Post by Imaginary on Aug 20, 2014 2:36:44 GMT
Changeling
Arcadians
Arcadian – is the actual name for all inhabitants of the fae races; Much as Asian denotes any person of Asiatic origin. There are many types of Fae. To be honest the Arcadians are as myriad as there are dreams and nightmares in the world. They have worn just as many names throughout the millennia that man has known of them. The names given by the Arcadians and to the Arcadians are wholly artifice. They are in truth Aliens to this dimension. Why they came or were banished in the long forgotten past no one knows, not even the Arcadians themselves.
Arcadians are not only strangers to this dimension but also to the United States. The Arcadians on American soil are always the descendants of the Court given leave to stay by President Jefferson. They have adopted a hidden in plain sight nature. There are few recognized Arcadian American citizens. However in Europe and certain other continents they are decidedly more public, even grandiose in their exploits. Even in the United States known heirs of any of the major courts are hounded by the paparazzi and accorded the fame of movie and sports stars. However known Unseelie Arcadians are barred from legally immigrating or even visiting. Because of the stringent barring of Arcadians there is an underground railroad of sorts providing the illegal immigration of Arcadians to the United States.
The Sidhe are the highest ranking, most powerful members of the Arcadians. The Sidhe are the lords and nobility of the highest courts. There are of course lesser non-sidhe arcadians, many of whom have interbred with humans as a way to increase their gene-pools. The fae themselves are hardy creatures, gifted with true immortality never knowing the taste of death illness or infirmity, but they can be killed under the right influences. A fae creature can be injured by mundane bullets, beatings, hitting them with a speeding car, but these things will not end a full blooded fae they can put it into a sleep until it’s body can repair itself and they will rise again without a mark on their flesh in a short space of time depending on how much damage was done to their form. The exception to the fae resilience iron, the metal is anathema to fae and all their works.
There is actually more than one kind of iron with varying effects of the fae. Alloys of iron such as steel while irritating and painful is not actually deadly to the fae the alloying process removes much of whatever it is that makes the metal deadly. Regular iron such as you might find in a wrought iron fence or in a cast iron pan, can harm and kill the fae in the same way it can a mortal if they were say bludgeoned or stabbed with the tool and usually a fae will retreat back to Arcadia after receiving such a wound before they are slain. Cold Iron though is different, it is hand forged by a smith from raw ore to its finished shape, this contact puts a touch of mortality into the metal causing it’s mere touch to burn the skin of the fae. All fae can sense the presence of cold iron and generally avoid coming near it, which is why a horseshoe forged of cold put above a door could ward off faeries, though more powerful fae can and do ignore such wards. Another kind of iron is black iron this iron is much like cold iron in its creation. The difference is that during the whole forge the smith focuses on killing a specific fae. To truly be black iron the forger must start his forge the a piece of paper written with the true name and all the Titles of the intended fae written in his own blood, doing so erases the name from the forgers memory forever and this sacrifice gives the iron power. Repugnant in the extreme to the fae the can smell the burning human blood on the metal and see the name of its intended written in blood on its surface, the iron will protect its holder from all the intended faeries powers and the slightest touch of it to their skin can kill them instantly. Black iron is only this effective against the fae for it was forged against others it acts like mere cold iron. Interestingly enough once it’s intended is killed the iron will rapidly break down and rust apart as if it has no more reason to exist in the world.
Half fae only share a portion of this strength and weakness, cold and black iron are no more effective than regular iron, and alloys like steel hurts them more deeply than true fae. However, they have a touch of immortality giving them long life and great strength keeping them safe from illness and infirmity, but the mortal half also makes them more vulnerable too. A half blood could be beaten to death with bare fists, run over by a car or burned to death things which could never kill a full blood. Also there wounds will heal with a scar unlike the true fae who only scar from the touch of cold iron.
Laws and Customs of Faerie
There are many elaborate laws of Arcadia. They could populate the pages of every book ever written and still need more. For simplicities sake they are generally pared down to just two. One is as hard as iron itself the other more a social contract.
One's word is one's bond
Once a fae has given their word, they are honour-bound to keep it. An oath-breaker may be punished by death. However, careful wording of oaths can allow 'loopholes', so one should take care when asking for promises from the fae.
Acknowledge Beauty
It is considered rude, or bad form, to ignore the beauty of another fey. While this may seem like outright flirting to those around them, this is a simple matter of etiquette.
