From Greek mythology there are a number of nature spirits and creatures who delight in merry making and causing mischief to humans. Fauns are very fairy-like in their appearance, having the features of attractive youths and the legs, tail and ears of a deer. They are gentle creatures who delight in merry-making, the playing of shawms (a type of flute) and singing and dancing. There are myths telling of the beneficial aspects of a nearby faun on the fertility of a farmer's crops (and daughters).

The related and often confused satyr, is also a half-man half beast spirit from the wilderness. However the Satyr is rude and coarse, having the hair, tail, legs and ears of a goat. They are lustful, lazy, cruel, malicious and greedy. Their primary pastime is to participate in drunken orgies and rape nymphs, who have the unfortunate burden of perpetuating the satyr race. While they participate in their drunken orgies, satyrs often perform a special dance called the sikinnis.

Nymphs are the Greek nature spirits that inhabit plants and other natural features. All take the forms of beautiful maidens. Each type of feature has a different type of nymph associated with it. Dryads inhabit forests, each has its own tree, and will live as long as the tree does. Napaeae inhabit similar areas but do not live in a particular tree, but stem from an entire grove. The Oreades live in the mountains. Nerrids live in water and are the most malicious of the Nymphs they have a habit of entrancing and stealing handsome men, who may never be seen again above the waters. All nymphs have voices so beautiful they are often mistaken as the musical sound of the wind. The beauty of a nymph dancing has never been satisfactorily put into words, though a few love-struck poets have tried.


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