Player Character Races: Root Elf

Root Elf

Faerie type: Plant spirit
size: 1 and half foot tall

Root Elves are spirits that inhabit root-based plant-life such as root vegetables, magic root herbs and other similar plants that grow wholly or partly below ground. They are neither good nor evil spirits but are capable of being both kind and cruel depending on how others treat them. They spend much of their time below ground and are very knowledgeable about the magical properties of herbs and plants.

Physical description:
 
Their appearance varies depending on what kind of root plant their spirit has inhabited – these can be things such as potatoes, onions, carrots, radishes or turnips. They sometimes have animal features such as long furry or hairy ears and can also have the characteristics of earth dwelling animals such as mole-like whiskers or claws that they use for burrowing. They also tend not to be as physically attractive as Flower Elves and can look quite misshapen or even ugly. They are often covered in dirt or mud but this doesn’t bother them and they would be very offended if anyone told them to have a wash.

Core abilities and skills:

• Control root-based plant life (e.g. to entangle and restrain enemies)

• Speak with plants and animals that live underground (e.g. moles, worms etc.)

• Mole-like claws that they can use for burrowing underground and also as weapons against enemies

• Herblore (the ability to make magic potions and ointments)

• Hide from enemies by disguising itself as a vegetable or plant

• Exceptional night vision 
• Start with one magic spell and weapon skill

Dark Elf Counterpart: Dark Root Elf/Moss Creature  

If a Root Elf becomes an evil Dark Elf, then it will transform into a Dark Root Elf or ‘Moss Creature’. These loathsome Faerie Folk lose all of their magic and become slaves to an unquenchable hunger that compels them to kill and eat other Faerie Folk, animals and in some cases even humans. It is thought that they need to feed in this way to regenerate them selves, as they are terribly diseased and in a continual state of decomposition, like rotting vegetables. However, they are extremely strong and retain a humanoid Elf form and appearance but are extremely ugly. 

They usually live in a woodland cave, in a disused barn or a place used for compost heaps. Sometimes they take pleasure in spreading disease in a farmer’s field or vegetable garden, destroying crops or causing livestock to become sick. Sometimes a number of Moss Creatures will join together and form one larger humanoid creature that resembles a man covered in rotting filth. Some humans refer to them as ‘Ghouls’ as they are usually seen in graveyards or other places associated with the dead.

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Faerie Fact 03: Many faeries are not friendly or kind

In the Faerie Wood game there are many evil as well as good Faeries and those of a good nature are referred to as ‘Light Elves’, evil Faeries are known as ‘Dark Elves’ and those that are neither altogether good nor evil are known as ‘Dusky Elves’. The terms ‘light’ and ‘dark’ do not necessarily mean the Faeries are light skinned or dark skinned, but in some cases this is true. These terms refer mainly to their nature and not their appearance, but sometimes it also indicates when they are most likely to be seen: Dark Elves are mostly active at night (such as Dwarves), where as Light Elves are more active during the daytime or associated with the light. 

Dark Tree Elf

The Faerie Sparkle: 
All Faerie player characters have something called a 'Faerie Sparkle'. This is a bit like a faerie’s soul and during the game it can become lighter or darker depending how mischievous they are. If a Faerie’s ‘sparkle’ becomes too dark they may start to change into a Dusky or Dark Elf, and if they are really mischievous they will physically change into their ‘Evil Counterpart’. However, if an Elf becomes more light, they may gain more magic. 

Here is a list of the core 10 Faerie Wood player character races with their corresponding ‘Evil Counterpart’: 

Faerie Race:      Evil Counterpart:

Kobold...............Changeling

Root Elf.............Moss Creature

Sprite................Will ‘o’ Wisp

Grasshopper.......Spyder

Tree Elf..............Dark Tree Elf

Nymph...............Hag/Witch

Deerfolk.............Stag/Doevin

Faun..................Korred

Flower Elf...........Dark Flower Elf

Gnome...............Dwarf

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Player Character races: Kobold

There are 10 core player character races available in the second edition of the Faerie Wood role-playing game. Faerie races are spirits that inhabit the natural world and fall into one of three categories: Plant spirit, Creature spirit and Elemental Spirit. Each faerie race takes on physical and magical attributes related to the form its spirit inhabits. So, for example, plant faerie spirits might resemble trees, flowers or root vegetables; creature faerie spirits will have animal-like phyisical characteristics such as hooves, horns or fur and elemental faerie spirits would be associated with the earth, fire, air or water. Listed below are the 10 core Faerie Wood player character races:

• Kobold (creature spirit)
• Root Elf (plant spirit)
• Sprite (fire spirit)
• Grasshopper (creature spirit)
• Tree Elf (plant spirit)
• Nymph (earth/water/air/fire spirits)
• Deerfolk (creature spirit)
• Faun (creature spirit)
• Flower Elf (plant spirit)
• Gnome (earth spirit)

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Kobold

Faerie type: creature spirit
size: 1 and half foot tall

Kobold's are very mischievous faeries and can transform into different types of animals. They do this to trick people, find out secrets and cause mischief. They often live in caves or other dark places but sometimes they live in human dwellings where they cause havoc. In very ancient times Kobolds were spirits trapped inside figurines carved from wood or roots and were made to do chores for humans and Witches. However, these days Kobolds are no longer trapped in this way and are free to take their own form or assume the form of others.

