HABITAT: Ferelden, Free Marches
COMPANION: Yes
MOUNT: No
SHAPSHIFT: Rare
RANGER CALL: No

Brownies: Fey Folk of the Countryside

Brownies are small humanoid fey, distantly related to sprites, and bearing a resemblance to elves but much shorter. These creatures favor brightly colored garments made from linen or wool, often adorned with gold ornamentation. Despite their friendly nature, brownies are usually envisioned as ugly and their appearance can be unsettling to the inhabitants of the houses they choose to reside in. Their name comes from their brown skin, and they are completely covered in hair.

Known for their peaceful and friendly disposition, brownies are almost never greedy, although they are shy by nature. They have a particular fascination with life on a farm and often perform good deeds in secret, such as milking cows, to repay farmers from whom they have taken food. Their acute senses allow them to stay one step ahead of others, never being surprised.

Brownies possess an innate potential for spell-casting, with their magic typically causing confusion and distractions. Common spells include confusion, continual light, dancing lights, dimension door, mirror image, protection from evil, and ventriloquism. They are also known to blend into their surroundings, becoming invisible to nearby creatures. Brownies rarely carry weapons, preferring to avoid combat, though they might carry short swords for defense if cornered.

These fey are skilled in repairing items made of leather, metal, or wood, and they typically carry leather pouches full of tools for this purpose. They are also renowned guides, familiarizing themselves with every detail of their habitat. Brownies are vegetarians, foraging for wild fruits and harvesting small amounts of grain from farmers' fields. They typically live in small burrows or abandoned buildings in rural areas, occasionally moving into houses or barns if the inhabitants meet their high moral standards. Known as house brownies, they perform various household tasks at night, such as making or repairing small items, spinning thread or yarn, baking bread, and alerting the inhabitants of intruders.

Those who recognize the presence of a house brownie and understand their ways leave small offerings of bread, fruit, milk, coins, or gems. Boasting about having a house brownie deeply offends them, driving them to move out. Brownies generally get along well with humans, dwarves, elves, and domestic animals. They rarely interact with others due to their shy nature, choosing instead to hide. However, they are willing to help most lawful good individuals and guide those who ask politely. Brownies are also known to steal treasure from evil monsters and leave it for good individuals to find. When strangers or outsiders enter their territory, brownies watch intently to decipher their motives and drive away those who mean harm to their community.

Brownies are most commonly found in Northern Ferelden or Southern Free Marches.