SPRIGGANS

 

Spriggans are a type of Faerie distantly related to Dwarvenkind, but infused with a volatile vein of wild magic that allows them to change their shape and size by invoking the ghosts of their ancient Giant ancestors.

Selfish, bad-tempered, and cruel, Spriggans are more dangerous than their stature and coarse manners would suggest... 

APPEARANCE

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In their normal state, they appear as gnarled, ugly little creatures with grubby faces and glinting eyes. Some may appear almost human, like caricatures of stooped old men with gangly limbs, standing 3-4 feet tall. Others have more visible warping, with strange deformities or bestial traits. They tend to wear ill-fitting, rumpled clothes, and favour pointed Faerie caps.

POWERS

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Like most Fae, Spriggans have keen senses that operate beyond human levels. They are stealthy, exceptionally spry, and innately gifted with illusion magic. However, a Spriggan's greatest weapon is its power to suddenly enlarge to enormous size. This is more than just an illusion or a spell - Spriggans can actually fully transform themselves, growing steely muscles over dense bone, and take on the abilities and aspect of towering Giants.

Some stories claim that Spriggans are the ghosts of long-extinct ancient Giants. More accurately, they hold the ghosts of Giants inside them. Harnessing their primordial lineage with wild magic, Spriggans can call forth the souls of their Giant ancestors, and bind within their bodies a portion of their long-lost strength, memory, and rage. This channeling is a sacred to a Spriggan, an inseparable part of its true self.

In their Giant forms, Spriggans may vary wildly in size and shape, and manifest traits associated with different kinds of Giants. Even in their normal diminutive forms, Spriggans can temporarily summon up tremendous strength and endurance. To fuel their transformations, Spriggans also have disproportionate, Giant-sized appetites, and will happily eat just about anything they can get their hands on... crops, livestock, and sometimes even people.

BEHAVIOUR

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By their nature, Spriggans are flippant, mean-spirited creatures. Notorious thieves and bullies, they dislike working for anything if they can take it by guile, intimidation, or naked force. Their access to great strength makes them bold, but when the tables are turned, Spriggans can be bargained with or frightened off. 

Most Spriggans are affiliated with the Unseelie Court, and get along well with Goblinkind, but they may also be found in small gangs with other Spriggans, or as members of larger Faerie enclaves. Due to their brute strength and belligerence, Sprigganfolk are sometimes employed by other Faerie beings as bodyguards - so long as they are paid and fed appropriately.

Like most Faeriekind, Spriggans have peculiar aversions and allergies. While they are partially resistant to magic, they are quite vulnerable to celestial power.

Spriggans speak the Common argot of Faeries and a crude smattering of local human language, but when they call upon their Giant lineage, they can also speak the primal Cthonic tongue.