Physical description:
 
Kobolds are about 1 foot tall and covered in thick bristly hair, except for their face, which is similar to a Gnome. They have big hairy pointed ears and sometimes have beards. Female Kobolds do not have beards but they too are covered in bristly hairs. They tend to go barefoot and usually only wear clothes when it’s very cold. They are also much stronger than their small size would have you believe and are generally quite tough creatures.

Core abilities and skills:

• Transform into one or more animal forms such as a rat, small fox, rabbit, cat, bird, fish or a human baby.

• Transform into the resemblance of another faerie character to fool their companions or friends
• Hide in shadows below or above ground and seem almost invisible 
• Speak with animals of the same type the Kobold is able to change into (e.g. rodents, foxes and other canines etc.) as well as subterranean animals such moles and worms etc.
  

• Exceptional night vision
• Start with one magic spell and weapon skill

Kobold Dark Elf Counterpart: Changeling

If a Kobold becomes an evil Dark Elf, then it will physically transform into a Changeling. All its bristles will fall out and it will go bald and wrinkly, appearing quite ugly and mean. Changelings are cruel faerie folk who can change their appearance to resemble others, even humans. Some people have been convinced that their child, wife or husband has been replaced by a Changeling and have called on a Priest or Witch to cast them out. Changelings are sneaky and cruel creatures and use their magic to cause others harm and misfortune.

Learn more about Faerie Wood Game player character races here

Faerie Sources: Troll: Fantasy horror movie from 1986

I loved this movie growing up and it’s still fun to watch now. If you are playing a Faerie Wood game set in modern times involving humans, then the movie Troll is a good place to look for some inspiration. It’s got everything you need, Trolls, Elves, Witches, Changelings and clueless humans who don’t stand a chance against the mischievous faerie folk. 

 See more Faerie Wood Sources here

Faerie Fact 02: Faeries are spirits that inhabit animal, plant and elemental forms

The majority of Faeries, including all player character races in Faerie Wood fall into one of three types: Elemental, Plant and Creature. The Faeries are spirits of nature, like a kind of psychic fauna, and they inhabit forms that are relevant to their type and this gives them their unique appearance as well as their magic abilities.

Element-based Elves are split into four kinds (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) and usually dwell in places where their element is in abundance (e.g. Water Nymphs live in streams and rivers). The appearance of these Elves sometimes takes on aspects of their element, for example: Gnomes are Earth spirits and their skin colour and texture varies depending on where they come from. Gnomes from clay areas will have dark reddish or brown skin, while others may have pinkish, grey or even very pale skin in places where there is a lot of chalk or limestone. 

Apple Tree Elf

Plant-based Elves are grouped into three broad types: Tree Elves, Flower Elves and Root Elves, however there are other variations such as those that come from fruit, berries or fungi. These vary in appearance according to what type of tree, flower or root their spirit has inhabited. For example, a Tree Elf that comes from an Oak tree will be strong and will look like it is carved from wood and part of its head or face may resemble an acorn. It may also have small oak leaves for hair or there may be leaves growing from its arms or legs 

A male Deerfolk (Buck)

Creature-based Elves fall broadly into three groups: animal, insect/invertebrate and amphibians. These have physical characteristics that resemble creatures and their abilities are also related to these types. For example: The Deerfolk are miniature sized deer, about two feet tall but have a torso, arms and head of an Elf with deer-like features. Grasshoppers, as their name suggests, have the hind legs of a grasshopper but the body, arms and head of an Elf.

See more Faerie Wood Facts here

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Faerie Fact 01: Faerie Folk come in all shapes and sizes

All faeries are magical in one-way or another and have special powers. The term ‘faerie’ or ‘faerie folk’ is used to refer to all intelligent enchanted creatures including giant trolls and ogres as well as the small player character races such as Tree Elves, Sprites, Nymphs, Kobolds and Gnomes. Many other names are often used by humans to describe them including ‘little people’, ‘little blessings’, Sidhe (Irish Faeries), ‘fair folk’ or even ‘little devils'. All Faeries are essentially ‘Elves’ and ‘Elf’ is a generic term for all races, however, some races include the word ‘Elf’ in their title or descriptions while others do not. Some Elves can also transform them selves into a much larger form, such as a Leshy (or Leshiye) that can grow bigger than a house.

See more Faerie Wood facts here

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New player character races for second edition

Concept illustration for a male Deerfolk

 
The new edition of Faerie Wood has a revised set of 10 core player character races including a new race called the Deerfolk (concept illustration pictured above). Deerfolk are one of a number of faerie animal spirits and can be either male or female (males are called ‘Bucks’ and females are called ‘Doe’). They are about two feet tall and resemble centaurs but have the body, legs and tail of a woodland deer. The males also have antlers. They are proud protectors of woodland animals and formidable warriors.

I’ve been working on new concept illustrations for other player character races including a range of Plant Elves that are based on flowers, roots and trees. But more on those later…

 Colour concept illustration of a male Deerfolk looking a little more animal-like

See more about Faerie Wood player character races here