Wander Witch

A Cozy RPG of Fairy and Witchery

tyhulse.com

Ty Hulse
I will be creating additional ways to play for free at
tyhulse.com/wandsandwizardry

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5 – Quick Playing Guide
7- Serendipity and Game Elements
8 – Important Tools
10 – Playing Fairy and Witch Characters
11 – Playbooks
21 – Fairy Folklore
27 – What are fairies in the game.
29 – Random Encounters
42 – A Field Guide to Fairies
54 – Examples of Popplings
56 – Fairy Characters for Inspiration
58-Riddles
59 – Settings and Places
65 – Ideas for Folktales
66 – Fairy Villages for Inspiration
69 – Schools and Castles of Witchery
72 – Wizarding Houses
74 – Conversational Styles
76 – Character Personality Matrix
78 – Personality Traits
78 – Topics of Conversation
81 – Character Sheets

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 discover the other fairy kingdoms, witches' cottages,
and the wide and beautiful world that was all but
forgotten.

Exploring the World as a Witch or Fairy

There is a longing within our hearts to experience There are some who simply wish to see the world
magical moments. Moments of wonder, bliss, and drift by, to ramble through the enchanted world.
perhaps of deep concern – so long as comradery is Many of these fairies seek to gather folktales of the
involved. The magical world is filled with these magical world, for folktales have their own magic.
moments, for it is an enchanted realm, one mostly Perhaps they might find a place to settle eventually,
forgotten even by the fairies and witches. or perhaps they will return home. Their goal is not to
perform some great epic deeds but to experience life
This land is filled with tales that gush forth with and discover the tales of the magical world. After all,
excitement from every ancient fairy who remembers sometimes not knowing what you are seeking helps
the times before and every child who imagines how you to find what you need all the faster.
things should be. Fairyland is filled with secrets so
ancient even most fairies have forgotten. There are In addition to collecting folklore, some possible goals
rock spirits who remember drifting through space of rambling include learning about other villages and
before there was a world to rest on and mountain cultures, finding someplace you can call home, or
spirits who watched the birth of the first grassy understanding this new world the fairies have
meadows. emerged into.

This is your chance to try and have conversations

with these magical beings. To travel and seek the Village Witches and Fairies – Others seek to help their
ineffable sense of home and belonging. village by befriending the fairies and magical
creatures around their community.
Welcome to a world where witches, fairies, and other
magical beings exist within the pages of this book. Schools of Witchery – Sometimes, you want to learn
Join us on a journey where we befriend dragons, magic within a magical school where you can interact
encounter mischievous pixies, and share cups of with peers. Perhaps during your time at school, you
warm drinks with badgers and dwarves by the fire will help the many other students around you or the
while they spin their tales. Our time together may be fairies of the forest. You may even aid a village or
fleeting or take us through the changing seasons, two.
where we witness the trees burst into blossom, fruits
ripen, and the leaves turn warm as the weather
cools.
During this adventure, the path you choose is Many Worlds
entirely up to you. You can embark on a journey of
discovery, help a village flourish, or enroll in a This Book is both an RPG and a supplement to the
magical school filled with wondrous and sometimes hundreds of journalling and playbook-oriented RPGs
bewildering happenings. which exist. Within these pages are options to help
The choices are endless, and the possibilities are you play as a fairy or witch.
limitless. Come, let us explore this magical world This system is set up to allow you to play with many
together." similar worlds. You can play in a witch academy or
with animals in a land that is also finally peaceful, or
you may simply use the random tables to add to a
journalling game. Some other Games I would
Emerging – For the last thousand years, most recommend include “Wanderhome”, “Cantrip”, and
magical beings have dwelt in hidden villages until simple journalling RPGs like “The Village Witch” or
peace finally came to fairyland. The fairies don't like “Apothecaria". You can also explore a world of your
to dwell too much on the Hidden Times before the own making, or the fairy realm of our world, using
recent peace, but there were greedy dragons, giants maps to guide your journey and imagining what
who just didn't understand, and disagreements kinds of fairies would be in each town you wish to
between Seelie and Unseelie fairies. But now, peace, visit. It is in our fairytales that the fairies went into
beautiful and rare, has settled over the magical hiding. Should peace finally come to their land, they
worlds, allowing the witches and fairies such as you could emerge into our own world any day now.
the chance to ramble the world. To explore and

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 Playing the Elements and Aspects of a Scene.
Every scene will have an environment and possibly
NPCs. In some cases, these might be largely
controlled by a guide or game master. Most often,
however, the players will take turns picking up and
Quick Playing Guide playing these aspects. Describing the lake they are
seeing, speaking for the fairy the players encounter,
Roleplaying is a conversation filled with imagination etc.
in which we listen, ask questions, share ideas, and
build on what is said. The 'rules', such that they are,
are meant to help provide prompts to our
imagination and to help us guide the story along. Preparing to Play
Each of us will play a fairy known as a good neighbor
or witch who seeks to explore the world, help their Decide if you want to be a village witch or a traveler,
village thrive, or to learn magic within the school they perhaps searching for a place to belong or folk tales.
have found themselves in. Then choose a playbook and take turns reading and
answering the characters' questions.
In order to play a scene, try to get in your
character’s head and ask yourself, what does my Your world: Think a little about and discuss the
character want from this encounter or moment? world you are in. It is perhaps best to think of the
Then tell everyone what your character is doing. first scene you will likely play, either as you set out
Help each other out, as players asking questions and on your journey, wander through a village or down a
making helpful suggestions can make this process country road, or simply rest before something
easier. Remember, however, you will each decide happens. Be inquisitive and curious so that you can
what your character wants and try to do. generate questions, for asking and answering these
will allow you to plant the seeds
Making Moves: Any action in from which your world can grow
which the outcome might be in as you play. Don't get too
question requires you to make a bogged down in searching for
move. Each character playbook ever more details; you'll likely
has a list of moves that you can create most of the aspects of the
make. world as you go along, one
scene at a time.
Natural Moves are simple actions
that you can make whenever you Cut to new scenes: Just as
want. films often jump into a new
scene when the previous has
Serendipity Moves require a little run its course, you can also
magic, in this case, represented play your characters one scene
by tokens known as serendipity. at a time. As you discuss what
you want to do and play, ideas
Vulnerable moves display a for new scenes will take form.
moment of weakness, You can jump into these new
vulnerability, or foolishness. Not scene ideas, narrating what
all games will have these as an your characters are doing and
option, but many do. When you what is happening while asking
make a vulnerable move, you questions to get more.
gain a serendipity that will allow Some of these scenes can be
you to use magic later. short moments, and others
might be long as you seek to
Gaining Serendipity: By exploring the beautiful help someone, explore someplace, or seek to get
world, you can gather more magic in the form of through somewhere.
serendipity. Perhaps this is even your goal, that by
collecting enough folktales and moments of beauty, First Scene: There is a good chance your first scene
you can build a reserve of magic and settle into will begin after your journey has started. You will
helping your village for a long time. find yourself on a lonely country road or

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encountering someone needing help rather than 2-Travel the world to learn about the fairies and
deciding to set out on your journey. people within it before returning home.
3-Travel the world to find a place you can call home.
4-Live in a village while making friends with the
magical creatures around it until you feel you have
made enough friends to settle in your village.
Telling the Story 5-Make it through a school year while building
friendships and dealing with the many problems that
We are about to embark on a conversation filled with will crop up through the year.
imagination, between people or with the persona we
take on and our own journal. The most valuable tool
in this is the ability to share our ideas, ask Understand the world. Are you playing in a fantasy
questions, and honestly listen to the answers, even if world, the modern world, some time in history, or
those answers come from within ourselves. perhaps the future? You can go into as much detail
as you want here. However, you will likely craft most
In this game, we are taking the role of a witch or fairy of the detail of the world as you explore it.
who has finally emerged from our village to explore
vistas beyond our home or to find those who can help
it thrive. Gameplay

As travelers, we seek to make new friends, help Once you have created your character, set your
people and meet fairies while crafting a story of our goals, and outlined the basics of your world, it is time
journey and the beauty of the magical world. Many to set the first scene. That is, consider where you are
villages will need our help to decorate for a festival, starting out. Are you in a forest, a village, or a castle?
help to make food taste better, heal What are some features of the
hurts, and befriend the magical location?
creatures nearby so that they will get
along with the village. We can use This Roleplaying game is broken into
magic to aid with these tasks, of Scenes or moments in the lives of
course, but magic can only do so your characters. Scenes are begun
much, and for many tasks, we will as discussions, with players having a
need to seek help and find creative conversation to determine what is
solutions to the challenges that happening around their characters
arise. by describing the basics of locations
This tale is meant to be freeing; as and events. Don't worry if you don't
such, we may sometimes choose to have a lot of detail yet; that can come
alter what has already been said or as you play. After all, this is a game
move on to new narrative ideas. of exploration and discovery, and as
Fairyland is a dreamlike place, after with life, you don't know everything
all, and one can't always be certain about a lake when you first hike to
what has happened or will happen it. It takes time to listen to the frogs
there. There is comfort in such or see the puppy excited by their first
uncertain dreams, however. outing.

As you play, the players will say

what their characters are doing and
ask questions as prompts to figure
Start by Developing Your out what else might be happening.
Character This can take the form of a
conversation between friends or as
Choose a Playbook and develop your you are journalling and pondering a
character. Who are you, your name, interests, conversation with yourself.
friends, and perhaps your dreams and goals? Five
possible goals include:
Ending the Game
1-Travel a magical world to gather folklore. After a while of playing, you will feel that you have
found a home you can settle in or have made enough

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friends to settle comfortably into your village. When
this happens, you may want to start a new character,
perhaps coming back to this one now and again to Game Elements or Aspects
check on your past characters, giving them a few Elements and aspects include every part of the game
more moments of exploration. that isn’t one of the players characters. Anyone may
pick up one of these elements to play them,
More on Serendipity sometimes by picking up a piece of paper or
Some actions require a bit of magic from the something meant to represent them and sometimes
universe. Serendipity are points represented by simply by stating it.
objects which could be anything such as hazelnuts
(thematic since these were the nuts of the fairies), Add a Touch of Bother – This is a game about
crystals, glass beads, playing cards, or whatever else serenity and establishing friendships and often
you want. accomplishing little things. Still, sometimes arriving
at a satisfying destination requires a bit of ‘bother’ as
There is a general pile of these things near where you the great Pooh would say. It can be worthwhile
are playing. When you spend Serendipity, put one of therefore to use the elements and aspects of the
these objects from your pile back into the general world to add some complications your characters
pile. When you gain a serendipity, take one of these have to overcome.
objects from the same general pile. If you have no
serendipity in your own pile, you will have to do Aspect one – The People
something to get some before you can make a The world is filled with interesting and unique people
serendipity move. and communities. These people can include villages,
students, teachers, fairy courts, ghosts, or
You may spend a Serendipity to: subgroups, such as the farmers around a village or
Perform a Serendipity Move from your Playbook. the weavers.
Learn something hidden about someone you are Some of these elements might be important enough
talking to or about to talk to. that they are split into sub-elements.
Provide a solution to simple problems that you can’t
do as a ‘natural move.' Aspect two – The NPCs / Non-Player Characters
Learn who can help with a problem so you can begin Individual people who you talk to. As with any
to seek them out. element, anyone might pick them up and start
Learn something about the location you are going to. speaking for them, allowing them to interact with the
Perform any natural move from any other playbook, Player's Characters.

You may spend two Serendipity to do any Aspect three – Wildfey and Sylvans
serendipitous move from any other playbook. The wildfey and sylvans have an interesting habit of
popping into any moment, whether they are tickling
your toes while you are trying to study or appearing
You will get a Serendipity for: at the edge of the forest, nodding and then vanishing
-Every time you sit down to write and play. again.
-Learning a folktale from someone.
-Having an interesting conversation with a creature. Aspect four – The scenery
-Witness a moment of beauty, including both The mountains, trees, lakes, and forests all have a
aesthetic and emotional beauty. voice of their own. They might not speak with words,
-Making a new friend but you can see it when you take the time to look.
-Making an offering to the tutelary deities.

-In Group Play: Doing or saying something that one

of your fellow players finds cute, fun, interesting, and
generally worthy of a serendipity.

-In Solo Play: Writing something that you like

because it is fun, poignant, interesting, or whatever
else stirs your imagination and or emotions.

-In some games, you can also get a Serendipity for

performing a Vulnerable Move or Weak Move
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 up to the players. You can even step back in time
and reexplore an earlier scene if you wish.

Reactions: The players should all have a chance to

react to what has happened, to describe where they
are, and what they are seeing, feeling, and potentially
doing.
Important Tools
Whimsy: Fairyland is a whimsical place. A place
Questions: One of the most powerful tools in
where the youth of childhood never ends and where
understanding is the question. You can ask simple
the stories unfold much like a dream. Sometimes the
questions about a sunset, the weather, and the types
things that happen within this land don’t make
of plants in an area, perhaps sprinkling in your
perfect sense or happen in a way that is fun and
thoughts and activities. You can also ask questions
interesting. Being whimsical, fun, interesting, or dare
about those your character meets, the world at large,
I say it, cute can be an important aspect of
and how the other players and their characters feel.
storytelling.
Suggestions: Although stories may not always unfold
Have Fun: The most important thing is that the
as we anticipate or desire, it's crucial to acknowledge
players have fun and enjoy inhabiting their
that certain emotions can be evoked through them.
characters for a time. Each player must allow others
As a result, you should be able to request your fellow
to feel fulfilled and seek to find fulfillment
players to steer the story in a new direction, switch
themselves. This means that some people will prefer
topics, or have the characters attempt something
to weave a sort of poetry of words, while others will
different to ensure that you experience the emotions
listen more.
you seek.

Ask: would you want to? When potentially taking the

story in a specific direction, it is a good idea to ask Three Ways to Build Narrative
the players and narrators what they want to do,
whether they wish to journey to a new location, if There are three primary ways that can be used to
they want to have a little more edge to the story, or a build a narrative, and you will likely begin each game
more comforting moment. by deciding which way works for you. You may, of
What do you think? It is important to be inclusive course, change your mind later and shift the method
and to give everyone a chance to be a part of telling of narration if you wish.
the story. Watch for those who aren't talking as
much. Ask these people what they think, but don't be Game and Story Guide
aggressive; some enjoy taking in the tale. In most RPGs, you will find a narrator or game
master, someone generally in charge, who makes the
Narration: Narration can be a powerful storytelling final decisions and, therefore, 'directs' the story. This
tool, allowing you to animate and breathe life into a person doesn't have a character to play, normally.
scene. Say what is happening out loud. Act it out. To Rather they act as a narrator, helping to guide and
describe something interesting, and hopefully to help shape the story the players improve their characters
stimulate the imagination of your fellow players so within.
that they can also take up the story baton. These narrators generally decide the story's setting,
the characters that will be encountered, the general
Cut Away: Sometimes, during a story, a conversation scenes and scenarios that will happen. Having a
or moment can become less interesting. When this primary narrator or storyteller can help make certain
happens, you can suggest moving on to another aspects of the game go faster, allow you to play
scene, another moment in time. Perhaps you are things like cozy mysteries, and help other aspects of
talking to a merchant, and the conversation starts to the game run smoother.
drag, so you can suggest cutting away and asking
what scene the players want their characters to move
to next. They might move ahead to attending the Freeform
festival they heard about earlier, bringing supper to a It is possible to play without a gamemaster and by
character they were planning on helping later, or discussing what you want to happen and what is
helping the merchant with the challenge they are happening amongst each other. In this game, each
facing. It is the player's story, so where it goes next is player is responsible for helping to narrate the story
and giving the characters you encounter a voice. In
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this case, anyone can help create kith cards and is up to you, but it should be enough to help you feel
improve or play their actions. and enjoy your story. And remember, if you write
something you like, you get a serendipity.

Playing a Solo Tale

It is okay to set out on your own as well, to seek to
explore the vast world of magic with only your
dreams and a healthy dose of wonder to be found.
Indeed, one of the nice things about creating a
personal tale is that it can give you time to breathe
and write poems, sketch pictures, do a coloring book,
create flash fiction, and document your character's
journey in a sort of journal. I set it up so that you
would get Serendipity every time you wrote
something you liked specifically because of this.

Telling a story solo can benefit from prompts that can

be randomized through dice rolls.

Searching for folktales

A Solo Journaling Option

Folktales have a magic all their own and those with

the most power are about strange and enchanted
events, but more than this they are stories that aren’t
commonly known, or which have been shared by an
elderly or witchy source who has skill at telling them.
Because of this you will need to search for those who
might be able to share these unique stories by asking
around villages and seeking out the elders, the out of
the way witches, hermits, and of course fairies.

When you enter a new village roll a 1d6. These are

the number of conversations you’ll have to have to
track down someone who knows some unique
folktales. Each of these conversations will be with
someone who has their own personality, ideas, and
needs. You don’t have to journal and or play through
all of them, just if the inspiration strikes.
It is likely, however, that at least one of these people
you talk to will involve someone who has a problem
that they need help with. That is, they are sick, their
crops are withering, their home is dilapidated, they
are overworked preparing for a festival, etc.

In addition, roll a d6 to determine how many random

encounters you will have in the village and in the
wilderness while looking for someone who knows an
interesting folk tale.

Journaling – Writing can help you ponder and think

about your encounters, but it can also help to
exercise your imagination. When your character
meets someone interesting, finds a beautiful or
interesting place, or has an experience you think is
worthy of a bit more imagination and pondering,
write a little about it. What you write and how much

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 Playing Fairy and Witch Characters

You play one of the fairies, or a witch, someone who helps to guide the world. For the most part you solve
problems the way a human would, by talking and making friends. Yet you have a little magic, and the ability to
do things that create new opportunities for others in hopes that they might find a way to thrive and be happy.

a fairy you are likely part of a community of similar fairies but have since struck out on your own to explore the
world and seek out help. You might spend one night curled up in the leaves, the next hidden under someone’s
couch, and the next in a fairy palace. Each place affords you the opportunity to find beauty in the world and
meet new people and fairies.

What is a Witch?
Witches are humans who have been welcomed into the fairy world for a number of reasons. Sometimes the
fairies fall in love with a human or simply find the human's cooking particularly delicious. More often than not,
however, humans are invited into fairyland to help fairies and humans on behalf of the fairies that taught them
magic.

Witches aren't that different from fairies, they often spend so much time in fairyland that they forget about the
human world or never understood it in the first place. Witches don't always have the same extreme emotions as
fairies and can appear somewhat calmer and more composed than their fairy family.

Three Forms
Each fairy and witch has three forms. They remain in their current form until they expend a point of serendipity
to change it again or until morning when they revert to their natural form (fairies to fairy or animal form and
witches to human form). They can't disguise themselves in these forms exactly. They always take the form of the
same animal, the same fairy, or the same human unless they use extra magic.

Note: If playing in a world where everyone is an animal hybrid, the fairy and witch can take the form of a bug,
with their ‘human’ form being their animal form

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 -The types of things people do when they are hiding a
deep sorrow.
-When people fall in love but decide to keep it hidden.

Fairy and Witch Playbooks

Each of these playbooks is a specific type of fairy that might be found in fairyland. These playbooks are
used to create the characters that we used to explore the enchanted worlds. There can be many more
playbooks than the ones found here.

-Who people often want to be.

Grey Cloaks -How someone can be beautiful, no matter how wabi-
sabi they might seem.
The fairies who prefer to observe the world in quiet
contemplation. You whisper to people’s hearts as Choose 1 that you carry close to your heart and 1
they walk through the countryside or cook a that you gave to someone who needed it more.
delicious meal, helping them find beauty and peace Dust bunnies that have learned to hum beautiful
in simple moments. lullabies while living in a child’s nursery.
A field mouse or cricket who has learned how to find
You are alive. Your care is calm, peaceful, and and
observant.

Choose a name.

Choose an Animal Form

Toad, Mouse, cat, sparrow, snake, cricket, animals
that are skilled at hiding.

2 you are happy you are and 2 you wish you weren’t.
-Droll -Enigmatic -Glamourous -Quiet -
Captivating -Gallant -Calculating -Unobtrusive
-Softspoken

Ideas for your look: -Heavy cloak -Large hood to

hide -Quiet Colored Clothes -Wide brimmed hat
-Eyes that flash bright -Soft slippers -A dress
that is far too large -A head tilted to listen to
secrets being whispered -Heavy gloves -Worn
little books -A basket you wear on your back -A
pocket full of seeds for planting

Name 2 things you have learned by observing the

world, and one you have ignored.
-How people fall in love.
-When people should fall in love but don’t.
-Why people feel the need to whistle.
-How healing a simple walk through the woods is. leave lucky pennies.
-What makes people afraid and how they react when Wind chimes that small breeze spirits like to play in.
they are. A magical key into an old mountain hall.
-The types of secrets people are likely to actually The flute of a child whom you taught music to.
keep hidden, and the ones they tell their friends A feather from the hat of a rebel you once helped and
when they shouldn’t. their inspiring story.
-The times when people will cheat. A book of recipes from a grandmother who discovered
-When people hold on to a secret resentment. the secret to making every dish feel like a hug.

Bonds (ask one to your left and one to your right)

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Although I was silent for a long time, I finally decided of time living as a hermit when you had to, but which
to talk to you, when was that? now can search out those who need your aid.
What was something you did that showed me your
heart? Often you take on a tiny form, allowing you to remain
What is a beautiful moment that we share? hidden in your home which is a small animal burrow,
What is a way I’ve helped you feel the joy that the a hole in a tree, behind a latte maker, etc.
world has to offer?

Choose an Animal Form

Natural moves you can simply do: -Hedgehog -Marmot -Fox -Mole - An Animal
Listen carefully to someone you are talking to and with a cozy home -An animal that can cuddle
someone you aren’t at the same time.
Know when it would be easier if you left (that doesn’t Choose 2 that you are and 2 you struggle to be
mean it would be best). -Modest -Insightful -Genuine -Clean -Gentle -
Sing a song that makes everyone who hears it feel a Helpful -Wise -Proper -Naïve
sense of wonder, for a moment.
Give off an aura that makes others interested in you. To Help Inspire your look:
Know the best places you could hide nearby. -A hat covered in herbs and dried flowers -Tattered
Tell someone about one of the things you’ve learned. rags to wear -Mud covered feet -A gaudy bright
Stay quiet and unseen in the bushes, allowing you to apron -A shaggy head -Pocket full of bottles -
avoid an encounter you don’t want to have. Bits of plants and dust bunnies that always sticks to
you from where you’ve been sleeping -A bright
lantern -A gentle face filled with compassion
Things you can do with a Serendipity.
Turn invisible, others must spend Serendipity to see
you. Choose 2 types of places you like to stay so that you
Help someone feel a spark of joy in something simple can help people and 1 you avoid.
that they are doing or looking at. A corner bistro or café in a big city.
Sing a song that people only hear in their hearts and A quiet lookout point along a highway.
minds, without realizing you are there. This song will An RV of a kindly old couple touring small cities.
inspire them artistically, granting them a serendipity A campground where people go to relax.
to create a beautiful work of art. An old house that creaks when you walk through it.
A beautifully kept hotel lobby that is faded from past
Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one: days of glory.
1-Choose something you can always do, teach A beach filled with people.
someone else how to do this as well. Quiet villages filled with people who dream of getting
2-Create a place of beauty. From now on this place out.
will inspire poets, picnics, and romantic moments. Children’s forts that adults don’t know about.
3-Meet someone whom you can teach a little magic Backstage of community theatres.
to. Spend a week with them and they become a witch
and a friend.
4-Realize that you don’t have to be so worried about Choose 1 object that was once given to you for your
others. Gain the ability to dance whenever you wish. help that you are happy to carry and 1 that you feel
5-Gain 3 serendipity if you took advice from your you must. Tell the table about them.
new friend. A child’s drawing of something silly.
6-Give a serendipity to anyone who decides to make A pack of worn playing cards.
a positive change in their life. A present still neatly wrapped.
7-Spend a Serendipity to have been prepared for A journal someone no longer wanted to remember,
exactly the situation you find yourself in. but that reminds you why you need to help others.
8- Add a Natural Move to your Play Book. Dried flowers from the garden of someone you once
knew.
The crest of a knight who you once sat with for a
Nurturer whole night.
Shoes with holes in the soles.
The fairies that people would approach for healing
when they or someone they loved was sick or
heartbroken. You are a caring fairy, who spent a lot Natural things you can do.

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Smile brightly. Lustrous hair, Beautiful cloak, gleaming bits of
Reassure someone who is worried. armor, flowing dress, fastidiously clean, a slight glow
Listen carefully to someone’s worry. to your face, a crest on your shirt, a shield always
Help someone feel better who has a small sickness or worn on your back, a famous but now ghostly sword
injury. You may still need to seek herbs or another that you can show people but that can never be
fairy to help cure it. touched again, tales of hope and honor.
Clean up a place far faster than seems possible.
Fix something minor that is damaged.
Make food taste better just by your presence. You love the stories and heroes of old. Name two
chivalric ideals you obsess over and one you wish
you could believe in but can’t.
Things you can do with Serendipity.
Rest, with your friends in a hidden away place, often Belief in a philosophy of striving to be good,
some impossibly tiny place where you will meet defending the weak,
someone who could use a little help. the beauty of your home nation,
Let someone know that if they talk about their courage,
troubles, someone will help them, even if they can’t standing up for what is right,
see you. Give them a Serendipity if they do. obeying the laws,
Give someone one of your Serendipity, just because. never lying,
being generous,
the mere act of being in love edifies a person,
Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one: be loyal to your friends,
Cure someone of a serious illness. deny earthly delights,
Bless a pool of water so that those who go to it feel a be resilient in the face of hardship,
little better. honor matters.
Give serendipity to anyone you help who was hurt or
sick. Choose a hero you helped in your past.
Get serendipity whenever you listen to someone’s A peasant who became ruler, a clever person who
worry. succeeded through kindness and your magic, a fool
Take a moment for yourself to feel recharged. “You that always seemed to find luck, a heroic knight who
can always have a peaceful rest.” discovered the mystical nature of the forest, a bold
Spend a serendipity to ask others: “how can we make knight who eventually fell from grace, a warrior who
things better?” gave it all up for love, someone full of sorrow for a
Find a lost child who needs your help raising them. vanished hope, someone who was searching for their
Find a place to settle down. fortune but instead made the world a better place.

