The Blae Neachdain

The Blae Neachdain are small fey beings, standing no more than a foot and a half tall, with lean, agile frames. They're notoriously known for their fondness of drink, their swift and heated brawls, their colourful language, their knack for theft, their extraordinary speed, and their natural invisibility to human eyes. They don't reside within the forest depths; instead, they've adapted to life on the fringes of human existence, preferring the homes of rural farmers that nestle near the forest edge.

Once upon a time, they served the Fey Queen, but their unique sense of honor was at odds with her values, leading them to part ways. They are opportunists at heart, pilfering what they believe they can without stirring excessive suspicion. It's unclear where their race originated, but it does not seem to be the Nine Realms.

At the helm of their society is the Bana-va’ar (Bana-Mhàthair), the matriarch and mother to most clan members. The current Bana-va’ar joined the tribe ages ago, after the preceding Bana-va’ar passed. She chooses a suitable member from the Blae Neachdain to be her consort, the patriarch to the next generation. Her brothers, who came with her, serve as her personal guard, residing in the new location until her death, upon which they may return to their original home. They are affectionately known as uncles to all her offspring, which in due time constitutes the entire tribe. The Bana-va’ar is the intellect and wisdom of the clan, tasked with the wellbeing of the entire tribe.

The Blae Neachdain maintain a strict policy of human ignorance regarding their existence, resorting to gaslighting if discovered. Humans typically cannot see them, nor discern any traces of their presence.