What is a fae?

Fae are mythical beings, and their characteristics vary wildly depending on the source. There's no single definitive description. However, some common traits attributed to fae include:

• Otherworldly Beauty: Fae are often depicted as possessing an ethereal and captivating beauty, though this can be deceptive. Their attractiveness might mask a dangerous or unpredictable nature.

• Supernatural Abilities: They frequently possess magical abilities, such as shapeshifting, illusion casting, healing, and manipulating weather. The extent of these powers varies greatly.

• Connection to Nature: Fae are strongly tied to the natural world, often inhabiting forests, fields, and other wild places. They are deeply connected to specific locations and elements of nature.

• Trickery and Mischief: A common trope is their mischievous and unpredictable nature. They may play tricks on humans, sometimes out of harmless amusement, other times for more malicious reasons. Their interactions are rarely straightforward.

• Mortality/Immortality: Their lifespan is often uncertain. Some portrayals depict them as immortal or nearly so, while others suggest they can die, though perhaps not in the same way as humans.

• Social Structure: Different fae societies may have complex hierarchies, rules, and customs. Some may live in organized courts ruled by powerful queens or kings, while others are more solitary.

• Thin Places: These are places where the veil between the human world and the fae realm is thin, making encounters more likely. Ancient burial mounds, standing stones, and dense forests are often cited as examples.

• Rules and Bargains: Interacting with fae often involves strict rules and consequences for breaking them. Making bargains with them is a classic trope, often with unforeseen and potentially terrible consequences. Literal interpretations of words are common.

It's crucial to remember that the fae are often depicted as ambivalent figures – neither wholly good nor wholly evil. Their actions are frequently driven by their own mysterious agendas and whims, making them unpredictable and potentially dangerous to interact with. Different cultures and stories will paint vastly different pictures of what a fae is.