Overview
The Pixies are a fae beast tribe native to the rainbow-hued, flower-strewn lands of Il Mheg on the First shard. Appearing as diminutive, luminous humanoids with delicate insectoid wings, they are beings of immense and ancient magical power, whose perception of reality and morality is profoundly alien to mortal races. Governed by whimsy and a desire for amusement above all else, the Pixies view the world—and its inhabitants—as a playground for their magical games. Their mastery of glamour allows them to reshape reality according to their fancy, making them both enchanting and perilous neighbors. In Shadowbringers, the Warrior of Light engages with the Pixies through a unique beast tribe questline that explores the vast cultural and existential gulf between fae and mortal minds.
History & Lore
Origins and Nature
The Pixies are among the oldest sentient beings on the First, predating the arrival of mortal civilizations. Their origins are shrouded in the primal myths of the shard, with some scholarly theories suggesting they are natural manifestations of the First's abundant aether, given form and consciousness by the land's innate magic. They are intrinsically tied to Il Mheg, their essence woven into the very hills, flowers, and light of the region.
Their society has no formal hierarchy, rulership, or laws as mortals understand them. Instead, social standing is informally determined by magical prowess, creativity in mischief, and the ability to command attention through entertaining antics. Concepts like "good," "evil," "kindness," and "cruelty" hold little meaning in their worldview. A Pixie might transform a traveler into a shrub for a century out of boredom, or bestow a wonderful gift on a whim, with both actions stemming from the same desire: to alleviate their own ennui. To them, mortal struggles, emotions, and moral dilemmas are simply fascinating stories to observe or, better yet, participate in for their own amusement.
The Pixies and the Flood of Light
During the Flood of Light that consumed most of the First, Il Mheg was one of the few regions spared utter annihilation, largely due to the intervention of the immortal Lightwarden, the Faerie King, Titania. The Pixies, under Titania's rule, used their formidable glamours to seal Il Mheg away from the advancing Light, preserving the region in a perpetual, dreamlike state. While this saved the land, it also trapped the Pixies in a static existence, with Titania's own consciousness fading into a hollow, repeating performance of courtly ritual.
The Warrior of Light's defeat of Titania freed Il Mheg from this stasis and returned the Pixies to their natural, capricious state. Without a "king" to command them, they returned to their individualistic pursuits, viewing the Warrior not as a liberator but as a fascinating new source of potential entertainment.
Culture and Abilities
Pixie culture is centered on play, artistry, and the pursuit of novelty. They communicate in a singsong, rhyming manner and are fond of riddles, games, and elaborate magical pranks. Their most defining trait is their mastery of glamour—a potent form of magic that blurs the line between illusion and reality. With a thought, a Pixie can alter perceptions, transform objects and living beings, or create seemingly permanent illusions. This power is so inherent that they often use it unconsciously, making the landscape of Il Mheg a constantly shifting, unpredictable realm.
Their long lives and alien psychology make them notoriously difficult for mortals to comprehend or negotiate with. A promise made to a Pixie is an absolute, magical contract, but they will exploit every possible loophole in the wording for their own amusement. Conversely, they hold themselves to the same literal standard, making dealings with them a perilous exercise in precise language.
In-Game Role
Beast Tribe Quests
The Pixie beast tribe questline, "The Fae's Folly," becomes available after completing the main scenario quests in Il Mheg. The narrative focuses on Tyr Beq, a Pixie who exhibits a curious and unprecedented fascination with mortal emotions and culture. Unlike his peers, Tyr Beq finds himself genuinely puzzled by feelings like sadness, empathy, and loss—concepts other Pixies dismiss as dull or confusing.
The Warrior of Light becomes Tyr Beq's reluctant guide to mortal sentiment. The quests involve assisting him in understanding these foreign concepts, often by participating in scenarios that illustrate them, such as reconciling estranged friends or witnessing acts of sacrifice. These endeavors are constantly complicated by other Pixies, like the mischievous Feo Ul (the Warrior's self-proclaimed "branch" or familiar) and other cynical Pixies, who either interfere for fun or openly mock Tyr Beq's "peculiar" interests. (Note: Lyna is not a Pixie -- she is a Viera guard captain of the Crystarium, unrelated to the Pixie beast tribe quests.)
The questline is a nuanced exploration of empathy and cultural difference. It poses the question of whether beings with fundamentally different cognitive frameworks can ever truly understand one another. The tone balances genuine charm and humor with an underlying unease, as the Warrior must navigate a society where a wrong step or a misinterpreted phrase could result in being turned into a garden ornament for decades.
Rewards and Reputation
By completing daily quests for the Pixies, players increase their reputation, eventually earning the title "Friend of the Fae." Rewards include:
- Unique minions (e.g., the Tyr Beq minion)
- Glamour items, including the vibrant Faerie Tale attire set
- Dyes exclusive to Il Mheg
- Mounts, such as the Portly Porxie
- Furnishings for player housing with a whimsical, fae aesthetic
Notable Members
- Tyr Beq: The central Pixie of the beast tribe quests. His earnest, questioning nature sets him apart from his kin and drives the narrative of cross-cultural understanding.
- Feo Ul: The Warrior of Light's loyal and possessive fae familiar. While deeply affectionate in their own way, Feo Ul's help is always delivered with a characteristically Pixie blend of power, pride, and playful menace.
Trivia
- The Pixies' design and the overall aesthetic of Il Mheg draw heavily from Celtic and British folklore about fairies, emphasizing their beautiful yet dangerous and amoral nature.
- Their speech pattern, which often involves rhyming couplets, is a consistent character trait that reinforces their otherworldliness.
- The Pixie beast tribe quests are notable for their narrative depth, being one of the few beast tribe storylines that deals almost exclusively with philosophical and cultural themes rather than conflict over resources or primal summoning.
- The term "Pixie" is used by mortals; it is unknown what they call themselves in their own tongue.