Fae

[Loremaster]

Fae

The Court of the Sun
The Court of the Moon
The Court of Nightmares
The Court of Dreams
The Court of Truth

An overview

Born from nature and spiritual harmonies, the Fae are the personification of the natural forces. An ancient race, the Fae have long meddled in the affairs Sancta Terra, filling in the gaps in the human mythologies and religions the rest of the Obscure could not. While their rivals were great gods of empires and of the elite, the Fae appeared more as gods and spirits of nature; as humbled heroes of legend and superstition worshiped by the simpler folk. As human innovation and technology grew the influence of the Fae receded to the edges of the human world but still, as long as the balance between the natural and spiritual were maintained the Fae flourished. It wasn’t until the Venerable unleashed their power that the Fae saw their opportunity; their very survival threatened, they intervened as the war between Demon kind and Venerable inadvertently pushed them to the brink of extinction.

Fae society is very hierarchical and fractured, similar to the Demon’s the race consists of a multitude of lesser Fae sworn to or ruled over by a greater Fae. This manifests in the form of warring courts in which the greater Fae rule as the noble class and the lesser Fae as their foot soldiers and workers. Of these courts their rulers convene in council and answer to the High King and Queen. Oberon and Titania, the creators of the Fae and their power remain deep in sleep rising every few centuries to audit, judge and advise their children.

While internally the Fae are in a perpetual civil war, externally they appear united and always act as one. Their intervention in Sancta Terra was united but their motives are less than. Each of the five courts has their own plans and motives to best their enemies and rival courts. As a race they are innate tricksters who disarm their enemies with diplomacy and seek other means of overcoming them before relying on physical strength.

Lifespan/Procreation

All greater Fae are immortal, and while the lesser Fae share this immortality to an extent, they are a lot easier to kill or banish and are far more sensitive to the man-made structures and cold iron is like a deadly poison to them. That being said, the lesser Fae are more numerous and have a higher birth rate than greater Fae. Lesser Fae cannot birth greater Fae and half breeds would favor the lesser.

Powers/Magic

Being manifestations of natural and spiritual forces, whether they be physical or emotional, their powers are extensions of the force from which they manifest. All Fae have the ability to change their form or use some sort of cosmetic or other kinds of illusion to trick the minds of others. This ability is called Glamour. Physical shape shifting can only be done by solitary Fae species. Greater Fae are innately more powerful then the lesser. They’re capable of wielding generic magic with 2 hands of power, again stemming from the force in which they manifest. A hand of power differs from generic magic and spells in that they’re highly specialized and a lot more powerful. Lesser Fae are considerably less powerful than their betters and their power lies in their ability to wield generic magic and illusions. As they’re forced to rely on them more then the greater Fae, they can be more skilled with their magical ability (note: but not more powerful.) Particularly powerful lesser Fae may possess one hand of power, this may stem from their own manifestation or that of their master.

Important Fae Terms

Immortality: Eternal youth and immunity to illness. Inability to die from a natural death.

Daoine Sidhe: A collective term for the greater humanoid Fae. These are the most powerful and beautiful of the Fae races and are often worshiped as gods or demigods. They are the primary race of the courts of the Sun and the Moon.

Beltane: An ancient festival that marks the beginning of summer. It celebrates the rebirth of nature and life. Begins May 1st.

Samhain: An ancient festival that marks the harvest season and the start of winter. It celebrates the death and decay of life and begins on October 31st and ends on November 1st.

Avalon: the name of the faerie realm translates to ‘Vale of Apples’. It is said the apples on Avalon are made of gold and can make you immortal if you eat them. The price for this gift is high: those who lack the blood of the fae and partake of the golden apples of Avalon may indeed find the immortality they seek in the form of the trees on which the apples grow.

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NOTE: You cannot make a Daoine Sidhe as your first character. You must already have a character established on the board before taking on a power role.

It is however, possible to appeal this rule to the staff if there are special plot circumstances at hand.

Also, be sure to specify your court in your profile. You cannot have no court.

[Loremaster]

The Court of the Sun

"I am birth - I am death
I'm an elusive symbol
For eternal come and go
For I come and go
I have come - I have gone
I have shown you moira
And her restless re-creation
Your own re-creation"

Ruler: Oberon, High King of Faerie. Lord of Light.
Steward: Vacant position.

