Firlings are one of the many species native to the Barley Pines, living in treetop communities scattered throughout the enchanted wood. The Barley Pines is a unique forest that exists simultaneously on both the Material Plane and the Feywild. Outsiders often refer to Firlings as "Pine Gnomes," largely due to their diminutive size and similar demeanour. However, this resemblance is merely a coincidence of convergent evolution; in reality, Firlings are more closely related to Treants than to gnomes.
In their early history, Firlings were highly cautious, avoiding interactions with other inhabitants of the Barley Pines and creatures from outside the forest. Over many generations, however, they have gradually become more open to those who do not share their heritage, even learning and adopting the common language spoken by most species throughout the multiverse.
While Firlings prefer to remain in their deep forest settlements, some adventurous family units have been known to move into newly formed communities, provided they are near the forest. No Firling in their right mind would ever choose to live in a city.
A typical Firling stands about 3 ft tall, with dark, mottled bark-like skin and hair that resembles tree foliage. Firlings have distinct lilac-coloured eyes, which allow them to see the full spectrum of unique colours that permeate the Feywild—colours that most other species perceive as merely more saturated versions of the ones they can see.
- from the publisher's blurb