The Yaerrow are human-oriented fae that live outside of human dwellings, seeing the people within as their sovereign rulers, who they wish to please and serve; sprites refer to the humans they live with as their humans. These fae are drawn to homes with large gardens, spacious yards, pets, and brownies. They often interact with Mayples, Spleenwarts, and occasionally make deals with the Roedoden in exchange for pleasant weather or delicious/large crops. The appearance of common sprites varies from place to place, though all have no protruding nose (only nostrils), pupil-less eyes, four fingers, three toes, large, rounded ears, and clan markings. Yaerrows have short to medium, light-colored hair, honey-hued skin, and markings placed on the face. The tallest of their kind is 8 in. tall, though most grow to be 6 in. in height. Unlike West Virginian brownies, these sprites have sharper features and small, round mouths. All Yaerrow are fit and muscular, as the work they do requires much exertion: ridding it of pests and trash; planting wildflowers, herbs, and onions; caring for gardens, pets, and livestock; and protecting the home from evil fae, like pucks. In addition to their other duties, Yaerrows dry, bottle, and stockpile extra food for the winter or shortages, sharing them with all needy fae in the area.

Some Yaerrow make their clothes, while others hire brownies to do it for them in exchange for goods. The type of clothing worn by sprites depends on the season, weather, and their responsibilities. For example, in the winter, fluffier clothing is worn, their interiors packed with shredded foliage that acts as a warm insulator. If a household owns animals, their fur or feathers may be implemented into garments; they may also design specialized clothing to wear when near these creatures, such as long, padded sleeves when for birds. Most Yaerrown attire is braided and hewn of tall grasses, discarded canvas or cloth, leaves, fresh flower petals, rope, dried, and small beads or lost trinkets; all are speckled with many pockets, permitting the fae to gather useful items throughout their day. Sprites also carry large packs when foraging, don In the Land of Cattawampus 118 water-wicking hats or leaf overcoats in the rain, and wear skirts with sun hats on hot, sunny days. When it is windy, the fae weigh down their clothing with pebbles or dirt so that they may carry out important tasks without being blown away; yet, most remain indoors, as it is easy for the beings to be hurt by flying debris.

The Yaerrow live in tiny houses built under an outdoor structure or within dirt mounds, tree trunks, or yard decorations. Homes that are hollowed out of wood do not damage the trees, as they remain confined only along a few large branches; from the side, the structures appear as a line of tiny holes. Within, simple and minuscule furniture is found; everything inside is made of wood or stone, padded with vegetation, and decorated with plants, trinkets, and other objects. Yaerrown dwellings are farther apart from each other than the Mayples’, with one family (parents and 3 - 5 offspring) in each home.

In most communities, sprites are looked down upon by brownies, who see them as dirty, lesser beings. However, sprites are an optimistic, forgiving, and cheerful fae that does not mind their neighbors’ haughty attitudes. Occasionally, Mayples and Yaerrow intermingle, attending brownie-held gatherings and celebrations; some even form romantic relationships, to many’s dismay. Halflings from these unions grow to have a mixture of brownie and sprite traits; they often feel out of place or unwelcome in brownie communities.

Sprites court much as humans do, giving gifts to those they are attracted to and spending copious amounts of time together before committing. When a couple forms, they build a home together and share the workload evenly; both males and females partake in outdoor and indoor responsibilities, though females cease any hard labor two months before giving birth. Once children reach one year of age, they are expected to contribute to the community and household; maturity is reached at 17. Usually, around their 25th birthday, sprites develop a desire to leave their family home and start one of their own; others may also wish to seek out a different sprite community for adventure, rather than dislike of their current residence. Yaerrow may live to be 70 years or older.

Sprites are proud of their heritage and community, wearing distinct markings that label them as coming from one group or belonging to two. When a Yaerrow leaves one household and joins to another, half of their face will be painted to the design of their former clan, while the right will be painted to match their new clan. Paint is made of squashed berries, minerals, or herbs mixed with water; for the most part, color choices are up to the individual’s preference. Some clans, however, prefer specific hues to denote their insignia.

Most days, sprites are confronted by danger: insects, mammals, reptiles, fae, and other creatures intent on eating them. The Yaerrow are skilled with a variety of weapons, such as iron/wood/stone knives, spears, throwing spikes, and slingshots; they are also skilled in setting traps that capture, wound, or poison intruders. Sprites wear garments that blend into their outdoor surroundings, protecting them from being seen by most creatures.