Natural things you can do.

Look regal and strong.
Chivalric Help a traveler figure out their next destination.
Help someone want to be a better person and or do a
The Lady of the Lake, the funny man on the side of better job.
the road who gives good advice to the fairy tale hero, Find a safe, warm, and comfortable place to rest.
the eternal romantic who helps those on quests to Stumble upon someone who is lost, physically or
find love or personal fulfilment. You are the most emotionally. Or have someone stumble upon you
common fairy in fairytales, for you are the one giving when you are.
advice or objects to the heroes within these stories. Tell someone a fantastic and entertaining story.
Ask someone for a great story about themselves.
Animals
Crow, Eagle, Cow, Horse, Golden Deer, Interesting
looking bird, animals that inspire stories. Things you can do with Serendipity.
Know the next step a person should take to achieve
Choose 2 you are and 2 that were lost to you. their goal, give them a token to help them achieve it if
Reflective, lyrical, protective, sophisticated, you want.
optimistic, honorable, heroic, grandparental, rustic, Come along just in time to rescue someone from a
generous, sage boring, sad, or hard moment.
Find a fairy who might be willing to help much
Choose 3-4 to describe your look. sooner.

13
 A cackle you learned from an ancient mentor.
Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one: A hat that whispers to you when you put it on.
Inspire someone to do something great. A child that the spirits told you to keep close for a
Write a poem or short tale about a hero. time.
Realize that it’s okay to be someone who you were
afraid of being. Natural things you can do.
Realize that the world needs a new kind of hero and Make a cup of tea and invite someone to drink with
honor. You can now always tell people about this. you.
Spend a Serendipity to teach someone one of your Appear to be wise.
“things you can always do.” See and hear what’s happening in a distant place
Teach someone how to use serendipity to do one you’ve been to in the past week.
thing from any playbook. Make a wry comment that helps someone figure out
something important.
Notice someone who is feeling overlooked.
Ask to read someone’s palm or tealeaves. Give them
good advice.
Seer
Advisors and fortune tellers, the seers take a great Things you can spend Serendipity to do.
interest in the lives of others. You are tasked with See and hear in a distant place you are curious
spreading knowledge and perhaps more importantly, about.
understanding to the people of the world. The See a detail about where the path someone is on will
universe has given you messages to tell others, and lead.
now you must also seek those these messages are for Know just what food will help someone feel better.
and deliver them.

Choose an animal to turn into Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one:
Badger, Salamander, Raven, Owl, Animals that Seem Learn secrets and give good advice to anyone who
Magical, A Wise Animal asks you. You gain a token for each person to whom
you gave this advice.
Choose 2 you are proud to be and 2 you only pretend Look into the crystal ball and see someone who truly
to be. needs you.
Calm, Esthetic, Genuine, Idealistic, Insightful, Bottle water from a spring to carry with you, that will
Profound, Reverential, Orderly, Staid bring comfort to any who sip it.
Spin a scarf for someone that will alter the course of
Choose 3-4 to describe your look. their thread of fate. Giving them as many tokens as
Teacup dangling from your belt, Ornate Lantern with they need to make a real change.
smoldering coals, Flowing Clothes, Elaborate Learn something new about yourself.
patterns, Rune covered mask, Elegant Cane, Fancy Look at your reflection and be surprised that you are
hat, Settled leaves not brushed off, Warm boots, happy with who you are.
sleaves long enough to cover your hands, Worn book
of romantic ballads, Sewing Kit, Beautiful Silverware,
Understanding Gaze

Choose 1 that you carry with you willingly, and 1 Kindhearted

that you seek to give away, if you can ever find one The gentle fairies and witches who are so beloved and
who should carry it. kind that animals often follow them singing. You are
a gentle soul, who is constantly seeking to help
A wand of runes that you can’t yet use. others, often with domestic tasks such as cleaning
A crystal ball through which you can see things you and spinning.
don’t understand.
A dragon scale, given to you by a knight you once Choose an animal to take the form of.
knew.
Knowledge of a flaw in every king or queen you meet. Rabbit, Marmot, Dog, Sparrow, A Cute Animal, A
The last of a most delicious tea you can’t bring Social Animal
yourself to drink.
14
Choose 2 you truly are and 2 you are working on Meet someone caring and kind wherever you go.
becoming. Sing a beautiful song and smile.
Help someone find the song that expresses their
Lyrical, Upbeat, Beautiful, Genteel, Industrious, feelings.
Elegant, Lovable, Sweet, Sympathetic, Steadfast Notice someone who needs a smile.
Let someone know you care.
Choose 3-4 to describe your look. Ask someone about their hopes. Give them a Token if
Singing crickets that follow you around, Fairy glass, they tell you.
Stunning formal clothes, Flower in your hair, Song in Listen to the advice of the spirits and have them
your heart, A doll that gives you good advice, A show you a beautiful and almost forgotten place.
cheerful smile, Bread to gift the fairies, Dancing
Shoes, Paper thin dress for twirling, flowing pants for
shaking when you dance, A stylish hat, A skip in Things you can do with Serendipity.
your step, Glowing warm cheeks. Talk to animals/bugs and get them to help you solve
a problem.
Choose 3 Wild Fey that constantly help you, and 1 Find a kindly sylvan or wild spirit who will give you
who will always tease you. something you need, such as a place to stay or
beautiful clothes. Though they won’t necessarily be
Fairies who are skilled at cleaning tiny things. willing to help someone else for you.
Fairies who help make soup taste richer. Make everyone who hears you sing forget their cares
Fairies that aid in spinning. and worries if only for a moment.
Fairies that keep clothes from ripping or rip them.
Fairies that can help you keep your clothes clean or Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one:
will make them dirty. Receive a dream from the fairies. Invent something
Fairies that whisper gossip and secrets about others. you can always do.
Fairies that help butter churn. Dance with the fairies and be inspired. Invent
Fairies that help bread smell better. something you can always do.
Fairies that can sing to make you relax or hyper. Create a new song that you can sing.
Fairies can lift you into the air and carry you short Get a token whenever you help someone smile.
distances. Talk to your spirit about what you should do and get
Fairies that always leave you delicious nuts in the a token if you follow their advice.
morning or drop them on your head to distract you. Choose to be something that no one expected you
would be.
Meet with old friends, no matter how far away they
Choose 1 Song you sing constantly and 1 song you seem to be.
only sing when you are sad, scared, or lonely. Tell the Gain a new group of fairies who always help you.
table about them. Remember a place that you loved, and people you
want to be with. Return to that place and settle
A song of the sea overheard from a mermaid. down. Pick up a new playbook and make a new
A flighty song of birds. character.
A whispering song you sing with your crickets.
A wild song heard in a fairy queen’s court.
A ballad of someone who was brave.
A reel used for holiday dances.
A song that only you remember.
The lullaby your parents used to sing.
The song of a great dragon. Wise Warrior
Artemis and Odin
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the right.
What is a happy memory you have with me? You are the wise old oak that stood firm against the
When was a time when I helped you? storm and guided people through troubled times. The
What is the lesson you taught me? one who advised heroes on the path they must take
What is a dream that we have often shared with each to find victory.
other?
Now you must reflect on what your role is, and who
you are during peaceful times.
Things you can always do.

15
Choose an animal to change into. Foresee accidents that will happen nearby, just
before they happen.
Eagle, Raven, Wolf, Bear, A Dangerous Animal, A Give good advice.
Regal Animal Cut loose and have fun.
Tell a poem about a great moment in history.
Choose 2 you often are and 2 you are trying to relax. Change your face to look like anyone who isn’t a real
person.
Curt, Fretful, Tricky, Overworked, Renowned, Sage, Act oddly while still appearing sophisticated.
Sentimental, Rustic, Commanding, Poetic
Things you can do with serendipity.
Take the shape of any animal or person you wish.
Choose 3-4 to describe your look. Talk to a location such as a mountain and river.
Worn old hat, rune covered staff, spindle for spinning Learn what it needs and what it knows.
and knitting, cloak of pockets, crow’s feet along the Talk to someone impossibly far away or in a different
eyes, shifting and concerned eyes, heavy boots, heavy time.
journal, large ear lobes, something recently knitted,
pipe, major scar or eyepatch, plants woven into your Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one:
beard or hair For one day you may talk to all the locations you
wish without having to spend Serendipity
Choose 3 pieces of advice you used to give to heroes For one day you may talk to all the locations you
that you now seek to turn to peaceful ends. wish without having to spend Serendipity
Invent something that has never been seen before.
Know when to fight and when to leave to seek allies. Discover a new way of thinking about the world.
Know yourself and know others and you will gain Share food so that you and everyone you are with
that which you seek. eats their fill, relaxes, and is happy.
The best plans are dreams which will falter when Invent a new social convention for the region you are
they meet reality, so be prepared to change them. in, that makes people happy.
Finding peace is the greatest skill. Travel to any one place you wish to without trouble,
When things change there is opportunity. no matter the barriers, obstacles, or guards.
There is nothing to be gained from long, drawn out
conflict.
Learning the ancient ballads and sagas and histories
reminds us that there is hope.
Troubled times remind us of the value of peace.
Ash Covered and Luck Born

For someone young it is easy to get lost in one’s own

Choose 1 that gives you strength and 1 that terrifies dreams, especially for the ash covered and luck born
you when you look at it. Tell the table about them. who sit so close to the fire they become covered in
soot. Yet when they do get the urge to travel others
A stone of runes you discovered. suddenly realize how energetic their minds truly are,
A bird or bumble that talks to you about the past. as they leave the world a better place with their
A blade from a warrior you once helped that reminds passing.
you why you must help others.
A prophecy about a possible future Luck born and ash covered are the quintessential
An instrument made by someone you once knew. fairytale characters, who seem foolish to many, yet
A scroll of poems are always clever enough to help everyone they
A prophecy about a secret that could have come to encounter.
pass.
Animal Form
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the right. Hedgehog, Otter, Cat, Snake, Energetic Animal,
What did you show me that surprised me? Adventurous Animal
What advice have I given that helped you.
Choose 2 that make people like you and 2 that leave
people uncertain
Some things you can always do:

16
Rambunctious, Purposeful, Intuitive, Amiable,
Loveable, Clumsy, Clever, Casual, Aimless,
Inexplicable Every time you collect 3 folktales, choose one:
Go on a quick adventure that will teach you
Choose 3-4 to describe your look. something else you can always do that you invented.
Ash smudged, Patched Clothes, A dreaming Meet with an oracle on the side of the road, with
expression, A brightly colored bindle, worn shoes, whom you’ll share food and learn of some secret
pockets full of interesting knickknacks, Clothes that place to explore and gain some new thing you can
don’t match at all, Clothes that flap and swish, always do when you explore it.
Jingling bells, A thick box to hold hot coals, Large Dream of finding a perfect place to settle in by the
cloak, hearth. Pass the gift of something you learned to
always be able to do to the next character you create
a playbook for.
Receive a token whenever you show kindness to
Choose 2 adventures you are looking to have, and 1 someone who others were avoiding.
you have had. Make everyone around you finally realize that you are
brilliant.
Cooked bread with a giant who taught you how to Befriend a troop of animals who will go with you on
make the perfect crust. your journey.
Went diving for pearls with mermaids. Learn the language of moths and birds. Spend a
Led into a bog by a sorrowful fairy who needs a token whenever you wish to talk to them for the day.
laugh. Rest by the fire with a group of friends.
Whispered in a unicorn’s ear, before it vanished with
a start.
Sneak a memorable treasure into a dragon’s hoard so
that it becomes confused.
Stay in a haunted castle and bring comfort to the
ghosts.
Joined a ghostly chorus without anyone noticing a
living voice had been added to the mix. Vulnerable and Weak Moves
Vulnerable moves are things you have your character
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the right. do which might interfere with their goals, and which
What’s something that I did that made you laugh? often make them feel foolish and embarrassed.
What’s a small adventure we went on together? Things that many might consider mistakes. When
What’s an adventure you’re hoping to have with me? you do one of these things you gain a Serendipity.
What lesson are you teaching me? These vulnerable moves are based on the most
common traits exhibited by fairies. Each vulnerable
move includes one thing that the fairy might do that
Some things you can always do: causes a spot of bother for them, as well as a second
Know when someone has given you good advice. set of things, one of which they may choose to do
Banter with anyone as if they are a friend, no matter once each time they show this vulnerability.
how scary or dangerous.
Have someone believe your act. Trickster – Indulgent
Stumble into the spirit world and back out again. Tricksters are creative fey who shape the world
Daydream and gain some inspiration. around them, both by deceiving the other powers and
Ask someone how you can help. Anyone who lets you by shaping the natural world.
help them gets a token.
What you have trouble resisting.
Things you can do with Serendipity. Trickster fairies are indulgent beings. You love fun
Have someone find the time to talk to you, even a and joy. If you see a celebration, you will likely have
ruler who is normally too busy to meet every passing to stop to join in, if you see something delicious it
traveler. takes a lot of effort to avoid eating it, and you might
Have an entire adventure just by staring into the fire sometimes edge closer and closer to it and start
and journeying to a location in spirit. munching without realizing what you are doing. You
Find out from the poplings where each road and path might also indulge in a nap when there is work to be
leads according to their own unique perspectives of done, etc.
the world.

17
You may spend a serendipity or token to do the Be charming and cute in a way that makes others

following. feel just a little better.

-Trick someone into believing something that is Help someone want to play an exuberant and
obviously untrue. They must expend a token to cheerful game by spending a serendipity.
realize the truth of what you just said and sometimes
they just won’t want to. Wise – Old Fashioned
-Add a small feature to the landscape. Perhaps new You have a vast store of knowledge and experience
flowers to a swamp or a lonely tree on a mountain. which you can mix with empathy to help make good
-Leave those you caused mischief for with a token decisions and or give great advice. You might even be
and a little more wisdom than they had before. able to catch glimpses of the future or gain seemingly
supernatural insights into others. In many ways you
Whimsical – Childish are everyone’s grandparent.
Fairies are funny but also childish, for they were
often born ancient and so never had the chance to Old Fashioned
mature. You struggle with new objects and feel uncomfortable
with them. New ideas doesn’t mean something
You are prone to childish bouts of pride and jealousy. socially relevant, you still accept people for who they
If someone has something pretty you might throw a are and aren’t likely to be prejudice. Rather, you are
tantrum because you want it. You can also be afraid of objects, or old objects used in new ways. For
impulsive at times and will act in random ways, and example, putting caraway seeds in rye bread or
this randomness might but it is vulnerable when it is mayonnaise on a sandwich, could startle you as
in a way that isn’t helpful. could TVs, cars, and dog licenses.
When presented with an object or new use for
Things you can always do: something that is less than 200 years old you can
Make a joke or do something silly that makes others flee the scene and gain serendipity.
laugh unless they are truly unhappy.
Things you can always do;
18
Use your empathy to understand another. Help someone take the first steps towards being
Glimpse a short moment in the future or the past of kinder to those around them.
a place or person before you. This moment is
important but random. Shy – Fate Powered
Admire a beautiful small moment, even while actively You are extremely shy. When approaching someone
engaged in other things. for the first time you can’t do anything that will make
you stand out until you have been around them for a
Artistic – Overly Emotional while. Because of this you usually have to rely on
You are able to create a sense of wonder and beauty others to make the introductions, or you participate
with your poetic words, your beautiful music, your in scenes from hiding until you’ve seen someone long
dancing, and your ability to manipulate nature – enough that you feel a little more comfortable around
helping beautiful forests and meadows grow, lakes them.
and mountains to form and the like.
Those who experience your artistry can’t help but be Vulnerable things you do: If you become extremely
emotionally affected. In a forest you helped to grow, embarrassed and avoid a situation which would help
others might feel a sense of peace, on hearing your you, you may gain a serendipity.
music they might feel joy or sorrow, and if they see
you dance they could feel the desire to join in.
Things you can always do: You may spend
Overly Emotional serendipity to help someone do something they
Cry, laugh, feel overly grateful, and upset by the normally couldn’t, even if they don’t know you are
tiniest of things, often to the point that it hinders around.
your progress. For example, if someone shares food
with you, you might have to stay behind to spend
weeks attempting to repay them. If you do react with Additional Vulnerable Moves
powerful emotions in a way that hinders your goals, Grow pensive and uncertain.
you gain a serendipity. Become so embarrassed you hide, rather than engage.
Make a scene.
Become overly certain of yourself in a way that leads
Artistic you into trouble.
Sing a beautiful song that others will likely enjoy. Be unable to let something go for a time.

Shape the land around you to make it more beautiful

so that people who see it think more deeply about the
world and feel a sense of peace, even if only briefly.

Help those who see you dancing take a break from

their cares. They get a token if they join you in
dancing.

Principled and Honest – Commanding

You have strong values and a belief in kindness and
caring that is unwavering.

Things that you cannot help but do.

You have to try to help someone who is hurting no
matter what it costs.

You must always share what you have with those

who need it.
You can’t lie when it would really help you to do so.

Things you can always do.

Know when someone is hurting.
Earn someone’s respect.

19
 .

20
 that she was pregnant and mentioned he

Notes on fairy Folklore.

This section provides you with some information on fairy mythology in hopes that it can
inspire your game.

“Once a woman was suffering through a difficult

labor alone, when the zwerg that lived underneath
her home appeared and served as her midwife,
easing her pain, and helping her give birth. (Franz
Leibing, 1868)”

This little memorate of a fairy living underneath a

German lady’s home, who has clearly come to care
about her, illustrates perhaps the most important
thing about the fairies, they are humanities
neighbors. The fairies could bless the crops to grow
in abundance or could steal the peas, as they so
frequently did.

The German folklorist Grasse (1868) noted that in

Wilstermarsch Germany: "Every morning, the
housemaids would spill milk for the underground
people. Beer and crumbs from the table were also
offered to them in a similar way. If the milk wasn't
offered, the underground people would steal it.
People wanted them (the underground people) happy,
for everywhere they went they caused the beer
brewed better. In Alversdorf, the underground people
would steal pots and kettles, and cause other
mischiefs. Yet they also blessed people's cattle to would be interested in standing godfather for
never become sick [milk was a primary source of the baby. Later the zwerg’s husband came
food, so this mattered a lot]. They also left magical and formally asked the farmer to be the
pots for people which caused the seeds held in them godfather to his and his wife’s child.
to grow faster, milk gathered into them to churn Later the farmer grew nervous about the
richer, and water held in them to make those who prospect of being a fairy’s godfather and went
drank from them healthier" to the pastor for council. The pastor told him
that he had to stand godfather, since one
It makes sense that humans would share their food couldn’t rescind the offer to do so. So, the
with the zwerg, for fairies needed human food in farmer went to the baptism of the baby zwerg
many tales, or at least food prepared using human and the feast in the mountain. As he was
ovens and or utensils. In Scandinavia the Huldra leaving the zwerg asked him to look behind
would destroy everything people built on certain hills, the door, where he found garbage, which they
but then allow people to grow hay on these hills, asked him to sweep up and carry home with
because they needed the milk from the cattle to him. Annoyed he did so, but to his joy he
survive. In Ireland a fairy queen was sickly, and discovered that the garbage had turned to
dying, for need of the taste of human food. And in gold when he got home.
Germany, the Zwerg were constantly seeking out
human food and cooking tools. Zwerg gave people blessings in return for the food
This connection through food helped to form strong and drink that they shared. Yet, because they were
bonds between the humans and the fairies. In one our neighbors, they might also share their food with
story; people. It was common for a man to be plowing at the
edge of his field, in the middle of nowhere, when he
A zwerg would frequently borrow a pot from a smelled some delicious cakes being cooked. He
farmer. Once when she came to borrow the commented on how much he would enjoy those
pot to boil some potatoes the farmer noticed cakes, and when he’d plowed back to the same spot
21
he found a plate with an offering of the cakes upon All the tiny people applauded him and
them, which he ate and thanked the zwerg for the promised to give him a rich reward.
meal. From that point, for quite a while after the
smith found all his work done in the morning.
I find these tales of humans interacting with the
fairies like neighbors absolutely enchanting. It is Sagen und Märden des Bergiſchen Landes
through these stories, and through people’s day to HER geſammelt von Dr. Franz Leibing, Ord.
day activities with regards to the fairies that we can Lehrer an der Realſchule I. Ordnung zu
learn the most about them. Elberfeld . 1868

This childishness can manifest itself in dangerous

ways as well, for fairies can frequently throw
tantrums. One zwerg, for example, wanted the flower
a girl was holding, when she refused to give it to him
Common Fairy Traits he bit her. Further, it isn’t atypical for the zwerg to
From dobbies to pixies, the zwerg and fairies share steal and cause mischief simply for amusement.
many traits in common. Thus, the Zwerg and their There are stories of them having rivalries with the
kin can be seen as being a microcosm of the common youth of villages, where in they would engage in
fairy traits and it is worth discussing these to gain a prank wars with each other. While the stories of
better understanding of the fairies in general. them swapping out the roast goose with a live goose
for a wedding are amusing, they do point to a
silliness that is common in human encounters with
Childish the fairies.
The fairies have a tendency towards what might be
considered childish behavior which stems from a zest
for life and extreme emotions. For example, in Grandparental, Ancient, Conservative, and Moral
Bergichen Contrasting this childish narrative is that many of
Late one evening a blacksmith heard some the fairies are not only ancient and wise, but
beautiful music which seemed to emerge from grandfatherly / grandmotherly. The nymphs and
the grass behind some
rusalka of Greece and Russia, for
stones. Curious he
searched for the source of example, are the ancient founders of
the marry fiddle and horn cities. People believed that they not
music until he finally only taught humans the arts of
spotted numerous tiny weaving, of music, of math, science,
figures dancing on the and more but that these fairies were
stones. One of the little
in fact humanities great, great, great
men was dancing atop a
rock that jutted out of the grandmothers or aunts. Banshees in
water. He seemed far more Ireland and Scotland took on a
joyful than the rest for he similar role which is likely why they
cheered as he threw his and perhaps the wood wives of
silvery hat into the air Germany would visit new babies to
over and over again, loving bestow gifts and blessings like a
the way it looked in the
doting grandmother. Indeed, when
moonlight, before skillfully
catching it. Then, all at encountering a fairy or ancient
once this zwerg cried out magical being, even a dangerous one,
as he missed the hat and people would often gain their aid by
it fell into the water. None calling them Grandmother or
of the zwerg could get it Grandfather. People called the house
back.
fairies “grandfather’ in Russian lore.
That is when the smith
stepped out from behind
the bush. “Little man, I saw your hat fall if Tale of the Alps
you want to be patient until morning I’ll One icy cold winter’s day a poor mother asked
retrieve it for you.” her two children to gather firewood. While
they were at the edge of the woods a blizzard
22
 swept down from the mountains. Unable to yet can become kind-hearted and affectionate when a
see through the wind whipped snow the two lost traveler calls her “grandmother.”
children were soon lost, stumbling through
the forest. Finally after many hours they met
Like grandparents (and many children) fairies have a
a friendly little man. He took them to his
home, built a fire for them to warm strong sense of traditional morality. House fairies
themselves and served them delicious and fire mothers in Siberia grow angry when people
rahmmus* (hot cream based desert). At first curse, brownies in Scotland grow furious at laziness
the children were afraid of the strange little and mess. Perhaps most famously, fairies would
man, but by and by they came to trust him. never actually lie, not because they couldn’t but
After eating the Rahmmus and some white
because their morality was such that they simply
bread they said their prayers and the little
man gave them a little bed where they slept wouldn’t.
warm until he sun was high in the sky.
When morning came they rubbed their eyes Human Reflection
and the little man served them breakfast. Fairies had a tendency to reflect human society. Or
They said their morning prayers and ate the perhaps it’s better to say that humans reflected fairy
most wonderful white bread they’d ever eaten. society? It was fairies like the nymphs who taught
They were so hungry it seemed like they humans how to be moral, how to live, farm, and
hadn’t eaten in months. more. In Italian lore there was a fairy tale in which a
Once they had eaten the little man gave them fairy which kidnapped a woman was the one who
some bread for the road, helped them re- taught her cheesemaking, and she in turn taught
gather their bundle of wood. everyone else.
On their way home the It shouldn’t be surprising then that
children were surprised to when a human enters fairyland they
discover that despite the often live much as humans, with
previous storm the road was laborers, nobility, kings and queens.
clear of snow on their return Indeed, it is often difficult to tell that
home. When they got home the protagonist of a fairytale has
their mother turned pale even entered fairyland and many
with fear for she thought memorates begin with people not
that they were ghosts as realizing the people they just
they had been gone all encountered are in fact fairies.
winter. It turned out that
rather than just sleeping for
one night the children had
slept the whole winter Liminality, Illusionary, and
through in the little man’s Dreamlike
hut. Once the children
explained what had Fairies exist in places between.
happened, however, there Between civilization and the
was great joy in the house, a wilderness, at the thresholds of
joy that became greater homes, at dawn and dusk. Fairies
when they discovered that are ambiguous beings, meant to
the bread had no end. unsettle the world of humanity in
Story Collected by Joh. Adolf stories. They are most often found
Heyl in Volkssagen, Bräuche und Meinungen during times of transition, when a person is moving
aus Tirol from one state of their life to another. Childhood to
adulthood, giving birth, from success to failure,
This Grandparental attitude is likely why the fairies’ before a marriage, etc. This makes it difficult to make
in lore taught humans so many domestic arts such any clearcut or absolute statements about fairies, for
as cheese making, for they felt a grandparent like they often mirror humanity, but do so as if in a
sympathy for the poor, cold, hungry humans. Even dream. Indeed, humans who visited fairyland
grouchy fairies will often become kind if people act frequently did so when their soul was taken from
their body, thus their subtle self-traveled to
like young children in need. Baba Yaga is one of the fairyland, while their physical body remained behind
grouchiest and perhaps one of the cruelest fairies, as if asleep.

