Mayples
THE WEST VIRGINIAN BROWNIES
Common brownies are human-oriented fae that live in human households, seeing the people within as their sovereign rulers and also loved ones—who they wish to please and serve; they also see humans as revered family members, referring to them as their humans.
Brownies are one of the few non-magical fae that reproduce and participate in courtship rituals similar to that of humans. Though they know no spells, they can create magical potions by combining items in ritualistic, complex manners. Common brownies from other regions refer to those living in West Virginia as the Mayples.
HABITAT
LOCATIONS DISCOVERED West Virginia
Common brownies, like their name suggests, are the most prevalent type of brownie, the least extraordinary of their species, and can be found almost everywhere. They are creatures of superstition and habit, enjoying their chores during the day and resting or taking up a hobby at night.
This kind of fae lives in “towns” comprised of 4 - 10 distinct families, with each family residing in their own home. They often build houses within the walls of human domains or tucked away in hidden, tight spaces under the stairs, floorboards, or deep within a cabinet or piece of furniture; homes are built from found objects and materials, while interior objects are crafted, found, or repurposed. In houses owned by humans with children, toys are often taken when no longer used for pre-built homes or ready-to-use items. Broken pieces of furniture, old clothing, scraps of paper, forgotten pieces of electronics/machinery, hair from brushes, items tucked away in closets/cupboards, and anything discarded is taken and made useful. The small fae are strictly against theft, and will only collect unwanted things or items that have not been used for a very long time. Though they don’t steal, when humans are away or sleeping they may rummage through, play with, or use objects and appliances; but, they always clean up after themselves when they are finished (unless they are interrupted first).
Types of Common Brownies: Home Preferences and Situations
Abandoned Brownie
Some brownies have lived in the same house for numerous generations. At times, these houses fall into severe disrepair, damage, or have into ruin, with no humans living within. These brownies have a very difficult time moving on from such places, doing their best to clean and fix up the dwelling, with hopes of their humans returning. Abandoned brownies often have very few possessions, are slim, sickly, and fatigued, and are looked upon with sadness by other fae.
Beastly Brownie
In very rare instances, common brownies may prefer to live in dwellings housing animals; these may include dog houses, horse stables, barns, and rabbit cages. It is believed that brownies with these inclinations have sprite blood in them from a distant or recent ancestor; some also have slightly reminiscent physical features of the other fae. Beastly brownies are more friendly to sprites than other brownies, and may even pair up with them if one strikes their fancy. These brownies will help take care of human pets/livestock, tidy the structure, and sometimes ride on the animals. They will also eat a small portion of the animal’s food and may occasionally take some of their eggs, wool, milk, hair, and/or feathers. Beastly brownies do not always build homes; several enjoy sleeping in hay, other bedding, or up in the rafters. Many brownies of these dwelling places have wild appearances, spirits, and do not always wear clothing. They hold one additional superstitious belief: if the fae notice that their human’s animals are growing unusually long hair, they believe that it will be an unusually cold winter.
Commerce Brownie
Some brownies prefer to live in human stores rather than human homes. These fae often have the largest number of possessions, elegant clothing, little free time, and extravagant homes; those working in stores that sell food may also be more plump than average. Commerce brownies will place any money found where their human will discover it, keep the area free of pests, help arrange or prepare goods, organize supplies, and keep the area clean. In certain towns, these types of brownies do not get along with others, for they have lofty attitudes.
Rural Brownie
Brownies living in rural homes are hard workers with ample free time in the evening. They are generally friendly towards sprites, and are the kind of common brownie most likely to encounter indoor pets. In general, they have a variety of interests, personalities, and appearances, are skilled in a wide variety of activities, and often do not wear shoes.
Urban Brownie
Urban brownies prefer to differentiate themselves from other common brownies. They spend much more time on their appearances than other varieties and cut their hair short, styling it to appear messy and carefree. They dislike their tall ears and tie them down with string, hoping to more resemble “classy” fae ears, like the curved, horizontal ones of elves or nymphs. Urban brownies do not love their humans as much as other brownies do and are more likely to flit from place to place or become bored. They are the most fluent in human languages.