Unlike brownies, sprites know spells that can purify water, restore soil, heal animals, and repel pests. Local faeries may do favors for the Yaerrow in exchange for the casting of these spells in specific regions. Like the Mayples, these sprites also have a few rituals and superstitions they carry out regardless of their success rate. Some of these beliefs have been passed on to humans, though they have been misconstrued over time or mistranslated.

Gardening & Animal Care

1. Potatoes must be planted on nights of a new moon; this is believed to grow the largest potatoes.

2. Rain on the first Friday of spring is believed to be a sign that crops will do poorly that year.

3. If it snows heavily on Christmas morning, the coming year will produce a bountiful harvest.

4. For corn to grow hardy and fruitful, it should be planted under a full moon after hearing the call of a whip-poor-will.

5. Onions should be planted when the moon is on the horizon, but beans should be planted when it is high in the sky. Each of these sayings are believed to be connected to local elves and faeries’ activities and spells.

6. Eggshells should never be burned or chickens will cease to lay more.

7. All crops should be harvested under a waning moon, as it is believed to yield the best tasting versions.

8. Cucumbers should never be planted on a Sunday or they will taste bitter.

9. Killing a toad on a rainy day will cause cows to produce bloody milk.

10. Sap from a grapevine can help animals, fae, and people grow their hair back.

Weather

1. Leaving a broom outside that has been soaked in water for 48 hours will cause it to rain the next day. This is said to be a call for help to the Roedoden.

2. If it rains on the first Sunday of the month, every Sunday of that month will be rainy except one.

3. If it rains on July 5, there will be wet weather for six weeks, but if it is dry on July 3, there will be dry weather for six weeks.

4. If water is seen rising in a natural spring, it is a sign of rain.

5. When ants are very busy, cows stand in a circle, spiders leave their web, cats sneeze, and bees enter their hive, bad weather is coming.

Luck, Curses, & Other Sayings

1. The Yaerrow is careful not to miss a row when planting seeds, as they have a superstition that says if this is done, someone in the family will die within the year.however, if the mistake is spotted before the day’s end, no one will perish. A missing row is said to draw Grave Pucks near.

2. A sow that has just birthed a litter brings a family good luck for at least 7 days.

3. If game is plentiful before Christmas, afterwards, meat will be scarce until the spring. This is said to be wisdom from the Roedoden, who know of animal and fae populations and how they will be throughout the seasons.

4. When leaving the house, the right foot should be stepped on first, for good luck.

5. Bread should never have both ends cut off first, for it brings bad luck.

6. If a baby smiles in its sleep, it is talking to someone nefarious who cannot be seen.

7. If one kills a lightning bug, they will die of a lightning strike.

8. If one’s cheek burns without provocation, someone is talking about them.

9. Soft-shelled eggs must be thrown over one’s back to rid themselves of bad luck.

10. Pulling a pig’s tail will sometimes combat bad luck or evil spells.

11. A female sprite will never make their own wedding dress for fear of bad luck resulting in death before the ceremony.

12. The eyes of a murderer change in appearance to those of their victim; sometimes their face is permanently reflected in them after the act.

Folk Remedies

1. Save water from May snow to cure sore eyes and remove warts; no other melted snow is believed to have these healing properties, as it is said that only May snow is brought by Roedoden magic;

2. For ridding stubborn warts, a chip of wood should be rubbed over the afflicted area; the individual should then walk backward and throw it over their back, without looking where it went. This is believed to be an ancient elven spell;

3. Shingles are believed to be cured by rubbing the eruptions with blood from a black cat’s tail; the severed tail must then be nailed to a door until the sickly individual is well;

4. Yaerrow with children sick with coughs are to carry them under a donkey three times while humming a song to cure them;

5. Foot cramps are remedied by placing shoes upside down under the bed;

6. Dirty socks are believed to prevent colds if smelled or cure sore throats if tied around the neck;

7. For shingles, a black hen’s head must be cut off, the blood dripped on the affected parts;

8. Club moss gathered on the third of the new moon cures all eye maladies, and if a wart is pricked and the moss applied, it will heal.