The Fir Darrig

The Fir Darrig, pronounced "fear dearg", is an Irish fairy, though its original home may have been Scotland. Translated, the name means "red man." They are also known by the name Rat Boys, largely due to their appearance; they have dark, hairy skin, long snouts, skinny tails and are rather fat. Even their clothing looks as though it might have been scrounged from a sewer, being extremely torn and shabby.

Some legends hold that the Fir Darrig is an unlucky former human who wandered into fairy land by mistake and now attempts to warn others from making the same mistake. Despite this apparently good natured move, they revel in cruel and gruesome pratical jokes, which they play upon those who have made the mistake of irritating them. Possessing a similar lack of taste in their choice of foodstuffs, Fir Darrigs consume carrion as their main staple.

Most active in winter, and found along polluted coastlines, in swamps, marshes and coastal ruins, it is best to avoid these creatures at almost any cost. Occasionally they venture into the land of humans, where they delight in startling people by knocking upon their doors in the dead of night and asking to warm themselves at the fire. Never refuse such a request, as it is exceedingly bad luck and you may wake to find a changeling in your child's crib or that your cows have come down with the pox. Should you happen to encounter a Fir Darrig, take great pains to be polite to it lest you become the victim for one of its practical jokes.