23
 be said to create the ultimate art – the pools of water,
The fairy’s ability to control boundaries and lakes, rivers, forests, moors, and seasons of the

transitions, as well as their connection to the natural world.

world is why humans needed them so much. They
could bless a child to have a good fate, give someone
poor the things they needed to find wealth, and they Needing Humans
could help the crops to grow and the cattle to give zwerg of medieval sagas were under constant threat
abundant milk. by dragons, giants, and even each other and need
human knights to protect them. Thus the noble
Joyous and Artistic knights and powerful warriors of the era before the
Music and dancing are the fairies delight, as Jacob Medieval would quest to aid the zwerg, just as many
Grimm notes in his book on the folklore of the mortals would quest to rescue and protect the fairies
German people. The fairies were most often seen and gods in many other European lands.
when they were dancing atop hills or feasting within
them. They were great lovers of beauty, art, and joy, Perhaps more important, it appears that the zwerg
and it wasn’t uncommon for people to encounter needed humans to be involved in the making of their
them when they were seeking to hire a musician. food in some way. Whether this was through the
People often longed to dwell among the fairies with borrowing of a device, such as a pot or oven, in which
their feasts and joy. They would turn summersaults the food was cooked, or simply by having the
as they ran, laugh raucously, and act whimsically. humans cook the food directly. Whatever the case
What’s more, given their control of nature, they could there was some magic in human made food that the
24
zwerg craved. that humans came from fairies; that we essentially
chose to be grounded, to mature, to grow, and to
In one Irish story a fairy queen is dying for need of change. Fairies, however, never grew and so are like
human milk, in many, many more fairy children are shy children, like spirits that can never pass on.
sickly until they get some human food. Fairies it Fairies are forever caught in a realm between being
seems depended on human food, there was humans and gods, between eternity and momentary
something in the ‘magic’ of human hands preparing bliss, between life and death. Perhaps it is the
or gathering something that gave them something solidness, the stability of humans that disturbs
they couldn’t get any other way. Further, many fairies. Perhaps fairies feel the discomfort of our solid
fairies couldn’t repair or make mundane objects gaze just as a child would. The times then when
without human help. fairies seek out humans are those times when
Add to this the fact that they often needed humans to humans join them in the realm of in-between; at
help them in battle. Yeat’s stated that in a war puberty, parts of childhood, birth, and death.
between fairy clans the side with the human would
win, and fairies were forever getting humans to play
games with them. Even the god Odin and the Greek
Olympians needed humans to help them fight some
battles, for the Giants couldn’t be defeated in Greek Poverty and Wealth
lore unless a mortal struck them. The zwerg aren’t all equal, they can live in extreme
poverty or wealth. Regardless, however, they are
Shy and Fearing Humans often depicted as being more joyful, with much more
Yet fairies must often fear humans – just as humans free time than humans, likely thanks to their magical
feared them. Wilde tells of a time when one of the ability to craft items at amazing speed, with one
Irish Queens was kidnapped by a the fairies, who group of zwerg being able to make 24 boots in a few
fought a war with them, digging up their home and minutes. Some Friesian women walking over a
eventually forcing the fairies to concede. Many mountain heard the zwerg celebrating below, as they
fairies, from leprechauns to powerful fey women such frequently did and thought how wonderful it would
as the Italian Anguana are captured and kidnapped be to marry the zwerg and not have to work so hard
by a mere peasant. For humans often possess ‘magic’ anymore. That’s when some zwerg appeared to them
that can overcome that of the fairies. Iron, salt, and asked for their hand in marriage.
certain herbs, and charms can all weaken the fairies Yet at the same time the zwerg frequently lived as
greatly. The folklorist Briggs asserts that: There refugees, paupers, and even animals. In a Tyrol tale a
seems no doubt that the children of the Goddess Don zwerg is so poor that he can’t even offer food to the
were the Dana O'sidh and they, conquered by the human family for who’s child he stands godfather.
invading Milesians, took to the hollow hills and Instead, he offers them a magical herb that allows
became the Daoine Sidh or the “Deeny Shee.” The them to sleep through the winter. In another story a
Fianna Fin and their contemporaries fought, love and king hunts down a ragged and poor zwerg and
mated with these Daoine Sidh. Originally of human captures him like an animal.
or more than human size, they dwindled through There is an interesting story from Tyrol, in which a
successive generations from the small size of humans farmer, seeing that a zwerg’s clothes are ragged,
to the size of three-year-old children. makes them a new pair. According to this story the
Shy-This fear of humans could easily explain one of zwerg was supposed to work until his clothes fell
the reasons that fairies are often so shy. It is obvious from his body in order to find redemption, so the new
that fairies do not like to be seen by humans; for pair only forced the zwerg to work harder.
although they live in every rock and tree, they almost
never appear to humans. Instead, it is within their
nature to hide from mortals. Humans presented a The Struggle with Humanity
danger to the fairies, but there is also more going on In the medieval sagas humans betrayed the zwerg,
here. Fairies often exhibit a childish sort of and like the giants and dragons before, would often
embarrassment, fueled by their extreme emotions. rob them of their treasure, hunt them like animals,
Yet the fairies’ fear of humans stems from more than and wage war with them. What’s more it was
simply our ability to harm them. Fairies which fly at common for humans to build their homes above the
a distance should know they are safe from humans zwerg’s, so that the excrement from the outhouse
yet they too are rarely seen.There is a tale in which would fall down into the zwerg’s homes.
the dwarfs who helped humans all ran off never to be On the opposite side of this coin, the zwerg
seen again because one person saw that they had the frequently kidnapped people and stole from humans.
feet of geese. In ancient mythology, people believed As a result they were driven out of many lands.

25
 become murderous when angered, haunting homes
Extreme Emotions and regions and strangling people in their sleep. The
The zwerg exhibit extreme emotions, when they are bwca, a kindly house fairy from Wales actually seems
angry or jealous, they become monsters, but when to change form into a bogle, a monster when it gets
they are happy they are generous and exceedingly upset and it can take years for it to calm back down
helpful beings. A human sharing a crust of bread again. Even Yeats claimed that the shoe making
with them is enough to cause the zwerg to grant leprechaun could turn into a flesh-eating monster
lifelong wealth and happiness. While rudeness is under the right circumstances. This makes sense,
enough to invite punishments. given that fairies are forces of nature, and nature
itself was a fickle thing. The same river that might
Everything about fairies is centered on the fact that help you one moment could drown you the next.
they appear to feel emotions much more intensely
than humans do. When a human gives them the A Woman marries a Zwerg.
tiniest amount of help, they reward that human with A young woman in Braderup had a very hard job like
lifelong happiness, gold, or most women on the Frisian islands.
some other incredibly precious She felt unhappy and envied the
gift. However, should a human zwerg who were always happy and
do even the slightest amount had to do very little work. Once she
of harm to a fairy, death is went with her neighbor over the hill
often the punishment. We see to where the Önnerersken were
this repeatedly in fairy tales. In dancing. “Oh,” She cried. “I would
the story of “The Three love to marry one of them, wouldn’t
Mannlien in the Wood,” you?”
(Grimm and Grimm, 1812) a Her friend replied that she would.
young girl shares her stale A zwerg heard this and came and
crust of bread with three wood the girl the next day and soon
Mannlien and, in return, they the two of them were married. She
make her more beautiful every lives with him in his mountain
day. They caused gold to fall where they have several children.
from her mouth every time she
spoke. The girl’s stepsister The Fairies Heal a Wounded
refuses to share her food, so Soldier
they cause her to grow uglier, Three Tyrolean solders were
frogs to jump out of her battling against the French and
mouth, and ultimately cause Bavarians in the mountain pass.
her to die horribly. Bullets whistled up at them from
In “The Edda,” a Norn (a wise the massive army below, but the
woman/fairy which weaves the Tyrolean men bravely stayed their
fate of humans) trips and ground. A woman brought a pail of
hurts herself as she is getting milk up to them for their lunch, the
up to give a child its fate, and bullets still flying wildly about.
in her rage she curses the While she was there the soldier she
child to die. This is similar to “Sleeping Beauty” in was in love with got shot in the chest. She grabbed
which a fairy who was overlooked by a child’s parents up her jacket and tried to stop his bleeding.
curses the child with death. When Rumpelstiltskin While she was pressing down on his wound enemy
found that he’d lost the child sought, he got so angry stormed up the hill forcing the other two gunmen to
that he tore himself in two. The guardian of the bath fall back. As the enemy rushed past the girl remained
house in the Russian folk tales will risk its life to hidden with her mortally wounded love.
protect people and then later will flay the skins from Once the enemy was gone, a Fairy Queen appeared
their bodies if it feels it’s been disrespected. Fairies adorned with a golden crown. She comforted the girl
have wild mood swings between happiness, sorrow, and gave her magical herbs to place on the wound.
love, and rage. Then came Erdmännlein (fairies) who lifted the
Duality – A consequence of the fact that fairies can wounded man and followed his mistress. The girl
transform themselves and the fact that extreme followed along with the strange procession of beings,
emotions are a common fairy trait is that there is which followed the Fairy Queen. They traveled along
evidence that many fairies actually change form to fit a valley stream until at last they arrived at a
their mood. A domovoi, normally a kindly being, can magnificent hall of crystal.

26
Here sat the King of the Erdmännlein, he came down Moreover, he recommended them to dwell in peace
to the injured man as the dwarfs settled on the and concord, to live like Christians, and, by a pious
couch. He ran his hand over the wound and told the education, to bring up their children in goodness. He
girl to be of good cheer for soon the gunman would told them to lay up these[Pg 218] coins with their
be healed. The Queen then gave the girl a potion to money, and constantly to think of him, and so they
give to the man, every now and then for some time, would rarely come to distress; but warned them
which she did until at last, he was well again. against becoming proud, and advised them, on the
They stayed for some time in that beautiful place contrary, to relieve their neighbours with their
with gardens of diamonds. Finally, when the man superfluities.
was healed they were given some of the diamonds The Hill-man remained with them till night, and took
from the garden and they departed. Soon after they some meat and drink from each as they offered it to
celebrated their wedding. him, but only very little. He then renewed his thanks,
and concluded by begging of one of the company to
Zwerg Joins a Dance put him over the river Satzach, opposite the
Old people have positively asserted that some years mountain. There was at the wedding a boatman,
ago, at the celebration of a wedding in the village of named John Ständl, who got ready to comply with
Glass, a couple of miles from the Wunderberg, and the dwarf's request, and they went together to the
the same distance from the city of Saltzburg, there water's-edge. As they were crossing, the man asked
came toward evening a little Hill-man out of the for his payment, and the Hill-man humbly presented
Wunderberg. He desired all the guests to be merry him threepence. The boatman utterly rejected this
and cheerful, and begged to be permitted to join in paltry payment; but the little man gave him for
their dance, which request was not refused. He answer, that he should not let that annoy him, but
accordingly danced three dances with some of the keep the threepence safe, and he would never suffer
maidens of good repute, and with a gracefulness that want, provided he put a restraint on arrogance. He
inspired all present with admiration and delight. gave him at the same time, a little stone with these
After the dance he returned them his thanks, words: "Hang this on your neck, and you will never
accompanied by a present to each of the bridal party be drowned in the water." And of this he had a proof
of three pieces of money of an unknown coin, each of that very year. Finally, the Hill-man exhorted him to
which they estimated to be worth four creutzers. lead a pious and humble life, and being landed on
the opposite bank, departed speedily from the place

Within the Game:

What are Fairies?

The fairies that humans emulated when developing

their own civilizations, good neighbors often live
very much like humans, with jobs as shoemakers,
herders of animals, and farmers, but also unique
jobs as the spirits of a land which help humans
farm by blessing the crops or as house fairies who
protect a home. Good neighbors live far closer to
nature than humans. Indeed, it can often be said
that they are the directors of the natural world,
who care for the animals and plants, just as they
care for human villages and cities.

All the fairy characters designed for play in this

book are Good Neighbors.

Wildfey
Spirits of nature live much more like animals than
the good neighbors. These can be any type of fairy,
such as the buffardello, except that most will never
speak in a language that humans or good
neighbors can understand, instead chittering at
each other like birds and small rodents.
27
Little is known about the wildfey, but they seem to The spirits of places, such as the spirit of a house, a
care for animals and plants like the Good Neighbors hill, or sometimes an entire more or Empire. These
are likely to care for humans. As with the good spirits Rarely show themselves but sometimes appear
neighbors they enjoy pranks and whimsy, but their as a bumble bee or cat, while others appear as a wise
dances and songs are much more primal, like those old person. They might focus on a single idea, such
of birds searching for a mate or threatening away a as blessing sweeter or helping those in love to tell a
rival. funnier joke at the right moment.
The wildfey usually ignores people and good
neighbors that pass through but will occasionally Ancient Beings.
help or cause mischief for a person in small ways, Spirits can potentially live millions of years; some
with no explanation why. As with all fairies, it is have lived so long that they once cared for dinosaurs.
usually best to simply ignore their mischief until they Being so ancient, they have lost touch with the world
get bored. or simply prefer to watch it pass by. It is rare to
speak with them, but one can occasionally see them
Sylvans in the distance.
Dragons, unicorns, and similar creatures which look
like animals and often live very much like them but Poplings or godlings
which are possibly more intelligent than a person Tiny fairies of berry bushes, the eves of a house, or
and which have obvious magical powers. Some similar places that have begun to help with very
sylvans, like dragons, have been well studied, but specific things through chance.
others 'like the unicorn' are so difficult to observe for
any length of time that very little is known about
them, other than that they often lead people to places
they should go. Fairyland, Kindness, and Relationships
Often, simply caring is the most important thing you
Tutelary Beings can do, for it often isn't the sagas the bards sing
about, but rather the small moments of joy that give

28
our lives meaning. Think back to moments when There are gods here, strolling through the
cookies were pulled from an oven to a sunset or a marketplaces, talking to dripping wet nixies and
laughing conversation with friends. These can be hedgehog-shaped pixies.
some of the most powerful memories a person has. Humans may have forgotten the fairies and fairydom,
but the fairies have not forgotten them. Many passing
fairies will stop off in a house at night to grant small
blessings to the people who live in a home or will
help a crying child.
So too, will traveling fairies help others of their ilk
and discover many fairies they didn't know about.
For there are more types of fairies than there are
grains of sand on a beach, each with its quirks and
each waiting to greet interesting strangers, for the
one certainty about fairies is that they are strong
believers in hospitality and lovers of tales of faraway
places they will likely never see.

Random Encounters
Although you should always feel free to simply create a
scenario and or character to encounter, these are some
options that will hopefully help to stir your imagination.
Some of these random encounters might lead to solutions
to challenges you have, while others might present new
challenges, and still others are simply things for you to
take a moment and write or talk about.

Either draw a Tarot Card and Roll a 6 Sided Dice.

Or Roll a 6 Sided Dice, draw a regular card, and roll a 6 sided die again.

Ace of Wands or 1 and Ace

1. You run into the ruler of the forest looking for someone
to play cards with. You can win a new thing you can do in
your playbook or a pet bumble, squirrel, or fish that gives
you a +1 on your Find Score.
Kind moments are also the center of many, if not 2. You smell a rich and delicious bread at the borders
most, fairytales. For fairytales aren't the stories of between two lands. If you mention how delicious the bread
great knights or powerful wizards but of peasants smells, you will find some left on a plate with butter for you
who encounter the magical world. These people by the fairies. Perhaps these are fairies you could make
survive and thrive not through strength but through friends with.
kindness and hard work. When a Russian girl 3. You notice some pixies watching you as you travel.
4. You meet a giant snail which knows where some berries
encountered Baba Yaga, she survived by being
or herbs or some place of beauty is. It offers a trade to
respectful and kind to the magical creatures she show you. What do you chat about while it plods slowly
encountered. The fairies in fairytales might punish through the forest towards your goal?
people, leading people to think of these tales as dark, 5. Someone is injured, how did this happen and how can
and in a way, they certainly were. In the end, you help, or what fairy can you seek out to help?
however, fairies are often kind and help people 6. Someone is injured, how did this happen and how can
discover what they truly need. you help, or what fairy can you seek out to help?

Two of Wands or 1 and Card2

The Fairy Shires 1. Some trolls play loud music while you are trying to sleep.
A mirror land, far larger and more beautiful than the 2. You meet an old fairy who is anxious to share a story
with you.
illusion in which humans live their daily lives.
3. Puck shows up to stir up some chaos
Fairydom is a beautiful, vibrant place full of lyricism 4. A giant toad babysitting his pollywogs is worried about
and dreams. The wilderness here is vast beyond the shrinking water level. He asks you for help getting the
imagining, so vast that the villages must be tied water to raise a little. Perhaps some of the pollywogs
together through enchanted pathways and flight. engage in mischief with you, as they don’t fully understand
what is happening and want to play.
5. There is a charity auction.
29
6. Sick animals are coming into town causing trouble, but 6. You come across a large cluster of forest flowers such as
they need help. violets.

Three of Wands or 1 and Card3 Seven of Wands or 1 and Card7

1. A fairy wedding is going to be held in a place that is 1. A fairy confronts you with a riddle. Takes a token if you
supposed to be empty, especially a church or kitchen just get the wrong answer and gives you one if you get the right
before sunrise. These fairies might ask you for help setting one.
up and taking down for the wedding. 2. You come across a cottage of people you don’t realize are
2. Invisible fairy children playing pranks. really fairies until some bears or stag beetles who can talk
3. Puck wants to hear some folk tales comes to visit them.
4. A cricket whose ability to play music has been damaged. 3. You discover a small crystal ball that always shows some
He’s worried that he won’t find someone to love before the silly, embarrassing, goofy moment from the past present or
summers over. future. Often of people from distant lands who you don’t
5. It is raining while it is sunny, creating a huge rainbow. know.
6. Raccoons get into your house/camp and wreak havoc. 4. You discover a children’s hide out or fort a bit deeper in
the woods than might be safe.
Four of Wands or 1 and Card4 5. You stumble across a grotto filled with mushrooms and
1. A fairy in disguise, trying to buy things with gold that will moss.
later turn into leaves. 6. You stumble across a grotto filled with cave paintings
2. A cold fairy asking to share your fire with you. They don’t from times long past.
understand fire much and so you must explain to them
how to avoid getting burned and keep Eight of Wands or 1 and Card8
an eye on them, so they don’t get too 1. The fairies make you think you are
close or hit by sparks. walking through a forest, when you
3. You get lost because of some pixies and are really walking in circles, until a
have to ask for directions helpful someone tells you what’s
4. The spirit of the land on which you happening.
are living comes to talk to you. Do 2. A fairy gathering food, get a
they need something or are they just Serendipity if you help.
curious about the witch in the area? 3. A hut walking around on chicken
5. You notice how stunning the stars legs, where Baba Yaga lives.
4. You discover a gorge in the forest
are on a clear night
filled with talking giant snails and
6. A fairy joins in with a village dance,
moths. Perhaps you can make
startling people with its wild dancing
friends with one of them.
and laughter.
5. A fairy gathering herbs to make a
potion. Get a Serendipity if you help.
Five of Wands or 1 and Card5
6. A giant snail is moving their babies
1. A curious fairy that shows up to
to a new location but needs some
silently watch people work. help as there are too many of them
2. A fairy who punishes for it to easily carry at once and it
troublemakers and leaves gifts for doesn’t want to leave some behind.
those who do good deeds.
3. A broonie seeks help with the harvest, will Nine of Wands or 1 and Card9
provide help to cure plant and spirit 1. There is a meal or feast which the
ailments. wild fey join, even though they talk to no one.
4. A visitor from your past comes to call. 2. You hear the fairy’s song underneath the ground and see
5. A visitor from your past comes to call. them peeking out windows in a hillside that vanishes when
6. You come across a farm that’s been overgrown, perhaps you get close.
the farmer is sick or having trouble clearing and planting 3. A banshee approaches you who is hungry for
their field. conversation after watching over their living family without
speaking to someone for quite a while.
Six of Wands or 1 and Card6 4. You come across a crumbling stone wall.
1. A fairy asks you to fix a broken object like a pot or 5. You run into a chap person who travels around selling
kitchen knife. odd little books of folk stories, salacious gossip, and minor
2. You encounter some fairies dancing. If you join, a week or adventure tales. You begin talking about stories. They have
entire event passes in the hour you dance with them. a book they think you might be interested in.
3. Goblins called Tattybugs have been ruining the gardens 6. A hearth fire spirit talks to you, telling you about
of a human village. something you might be interested in and gives you
4. You find a human in the woods with a quirky hobby. directions to it using riddle 1.
5. You come across a flower filled meadow. Perhaps there is
a herb within it? Ten of Wands or 1 and Card10
1. You are invited into a fairy court, where you can’t
understand anything the fairies say, but you can tell they
30
are all friendly as they hand you herbs, potions, and 2. A helpful house fairy has recently grown troublesome,
objects with unknown magical powers. and the people who live with it are worried they might have
2. Learn music from a cheerful fairy by surrendering done something wrong.
something you care about. 3. A helpful house fairy has started panicking, as they need
3. A forest guardian plays a prank on you something which is to be found at riddle 4, which they
4. Children collecting fireflies. can’t quite figure out.
5. Children out looking for elves, just to do it. 4. There is a new baby born in the town. What is their
6. Learn to weave from a serious fairy in exchange for your family like? You might seek out a fairy to provide a blessing
help cleaning their cottage for a time. for them. When pondering who should give the blessing
Page of Wands or 1 and Jack you are given riddle 5.
1. A fairy gives you advice on how you might help someone 5. There is a new baby born in the town. What is their
in the place you are headed towards before vanishing. family like? You might seek out a fairy to provide a blessing
2. A headless spirit which seeks to chase you somewhere for them. When pondering who should give the blessing
you didn’t expect to go, but where you were needed more. you are given riddle 6.
3. A headly kow pretends to be a treasure in order to try to 6. Someone built a new home and some, not quite domestic
get you to pick them up, so that they can startle you. fairies, quickly moved in. Their house fairy needs help
4. Someone throws a party. What are they celebrating? convincing these interlopers to leave or act more friendly.
5. Someone throws a party. What are they celebrating? At
the party, a zwerg joins in with the dancing, then after Ace of Cups or 2 and Card2
having fun gives riddle 3. Perhaps there is something 1. A fairy that causes you to become introspective about
interesting to find if you follow these directions. your own aspirations. Gain a token if you share your
6. A goblin causes some mischief, tells you a crude joke, thoughts.
and gives you advice on how you might help someone, who 2. A lonely fairy that causes trouble so that people pay
you either know or whom you will meet soon. Their advice attention to them.
is to look for something by using Riddle 2. 3. There is a dragon hosting tea for some of the forest
fairies, perhaps you can attend?
Knight of Wands or 1 and Queen 4. You spend a day baking pies and or breads.
1. An old fairy that asks for some food gives good advice if 5. You spend a day baking pies and or breads.
you show kindness. 6. A lonely fairy that causes trouble so that people pay
2. Fairies that fly up into the air, accidently carrying you attention to them.
with them on an adventure to explore human homes and
markets where you can act as a guide, explaining the Two of Cups or 2 and Card3
things they see and potentially become friends. 1. The poppet of a mundane object or idea causes you to be
3. There is a niskipuk on someone’s eve, listening for amazed by something that you used to think of as
possible gossip ordinary. Gain a token if you explain your new perspective.
4. You find an injured animal, perhaps a fairy can help you 2. A fairy that will tell your fortune by rolling
heal it. knucklebones.
5. You are asked to play hide and seek by some fairy 3. Pixies are sneaking into kitchens and adding spices to
children. the food without anyone knowing what they’ve done.
6. You help someone who has to cook a large meal, or Sometimes they cause mischief by making the food taste
perhaps a fairy who can’t cook but wants a hot meal. There funny and sometimes they make it taste better.
are many fairies in lore who didn’t have the magic of 4. There is a confused dog like fairy trying to herd rabbits
cooking, this being primarily a human gift. because it thinks they are sheep.
5. You go to the top of a hill to watch the animals below
Queen of Wands or 1 and King and recenter yourself.
1. Some fairies teach you how to wander aimlessly, yet 6. You go animal spotting by a lake to relax.
somehow end up where you want, so that you can never
truly be lost. Three of Cups or 2 and Card4
2. You overhear a fairy’s song that causes you to realize 1. Gain a sense of euphoria about the state of things. Gain
something you thought of as mundane is more beautiful a Serendipity if you share your thoughts on why things are
than you ever would have noticed otherwise. beautiful.
3. A pack of blink dogs which follows you home, blinking to 2. A fairy which plays a song that reminds you of your
prevent being left behind if necessary. childhood. Discuss the moment it reminds you of, get a
4. You end up spending the night at a friend’s house. Serendipity if you do.
5. A troll that has many heads which are debating the 3. The cats are hosting a dance in the forest, and they want
meaning of some trivial bit of gossip, or perhaps some every witch and fairy to attend. What is a cat hosted dance
aspect of a popular book. like? Do they play games? What kind of music do they like?
6. A royal cat comes to live with you for a while. They may Do you meet anyone interesting?
not speak at first, as they enjoy simply living as a cat. 4. You get roped into decorating for a festival.
5. You get roped into helping someone decorate their new
King of Wands or 2 and Ace home.
1. You discover a little nook where a fairy lives and will 6. A cat wants to have tea with you, should you prepare a
occasionally throw food at those passing, in hopes of delicious little meal and tea it will give you riddle 7. If you
starting a food fight. can answer and follow where it leads, what do you find?
31
 1. You notice a fairy in disguise, trying to buy things with
Four of Cups or 2 and Card5 gold that will later turn into leaves.
1. Tattybugs (goblins that look a little like potato people) or 2. Discover that if you walk around a monastery counter
other fairies filching crops. You might be able to teach sun wise three times you end up in fairyland. Or perhaps a
them how to help farms prosper so there is plenty for all. child discovers this by accident and gets lost.
2. A fairy that needs you to babysit its children for a time. 3. A dryad whose tree is in a courtyard near a popular
Get a Serendipity if you do. dating spot has started trying to help people fall in love and
3. A puppy of a fairy dog who can blink from one place to will even secretly play matchmaker.
another decided your backpack would be a fun place to be. 4. Some fairies steal something from you
4. You come across someone who is lost. 5. A bridge collapses and people need help figuring out how
5. You come across someone who is lost. to get across the river that is filled with troublesome water
6. A fairy appears for a moment to give you riddle 8, telling fairies now.
you that there is someone lost who can be found if you 6. Some fairies steal something from you.
follow it.
Seven of Cups or 2 and Card8
1. A kitsune or some type of fairy in the forest offers to help
you get magical ingredients from the woods if you take it
on as an apprentice for a time.
2. A young giant wants to play with you like a doll.
3. A group of fairies is obsessed with trading items and
they keep showing up trying to trade things with you. What
isn’t exactly important, they are in part just playing at
merchanting.
4. Some giant honeybees build a hive near the village. They
are going to need a lot of help finding enough flowers to
create the honey necessary to feed their young and perhaps
share with the village as well.
5. Some fairies offer to take you into fairyland for a year
and a day to learn their secrets. If you go you emerge later
with moss growing in your hair, a sign that you aren’t
entirely human any longer.
6. You encounter someone who is really good at skipping
stones in the lake.