Sidhe
The royalty of Arcadia, the Sidhe or Tuatha Dé Danann are divided into the high courts of Seelie and Unseelie. Usually marked with triple irises and bright glowing skin these signs have been taken to mean that one is of pure Sidhe blood but in fact are just common genetic modifiers not solely dependent on the purity of a Sidhe’s family line. Sidhe literally means "people of the hills". Which is where they returned after their defeat at the hands of the Milesians. Regarding the Arcadian systems of governing the Arcadians style their government after the feudal system. Royalty assumes the highest positions. Followed closely behind by the noble families. Then their knights and guards from there everyone else.
The Sidhe are ruled in a byzantine court structure with numerous smaller fiefdoms(Freeholds) and kings owing unswerving allegiance to the two major courts of the Seelie and Unseelie. There are kings for almost every species and organization within the fae people, but there is on one king and queen for the Seelie and Unseelie courts and they have ruled since time immemorial. Within the courts there are many lesser nobles and entitlements each holding a place and a responsibility within the court and Arcadia itself, such as the Duchess of bright waters and hidden meadows, or the Viscount of the crimson web forgotten in shadows, these individuals have their own powers and responsibilities to the land and their respective monarchs.
The Titles and names of the fae are extremely important as they define not only what a fae does but also the very essence of who they are. It is rumored that the surest way to destroy a fae for all time is to rob them of all their Titles. It is believed that doing so strips them of their reason for existing and makes them cease to exist.
The Seelie Court
Also called "the Bringers of Beauty and Wishes" or “Glittering Throng” whose power descends from their King or Queen. The Seelie Court is ruled by King Taranis. It is the court of light.
The Unseelie Court
Also known as the lesser court or the dark court ruled by Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness. They take in all those turned away from the Seelie court.
Crowns of the Seasons
All fae share a strong affiliation with nature and this is shown most prominently in the crowns of the seasons. These powerful artifacts are bestowed at the beginning of each season, and are given only to those most in touch with the true meaning of each season and what it stands for. Any fae may make a bid for a crown be they noble or common; usually the commoners don’t have the capacity to fully embrace what a season encompasses, though it is not unheard of for even the lowest of goblin grunts to be given a crown. Each court has two seasons with which they share the strongest natural affinity, spring and summer for the Seelie, autumn and winter for the Unseelie. When it is time for the crowns to be given out they are brought by appointed representatives of the courts and presented to their bearers formally. However, in the rare cases where the bearer is courtless or not of the affiliated court, an avatar of the season itself will come to present the crown. There are two types of crown greater and lesser, there is only one greater crown and it is given only to the true monarch of season, to date no one other than the kings and queens of the Seelie and Unseelie courts have received these. The lesser crowns are many and the bearers of them tend to shift around a lot to be given a seasonal crown more than once is very rare and to receive more than one even more so, presently only the Unseelie princess has received both crowns of her court each season for the past few centuries.
The seasons are divided in purpose and power, based on what each season means and does to nature. Autumn is a transitional season, a time when the power of summer begins to pass into winter, it is a time the time when fear grows powerful as the world looks forward to the coming winter and the shadows grow longer as the days grow shorter. Winter is a high Season the time of sorrow when nature looks back on what it has lost and the white snow throws all the hard truths into stark against naked branches. Spring is another transitional season when winter must start surrendering to summer; it is a time of desire as the world wakes up and starts to discover itself again. Summer is the other high season the time of joy as all revel in the soft bounty that nature provides so freely without thought to what the future may bring or what the past might hold. The power of the crowns reflect these philosophies offer their bearers greater strength or new powers based off of what the season has to offer, but their gifts are as varied and unpredictable as the seasons which they embody. Also in addition to the crowns there are the veils of the seasons, these belong to crown holders out of their season, though they have no real power to offer there wearers they are symbols of who and what they were for a season. A veil wearer may keep their veil forever, but it is considered bad form to wear it in public for more than one season.
Lesser Fae
Are all of the sub/alternate species of Arcadians. Each listed below has a court of their own to answer to each King or Queen having a title within either or both of the higher courts of the Sidhe. Many send Emmisaries in their stead in an unending dance of one up manship and political jockeying.
Brownie
These worker faeries are said to clean your house while you sleep. One of their racial powers includes levitating.
