Introduction

Collector: Few fae are more misunderstood than the Collectors. Often mislabeled as “Tooth Fairy,” this magical creature waits until invited into a home. Generally, the invitation comes with a transaction, wherein the Collector will accept an offering in exchange for an inner desire. Since this almost exclusively happens among children following the instructions of their parents upon losing a tooth, the transaction is typically limited to exchanging small teeth for money. Few have ever experienced the true power - or consequence - of a Collector, and fewer still have escaped from a more deliberate deal.

Collectors exchange items of importance to the giver, offered at an altar. With the transactions happening within the world between, almost exclusively accessed by humans within their dreams, this altar is commonly located beneath their pillow. Offerings may include teeth, a cell phone, keys, or anything else from, or valued by the giver. The Collector will leave behind another object, trading the human's offering for the desires of their heart and soul, which is generally the end of the bargain.

If what the giver wants isn't a tangible item, Collectors may influence the world to bring about the desires of their heart. In this instance, the bargain will often involve some form of contract. Collectors draw their power from trading and adding to their collection, so when such magic is required, they provide a list of items they desire. Most often, these other items are easy enough to come by, but when what they desire is the human unfortunate enough to strike this bargain, these tricky fairies may ask for more than they can provide. 

Failing to fulfill the contract is never recommended, with any fairy. This can lead to generational misfortune, crippling curses, and even abduction. In the case of Collectors, they will simply add the unfortunate human to their collection, forcing them into a life of thievery until the human has earned their freedom. Since fairies are forbidden from stealing, Collectors use their indentured human to help expand their collection, though this method is considerably less efficient in building magic.

Deep in the heart of a jungle, within a realm just outside the reach of men, lies a cave. Wonders and horrors hide inside the cave. From glittering piles of gold and jewels, to broken remnants of skeletons of those foolish enough to seek their fortunes, sprawling hills of vast treasures, and the greedy dragon that hoards it all. Many have tried to take even a handful from the vast caverns, but even the mightiest of orcs have been reduced to a pile of-

Belching flame erupts from a hole in the ground as another hapless victim tries to make their escape. The dragon roars, flapping his wings as he pursues his prey. Panic fills his nose, bringing a wicked grin to his maw, dozens of teeth sharp enough to pierce steel glinting in the low light dancing through the cave. Wind whips all around with each powerful sweep of his wings, sending coins and other bits of treasure scattering beneath him, a worrying sound as he narrows his eyes, trying to focus on the fleeing target.

She darts behind a fallen pillar, smaller than other warriors. Her small frame allows her to hide well, and the lack of armor affords her impressive speed. The dragon inhales through his nose, drawing in a deep breath that fills his lungs and helps him learn of his foe. Female, human, and young. He can't identify her attire, broadening his smile further as his feet hit the ground with a resounding thud.

“Entering my domain naked, are we?” he grumbles with a smirk. “That's… bold.”

On the other side of the pillar, Summer Tyme looks down at her leggings. The blue spandex clings to her legs, just as tightly as the form-fitting top clutching her chest. Her hands shake with thinly contained terror as she crouches low, careful to remain out of sight, her sneakers thankfully living up to their name as she soundlessly creeps along the long-downed pillar.

‘How do I get into these situations?’ she thinks, her hand sliding along the cracked, crumbled marble beside her. The dragon's wings flap again and again, sending more sparkling treasures fleeing with the wind, and her panicked eyes dart around the coins in view for one specific disk. Her glasses are slightly askew, scuffed, and clouded with dust, but she must finish this errand. ‘No other interns or legal assistants have to do this sh-’ 

Her line of thought is cut when a thundering boom accompanies the bone-rattling shake of the dragon landing nearby. The sound of gold falling in the distance is a surprising comfort, like raining glass that somehow sends a calming shiver up her spine. Never did she ever think to be comforted by- she never anticipated needing to be comforted in a dragon's den! A divisive snort bursts from her nose before she can catch it, and she hears the dragon react.

The pillar spirals from a mighty sweep of his tail just as she dives to the side, but it still collides into her. Fortunately, the momentum she'd given herself in the split second reaction was enough to avoid serious injury, but her violet rimmed glasses tumbled from her face as she rolled to the ground. A shoe flipped off her foot, and she landed on her shoulder hard enough to feel a worrying jolt burn down her arm. As she slid to a stop across the smooth stone floor, her mind raced as though processing the events of her life…