I wanted to come on here to talk a little about the Fair Folk! So I believe in the Fair Folk, but the creatures I believe in come across all kinds of European mythologies, and are mostly based on personal experience. First, we’re going to talk about the negative and ‘devilish’ Fair Folk. Firstly, we have te Sluag, (Scottish/Irish). They are the Unseelie host, and are often supposedly the literal unforgiven dead or fallen angels. (I believe fallen angels, as I don’t believe in ghosts, but.) They fly through the sky in big flocks and hunt for dying souls to snatch away, and are obviously pretty darn negative. Redcaps (Angelo-Scottish). These are murderous goblin-like creatures that inhabit ruined castles and they are very malevolent and have to soak their caps in human blood to survive, they are severely dangerous and violent. The Nuckelavee (Orcadian) My literal worst nightmare. It is a terrifying skinless sea-fae resembling a horse and rider fused together, and it brings plague, drought, and blight to crops and livestock and people, and is purely destructive. Nixes/Wasserfrauen (Germanic). Shapeshifting water spirits that lure humans, especially children or handsome young men, into deep water to drown them. Unlike neutral water spirits, their intent is almost always malicious, and fatal. (Fun fact: there are also Wassermen, and I saw one when visiting the Spree river. I think it was the Spree I don’t really remember.) So those are a few scary, malevolent Fair Folk. You never want to encounter those guys. Here are the neutral guys. The Gentry/ Daoine Maithe (Irish). They are the high aristocracy of the Fae. They can be really generous and well respected, if you do things like leave milk out and avoid their paths, but they can also make people ill or cause madness if their forts or thorn trees are disturbed. So. Puca/Pooka (Celtic) a personal favorite of mine, I haven’t encountered one I just like the tales. A shapeshifting creature, most commonly a black horse, goat or rabbit. It really likes chaos, like taking people on wild night rides, and it's usually terrifying. However, they rarely cause permanent harm if they aren’t provoked. They do demand a share of the harvest though. Pixies (Cornish/Devon). They are famous for ‘pixie-leading’ travelers, causing them to become really lost in familiar places. They are super mischievous and love pranks, but can be appeased and driven off by turning your coat inside out or using iron (I always wear an iron key on me just in case). The Leshy (Slavic). A powerful forest spirit that protects the woods and wildlife, and if a traveler respects the forest, the Leshy might guide them; if they disrespect it, he will lead them to get lost forever. (One of my favorites too). So those are neutral Fair Folk. While these Fair Folk aren’t inherently malevolent, you should avoid interactions at all costs. If you do interact, be respectful, do not disrespect them, but do not make a deal with them, give them your real name, or anything like that. Now we’re going to positive Fair Folk, who can still get mad but are typically helpful/peaceful. Brownies (Scottish/Welsh). Household spirits that attach to a family. They perform domestic chores overnight, and do so in exchange for offerings like a bowl of cream or honeyed bread. (Be warned, you shouldn’t give them clothes, along with a lot of other household spirits such as Hobs. Brownies will be offended, and leave forever). The Brown Man of the Muirs (Scottish). A benevolent protector of wild animals, especially red deer. He is fierce to hunters who kill for sport, but kind to those who get lost or treat nature with reverence. The Heinzelmannchen (German). They are tiny house gnomes from Cologne folklore, who secretly did work of craftsmen while they slept. The Tylwyth Teg (Welsh). They are very dangerous and similar to the Gentry, however certain groups reward kind hearted humans with silver coins, curing livestock diseases, and giving the gift of musical talent to people or healing insight to midwives. I will also add the unicorn here, they are chill. The Fair Folk are called as such, also the Good Neighbors, out of respect for them, as protection. Talking ill of them can be dangerous; be warned. Also, they never do tasks for free. Household spirits don’t just work if they get nothing in return.
