Confession: I didn’t know much about fae books or even fae creatures when I began researching/brainstorming for my Raven Court series. I wasn’t already a die-hard fan of fairies.
So… being a dutiful author, I bought a book. The Element Encyclopedia of Fairies has been my right-hand vat of information since the beginning. From there, I have found and implemented lots of fae creatures from actual legends.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Cabyll-ushtey - a water horse that frequents the banks after dark and was believed to steal cattle and young children.
Why (I think) they’re cool: Horses are always seen as docile creatures, or companions of man, so I liked the idea of a horse that is more like riding a tiger or a shark. Something powerful and fast… that could also eat you. I’m also a huge fan of Maggie Steivfator’s Scorpio Races which is all about the carnivorous water horses: capaill uisce.
Cait Sith - is a fairy cat who is thought to be a witch turned into a cat. When a person dies, their body must be carefully watched because if a cait sith leaps over the corpse, it can steal its soul.
Why (I think) they’re cool: Magical cats? Need I say more? Cats are always surrounded by mystery and suspicion so it only makes sense that they’re featured so much in different lore.
Will-o’-the-wisp - are small lights seen over marshes or swamps and sometimes in graveyards. It’s said these lights are created by fairies to lure travelers away from safety.
Why (I think) they’re cool: Just imagine walking through a dark forest and seeing these lights. Then wanting to see what they are or where they lead, ending up lost in the woods! I imagine they’re beautiful, mysterious and terrifying all at once.
Morrigu - I wanted to focus on creatures of faerie this month and dive into humanoid faerie creatures in a future month, but the morrigu fit in both. They are women who manifest as ravens or crows who have magical powers to stir emotions during war. They cause confusion, stir fury or bestow courage on their chosen victors in battle.
Why (I think) they’re cool: I’ve always had a fascination with crows and ravens. It probably has something to do with my love for walking through cemeteries and always seeing crows in cemeteries. So a strong, warrior-like woman who shifts into a crow or raven just seems super cool!