Eight of Cups or 2 and Card9

1. A group of baby dragons is playing at building their
horde by gathering interesting looking rocks and other bits
and bobs.
2. You see a unicorn. It leads you to something beautiful or
someone in need of help.
3. You discover a strange café that was never there before.
4. A sudden storm catches you out in the wild.
5. A sudden storm catches you out in the wild. The wind
whispers riddle 9 to you. Will you follow it through the
storm, and if you do, what do you find?
6. There is a spring or summer flower festival, a winter
icicle festival, or a fall puddle and leaf viewing festival.

Nine of Cups or 2 and Card10

Five of Cups or 2 and Card6 1. A giant primordial deity pauses in the woods to look at
1. You see a strange fairy city. It vanishes after just a you. What do you feel in that moment?
moment. 2. Young fairies want to hear a story from you, they gather
2. A bright fairy market where the fairies are trading things just outside of sight while you’re camping and call out.
that can always be done from their playbook in return for 3. A fairy child wants to play. Perhaps they come down the
other things that can always be done from someone else’s chimney one night or jump out to startle you while you are
playbook walking.
3. You go berry picking. Do you go with anyone? 4. Find a patch of herbs.
4. You go berry picking. Do you go with anyone? 5. Find a patch of herbs.
5. You discover a young, enchanted boar which can tell the 6. A fairy keeps stealing milk from the cows. Perhaps they
future. have a little fairy who is sick and needs human food to
6. You meet a fairy who offers to teach you the art of grow stronger. You are going to have to talk to them to find
fortune telling by looking at the flight of birds. out what is happening.

Six of Cups or 2 and Card7 Ten of Cups or 2 and Jack

32
1. You find a lost fairy child. 4. Mummers come to your door, are you prepared for
2. A fairy child has snuck away from their mother and is them? What do they do?
using illusions to play with some human children. The 5. Mummers come to your door, are you prepared for
child is clearly enjoying the attention and adoration. them? What do they do?
3. A fairy wanting to play a game of riddles, they are 6. You are invited to attend a moon viewing party.
extremely bored after spending a long time alone in the
wilds. Choose a random riddle for it to tell. If you can’t King of Cups or 3 and Card2
figure it out, it will give you the answer. Perhaps this will 1. You find a beautiful feature of nature and its spirit
help you in the future. which leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder
4. You’re invited to dinner, by who, what is dinner with 2. A wise old dragon which shares a philosophy you never
them like? knew about before.
5. You’re invited to dinner, by who, what is dinner with 3. You encounter an old and eccentric fortune teller in an
them like? out of the way tower or hut.
6. A boat or horse race being hosted by the village you are 4. A little fairy wants to show off a spell they’ve learned, in
in and has drawn huge crowds from all over. this case the ability to make flashes of light appear when
they hum a song.
Page of Cups or 2 and Queen 5. Some tragedy strikes the village and a fairy tells you
1. You meet a fairy who makes your food taste better. Riddle 11 to find the solution.
2. There is a fairy who is angry about something small, but 6. Some tragedy strikes the village
which seems big to them.
3. A tree you are passing whispers your name.
4. You take a stroll when you find something strange, what Ace of Swords or 3 and Card3
is it? 1. A dragon which seeks to help gardeners who are growing
5. You take a stroll when you encounter a little pack of flowers.
buffardello singing riddle ten, and about the treasure 2. A fairy that turns you into an animal for a little while, to
hidden at the end of it. help you remember that you are part of the natural world.
6. There is a spring or summer flower festival, a winter
icicle festival, or a fall puddle and leaf viewing festival. 3. Some moon rakers smuggling plushies to avoid the taxes
on them. They have some fairies helping them.
4. A passing scholar is asked to give a lecture, and there is
a lot of excitement building up to the event.
5. People are preparing for a parade of some form.
6. People are preparing for a parade of some form.

Two of Swords or 3 and Card4

1. Discover a forgotten history of an ordinary person. Gain
a token if you share this story and how it relates to you.
2. Something that taps you invisibly on the shoulder and
helps you feel its silent support when you need it.
3. There are some young zwerg playing pranks on weddings
4. Someone is hurt and they come to you for help.
5. Someone is hurt and they come to you for help. They
were given riddle 12 by a fairy to find a solution.
6. There are some young zwerg playing pranks on weddings

Knight of Cups or 2 and King Three of Swords or 3 and Card5

1. Fairies singing a song, they grant you a minor wish or 1. An old fairy which brings a lantern to help you see when
heal a complaint if you respectfully join in. you are in the dark, but never says a word.
2. You awake to find a fairy braiding and tying knots in 2. A fairy in disguise who has a drink too many in a tavern
your hair. and accidently reveals what they are to those who they
3. You join a barn dance. Who do you dance with? didn’t want to know.
4. You join a barn dance. Who do you dance with? 3. A young lutin trying to become a knight
5. A minstrel is wandering through town. What type of 4. You take up a new craft, sewing, carving, etc.
music do they sing? 5. You take up a new craft, sewing, carving, etc.
6. A minstrel is wandering through town. What type of 6. You encounter some people whose dream selves have
music do they sing? taken a wispy, but somewhat solid form and are walking
around the village. They can’t find their bodies and need
Queen of Cups or 3 and Ace help, even if they don’t yet realize it.
1. A fairy gives you a potion to deliver to a sick person in a
nearby village. Four of Swords or 3 and Card6
2. You discover a small pool of water that heals one hurt, 1. A fairy dances in front of you, while you are walking,
physical or emotional. making you uncertain about your path.
3. Mermaids ask you for some apple pies. 2. There is a fairy who gives advice to people on how to find
love.
33
3. You discover some clothes and realize that there are 2. A little fairy pretends to be something big and scary
witches you didn’t know about that turned into animals to because they are afraid and uncertain.
go have a party with the fey. They’ll be back for their 3. A fairy steals someone’s hat or similar object to get them
clothes eventually. to give chase, giggling when they do.
4. Someone comes to you because they have lost 4. You visit someone just because. What do you talk about,
something. do you eat or drink anything?
5. Someone comes to you because a goblin has snatched 5. You visit an old witch who lives deep in the woods. Do
something from them. When you seek help from a tree it you know them? What do you talk about? They give you
riddle 15 after your conversation.
6. A giant caterpillar hasn’t been able to get enough food to
make their cocoon and transform into a giant moth.

Eight of Swords or 3 and Card10

1. There are rumors of a fairy in an old tower that comes if
you call them while standing by a fire to perform a single
service of a specific type.
2. A Fairy that whispers a new way of designing a tool or
invention to you. Or perhaps riddle 16.
3. A dobby tried to help a cattle farm by milking the cows,
but accidently let all the cows out of their pens. They need
your help getting them back in.
4. You are working on a potion and need help from
someone. Who do you seek help from?
5. You are working on a potion and need help from
someone. Who do you seek help from?
tells you to travel along riddle 13. 6. An owl nests above you, either in the eves of your home
6. You meet some fairies who are sneaking into people’s
cellars to get drinks and hold secret celebrations. They
invite you to join them.

Five of Swords or 3 and Card7

1. You encounter a fairy in a ruin that is morning what
once was.
2. You encounter a dragon in a maelstrom that asks
something of you.
3. You encounter a fairy singing a raunchy and
embarrassing ballad
4. People have decided to invent a new holiday. Why and
what preparations are involved? Does everyone agree that
it should be a holiday?
5. You witness some people dancing in a village square.
6. You witness some people dancing in a village square.

Six of Swords or 3 and Card8

1. You witness a fairy dance and or song that grants you a
new zest for life. Gain a token if you say what you are going
to pursue.
2. A fairy who can fix nearly anything that is broken if you
leave it on their mound with some food.
3. Fairies need a human to join them in playing a sport
that is similar to field hockey with spells.
4. You go to get a drink at a café, pub, what kind of place is
it?
5. You discover a pub keeper who is a changeling, they can
tell fortunes by watching the foam disappear on a drink.
They give you riddle 14.
6. You discover a strange but beautiful smelling herb that
small fairies flock to. What do you think it might do? Is or dorm, or in the tree where you are camping.
there someone you might be able to ask about it?
Nine of Swords or 3 and Jack
Seven of Swords or 3 and Card9 1. A fairy gives you something someone lost and asks you
1. A fairy shows you where to go while they are in the form to return it. They may not know who lost it.
of a bird, rabbit, or bumble.

34
2. There is a hill where you can fall asleep for a whole year. Queen of Swords or 4 and Card2
When you wake up you don’t need to sleep again for six 1. A fairy needs help watching over their sheep, for a troll
years. keeps showing up to carry them off.
3. You see an old wizard creating illusions with the smoke 2. A dobby has been guarding a treasure for over a
from their pipe in order to confuse bees and get their hundred years and doesn’t realize the owner is never
honey. coming back. Bored he seeks some sort of release and
4. You are invited to dinner, who do you eat with, do you starts causing trouble.
enjoy spending time with them? 3. You discover a grove of dryads which need someone to
5. You are invited to dinner by an odd little fairy. Do you take their acorns and plant them in a new grove. Do you
enjoy spending time with them? agree to help? Where do you plant the new grove of trees?
6. A poppling of the well has taken on a new roll to help 4. You are sitting by a babbling brook when someone
people, what is it and how might you help them? comes along who is trying to write poems, or perhaps play

Ten of Swords or 3 and Queen

1. You find a place where you will be younger when you set
foot on it, only to age again when you leave.
2. You find a place where people can’t stop laughing with
joy while they are there.
3. A fairy that was caught out in a storm, having lost
strength from Fey Ricketts they need to be warmed and
fed. They might live with you for a few days or even a
month before they get their strength back.
4. Mummers come to your door, are you prepared for
them? What do they do?
5. You decide to host a dinner. Who do you invite and what
do you make.
6. You decide to host a dinner. Who do you invite and what
do you make.
in the water. Who is it, what happens?
Page of Swords or 3 and King
5. You discover an old, ruined castle.
1. A fairy stuck on one side of the river, unable to cross
6. Without realizing it someone has built a stable over
without someone’s help.
some fairies’ underground home. The fairies need your help
2. A song writer, poet, artist, or some other creative comes
convincing the owner of the barn to move it so that the
to you for advice.
horse snookum stops raining down on them.
3. A fairy from the forest asks you to deliver a message to
one of the fairies living as a cat in the village. What is the
King of Swords or 4 and Card3
message and who are the fairies?
1. You meet a dwarf who can turn into a spider and spread
4. Unable to sleep you take a walk at night and notice
dreams, which are sometimes nightmares and sometimes
something about the village you hadn’t before.
pleasant.
5. Unable to sleep you take a walk at night and overhear
2. Buffardello keep tickling people’s feet right as they are
some fairies talking about something to be found if riddle
about to fall asleep
17 is followed.
3. Someone comes asking to be your apprentice. Who are
6. A bard has been invited to play a festival for some
they? If you accept, remember to include them in some of
fairies, they are nervous about going alone as this is one of
the scenes or entries from now on.
their first actual paid performances, they ask you to join
4. You encounter a sky ship, the captain invites you on
them.
board for a bit, perhaps to talk about the local area or your
travels.
Knight of Swords or 4 and Ace
5. You lose something.
1. A fairy calls out a warning that a storm is coming. Now
6. You lose something.
you must warn everyone else and help them get ready.
2. Haunted Bathroom
Ace of Pentacles or 4 and Card4
3. You go to an elegant fairy dance. What is this like? Who
1. The Countess of Mice is upset by a spike in the number
do you talk to?
of feral owlcats roaming around.
4. Bear cubs crawl in through a window left open a crack
2. Bearbeavers are damming up a stream and flooding a
and are wrecking merry mischief in a kitchen. This can be
small village
at your house or someone else’s, who asks you for help.
3. A fairy comes to you seeking some pastries.
5. A storm rages through the village, making it difficult to
4. You decide to bring a gift to one of the fairies? What are
go out. How does it make you feel? How do you help with
you bringing and who are you bringing it to?
the aftermath?
5. You gaze at some tea leaves with friends, what do you
6. A storm rages through the village, making it difficult to
see? What do they see?
go out. How does it make you feel? How do you help with
6. You gaze at some tea leaves with friends and discover
the aftermath?
riddle 18.

35
 size of deer and deer the size of squirrels for about a square
Two of Pentacles or 4 and Card5 mile of area.
1. A poltergeist moves the toilets into a classroom, and the 3. Some pixies want to play a game with you.
desks into the now flooding bathrooms. 4. You meet a druid who is tending to the forest.
2. A fairy trading for spells and items that cause mischief 5. You take a moment for yourself, to sit and reflect on
for a target and the user. So, if the items are used to curse things.
someone to have flatulence, the user will have it too, if they 6. You take a moment for yourself, to sit and reflect on
curse someone to have an itchy nose at the worst moment, things.
their nose might itch right as they are drifting off to sleep.
3. Meet a traveling house fairy without a home. Are they Six of Pentacles or 4 and Card9
now feral and need to find a place like a berry patch to 1. Everyone received a letter detailing their most
settle, or are they looking for a human home? What embarrassing moment. No one knows where the letter is
happened with their old home? from, and many people don’t want to talk about it.
4. You discover a witch who is trying to start a dairy where 2. Some pixies stole a wagon wheel and are taunting the
they milk moose. Moose milk is richer than cow’s milk and driver.
is said to have healing and strengthening properties. 3. The villages water has become polluted with flotsam
5. You catch a glimpse of someone who might need help in from the forest after a storm. Perhaps you can find and talk
your tea leaves. a dragon into helping purify and clean it.
6. A bored fairy interrupts you to play something. They give 4. A magical creature moves into the corner of your hut. Do
riddle 19 as part of the game, but you feel that it was they become a pet, a friend, or are they just passing
perhaps directions? What to, you’ll find out if you follow it. through after a bit?
5. You overhear an interesting conversation. Do you join
Three of Pentacles or 4 and Card6 in?
1. A magical skunk sneaks onto campus. It can appear and 6. You overhear an interesting conversation between a hag
disappear, and seemingly squeeze under doors. Worst of and a giant, in which the hag tells the giant about riddle
all, it is constantly climbing into bed with people. What is 21.
happening? Is the question on everyone’s mind, along with
“is vinegar or tomato juice better for getting the stench of Seven of Pentacles or 4 and Card10
skunk out of your hair?” 1. You are invited to a poetry reading at a sylvan dragon’s
2. A pair of dwarves is arguing over ownership of a magical lair by accident.
item, and they want you to settle it. 2. You are asked to check on an elderly witch who lives in
3. A new witch moves into the village. Who are they and the forest, perhaps to carry some Christmas or other
what kind of magical service do they provide? You might holiday treats to them.
invite them over for tea and cookies, or whatever other 3. The cows have gotten sick. Perhaps you can speak to a
meal you prefer. nymph about helping to heal them.
4. A new artist breezes into the village. Who are they and 4. You find a fairy which wants to swap folktales and
what is their art like? – You might seek out a nymph to stories.
help provide them with inspiration 5. Someone has lost their pet.
5. Someone gives you a gift. Who, what, and why? 6. Someone has lost their pet, while searching for it in the
6. Someone had a dream they can’t shake, in which they woods you meet a bigfoot like creature who gives you riddle
were told to follow Riddle 20, but they don’t want to go 22.
alone.
Eight of Pentacles or 4 and Jack
Four of Pentacles or 4 and Card7 1. A traveling theatre troop wants to get your input on an
1. There is a magical garden of mushrooms which has aspect of their performance.
gotten out of control and now mushrooms are starting to 2. A popular song gets stuck in your head. When you
grow everywhere. mention it, everyone around you says its stuck in their
2. The trees, flowers, and grasses are moving about the head as well. Soon you come to realize something invisible
forest as a prank to cause you to walk in circles. is wandering around humming the song.
3. The people need a new well dug, perhaps you can find a 3. The decorations used for a festival have all been water
giant who would be willing to help. damaged. Perhaps you and or the fairies could help make
4. You find a pile of old swords rusting in the wild. new ones.
5. A child has gotten lost in the woods, and you are asked 4. Some bogles throw mud pies or slosh water on you from
to help find them. the treetops.
6. A child has gotten lost in the woods, and you are asked 5. You have an accident and are hurt.
to help find them. 6. You have an accident and are hurt, during which you
have a vision of a beautiful being who gives you riddle 23.
Five of Pentacles or 4 and Card8
1. Baby unicorn learning how to dimension door, it’s still Nine of Pentacles or 4 and Queen
clumsy at it and might end up teleporting anywhere in 1. You come across a tailor teaching a giant how to restitch
range. a massive hole in their pants. They need a much larger
2. A Fissure with strange magic that makes giant animals needle to do this. Perhaps a dwarf, cyclops, or blacksmith
small and small animals giant, so that squirrels are the could create such a needle.

36
2. A troop of confused fairies have entered the human 6. You meet a beekeeper who has been having trouble with
world for the first time from the deeper wilds of fairyland. something going after the honey and hives which is hurting
They want a guide to help explain all the odd behaviors and the bees.
things they are seeing.
3. A wildfey thinks it’s funny to chase and rile up the Queen of Pentacles or 5 and Card3
village animals, especially the sheep and cows. 1. A dobby wants to help you with various tasks, which
4. Some goblins invite you to dine with them on snails, they obviously mess up in some way, but they may still
honeyed crickets, fish algae, and other things of their provide help in another.
swamp. 2. You encounter a magical mirror standing in
5. You discover a small place of beauty? the forest.
6. A nymph is seeking someone to become a 3. You are asked to babysit the children of a
beekeeper. Perhaps you would want the job or sick sylvan. Which one, how does that go?
could help her find someone to take it. 4. A child shows you something interesting
they discovered.
Ten of Pentacles or 4 and King 5. A child shows you something interesting
1. Someone was gifted a magic potion by one of they discovered. Perhaps it is a spring that is
the fairies. They ask you what it is? Who are singing riddle 26?
they, what is the potion and who gave it to 6. A former knight passes through town, not
them? certain what to do with their life now.
2. One of the fairies has caused a bit of bother
for one of the villagers. What happened and how King of Pentacles or 5 and Card4
do you help? 1. There is a cauldron that creates dreams
3. You find a vine that is dangling down from hidden somewhere in the forest. Something has
the clouds. gone wrong with it and it is now giving out
4. A new teacher comes to town in the middle of nightmares. Find it and if you can, fix it.
the year, and they seem a little quirky. 2. There is a magical dog which can help the
5. You have a disagreement with someone in the now sickly crops grow. See if you can find it in
village. What is it about and what can be done the woods and get it to follow you with treats,
to resolve it? back to the farms.
6. You have a disagreement with someone in the 3. A fairy child sneaks into the human town to
village. What is it about and what can be done to resolve it? play with the local children.
4. You meet someone who has an interesting perspective
Page of Pentacles or 5 and Ace on religion and or philosophy. What are their ideas, and
1. Some birds follow you, chittering merrily, soon you start what do you think about it?
to hear occasional snippets of conversation in their chirps, 5. You make an offering to some fairies. Who are they and
as they talk about you, not just your present but bits of what are you seeking?
your past and possibly your future. They likely also reveal 6. You make an offering to some fairies. Who are they and
the location of some hidden treasure. Perhaps through what are you seeking? Perhaps they give you riddle 27 in
riddle 24. return.
2. You are caught in a sudden magical storm and invited to
stay in a cottage you’ve never seen before. The Fool or 5 and Card5
3. The spirit of someone who just died comes to you to talk. 1. A magical food cart has food so delicious it keeps
4. You find out about a maze of hedges and brambles attracting troublesome spirits.
created by a colony of mice. They are said to have gathered 2. A horse headed fairy has run past the castle warning of
many secretive folktales. an impending fire. People believe that a tiny dragon might
5. Gossip sweeps through the village. What is it about? have nested somewhere flammable. It needs to be found
6. Gossip sweeps through the village. It comes in the form and moved to a safer location.
of riddle 25. 3. The children have begun playing some game around
your house, perhaps they are sledding off the roof into the
Knight of Pentacles or 5 and Card2 snow below, perhaps they are making piles of leaves,
1. Children covering trees and houses in brightly colored perhaps they are simply playing hide and seek.
yarn, perhaps as decoration or perhaps as mischief. 4. The children have begun playing some game around
2. A scarecrow has made friends with the local birds and is your house, perhaps they are sledding off the roof into the
now feeding them the farmers crops on purpose. snow below, perhaps they are making piles of leaves,
3. A market faire opens, either in this village or a nearby perhaps they are simply playing hide and seek. Perhaps
one and everyone goes to it. there is a changling with them who gives them riddle 28.
4. A market faire opens, either in this village or a nearby 5. Someone who lost their job is trying to start a company
one and everyone goes to it. making pastries from wild berries, the problem is that the
5. An old hermit comes into town, their cabin is beginning wild fey keep flitching the berries they are picking.
to fall apart, and they don’t want to cut down any of the 6. A giant toad tried resting on someone’s roof but fell
trees around it, so they are seeking a way to get bricks out through and is now too large to get back out the door, plus
into the forest. their roof is ruined.

The Magician or 5 and Card6

37
1. A spice dragon has been seen nearby. They breath out a 5. You need to clean out your home or packs which have
delicious and highly prized but painful powder, instead of gotten out of order. What is something that you have which
fire. is precious only to you?
2. You receive a divination reading that tells you about a 6. You need to clean out your home or packs which have
forgotten secret of the region you are in. gotten out of order. What is something that you have which
3. You meet someone on a journey of their own. is precious only to you?
4. You meet someone on a journey of their own.
5. You discover some interesting plants, herb, berries, The Hierophant or 5 and Card10
either tasty or with magical properties. 1. Buffardello are giving people strange dreams
6. You discover some interesting plants, herb, berries, 2. Buffardello are making it windy in random locations,
either tasty or with magical properties. Perhaps eating such as hallways, kitchens, classrooms filled with loose
them allows you to receive riddle 29. papers.
3. A gift giving festival is coming up.
The High Priestess or 5 and Card7 4. A gift giving festival is coming up.
1. A gnome has made a potion which has gone awry, it is 5. You get invited to a game night.
now crawling about eating other potions and magical 6. You get invited to a game night.
ingredients and using this magic in bizarre ways, such as
transforming flowers into angry pink bumble bees, or The Lovers or 5 and Jack
changing people’s voices. The gnome gives you a secret way 1. You meet a tomte who is trying to prepare for Yule.
to stop the living potion in return for your silence on who 2. You meet a nymph who has taught many heroes in the
created it. They’ll also pay. past and is wondering what to do with themselves now.
2. A giant from the deep fairyland has stumbled into the 3. A hungry sylvan comes to you.
human world. This giant doesn’t really understand houses 4. A hungry sylvan comes to you. Perhaps in return for
and when they smell something delicious inside, they’ll food it shares riddle 30.
simply pull the roof off to grab it. Try to explain to them 5. You experiment with making a new poultice, magical
that houses are a little like animal dens, and they can’t soap, treat, or potion. What are you trying to do? What
just go pulling them apart, you may need to subdue them a ingredients does it need? Who do you ask for advice? Does
little first as they aren’t in the best mood. it succeed?
3. An animal comes closer than normal to you, perhaps it 6. Some birds nest in your attic or show up to try to sneak
even gets into something in your house or camp. What is it crumbs of food as you eat.
and how do you react?
4. An animal comes closer than normal to you, perhaps it The Chariot or 5 and Queen
even gets into something in your house or camp. What is it 1. You encounter an almgeister herding some deer.
and how do you react? 2. You spot a faun playing music
5. Some fairies accidently ended up with human cows in 3. An item of clothing wears down, you need to get a new
their herd, and they can’t touch or go near the cows’ one.
droppings that have been piling up in the stables. 4. An item of clothing wears down, you need to get a new
6. A ghost has been haunting a house, what might they one.
want? 5. Some animals randomly encounter some magic that
gives them the gift of speech, confusing them as much as
The Empress or 5 and Card8 everyone else.
1. An owlbear cub following a nervous looking person who 6. You meet an impoverished young person out to seek
is glancing around the trees wondering where the mother their fortune.
might be.
2. A portal to another world has opened up under a child's Strength or 5 and King
bed or in their closet. 1. A unicorn leads you to someone in need of help
3. People are excited about an upcoming sporting event. 2. A banshee wants you to help one of her relations
What is it? 3. A walking holiday in which people hike out into the
4. People are excited about an upcoming sporting event. wilderness and picnic is coming up.
What is it? 4. A walking holiday in which people hike out into the
5. People are excited about an upcoming sporting event. wilderness and picnic is coming up.
What is it? 5. A unicorn leads you to someone in need of help
6. Some local children have been taught to turn into hares 6. A banshee wants you to help one of her relations
by a fairy.
The Hermit or 6 and Ace
The Emperor or 5 and Card9 1. A nixie shows you to their village beneath the lake.
1. People’s shadows are breaking away from them and 2. A nixie wants to get a hold a good needle not made with
gathering in the forests or other out of the way places. iron.
2. Buffardello are haunting a house 3. Festival with more intimate family feasts, does someone
3. You feel a swell of nostalgia, what brought it on and invite you to join them? Do you invite someone to join you?
what do you remember? If no, what do you do?
4. You feel a swell of nostalgia, what brought it on and 4. Festival with more intimate family feasts, does someone
what do you remember? invite you to join them? Do you invite someone to join you?
If no, what do you do?
38
5. You are invited to join a spinning and or sewing circle. love to try to scratch things from you or pounce on your
6. You see an unusual sylvan you’ve never heard of before. feet.

