Faefolk
Faefolk are extremely tiny, faerie-faun spirits that tend to the planet Etoille [pronounced et-wahl]. Often, they reincarnate from troubled lives. Many souls come to Etoille to be protected; they do not remember their past.
They have short limbs, large heads and tiny wings. Their tiny wings mean they cannot fly for long and rely mostly on their magic to fly rather than the power of their wings. Faefolk live in large clans that are associated with a single season; their clans are often led by elders and other trusted, more powerful faefolk. Faefolk are delicate, but hold powerful magic nonetheless. Because of their low constitution, faefolk rarely ever leave the planet. Their diet consists mainly of plants, pollen, nectar, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Rarely, faefolk will eat fungi, lichen or softer woods. Faefolk magic comes from their health and emotions. All faefolk must attend multiple years of school to learn to wield their magic and tend to the planet. Faefolk will often learn to do specialized tasks associated with their season.
Faefolk rely heavily on their clans for protection and sustenance. Wandering without a clan is deeply frowned upon and thought of as a crime because it disrupts the balance of the planet. Faefolk spending long amounts of time outside of their seasonal home causes the balance to be thrown and harsh natural disasters start to occur.
Faefolk are created within the Inner Garden. Styr'Fa creates a mask from the memories of a life, then gives it to the guardian faefolk within the Inner Garden. From there, a small bulb-like plant grows under the mask and when fully grown, emerges a baby faefolk. Faefolk mature quickly and are usually done growing within 10-11 moon cycles of being born.
Anatomy
Faefolk are very tiny; about the size of a maple leaf! They have short limbs, a large head and bright eyes. Faefolk have small wings that can be tucked behind their back.
Their tails should be no longer than their bodies and they always have three fingers/toes.
Faefolk typically wear large shawls, dresses or cloaks that cover most of their bodies. Their masks always cover most of their face as well.
Faefolk can only have seasonal traits related to their season or adjacent seasons; they cannot have traits from their opposite season.
For example: spring faefolk may have spring, summer or winter traits; they may not have autumn traits.
Spring: March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November
Winter: December, January, February
Masks
Faefolk all have masks that are tethered to their spirit for life. Their masks often reflect their past life in some way. Faefolk's magic comes from within their soul and is therefore activated through their eyes. Their masks fully protect their face when worn and camouflauge them against enemies. Masks cannot be damaged, carved or pierced without Styr'Fa's magic. All masks are crafted and bestowed upon the faefolk by Styr'Fa themselves.
Their masks can be summoned and dimissed at will. They are encouraged to leave their masks on around those they don't know, dangerous areas and out of respect at the quarterly Season's Change Gathering.
Their masks are magical and the eyes respond to the faefolk's emotions.
Tending to the Planet
A giant, miraculous dragon-diety called Styr'Fa slumbers curled up in the center of Etoille. Styr'Fa is the source of all life on Etoille. Magic pours from them and into the planet, providing energy, water, magic and everything else life on Etoille needs to survive. Once every 3 months (Seasonal Change), Styr'Fa rises up in the center clearing of Etoille to address all of the faefolk and check on the planet. Faefolk are taught to be deeply respectful towards Styr'Fa.
[Styr'Fa by northfarer]
Faefolk are tasked with taking care of the planet and therefore Styr'Fa. Faefolk are tasked with tending to the seasonal changes and taking care of magical tunnels that Styr'Fa's magic runs through like veins.
Faefolk may spend short amounts of time in adjacent seasons but crossing to the opposite season is forbidden because it has a large impact on the health of the planet.
Society
The planet is split into four sections that are each permanently in one season.
Springnook
A place of renewal, growth and new beginnings. Springnook is a lush and fairytale-esque place full of blooming flowers, crystalline brooks and rolling hills.
Springnook is led by Pascal! They use he/she/they pronouns. They're cheerful, adaptable and sprightly.
Summerchase
A place of passion, ambition and vitality. Summerchase is a lively tropical land that boasts beautiful oceans, fiery volcanoes and bustling villages.
Summerchase is led by Mirri! She uses she/her pronouns. She's outgoing, enthusastic and playful.
Autumnswild
A place of abundance, protection and change. Autumnswild is an ever-changing land filled with dense, autumnal forests dripping with the energy of spirits.
Autumnswild is led by Oaken! He uses he/they pronouns. He's relaxed, go-with-the flow and wise.
Winterhaven
A place of reflection, knowledge and festivity. Winterhaven is a calm arctic land of beautiful endless snow, fir trees and auroras watching from above.
Winterhaven is led by Lixue! They use they/them prounouns. They're quiet, observant and reliable.
The faefolk leaders of opposite seasons do not get along.
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Each place is 'powered up' during their season and there's a 'dead season' when the opposite season is in power. For example, in the winter, Winterhaven is prosperous, extra snowy and bright. On the other hand, Summerchase is less lively, less green and more difficult to upkeep.
Faefolk spend a large amount of time at the start of seasons switching over the season to the empowered season. Adjacent clans are encouraged to cross over and help out temporarily while the opposite clan has to work extra hard to keep things running at first. Tasks can be things like helping grow the new spring flowers, harvesting the magical acorns of fall, creating unique snowflakes or warming up the summer air. The rest of the season is dedicated to relaxation and enjoyment of the season.
There is a neutral zone in the very center of Etoille called the Cherished Circle; underneath is where Styr'Fa lives. Once a season all the faefolk are encouraged to gather in the Cherished Circle to meet with the others, pay respects to Styr'Fa and talk about what lies ahead. Faefolk are encouraged to wear their masks during this time.
faefolk forms
With the mysterious sheet music item, xyns can turn into faefolk forms when they play/sing their soul-song near the Mysterious Shrine in Wingfell. A portal also opens up to instantly teleport the xyn to Etoille. Xyns have significantly less magical ability as a faefolk because of their tiny bodies. A single drop of corruption could be fatal to a small form like this so it is recommended xyns go to Etoille to spend time in their faefolk form.
Xyns can use any traits common-rare for their faefolk form. Their design can change a bit from their xyn form (some different colours or markings), but should be recognizable as the original xyn.
The season your xyn's birthday is in is the season of faefolk they are!
Spring: March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November
Winter: December, January, February
Xyns in faefolk form retain their halo and their masks always have one moon marking in the center above the eyes. (Moon can be shaped like any moon phase.)
