Quote: “Why, what has happened to you, my friend? Here, have a seat by the fire while I get you something warm to drink. Please, tell me all about it…”

Boggans derive their greatest pleasure from work. An honest job, good company and a regular routine are all most boggans require. They’re known throughout the society of the Kithain for their hard work and integrity. It is said that a boggan is as honest as the dirt on his hands.

This honesty includes a need to help others. Boggan homebodies are known for their hospitality, and few can refuse to help a traveller in need. Wilders often take to the road to seek out those in need of help, even when this makes them seem like troublesome meddlers. Seelie boggans display altruism out of compassion and the goodness of their hearts: Unseelie boggans find themselves drawn to the needy out of opportunistic desires. Regardless of Court, this kith’s philosophy of noble service glorifies helping others. Status among their kind is measured by the number of people they have “helped”. Beneficiaries who grow complacent, however, are cut off quickly.

Boggans who prefer to stay at home value comfort and security. Whether that home belongs to them or someone else makes little difference. The more sedate types settle into pleasant lives in caretaking positions; carpenters, gardeners, cooks and barkeepers have all gained notoriety among their kind. As long as the people who boggans help appreciate them, the simple folk do their best.

There is another reason why boggans humbly integrate themselves into households: They are notorious gossips. The secrets they just “happen to overhear” are considered just reward for their hard work. Seelie boggans insist that they gather this information out of simple curiosity. Unseelie tuck their information away to be pulled out on “special occasions”. Whether motivated by altruism or greed, boggans have managed to turn a vice into an art form.

Despite this weakness, boggans are deservedly proud of their reputation as hard workers. Some have been known to work themselves to death to do a job correctly. Questioning the quality of a boggan’s work is a sure way to send her into a rage. Though no one has actually seen an angry boggan stamp herself to death, some wilders have tried. A boggan who has done less than her best considers herself to be deeply in debt to those she has tried to serve.

The concept of debt is important to remember when dealing with boggans. They consider volunteer service to be the greatest of honours, most would sooner die than be in debt to anyone. Seelie boggans often refuse payment for their services, and may actually be offended by such offers. Unseelie boggans consider forcing others into positions of debt to be true sign of power. It is dangerous to scheme for wealth, however. The most avaricious Unseelie boggans are referred to as “boggarts”, and are treated with disdain by other Kithain. A boggan’s fear of indebtedness often keeps him from establishing close ties. Although they will cheerfully work with others, boggans rarely enter into oaths of any kind.

Anyone who thinks a boggan will always be subservient is a fool. Although a boggan devotes himself to the service of others, he always knows his own worth. Even when he is employed by others, a steadfast representative of this kith sees himself as the master of the situation. By rendering service to those in need, boggans gain a sense of nobility that no title or position can equal.

Appearance: Boggans are short of stature with thick, downy hair and a tendency toward plumpness. They often have small, bright eyes, emphasising their large noses. Their hands are fairly large and calloused, with agile fingers and gnarled knuckles. Boggans often have exceptionally thick eyebrows, which frame their eyes and grow wildly. Their skin is tanned, and darkens and wrinkles with age. Their attire is usually simple by Kithain standards.

Lifestyle: A warm hearth, a well-stocked kitchen, a comfortable bed - these are essentials in a boggan home. While some boggans are known for their talent in the kitchen or the parlour, many of them find jobs in professions like construction work and emergency services. Wherever there’s honest work to do, boggans find themselves right at home.

Childlings are mischievous and always running underfoot. They tend to gather wherever work is being done. They may not always be attentive while helping out, but they often learn their trades at an early age. Once the chores are done, they’re eager to get into mischief.

Wilders cannot help but seek out adventure. Why hide under your mother’s apron when there’s a world to see out there? Despite their wandering ways, once they find a motley of adventurous Kithain, they stick with that group, and very little can drive them away. Of all the group, they’re the most likely to worry about the wholesomeness of the food they purchase and the quality of the tobacco for their pipes.

Grumps often settle into permanent residences where they can potter about. This is often a place where they can support as many fae within a local freehold as possible. The level of comfort in this place is a prime concern for them.

Affinity: Actor.

Craftwork - Boggans never shy away from hard work. In fact, it brings them together. They have a reputation for being swift and superior craftspersons. If unobserved, they can accomplish any task involving simple physical labour in one-third of the normal time.

Because of their affinity for work, boggans can never botch Crafts rolls.

Social Dynamics - Since they are often intimately acquainted with the workings of households, boggans have a heightened sense of the relationships between people. Gossip gets around even in the largest freeholds. Seelie boggans pick up clues such as the subtle glances of would-be lovers; Unseelie boggans tend to notice conspiratorial relationships and rivalries. A successful Perception + Empathy (or Subterfuge) roll allows a boggan to puzzle out a group’s social dynamics. The difficulty can range from 5 (for a small travelling band) to 10 (for a royal ball brimming with intrigue).

This Birthright functions normally even when dealing with mortals and the unenchanted in social situations.

Call of the Needy - Boggans cannot stand the sight of another person in need. When confronted by someone in legitimate need, a boggan must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 8) to avoid assisting that person in some way.

Attend to the words of William Surefoot as he roasts your dinner…

On Eshu - Watch these wanderers closely. They’ll come trading tales for a warm hearth and a full belly, but they sometimes leave with full pockets too.

On Nockers - I admire their diligence, but they tend to get carried away with their work. They really should learn to enjoy life more.

On Pooka - Irresponsible and foolish. They’ll do their best to keep your spirits high, but they’re rarely around when there’s real work to be done.

On Redcaps - Redcaps have foul table manners and fouler attitudes. I’m glad I don’t have to clean up after them.

On Satyrs - Well, they certainly are enthusiastic about seeking their…um, wisdom. Don’t refill their wine glasses too often, or there’ll be trouble, mark my words.

On Sidhe - The sidhe are all too often misunderstood. It’s admirable that they carry the ideals of another world. It’s too bad this one is so hard on them.

On Sluagh - They always know more than they tell. Listen to them closely. Show a little generosity, and they may repay you with a choice bit of news.

On Trolls - They value honour and duty. In my book, that makes them nobler than the sidhe.