Wheel of Fortune or 6 and Card2 The Hanged Man or 6 and Card4

1. Moon dragon seeking to watch animals and people the 1. Ashwood dragon wants to find a way to attend a feast in
way some people bird watch. the human village without anyone knowing about it.
2. Aqua dragon needs help cleaning their pond, as human 2. You encounter a Quiet Lantern Fairy.
filth has gotten into it. 3. The Ruler of cat asks you to take care of a wild fey child
3. You are reminded of some past mistake. What brought 4. A dragon is calling out a loud song, searching for a
on that memory, what was the mistake? possible mate.
4. You are reminded of some past mistake. What brought 5. Preparing for a village wide feast, do you help, if so,
on that memory, what was the mistake? how?
5. A hobbit has moved into a little cavern nearby and 6. Preparing for a village wide feast, do you help, if so,
wants help gathering healing herbs so it can begin aiding how?
the sick of the region.
6. A Death or 6 and Card5
1. Aqua dragon resting on the shore, needs someone to
help them comb their hair
2. Hearth dragon gives you a lost knickknack in hopes that
you can return it to the owner.
3. A Nixie talks to you enthusiastically about a hobby you
never considered trying until now. Perhaps the nixie can
help you get started.
4. You wander a little close to the den of an owlbear and
are chased off.
5. You go shopping, what are your favorite local shops?
6. You go shopping, what are your favorite local shops?

Temperance or 6 and Card6

1. Sylvan dragon knitting sweaters for the local animals,
perhaps it needs help or more yarn at least.
2. A Sylvan dragon tells you some tales about a local hero.
3. The Royal ruler of the cats in a region is preparing for a
parade
4. You are invited to visit a local noble. Why did they want
to visit with you? What do you talk about?
5. A celebration with display, such as large bonfires, bright
lanterns, fireworks, etc.
6. A celebration with display, such as large bonfires, bright
lanterns, fireworks, etc.

The Devil or 6 and Card7

1. A lutin comes to you when you are feeling pensive
2. Thorn bush fairies snag you as you try to walk past
3. Perchta needs help fixing a wagon wheel in which she
was carrying the spirits of children.
4. A person in the village asks you to babysit their children.
Perhaps you take them for a stroll through the woods, how
does that go, do you see any animals or perhaps fairies.
5. You are asked to perform a ritual to bless the village or
pregnant fairy needs a humans help to safely give birth. crop.
Her husband comes looking for someone trustworthy who 6. You are asked to perform a ritual to bless the village or
can provide this aid. crop.
Justice or 6 and Card3 The Tower or 6 and Card8
1. A young Ashwood dragon seeking to play 1. You encounter an Abada who is training some squirrels
2. You encounter the Sidhe singing a mournful but to help it with tasks around the forest.
beautiful opera. What are they singing of? 2. You come across an Abada’s massive tree, which is so
3. A festival filled with music and theatre is coming up. large it seems impossible.
4. A festival filled with music and theatre is coming up. 3. An elverfolk offers to take you for a flight on a giant
5. You encounter a lost baby dragon crying for its parents. moth
6. A fox and its cubs move in under your house or come 4. Someone new arrives in the village, a minstrel, a theatre
near your camp. The parents are leery of you, but the cubs troop perhaps? Who are they?

39
5. Someone new arrives in the village, a minstrel, a theatre 4. A giant turtle with an island of plants on its back is
troop perhaps? Who are they? worried about a squirrel that has built a nest in one of the
6. A giant moth is looking for a safe place to lay their eggs. trees, for he needs to dive to the bottom of the lake for a
moment.
The Star or 6 and Card9 5. The fairies want you to play a sport with them against a
1. A waldgeist needs a place to stay with their sick child for rival clan.
a while. 6. The fairies want you to play a sport with them against a
2. Trow jumps unexpectedly into a dance, startling rival clan.
everyone and making them laugh.
3. Elverfolk want to dance with you.
4. A find a wind-swept bluff.
5. You take some time to find serenity. Where do you go to
reflect? What do you ponder?
6. You take some time to find serenity. Where do you go to
reflect? What do you ponder?

The Moon or 6 and Card10

1. You encounter some Wichtelmänner seeking to find
someone to give a gift to.
2. You encounter a small roadside food booth. What do
they serve? What do you talk with the proprietor about?
3. You find a cottage of zwerg and someone they are taking
care of who has to hide out from the world for a while.
4. You come across an artist who is trying to find
inspiration in goblindom.
5. The mayor invites you over for tea.
6. The mayor invites you over for tea.

The Sun or 6 and Jack

1. A mermaid wants to hear about the world beyond the
ocean or river.
2. A mermaid warns you of a coming storm, and offers to
show you a cave to shelter in.
3. Hearth dragon shows you a hoard of unappreciated
treasure such as the tossed out drawings of children,
sweaters made by women who are don’t understand
modern fashion, etc.
4. The water has become dirty, perhaps there is a dragon
who could help purify it.
5. You have a vision of the past of the place you are in,
which stirs up strong emotions in you.
6. You have a vision of the past of the place you are in,
which stirs up strong emotions in you.

Judgment or 6 and Queen

1. A mermaid is sneaking into town to sing in a choir
2. You meet a Tiddy mun, the spirit of a swamp which no
longer exists playing in a puddle
3. You meet a Hearth dragon who wants to talk about the
people of the village, either to tell you about them and if
you know anything, to hear about them.
4. Some strange footprints appear in a village that make
everyone uneasy. What did they come from? No one knows,
but perhaps you can find out.
5. You come across an artist who is trying to find
inspiration in fairydom
6. You hear a rare wizard and witches’ faire is going to be
in a neighboring region, you may want to visit it to try to
learn something or purchase something.

The World or 6 and King

1. A shaggy urisk wants to show you something interesting
2. Zwerg seeking to bless gardens to thrive
3. Zwerg having a party, one of them falls into the river
40
41
 In addition, each type of fairy has some things they
can always do and challenges they can help with.

Buffardello
One and a half foot tall fairies, which often appear as
rats or squirrels (or grasshoppers if animals are
common) in rough clothes with a red hat. The

buffardello prefer to live in nut trees or the hay of

barns. They spend much of their time teasing
A Field Guide to Fairies people’s pets. Invisible to people they cause cats and
dogs to run wildly about a room. Additional mischief
This is a list of some few of the fey, wild fey and they do includes hiding or moving objects, turning off
sylvans that will sometimes agree to befriend and aid or on lights, causing someone’s hair to become frizzy,
you. etc.
Like children at an eternal slumber party without
Things most Wild Fey and Silvans can do. any parents the Buffardello lived wild and free in the
beautiful forested hills. Never growing up, never
Haunt a castle, field, forest, or some other location. maturing, yet always ancient. Their crazy laugh
Offer Food echoed throughout the woods as they wildly rode
Change Shape deer to exhaustion, teased animals, and feasted on
Play a memorable prank at a festival. the nuts from trees and the milk of animals.
Play a prank that ends up helping. Then all at once the world changed when the human
Guide you quickly to a distant place. villages appeared. Filled with the wonderful new
Play a prank in a garden. smells of baking bread, of roasted meat, of spices and
Help you fly through the air if you wish. herbs. For these fairies’ human villages are places of
42
endless new opportunities for amusement, how could would give her bread in the morning. Agreeing she
they possibly resist? went back to bed. To make up for stealing her food
So, they crept into this village, moving into the barns the little fairies crept next door and stole a loaf of
where they rode cattle and horses to exhaustion, and bread to give to her. They blessed her cow so that it
drank the sweet creamy milk of cows. They crept into would give more milk and, in the spring, they caused
houses, caused people to argue and fight so they her fields to grow more vegetables then they ever had
could watch and laugh. before
The Buffardello giggled as they pulled the covers from
people while they slept, tickled their feet, and caused Things buffardello fairy are likely to do:
no end of trouble. But most of all they took the rich Give you fanciful dreams.
bread and wondrous food from people’s cupboards. Scamper about and keep you from sleeping.
Do something thoughtless. For example, a buffardello
might cut someone’s hair or take their bread. Gain a
token if you calmly help them understand that they
hurt the person and help them figure out how to
make it right.
Nymphs
The spirits of especially beautiful locations in nature,
which are most often pure springs of water. It is said
that humanity and the good neighbors first learned
how to behave kindly from the grandmotherly
nymphs. The nymphs are the caretakers of wild bees
in lore, as well as that of gods and heroes. Zeus
himself was raised by nymphs as were dozens of
other leaders and heroes.
Nymphs have been known to teach a few witches to
tell fortunes with dice, although such things are rare
anymore.

Things this fairy is likely to do:

Inspire someone to write a beautiful poem.
Encourage people to sit down and relax.
Provide someone with the sweetest honey they’ve ever
had.

Choose 2 Aesthetic elements of the nymphs home.

Burbling waterways that sound like a song.
Brightly colored flowers with an intoxicating scent.
Cute cottages.
Friendly and relaxed people.
An imaginative poet who can tell your future or help
It’s hard to say how long this uninterrupted play you understand your past.
continued. For when nothing changes it’s difficult to
gauge time. However, when humans are involved
change is inevitable. So, a new emotion was
introduced to their lives one freezing cold winters Tomte
night when a woman caught them stealing from her Household spirits who are highly emotional. The
cupboard, as they had many nights before. tomte are like little Santas, desiring a clean home
The bright light from the candle burned their eyes as filled with kindness. They are usually gentle souls,
the lady scolded them like a neighbor would scold prone to bouts of philosophical sorrow from which
overly rambunctious, petulant little children. Soon the right character’s might help them escape.
her scolding turned to tears. Between sobs she told
them about her starving child, about the hard winter Things this fairy is likely to do:
and all her suffering. Know just the right present to give someone.
Now for the first time the buffardello felt like Remind people of ancient and almost forgotten
embarrassed, ashamed little children. So, they philosophies that would be helpful now.
promised that if she left them alone that night they
43
Find an adventure to go on. Gain a token if you go Lead you to someone who needs help. Get a token if
with them. you help them.

Special: Unicorns typically find you. They may lead

you to whatever you are seeking but also to someone
Fairy Children else who needs help.
From excited fairies that
sneak down people’s
chimneys in hopes of
finding someone to play a
game by animating ash
and dust into the shapes of
animals. To fairies who
offer those who are
emotionally and physically
scarred magical mud to
cure their hurts. Many
fairy children either need
help, or know of someone
who does, and they are
always anxious to tell
adults about it.

Things this fairy is likely

to do:
Play a game with you that
is filled with magic.
Help someone feel
beautiful and wanted.
Give you a chance to be kind and generous. Get a
token if you take it. Baba Yaga – Hag of the woods.
Although once a little more dangerous, the peace in
fairyland has helped Baba Yaga focus on her more
Almgeisters, Fauns, and similar fairies. positive aspects, teaching people about life. Many
A whole class of rustic fairies that represent the seek her out for these lessons or the secrets she can
beauty and wonder of the wilderness. They are more tell them and the objects she can give them. Finding
fun loving and freewheeling than most fairies, her is always a spiritual journey in and of itself, and
tending to live like herds of deer who know how to perhaps that is her most important trick. Making
sing, dance, and otherwise party. those who seek her gain what they need and learn
what they should before they ever reach her chicken
Things this fairy is likely to do: legged hut.
Remind you how large the world is.
Show you a peaceful way to live. Things this fairy is likely to do:
Ask someone to think about their life. Get a token if Teach you a lesson about work and life.
they do. Tell you where to find what you seek, no matter how
hidden it is.
Give you something you didn’t know you needed.
Unicorns
Representing purity and the truth of the wild,
unicorns are elusive beings. Seeing them can be a Banshee
transformative experience in and of itself. Ancestral spirits who stayed behind to help their
family, banshees are best known for weeping and
Things this fairy is likely to do: wailing sadly when something bad is about to
Guide you to a destination you never would have happen. They are also known to help some of their
thought of. descendants play chess, and to bless babies with the
Make someone feel awed by their sheer power and gift of poetry, among other things.
beauty.

44
Things this fairy is likely to do: into a laughing horse that ran away. Rather than
Show you the importance of history. being upset, however, the person laughed with

Make you feel eerie. delight at having seen such a rare sight as the Hedley
Warn you about dangers, both physical and Kow.
emotional. Get a token if you have to press on despite
these. Things this fairy is likely to do:
Play a prank on you that makes you laugh in the
end.
Show someone not to worry too much about material
things.
Forest Guardian Lead you to a Swamp.
There are many spirits which guard the forest, many
are covered in thick layers of fur or wild leaves. They Special: The Hedley Kow will often play some prank
travel the forest real with wolves. on you when you visit them.

Things this fairy is likely to do: Elverfolk, Ellefolk, Elves

Play a prank on someone, leading them astray to a Beautiful fairies who either live wild in the forest,
more beautiful place in the forest. They get a token searching for a home they can’t seem to find or under
for noticing the beauty. hills in glittering courts. When most people think of
Play pranks on someone to get them to do something cheerful fairies they likely think of the ellefolk or the
silly, they get a token for coming out of their shell. elves.
Make someone feel a peace in the forest.
Things this fairy is likely to do:
Ask to share your fire and some stories with you.
Dance with you so that you forget one ability from
Hedley Kow your playbook and gain another from any playbook.
Once when someone was walking home they saw a Fly you through the air on a stick, a giant moth, or a
piece of gold on the side of the road. They picked it deer to nowhere in particular.
up only to find that it seemed to grow heavier and
heavier the closer they got to their house, making it
harder to walk. Finally, sweating and hot they had to Elves From Folklore
drop the bit of gold, and in that moment it turned
45
Elf was the common word for fairy in Medieval word for glowing in swamps and woods which would
Britain before the word fairy was coined. Because of lead people astray.
this it’s difficult to make absolute statements about
‘elves’ as they were many different things. Yes the
word elf comes from Proto-Germanic Albaz and old- Perctha, Gyre Carling, Holda, Berchta
Norse alfr, but in England and Scotland this word The goddess of crafts, children, and snow, they are
was applied to a whole host of magical beings. The sometimes to be found under hills or lakes but also
skaldic verses of Old Norse poetry would use alfr as flying through the air with armies of children who are
an epithet for wisdom, strength, and battle prowess yet to be born and witches. They frequently have
of heroic warriors. Further, alfr were celebrated and wagons of children that break down, or the spirits of
given offerings at Christmas time. children who have recently passed away who still
need food, clothes, or toys.
Thus, the Old Norse and Icelandic traditions
that survive suggest that the early Things this fairy is likely to do:
Scandinavian peoples saw the elves as Help someone feel calmed by mundane tasks.
associated with the gods. The males are wise Cause someone to create something more beautiful
and warrior-fierce; the women magical, wise than they normally could.
and beautiful. There is a clear distinction Give you a chance to be kind and generous. Get a
between ljósálfr (light) and døkkálfar (dark) token if you take it.
elves, both of which are distinct from the
more monstrous dvergr (dwarves), jọtnar
(giants), and mara (nightmares). And yet, each The Ruler of Cats
of these types of creatures inhabits the Cats have a fairy court all their own. They would
Otherworld with the elves. sometimes live with people, pretending to be a
normal cat, at others they would host dances and
festivals for the magical world.
A medieval Icelandic manuscript says.
Things this fairy is likely to do:
“But some, who live in the hills close to men, Lead a parade of cats to help and hinder those they
are more amicable and not so dangerous wish.
unless they chance to have been harmed by Startle someone.
some kind of injury and provoked to Ask someone to take care of a lost wildfey child. Give
wickedness. They seem, indeed, to be them a token if they agree.
endowed with bodies of incredible subtlety,
since they are even thought to enter into
mountains and hills. They are invisible to us The Quiet Lantern
unless they wish to appear of their own Mysterious ancient fairies who sometimes appear to
volition, ye the properties of certain men’s those who need a light but almost never say a word
eyes are such that the presence of no spirit to people directly, speaking instead to their emotions.
can ever escape their sight. They know a
thousand devices and an infinite number of Things this fairy is likely to do:
tricks with which they harass men in Light someone’s way in the dark.
wretched ways, but their young people are Let you know when it’s time to walk away from a
said to have a similar stature, clothing and situation.
even way of life to that of their human Help you sit and think in the darkness. Give them a
neighbors, and to take excessive pleasure in token if they think something interesting or poetic.
coupling with humans. (Richard Firth Green)

These creatures that live close to people and are

generally friendly are likely related to the elves. Of
course, in England elves were often small trooping Nixie
fairies. Their name was used in connection to a Spirits of lakes who live in forest villages through the
number of things. For example, Messy hair, knotted bottom of the waters, where the fish can be seen
and tangled on horses was called “elf-locks” likely flying like birds, and deer and cattle roam. Nixies love
because it was believed that elves were the ones to interact with people, without the people knowing
knotting and tangling the hair. Elf Fire was another what they are. They might, for example, join a sewing
club or go to a farmers market.

46
 having relieved him from the trouble of doing
Things this fairy is likely to do: it himself, had given him leisure for other
Help people try a hobby they otherwise would not matters which it was necessary for him to
have. attend to, and by nightfall he found there was
Lead you into the fairyland as much work done as
beneath a lake. would have taken him
Ask you to trade something with nearly two days to perform
them. Often, they want food but by himself. (William
sometimes they want clothe, or Crossing)
things to make crafts with.
Pixies, as with most
fairies, were intimately
Pixies involved with humans,
Once when a farmer was going to especially as it related to
thresh his grain he heard the work on the farm. They
pixies talking and laughing while might live on the moors
they did the work for him, so he and other wild places, but
left them alone, knowing that they at night they frequently
didn’t like to be disturbed when snuck into people’s homes
helping. Yet pixies are perhaps to rest, bath and drink
best known for creating illusions, and clean water, and enjoy
causing people to see themselves the fire. These two latter
in places where they are not. points seem to be a
common theme among the
Things this fairy is likely to do: fairies, who frequently
Create an illusion that may lead needed human help to
you astray. obtain clean water and a
Make travelers feel more alert and warm fairy.
perhaps, nervous so that they
stay inside and keep talking to Because the pixies enjoyed
others just a little longer. a clean and warm home,
Get you lost so you have to ask for they would frequently
directions and hopefully make a reward those who kept
new friend. Get a token if you do. such things, often leaving
coins in the shoes of those
who cleaned the house,
A small farmer once lived on the moor, who while punishing those who didn’t. One girl who lived
was so very poor that he had as much as he on the moor kept her house clean, was constantly
could do to keep himself and family from working. So like Santa or the Tooth fairy the pixies
want, He cultivated a few fields which had came in the night and left her a coin, a practices that
been reclaimed from the waste, but his crops would have continued if she hadn't made a tragic
were seldom of much value. One day, on mistake, she told people about her luck and so the
approaching his barn he heard the sounds of pixies never again left her another reward. Those who
laughter and merriment proceeding from have a relationship with the pixies must keep it
within. Going cautiously to the door, he put secret, they must never reveal it to anyone. For pixies
his ear to a crevice, and heard what seemed are a secretive lot.
to be a company of little people busily
engaged in threshing corn. After having Although they share many similarities with the
listened for some time he stepped quietly English fairies, one shouldn’t make the mistake that
away, and remained at work at the further the pixies and fairies of England are the same thing.
end of the yard, until he judged the pixies--for At the very least they are part of separate kingdoms.
such he knew the little labourers to be--had Indeed, at one time they fought a great war with the
finished their task. Then proceeding to the fairies and eventually drove them from the lands in
barn once more, he was mightily pleased at Southwest England. This picture of the pixies as
discovering what the merry little troop of great warriors who fought wars against the fairies is
workers had accomplished for him. They had contrasted by another image. That of the pixies as
threshed a goodly quantity of his corn, and naked, bedraggled the beings who dwell on the

47
fringes of human society; in the moors and rocky believed that his luck was supernatural, the result of
clefts. They are a hidden people, having been driven Niskepuk.”
to the fringes by humanity.
Things this fairy is likely to do:
People would leave bread, milk, and other offerings to Remind you of funny fairy tales you heard as a child.
the pixies in return for good luck. For the pixies- Create chaos that will eventually lead you to realize
controlled people's fate. you might not want what you think you do.
Give you a token in return for a bit of food and a tiny
place to stay.
Puk, Puck
Known for causing mischief for people so that they
end up finding love and resolving conflicts, as in “A Broonie
Midsummer Night’s Dream” Puk’s and Puck are also A wild fairy that helps farmers plant and harvest
household fairies who will sit and spin with people, their crops, and always seems to show up when a
telling them funny tales as they do. party is starting to go quiet to dance so absurdly the
people of the villages where they stay begin to laugh.
Puck’
Puck is another fairy which straddles between being This fairy is likely to:
a fairy of the wilderness and of the domestic sphere. Make people laugh out loud.
According to Buccola; Help you throw off you inhibitions and do something
you always wanted to do.
Puck, the lord of mischief and pranks from ‘A Let you know of someone who needs help with a hard
Midsummer Night’s Dream’ always carried a job. Get a token if you help.
broom or threshing flail. “"Nothing pleases
Puck more, Latham claims, than to make the
morning Tiddy Mun
fire, sweep the house, grind mustard and The spirit of the fens that were drained in West
malt, draw water, and help the maids with England. They were friendly and people could often
breaking hemp, bolting and dressing flax, as feel their presence.
well as spinning….
This fairy is likely to:
Puck is interesting because while he acts very much Show the tension between the old and the new.
like a brownie, with his desire to do house and farm Make people feel the heaviness of change.
work and the fact that he vanishes if given clothes, Make someone experience a bittersweet memory of
he is also a part of the fairy court. In his most what was and remind them of what was lost. Give
famous role of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” he them a token when they do.
causes mischief for those in love, a role he seems to
have delighted in. Urisk
Given Puck’s likely Saxon origin in Southern Ugly, hairy fairies, who wonder into people’s homes
Denmark, it is probable that he is connected to like stray cats and simply watch them for a time.
another fairy from the same region; the puk or Often making the people feel good in the process,
niskepuk. before leaving the home and returning to the wild.

Puk are wild fairies from Germany which appear as This fairy is likely to:
little people (most often male) with red hats. People Help people see beauty in things they normally
have often domesticated these fairies to live in their wouldn’t.
homes. It’s not surprising that the person would Show the comfort of being oneself.
want a niskepuk living with him as those houses who Show others the conflict and turmoil that comes from
had one prospered. Beer brewed better when they being oneself.
were around, cattle thrived, household choirs got
done quicker, and everything seemed to go well in
general. Puk didn’t necessarily need to be captured, Mermaid
some people would simply invite the Niskepuk into Dream filled people of the water, mermaids are
their homes. It’s said that “A farmer suddenly known to love apples and similar treats from the
became very wealthy and succeeded at everything he surface, yet they can be very shy, even with other
tried. The people around him would occasionally see fairies.
a dragon carrying money to his house and so

48
Things they can always do:
Make it rain when people would rather it didn’t, but Sidhe
the The deities of the past who have moved into the hills
to hide, the sidhe are elegant fairies who still watch
over the land.

Things this fairy can always do:

Remind people of what once was.
Show people how they can survive after a tragedy.
Give someone a small forgotten god to care for.

Fairy Crickets
The tooth fairy, the fairy of the peaceful fires, and the
singers of luck. These are friendly little fairies who
love music and joy, and will seek out each.

Things they can always do.

Help those looking into a fire tell stories.
Remind you of forgotten childhood dreams with their
song.
When you lose a tooth, get a serendipity if you leave
it for the crickets.

Trow
Part tiny troll and part fairy these are normally some
of the shyest and most standoffish of the fairies, and
will rarely be seen during daylight hours. Yet
sometimes when there is a lot of energy, such as at a
dance or sporting event, their emotions overwhelm
them and they join in, dancing wildly like a hopping,
over excited bird.

world would rather it did. Things they can always do:

Warn you of a storm that is coming. Introduce you to an ancestor you thought was long
Ask someone to show or tell them about the world gone, for a brief moment.
beyond the waves. Get a token if you do. Join in a dance unexpectedly.
Create a garden.

Zwerg “Trows were said to hop instead of walk, and henk

Mistakenly called dwarves these are fairies who when they danced… They squatted til their knees
provided Snow White a place to stay, the zwerg are were doubled up in front, and then they hopped
the ones who teach other fairies and humans tasks about like pinioned fowls.” A Trow woman watched
that will help them understand the world and some people dancing until she couldn’t contain
themselves. herself any longer and began dancing in the middle
of the room, but no man would dance with her.
Things this fairy can always do: Finally, when she’d danced enough, she vanished.
Provide a place to stay will you think about things. Trow could be very good neighbors, for example, they
Play pranks during festivals and in places that are gave one man a jar of ointment which would cure
supposed to be peaceful and calm. illness. Broonie was a kind king of the trow who
Show someone a new way to do old things and old would bring luck to farms. People loved to have him
ways to do new ones. visit and were careful not to check over the corn he’d
Offer a great treasure. Give them a token if they guarded so as to avoid offending him by making it
refuse. appear that they were concerned with the job he’d
done.

