Sprite

Sprites (also called forest sprites)  are small, mischievous nature spirits found in Pandaria, on the Wandering Isle, in Val'sharah, and on the islands of the Great Sea.

Background
Mischievous and prevalent, the nature sprites of Pandaria resemble the prevalent features of their surroundings, like shrubs or rocks. Their appearance allows them to easily hide and engage in their favorite pastime – playing tricks on others for inscrutable reasons. Many forest sprites' pranks – disguising themselves as stools to trip people, or throwing fruit and nuts at wanderers – seem harmless. Mountain spirits' means of interaction tend to have a higher incidence of violence and death, involving rockslides and falls off cliffs.

Rumor has it that more deadly, unique varieties of sprites have emerged in sha-tainted areas. If sprites' behavior is simply a reflection of the environments that surround them, any such creatures must be monumentally dangerous.

Plant-like sprites are really just living plants and will resprout later if killed. The needles of the needle sprites that dwell in Kun-Lai Summit can be used in a special acupuncture technique to purge poison.

Sprites shroud themselves in illusion to avoid detection. It is a little-known secret that the dust sprites use for their various tricks have restorative properties.

While fascinated by flowers, the dandelion frolicker has also been known to dance with blades of grass and the occasional weed.

Groups

 * Broken Isles
 * The Thistleleaf sprites are found in Val'sharah.
 * The Mischievous Sprites in Highmountain are using Shimmering Dust to disguise themselves as Soothoof Hillstrider goats.


 * Pandaria
 * The Ashleaf sprites are found on the Timeless Isle near Pandaria.
 * The Darkwoods are found in Townlong Steppes.
 * The Greenwood are found in the Jade Forest.
 * The Shadowfae are found in the Jade Forest
 * The Rikkitun are found in the Dread Wastes.


 * Others
 * The Amberleaf sprites are found on the Wandering Isle.
 * The sprites that inhabit the islands of the Great Sea have thought of many traps to lure in unwary visitors.

Types

 * Forest sprite
 * Mountain sprite
 * Water sprite
 * Sha-tainted sprite

As a companion pet

 * Ashleaf Spriteling has a chance to drop from on the Timeless Isle.
 * Dandelion Frolicker has a chance to drop from s and s on the Timeless Isle.
 * Thistlebrush Bud is obtained from island expeditions.
 * Thistleleaf Adventurer has a chance to drop from Dreamweaver Provisions.

Notes and trivia

 * Sprites apparently dislike turnips, a distaste they share with the goren and virmen races.
 * Sprites share the animations of goblin males.
 * Although considered elementals through most of Mists of Pandaria's beta, they have since been re-classified as humanoids soon after going live.
 * Players can transform into a sprite by using Scotty's Lucky Coin.
 * Thorn sprites were concepted for Cataclysm but were not created then.
 * Some grell are also called sprites. There is also a type of imp known as Heckling Fel Sprite, and wisps called Ley Sprite and Mana Sprite.
 * A creature called a HS Walnut Sprite appears in Hearthstone but bears little resemblance to common sprites, instead resembling a humanoid walnut.
 * The sprite's model underwent a change in design from their original preview from BlizzCon, making them look less friendly and less like their concept art. They also obtained a second version that was covered in spikes and thorns. A texture for the unused version of the Sprite can be found in the files of the game, though it does not map to the new head of the sprites. Oddly, it has higher graphical fidelity than the actual used sprite textures.