Pixie
Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Elemental Fae Entity
Sentience: Yes
Physical Description
Pixies are tiny, sentient balls of elemental energy, typically appearing as small, glowing orbs or tiny humanoid-like figures composed of their associated element. A fire pixie appears as a small ball of flame, an ice pixie as a crystalline snowflake or ice sphere, etc. They are small—typically only a few inches in diameter—but their elemental nature makes them highly visible.
Pixies can be shaped by practitioners and may take on different forms, but their core nature remains elemental. They can consume other pixies to gain power, leading to larger and more powerful pixie forms. Their appearance shifts and flows with their elemental essence, making them fascinating but potentially dangerous companions.
Personality
Pixies are mischievous and playful, embodying the chaotic nature of their elements. They are sentient and intelligent, but their elemental nature often makes them act on impulse and emotion rather than logic. They can be helpful allies or dangerous pranksters depending on their mood and the situation.
Pixies value freedom, play, and the expression of their elemental nature. They may become attached to druids who treat them well, but they can also be unpredictable and may leave without warning if they become bored or feel constrained.
Location
Pixies are found in areas rich with their associated element. Fire pixies near volcanos, hot springs, or places of great heat; ice pixies in frozen tundras, glaciers, or winter storms; earth pixies in deep caves or rocky terrain; water pixies in rivers, lakes, or oceans.
They may also be encountered wherever elemental energies are strong or where the barrier between the material plane and elemental planes is thin. Pixies can often be found around Dryad groves or other locations of significant fae energy, drawn to the powerful natural magic of such places. Pixies are more common than many other fae types but are still rare enough to be notable encounters.
Element Variants
Pixies come in elemental variants, each associated with a specific element. Choose your pixie's element type during character creation: Fire, Ice, Water, Air, or Earth.
All pixies grant the same special abilities regardless of element, but their granted spells differ based on element type.
Bond Tiers and Rewards
As a Druid's bond with a Pixie strengthens, they gain cumulative abilities and spells. All Pixies grant the same special abilities, but spells vary by element.
Tier 1: Initial Bond (Minimum Level 1)
Special Ability: Elemental Affinity You have resistance to damage of your element type (Fire, Cold, Lightning, Acid for Earth, or Bludgeoning for Earth).
Granted Spells: See element variant below
Tier 2: Growing Bond
Special Ability: Elemental Burst Once per short rest, as a bonus action, you can release a burst of elemental energy in a 15-foot radius. Creatures must make a DEX save (DC = 8 + proficiency + WIS) or take 2d6 damage of your element type.
Granted Spells: See element variant below
Tier 3: Strong Bond
Special Ability: Elemental Flight You gain a flying speed of 30 feet. You can hover and move through air effortlessly.
Granted Spells: See element variant below
Tier 4: Deep Bond
Special Ability: Elemental Mastery You gain immunity to your element damage type. Once per day, you can cast one spell of your element at 5th level without expending a spell slot.
Granted Spells: See element variant below
Spell Slot Bonuses
In addition to granted spells and special abilities, your Pixie patron grants bonus spell slots based on bond strength:
- Tier 1: No bonus (baseline)
- Tier 2: +1 spell slot at highest available level
- Tier 3: +2 spell slots distributed across levels
- Tier 4: +3 spell slots distributed across levels
Element Variant Spells
Choose your element variant at character creation. The spells granted at each tier depend on your chosen element.
Fire Pixie
- Tier 1 Spells: Burning Hands, Fire Bolt
- Tier 2 Spells: Scorching Ray, Heat Metal
- Tier 3 Spells: Fireball, Wall of Fire
- Tier 4 Spells: Flame Strike, Immolation
Ice Pixie
- Tier 1 Spells: Ray of Frost, Ice Knife
- Tier 2 Spells: Hold Person, Snilloc's Snowball Swarm
- Tier 3 Spells: Sleet Storm, Ice Storm
- Tier 4 Spells: Cone of Cold, Wall of Ice
Water Pixie
- Tier 1 Spells: Create or Destroy Water, Ray of Frost
- Tier 2 Spells: Misty Step, Healing Word
- Tier 3 Spells: Tidal Wave, Water Breathing
- Tier 4 Spells: Control Water, Ice Storm
Air Pixie
- Tier 1 Spells: Gust, Thunderwave
- Tier 2 Spells: Gust of Wind, Levitate
- Tier 3 Spells: Fly, Lightning Bolt
- Tier 4 Spells: Storm Sphere, Wind Walk
Earth Pixie
- Tier 1 Spells: Mold Earth, Earth Tremor
- Tier 2 Spells: Maximilian's Earthen Grasp, Spike Growth
- Tier 3 Spells: Meld into Stone, Erupting Earth
- Tier 4 Spells: Stone Shape, Wall of Stone
Related: Fae Beings | Druid | Fae Magic Overview | Fae Bond Tiers