Name: Sprite (Demihuman) Stats: No. Appearing : 10-100 Climate/Terrain: Meadows and woods Frequency : Rare Organization : Tribe Activity Cycle : Day Diet : Omnivore Description: Sprites are shy and reclusive faerie people, related to other faerie- folk, like brownies and leprechauns. There are several varieties, in- cluding pixies and nixies. Most have small, semitransparent wings, and elven features. Sprites usually speak their own language, common, and elven, but seem to get along with woodland mammals and other creatures anyway. Humans often mistake sprites for butterflies at a distance, and it is guessed that the majority of forest creatures also think of the fair sprites in this way. Combat: Sprites hate evil and ugliness, and are capable of stout militancy, should their secluded homes be invaded by orcs or worse. They fight with long, slim swords, which do damage as a human-sized dagger, or their own special bows. Bows have a range half of a human short bow and do only half as much damage. The tips of their arrows are coated with a special ointment concocted by the sprites. Any creature struck by the drugged arrows, regardless of level, race, or magic resistance will fall into a deep sleep lasting several hours. Normally sprites do no- thing more than take their victims to safe a place very far away (of- ten confiscating their weapons in the process), though evil creatures may be slain. Sprites can become invisible at will and detect good/evil within 50 yards, so they are hard to deceive, evade or capture. Habitat/Society: Sprites prefer to avoid other intelligent beings and live in places where they can have many celebrations, parties, and gatherings. They gather on most moonlit nights for singing and dancing. They live in sylvan woodlands, monitor and protect forests and secluded glens. Spri- tes are immortal, and never die unless killed. The sprites' diminui- tive size and their dangerous environments keep sprite population low. Sprites are very flighty, and find even elves much too serious about most woodland affairs. Only druids deal with sprites regularly. Some druids even receive a little of their training in the company of a few sprites. Most sprites love druids, for their neutral alignment and love for nature make them see the forest in much the same way. On rare oc- casions, sprites associate with rangers as well. Sprites are loosely tribal, electing the best warrior among the group (male or female) as the group spokesperson. This leader is recognized as the one who makes major decisions and bargains with druids and el- ves. Sprites rarely wait for their leader's decision, often attacking an evil creature before the leader can issue any command. Ecology: Sprite sleep ointment is conducted from forest mushrooms. The ointment must be left to cure in the sun for seven days. They hollow out tree stumps to serve as containers for this rare substance. Sprites keep watch on their fellow sprites, so they know who to invite to their frequent gatherings. A deserted meadow or glen is never empty for more than a decade before a new clan of sprites moves in.