Pixies

Piskies

A race of beings who inhabit the far western counties of England, especially Cornwall. Their origin is unknown. Some theorists belive they came to Cornwall with the Phoenicians, and spread as far east as Devon and Somerset. Others claim that the pixies were the earliest inhabitants of England. When the fairies arrived in England, at the time of the Roman conquest, the pixies at first welcomed them but then, fearing a takeover, waged war against them until the fairies retreated out of the three counties.

Pixies are usually no larger than a human hand but they can increase or decrease their stature at will. They have red hair, turned-up noses, malicious smiles, and squinting green eyes. Some say they have a large head, pointy ears, nose and eyebrows. (Note that a full-grown redheaded male with squinting green eyes, who passes himself of as a human, is indubitabley a pixie.) They babble with a high-pitched, bell-like voices. Their costume, for both males and females, is a closefitting suit of bright green which acts as camoflauge in the lush pastures of the west of England. They love fancy clothing made to resemble their favourite flowers though. They love dancing, singing and merry making.

Pixies are normally good-aligned, but they have a chaotic nature which causes them to play practical tricks on humans. Their favourite trick is to lead mortals astray, but a traveller through pixie country may easily foil them by wearing his coat inside-out. In some cases the pixies may confuse a mortal so thoroghly that he or she never recovers, and wanders aimlessly over the countryside singing or talking in mysterious languages. This condition is known as 'pixie led'.

Farmers usually keep on good terms with pixies in their district by leaving buckets of water outside at night, for pixie mothers to wash their babies in: leaving milk on the kitchen table for them to drink: and keeping the hearth swept clean for pixies to dance on a midnight. Pixies are exceptionally gifted magic-users, but because of their frailness and size disadvantage are advised against a career involving physical combat.