Okay, if you saw my Angin Plains thread, I mentioned Sylphs. So, let's get it done already. Keep in mind this is only a prototype.


Overview

Sylphs are a race of fairies specializing in the wind. Often erronously refered as a Fairy/Air Elemental hybrid, Sylphs are pure fairies.

Appearance

Like many fairies, Sylphs appears as cute, delicate humanoid of various size. Their most distinguishing feature is their wings. Unlike most fairies who have the wings of insects, Sylphs has feathered wings, like those of a bird. To be more exact, their wings is that of hummingbirds most of the time. In addition, many Sylph lacks antennas. Like many fairies, Sylph can change their size to very small, to downright gigantic in a matter of seconds.

Behavior

Most Sylph, just like many fairies, has a very foreign mentality from most humanoid races. However, Sylph are more carefree than most fairies. They also are very adventurous, flying anywhere the wind takes them. This make them quite unpredictable, as you can encounter them virtually anywhere. Like most fairies, Sylph are voracious, albeit slightly more voracious due to travelling very often. They, like their cousin, are extremely curious, wanting to know everything they don't know.

Abilities

Aside size-shifting abilities, which needs no introduction, Sylphs possess great mastery over the air that surrounds them. One of their most dreaded ability is to cover themselves in a cloak of wind, efectively turning them invisible to the naked eye. Like most Felaryan predators with wind related magic, they can blow up or suck up shrunken preys. One key difference is that they can suck up things in a sort of "auto-swallow" mode. In this instance, anything that is sucked up is automatically swallowed whole without the need of closing the mouth, while keeping sucking up for more with no interruption. They can spit up swallowed content in the same fashion as well. But, their is more to that ability. Sylph are dreaded by spell caster for being able to suck up their mana in the same way. If that wasn't bad enough, they can use said mana to blow a magic wind, with various effects, such as healing, or disabling, and much more. Sylph also possess the ability of manipulating sound waves, though only their own. They are effectively expert ventriloquists, and can turn said voice into a potent weapon, or to confuse their foe. It is said that a Sylph's voice is the second most beautiful voice heard after mermaids. Naturally, Sylph generally possess to usual wind magic, such as generating gusts of wind and all typical wind magic spells.

Location

As said before, Sylphs are encountered virtually anywhere. But, they are much more concentrated in the Angis Plains, thanks to the special wind there.



Ideas to flesh them out are appreciated thank you.

...I'd like some feedback and ideas, thank you.

I'm sort of split on the hummingbird wings, as I can see a tiny variety of harpy being more likely than a bird-winged fairy. Although you did say they have hummingbird wings "most of the time". Not sure what that means.

EDIT: I think I've found a simple solution: hummingbird hawk-moth.

These sylphs seem pretty powerful, having a lot of elemental control... Felaryan fairies themselves are extremely dangerous, and a pure-fairy with all these abilities seems a tad overpowered. I think you'd have to consider the possibility of make them a rare, half-elemental race like dusk nymphs and such.

I like the idea of them turning up "wherever the wind takes them", as well as the ventriloquism abilities. Not sure how a cloak of wind can hide them, though. I know it's magical in nature, but how about like a rippling cloak that can be easily identified, so as not to have giant, perfectly invisible fairies flying around.

Well... Let's see...I can remove the sucking up mana ability, and replace it with being able to senses vibrations in the air with their antennas. Also, I think that they might be rather on the soft side, like they usually can't take much punishment. As for wings, it can vary, but some might possess hummingbird wings. Well, if you can help me make them better, I'm welcome to suggestions.

I'm gonna get hell for this, but I don't care.

I dislike this idea, on the grounds that it's furthering the notion that fairies are just winged humanoids and not insect hybrids. Fairies have insect wings, and that's the way I like them.

Now, I could see this working if they were related to fairies, just like dridders are related to nagas. But as an actual subspecies... it just doesn't work for me.

That's why I suggested the hummingbird hawk-moth's wings in lieu of actual hummingbird wings- they look similar, yet you still have the insect parts.

Remake.

Name: Sylph
Size: Vary
Location: Windy areas and open fields
Threat: Moderate to High

Sylphs are an hybrid race between fairies and air elementals. They tend to live in zones where there is a lot of wind. Sylph look just like your average fairies: Human/insect hybrids. However, the most common way to distinguish a Sylph from other fairies are their wings. Most commonly, their insect wings with be a lot bigger than most fairies, capable of folding, and also capable of wrapping around their bodies. Their skin, hair, and eye color is very varied, as well as which type of wings. Naturally, being wind users, sylph possess a dangerous range of wind magic, including the dreaded vacuum ability. Their antennas tend to be longer than average fairies, and are incredibly sensitive to vibrations in the air. Like most fairies, they can alter their own size as well as the size of others. They are usually more laid back than other fairies, going wherever the wind takes them. But they have many varying personalities. Sylph are very dangerous for humans, as they tend to be faster and more dexterous flyers, as well as more clever. However, Sylph are usually rather frail compared to other fairies, especially their wings.

Known Sylphs

Aileen



Better now?

Is it better the idea of Sylphs now?

How would the wings fold or bend? Insect wings tend to be pretty stiff, and more often than not break when bent. So I'm curious as to how the fairy is managing to fold their wings like that...

Karbo wrote:

Quote:

Like I said , I find the idea of some insect hybrid fairies interesting but I don't see the whole race of fairies like that...

I don't know, I still have to agree with Gregole on this subject. Every hybrid predator so far with animal parts is considered to be part animal. I don't see why fairies should be the exception to this rule for no apparent reason. I mean, why would fairies specifically have insect wings, and many have antennae, if they arent part insect. Yes, they arent as insect-like as Gypsas, but how are a Gypsa, and a fairy with wasp wings and antennae, both not part wasp? it just seems odd tha fairies have insect body parts, and yet arent insect hybrids.

...fairies just being "Cute, magical, mischevious girls with wings" is FAR too stereotypical for me, and one of the things that makes Felarya unique is how it takes classic fantasy races, and puts a new spin on them to keep them from becoming stereotypical.

But thats just my (and apparently Gregole's) opinion, and in the end, Karbo has the final word.

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Karbo has spoken. So let's keep that debate OUT of this topic, and in a thread dedicated specifically to the purpose of the insect-not insect fairy debate.

Anyways, I feel that at this point the Slyphs are pretty good. The one thing I don't understand is the wind invisibility. How does that work? (I am assuming you're still including this) Other than that it seems all good to me. I would expect to encounter one of these guys in the mist ocean.

I liked the original idea a little more. Its because it was something unexpected. Sean if your still checking the topic may I re recommend the humming bird shape from your original idea? I'm not sure about the types of wings a fairy should have however, I do think that the shape for humming birds is one I didn't think of. A middle ground would be shape of humming bird's, transparent like insect wings. Though if your not up for that the other ideas are good too.