial wings, or none at all. Many entomae are strongly linked to their communities, forming aos sí with only their own species rather than intermingling with other nymph types. Entomae resembling social insects such as bees or ants have such strong connections to their community that they may be able to communicate without words, using pheromones and body language instead. Entomae can also be based on solitary insects, and many take after their counterparts where their specific abilities are concerned. Some entomae are known to possess certain qualities, such as those based on honeybees (called melissa/melissae) having a fondness for honey, while others like mantid entomae may be better known for their ability to camouflage.

NAME: Khione (pl: Khione)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chione, Cailleach

NYMPH OF: Ice and snow

RARITY: ★★★★☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 300-500 years

Universal Abilities: Manipulation of ice and snow, can cause snow or hail

Universal Weaknesses: Heat, humidity

The lucky few who have seen a khione in person have remarked that they are one of the most beautiful beings they’ve ever seen. These nymphs often take on a translucent and icy appearance that seems to shimmer in the light, much like ice or snow itself. These nymphs typically reside in places with colder weather though are known to travel throughout winter seasons and bring winter storms along with them accordingly. All khione have the ability to manipulate ice and winter weather patterns, though some are more skilled than others. Those who are not as practiced may find they lose control of the storms they brew and cause the inadvertent blizzard while others still cause these blizzards on purpose. All khione are sensitive to heat and will die if their true form melts completely. Even when glamoured, these nymphs are cold to the touch. It is believed these nymphs were once much more long-lived during the Pleistocene era. Currently, they are able to live five centuries at most and find themselves in harmful conditions more often than most other nymphs.

NAME: Hesperide (pl: Hesperides)

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hesperus, Heliades

NYMPH OF: Sun and sunlight

RARITY: ★★★☆☆

QUICK FACTS:

Lifespan: 600-800 years

Universal Abilities: Blinding through light, burning touch, photokinesis, may have wings

Universal Weaknesses: Darkness, extreme cold, iron

In many ways, hesperides are the opposite of lampades. Where lampades are the shadows, hesperides are the light. Much like the sun itself, the true form of hesperides blind most. Other fae seem to be the only others who can look directly at these nymphs with no negative effects. Hesperides are typically strongest during the brightest part of the day and seem to especially thrive during the summertime. These nymphs are largely focused on bringing light and warmth to the world. This can be through sunlight itself, a variety of light sources, or even some bioluminescent insects. They are likely to attack anyone or anything that threatens their lightsource. From shade sources to fire extinguishers, Hesperides consider a variety of things threats depending on the light they protect. They may also be opposed to their lights being used in what they deem frivolous ways, most particularly finding holiday lights to be wasteful. They all have some degree of blinding people with their light, manipulating light, and burning individuals with their touch.

SPECIES DYNAMICS:

While these dynamics are considered to be typical, there are many outliers based on character histories, personalities, development, and plots.

Selkies: The pelts of selkies require magic to work, and that magic comes from spellcasters and fae. It’s more “taken” than “borrowed,” and as a result fae don’t appreciate losing their abilities. Some fae have grown up being warned about those magic-thieving seals. Spellcasters and fae may overcome their differences to protect each other from this outcome – or throw each other under the bus. Nereids in particular especially dislike selkies. As selkies can be very territorial in the water and nereids consider the waters they protect their own, this naturally leads to tension between the two species.

Spellcasters: Some fae may look down on magic cast by humans and deem it as unworthy and lesser than fae magic. Nymphs especially find elemental casters distasteful. Because of this, some spellcasters may find fae insufferable. Others may be more interested in learning about the other’s magic and improving their understanding. There is an upside for those who have trouble with glamours: fae who have trouble fully concealing their non-human form may form relationships with casters who can help them.

Bugbears: While fae as a whole don’t have any particular dislike of bugbears, the fact that bugbears can see through their glamours may make them feel uncomfortable and exposed. It can allow for bugbears to easily identify them as fae, which makes bugbears a danger when it comes to secrecy breaching. Some bugbears don’t know how to keep a secret; others may find less scary fae utterly unremarkable and don’t spare a thought. Due to bugbears' love of honey, melissae tend to regard them with disdain. Bugbears who do come by a hive protected by a melissae may be especially drawn to their honey that’s become imbued with fae magic over time.

