Yes, S is for Spriggan – perhaps the most unsightly of the Fae. Sometimes referred to as ‘goat-men’, they are grotesque in several ways, and dangerous despite their small size.
Here, a spriggan is shown emerging from a wall in Crouch End, London. It’s a talent born of the creature’s make-up, which is closely related to stone.
A spriggan often looks like a wizened old man, but has a large child-like head that resembles a human child with progeria. That would be the rare genetic defect that causes a human child to age with such rapidity the youngster is already dying of old age by the time he or she approaches anything like adult size. Nearly all of them die before reaching the age of 14.
Humans suffering from progeria tend to go bald at a very early age, but commonly wear headgear to conceal the fact. Because of this, one might mistake a human for a spriggan, which is not nearly as risky as its converse, mistaking a spriggan for a human.
These are traits common to progeria victims, to which I would add ‘manga eyes’ – the disproportionately large head often features eyes that look too large as well, as is often depicted in ‘manga’ style graphic novels.
Some look less human than others.
And some, like this little girl, resemble living mummies.
The spriggan, however, is actually kin to the trolls of Scandinavia.
Note the large nose and sparse hair and fur on this young troll’s body.
The adult troll, however, can grow to a considerable size, and is as well known for its brute strength as its body odor and its lack of intellect.
The spriggan can also grow to enormous size, and do so almost instantaneously! This is why they are sometimes said to be the ghosts of giants. Well, in the Nordic sense of the Jotun, this is partially true – the Norse have never clearly drawn a line separating the giants from the trolls in Jotunheim. The spriggan is distinct from the troll, however, in one important respect – a spriggan can withstand direct sunlight where a troll is apt to be turned to stone in a permanent fashion or burnt to a crisp.
This unfortunate fellow poked his head of his cave at the wrong time.
A Celtic spriggan of the traditional sort is mostly likely to be found in Cornwall these days. Wherever you find one, however, it is best to view the creature as anything but ethereal, whether or not it can pass through walls and emerge from stones. In some ways, it is made of stones and sometimes looks like a stack of rocks come to sudden and rather horrifying life.
Do NOT throw rocks at a spriggan! They are apt to return the favor by throwing chunks of themselves at you in turn, and with deadly accuracy. What’s worse, they can recall the parts they’ve hurled at you, rather like Thor’s hammer, and then, of course, they can do it all over again. As many times as they like.
For this reason, and because they are impervious to so many magical weapons and spells, the spriggans often serve as bodyguards to other fae.
Unlovely, yes, but effective in their own way.
Spriggans also serve as guards and watchmen. Formerly, they were often found at the sites of ancient ruins, stone cairns (which they can imitate to an amazing degree), and barrows, especially if the tombs contain any form of buried treasure.
Nowadays, and especially since the Fall, spriggans often work as security guards at banks and check-cashing offices.
If you should spot a security guard who sports a prominent nose, large eyes, and a bald head, like either of these two fellows, be polite and keep your distance. Above all, if you should have grand larceny in mind, go pick another bank to rob!
Fae Forensics 
Those poor children! How horrible for them.