Gremlin
Gremlins are a particularly unpleasant type of fey adapted to the Universe12 most common in the depths of the Darklands. They are loathed by most creatures for their dark and sadistic sense of humour, malicious and often deadly pranks, and general mischievousness that always results in either injury or damage to a creature or its property.3
Appearance
Gremlins range between one and three feet in height, with the smaller gremlins generally having a stronger connection to the First World of the fey. Apart from their similar size, different types of gremlin vary from insect-like to canine in size, though all are at least vaguely humanoid.3
Each type of gremlin has at least one unique ability that they use to wreak havoc, from tinkering with magic items4 to causing their opponents incredible bouts of bad luck.5
Habitat
Many types of gremlin prefer to live in the Darklands, where they inhabit the smallest tunnels, especially in places where the dimensional walls between the Universe and First World grow thin.6 They also enjoy living close to the surface, so that they can creep into cities and towns at night to wreak their unique brand of sadistic mischief.3
Society
Almost all gremlins enjoy ruination and derive their greatest joy from causing complex things to collapse at the slightest nudge. Their targets are not limited to objects and devices, either, as some gremlins work to ruin intangible things such as relationships.12
Gremlins often enjoy bullying or killing weaker gremlins, with the weakest mitflits—derisively known among gremlins as "mites"1 or "baggies"2—bearing the brunt of this behavior.12
Bells
Bells of semiprecious metals are part of many societies' superstitions as a defense against gremlin activity, and while gremlins have no physical aversion to bells they also share this superstition and often avoid causing even mundane bells to ring.12
Hoards
Gremlin nests contain hoards of clutter, which ranges in composition from garbage to objects of significant (if not great) value. The few treasures in a gremlin hoard are often mixed with rusty metal, cursed items, or dangerous vermin.12
Religion
Gremlins tend to worship archdevils or demon lords, depending on their type.6
Types
While there are doubtlessly many, many more types of gremlins, the most commonly known gremlinkind are listed in the navigational box at the end of this article.
References
Paizo published a major chapter about gremlins in Fey Revisited.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 “Monsters A-Z” in Bestiary, 192. Paizo Inc., 2019 .
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 “Gremlin” in Monster Core, 180. Paizo Inc., 2024 .
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Howl of the Carrion King, 82. Paizo Inc., 2009 .
- ↑ Howl of the Carrion King, 83. Paizo Inc., 2009 .
- ↑ Howl of the Carrion King, 84. Paizo Inc., 2009 .
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 “Nar-Voth” in Into the Darklands, 24. Paizo Inc., 2008 .