Demi-Fey
Small, often winged fey with doll-like bodies that give them an innocent look, ruled by Queen Niceven. It is said that where the demi-fey travel, faerie follows. The demi-fey seem to have many secrets, one of which is that a few are able to grow larger to become human-size. They are masters of glamour and often appear as birds, butterflies, or other winged insects. Demi-Arcadians are small,. The demi-Arcadians of the Seelie Court work harder at pretending to be innocent and true creatures of light, while the Unseelie demi-Arcadians are known for their love and destruction of flesh. They like the taste of Sidhe flesh and blood. All demi-Arcadians feed on flesh and magic, and the demi-Arcadians of the Unseelie Court also feed on fear. Most of the demi-Arcadians are winged, but not all. Some are considered cursed since they do not have wings. Their power lies in glamour, so powerful that they can overpower a Sidhe with it. A rare ability among them is the ability to grow to the size of a small human, complete with wings. This is only a rumor amongst the Sidhe, and no one has ever seen a demi-Arcadians do it.
Goblins
Goblins are considered the foot soldiers of the Unseelie Court since they do most of the fighting during war. Described as intimidating horrific creatures the Goblins consider moles and extra limbs and eyes marks of beauty. Goblin society is violent often taking blood and flesh during sex. It is not only a possibility it is expected among them. Kingship among the Goblins comes not through inheritance but by challenge. Kurag is the goblin king. For all of their apparent ugliness they are straight-forward and completely honest in their dealings. Anything can be negotiated and should be when dealing with the Goblins.
Hellhounds
Also known as the 'hounds of the great hunt'. It is believed that they foreshadow death or doom. Having nothing to do with the Christian concept of Hell, the Hounds are among the many creatures who disappeared from Faerie but have returned since Meredith's rise to power.
Jack-in-Irons
In folklore, it is a dangerous giant from Yorkshire that can often be found haunting lonely roads. Double tusked is highly prized and a curve on the end is considered a sign of virility. Uther is one of them.
The Nameless
It was the last attempt by both courts to keep the courts from dying. Every fey was required to put magic into the nameless and it was held somewhere within faerie to keep the magic from disappearing. It's a evil manifestation of the powers from all the sidhe combined into one form. It could only be physically seen if it had been hurt because it could move through time and space.
Night Hags
Female nightflyers of the slaugh.
Nightflyer
A winged creature under the command of Sholto. Few creatures in Faerie were stronger than Sidhe, nightflyers were one of them. Most of their body parts are able to regenerate and contain a nest if tentacles resting in their abdomen. The royals have a spine down the length of their penis which meant they were fertile males.
Phoukas
A type of fey that can change shape from a horse to a dog to a human or any mix of the above.
Red Caps
A subspecies of goblin, they are called either Powries or Dunters, they are extremely malevolent and murderous. Redcaps are very fast in spite of the heavy iron pikes they wield and the iron-shod boots they wear. Outrunning a redcap is supposedly impossible; the only way to escape one is to quote a passage from a holy scripture. If done correctly they lose a tooth, which they leave behind.
Selkie
Irish seal fairies. The can step in and out of their skin changing from human to seal form. Strangely they are the one Arcadian species that can become completely dependant to humans. If a human or any other being finds a Selkies seal skin and hides it the Selkie is fully withn that beings command. Not mind controlled zombies but bound to do everything in their power to please that being. No matter how odious the Selkie might personally think the tasks are.
Slaugh
A rude name for the lesser Unseelie fey. The Host was a polite phrase. Only the Unseelie could say 'slaugh' and not have it be a mortal insult. Nightmarish creatures, the Sluagh are feared even among the Unseelie where inhumanity is common. Among the Sluagh are the nightflyers and nighthags. Nightflyers make up the creatures of the hunt. The Sluagh are creatures that hunt Sidhe and can be called on by their King to do just that. They are ruled by Sholto, shadowspawn and a half sidhe, half nightflyer mix. Origin: A horde of evil spirits in Scotland, who fly in groups like birds. According to Irish legends, they are the souls of deceased sinners and they try to take other souls with them. They come flying from the west and therefore, when someone is dying, people keep the windows on the west-side closed. This way, the soul of the deceased can not be intercepted before it reaches heaven.
Starvin' Ones
They are the remnants of the first gods. If someone were to discover their name and give them followers, they could, theoretically, rise to "life" again. Human ghosts do not have such options. To raise them would mean automatic execution with no trial.
Will-o'-the-Wisps
The Seelie version of the demi-fey.
Gargoyles
Winged carrion eaters. There are three French species reported that are either bigger than a human or human sized. Gargoyles might attack a man, but it's a rare occurrence.
