Brownie

Brownie

Species	faerie
No. Appearing	4–16
Behaviour	community
Range	rural, woodland
Size	18 in. tall
Weight	3 lbs.
Intelligence	14 to 15
Armour Class	2
Hit Dice	9
Action Points	5
Max. Stride	6
THAC0	15
Hp/Die	d2
Attack Forms	by weapon type (sword or bow)
Damage	1–2 (due to weapon size)
Special Attacks	saving throw, stealth, mage class

Brownies are diminuative, shy fey creatures known for their mischievous but generally helpful nature, often aiding households or adventurers by performing minor chores in secret. They possess magical abilities, including invisibility and limited spell use, making them difficult to detect or capture. There is a great deal that is misunderstood about brownies. Contrary to popular belief, not all brownies possess magical abilities. To cast spells, a brownie must be trained as a mage, just as any other race; they do not possess innate spellcasting powers. However, as the mage class is the only leveled profession available to them, many brownies do become mages, and it is common to find at least one or two spellcasters in any gathering of brownies.

Those who do practice magic tend to favour specific spells that are deeply rooted in their culture and traditions. A list of commonly used brownie spells is provided below. Though their size and agility would make them remarkable thieves, it is not in their nature to pursue such a vocation. As faeries, brownies make their homes in woodland areas, though they do not live in the deep wilderness. Occasionally, they will follow travelers through the forest to ensure their safety, quietly watching over them and, when the situation allows, stepping forward to offer aid when it seems safe to do so.

General Description

Brownies prefer temperate climates and can be found in both the Old and New Worlds. They are small in stature and choose to reside in rural farmhouses inhabited by larger humanoids. Their exceptional stealth ability allows them to move unseen within a household, even when its residents are present, granting them a +15 bonus to stealth due to their hit dice and small size. If they are ever discovered, it is often considered a good omen, and the householders — bound by superstition — are likely to keep their presence a secret rather than attempt to drive them away.

Brownies dress finely and speak with eloquence, possessing a wealth of stories and practical wisdom. They are natural craftsmen, with an innate ability to repair broken objects, and they take great pleasure in working with wood, leather, metal and pottery. If they grow fond of the household they inhabit, they will spontaneously mend and maintain items in need of repair, often without being asked. Though it is exceedingly rare, brownies may also increase a household's stock of goods, but this only occurs if the residents prove to be especially kind, humble and deserving.

A brownie household typically consists of a husband and wife, occasionally accompanied by a brother, sister or grandparent, along with anywhere from one to five children. The composition of each group varies greatly, and there is no strict pattern to their family structures.

Legends depicting brownies as malevolent have persisted for centuries due to widespread misunderstanding. Jinxkins, creatures visually similar to brownies, deliberately cause mischief and harm, making sure they are seen in the process. This deception often leads humans to believe that brownies are to blame, encouraging them to take drastic measures to drive them away. In reality, brownies are entirely innocent of the trouble ascribed to them, suffering unjust blame for the malicious actions of their lookalike counterparts.

In combat, brownies are extremely difficult to strike, as their small size and quick reflexes make them elusive targets.

Weapons

In combat, brownies wield an exceptionally sharp short sword, which, despite its diminutive size, is highly effective within their grasp, dealing 1-2 damage. The weapon's handle and hilt are crafted specifically for a brownie's small hands, making it completely unusable by other humanoids, even those as small as halflings. Their short swords are commonly (3 in 10) found as +1 or +2 weapons, though more powerful variations exist in rare cases. These swords are never forged by brownies themselves but are instead inherited, gifted or occasionally reclaimed from fallen kin, as brownies do not waste valuable enchanted weapons. Despite their magic, these swords remain useless to any larger race, as their grips and hilts are far too small to wield properly.

The brownie's bow is similarly unique in design. Though it measures only 18 inches in length, it is constructed from high-quality composite materials combined with an unnatural craftsmanship, enabling brownies to fire arrows with surprising efficiency despite their small stature. The bow's arrows inflict 1-2 damage, but brownies are exceptional marksmen, gaining a +3 bonus when aiming. Like their swords, these bows are far too small for any player character race to use effectively. The brownie's bow is similarly enchanted, frequently appearing as a +1 or +2 weapon that grants exceptional accuracy. Some brownies carry bows that do not suffer range penalties, while others may have arrows that strike unerringly when fired.

Magic Use

Though most brownies do not possess spellcasting ability, they all save as 9th-level mages. This is not due to any actual level progression but rather an inherent quality of their magical nature as small fey creatures, granting them remarkable resistance to magical effects and spells. On average, one in four brownies will be leveled and capable of casting spells. However, this distribution is not uniform — within a given brownie family, there may be no mages at all or there may be multiple spellcasters. The magical aptitude of each individual should be rolled for separately rather than assumed.

Children exhibit natural magical talent but are limited to 1st level, as they lack training and experience. A near-mature youth may reach 2nd level, while a young, unmarried adult (typically an aunt or uncle) will range from 3rd to 4th level. A parent is usually 3rd to 6th level, while a grandparent is certainly among the most experienced, typically at 6th to 7th level. The notion that brownies can progress beyond 7th level remains unconfirmed. If such individuals exist, they are exceptionally rare, and little is known about their abilities or the circumstances under which they may have advanced further.

The following is the list of spells that a brownie would have at each level (presented here cumulatively):

• 1st: feather fall, protection from malevolence, ventriloquism & 3 useful cantrips
• 2nd: unseen servant & 1 legerdemain cantrip
• 3rd: mirror image & 1 personal cantrip
• 4th: dancing lights, forget & 2 haunting sound cantrips
• 5th: invisibility 10' radius & 1 person-affecting cantrip
• 6th: wizard lock, continual light & 2 reversed cantrips
• 7th: dimension door & 1 useful cantrip

Therefore, a brownie of 4th level would have five 1st level spells and two 2nd level spells, along with 7 cantrips. As well, the brownie would also have all the other benefits from having increased in level as a mage, including 4–16 additional hit points and sage abilities.

See Bestiary