The Court of the Sun is the personal court of the High King Oberon and is the highest of the five courts. Strong and god-like, the members of this court represent ancient concepts of masculine power and energy. The numbers of Greater Fae are higher in this court then others. As a result their magical abilities are very closely tied in with their hand of power, more so than the Greater Fae belonging to other courts. They are the most associated with ancient pagan gods, drawing their power through the love of their followers and upkeep of their natural and spiritual element. As long as their ways are met, they will thrive and give back to those who keep them. Those who cross them, however, risk their wrath. Those of this court are particularly associated with the sun, war, fire, healing and fertility and often played the role of the heroes of folklore. Unlike their sisters in the Moon court, females have their place within this court as guardians of prophecy and healing, acting in the way the harem of some human cultures would.

Greater Fae:
The Helios (winged fae) and Sulis (wingless) are spirits of the sun. They’re aspects of male creation and fertility, representing the forces of summer and spring when the sun returns to the world, bringing new life with it. These beings are closely affiliated with the Beltane festival.

Cleisthenes: In their basic form they are creatures/gods of battle, noble yet capable of great violence they are widely respected and feared. They take the form of local legends and heroes. (I.E. Arthur or Hercules.)

Lesser Fae:

Delphi: females of prophecy and service. Consider them the harem of the court.

Centaurs: Half man half horse they are creatures of war and considered the cavalry of the Cleisthenes - though a Centaur may not agree with that assumption. They are not limited to their half forms as they may assume the full form of man or horse, but are most powerful in their natural state.

Phoenix: The very essence of the sun and fire, these great birds possess great restorative capabilities. They can also appear in human form as necessary.

Satyrs: Cousins to the Centaurs, the Satyrs are half man – half goat.


**Please note: The above species are only examples and you’re by no means limited by them. Feel free to research and create your own Fae of this court. Just be aware that your application will receive greater scrutiny in regards to their position as greater or lesser Fae and the court they may belong to.**

[Loremaster]

The Court of the Moon


“Fairy elves,
Whose midnight revels by a forest-side
Or fountain, some belated peasant sees,
Or dreams he sees, while overhead the Moon
Sits arbitress, and nearer to the Earth
Wheels her course, they on their mirth and dance
Intent, with jocund music charm his air."– John Milton.

Ruler: Titania, High Queen of Faerie, Maiden of the Moon.
Steward: Vacent

The Court of the Moon is the home court of the High Queen Titania while the Court of the Sun represents masculine energies this court embodies the feminine. Exclusive to females no male is permitted membership or influence over this court, save for Oberon and even his influence is limited. As the name implies this court has affinity with the moon and all her subjects most particularly water. Female energies are celebrated particularly the feminine aspect of fertility and motherhood. Members of the court of the moon embrace beauty and are often describe as desire incarnate, great seductresses who lure men to their dooms. As ancient as the court of the sun the fae of this court are just as rewarding to those who honor them and as wrathful to those who defy them.

Other Greater Fae in the Court:
Glastigs – Female water sprites with the faces and bodies of beautiful woman and the hooves of a goats. These fairies love music and help women and children who are in trouble but they can be dangerous to human men, luring them into traps with sweet music and dancing.

Asrai – Small (4ft give or take) and beautiful, Asrai fairies are hard to spot as they are afraid of sunlight and are so delicate you can see right through them. They are associated with the spirits of the moon, water and wind. They're not limited to an incorporeal form as they can alter their forms at will. Asrai have the ability to travel through oxygen and water at extremely fast speeds and hear and when conditions are right (eg. rainy or windy days) even see things far away through water. Limited to one hand of power.

Lesser Fae:
Nature Nymphs – Beautiful female fae that watch over bodies of water, trees, stars etc. Each nymph stays with her own home element, nourishing the surrounding lands and/or crops, and helping plants to grow. These fairies can give special healing powers. Those who drink from a fountain or well which is home to a water nymph will soon find that good luck comes their way. (Note: Only females of this race would associate with the moon court, males would be part of the court of dreams. Some particular Nymphs that stray away from their element or choose not to nourish their element and the land around it may find themselves following the court of truth, or if they stray too far, the court of Nightmares.)

[Loremaster]

The Court of Nightmares

“The evening shadows now unfold
Their curtain o’ver the lonely word;
The night wind sighs with dreary moan,
And whispers over stock and stone.
Tramp, Tramp! The trolls come trooping, hark!
Across the moor to the deep woods dark.” - Erick Gustaf Geijer.