Vagabond Brownie
When a common brownie harms one of their household’s humans, they are excommunicated from any brownie family and town. Word is spread throughout the region of the individual’s actions, ensuring that they are met with coldness and hostility. Brownies do not imprison or execute these offenders, as living outside of human and brownie communities is the worst possible existence they can imagine. Vagabonds typically travel alone or with other vagabonds; their lifestyles are like that of a wild animal. Eventually, they lose their ability to speak, recognize differences between creatures, or behave in a
APPEARANCE
The appearances of these brownies vary from place to place and depend upon the type of residence they live in. The West Virginian variety of common brownie has tall, upright ears with short fur; their round faces have large, dark eyes surrounded by thick lashes and short, upturned noses. Hair colors are dark and skin tone ranges from medium to dark; their hair is often grown long, with some individuals styling it. They are small fae creatures, growing no larger than six in. tall
DIET AND FEEDING
During the night, Mayples scour the kitchen, taking scraps or morsels of food to make meals out of; their favorite food of all, however, is maple syrup on anything. Some fae raise miniature, indoor herb/vegetable gardens in front of windows or the basement; seeds are often traded by sprites for indoor goods. Some of these fae also keep small pets for enjoyment or to farm resources; these creatures include: spiders, flies, mice, fleas, or other small insects. Meat, eggs, hair, silk, and other products are extracted from these critters for daily or special uses. Insects and mice can also be trained to move heavy/large objects, deliver mail, or fetch objects from outdoors.
ACTIVITY
After completing busy-work in their human and fae homes, brownies have free time. They do not like the outdoors and will only leave the house if required; very few even enjoy looking out the window. If humans are still awake when a brownie has downtime, they may watch TV with them, listen to them talk, read a book over their shoulder, tend an indoor garden, make things out of wood or cloth, play with human or handmade toys, or interact with other brownies (socializing, playing games, trading items). In larger households, common brownies also court in their free time.
Attraction between brownies is mostly appearance-based, but other qualities are factored in, like personality, assets, age, and interests. Gifts are exchanged between courting pairs; much time is also spent together after work. If the relationship is enjoyable and agreeable for the pair, one will go out in search of a blue feather to give to their love; the feather is a sign of commitment, happiness, and is given with intentions to become the lifelong mate of the recipient. If both individuals meet with a blue feather in hand, it is said they will experience the greatest love and happiness life has to offer.
Mates leave their families to create their own; if there isn’t enough room in the human home for another family unit, they will reluctantly leave, finding a new place to call home. Common brownies living in smaller towns leave their homes to seek out romance; they will often temporarily join another household until they find a complementary partner. Leaving home and not having a permanent residence for a prolonged time is very stressful on brownies; because of this, they often fall in love quickly, impatiently, and without much thought.
Mayples have slower developmental processes and shorter lives than most other fae. Beginning life as a defenseless babe, a brownies’ childhood lasts five years; during childhood, brownies are taught simple activities around the home. After this, they are taught how to read and write English from a traveling brownie or a knowledgeable local brownie (though not all brownies can read and write, it is frequently passed down from generation to generation, first learned by brownies living in schoolhouses, and later by those watching educational television programs); they are also instructed in the basic arts of cooking, cleaning, and crafting. The brownie may also be given jobs in unfrequented rooms of the household. After five or so years of learning, the brownie begins going into main sections of the household, participating in rituals, and is assigned more difficult chores. The fae is considered an adult at age 15; most common brownies live to be 65.
At times, usually at night, human pets cause problems for fae. Some alert humans of their activity, while others attempt to make a meal out of them. Dogs are more often befriended brownies, birds and fish much less so, but cats and reptiles have never been successfully allied by brownies—attempts usually result in death or severe injury.
Twice a year, Mayples from neighboring towns congregate outdoors. These meeting places are usually in the woods on a hill; in general, they are believed to be where the first brownie stood and looked out over human communities in that region. During this one-day celebration, feasts are held, stories shared, and music played on tiny flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. In few areas, these celebrations are attended by both local sprites and brownies; in most places, the relationship between the two is one of disgust and/or disdain. Festivals such as this take place in early spring and late fall.
Mayples practice many rituals, the most important being the brownie tradition to not to let humans know of their presence. This may have been enacted after some negative interactions between themselves and humans — such as eliciting fear or being mistaken for an insect. Brownies are very stealthy, able to hide in plain sight, and move without a sound. However, if one knows of brownie communities in the house, they can be befriended and coerced into revealing themselves; gifts of food or objects left by the fae home, written notes, and remembering to not be too loud are a few things that can be done to put brownies at ease. Once befriended, the beings may be conversed with, given commands, and will be more open with their activities.
FOLKLORE & SUPERSTITION
Activities in the Home
Most of a common brownie’s day revolves around their beloved humans. They help clean (sweeping up dust, knocking down webs, fixing broken things, and generally tidying up), listen for news to convey to the household, and do some rituals that foretell the future, express feelings/opinions, bring luck, or curses upon enemies.