Innate Abilities
All Arcadians have these innate abilities. These are powers that only require a certain amount of concentration by those born of Arcadia. All Arcadians rely heavily on their glamour. Much like Vampires need to feed on blood the Arcadians need glamour. However unlike Vampires the Arcadians also tap into the glamour they use to maintain themselves. By tapping into ‘The Glamour’ Arcadians can cast illusions, weave spells, enter into contracts and even use their cantrips better known commonly as their hands of power.
Arcadians were once godlike beings who somehow along the way lost a portion of their divinity...but due to recent events some are getting the full measure of their powers back. It is however the exception not the rule. Arcadians as beings of true magic use otherworldly means to secretly communicate with one another. The most recognized ways of their secret discourse are by blade, dream, mirror, visions, and water.
Elf-Struck
Is what happens when fey/sidhe during sex with a human lose control of their magic. It effects the human in a way that causes them to become completely obsessed with the feel of sidhe-flesh. In extreme cases humans are so obsessed that nothing else matters and they eventually wither and die.
Blood Struck - Is similar to Elf-Struck but howevre is when a Fae becomes fixated on a mortal. Things tend to end badly for both parties.
Fae Powers:
Glamour
An inherent magic 'all' fey possess in some level that changes their appearance while in the presence of humans. Few sidhe are powerful enough to do so but some can also change another appearance themselves. Although to do so without their permission is a grave insult.
Hands of Power
Hands of Power or High Cantrips are an innate magic of the sidhe fae, hands of power often activate on their own, or sometimes due to coming into a new power level. They vary from one sidhe to another, all having a deep connection to the individual's disposition.
Kiss of Birds - Male deity gift to heal anyone with a kiss allows one to heal someone merely by giving them a kiss. Obviously the degree of the injury will vary as to the intensity of the kiss. Small wounds need but a chaste kiss where as more severe would need a longer, linger kiss. But the focus isn't passion but healing and the feelings behind such matching.
Lesser Fey Specific Powers:
Brownies:
Levitation - Being those who serve others as they sleep, one needs to move around easily and without sound. Levitating is the best way and allows for quicker work without hopefully awaking the person who's home your within. Innate power for brownies.
Demi-fey/Will-o'- the - Wisps:
Wings of Surprise - Being Demi-fey one has the ability to change their size as well as shape. So the smaller fey have the chance to manipulate their size to appear more human, blend in better if their looking to hide. Or possible needing to learn something. Of course if one is part demi and already human size naturally you would than be able to take on a true demi-fey form. There are others who have an ability to take it a whole step further and change their species, but that has limitations and can use alot of energy as well as limit your other abilities.(Forms: demi-fey, butterfly, sparrow, hummingbird).
Illusion of the mind - Another part of being part demi-fey is that one can create illusions in the mind if not the heart of others. It will vary from person to person the illusions brought forth, but mostly it in some way will make them believe the user or see them as nothing other than ally or friend should they be enemies beforehand. This ability requires the person to be in visible range if not close to the person for it to work. A faint touch or mere glance is all it takes for the illusion to work and the effects while they vary to certain degrees only last for 24hrs. After which the person will not remember what happen and so it’s possible for the process to be repeated again should the need or desire too. However, while humans are the easiest and most susceptible other fey will very: those older than the user will be able to easily block the trick while those the same age or younger will have a harder time fighting it off.
Goblins
Horrific Intimidation - Opposite of the glamour all fey have as it takes the goblins natural horrifying appearance and during a fight making it even more intense. Instead of looking human like with glamour they now look so horrible it can distract their opponents for a short time giving them a little more advantage. Especially Seelie who are vain as can be about their own beauty.
Troll/Red Caps:
Victorious Demise - Trolls/Redcaps are machines of destruction and death. They are also unyielding competitors. THis ability allows them for short periods to be that step faster stronger and more durable. If kept up for extended periods their own magic essence will be depleted depending on how long this will to succeed is maintained the effects may become permanent.
Hellhounds:
Howl of Doom - A call heard by all fey and alerting them to the approach of the hellhounds. It can be heard for miles and no human in range will think of it meaning anything than just a basic animal call.
Jack-in-Irons:
Mysterious Haunting - Allows for the Jack to appear as but a mere specter to those along a lonely road. Haunting them only it is all metaphysical and can't physical effect the person, but even a metaphysical attack can be quite effective. Depending on how easily scared their victim is.
