Fairies and magical creatures have long captivated the imaginations and beliefs of people from various cultures and civilizations. These enchanting beings are often depicted as small, delicate, and ethereal creatures with wings and supernatural abilities. They are widely believed to inhabit mystical realms, forests, gardens, and other natural environments. In folklore and mythology, fairies are associated with both benevolent and mischievous qualities. On one hand, they are believed to possess incredible beauty, immortality, and the ability to bring good fortune. They are often described as kind and gentle beings who protect nature and assist humans in times of need.
They are often described as kind and gentle beings who protect nature and assist humans in times of need. Many tales depict fairies as granting wishes, bestowing blessings, and providing guidance to those who cross their paths. On the other hand, fairies have a mischievous side, sometimes causing pranks and tricks on unsuspecting humans.
Creature types in Magic - Faerie lore
Faeries are present in several tales, and are also part of the folklore and mythology of some countries.
This is Ari and today I will continue this series about creature types featured in Magic. Today I will talk about faeries.
Fairies are present in several tales we know, and also present in the folklore and mythology of some countries. The word fairy originated from the Latin word "fatum", which means destiny. This is due to the stories and popular tales where the fairies rule the destiny of men with their magic wands.
In Magic, we use the archaic spelling, faerie. These creatures are usually represented with a light and small appearance, on top of having wings. They are only a foot tall (sometimes, even smaller) and are known to have a taste for mischief.
Although they generally use their small forms and illusion spells to get rid of their enemies, they can still fight extraordinarily well when needed.
The first faeries that appeared in Magic were associated with the green color and varied in appearance. Scryb Sprites was the first card to bear this type and was introduced in the Alpha edition.
Still representing the green color, Faerie Noble was the first lord of the faeries, launched in 1995 in the Homelands expansion.
Eventually, Noble and Pixie-Queen subtypes were incorporated into the Faerie type (although this is no longer true for Noble). The Ouphe subtype is used instead when we're talking about creatures that aren't small and do not have wings. For instance, Shelkin Brownie used to be a Faerie, while Fyndhorn Brownie used to be Brownie, and now both are considered Ouphes.
Nowadays, faeries are represented mainly by the blue and black colors. More recently, though, Throne of Eldraine introduced us to white faeries. But before we talk about that, let's get to know a little more about faeries in the other planes of the Multiverse.
In Dominaria we have Fire Sprites, who are faeries that are able to cast fire spells, as well as being enveloped in a fire aura.
It is unknown from which plane came the legendary faerie Rubinia Soulsinger, but her great ability to influence others to join her cause needs no introduction, as even the most powerful warrior readily surrenders to her.
Faeries from the plane of Ravnica are known for their malicious pranks and the inhabitants of the plane have become accustomed to their antics. There, they are also famous for hunting trolls.
In Alara, faeries were found most often in the Esper shard. These faeries had metallic wings and feet similar to their hands, which make them excellent mechanists.
So far, the most relevant plane for this type had been Lorwyn, which was introduced to us way back in 2007.
Faeries are everywhere in Lorwyn. Like bees collecting pollen, they are capricious, malicious, and often seen as a nuisance for most of the races in this plane. Their antics are generally harmless, but always irritating and embarrassing. Their lives are extremely short, but they live them to the fullest, constantly looking for new tricks to alleviate their boredom.
The faeries of this plane live in small groups called cliques. The notorious Vendilion Clique is formed by siblings Veesa, Endry and Iliona. Iliona is slightly older, and also their leader.
Although these little creatures seem to be unpredictable, they obey their queen's wishes. They are instructed to invade and steal dreams for the benefit of Oona, Queen of the Fae.
It is said that Oona's magic is responsible for keeping Lorwyn in eternal midsummer. All the faeries on the plane originated from her. The queen and mother of the fae lives in isolation and sees the world through the dreams that her faeries bring her. Oona was one of the few creatures capable of maintaining her memories even after the Great Aurora.
The Great Aurora was an event that transformed Lorwyn's plan into Shadowmoor, a dark and distorted version of the old plane.
In Shadowmoor, faeries were the only race that did not undergo changes in their characteristics. By keeping her memory, Oona became even more powerful.