Independent Ruler: Vacant - (Title of Choice)

The court of Nightmares is made up of manifestations and spirits of darker forces. They’re more grotesque and varied in appearance than the other courts. Far from fitting the ideals of beauty and perfection radiated by the Moon and Sun court, this court was established by the greater fae whose appearance did not suit the vanity of Oberon and Titania’s home courts. Rather than hide away in shadow, the Court of Nightmares embrace their darker aspect, celebrating and rejoicing in their element just as any other court would. That is not to say they’re evil as nature has no concept of evil; it merely does what it must to survive. The same could be said of the Nightmare court. Well aware of the perceptions of their nature and power, they play into such stereotypes and misguided beliefs since stereotypes and fear give you power. That being said, when it comes to bargaining with this court the price of such a bargain is often far beyond what most are prepared to pay.

The Court of Nightmares shares the structure of the Moon and Sun courts. The Greater fae make up the ruling elite but the lines are not so strict. Essentially the Nightmare Court has a much larger lesser Fae population than its two superior courts as most of its population are half-breed greater and lesser Fae. While they’re more powerful than average lesser Fae, they are not quite as strong as the greater fae.

Greater Fae:
The Sluagh: A general term for the ruling elite of the Court of Nightmares. This mostly includes the Ruler and their inner circle. Basically the most powerful Fae in the court. They’re the wild hunt and executioners for the other courts as well. (Possess two hands of power).

Famorri: violent and monstrous sea gods. The male aspects of the Glastigs (see Moon Court) are rumored to be vicious creatures and while that may be true in battle, it does not necessarily apply to other situations. Wouldn’t you be a little moody and have a very low tolerance for men? Like their female counterparts they’re beautiful creatures with the hooves of goats.

Valkyries: sinister spirits of slaughter and seasoned warriors of the battlefield. They’re powerful creatures who represent the manifestation of death and slaughter. While they revel in death they’re incredibility respectful and mournful of the dead even as they consume their flesh. Valkyries may take on the form of any bird of prey.

Lesser Fae:
Goblins: Half Fae/half Demon but favoring their fae side - these are creatures of incredible strength and violence. Their emotional capacities are limited and they lack the passions that are typical for the Fae (the extent of which varies with each Goblin and how much of their Fae half they favour). While powerful enough to challenge the greater fae they’re incredibly rare and restrained by powerful magic’s that require them to do what any greater fae demands. Players may incorporate demonic aspects into their goblin characters but there will be higher level of scrutiny. Goblins will require a petition.

Black Dog: A playful spirit of the hunt, the Black Dog is a notorious trickster or bad omen. While it rarely seeks disaster they have a rather distorted sense of fun and have a habit of taking things too far. As a result many of their playmates have a tendency to die during the ‘fun’. The Black Dog is capable of taking on human form, manipulating mists and shadows.

Poltergeist/Bogeymen: Weak spirits of the dead who have been caught in the Obscure. Unable to reach their final death, these souls have merged with Faerie allowing them a limited corporal form. They draw power from energy; the easiest to obtain is fear hence their reputation of scaring small children. Over the generations they have absorbed enough of faerie for them to count as lesser Fae and to possess their powers although their powers are limited and depend highly on the energy they absorb.

[Loremaster]

The Court of Dreams

“’Tis merry, ‘tis merry, in fairy-land
When fairy birds are singing,
When the court doth ride by their monarchs side,
With bit and bridle singing;
And gaily shines the fairy land
But all is glistening show,
Like the idle gleam that December’s beam
Can dart on ice and snow.” – Sir Walter Scott.

Independent Ruler: Vacant - (Title of Choice)

The Court of Dreams is the elemental court consisting largely of manifestations and spirits of nature. They’re the most wild of the Fae as they are the most tied in with the land and their natural elements. They care little for vanity or glory and only for their element and nature. While they do venture out and associate with humans they do not care from them and any harmful act against their given element is dealt with severely. The Court of Dreams is the major driving force behind the fae entering the War and the court with the most pure of intentions. They do not care about overthrowing the Venerable, only that their given element remains so that nature and magic will continue to prosper.

Similar in structure to the Court of Truth, this Court is the second of the lesser courts. Their ruling elite is made up of particularly powerful Lesser Fae (most likely with one Greater Fae parent) who imagine themselves Greater Fae or a very small number of Greater Fae banished from the higher courts or feel a greater pull to their natural element.

Includes:
Frost Giants: Huge beings that can freeze everything for miles around and use their powers to destroy. Can take the form of freezing fog. Melt if enter a human house but can turn to normal size at will.