Nameless:
Revenge - Since they are created by the magic of all fey they have no love for anyone. With this ability they can trick another fey into their plane of time and space before draining them. Leaving the victim weak and unconscious although they can only hold the victim for no more than 5 minutes the damage is still bad. The other fey must find some way to return to their court and recover before becoming a victim of any other attack in this weakened state.
Night Hags/Nightflyer:
Cry of a pain - Much like a banshee (except they are not after those who know heartache) at night they seek out their victims both human and fey alike. Their scream at a certain pitch is damaging to the ears of those in range. They then can tune into those in pain from the scream and approach and drain them of their magic, not completely but enough that the person is left unconscious.
Phoukas:
Trick of the eyes - Having the ability to change into 3 various forms gives them a chance to blend in and or possible escape. With this magic they can pick for a short period of time a specific appearance out of the three. Meaning they could take on a specific human or someone’s pet either to try and escape or to learn something out. But the change will only last about 2 hrs and after that they will change back to their original form.
Selkie:
Separation of skins - If a selkie loses their seal skin they are normally forever bond to their human form. However, with this power they have a chance to regain a new skin. But it can only be done within 24 hrs of losing their first skin and requires them to spend another 24 hrs within the ocean itself. Now being human we don't naturally breath under water, but if the Selkie wishing to regain their seal skin wishes this bad enough they will take the chance no matter what.
Slaugh:
Lost souls - Slaugh being from Irish legends are said to be deceased sinners who try and steal the souls of the dying. If they do manage to steal it they possess that soul and can call upon the various souls collected in battle to mess with their targets mind. It gives them the ability to take on a more haunting appearance of the soul they possess and play on the hearts of the family begging for help. A lure only to find a target that once captured could be much more easily killed. However, should they be killed why using another soul in their games their soul is forever lost left to hang in limbo.
Starvin' Ones:
Binding to life - Since starvin' ones need followers to rise and 'live' once more with this power they can bind their followers to them. In a sense manipulating their thoughts to believe whatever they are told. However, should their followers be killed than the starvin' ones will in a sense die again, but this time permanently without a hope of gaining life fo
Arcadians
Arcadian – is the actual name for all inhabitants of the fae races; Much as Asian denotes any person of Asiatic origin. There are many types of Fae. To be honest the Arcadians are as myriad as there are dreams and nightmares in the world. They have worn just as many names throughout the millennia that man has known of them. The names given by the Arcadians and to the Arcadians are wholly artifice. They are in truth Aliens to this dimension. Why they came or were banished in the long forgotten past no one knows, not even the Arcadians themselves.
Arcadians are not only strangers to this dimension but also to the United States. The Arcadians on American soil are always the descendants of the Court given leave to stay by President Jefferson. They have adopted a hidden in plain sight nature. There are few recognized Arcadian American citizens. However in Europe and certain other continents they are decidedly more public, even grandiose in their exploits. Even in the United States known heirs of any of the major courts are hounded by the paparazzi and accorded the fame of movie and sports stars. However known Unseelie Arcadians are barred from legally immigrating or even visiting. Because of the stringent barring of Arcadians there is an underground railroad of sorts providing the illegal immigration of Arcadians to the United States.
The Sidhe are the highest ranking, most powerful members of the Arcadians. The Sidhe are the lords and nobility of the highest courts. There are of course lesser non-sidhe arcadians, many of whom have interbred with humans as a way to increase their gene-pools. The fae themselves are hardy creatures, gifted with true immortality never knowing the taste of death illness or infirmity, but they can be killed under the right influences. A fae creature can be injured by mundane bullets, beatings, hitting them with a speeding car, but these things will not end a full blooded fae they can put it into a sleep until it’s body can repair itself and they will rise again without a mark on their flesh in a short space of time depending on how much damage was done to their form. The exception to the fae resilience iron, the metal is anathema to fae and all their works.