49
 This fairy can always:
Lutin Play a prank on someone, leading them astray to a
Lutins have come to view themselves as guardians of more beautiful place in the forest. They get a token
the weak, which mixed with their love of home and for noticing the beauty.
hearth has led them to dub themselves “knights of Play pranks on someone to get them to do something
the hearth.” A few of the lutins have secretly moved silly, they get a token for coming out of their shell.
into mortals homes, where they have settled in as Make someone feel at peace in the forest.
house faeries. The rest live so close to people, that
they’ve been known to share food with farmers in Choose Aesthetic elements of their forest home.
their fields. Passing food up through small holes in Moss growing over all the ancient trees.
the ground so that they can remain hidden. Mushrooms that are far brighter than normal.
Lutin are energetic to say the least, and filled with Squirrels that seem tame.
bravado they typically act like children playing at Beautiful bird songs.
being chivalrous knights. Coupled with their tiny A tree so large it seems impossible.
size, those who don’t know about lutins often find
this behavior silly. Lutin’s have learned a number of
tricks over the years, however, that can make them Waldgeist (moss folk)
formidable foes. Mossy haired little people who often dress in leaves
Puss in Boots, the slayer of the ogre in fairy tales was and beautifully spun cloth. They often need human
likely a lutin. Like him, they are extremely loyal, help hiding from frightful spirits of the forest and
often to a fault, clever, and filled with seemingly babysitting their children while they do tasks.
impossible dreams. This later aspect of their nature
might be because they are typically a bit childish, Things this fairy can always do:
which often leads them to mischief. As with most Make people notice the stillness of the forest.
good people, they too are highly sensitive, and overly Journey with you for a while.
emotional. Do something confusing that later turns out to be the
right thing.
Description
Lutin are tiny, standing at just shy of 2 feet tall, and
weighing less than eight pounds. Their eyes are cat Wichtelmänner
like, which is both cute and sometimes disturbing to Elf like fairies who live in rocks, caves, and
those who meet them. Their skin is typically heavily sometimes in people’s homes bringing fortune to
freckled. Their hair tends to be so red people often some and ill luck to others. They loved to ride about
think they are wearing a red hat, even when they on horses and braid the animal’s hair into knots. In a
aren’t. story from Kreuzburg a woman who was lost sees a
wichtel who appears as a little old man with a long
Things they are likely to do: white beard, a white stick in his hand and a friendly
Seek stories of, or the opportunity for some exciting expression on his face. He helped guide the woman
adventure. to her home and returned back to his mountain. In
Seek someone who needs caring for. Werraufer these spirits helped people by healing the
As you to help someone they have chosen to help. sick with special roots and herbs.
Gain serendipity if you do. In their most famous tale, however, they helped a
poor shoemaker by making beautiful shoes for him to
sell.
Abada
Guardian spirits of forests and the animals within. Things this fairy can always do:
They most often appear as green haired people with Give someone something they think they want.
animal horns but can take the form of any animal or Provide a small comfort.
plant in their forest that they wish. They often cause Craft something impossibly fast.
people to become lost, and sometimes those who do
become lost under their influence will find
themselves in a more beautiful place than they set Blink Dogs
out. However, if the Abada’s teasing gets to be too Fuzzy and clever fairy dogs who are as smart as
much a person can always do something silly, like people or any other fey but which act like a friendly
turn their clothes inside out and perform a funny dog would, all be it with the power to teleport short
dance, to get the Abada to leave them be. distances. If you were lucky enough to encounter a
blink dog in your travels, they may bond with you. In
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which case they will give you a +3 to your Find Score dogs, in order to live among people within villages or
when you are searching for fairies or herbs, thanks even within people’s barns and homes.
to their sharp noses and love of exploring.
They form strong bonds with people, even if the
people don’t always know it, and will pick a few
Giant Snail people to talk and gossip with. Often those they visit
Being slow but able to leave behind a trail of slime openly are older and better able to understand the
wherever they go, giant snails have developed a world and the dragons which themselves are ancient
complex web of communication. By smelling a slime and often old fashioned in their thinking.
trial they can discover magical herbs which might be
along it, as well as little stories and bits of gossip the They love to collect ‘treasures’ and ‘secrets’ although
snail who left the trail wanted to share. the things they treasure aren’t always the things that
most people would.
Giant snails are chatty creatures but they aren’t used
to chatting and often forget that others don’t know Things this fairy is likely to do:
everything they do, so they will frequently share Share interesting information about the people of the
thoughts and opinions on creatures and people those village.
they are talking with have never heard of.

Giant Moth
Intuitive and enchanted creatures who love to talk
metaphysics and how it relates to the quirks of daily
life. Moths tend to be secretive when it comes to
personal details, preferring instead to talk about
abstract ideas and grand but obscure aspects of the
universe. A giant moth can spend hours talking
about the history of rain fall as its related to Venus
or Mercury. Their knowledge, however, makes them
able to transform small amounts of one energy into
another.

Unique Fairies
Most of the fairies in the world, and most of those
you meet through random chance are relatively
unique, with almost no others exactly like them.
They might appear as little owl people or like a cat
with a foxes tail and a crest of feathers, or a shaggy
deer that walks upright.
When you meet one of these fairies you will have to
talk to it to discover what personality it has and what
it’s like.

Tutelary Dragons
Dragons who become the caretakers of the lands
where they settle.

Hearth Dragons or Fiery Spirits Show you a hoard of natural and unappreciated
treasures. From children’s drawings that have been
The smallest of the tutelary dragons, hearth dragons
tossed away to interesting looking rocks and sticks.
often take the form of small animals, such as cats or

51
Bring you lost knickknacks. You gain a token if you find safety and comfort in the routine and traditions,
find out who to return them to. much as most fairies do.

Things they are likely to do.

Sylvan Dragon Know many secrets and they will sometimes share
Many a knight uses these dragons as their sigil for one secret for another.
they were the guardians of their land and those Laugh with such delight others join in.
villages, fairies and people on them. Make any water clean and pure.

Sylvan dragons love the beauty of the forest and feel Special: Aqua dragons can purify and clean any
a strong urge to protect and cuddle with tiny cute water. This counts as Water +2 for a person who is
creatures, although given their massive size they sick.
might consider a full grown warrior ‘cute’. They
frequently form fast friendships with certain animals
such as rabbits and badgers. They view it as their Moon Dragons
responsibility to preserve traditions and the natural Moon dragons are very much like wolves, living in
world and to protect the creatures which inhabit packs and giving way to their elders who are often
their territories. their parents or grandparents. As with wolves they
are very playful and comfortable with each other,
The sylvan dragons love order and stability and are frequently touching and cuddling together. They are
typically careful with their actions and their words loyal followers and when necessary, careful leaders.
seeing most everyone else as being like flighty
children who need to be given a good example, but Moon dragons tend to be more secretive than other
also protected and cared for. tutelary dragons, taking less of a direct interest in
the lives of the mortal beings in their region, and
That said, as with most dragons they tend to live more of an abstract one. They might watch people
apart from any human villages they are protecting, the way a birdwatcher watches birds, preferring to
preferring to live in forest caverns where they can see them from a distance but rarely ever interacting
keep an eye on the animals and fairies who most with them or even making their presence known.
need their protection, and so they avoid growing too
angry at the mistakes humans and the like are prone A moon dragon’s thoughts tend to center around
to constantly making. hunting, searching out and capturing interesting
moments. So they often observe the world with an
Things they are likely to do: eye towards seeing moments; a wedding, a funeral, or
Talk about an ancient hero and the example they set. other events that they can tick off a list and discuss
Knit, sew, or weave cute garments for the creatures with each other.
under their care.
Talk about proper behavior as they see it. Things they are likely to do.
Ask if you’ve seen people or animals doing something
interesting.
Give a regal look that is a little scary.
Aqua Dragons
These water dragons are a playful lot, even if like
fairies they can be sensitive. They sometimes seem Ashwood Dragons
childish, especially in their enjoyment of puns and Born from the world tree, and the forces of creations
silly jokes which can cause them to let out a burst of ashwood dragons have the tricksters nature of the
bright laughter. They are curious creatures, loving to early universe and so love pranks, jokes, wit,
sneak about, often in the form of a snake or a laughter, and to indulge in the pleasures of the
person, creeping into villages and other places for the world. Ashwood dragons see it as their role to have
thrill of learning secrets and simply remaining fun and to insure that others can as well. Thus, they
unobserved while watching those around them. will seek to curtail what they see as ‘wet blanket
behavior’, either through a prank which undermines
While the aqua dragons enjoy obtaining new those who take things to seriously or act to strictly.
experiences the way they enjoy gaining secrets they
will typically return to their routine after trying The Ashwood dragon’s desire to play around means
something out for just a little while, after all, they that they frequently seek to form a large circle of
friends, other dragons, fairies, and even people with

52
whom they can have conversations or enjoy revelry.
To obtain and maintain these relationships Ashwood
dragons love to host lavish feasts and parties, which
works well with their general love of indulging in the
pleasures the world has to offer.

53
 they were supposed to be quiet, such as weddings,
classes, and work so they’d have to whisper back and
forth, or pass papers.

Knokko
Low Hills and informal dances, such as barn dances.

Sleibos
Mountains, Planting the Fields, Laughter

Wosistam
Protection, Silver Smiths, Silver Mining

Koun
Wolves, Warriors, Strength, Gold Smiths

Ganjeo
Bears, children, young animals, Motherhood

Esak
Salmon, Knowledge, Clerks

Slawjo
Eels, Adaptability, Bottlers

Therista
Pike, Fishing, Water, Wish Fulfilment

Rouanso
Char Fishing, Chuckling, Cottar

Korkjo
Oats, Childhood, Blessings, Factory Workers
Seen as wholesome and good, the oats that Korkjo
helped to grow in their meadow and eventually the
farms, was frequently given to children to help them
grow strong and to factory workers to give them
warmth and energy at the start of their day.
Examples of Popplings
The world is alive with fey, most of whom will never Maklan
be seen or speak, being content to dwell within the Sowing, Mountains, Spinning, Happiness
objects and plants they are associated with. Every A fairy of the mountains who grew curious at the
now and again one of these tiny little fairies of a people sowing the fields one day. They quickly came
book, or a door, or a berry bush will take an interest to love the songs of those working the fields and so
in the world around them. These fairies often take on followed them into the homes where they spun
new roles, helping people or animals and other fairies thread while sharing more songs and telling stories.
in small ways. This list represents a few examples of
some popplings you might encounter on your Lustu
journey. Herbs, Medicine, Cooking, Humming

Sala Wera
Moors, Giggles, Whispered Jokes Rain, Lightning, Wisdom, Writing
Sala was a fairy of the moors where children would People often catch up on writing and talk about the
often come to share what were often silly secrets nature of the world when it rains too much to go
filled with jokes. She loved these giggles and thought outside. So, this little rain spirit came to see it as
that perhaps the secrets were jokes and so set out to their duty to help ‘inspire’ people to stay inside, to
inspire such humor in people during times when
54
learn and to write. Many a great journal entry or seeing an illusion for a moment, only to have it
poem exists thanks to their efforts. vanish when they get close.

Elanti
Menouni Deer, Forest, Victory

Pears, Baking, Nostalgia

What could be more wonderful than the nostalgia Kwu
associated with the baking of a warm cinnamon pear Dogs, Hunting, Loyalty, Sheepherding
pie? Nothing according to this spirit of a pear orchard
who seeks to remind people that they were all Komwidu
children once. Harmony, Bilberries, Whispered Desires

Ausomir
Odoko Lingonberries, Poetry, Knight Errant
Elder Blossoms, Spring, Meditation
The sweet and peaceful scent of elder blossoms Telinjo
allows this little elph to inspire people to meditate Harp, Music, Bardic Magic
and ponder.
Jakko
Eirinmair Health, Care, Kindness, Generosity, Blueberries
Gooseberries, Cheering, Scribes
Ankaje
Kusulro Chestnuts, Wild Cat, Plenty, Sharing
Cloudberries, Family, Illusion
It is families which walk onto the moors to pick Klewos
cloudberries and children which most appreciate Fame, Currant Berries, Poetry, Knight Errant

55
Bitacut Ba’i’la is a talented problem solver, who is able to
Hedge, Boundaries, Gardens, Rabbits bring her extensive and near constant research to
bear on nearly any problem. She prefers to advise
Kwarjo people who seek her help or aid people using magic
Kettles, Soup, Tea, Plenty, Health from a distance, rather than going out into the field
on her own. She can be lured away from her home
Skamano and library with especially interesting problems that
Light, Trust, Guide, Safety, Candle Making can challenge her skills and offer the chance to learn
something interesting so that she can add to the
Akarno world’s body of knowledge.
Maple, syrup, revels, holidays,
A Few Character Personalities for
Inspiration

Kci’mae

Before you notice the dreamy expression or her

warm smile you see the fascinator made of seashells
and feathers jauntily placed upon her head.

Kci’mae is idealistic and filled with daydreams, two

things which make her seem serene and distant
from the world of troubles. In reality she is filled
with emotional turmoil and a near constant concern
for others. She sees the world as being almost black
and white, and it bothers her a lot when things
don’t turn out the way they should. Still, she is
optimistic and always bounces back from these
bouts of emotional turmoil with the help of chivalric
tales of old and similar stories.

Adaptable and interested in understanding how the

world works, she is never-the-less shy, even for a
fairy and spends a lot of time with the animals,
sylvans and wild fey, the magical creatures who don’t
talk. Here she often plans what she might do to help
shape the world for the better. She tends to help
people in enchanted and dreamlike ways which
leaves them with a sense of wonder and hope. Kooeoeso

With her round cheeks and bright clothes those who

meet Kooeoeso usually trust her almost immediately,
Ba’i’la which is what she wants, for she loves giving out
advice and being a part of things. Even though, like
A touch of ink can be seen at the edges of her lips most fairies, she tries to remain hidden from humans
from where she nibbled on the wrong end of her quill. much of the time, when she does talk to one, she
Those who talk to Ba’i’la feel enriched with loves the activity. Kooeoeso talks as quickly as she
knowledge for the experience but likely eventually can, information spilling out of her like a bottomless
realize they know as little about her personal life as kettle, while at the same time prompting others to
she knows about theirs, for her conversations are talk as well, sponging up their words with
almost always centered around history, knowledge, enthusiasm.
and facts about the larger world, but she’s so
engaging in these conversations people feel like they With her strong passions and warm nature many
are getting to know her, even if they never learn might think of Kooeoeso as being somewhat simple,
anything about her. but she is a great observer of those around her and
very intuitive. She loves adventure and is one of the
56
most likely to trail along with people whom she finds so excited by her vision of the world that she breaks
amusing and unlike many of the fairies, she does let the traditional fairy silence to simply talk to someone
those she comes to help know she’s present in small about what she thinks they should do.
ways, even if they never see her in person, for she
appears to them in whispers on the wind and in She tends to these matches the way a loving chief
dreams. would tend to the perfect meals or gardener to award
winning flowers. It is often hard to imagine how she
When she uses magic she loves for it to be has the time or energy to care about so many people
flamboyant and she is known for singing at random at once, as she moves from one to another.
moments, even while hidden.
She can be honest to a fault, and so obsessed with
principles that she is likely to punish even small
Z’c’cia moral offenses with invisible pinches or by
controlling bees to sting someone. It is perhaps her
Stylish and warm, Z’c’cia seems to know nearly perceptiveness and ability to see how hurt someone
everyone around her, their interests, hopes, dreams, is by the actions of others, that makes her so
and even a lot of the secrets they told her during one obsessed with proper behavior.

Aziheisi aba
er brightly patterned shawl wisps and flaps as she
flutters and putters during her sudden bursts of
energy between long moments of calm.

Aziheisi aba might love her moments of calm

reflection, the times when she can just sit in nature
and watch the world pass with a cup of tea in her
hand, but she also has a strong urge to help others,
often by counselling and nurturing them. She has
already taken in one human child and raised them to
be a great aid to humanity and is thinking about
adopting another person. Mostly, however, she likes
to sit back and simply advise, releasing her
knowledge into the world like fluttering butterflies to
touch as many people as possible. After all, she is
constantly nervous about encountering new things
and new ideas, two things humans have a lot of. She
will, however, nurture and help people more directly.

She has a poetic view of the world, and a beautiful

way with words, likely inspired by her second hobby,
observing normal moments of life and her wisdom,
that helps her know and understand nearly anything
that happens around her.

of the many times she was providing them with

encouragement. She is in many ways the perfect
teacher, for people want to learn from and be
inspired by her.

Z’c’cia is above all else a romanticist. She spends

much of her time matchmaking for others, whether
in love, in friendship, or in need. She has put
together a number of adventuring parties, nudging
people together in secret, although sometimes she is

57
 4-I age in those who are dead, rest within that which
never lived but which can spin to point you the way,
once I have been consumed by the living when at
last, I am freed.

5-Like breadcrumbs you must follow the places

where shadows live longer, where bugs feast on the
giants who grow and moan but never walk.

6-Travel until you reach the body that will vanish

should it ever run and so must always rest upon a
bed.
Riddles
Riddles were a popular form of entertainment, fairies
and similar beings engaged in riddles in part for the 7-There is one direction that occurs when tea cakes
same reason they were mischievous, they danced, are had and witches fly.
and played. But riddles also seem to have been a
means of divination. Phillip II of Macedon was given 8-Ancient heroes seem brighter without me, for my
the following oracle "With silver spears you may beauty can overwhelm and pull even the sea. Turn
conquer the world". Which encouraged the king to against the direction I lead, and you shall find that
gain control of the mines of the neighboring which you seek.
kingdoms so that he could bribe his potential
enemies and allies early on. 9-Not yet a child born, yet so beloved people will
travel worlds afar to seek me. Once crushed I burn
The riddles I present here are meant to be used by when wet. Head in the direction of my birth and you
the fairies and other beings who will give directions shall find that which you seek at the cottage in the
to the characters who are searching for something. woods.
The characters might be seeking a fairy who can help
with a problem, a magical herb, a hidden village or 10-From me heroes spring, ready to bring what little
anything else and rather than help them directly the light they can to the darkness, before fading when I
enchanted being the characters ask for directions release a great fire into the world.
offers a riddle as sort of a game.
11-Head towards where most two-legged babies grow
The answers to these riddles are on the last page of while our mother rests under a blanket.
this book.
12-When free to do as they wish a million little
1-We are twins born together, who are crushed when blades will point towards me.
we have eaten and only rest after we are starved.
13-Travel against the direction of the running face
Keep us straight and follow our pointing, and you that stays in place.
shall reach your destination.
14-People feel comforted when my tears fall, and yet
2-Everyone will eventually rush to see us, yet they put me to rest before sleeping.
always rush to escape, and rarely ever speak of our
time together. This time when you put me to sleep hurry in the
direction my last child traveled as they vanished.
To find what you seek you will pass us one by one
and continue on straight after. 15- What is silent yet scratches all languages, shares
truth and lies but knows nothing. Could once fly but
3-Those who seek beauty will often capture me, now can only flutter.
thinking they are safe for while I have Sharp teeth I
cannot bite, yet I can pull and tear. 16-I am vast yet cast no shadows. I can push you the
direction you wish to go but you can never pull me.
When you are lost you must break these teeth of
mine and let them fall to point the way. 17-I have a foot but never walk, a face but I never
talk. I am bald only on top but never had hair

58
anywhere. My saltless tears people drink, but I
cannot cry.

18-Turn towards the fluttering of love and the

pounding of fear.

19-I have twenty-one eyes but while I am watched

closely, never do I watch. When my face matches
yours, you’ll know you are going the right way.

20-Follow those that grow down when they grow up.

21-I run fast, but will always remain beside you, even
if you are standing still. Walk against me, until at
last I am behind you and there the secret keeper you
shall find in our mothers toothy mouth. Settings and Places
22-Eyeless I cry, wingless I fly. Follow me to where Crafting a Setting
the dry bed is hard, then follow that which no longer Places inspire poetry and dreams. The little
is until you find those who died only to be reborn. ramshackle village so many youths wish to escape
from is a place many others dream of going, and still
23-I pointed the same as all my friends until my end. others would never leave. Every place is a
Now I point you towards your goal. To find me you contradiction which means many things to many
must follow the next path you see that was made by different people.
those whose name can mean love, courage, or
dinner. First, remember that every place engages with all five
of your senses. You feel the ground beneath your
24-I dance to speak, hum but never sing, care for feet, the air around you, and the rough bark of the
nieces but can never have children. When you see me tree branch you push aside to walk past. You smell
next you must follow. the fresh birch leaves, the lichens and mosses
growing in the shade. You hear the crunch of fallen
25-I know nothing yet can answer the questions of leaves beneath your feet and the sound of children
the indecisive without a word. running out of their cottage towards you. You of
Everyone claims to want me, but once they have me course see the forest around you, and with any luck
most give me up for something else. will soon be tasting berries, or a sandwich provided
I have a head that cannot eat, although I devour by the family in the cottage up ahead.
hearts and minds.
Follow me and the choice will be clear. Often the best way to describe the scene you are in is
by starting with questions?
26-From me you can see all that which is big but lose
sight of that which is small, in a place which makes What do you see?
you feel both tiny and tall. And What else?
27-I can banish the suns little siblings in a moment What do you hear?
or push them to grow and grow.
What do you smell?
28-When you catch us we feast upon you. We dwell
within a forest without trees. Release us and we shall What do you feel?
flee in the direction you need.
What are you hoping to taste or are tasing currently?
29-Flat but deep. When you look at me, I look at you,
though I cannot see. My mouth can move but I How do you feel?
cannot speak. This last aspect can be important, how does a place
make you feel? Or perhaps, how are you feeling when
30- Darkness born from light. Follow my wingless you get there. This can greatly change your
flight and continue on after I vanish. perspective. Are you too tired to notice the molding

59
on the buildings when you arrive or so exuberant you Delicious mushrooms growing where the trees
can’t help but look at everything? around the thunderstruck one fell.
Fabric tied to the tree as a gift for the spirits within.
An old stump from which new small trees are
growing.
A worn old table left by someone who held a feast
1-Thicket here.
A place where the trees grow so thick it’s even
difficult for the sunlight to get through.
Write a short folk tale about this place and get a
Thickets are places of hidden mysteries, a calm place serendipity if you do. For example:
to rest, unspoiled and pure, where you can spend a A hero who found what they were truly seeking here.
moment alone to ponder your dreams – gain a The trolls who came here to make peace.
serendipity if you do. The tree will speak one word to tell the future.

Consider the possible features:

A chittering creature which is 3. Sacred Pool
surprised by you, but which comes A small body of water wedge
closer if you sit calmly. among rocks and trees.
Moss covered forest floor.
Ghostly forest flowers A pool of water where fairies
A large tree that is beginning to once granted heroes boons
show its age. and still seek to heal the sick.
A trickling stream This is a place where you can
A breeze you can’t feel through the see and ponder your
thick woods, but which you can reflection, both externally
hear in the leaves overhead. and internally. The reflecting
waters seems to ask what it
Write or tell a short folk tale about is you are truly seeking. Gain
this place and get a serendipity if a serendipity if you answer
you do. For example: this.
The aesthetic who found peace
here, Consider the possible
An old elf who raised children here. features:
The great knight who passed A moment that reminds you
through here of a dream you loved.
The rain that caused crowds to A tiny waterfall that tumbles
gather here and friendships formed. from some rocks.
Feel free to imagine something else. A stone that’s perfect for
sitting and thinking.
A rope for swinging.
2. Thunderstruck Tree A thicket of bushes filled with
An ancient tree which survived whispers.
everything the universe could throw A shallow filled with
at it, whose green coppices show bright against its pollywogs.
ashen trunk.. These trees were chosen as a meeting
place between the sky and humanity. Write a short folk tale about this place and get a
serendipity if you do. For example:
There is beauty in the gnarled, scared tree that stills The fairies who made a king.
stands. It is a reminder that what is unique can be The water will heal those who drink it.
truly beautiful. This tree can make one ponder where If you swim through the bottom, you may find a
beautify comes from, gain a serendipity if you do crystal palace.

Consider the possible features:

A strange old god that sits atop the tree but says very 4. Wild Fey Thornbushes
little.

60
The tangle of thorns houses a doorway to the
Feywilds and can provide you with sweet berries,
even when they are out of season, but they are nearly
impossible to get through, most will need to go
around them, or won’t even approach. The thorns
snag at your clothes, forcing you to pause, as if to
ask “do you really want to get to where you are
going?” Get serendipity if you answer.

Consider the possible features:

A road which changes direction to avoid disturbing
the bushes.
A large bolder in the middle of the bushes.
Dozens of little bird’s nests sheltered by the bushes.
A sort of tunnel that one must crawl through to get
to the heart of the thorn bushes.
A village of fairies who don’t know peace has come.

Write a short folk tale about this place and get a

serendipity if you do.
The fairy who loved a person
The time people just didn’t understand.
The time the hob thrush set out on an adventure.

5. Mountain Loch
A deep lake wedged between high mountains. Lochs
are a liminal space between the water and the
mountains, between villages. The peace of the calm
waves and the smell of fresh water gives you a
chance to catch your breath and to think. Should
you hike around the edge of the lake you may
discover something within yourself, gain a
serendipity if you do. things of beauty which wash ashore. Get serendipity
if you search for and ponder these treasures.
Consider the possible features:
Bright heather that grows on the hills. Consider the possible features:
The smell of wild thyme. Craggy rocks with pools for little sea creatures
A small village of old cottages along the shore. Sand dunes that rise over your head
A river with trees clustered along it. Thick trees just above the sand which seem like a
An island with a wishing well. wall.
Rusting swords at the bottom of a pool. Dozens of sandcastles half melted from an earlier
Mountains that make you say wow. rain.
A mermaid’s song that is only heard faintly on the
Write a short folk tale about this place and get a breeze.
serendipity if you do. For example: Unknown tracks in the sand that lead to and from
The dragon which no longer speaks. the ocean
The people who live beneath the water and bring
their cows/beetles into the mountains. Write a short folk tale about this place and get a
The knitting witch and the cold fairies. serendipity if you do. For example:
The mermaid and the apple farmer
6. Shore The sea creature who gave people a gift
A vast place, where the ocean meets the land. The person who learned to sing from the mermaids.

You might kick off your shoes for a moment to rest 7. Library
from your travels, toes in the sand, as you squint to More than a place to learn, libraires are places to
see the other side, though you likely can’t. This place wonder.
encourages you to search for natural treasures,

61
Libraries introduce you to new stories and dreams to A fey merchant who secretly trades in magic,
be had and show you interesting things about the allowing you to swap one thing from your playbook
world you are in. Perhaps you can note some the for another thing from any other playbook.
things they tell? Get serendipity if you write some of Something else of your own invention
the new books you discover within this one.

