Pixies

Base Cost: 20 points

Origin:

According to most myths, pixies were human long ago, but for various reasons retreated from the waking world, and diminished in stature as a result. Their astonishing reduction in size is coupled with a few special abilities and a natural predilection for minor spellcasting.

Known Powers:

Agelessness: as a result of their curious origins, pixies have 'lost' the ability to age. They no longer experience the ravages of time, which may be why they're so mercurial, and they are immune to powers or other agencies that artificially induce aging. (7 points)

Shrinking: one of their most distinctive qualities, pixies are tiny! They usually measure in at around four inches in height (give or take a smidge), which means they have this 'power', by technicality, at Good (10) rank, granting them a size factor of -4.

This means that pixies benefit from a +4 CS to hit human-sized opponents, though they inflict -4 CS damage against them. Human-sized foes, on the other hand, experience the reverse of these modifiers when facing off against pixies. (extremely limited, 1 point)

Schooling:

Novice / Faerie Magic: while they are not fairies, and in fact dislike those beings greatly, pixies have no problem 'borrowing' their magic. Most pixies have mastered at least one spell, possibly flight, though some work at it harder if it suits their purposes. (extremely limited, at least 1 point)

Limitations / Enhancements:

Weakness to Iron: pixies are weakened by the touch of this metal, just like their fairy nemeses. When in physical contact with iron, their attributes drop to Feeble (2) in rank, they cannot cast spells or wield their other powers, and suffer from excruciating pain.

This is a strong character limitation.

Equipment:

Sword: pixies are whirling dervishes of pain when they want to be. They can wield their diminutive blades to inflict their Strength rank +1 CS in Edged Attack damage, and often carry two of these (if they can get their hands on more than one).

Quirks:

Attractive: though their features are generally hard to make out unless they're very close (which may be a bad thing for you), pixies appear to be particularly beautiful (or handsome). People who can get past their size tend to react to them at a +1 CS.

Talents:

Animal Handling: pixies are good with animals in general, but they're specifically fond of horses. While they never 'train' a horse, per se, they seem to have a knack for riding one no matter its general temperament, and should receive a +1 CS on attempts to do so.

Lore: though not masters of science at all, pixies know a lot about the obscure - possibly as a result of their origins. A given pixie should receive a +1 CS on any ACTION regarding knowledge of the occult, though said knowledge is only general (or local) in nature.

Skill / Swords: just about every pixie is adept in the use of a blade. They make a habit of being able to defend themselves, for they are often the victim of larger creatures who take their stature as a sign of weakness. They wield such weapons at their Fighting +1 CS.

Two Swords: additionally, some pixies (especially those who don't develop their magic very much) excel in wielding two blades at once. Those who master this technique may add one sword attack per turn, as long as they're holding one in each hand. (+1 point)

Contacts:

There are more extant pixies than you might imagine. Their highly reckless lifestyles are generally offset by their ageless natures - and prodigious breeding. Generally, their mercurial nature means pixies relate best to each other, thus making the race a contact for all pixies.

Characteristics:

Pixies are mercurial and love to play pranks, traits which earn them few friends. Once they have made a friend however, pixies tend to look on them with great fondness, and will go to amazing lengths to help them if necessary - usually hoping the reverse is true as well.

Appearance:

Pixies are short. They usually measure between four to five inches in height. They are mainly of exceptional beauty, and also have pointy ears. Pixies are often blue in hue, not from any 'natural' coloration but due to the extensive tattoo art they cover themselves in.

Their clothing, when they bother to wear such, appears thread-bare and mismatched - but then, they have to usually make it themselves (or 'borrow' it from another pixie). Other than that, the only 'normal' pixie clothing is the Phrygian caps they like to wear.

Ecological Niche:

Pixies are generally forest creatures, but occasionally invade urban settings for the easy pickings. They are excellent at hiding their presence amongst humans unless they're particularly overt in their pranks or other activities, and often go unnoticed in an area (by people anyway) entirely.

History:

Pixies were originally a tribe of Picts who were duped into being mystically altered by faeries. Reduced to the size of their 'friends' to hide from invaders who persecuted them for their beliefs, this tribe was eventually forced into slavery in payment for services rendered.

Eventually growing tired of being treated poorly by their supposed benefactors, the humans rebelled and ultimately earned their freedom. However, the fairy magic which had reduced them in size had been affecting them for far too long, and proved to be permanent in nature.

And thus, the pixies were born. Graced with an unending lifespan and a knack for the faerie magic which forever altered them, these mystically altered humans proceeded to live life to the fullest, caring not for the past or the future - only wanting to maximize the now.

Over time, pixies have spread far and wide, with colonies on every continent. Of course, the vast majority of ordinary humans have no clue that pixies really exist, thinking them a silly myth. So, when one is actually seen by ordinary men, such accounts are quickly discounted.

This is because for the most part, pixies mind their own business, following their own pursuits and rarely interact with humans - unless tormenting such is their chosen pursuit.

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