ELVESFaeries
Mortal creatures that are exceptionally long lived, Faeries tend to be passive in nature. While some groups do play host to hunters and gatherers in their wilder perspectives, Faeries are most often born with no true aggression aside from that which allows them to survive. Violence is often unheard of within their groups, and their powers are only ever used for the such in a last measure of self-defense should they need it. Instead, they focus upon husbandry of the areas in which they settle. They are caretakers with gentle hearts, often times being seen to others as 'easy pickings'.Due to this factor, many Faerie groups have aligned with more aggressive benefactors whom they've formed symbiotic relationships with. Most often, this unity is made with the Elves. While the Faeries beautify and give up-keep to the Elven lands, they are in return protected from those who would take advantage of their gentle natures. Over the years, many communities of Faeries have grown to see themselves as being direct 'cousins' of the Elves, and do not understand why any other groups would wish to shelter with any other type of species. Of course, other connections have been made outside of this; human groups being sometimes cited as benefactors. It is rare for Faeries to shelter with the Dwarves, but it has happened with some communities.
Faerie society is rather simplistic. There are group opinion votes taken and tallied when decisions must be made, with the majority winning such matters. Care is given to minority opinion, of course. Outside of this, members of Faerie communities tend to be close-knit to one another; giving the entire group a rather familial feel to it for the members. If one has something that can be shared with the others, it will be shared. This includes everything from food to shelter, though it is less utilized within communities that find themselves protected and provided for by a benefactor. They are neither Patriarchal nor Matriarchal, gender being seen as something which truly holds no social impact - merely a fact of one or the other. Personal strengths are honed and used for the good of the society and the individual, with each Faerie finding a niche somewhere and with something. Many are artisans, farmers, gardeners, or herbalists.
Where breeding is concerned, Faeries are rather 'open' with their affections. It isn't uncommon for a Faerie to find themselves romantically involved with a member of another species - especially if they are surrounded with them. Therefore, finding hybrids of Faeries with Humans and Dwarves isn't uncommon. Elven and Faerie hybrids are much more rare, though they have been known to happen upon occasion. Whatever the mix, however? Faerie magic tends to thin out, leaving their hybrids incapable of shifting size and sprouting wings. Hybrids also lack the power to manipulate plant-life, though they will retain the ability of beast-speak and healing; along with one or two other talents in common magic if their other parent is a human mage or Elven.
Faeries, like all species, must indeed sleep. However, most Faeries rest on average every two days, for twelve hours at a time - growing tired slowly throughout the time they are awake. If they expend too much magic at once, their sleeping period will in turn grow.
Faerie lifespans can reach up to 1,000 years on average.
Magic
Like the Elves, there is a high ability with magic, though Faerie magic tends towards the nurturing of Nature rather than the direct manipulation of it. There is a strong talent for only one form of common magic: healing. Instead, Faeries have the unique power to shift down to the size of birds, sprout wings - usually resembling an insect's - and can of course, fly. They can both encourage slow and/or high acceleration of growth in plants and can also cause dead plants to revive. There is also a talent in 'beast speak', though a Faerie may only understand one or two types of animals within their lifetime. Unlike Elves, Faeries are mortal creatures and can sometimes 'short themselves out', so to speak. In this state, they will need to rest extensively (2 or more days, depending) in a safe place before performing more magic. They are also prone to fading through this as well as sorrow, though do not give in to the doldrums as quickly as Elves might.
Religion
Much like the Elves, Faeries believe that they return to the energies of Nature when they die. However, they also believe there is a process of reincarnation; a cleansing of the soul so to speak - to go through first. New lives are given if the Faerie is lacking in certain reverences; if they were not humble enough, they had too much unnatural aggression, or they showed greed when others suffered - just to name a few. It is not uncommon in Faerie society for newborns to be guessed over; especially after another Faerie passed away a short time before. They do not believe that Faerie energy crosses over in to examples of other species outside of their own; they simply believe that 'once a Faerie is, always a Faerie shall be'. They believe Hybrids of their kind also pass through this same experience, and thus this is a reason why so many Hybrids are made - and why they are so very accepted in the society.When Faeries pass away and leave behind remains, the deceased's family or friends will take said body to their loved one's favorite outside area and bury them there. They plant no markers, for the body will make a marker of its own. There are certain flowers which grow only where a Faerie's body has been laid to rest. These are called 'Wing Blossoms'. Faeries consider it sacrilegious and disrespectful of the dead if these flowers are plucked, though there are no actions taken against those who do outside of their species. If a Faerie makes such a transgression against their own, the rest of the community will often turn their backs on them.
When a Faerie gives over to fading, there is no ceremony - instead, there is rejoicing. If a Faerie fades, it is seen as Nature's blessing and their process of reincarnation is at an end. They have found eternal peace with the energy they stem from.