Kitsune: Kitsune and fae make natural allies and good company for each other. They’re long-lived and – unlike the often miserable undead – tend to be quite vivacious even in their golden years.

Vampires: Most hesperides pity vampires as they never get to spend time in the sun. To a sun nymph, this is a fate far worse than death. Conversely, vampires tend to avoid hesperides because of the light they’re able to radiate, especially in their true forms. Nixies and nereides can get a bit territorial around a vampire who may enjoy using their lack of breathing to swim to new depths. This can cause some friction between the two. Even so, a nix or nereid may recruit a vampire to help with issues that arise in the water due to the fact they cannot drown. Nereides especially seek the help of vampires where selkies are concerned. The nereides become safe from the territorial selkies and the vampire gets a good meal.

Zombies: Some nixies and nereides may feel kinship to zombies who drowned in their waters. Since these undead are particularly hearty, these nymphs may think the zombie is obligated to protect their waters as well. Most zombies who drowned don’t enjoy this, especially since their deaths can be a source of trauma they prefer not to relive.

VIEW OPEN NYMPH SKELETONS

#fae species #species #nymph species

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lovelesslittleloser · 1 year

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Aliens reacting to the fact that some people watch true crime documentaries to fall asleep

#humans are space orcs prompts #humans are space orcs #humans are space oddities #humans are crazy #humans are space fae #humans are deathworlders #true crime #falling asleep to true crime #aliens: hey what’re you doing #humans: watching a movie of our species committing atrocities against other of our kind :)#aliens:#aliens: …what the fuuuuuuuck—

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stevieharringtonwifeguy · 1 year

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changeling!steve part 2

part like. 0.5

part 1 (part 1 ao3)

ok so definitely the most fun part of any fae au is imagining the fae realm like. ooo alternate dimension thats pretty and creepy at the same time??? stunning, conceptually. basically i imagine it like the bubble in annihilation (great movie that was definitely about humans traveling into the fae realm and nothing can convince me otherwise).

and so far steve’s only been in there alone. it’s not really safe or healthy for humans to be there for too long (again this is a sign for you to watch annihilation on netflix if you don’t mind body horror and psychological horror. very spiral based if you subscribe to the magnus archives fear sorting system). he definitely wouldn’t take any of the party there if he could help it. eddie might be fine, but the very nature of the fae realm really wouldn’t mesh with the highly curious and intellectual minds of most of his friends. if the upside down is the human dimension turned upside down, then the fae realm is the human world turned sideways and inside out.

the whole place feels different. as weird and unsettling as the upside down is, it still feels fundamentally the same as the human world, just if the earth had had an entirely different geological and evolutionary history. but in the fae realm, it’s like the very atoms are put together differently. it’s hard to put your finger on it really. for all intents and purposes it looks like a normal forest on a sunny summer’s day. but it’s a little too bright, and it’s hard to tell where the light comes from, really. there might be a sun peeking through the dense canopy, but nothing casts shadows. the light seems to come from the trees themselves in a very strange way, not like a tree shaped lamp or anything but like the light starts in the air around the trunks. steve had to learn to turn his brain off every time he visited, like the more he tried to think and make sense of his surroundings the more his head hurt and his stomach turned. and that’s steve; dustin or nancy wouldn’t stand a chance.

unfortunately, he doesn’t really have a choice here. eddie’s dying, and they definitely don’t have the time to make it back to the gate and then all the way to the hospital before the magic keeping him alive gives up and he bleeds out. steve needs a shortcut. so he thinks quickly, ties jackets around his, nancy’s, robin’s, and dustin’s waists until they’re tied together like links in a daisy chain. warns him as best he can about the dangers of the fae realm as he bundles eddie into his arms, never more thankful for his unnatural strength than he is right now.

he tells the humans of the group to stay focused, keep their eyes on the back of the person in front of them, and that no matter what they hear they can’t look away. it’s so, so easy for a human to get lost in the fae realm, that’s practically what it’s for, and he’s not risking anything. tells them if they somehow get separated, to put their shirt on inside out and start walking backwards, to not stop unless steve shows up and picks them up bodily. under no circumstances should they follow any voices calling out for them, even if it sounds like one of their party.

