Leprechaun
Leprechauns are a species of Trickster Fey. They inhabit all but the most extreme biomes of Cartyrion, and though relatively common, they keep to themselves for the most part, except when they get the urge to have some fun with the mortal Folk of the world.
Despite their social nature, each makes a solitary and well hidden home for themselves - a place they can keep their personal horde of gold. Should their gold be discovered and stolen, they will relentlessly pursue the thieves, and while direct confrontation is unlikely, the tricks and traps they set will become more deadly.
If Adventurers understand their nature, and take the right care, they will find that Leprechauns can be useful. Leprechauns never tell an outright lie, and they have been known to trade information to Adventurers for a few gold coins. Furthermore, if they feel they are being treated with courtesy and respect, they will be more forthcoming and less duplicitous in their conversations. Information is invariably the truth - as far as it goes. Depending on how the Leprechaun feels when they give it, they may forget to mention some things the Adventurers would consider important. Thorough followup questioning is always a good idea.
If asked for information, a Leprechaun will first bargain a price. Usually gold, but occasionally some other "favor" may be required payment. Once paid, the Leprechaun will provide desired information, though important (and deadly) details may be omitted. If pressed, though, they will not lie, and if the right questions are asked before the Leprechaun grows annoyed, details can be obtained.
When encountering new Folk, a Leprechaun will always be wary. Though polite and courteous (except for the trap-setting part), they will be Unfriendly and carefully derisive. If treated with courtesy and respect, though, their mood will soften, and if offered the right reward, may even shift through Neutral to Friendly.
Unlike the Nymphs, Leprechauns do not owe their Awakening to Berdea of the Alevar, but rather to Shylea the Gamester, and that deity's personality is manifest in his children. They are quite sociable, at least among their own kind, and often gether in large groups for feasts that involve a great deal of eating, drinking, and gambling.
They also enjoy practical jokes, and often play harmless ones upon each other. Occasionally, though, they decide to see fresh targets for their humor. Often, it is the other nearby Fey that are annoyed by their trickery, but occasionally, it is a member of the Folk that finds themself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The tricks and jokes of the Leprechauns are not intentionally viscous, but tales tell of many that have gotten out of hand and turned deadly.
Leprechauns have a peculiar attraction to gold - especially gold coins. They hoard any and all gold they can amass, and guard it jealously even from others of their kind. This covetousness, and the penchant for trickery, is why Leprechauns trust no one - especially not another Leprechaun.
Name
Leprechaaun
Type
Fey, Trickster
Size
Tiny - 1.5ft (45cm) tall
Habitat
Common: forest, plain, mountain
Uncommon: urban (on the fringes of smaller settlements)
They also enjoy practical jokes, and often play harmless ones upon each other. Occasionally, though, they decide to see fresh targets for their humor. Often, it is the other nearby Fey that are annoyed by their trickery, but occasionally, it is a member of the Folk that finds themself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The tricks and jokes of the Leprechauns are not intentionally viscous, but tales tell of many that have gotten out of hand and turned deadly.
Leprechauns have a peculiar attraction to gold - especially gold coins. They hoard any and all gold they can amass, and guard it jealously even from others of their kind. This covetousness, and the penchant for trickery, is why Leprechauns trust no one - especially not another Leprechaun.
Uncommon: urban (on the fringes of smaller settlements)
Despite their social nature, each makes a solitary and well hidden home for themselves - a place they can keep their personal horde of gold. Should their gold be discovered and stolen, they will relentlessly pursue the thieves, and while direct confrontation is unlikely, the tricks and traps they set will become more deadly.
If Adventurers understand their nature, and take the right care, they will find that Leprechauns can be useful. Leprechauns never tell an outright lie, and they have been known to trade information to Adventurers for a few gold coins. Furthermore, if they feel they are being treated with courtesy and respect, they will be more forthcoming and less duplicitous in their conversations. Information is invariably the truth - as far as it goes. Depending on how the Leprechaun feels when they give it, they may forget to mention some things the Adventurers would consider important. Thorough followup questioning is always a good idea.
Gamemaster Notes
Adventurers often first become aware of the proximity of a Leprechaun when they discover (usually by triggering) some sort of trap the Leprechaun has set to get a laugh out of their misfortune. The Leprechaun will reveal itself - usually laughing - when such traps are set off, and will run away if pursued. And as they can turn invisible at will, they are quite hard to pursue.If asked for information, a Leprechaun will first bargain a price. Usually gold, but occasionally some other "favor" may be required payment. Once paid, the Leprechaun will provide desired information, though important (and deadly) details may be omitted. If pressed, though, they will not lie, and if the right questions are asked before the Leprechaun grows annoyed, details can be obtained.
When encountering new Folk, a Leprechaun will always be wary. Though polite and courteous (except for the trap-setting part), they will be Unfriendly and carefully derisive. If treated with courtesy and respect, though, their mood will soften, and if offered the right reward, may even shift through Neutral to Friendly.
I love that we both worked on our own versions of leprechauns, this Summer Camp. Well done!
You did a leprechaun too?! I'll have to hunt that one down and give it a read!
Laurels & Loot is a new, lightweight TTRPG rules system that hearkens back to the early days.
The Forgotten Academy is a mega-dungeon being created for the #Dungeon23 Challenge