Here are some rituals performed in Mayple homes for their humans' and family’s well-being:
Social News Rituals
If a brownie knows or believes someone may be coming to visit, they will throw itching powder on the human’s nose or push a dishcloth onto the floor.
When a sprite informs a brownie of a letter waiting in the mailbox, they will throw itching powder on the left hand.
If a brownie has heard from another brownie or sprite that someone has been talking about one of their humans, they will throw a mild burning powder on the person’s ear; the right one means a woman was talking about them, while the left means a man. If the ear tingles afterward, they were words of love; if the earaches afterward, they were spiteful words.
A brownie will knock a spoon off the table if they know a woman is coming to visit; they will push off a fork if it is a man.
If a brownie knows a human will receive good news that day, they will throw a mild itching powder towards the right eye; if bad news, it will be thrown to the left.
If a brownie thinks a human shouldn’t marry someone, they will trip the human before they leave with their potential partner.
If a neighbor borrows salt, they will have them repay it with sugar; if this is done by humans, they will replace it themselves. It is feared that if salt is returned, it will bring bad luck, and cause the pair to become enemies.
Rituals & Beliefs for Luck & Gain
If a brownie knows someone will be receiving money unexpectedly, they will throw a bubbling powder in their human’s drink.
Common brownies never walk out of a doorway with the same foot they walked in with, for it is very bad luck; they will also refuse to walk under a ladder, dream of muddy water, wear clothes inside out, be crossed by a black cat, or kill a spider or cricket, for fear of these things bringing bad luck. Fae try to help their humans follow these rules too.
If a brownie drops a comb, they will step on it lightly, believing it brings good luck; some will place a comb under a human’s foot, hoping that they will receive good luck too.
Common brownies believe that how the first day of the year goes is a sign of how the whole year will be; they try to ensure the entire household has a happy, safe New Year in hopes that the entire year will follow suit.
Brownies believe that if you dream in a new place on the first night you sleep there, the dream will come true.
These fae believe that if you see a strand of hay and throw it behind one’s back while making a wish, the wish will come true.
Many brownie homes have male crickets as pets, for their song is said to bring luck.
Female brownies believe that it is good luck for them to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a piece of money in their shoe; when human women marry or participate in other special events, female brownies attempt to make her meet these requirements (hiding clothes or putting things in pockets and shoes).
These brownies believe that if one sneezes three times before breakfast on a Sunday morning, there will be a death in the household; this sign is met with grave seriousness.
If a horse appears close to the house and neighs, these brownies believe that means a death will occur in the household soon; this superstition is also taken very seriously.
Cooked foods are sometimes swapped with identical versions from other brownies’ households, as eating food cooked by others is said to bring good luck.
On Christmas, cats’ mouths are tied shut with ribbons or other materials, for their meows are said to bring bad luck and draw paranormal entities on this day; a firework is often saved from the summer to set off this night, as the noise is believed to ward away any ghostly beings that have been attracted if the string has failed.
Twelve brownies bearing gifts from other households visit neighboring communities once a year, as it is said to bring luck to both families.
On New Year’s Eve at midnight, brownies eat apple slices, as it is said to prolong life, bring good health, and luck.
Health & Beauty for Humans & Their Brownies
If a child is sick, an old brownie will blow air into its mouth and write the name of its father onto the forehead with a finger to bring healing.
If a brownie is trying to grow their hair faster, they will snip off the tips on a Friday; if one of their humans is trying to, they will sneak in at night, and cut off the ends on a Friday.
Eating bread or cake baked on Christmas day is said to cure most stomach-based illnesses.
Curses for Enemies of the Family
If one of a brownies’ humans has been greatly wronged or killed, they may:
Seek out the bed of the person(s) and place a small broom in their bed; this is said to make the person ill, killing them slowly in their sleep.
Obtain some of the offender’s urine and mix it with secret ingredients gathered with the aid of household sprites; the concoction is dumped on the offender’s doorstep, bringing bad luck to the entire household and death to the offender.
Create a concoction made from various herbs, a lock of hair, brownie spit, and sprite magic to bring to life the offender’s pillow; this evil cushion sucks away the user’s luck so much so that they die from an unfortunate event.
Predicting the Weather
If the brownies see a cat wash their ears more than usual, it means it will rain.
If a brownie knows it will rain, they will direct smoke to go straight up a chimney; if the day will be clear, they curve the smoke; if the day will become cold, they will force the smoke towards the ground.
These superstitions and rituals have been verbally passed on to humans that befriended brownies long ago; today, many West Virginians still know these sayings, though few still practice or believe what they say.