when they’ve all repeated his instructions back to him, shown they’re taking this seriously (he knows the inside-out shirt thing sounds dumb, but it works. he’s not unconvinced that the tried-and-true methods for getting out of the fae realm aren’t supposed to sound dumb, like the universe left loopholes in fae magic that are so stupid humans dismiss them out of hand, getting stuck just because they don’t want to look ridiculous), he gets to opening a doorway. he’s glad he practiced before this, doesn’t have to hang around waiting, and soon there’s a little space between the twisted trees of the upside down where the light looks a little different, the air smells a little sweeter.

he leads them in, and the second his foot hits the soft, pillowy moss of the fae realm, all of his injuries seem to disappear. he breathes a sigh of relief, even if the rest of the group hisses in surprise as their eyes struggle to adjust to the harsh light. more magic funnels into him, and he sends all of it to eddie’s fragile form in his arms, willing the witch’s flesh to knit together. just being here has sort of stopped the bleeding; time works strangely in the fae realm, he can feel it trickling slowly over them. eddie’s still technically dying, but now he’s dying at like quarter speed.

steve leads them through the forest, looking for a good place to build a doorway to the hospital and occasionally glancing back at the group to make sure he hasn’t lost anyone. they’re all still with him, and just like he expected, their faces are pinched with pain and nausea, nance and dustin especially. robin’s head keeps twitching like she’s hearing something off to her side and half-turning to look, before remembering her instructions and keeping her eyes resolutely stuck on the back of nancy’s head.

he’s honestly not sure what they’re hearing. whatever magic is built to ensnare humans here doesn’t work on him. there’s probably not any other fae calling out to them- he’s reasonably sure he’s be able to hear it if there were. he’s met other fae a few times, never talking to them for very long, and each interaction has been both confusing for the part of him that still feels human (being raised as such for 18 years before learning otherwise definitely left a mark on his psyche) and deeply refreshing for the part of him that knows he’s not

they make it most of the way through without incident. he doesn’t talk to the group behind him, doesn’t want to confuse them further when he already said not to trust anything they hear in this place. but he talks to eddie, bundled in his arms and slipping in and out of consciousness, tells him it’s okay, steve’s got him, they’re almost at the hospital. tries to crack a joke and tells him to hold the blood in, which earns him a weak huff of laughter that lights up his heart until it turns into wet coughing.

eddie has to be okay. steve isn’t entertaining any other possibility.

he’s just found a good place for a doorway, two trees bent together in an arch in just the right location for steve to link it to the park right by the hospital, when he sees the fairy. they’re currently in the shape of another tree, but steve can see them plain as day as long as he’s not using his eyes. they’re watching him, watching the gaggle of humans he’s brought into their land, watching the witch currently bleeding out in steve’s arms. a breeze like a sigh ruffles through their leaves, the bow of their branches looks almost pitying. they don’t say anything as he passes them, and neither does he.

they’re all through the doorway in another beat of a heart. dustin lets out a gasp of relief as soon as they hit the cool night air, and nancy quickly unties herself to throw up into a bush. steve wants to check in on them, but eddie’s bleeding has picked up again now that they’re back in a dimension where time means something.

robin smiles at him reassuringly, regardless of how pale she looks. ‘i’ve got them. get him inside, quick.’

and steve does, rushing towards the hospital doors with the closest thing a fairy can get to a prayer sitting heavy on his tongue.

eddie can’t die. steve won’t let him.

....

tag list: @wonderland-girl143-blog @estrellami-1 @tauntedperfume @he-she-steveharrington @imfinereallyy @fairytalesreality @swimmingbirdrunningrock @pyrohonk

#steddie #fae!steve au #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #later nancy and dustin are like wow steve how can you stand to be in there it hurt my head #and hes just like yeah just dont like. look at it with your eyes.#theyre like what #yeah you know just. dont think with your brain. you gotta act like youre dreaming #theyre just absolutely baffled. cannot comprehend what hes saying #i like the idea of them slowly coming to the realisation like. steve isnt dumb actually #hes an entirely different species whose intelligence works very differently from theirs #the fae realm is like. the antithesis of everything nancy and dustin stand for they so arent built for it #also i got distracted while writing this about how good annihilation is for fae representation #fucking work of art #honestly its a good thing robin didnt look when she heard noises she absolutely wouldve seen that fucked up bear #my fics

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