Lying on the forest floor among the bright colors of fall, a small acorn of stark contrast germinates－hiding a pair of magical creatures few have ever seen or heard of. Pallidae avoid human contact, focusing instead on protecting their parental oak tree and local wildlife.

Pallidae exist wherever oak trees can be found: between cool temperate regions and tropical areas, including the Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. When searching for a tree to claim, bearing Pallidae tend to prefer trees far from human activity and in dense, forested areas. Waxen acorns are fairly large when compared to typical oak nuts; on average, they are 7 cm long and 5 cm wide. Pallidae are about 6 in tall and 2.5 in wide.

A Pallidus’ life expectancy depends on the species of oak they are attached to; they can live anywhere from 80 to 600 years, though on average they live to be around 200. However, if an oak tree is felled, dying from natural or human-related activity, all Pallidae tied to it (within two generations) will also perish; disease or declining health in an oak is also visible in their fae companions. Deforestation and accidental hunting of Pallidae have taken a large toll on their population. There are few remaining throughout the world today, though their numbers are slowly increasing in protected forests and parks.

Life Cycle and Development

The life of a Pallidus begins as a hard, bright white acorn; this special nut contains two seeds protected by a strong, leathery shell and a bumpy, light gray cap. The seeds drop from large oaks in September－after staying five months on the branch－and grow two tiny creatures.2 Inside the nut, a thick, milky substance fills the pod, as well as two miniscule human-like fetuses. As the humanoid seeds develop, their food source diminishes and the shell expands. When the creatures grow too large for the nut, it splits and the fae slowly make their way out of the capsule. Pallidae’s eyes are sensitive to sunlight, so immediately after hatching, they hide in the oak’s shadows. Each Pallidus stretches its spindly limbs, unfurls fragile, translucent, leaf-shaped wings, and explores their nearby surroundings. For now, the fae travel no farther than a foot from their oak tree.

After a few weeks, the creatures double in size and are considered fully grown (about 6 in tall and 2.5 in wide). Like their acorn’s coloring, they have a stark white skin tone that darkens to the hue of bark after a month; their long, sharp faces are framed with white wispy hair－ which also darkens, reflecting whatever color their oak’s leaves are, light brown or white in the winter－and elongated, curved, pointed ears. From high branches, they flit from tree to tree, scanning with large, rose-colored eyes. Though they have the ability to walk, run, and jump, they rarely do so, preferring the faster travel their wings provide.

Pallidae spend most, if not all, of their life within one mile of the tree that gave them life. Protector Pallidae－the fae born from the right side of a seed－remain by the oak’s side for the entirety of their lifespan; bearing Pallidae－the fae born from the left side of a seed－stay with the oak until they reach maturity. Both creatures have different ecological roles, but, for the most part, protect their parent tree from harm, and help it spread its seed. The oak tree provides each Pallidus with everything it needs: shelter in its branches, water cupped in or stored within leaves, and a variety of meals found on its trunk and limbs. These fae do not require much sustenance, eating only small quantities of insects, usually worms, caterpillars, flies, and beetles. After a day of hunting, planting acorns, and scaring away dangers, Pallidae sleep in the treetops. When spring arrives, the bearing Pallidus leaves its home oak and sibling; it begins a short search for a new oak－one without a Pallidus. There, it reproduces and dies.

Pallidae are genderless and reproduce asexually; bearing Pallidae find an oak tree uninhabited by a waxen acorn or Pallidus. There, the creature spends a week eating as much food as it can find. Then, it hangs upside down like a bat from one of the branches, gripping tightly to a developing acorn with its feet; a thick, sticky substance made from the fae’s unusual saliva and crushed plant fibers (leaves ground together in their mouth) is meticulously applied in a circular motion beginning at the feet. Once the creature is coated up to its midsection, it hangs lifeless, the hardened substance keeping it in place. The mixture transforms the regular acorn into a Pallidae seed pod and liquefies the dead fae’s lower body; it also provides a thicker protective coating for the acorn. The old oak seed provides a source of food to the fetuses, as does the fae’s dissolved body. As time passes, the top half of the dead fae’s body shrivels up, darkens to a deep brown color, and all of its hair falls out, causing it to resemble a thin twig. The waxen acorn eventually falls to the ground, where it grows until its food has been depleted and its size too large.

Behavior and Abilities

Pallidae are passive, peaceful creatures unless their parental oak tree is threatened. Whether it is a bear scratching bark, an oakworm destroying hordes of leaves, or a man with an axe, Pallidae fight off any they believe will cause their tree harm. Though small, the fae are fast and have a few magical abilities.

The creatures can take on the form of three different animals: an owl, stag, or bear. Each of these forms appear with stark white feathers, fur, and/or antlers with large, bright red eyes. The fae uses these illusions to scare trespassers/violators away, though they can cause no physical harm. While transformed, the creature sounds, smells, and looks exactly like an albino version of the species emulated. If the fae is injured or killed while in this form, it will transform back to its miniature shape. Their unusual appearance often backfires, as human hunters enjoy taking down unique prey as trophies. The bright white and red of the Pallidae’s disguise is usually enough to ward off other animals; a Pallidus’ owl form scares off small rodents, the threat of the stag’s horns and hooves frightens larger animals, and the enormous girth of their bear form intimidates their most stubborn adversaries. Additionally, Pallidae naturally emit a pheromone that calms most wild animals. However, if a Pallidus is angered, they will exude a scent that agitates nearby wildlife

An Acorn for Luck

As the old saying goes, “keep an acorn in your pocket for good luck”; this is based off the unique experience one can have while holding a waxen acorn.

If a human keeps a waxen acorn in their pocket, it will become dormant, but it will also cause the owner to smell similar to a Pallidus. The seed’s scent is soothing and acts as a magnet to wildlife when more than a mile from its oak. This smell draws in a variety of creatures－but predominantly deer－to the holder; the animals may react to the holder in a variety of ways: it may come within 10 ft, or come as close as possible, sniffing or licking a hand.

Due to its unique properties, the acorns were frequently used by hunters for easy game. Over the years, the specifics about this hunting method were misconstrued and forgotten. Today, all that remains of this practice is a widely held belief that acorns－much like rabbit’s foot and four-leaf clovers－are lucky.

Early pioneers not only used the seedlings as lures, but broke them open for glue; the undeveloped Pallidae and their embryonic sacs are especially sticky, drying as a tough, stretchy, and waterproof substance.