There are more types of Faeries than you can imagine, each varying in size, build and alignment (good and evil). However, every type of Faerie has a pair of wings, and their own sort of magic.
Faeries have often been associated with the Otherworld, due to the use of their magic. They are often known to be mischievous. They have also been known to abduct human children, leaving Faerie Changlings behind. The real human baby can be returned by various rituals.
Faeries are also often associated with evil. Bells have often been used charm to ward off Faeries and evil spirits, though it's a dubious talisman as Faeries are known to use bells on the harnesses of their horses.
Faerie Rings
Faeries dance in these rings, and often lure humans into them - bards imparticularly. The human can only get out by a human chain being formed outside the ring and pulling the human out. Certain trees that grow within these rings are sacred to Faeries, and have been known to exact their wrath upon any who violate these trees through sickness and bad luck.
Other Names for Faeries
Other names include Fairy (I do not use this name for the relation to Fairy Tales and other make believe relations), Sidhe, variations on Fairy and Faerie (eg. Ferie, Fearie etc.), and the term for the race in general and the plural is Fae.
Faerie Links
www.lavendise.com A beautiful website with lots of information, for believers
www.crosswinds.com/~rlehmann/ The Faerie Encyclopedia
www.geocities.com/sierra_lady_45/ The Fairy Hollow - a webpage for Fairy believers