As an honorable mention (still in the plane of Lorwyn), there is a legendary faerie called Wydwen the Biting Gale. Wydwen is mysterious, comes and goes as she wishes and does not live in cliques like other faeries. Much about her is still unknown, as she is not mentioned in any Lorwyn book.
We just lived an adventure in Eldraine, a historic land of castles and magic, filled with treacherous faeries. But, just like the dishonest creatures and attractive spells that hide in the shadows, this world is not all that it seems. Most of Eldraine's faeries are opposed to the five courts, but there are beneficial faeries on that plane (a rare sight, huh?).
Mark Rosewater (head designer for MtG) believes Eldraine has the first beneficial Faeries of Magic.
Throne of Eldraine also introduced decks designed for the Brawl format. There are 4 decks, and lovers of the faerie type can pick the Faerie Schemes deck, led by Alela, Artful Provocateur.
Eldraine also introduces us to Oko, a shapeshifter Planeswalker who appears to be both charismatic and presumptuous, a mysterious, intelligent and conceited figure.
According to Nic Kelman, who is one of the writers responsible for bringing these characters to life, Oko came from a plane ruled by faeries who believed in a unified society. This ruling class of faeries decided that, for the greater good, their beloved pranks should be suppressed in order to create a perfect society - but for Oko, who was born with incredible shapeshifting skills, this new culture was against everything he believed in, and calling himself a speaker of truth, Oko opposed all this hypocrisy.
However, he ended up being subjected to magical procedures to suppress his powers, but these procedures only succeeded in igniting his spark. We can imagine that it was a terrible experience for him and that it would make it almost impossible for him to trust someone again - especially those in positions of authority.
And so, speaking of positions of authority, we can already imagine that Oko would not be at ease in Eldraine, and to disrupt the peace of the courts, Oko planned to eliminate the High King himself.
That's all for today, and if you want to know more about the history of Eldraine, consider buying the official e-book: Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest.
I hope you enjoyed this article!! Let's talk more about faeries in the comments?
You can also leave your suggestions for which type I should cover next!
Thank you very much for reading and until the next time!
“The High Fae are capable of magics that would make even the great Gadwick himself seem little more than a clumsy apprentice.”
—Chulane, Teller of Tales
They are known to be easily offended, particularly if their natural environments are disturbed or harmed. Fairies are said to possess remarkable powers of invisibility, shape-shifting, and spell-casting, adding to the air of mystery and awe surrounding these magical creatures. Fairies have a rich history and appear in various mythologies and folklore around the world. In Celtic folklore, fairies are often associated with the sidhe, a supernatural race that inhabits their own realm adjacent to the mortal world. In European folklore, fairies are believed to live in enchanted forests or secluded meadows. In Japan, there are legends of the kitsune, fox-like creatures capable of shape-shifting into human form. These magical creatures continue to captivate the modern imagination through literature, art, and popular culture. They are often portrayed as beautiful and whimsical beings in books, movies, and artwork, appealing to our longing for a world of enchantment. Additionally, fairies have become synonymous with childhood and innocence, making them beloved characters in children's stories and fairy tales. In conclusion, fairies and magical creatures have a long-standing place in human culture, captivating our imaginations and inspiring wonder. Whether they are seen as benevolent protectors of nature or mischievous tricksters, fairies continue to fascinate and intrigue us with their supernatural abilities and ethereal charm..
Reviews for "The Role of Faeires in Healing and Herbalism: Ancient Wisdom in Modern Medicine"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - Despite the promising title, "Faeries and Magical Creatures" was a disappointment. The stories lacked originality and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The writing style was also lackluster, making it difficult to engage with the stories. Overall, I found this collection of tales to be uninspiring and forgettable.
2. James - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading "Faeries and Magical Creatures". The stories were poorly written and the plotlines were predictable and cliché. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, and the descriptions failed to bring the magical creatures to life. I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and imaginative read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Faeries and Magical Creatures" didn't live up to my expectations. The stories felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth and complexity. The world-building was weak, and I had trouble connecting with the fantastical elements presented. While I appreciate the effort to create a collection around this theme, I felt that the execution fell short.
4. Mark - 1 star - I regret picking up "Faeries and Magical Creatures". The stories were poorly edited, with numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout. It's clear that not much effort was put into the proofreading process. Moreover, the stories lacked originality, recycling tired and overused plotlines. I would advise others to stay away from this disappointing collection.