These Dark Waters

Glossary

                                                 G L O S S A R Y 

(This information has been found through books, research and my own imagination)

Banshee:  Often bound to a section of land, Banshees are almost like a supernatural 'siren' for the people who live around them. A Banshee cannot control her wails and will often see premonitions of the person's untimely death. Contrary to popular belief, not all Banshees are gloomy and miserable. Most try to blend in with the human world as much as they can, sometimes impersonating barmaids, sales assistants and even babysitters. They are often harmless and if provoked will leave without a fight but during their warning they can be increasingly malevolent and violent. 

Brownie:  Fiercely loyal, Brownies attach themselves to human households and make their nests between the walls or in disused drawers and closets. They are known for helping keep the house in working order, cleaning and defending the land. Although they adore cleanliness, they often look shabby and unkempt, perhaps even missing a shoe or going completely unclothed. They prefer their payment in honey or warm milk. If a Brownie is taken advantage of, or otherwise ill-used, he will become a Boggart. 

Boggart:  Abuse of a Brownie, or neglect of chores and failure to provide payment will result in the forming of a Boggart. These creatures are particularly fond of causing havoc about the house, hiding keys, knocking egg cartons to the floor or causing milk to sour. They enjoy tormenting household owners by knotting hair, stealing food and hiding important items. Just as loyal as a Brownie, Boggarts are almost impossible to get rid of. Although they remain unseen - and could be confused with Poltergeists - the sign of muffled laughter will rule out the undead. 

Changeling:  These are creatures from the Elsewhere, usually children or very young infants, who are left in the crib to replace the human child which is then taken back to live with the Fey. Although it is difficult to tell a Changeling from a human, one tell-tale sign is the colouration of the skin: sickly green or grey skin is often an indication that the child is fey. They often laugh and cry at inappropriate times, and may also talk in a strange and ancient tongue. As the passage of time for a fey is different to a human, they may grow hair and nails much faster than we do. Another indication that a child is fey is by the food they eat: most are very picky, often refusing meals only to eat uncooked vegetables or flowers. They adore moonlit walks into wooded areas in the hope of being reunited with their faerie family. Like most Fey, they cannot stand the sight or touch of iron. 

Dwarf:  These are the craftspeople of the fey, often toiling leatherwork and cobbling. They remain mostly in the Elsewhere, but can be found in some mountain ranges throughout Europe. Although by nature they are solitary crafters, some adolescent Dwarves enjoy time away from the mountains, and have even been known to live with the other Fair Folk in the city of the Elsewhere, trading their way with goods, carriages and divine jewelry. They are more often than not, nocturnal creatures as they are not overly fond of natural light. Dwarves are responsible for crafting weapons that never dull and armour that is said to be impenetrable, but will also create beautiful tokens, necklaces and rings.  

Elves:  Elves tend to think of themselves as the higher, more noble, of the fey. They are mischievous by nature and enjoy feasts, festivals (Midsummer Eve and the Winter Solstice) and dancing into the night. Like Pixies, they are also tricksters and will often lure humans onto their territory to play with them. They sometimes feed on the 'aether' of a human (or fey, although this is against the Laws), which is the energy or aura that surrounds them. Not many Elves live outside of the Elsewhere because of the increasing iron and technology that has poisoned the land. Without the belief and imagination from the mortal world, they are becoming incredibly sick and malevolent. Once a human has eaten the forbidden fruit or has accepted a gift from an Elf (either a bangle, ring or necklace) they then belong, either romantically or otherwise, to that fey. They are governed by regional monarchies, where the Queen is said to have the higher power, which are either Unseelie or Seelie.