Water nymphs; oceads: Beautiful water nymphs that watch over fountains, springs, wells and streams. Each nymph stays with her own spring or stream, nourishing the surrounding lands and crops, and helping plants to grow. These fairies can give water special healing powers. While some of their sisters are associated with the moon court there are some who remain loyal to the Dream Court. Males of this race are mostly associated with the Dream Court.

Wood, water sprites: these tiny fae look like humans, but have hair as blue as the sea in which they live. They are able to breathe in both air and water and are friendly unless threatened. They are happy to help humans in danger and have been known to rescue fisherman who have fallen overboard.

Dream faeries: faerie agents designed to keep the nightmares in line.

Green children Children of the vine, eat only vegetables and have powers of nature. If they eat anything other than vegetables they lose their power. They are also sensitive to the light.


***While we have only mentioned a few we’re aware there are thousands of creatures from folklore that suit this court and we encourage you to be inventive and create your own. Personal creations require petitions.***

[Loremaster]

The Court of Truth

“I have been smoothing sick folk’s pillows, and whispering sweet dreams into their ears; opening cottage casements, to let out the stifling air; coaxing little children away from gutters, and foul pools where fever breeds; turning women from the gin-shop door, and staying men’s hands as the were going to strike their wives doing all I can to help those who will not help themselves; and little enough it is and weary work for me” – Charles Kingsley.

Independent Ruler: Vacant - (Title of Choice)

The Court of Truth’s name is deceiving but that is not surprising considering the inhabitants. As one of the two lesser courts of Faerie they’re larger in population than the higher courts and probably more widely known. Their name stems not from any sort of fact but from the perception of truth. The Court of Truth falls in line with the most common perceptions and superstitions of the Fae as many of their dealings and interactions with humans have become folklore. They’re guardian fae who seek to aid or trick helpless strangers, seducing them with their magic as they take the form of the occasional ‘beautiful maiden by the lake’ or lead you to the conveniently placed tavern or abandoned shelter. That being said there is always a price for their aid as those bewitched never forget their encounters and are almost driven crazy by them, if they don’t disappear entirely.

The Court of Truth differs from the others as it has almost no Greater Fae amongst their ranks, however, their population is vastly superior to that of the Moon, Sun and Nightmare Courts which allows them to hold their own (with heavy casualties). Their ruling elite is made up of particularly powerful Lesser Fae (most likely with one Greater Fae parent) who imagine themselves Greater Fae or a very small number of Greater Fae banished from the higher courts.

May Include:

Half Caste: Born from the union of a Greater Fae and Lesser fae. They favour their Lesser Fae parent but inherit significant power from their Greater Fae heritage. That being said, a particularly powerful Half Caste may possess one hand of power or have greater affinity with the element their Greater Fae parent is associated with. There is no limit to what species of Fae can be mismatched.

House faeries:Is a generic term for Elves, Pixies, Gnomes, and Leprechauns etc… small fae who are most notorious in folklore for their aid or trickery. Very accomplished at glamour and generic magic they may also grow and shrink as they please. They’re mostly physically similar with pointed ears and peculiar eyes but differences are apparent. While Elves and Pixies are lithe and slender the Gnomes and Leprechauns are more solidly built. Elves and Pixies only differ in that Pixies possess wings. Gnomes are very fond of pointed hats and have the unique ability to turn themselves to stone when approached by unfamiliar presences. The Leprechauns, as folklore dictates, are also very fond of prospecting.

Changelings: Similar to the Poltergeist/Bogeymen of the Nightmare Court, Changelings were humans tricked into the Obscurum and altered by the magic of Faerie to become lesser fae. While they also require absorbing energy for strength they are alive unlike their Nightmare Court counterparts. They gain their strength from gratitude and by luring unsuspecting travelers into their illusions. Physically they look like elderly human in child form but their skills in glamour allow them to alter their form significantly. The less energy they absorb the weaker their illusions and the easier they are to kill.

Brownies: hairy, naked and often attached to specific homes and families, they often have a habit of turning bad. They are the most benevolent creatures of Faerie who protect their chosen humans fiercely. They often take the form of the mysterious relative who always seems old but never dies. They draw power from the love and affection of their chosen families but since they tend to spend a lot of their time in the human realm it takes its toll, often causing them to go insane and bitter when their human families die or leave them. They’re perfect for spies in the human world as they take in many orphans to strengthen their families.

***While we have only mentioned a few we’re aware there are thousands of creatures from folklore that suit this court and we encourage you to be inventive and create your own. Personal creations require petitions.***