Consider the possible features:

Vibrant children’s section filled with plush carpets 9. Fens
and tiny chairs. Shimmering waterways, and patches of green
Massive section dedicated to cooking and crafts. intermix in this sometimes spooky and often
A ‘Friendly’ person whose arms are full of fictional stunning swamp, where rivers and lakes intermingle,
and nonfictional books. making it difficult to tell one from another.
A proper mole like person who presses their face
close to pages to read. Fens were often a place for people who needed to
Entrance display celebrating a local holiday. hide, filled with communities isolated by landscape
Something else of your own invention. rather than distance. Here you can find people who
have old knowledge. Discover communities where
Write a short folk tale about this place and get a humans and fairies still intermingle openly. Meet an
serendipity if you do. For example: old witch who can send you on a quest of self-
When everything is really quiet a dragon can be discovery.
heard sleeping beneath the floor.
The librarian’s ghost who still wanders the shelves. Consider some possible features:
A secret society that trades cupcakes while reading Floating islands of vegetation.
books in little used corners. Spongy and bouncy ground.
Something Else of your own invention Schools of fish visible from the shore.
Flocks of Waterfowl
8. Faire Frogs as far as the ear can hear.
Traveling markets, people would walk for a dozen or Batches of trees covering tiny isles.
more miles to attend a faire that had sprung up near Old boardwalks teetering over muck and water.
their village. Here they could find anything, from Snails and frogs that find their way into your home.
small books to expensive combs, and delicious foods.
Discover a short folk tale about this place and get
Faires allow you to intermingle with people from a serendipity if you do. For example:
many places, and even fairies would take human The witch who loves to pretend to be wicked.
form to sneak in and buy. This is a place to make The ancient god who used to care for mammoths.
trades, find interesting stories and hear of other Something of your own invention.
villages from well-traveled merchants or those who
walked a few villages over.
10. Meadow
Consider some possible features: The hearts of the forest, where life is truly able to
A merchant from a distant land who knows of many thrive on the wild grass and tasty, beautiful flowers.
interesting and novel places.
Children excited and enraptured by a puppet show. Consider some possible features.
Theatre performers. Herds of deer.
Brightly colored stalls Marmots chirping and burrowing.
Goods spread out on blankets in the shade of old Walls of trees.
trees. Small slopes covered in wildflowers.
A nearby church that is hosting the faire A cute stream running through it all.
People sharing recipes for interesting sounding A little pond filled with minnows.
regional dishes. Dragonflies, fireflies, and butterflies filling the air.
Write a short folk tale about this place and get a Discover a short folk tale about this place and get
serendipity if you do. For example: a serendipity if you do. For example:
One of the acrobatic performers is actually a fey The deer who watches over and guides the forest.
using magic, as they search the world for love. The cottage that only appears on the night of a full
moon.
Something else of your choice.
62
 Small

11. Alpine Pasture

The border realm between fairy and the human
world. Here cattle and shepherds graze their animals
alongside fairies and trolls. Often in the winter when
the humans go down into the valleys the fairies take
over their homes for a while and are frequently heard
clanging meddle pans and silverware together as the
celebrate.

From hear you can see far out over the valleys and
lands below, allowing you to discover a new
interesting looking place to visit. A fairy or person
might ask you to help them watch their animals. You
can hear a song which makes you feel a pastoral
sense of wonder.

Consider some possible features.

Fields filled with mountainous flowers.
Cottages with grass and flower covered roofs.
Zigzagging paths with beauty and possible surprises
around each bend.

waterfalls tumbling down the sides of rocks and

grassy cliffs.
Stunning views that make you wish to go see them
up close or encourage you to climb higher and see
more.

Discover a short folk tale about this place and get

a serendipity if you do. For example:
The fairy who decided to become a human.
The trolls who decided to bring presents to those
living below on a certain holiday but couldn’t help
but engage in some mischief as well.
The child who would watch cattle and goats for the
fairies, and seemed to move like a ghost, vanishing
whenever anyone approached.
Something else of your choosing.

12. Mountains
Hard climbs make for stunning views and a possible
shift in perspective.

63
From up here you can seemingly see the whole world, Ancient trees that moan in the wind.
allowing you to see how small we all are, while also Scrubby thorn bushes covered with berries no one
feeling more alive. These places touch the heavens dares to touch.
and so can be home to the divine, and pure self- Fairy rings of mushrooms sprouting everywhere.
reflection. A pear tree ready to share its fruit.
Large rocks covered in ancient symbols.
Mountains allow you to gain a feeling of freedom and A view of the vast fields of farmland and little houses
independence. Help you feel more in touch with the as far as the eye can see.
gods of the world. Here you can be inspired to write a
poem about yourself, the world, the divine and more. Discover a short folk tale about this place and get
There are frequently divine beings up here, who often a serendipity if you do. For example:
travel to the lands below, to help crops grow and There once was a great hero who sleeps here, waiting
salmon run, before returning to the mountain peaks now for trouble to awaken them to rescue the land
once more. again.

Consider some possible features.

Clean untouched snow.
Mountain goats playing along the cliffs. 15. Caverns
Rocks filled with fossils of seashells, reminding you Liminal spaces which exist between the human world
how much the world can change. and the chthonic realms. Quiet and sometimes eerie
A steep cliff you must climb to finally reach the top. places where one can walk through the layers of the
An icy wind that makes it hard to see for a moment. world’s history.
The sight of a distant land you realize you’ve never
heard of. Caverns are home to many of the nymphs who care
A lonely tree on your climb which has somehow for the world and taught people how to survive and
braved the frozen rocks. live together happily. They are also home to the
spirits of the earth who bring life to the land, but also
Discover a short folk tale about this place and get fear.
a serendipity if you do. For example:
The mountain god who was struggling to get enough Consider some possible features.
food to feed their children. Ancient paintings of a world that once was.
The person who discovered a truth in the cold and Stalactites and Stalagmites that are so old they have
pure air. finally met in the middle.
Something else of your own imagination. Veins of minerals and rock running through the
walls.
Pools of water filled with blind fish.
13. Rath Inky darkness.
Ancient Castles from the time when fairies and A maze of rocks.
humans lived together, now crumbled to odd circles Caverns filled with bats.
of scrubby trees and rocks on hills. The fairies still
dwell here, recalling what once was, and dreaming of Discover a short folk tale about this place and get
what might be once more. a serendipity if you do. For example:
The fortune teller who the nymph loved.
Raths are mounds of dirt that form circular rings, The ones who walked out of the afterlife from this
because no one dares cut the trees and brush within cave.
them, they are often the last vestiges of forest in Some other folk tales of your choice.
amidst miles of farmland. They can remind you that
the world was once wild. They can allow you to meet
once gilded fairy courts which now use illusions to 16. Moorland
hide their poverty. They are places where you might A landscape dominated by purple heather bushes
meet ancient heroes and giants deep underground and the smell of wild herbs. Moorlands are both
either sleeping or pondering their ancient life and stark and beautiful places. Fairies are more likely to
past deeds. be found in these places than the forests, for they
hold a strange appeal to the elves and pixies. In these
Consider some possible features. places you can get lost, even though it seems obvious
A bit of the old round stone wall still peaking up from which way you should be headed. Feel an odd sense
grass and moss covered soil.

64
of wonder mixed with loneliness. This is a place Crowds of people buying flour during the day.
where ghosts and ancient beings haunt people.
Discover a short folk tale about this place and get
Grendel this monster grim was called, march-riever a serendipity if you do. For example:
mighty, in moorland living, in fen and fastness; fief of The man with the pet polar bear who protected the
the giants the hapless wight a while had kept. mill from trolls and dangerous fairies.
The fairies who held a massive wedding in the mill.
Consider some possible features. Some other tales of your choice.
Sudden bluffs which drop off so that you don’t see
them or what’s below them until the last moment.
Hidden doors and windows to fairy villages that are 18. Church
almost impossible to spot. Often the center of villages, these are grand old
Lichen and grass covered fields. buildings where communities can gather, as can the
A mist which always seems to rise up every morning fey on occasion. Indeed, in many places the fairies
and evening. held services here, indeed in some places candles
Spirits which hold parades on certain days. would be placed early in the morning to provide light
A lake with fairy castles that can be seen at the for the fairies to do just that.
bottom.
Stark and nearly treeless landscape. Consider some possible features:
Clusters of bilberries and bilberry goats A large steeple which can be seen for miles around.
Ancient carvings around the door, the meanings of
which have long since been forgotten.
A beautiful rose garden around the grounds
Discover a short folk tale about this place and get Trimmed hedges filled with rabbits.
a serendipity if you do. For example: A hidden room.
The place where the last of a nearly forgotten fairy A work of art depicting the history of the place where
clan hid for a time. the church stands.
The witch who never left the human world but An ancient yew tree which will sometimes speak
remained hidden in a cottage. random bits of the future.

Discover a short folk tale about this place and get

17. Watermill a serendipity if you do. For example:
The technology to grind grain into flower, to mill The person who found their way into fairyland by
wood with saws, is a form of human magic that walking sunwise round the church three times.
frequently attracts the interest of fairies. There are The mermaid who came to sing in the choir.
many tales of trolls and fairies seeking to live and Some other tales of your choice.
spend the night in these old places, and of those
within striking bargains with such creatures, or
being harassed by them. Old, abandoned mills
frequently become home to vampires and all manner
of other creatures.

Watermills offer many travelers places to spend the

night, for they have large empty spaces, and owners
who are frequently willing to take on lodgers. They
Additional Ideas for Folktales
are often built between villages, so that they can be
close to many places, yet this also makes them a Folktales have magic. Indeed, many of the charms
little distant from anywhere. used to cure illness, give blesses, or grant curses
include snippets of stories, whether from the bible,
Consider some possible features: peasant tales, or older stories. There are stories of
A spinning waterwheel on which nixies and other Saint Peter having a tooth ache which are used to
water fairies like to sit and play. heal tooth aches, stories of Balder's foal spraining its
A large room with piles of flour and grain sacks for foot used to cure sprains, and of course a dwarf who
fairies to hide among. turned into a spider that is used to calm nightmares.
A spot of wilderness nearby.
A beautiful river filled. Perhaps just as interesting is the idea that if too
A large, well-worn road leading to the mill. many people know a charm it loses its effectiveness.

65
You could have a game therefore where one must The pear tree who went for a walk.
constantly be inventing new spells and the best way The lake who could fly through the air for fun.
to do this is by learning many folk tales from many Making a cauldron big enough to feast a flight of
places, so that they can be woven together to create dragons.
magic. You may also simply enjoy collecting folk The dancing ghosts.
tales. The zwerg who raised a village of orphans.

The ghost who came back to get what they weren’t

supposed to be able to take with them.
The cat who became king
The mermaids who borrowed a bell but couldn’t lift it
from the depths to return it.
The dragon who had a tooth ache.
The goblins who replaced flowers with mushrooms.
The fox and the dragon’s hoard.
A band of seventy-seven donkeys who sang for the
moon.
The ducks who stayed for Christmas.
The fire spirit and the water spirit in love.
The cake who became a baker.
The pig who could see the future and the trouble it Fairy Villages
wrote.
The cinder-lad who cooked Bannocks with a troll. for Inspiration
The goblins who lived in a hen house. You will likely spend your time helping the humans,
The dog who pretended to be the king of cats. but you will seek to interact with the fairies.
The goblins borrowed the ballet shoes.
The pixie who loved to wallow in the mud with the Nut and Herb
pigs. Beautiful and perfectly kept little cottages rest
The hare and the frog race hidden under ancient walnut trees.
The bee and the rude pixie The little zwerg who make this their home divide
The cold buffardello and the sweater knitter their time between wild rambunctious play and
The lost fairy child and the large mother dog serious, quiet work. For according to them hard work
The rabbit who did not know what fear was. and a cheerful, natural joy are what make someone
The heroic skunk whole. As such the zwerg love childish fun such as
The owlbear who became a carpenter. music and wild dancing, as well as mischief filled
The fox and owl who made a forest. games, such as the time they put a small hole in a
The fairies and the keg of butter bowl and hung it in the rafters of human home so
Baba Yaga taught the spiders to spin and the wind to that the people would think their roof was leaking.
whistle. This is complemented by a persnickety nature that
The witch who stole fire. also verges on the childish. For the zwerg always
The fairy who blessed the world with berries taken want everything just so. Less childish is their need to
from heaven. have their cottages perfectly clean and to obsess over
The ancestors who rose from the grave to celebrate their work.
Christmas
The mother who grew into a wishing tree.
The dragon who forgot where their cave was.
The badger who denned with the hob under the
fireplace.
The time the moon came to the world to accept a
dinner invite.
Country brownie and wild brownie
The badger who learned to eat nightmares.
The jackalope who taught children to sing.
The little fairy cup that could pour a river of tea.
The nixie who made everything messier the more
they cleaned.
The nightingale whose voice fluttered away.

66
The zwerg of this village make potions, most often The fuzzy little dobby are sometimes perhaps a little
used to help sick and injured animals, but also to too
help the zwerg of other villages. Potion making is
hard and hot work, with bubbling caldrons over
many fires and the zwerg running hither and frow to
tend to the billows and the perfumed potions with a
dash of this herb and a chant of the right charm at
the right moment. So, every once in a while, the
zwerg bust from their cottages in billows of steam to
fall face first into the snow or jump into the nearby
creek.

In the summertime the zwerg grow herbs in small

gardens in the wild, made to look so natural that

almost no one could tell that the plant wasn’t just
growing wild in this meadow or at the foot of that old
enthusiastic and eager to please, often rushing to
yew tree. Some of these herbs are eaten by the
help with things they aren’t certain how to do. Mixed
animals, but the zwerg are willing to share. They just
with their clumsy nature they are known for trying
need to make certain to plant enough that there is
hard but frequently mucking things up. Still, they
something left over at the end.
are very observant, noticing when something is out of
place or someone seems to be feeling down. This,
The zwerg cottages are connected to each other via
mixed with their talent for being everywhere, means
badger tunnels, and in truth they all share one
that the other fairy villages often rely on them to
house, running freely from cottage to cottage as the
figure out who needs help .
mood strikes them. What little difference there is
between cottages is for aesthetic theme, with one
Beyond accidently causing trouble and noticing those
decorated with pictures of birds, another with
who need help, Dobby Moors is best known for its
rodents, and another still with the zwerg’s craziest,
knitting. They spend the late spring gathering the
and most ridiculous dreams. While in the winter the
wool left behind by sheep and fuzzy fox tails when
cottages are also divided by the types of potions
they walk through the snaggy, scraggly bushes of the
being made in each, so that the ingredients are all in
moorlands. They spend the summers spinning these
one easy place.
into beautiful yarns, which are then knitted in the
fall and winter into complex and stunning designs,
that frequently verge on what stodgy humans might
think of as silly and gregarious but which fairies
recognize as the beautiful works of art they are.

Although the dobby’s homes are made of giant pieces

The Dobby Moors of sod stacked atop each other, wild herb quickly
take over the walls, making it look like they are just
67
part of the surrounding hills, which suits the dobby while they wait for the weather to warm enough to go
just fine, most of the time. Some of them, however, out again.
want more colorful homes to fit with their
personalities, and so will drape giant knitted For many fungal folk the fact that winter forces them
canopies over their homes to brighten them up and to cram themselves inside, their caps squished
fill them with life. together while they discuss strange new inventions
and ideas, makes this their favorite time of year. For
during this time they can build their dream worlds,
Hollow of Mushrooms without reality interfering as it often seems to once
Fungal Folk Villages they build things that don’t quite work as expected.

Laid back and generally positive, the Fungal folk are

ancient beings who have seen the world change so Little Whispering
often that they are generally less uptight and more The rich aromas of apple pie under shaded trees,
open to change than most of the other fairies. Indeed, punctuated by the sounds of whispers and giggles.
the fungal folk love to try wild and often crazy The pixies of Little Whispering are gifted with a zest
seeming ideas, often leaping in without much for life and the ability to squeeze as much joy out of
thought about where their hairbrained ideas will each moment as possible for the pixies view life as a
lead. For example, they once dangled all their homes celebration. They find joy in everything they do, the
from ropes in the trees so that they swung wildly in work of the farmers, such as threshing grain which
the wind, and realized after that this obviously bad they sneak into barns to help with, playing soldier
idea was indeed a terrible idea. Rather than worry and knight, like ‘Lost Boys’ hunting pirates. It is
about the damage done they revel in such ‘mistakes’, difficult for them to take anything too seriously, and
viewing them as an important part of the process they move through life as if engaged in one of their
that can lead to newer ideas. For example, most of many dances. There are many goblins and boggarts
their homes now have little rooms that dangle down that would cause trouble for them and the unwitting
so they can be rocked to sleep in the breeze, but humans, if they didn’t seek them out.
which can lower quickly to the forest floor if the gusts
get too big. Their generally happy go lucky nature means that
while all fairies are mischievous to one extent or
The Fungal Folk’s willingness to experiment with other pixies are especially known for it. They
traditions and methods of doing things drives most of especially love the expressions on the faces of those
the other fairies bonkers, a fact that brings delight to who are lost and frequently use their magic to lead
most fungal folk and encourages them to act even people astray. Easily distracted by a passing
stranger and more outrageously. Indeed, the more dragonfly or a sudden thought they don’t tease any
conservative the fairies around them, the wackier one person for long before bounding off on their next
their ideas and actions will become. Despite their game and adventure.
seemingly chaotic nature, as creative creatures, the
fungal folk know how to simply sit and ponder the The pixies homes appear to be tiny round cottages,
world in silence. They can often be found in the wood too small to make even them comfortable, but just
sitting together so still and for so long that they can inside one finds a tunnel down under the roots of
easily be mistaken for ordinary mushrooms. trees, where they can live with the hedgehogs and
fieldmice. Although they plaster their walls with
Because of their unpredictable creativity, fungal folk painted murals to a point they let the roots and
villages are difficult to navigate. Their homes include interesting rocks peak through, often using each as
multiple layers, burrows under the ground, small shelves on which to hold herbs and dried berries.
cottages, tree houses, in every possible design that Their favorite foods are pies which they bake with
they could ever imagine. relish, but they most especially enjoy those made by
humans. Seeking a human made pie is an adventure
Yet, even with the amount of time spent building onto itself, which often requires much planning and
these homes most of the fungal folk prefer to spend preparations.
their time and even sleep outside, only entering their
homes in the winter, often to find that numerous
insects and rodents have taken up residence in their Snicker Nests
absence. Luckily the fungal folk don’t need much Bugbugs are clever, but easily distracted, especially
room, so they can usually find a free corner where by pretty and shiny things but also opportunities to
they won’t disturb the homes animal occupants, play games and have fun.
68
 Green Badger Burrows
Snuggled in with cocoa and the smell of rich, butter
filled cooking, the zwerg home is what you might
dream that your grandparent’s cabin should be.
Although the zwerg can be adventurous at times,
they are much more likely to be home bodies, content
with exploring the ever changing forests near their
cozy dens. After all, new mushrooms peek up every
time it rains, new trees sprout and old ones fall,
providing homes for bugs and funguses for years
before vanishing again. There is always something
new and interesting to see.

The zwerg are warm, affectionate, caring, and

enthusiastic about life, The zwerg see a world full of
possibilities, and have a passion for making things
better which is why they use vast knowledge and
magical talents to give advice or magical gifts to the
heroes of fairy tales so that they could complete their
quests. They are enthusiastic craftsmen, which
along with their kindness, inspires others to work
harder.

Serenities Glen
Tomte are contemplative fairies, often spending time
pondering numerous philosophies and their
implications on the world. More than nearly any
other fairy they enjoy spending time in solitude so
they can do their own thinking. This means that their
tiny villages are quiet places, with little homes that
are frequently hundreds of feet apart and hidden
Bugbugs are too busy playing and causing mischief from each other by thick foliage.
to worry about good home construction, as a result
they often build their homes by tangling together Tomte aren’t as rambunctious or filled with
fallen sticks, which they cover with leaves, bits of fantastical whims and desires as the other fairies,
fabric, clothes stolen from skinny dippers or socks rather they are more reflective and practical, like the
filched from under beds, with rocks used to keep farmers with whom they secretly spend their time.
these from blowing away. The resulting ‘snicker nest’ That said, they still do suffer from wild mood swings
is shaky, to say the least. Many bugbug has woken to and frequent bouts of low self-esteem, and a seeming
find that their home has tumbled over atop them. inability to ever hide their emotions, good or bad.
Usually when this happens, they sneak off to secretly Because of their low self-esteem and their quiet
share a human home until spring comes and they nature, they have difficulty dealing with troubling
can build new nests. emotional situations, often throwing a destructive
poltergeist-like tantrum whenever they get upset.
Bugbugs are lively and even youthful little creatures Despite their quiet nature, when they are in the
who enjoy hiding and giving others the chills or a mood for fun, they are adventurous daredevils who
start. This, mixed with their witty intelligence, often enjoy taking risks. They prefer risky adventures that
makes them difficult to deal with, especially given give them a rush of adrenaline to unwind, and during
their inquisitive nature. Bugbugs love to spy on these moments they prefer the company of
others, and so some have become the center of a sort uncomplicated people, such as children who are
of goblin market of knowledge and other goods that often willing to aid them in causing mischief.
other fairies would publicly frown upon, even if they
sometimes purchase them privately. Schools and Castles of Witchery

69
What is a witch and what is a wizard? different boards may visit each other. What’s more
it’s also not unusual for leaves, blossoms, and even
Although these terms often get mixed around and fruit to sprout from a log or plank for a time, and
confused, it is perhaps best to think of these based while such fruit is usually fine, it can have some
on the two types of magic that were acceptable in funny effects. One student who ate a pear that had
Medieval Society. Witches, in this view are people sprouted up by her desk in Abjuration class, soon
who learn magic from the fairies, who are tasked with found herself so flatulent she had to leave the
carrying out the will of the fairy court that teaches classroom. It seems that resisting the temptation of
them, which can include healing people, helping the fruit isn’t always an option, however, and it is
crops grow, or in the case of the less kind unseelie indeed very delicious. Thankfully, it never causes too
fairies, with causing harm. Wizards, on the other much harm.
hand, are scholars of magic. They learn magic as
more of a science. There is a lot of cross-over here, The ever-plotting timber of this castle has on its own,
such that it is often hard to tell the two apart. One of created a number of secret passages, perhaps to
the most celebrated cunning folk (good witch) of make it easier for the poppets and some of the
English lore had books filled with mathematical wildfey that come to visit the wood to move about. In
formulas, and a witch in Germany was celebrated for any case, these secret passages have allowed many a
her skills with the magic of Algebra. student to stealthily get into mischief, and worse,
allowed some with nefarious purposes a place to hide
Witch and Wizard are like two mountains, there their secret plans. Indeed, many couldn’t help but
might be a few people who live on each of their slopes notice that most of the wood from elder trees went
but most live between the two and will freely move missing early, and it is this timber which seems most
from one to the other for numerous reasons. In often to make themselves into secret chambers for
school witchery classes are taught by fairies, wizards who are up to no good, the elphin nature of
sometimes with a human aid, and wizard classes this wood being prone to trouble making.
primarily by mortals of some form, or perhaps
dragons. Very few students will only take classes of Dragonwood castle has both the benefit and
witchery or wizardry, but some might take more of challenge of having been built on the border of three
one than the other. Individual people will choose to large fairy nations, one of pixies, the other of
call themselves witch or wizard based on whether faeresses, and still another of trolls and the
they feel their focus is the scholarship of magic or the descendants of Vikings. The presence of so many
connection with the fairy realm. fairy nations has made Dragonwood a center for
secrets and smugglers and occasional Robinhood
The Awakened figures, transporting magical supplies. Still, the
The majority of the magical community are people peace, for the most part has been maintained
who are capable of only a small amount of magic. between these rival factions, for now, although
They might be able to briefly change the color of an scheming young royals and nobles frequently
object, add a little extra flavor to a soup, or make a threaten to undo this.
small ball float in the air for a second or two, but not
much more.
The Culture of Dragonwood

Most of the people of Dragonwood tend to enjoy small

pleasures, from little sweets in the evening to strolls
in the garden or simply sitting and watching nature
Dragonwood Castle and the sylvans within. They will often hesitate to do
anything that might seem too lavish or indulgent.
Rimmed by giant standing stones, carved with Despite their usual simplicity they are interested in
intricate patterns and knots and filled with mostly recent trends, fashions, and fads, with such things
forgotten magics which people are still trying to fully being a frequent topic of conversation, given that
understand. Dragonwood castle is built of timber they are surrounded by three powerful fairy realms,
from fairy forests that are harder than stone and each with their own idea of style.
beautiful. Yet, this also means that each log and
plank has a mind of its own. Many a student The need to balance so many interests can make the
walking through the castle on a dusky evening would people of Dragonwood seem neurotic at times. Most
swear that some of the logs are following them, of the time they wear their emotions on their sleeves
whispering and even giggling to each other. The and are extremely expressive as their feelings flood
hallways can shift about temporarily, perhaps so
70
out of them all at once in whoops or joy or bubbling that at the bottom there is an entire fairy village
tears. Yet when things actually get difficult, they are which students sometimes have to swim through in
able to muster through all of this with a strange sort order to attend classes with some of the fairies.
of calm, likely a result of their having to balance the
fairies of their region so carefully.
Culture of Brandysprite
Perhaps their greatest pleasure comes from using
magic for entertainment and many of them will tinker Brandysprite is a vibrant place, filled with energetic
with ways to manipulate magic to push the art and excited creatures, yet it can sometimes feel
boundaries of art, whether this is through illusions, oddly stoic, as the fairies who value hard work and
transmutation, or manipulating fate to help an artist knowledge encourage sudden bouts of studiousness
perform better, or foods taste more interesting. Those and creative contemplation. The wizards and fairies
who aren’t involved in pushing these bounds will of Brandysprite are well known for inventing spells
frequently enjoy the fruits of them, going to gallery which help with very salt of the earth type tasks,
openings, theatre, balls, or watching and toying with whether spells to help enrich manure for the fields or
magical illusions in tiny crystal balls. to clean gutters. This grounded and earthy magic
and witchdom seems to clash with the brightly woven
As a general rule the culture of Dragonwood is fabrics and the frequent giggling that goes on here.
pragmatic, ruled by virtue and the belief in good Until one hears their bouncy but raunchy ballads
works for one’s family, society, and self. They tend to and poems.
take a long view of things, sometimes planning for
what will be fifty years in advance.

