Folklore


	Folklore of the "Little People" Between The Gods , Heroes, and mere mortals, there is another group of beings that holds a very special place in the cultural development and expression of human society. These are the "Little People." This group of supernatural beings and individual spirits is an important part of the religions, cultures, and folk beliefs of human societies throughout the world. Some of these spirits, such as Fairies and Angels are referred to frequently; but there are hundreds of other fascinating groups of supernatural beings throughout the world that are not well known except to the social group that reveres them and the specialists who have recorded their legends. They are "various races of beings, not human and yet not divine, who are supposed to share this lower earth, more or less invisibly with mankind." These beings may have an association with a " supreme" power, such as that of messenger, or they may be quite independent of any superior influence. These spirits may be either entirely good or entirely evil or both good and evil at different times. Although possessing some supernatural powers, they are mostly restricted to their own sphere of operation and their powers are quite limited and subordinate. In fact, that is why they are called "Little People"----they are "little" in the sense of limitation rather than size. These spirits come from a range of origins. In general these spirits tend to interfere with the lives of humans, sometimes promoting the person's interests as a familiar or Guardian Angel, sometimes being mischievous, and at other times being entirely malevolent. There are some who do not fit into any category because their activities are diverse and ambivalent towards both the deities and humans. These include the fairies, tricksters, and trolls who may work good deeds, feed the poor, spin thread, steal human babies, blight crops, or bring disasters, all for the same human group. Fairy~ A small, humanoid, magical being. Usually a small creature in human-like form, similar to elves, sometimes having wings, and always possessing supernatural power. They are generally beneficent, but mischievous, and can be cruel if not treated respectfully. Fairies, unlike many other fantasy creatures, are universally believed-in by folk culture. ~Sylph Fairy~ Sylphs are members of the family of Fae. They are an air elemental, nature spirit usually from the dark world commonly known as the “Dark Side”. They dwell in such habitats such as humid rain forest, uninhabited rocky islands, or mountainous areas covered with vegetation. In practical terms the Sylph fairy adapts itself to prevailing conditions in the area. These fairies are one of the most evolved of the fae, having incorporated all aspects of the four elements. Wings are symbolic of air, legs of earth, their shimmering qualities of fire, and a shape shifting aspect represents water's fluidity. These fairies live for hundreds of years, yet never appear to age, and can take on human form for a time, if it wishes. The Sylph fairy can move very quickly, within the air. You may notice a movement just out of the corner of your eye, then just as fast they are gone! ~Brownie~ A small sprite which does helpful work at night. The Brownie is from the popular folklore of Scotland. It is thought to be a good-natured, invisible sprite thought to do helpful work while the household is asleep. If you attempt to repay the brownie, he will not return. ~Dryad~ Dryads, also referred to as tree spirits. There are two types of Dryads. Hamadryads are tree nymphs, embodied by the tree that houses them. Hamadryads are born bonded to a specific tree. If their tree died, the hamadryad associated with it died as well. Dryads are tree dwellers, but may leave their host tree and roam about the forest freely, but they cannot be parted for too long from their tree or they wither away. If the tree dies, so does the Dryad and vice versa. ~Little People~ This is a collective name for the brethren of Halflings such as brownies, leprechauns, and pixies. For ages, people in Muchislie lived in a symbiotic relationship with these little people, giving them food and clothing in exchange for small (sometimes magical) favors. However, in the prelude of the Great Battle, fear drove the little people and their families into hiding. ~Nymph~ Nymph's are well known for their unearthly beauty that attracts love stricken males to follow them around. Nymphs have blue skin, and light blue hair. ~Satyr~ The upper portion of a Satyr's body is that of a man, the lower half is that a goat. Most satyrs are male. "Except in my fantasy world there will be an occasional female". They have goat horns and hooves. ~Trolls~ Trolls have a broad nose and pointed ears. They can be turned to stone by sunlight. ~Harpies~ The upper portion of a Harpies body is that of a women ,the lower half is bird of prey. They have a beautiful song, and can easily lure unsuspecting males to their hunting grounds. ~HobGoblins~ HobGoblins are good-natured, mischievous sprites, who takes great delight in playing pranks and practical jokes on unsuspecting mortals. Hobs have excellent shapeshifting abilities, which make it very easy for them to lead their hapless victims astray. "Let me play you as the fool, with mirth and laughter and let old wrinkles come". ~Centaur~ The upper half of a Centaur is human, and the lower half is that of a horse ~Elf, Wood~ A Wood Elf has dark almond shaped eyes, dark hair, and pointy ears. Wood elves have keen hearing and sight. They can live up to 300 years. ~Elf, Aquatic~ They have slightly bluish skin, and webbing between their fingers and toes. The common belief is that they live in the Deep Ocean. ~Elf, Grey~ According to legend, they have long silvery hair, violet eyes, gray skin, and live up to 500 years. ~Gnome~ A dwarf-like creature who lives underground. Gnomes are fabled creatures who are thought to live underground and guard hordes of treasures. Not used too much in modern fantasy literature. ~Mermaid~ A sea creature with head and trunk of a woman, and the tail of a fish for a lower body. Although traditionally women, merfolk also include men (known as mermen). They are of varying temperament. ~Pixie~ A fairy-like creature. They vary in size, but are thought to be smaller then a fairy. Pixies are some of the finest mischief-makers in the fairy realm. One particular brand of mischief is a condition that is referred to as "pixie-led" when they lead travellers astray. This spell can be undone by wearing an article of clothing inside out. ~Gargoyle~ Historically, gargoyles and grotesques were often placed upon a church or cathedral, so as to remind humanity of the other world that lurks beneath everyday reality, a nightmarish world peopled by monsters of all forms. They were also intended to frighten off evil spirits, devils and demons, thus protecting the sanctity of the building. ~Ogres~ These towering behemoths are not normally associated with humans, as ogres tend to enjoy feasting on human flesh. They are, however, intelligent beings and have been known, on occasion, to help out groups of humans and other races. Their wondrous strength makes them welcome in adventuring bands. * * * * * *