Allister Sassafeas, an Old-World Leprechaun (Sutor vetus).
This is what's written in Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You about Leprechauns.
Leprechauns (Family: Ingeniosidae)[]
Leprechauns (also sometimes called clurichauns) are the diligent craftspeople of Faerie, tirelessly toiling at leatherworking and cobbling. They spend most of their time in their forest workplaces, although they do sometimes winter the cellars of human homes, particularly ones where food is stored. Many people have entered their basements in the spring to find shelves filled only with empty cans and bottles because of a leprechaun.
Although known for their incredible shoemaking skills, leprechauns have a variety of other talents, including tailoring clothing, building homes and fashioning tools. Leprechauns can forge horseshoes and will sometimes shod unusual beasts, such as goats and the occasional cat. They may also ride these animals as though they were steeds.
Leprechauns are known for possessing gold they earn through their craft and must often employ a host of tricks to keep from being cheated, matching wits with their would-be robbers. One way leprechauns dupe thieves is by revealing the location of their treasure and then making sure it cannot be found again. If a thief marks the location by cutting a notch on a tree, he or she will return to find a similar notch on every tree in the forest. If a person digs a hole, they will find holes dug for miles around. And even if a leprechaun's treasure is obtained, if it is out of sight for a moment, it is likely to lose its luster. Gold may turn into leaves and gems become dull pebbles in a thief's pocket. Leprechauns, like other faeries, never forget when they have been wronged.
Known species[]
- Old-World Leprechaun (Sutor vetus)
Additional facts[]
Old-World Leprechaun
If a single, small shoe is found in a field or meadow, it's a clear sign of a Leprechaun.
Where a Leprechaun has spent time, four-leaf clovers are likely to spring up.
Known Leprechauns[]
Allister Sassafeas and his brother Bernie were both encountered by Arthur Spiderwick.
Behind the scenes[]
In British and Irish folklore, a Leprechaun is a Faerie specializing on making shoes. If you catch one, it is forced to tell where its gold treasure is buried. The Clurichaun can be described as the night version of the Leprechaun. Leprechauns enjoy drinking alcoholic drinks, and when drunk, they often ride on small animals such as cats and goats.
Appearances[]
- Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide (First appearance)