Leprechauns

Leprechauns are a race of fay that split off from pixies fairly early in their development. The most obvious differences are their lack of wings and their size. They are much larger than pixies, about half the size of a dwarf, or one quarter the size of a human. Their proportions also changed, becoming thicker relative to their height, with a similar height to width ratio to hobbits. Their hair is always bright red, as are the beards that they often grow. They kept their ancestors’ tradition of wearing green garments, but, as they are too large for leaves, they make them from dyed cotton. No one knows what prompted their development, as the fay of the time kept no records of history. Many hypothesize that they are the result of pixies magically manipulating their genetics. As they would have been the first of these experiments, it would explain their decreased lifespan (although half a millennium is by no means short). They are often thought of as greedy by non-fay races because of their tendency to hoard gold, but this is actually due to gold’s usefulness at holding enchantments. Just as pixies specialize in the alteration of physics, leprechauns are masters of applying magic to objects. They can enchant a sword to burn its victims, enchant armor to repel weapons, or even enchant a sail to create its own wind. Because of this, they are often sought out by warriors to increase their capability in battle. It is inadvisable to hold a leprechaun against its will, however, as they will turn on their captors the first chance they get.