Saltden Castle
Built of coral with the help of the mermaids as a way
Brandysprite Castle of helping them to bond with the people of the upper
world, this underwater castle is enchanted so that
In retrospect building a castle with sprites, nixies, the water within it will act as both air and water,
and other fairies was a very ‘unusual’ idea which was allowing mermaids and humans to breath freely
going to lead to some very unique outcomes. The within, and paper and ink to function normally. One
fairies of this land love weaving, and as a result should, however, take precautions to keep their hats
much of the castle is made of woven multilayered from floating away and watch their cats who often
fabric with even some of the floors being made of a take a while to get used to swimming about castles.
silklike fabric that bounces with each step. The stairs
meanwhile were often forgotten by the winged The various sections of this castle are protected by
creatures who simply created holes between different sea anemone which won’t sting those whose scent
floors. This isn’t the case everywhere, most of the they are taught, that is , those who belong within the
floors are stone and there are some stairs, still, the chamber they guard. Anyone else trying to enter will
humans who took over work on this castle couldn’t receive an enchanted sting which pierces even armor
simply ignore the challenges which often required a and causes those stung to swell so large they become
fair amount of creativity or simply very skilled magic. stuck in the halls until someone comes and deflates
The humans couldn’t redo anything the sprites had them.
done, this was their castle too after all. Instead, they
created spells that allowed tables to remain level, Rumors abound in Saltden of ships that may have
despite the sometimes-bouncy floors and in the gone down nearby, from stories of ghostly pirates
locations where stairs should have been they created that still walk the bottom of the sea to ships laden
spells to make it easier for people to jump between with secret alchemical books that were caught up in
floors, with enchanted color changing candles used a storm. This, along with the many interesting shells
to let people know when it is their turn to jump so and bits of coral to be found makes treasure hunting
they don’t run into each other. a popular pass time for wizards and witches using
magic to walk out into the sea.
The most interesting feature of the castle, however, is
that on the fourth floor there is an enchanted lake, Culture of the Saltden
which doesn’t affect the floor below, but which is over The wizards and witches of Saltden tend to be among
a hundred feet deep, extending into the fairy realm so the most studious in the world, preferring to learn
71
 castle. Because of Owlbear Glade’s close connection
with the surrounding forest rumors abound of sylvan
dragons roosting nearby or some jackalope who
secretly teaches some students to be especially
skilled singers. Certainly Owlbear Glade has had
more than its fair share of bards come out of it, with
many of the most talented singers being people who
didn’t seem to have such talents when they came in.
It is worth noting, however, that music and magical
theory is an important part of the curriculum in
general.

Culture
The wizards of this palace host frequent celebrations
and so spend much of their time on planning and
creating new magics for that. Few wizards stay here
long, as the festivals tend to wear them out, instead
they spend short periods of time here, often coming
every other summer to either take part in or prepare
for the festivals, or both. This makes the castle a
center for meetings between many of the wealthy and
influential in the magical community.

Student Life
Most of the lessons of this school are centered
around the relationship between the natural and
magical world, with students learning how to search
for herbs, interact with magical creatures, and use
performative magics such as those of music and
theatre. Classes are therefore very hands on and
often difficult to keep up with, as learning to find a
specific herb in the wild with this or that type of
and understand theories of magic more than to magic might only be taught once, while wide eyed
actually get their hands dirty performing it. students glance around to make certain that there
are no troublesome fairies or owlbears waiting to
pounce. As with the wizards who live part time in the
Owlbear Glade castle, most of the students who come to this school
Built by dryads using stones from so deep within the only stay for a year or two, as a means of gaining a
earth that they’d never even heard of the sun or better understanding of the forest before returning to
stars, in partnership with an overly eccentric a more domestic scholarly setting. Those who do
alchemist and a wizard most considered to be a bit stay, however, become very capable magical rangers.
dotty. Owlbear glade is a beautiful castle whose
many sweeping ballrooms reflect the dryads love of
dance, with glass ceilings and large windows to allow
the sun to continue to shine on the trees, and gutters
which allow streams of water to trickle down onto the
trees whenever it rains. The windows are also
enchanted to allow birds to fly freely through them,
so they may nest in the dryad’s trees within, along
with the squirrels.

There are almost no private rooms within this castle,

for the dryads didn’t understand that the witches
and wizards would want these, instead partitions are
used to divide out the classes and dorms of those
who learn and sleep within, with a few storage
closets that were included by the alchemist and
wizards being used as offices for those who run the
72
 the wilderness, can become suddenly very lively,
often arranging impromptu and vibrant dances.

Harewick
The Harewick witches value safety, caring, and close
friendships and seek after domesticity, wisdom,
sincerity, compassion, self-knowledge, and
understanding. The Harewick witches’ primary goals
are to cultivate a sense of comfort for themselves and
for others. They are the witches who are likely to
spend the most time becoming skilled in divination
so that they can see what’s coming and can give
advice as needed.

Rather than seeking knowledge through deep study

or exploration, the Harewick tend to gain
understanding through conversations and
discussions intermixed with studies, in book clubs
and by hosting powerful witches, wizards, and
magical creatures to answer questions and give small
intimate lectures.

Wolfadell
Sometimes known as the poet warriors or the
chivalric, The Wolfadell value honor, diplomacy,
Wizarding Houses strength, poetic wisdom, and a desire to seek
Students are divided into different communities discovery. Their thinking is typically centered around
called houses, with whom they will live and do most the idea of ‘questing’, that is going in search of
of their activities, including classes. These houses are something to gain understanding, learning, or
based on a mixture of a student’s existing qualities, sometimes simply to explore. Often this ‘questing’ is
but more importantly their potential and what they more in a scholarly sense, but it does tend to make
would like to achieve. Obviously, all students have them much more hands on when trying to learn.
attributes from every house, but as with most people They will often seek out other witches, wizards, and
they tend to have a few features that are potentially magical creatures for their insights, rarely fully
more prevalent, even if it isn’t always obvious at first. accepting the understanding they might gain from a
single source such as a book.

Hedgespell
The house of Hedgespell or ‘hedgewitches’ values
imagination, spontaneity, openness in thought which
can lead to contradiction and new insights. More
than these aspects of personality, however, they
value gardens and the natural world, and seek to
cultivate a natural serenity, which can help their
members face difficulties with calm resolve. As well
as a dreamy sort of imagination which can lead to
small eureka moments.

Hedge witches have a propensity for spending much

of their time learning, researching, and simply
relaxing on the border realm between civilization and
the wilderness. As lovers of the natural world, the
Hedgespell tend to value the peace that can be found
in the wilderness and gardens. That said they, like

73
 other. In some ways this makes Wyvernkin the oldest
of the witch and wizard ideals.

The Wyvernkin appear to be the most extraverted

house, thanks to the fact that they frequently visit
others, though sometimes this is simply because they
have a tendency to act as guardians and caretakers.

Woodwyld
The Woodwyld believe that magic is an artistry, a way
to express and create beauty. They greatly value this
desire to create, as well as passion, and inspiration.
That is, they seek to create works of art, dance,
literature, and magic which can help to inspire
others. The Woodwyld’s dislike of boundaries and
limits often causes them to push against such
boundaries for the simple sake of forcing some
generally unspoken expression.

The Woodwyld spend more time thinking of odd ways

to use and push the boundaries of existing spells,
than they do developing new ones, although the
results of their ideas often make old spells seem like
they have invented something new.

Quillbourne
Dedicated to preserving, learning, and
understanding ancient knowledge and
magics. The Quillbourne are the
scholars who love to study past and
Sometimes called the Knight Errants, existing knowledge, not simply to
the Wolfadell know that even if they understand it, but to try to piece it
never get an absolute answer there is together in new ways.
value in ‘questing’ for an answer, for
beauty, or something else, because The Quillbourne value scholarship,
there is a lot to be learned by simply studiousness, intellect, and similarly
exploring. related traits. The witches and wizards
of this house love learning but tend to
try to do so in safe ways, whenever
Wyvernkin possible. That said, they can get swept
The Wyvernkin value courage, strength, up in a theory or idea and take big risks
good stewardship, and enthusiasm. The to try to get the answers they are
people of this house can seem and even seeking. They are often seen as the
be reckless at times, although it is often most boring and stodgy of the houses
in pursuit of helping someone or by the others, although they are mostly
righting some perceived wrong. Though okay with that, as less visitors gives
their enthusiasm does mean they them time to contemplate and learn
frequently go overboard, the Wyvernkin about the world in peace.
do tend to encourage their members to
have good hearts.
The Wyvernkin are the keepers of many Ravensong
fey magics and folk traditions, from the The Ravensong see a world of
rituals of the druids to the powers of those who possibilities. They value cleverness, creativity, and a
painted on caves. After all it was enthusiastic vivacious excitement and joy. Although they can be
warriors that the fairies first needed to protect them studious, they value learning primarily as a means to
from the giants, dragons, and sometimes even each help them enhance their creativity. This creativity
and love of doing new and innovative things often

74
leads to trouble as they frequently break rules or find ideas in order to get as many thoughts on a topic as
creative ways around these rules in pursuit of food, possible. They just don’t like assumptions,
fun, and frivolity. speculations, and imaginations, and prefer very
Their pursuits often, purposefully or accidently, point specific details about a topic, rather than big picture
out flaws in the order of things, and so will help to ideas.
improve existing systems or make it easier for those
who are stuck to try something new.
3-Playful Conversationalist
Lynxford Being generally playful in their banter these
This house values cunning, the ability to outwit and characters enjoy fun and light conversations.
out maneuver others. This tends to make them They enjoy playful and fun conversations, although
appear ambitious, but their ambitions aren’t always they spend a good portion of their time silently
for themselves, as they often seek to serve noble thinking, then when they have a though their ideas
causes rather than themselves, although either are can gush forth, which means they will sometimes
possible. The Lynxford House thirsts for knowledge finish other people’s sentences, but they almost
and uniqueness, as a means to help them achieve always respect other people’s thoughts and in turn
ends. For they are very goal oriented, which as a side they want others to respect their intelligence and
product often makes them the most organized and knowledge.
logical of the houses. Once they do start talking their ideas and
conclusions can come from big leaps, as they try to
race to interesting thoughts quickly.

Conversational Styles 4-Practical and Harmonious Conversationalist

Practical and down to earth, these characters like to
These conversational styles are related to the have information and ideas laid out in a bullet point
character’s personality but are more focused on how fashion so that they can consider it. They don’t like
the NPC is likely to talk to you and others, as a to rush through to ideas before many thoughts are
means of helping you think about how a conversation considered and seek to have more harmonious
with them might go. discussions. In order to understand what is being
discussed they will often ask very pointed questions,
but won’t interrupt someone who is speaking, nor do
1-Fun, Conceptual Storytellers they like it when they are interrupted.
These characters love telling stories and using
metaphors in order to explore ideas, allowing for 5-Careful and Thoughtful
some really strange ideas to enter their These characters like big picture discussions which
conversations. These conversations often meander quickly get to the point rather than nitty gritty
from idea to idea, as they talk before knowing what details. This is because they like to have time to
the end is, meaning many of their thoughts and carefully think about what is being said as they tend
topics go nowhere in particular. to be careful listeners as well. When they do talk,
They tend to be interested in feelings and emotions, they like to use analogies and metaphors to explain
and as such they prefer to talk about concepts rather their insights as they spin out new ideas.
than specific details or data and want to have
conversations that are very personal, respectful, and 6. Polite and Calm Conversationalists
supportive. Indeed, they rarely ask questions Polite and considerate, they prefer relaxed
preferring to engage with and add to ideas without conversations, even if they are enthusiastic about the
questioning them. ideas and topics being discussed. They enjoy clarity
and details, typically in the form of facts and figures
and will often try to discuss facts which they find
2-Logical and Purposeful Conversationalist interesting, rather than vague ideas that may not be
Friendly and logical, although they can also be blunt. fully fleshed out and realized.
Being practical they usually prefer to talk about
things that serve some purpose. They will ask 7. Calm and Personable Storyteller
frequent questions throughout the course of a These characters like to talk and hear about personal
conversation, and enjoy hearing both good and bad stories, experiences, and antidotes, rather than facts

75
or abstract metaphors. They tend to talk in a calm, patiently, even if they sometimes get over excited and
measured way, and encourage others to tell their jump into the end of a story or thought with
stories, while listening carefully. Because they like agreement and questions.
personal stories they don’t mind showing Their enthusiasm means that they will often talk
vulnerability, and will tend to respect those who do about things that others might keep private, even if
the same. They are honest, sincere, and soft spoken they do worry a little too much about what others
they aren’t judgmental and are open to many think of them. Still, their energy and their friendly
different possible solutions or ways of doing the same honesty means that they usually do develop a good
thing. rapport with others.

8. Friendly Debaters and Discussers 12. Efficient and Logical

Logical and precise, they prefer to begin These characters are most interested in efficient
conversations by talking about the big picture, and communications that have a defined purpose, as
then shifting into brainstorming ideas. They enjoy such they aren’t so much interested in details as they
debate and want others to question and debate their are in big picture ideas. What’s more they like quick
ideas, although they do want everyone to have a break downs of ideas, often in service of generating
chance to finish their thoughts before disagreements new big picture thinking. They analyze most anything
and alternatives are voiced. being said, even if it is obviously silly, but can still be
They are patient, and enjoy hearing new information, lighthearted when necessary. Although when serious
especially when presented good descriptions and they like to hear and will always share the rational
visual examples. for the thoughts being presented.

13. Systematic Thinkers

9. Rational Conversationalists Open to multiple possibilities, these characters enjoy
They want rational and clear thoughts, not questions and want time to consider what’s being
speculations or abstract ideas. said, meaning they will often spend a chunk of any
conversation in quiet thought, or paused for a
They like to generate new ideas, but these are moment before they speak. They like to talk about
specific, rather than big picture. ideas and concepts, even if they prefer these to have
a clear objective. Their love of ideas and
They can be surprisingly light hearted, however, if systematically mapping things out means that they
quick to get to the point when they are talking. can come across as impersonal, but they are good
listeners and show it by speaking directly to what is
being said.
10. Warm and Filled with Feelings
These characters have big feelings, and it shows.
They prefer to have fun and vibrant conversations
and don’t like to ponder or reflect, often jumping into 14. Listeners and Learners
something quickly and learning as they go. They
enjoy attention and engaging with others in Shy and typically quiet, these characters prefer to
bombastic and wild conversations which means they discuss more shallow, small talk topics with people
love trying new things and prefer to discuss ideas in they don’t know very well. Yet they almost never
the abstract. They would rather hear how you feel initiate such conversations, waiting for others to
than what you think, or worse, what has been shown begin speaking to them. They tend to keep their
to be true. emotions close to their chest, which can make them
seem cold to those who don’t know them, but they
are very open hearted, creative, and artistic, they just
aren’t overt about it.
11. Enthusiastic and Engaging
Engaged and enthusiastic they love to bounce from
one topic and idea to another, often without any real
rhyme or reason. They tend to prefer to hear and talk 14. Novelty Seekers
about the specific context of the ideas they are Easily bored these characters like interesting
discussing, however, and will listen carefully and conversations, and struggle with concepts such as

76
tact. They enjoy conversations about and activities
such as gabling and extreme sports, as they tend to
be risk takers. They rarely have strong emotional
reactions to events and struggle to express their own
emotions, although when they do it is often in the
form of over the top catastrophizing ideas.

16. Detail Oriented and Practical

No nonsense and practical these characters don’t

care much for small talk, preferring to talk about
facts and knowledge. They are calm and methodical
speakers, who are very concerned with rules and
traditions, meaning they can appear stubborn to
others, especially when it comes to trying new things
which they tend to avoid.

17. Matter of Fact Conversationalists

Although outgoing these characters can still seem
very impersonal thanks to their analytical nature and
their love of concreate information. They tend to
speak very fast as they try to spill out their
knowledge and seek to get more information from
those they are talking to.

77
Character Personality Matrix

There are numerous personality traits, but many of them can be divided into just a few
categories which make up Cattel’s 16 factor model of personality. As with everything else in this
book you can choose to use this or not to help you randomize or generate ideas for characters,
hopefully without limiting your imagination, as there are over 60,000 possible different
combinations of personality traits using this model.

If you want to randomize this chart roll a d6. On a 1-2 the character will have the trait on the
left, on a 5-6 they have the trait on the right, and on a 3-4 they are more neutral on the trait. Do
this for each trait you want to randomize.

You can also draw a tarot card for each trait, with a card in the major arcana being neutral, a
card of ace through 7 being to the left and 8 through king being to the right.

Reserved: Impersonal, distant, cool, reserved, Warm: outgoing, attentive to others, kindly,
detached, formal, aloof easygoing, participating, likes people
Reactive: changeable, affected by feelings, Emotionally stable: adaptive, mature,
emotionally less stable, easily upset faces reality calmly
Deferential: cooperative, avoids conflict, Dominant: forceful, assertive, aggressive,
submissive, humble, obedient, easily led, competitive, stubborn, bossy
docile, accommodating
Serious: restrained, prudent, taciturn, Lively: animated, spontaneous,
introspective, silent enthusiastic, happy-go-lucky, cheerful,
expressive, impulsive
Expedient: nonconforming, disregards rules, Rule-conscious: dutiful, conscientious,
self-indulgent conforming, moralistic, staid, rule-bound
Shy: threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, Socially bold: venturesome, uninhibited,
intimidated thick-skinned
Utilitarian: objective, unsentimental, tough- Sensitive: aesthetic, sentimental, tender-
minded, self-reliant, no-nonsense, rough minded, intuitive, refined
Trusting: unsuspecting, accepting, Vigilant: suspicious, skeptical, distrustful,
unconditional, easy oppositional
Grounded: practical, prosaic, solution Abstract: imaginative, absentminded,
oriented, steady, conventional impractical, absorbed in ideas
Forthright: genuine, artless, open, guileless, Private: discreet, nondisclosing, shrewd,
naive, unpretentious, involved polished, worldly, astute, diplomatic
Self-assured: unworried, complacent, secure, Apprehensive: self-doubting, worried,
free of guilt, confident, self-satisfied guilt-prone, insecure, worrying, self-
blaming
Traditional: attached to familiar, conservative, Open to change: experimental, liberal,
respecting traditional ideas analytical, critical, freethinking
Group-oriented: affiliative, a joiner and Self-reliant: solitary, resourceful,
follower dependent individualistic, self-sufficient
Flexible: unexacting, flexible, undisciplined, Perfectionistic: organized, compulsive,
lax, self-conflict, impulsive, careless of social self-disciplined, socially precise, exacting
rules, uncontrolled will power, control, self-sentimental
Relaxed: placid, tranquil, torpid, patient, Tense: high-energy, impatient, driven,
composed low drive frustrated, over-wrought, time-driven
Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Model (Conn & Rieke, 1994)

78
Personality Traits 54. Personable
55. Pessimistic
1. Adventurous 56. Philosophical
2. Ambitious 57. Playful
3. Approachable 58. Polite
4. Assertive 59. Practical
5. Bold 60. Pragmatic
6. Captivating 61. Principled
7. Careful 62. Prudent
8. Caring 63. Realistic
9. Charismatic 64. Reasonable
10. Charming 65. Receptive
11. Clever 66. Refined
12. Commanding 67. Reliable
13. Compassionate 68. Respectful
14. Considerate 69. Self-confident
15. Creative 70. Witty
16. Critical 71. Serious
17. Curious 72. Stubborn
18. Daring 73. Sympathetic
19. Determined 74. Tidy
20. Diligent 75. Trusting
21. Disinterested 76. Trustworthy
22. Dutiful 77. Unassuming
23. Eager 78. Venturesome
24. Elegant
25. Energetic
26. Enthusiastic Topics of Conversation
27. Ethical
28. Fair You can bring these topics of conversation up
29. Faithful about yourself or the NPC, or the NPC could
30. Fearless bring these topics up about themselves or
31. Friendly you. So, when I say ‘they’ I mean your choice
32. Fun of you the player or them the NPC, or really
33. Generous anyone. Talking about other people not
34. Gracious present is common after all.
35. Hard-working Current Situation – Could ask them about
36. Honest something currently happening, for example,
37. Honorable how they like barn dances, they are
38. Hopeful attending, how long they’ve been waiting, how
39. Humble hungry or full they are.
40. Humorous 1. Food they like.
41. Idealistic 2. Food they don’t like.
42. Imaginative 3. Enjoy or don’t enjoy cooking.
43. Industrious 4. Places they like to eat.
44. Intelligent 5. Odd foods of other places
45. Kind 6. New food trends
46. Likeable 7. What’s the best thing about their job?
47. Logical 8. What’s the worst thing about their job?
48. Modest 9. The clothes they are wearing.
49. Optimistic 10. The clothes you are wearing.
50. Original 11. What they wish they were wearing
51. Passionate 12. Strange or beautiful styles from other
52. Peaceful places
53. Persistent 13. Strange styles from the past or present

79
14. Current news about rulers and leaders Theirs
15. News about something salacious that Neighbors or friends
happened. Relatives
16. Concerns about the economy or Communities
excitement about the economy 46. Pets
17. Having trouble getting hard cheese, I hear Dog
that they’ve got a vampire in the lowlands Cat
whose been draining the cows. Or, King Bird
decided to shrink the coins and print Ferret (most popular pet for a while in the
more of them with the gold he had, so medieval)
now, no one trusts the coins and I can’t Goat
import enough rye for my distillery. Chicken
18. Some interesting bit of local news. Cow
A sport you and or they like. Other
19. Trouble with their neighbors 47. Something happening now that annoys
20. Trouble with a family member them.
21. Famous battles, or lesser-known ones 48. Something they find silly happening now.
that are locally important. 49. Philosophy
22. Famous heroes and adventurers 50. Religion
23. Corruption in the local government 51. Metaphysics
24. Corruption at work 52. The nature of magic
25. The Thief’s Guild 53. The nature of the fairies
26. Crime in general 54. The nature of the divine
27. A specific crime that happened.
28. Bread and its importance 55. The nature of fiends
29. National Corruption 56. The nature of angles
30. Foreign Corruption 57. How these things tie into philosophy
31. Where they live 58. Something that happened when they were
32. What are you doing this feast day, younger.
weekend, etc. 59. Did they have an education?
33. Something that’s supposed to happen 60. What was it like?
soon. 61. How common is that experience.
34. Hobbies that they or you have. 62. Games they play.
35. Music that they like. 63. Letter they received from distant family
36. How music has changed in such a short 64. From distant friend
time. 65. Where did they grow up?
37. Work – What do you do? 66. Things you liked to do as a child.
38. Do you like your job? 67. Holiday they are looking forward to
39. Who do you work with? Do you like them? 68. Going to the market faires
40. Strange music they’ve heard. 69. Things they’ve bought at a good price
41. Plays they’ve seen. 70. Times they’ve been ripped off.
42. Celebrities they’ve actually met or seen 71. Bad habits of theirs that they want to
from a distance. - This could include break
magical creatures, i.e. I saw the fairies or 72. Bad habits they wish another would
a dragon or a giant… break.
43. Books 73. Friends they have
44. Places they’ve traveled to. 74. Siblings
Market towns 75. Cousins or other family members.
Trade deals 76. Parents
Pilgrimages 77. Volunteering and or charity they are
Fought in a war or acted as a camp. involved in.
follower 78. Things that make them happy
Place needed more workers of their type. 79. Tattoos
Vacation 80. Local Tattoos
45. Children 81. Foreign Tattoos

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82. Problems with other countries which Even a monster might worry about the crops,
might lead to war. after all, they do keep eating them.
83. Weather 108. How do you deal with stress?
84. Season they like or don’t like. 109. Something they are obsessed with.
85. Their horse 110. Yesterday was.
86. Their wagon 111. How today is going?
87. What is going to happen in the distant 112. News from a warfront
future (25 or a hundred years) 113. News from an adventurer
88. Are things getting better or worse? 114. The ugliest thing they’ve seen.
89. Health concerns (theirs) 115. The most annoying habit someone has
90. Health concerns (family member or friend) 116. Beautiful place they’ve been.
91. Stress they are under 117. Beautiful thing they’ve seen.
92. Times when they are especially happy. 118. A smell they hate.
93. Someone who recently got lucky. 119. Someone who’s really funny.
94. How they got lucky 120. Someone really cute
95. A time they were unlucky. 121. A secret crush they have
96. Someone who had a bout of bad luck. 122. Grooming habits
97. Trouble sleeping 123. Bathing habits
98. Interesting dream 124. An important day in their life (wedding
99. Something they wish they were better at day, birth of child, birth day)
100. Singing, dancing 125. A sad day in their life
101. Something they wish they could do 126. Something they are afraid of
more of 127. Something silly they are afraid of
102. Political Jokes About local leader 128. Something they want to accomplish.
103. Political Jokes National leader 129. Favorite season
104. Political Jokes About a noble person 130. Guilty pleasure they have
105. Political Jokes About a leader from 131. Time someone saved their life.
another land 132. Time someone saved someone else’s
106. How the crops are doing life.
107. How the livestock is doing 133. First love
Farming was once a more common topic of 134. What would you do with magic?
conversation, even among those who didn’t 135. How they met someone they love
farm. Most of the festivals are associated with 136. A smell they like and why they like it
the harvest or animals after all.

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Name_________________________________ Serendipity__________________

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Friend _______________________________________________ Location______________________________________________

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Notes on a Folktale ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Riddle Answers 14-Candles tears fall when it is lit. Blow it out
and follow the direction the smoke blows.
1-Shoes. Walk the direction they are pointed
and keep going straight. 15- A quill. Drop it and walk the direction it
points.
2-Go to the closest outhouse, from which you
will see another and another. Follow these and 16-Wind. Go the direction it does.
continue on until you reach what you seek.
17-Mountain peak.
3-Break the teeth off a comb and drop them,
then walk towards the direction they point. 18-Heart is on the left.

4-Spin an empty wine bottle then walk in the 19-Dice has 21 eyes. When a 2 is rolled that is
direction it points. the direction you should go.

5-The north face of trees is more likely to be 20-Geese grow down when they grow up.
attacked by bugs because it remains in the
shadows longer. 21-Follow the river to a cave at its source.

6-Lake 22-Follow the clouds to a dry river and follow

the way it would have run.
7-3:00 is the witching hour and the time
when people take tea. It’s to the right. 23-Follow a deer path (male dear are called
harts) until you come to a fallen tree, then
8-The moon leads to the west where it sets. follow the direction that is pointing.

9-Pepper. Grows in the east. 24-Follow a bee.

10-Constilations rise in the east. 25-Flip a coin.

11-Birds are the two-legged birds and they 26-The peak of a mountain.
grow in the south when the earth is covered by
a blanket of snow. 27-The wind can put out candles or fan
flames.
12-The little blades are on a compass which
points north. 28-Fleas feast on those who catch them. Catch
one and release it and it will hop in the
13-The clock is a running face that stays in direction you must go.
place. It goes right.
29-Mirror.

30- Smoke

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