There is actually more than one kind of iron with varying effects of the fae. Alloys of iron such as steel while irritating and painful is not actually deadly to the fae the alloying process removes much of whatever it is that makes the metal deadly. Regular iron such as you might find in a wrought iron fence or in a cast iron pan, can harm and kill the fae in the same way it can a mortal if they were say bludgeoned or stabbed with the tool and usually a fae will retreat back to Arcadia after receiving such a wound before they are slain. Cold Iron though is different, it is hand forged by a smith from raw ore to its finished shape, this contact puts a touch of mortality into the metal causing it’s mere touch to burn the skin of the fae. All fae can sense the presence of cold iron and generally avoid coming near it, which is why a horseshoe forged of cold put above a door could ward off faeries, though more powerful fae can and do ignore such wards. Another kind of iron is black iron this iron is much like cold iron in its creation. The difference is that during the whole forge the smith focuses on killing a specific fae. To truly be black iron the forger must start his forge the a piece of paper written with the true name and all the Titles of the intended fae written in his own blood, doing so erases the name from the forgers memory forever and this sacrifice gives the iron power. Repugnant in the extreme to the fae the can smell the burning human blood on the metal and see the name of its intended written in blood on its surface, the iron will protect its holder from all the intended faeries powers and the slightest touch of it to their skin can kill them instantly. Black iron is only this effective against the fae for it was forged against others it acts like mere cold iron. Interestingly enough once it’s intended is killed the iron will rapidly break down and rust apart as if it has no more reason to exist in the world.
Half fae only share a portion of this strength and weakness, cold and black iron are no more effective than regular iron, and alloys like steel hurts them more deeply than true fae. However, they have a touch of immortality giving them long life and great strength keeping them safe from illness and infirmity, but the mortal half also makes them more vulnerable too. A half blood could be beaten to death with bare fists, run over by a car or burned to death things which could never kill a full blood. Also there wounds will heal with a scar unlike the true fae who only scar from the touch of cold iron.
Laws and Customs of Faerie
There are many elaborate laws of Arcadia. They could populate the pages of every book ever written and still need more. For simplicities sake they are generally pared down to just two. One is as hard as iron itself the other more a social contract.
One's word is one's bond
Once a fae has given their word, they are honour-bound to keep it. An oath-breaker may be punished by death. However, careful wording of oaths can allow 'loopholes', so one should take care when asking for promises from the fae.
Acknowledge Beauty
It is considered rude, or bad form, to ignore the beauty of another fey. While this may seem like outright flirting to those around them, this is a simple matter of etiquette.
Sidhe
The royalty of Arcadia, the Sidhe or Tuatha Dé Danann are divided into the high courts of Seelie and Unseelie. Usually marked with triple irises and bright glowing skin these signs have been taken to mean that one is of pure Sidhe blood but in fact are just common genetic modifiers not solely dependent on the purity of a Sidhe’s family line. Sidhe literally means "people of the hills". Which is where they returned after their defeat at the hands of the Milesians. Regarding the Arcadian systems of governing the Arcadians style their government after the feudal system. Royalty assumes the highest positions. Followed closely behind by the noble families. Then their knights and guards from there everyone else.
The Sidhe are ruled in a byzantine court structure with numerous smaller fiefdoms(Freeholds) and kings owing unswerving allegiance to the two major courts of the Seelie and Unseelie. There are kings for almost every species and organization within the fae people, but there is on one king and queen for the Seelie and Unseelie courts and they have ruled since time immemorial. Within the courts there are many lesser nobles and entitlements each holding a place and a responsibility within the court and Arcadia itself, such as the Duchess of bright waters and hidden meadows, or the Viscount of the crimson web forgotten in shadows, these individuals have their own powers and responsibilities to the land and their respective monarchs.
The Titles and names of the fae are extremely important as they define not only what a fae does but also the very essence of who they are. It is rumored that the surest way to destroy a fae for all time is to rob them of all their Titles. It is believed that doing so strips them of their reason for existing and makes them cease to exist.
The Seelie Court
Also called "the Bringers of Beauty and Wishes" or “Glittering Throng” whose power descends from their King or Queen. The Seelie Court is ruled by King Taranis. It is the court of light.
The Unseelie Court
Also known as the lesser court or the dark court ruled by Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness. They take in all those turned away from the Seelie court.
Crowns of the Seasons
All fae share a strong affiliation with nature and this is shown most prominently in the crowns of the seasons. These powerful artifacts are bestowed at the beginning of each season, and are given only to those most in touch with the true meaning of each season and what it stands for. Any fae may make a bid for a crown be they noble or common; usually the commoners don’t have the capacity to fully embrace what a season encompasses, though it is not unheard of for even the lowest of goblin grunts to be given a crown. Each court has two seasons with which they share the strongest natural affinity, spring and summer for the Seelie, autumn and winter for the Unseelie. When it is time for the crowns to be given out they are brought by appointed representatives of the courts and presented to their bearers formally. However, in the rare cases where the bearer is courtless or not of the affiliated court, an avatar of the season itself will come to present the crown. There are two types of crown greater and lesser, there is only one greater crown and it is given only to the true monarch of season, to date no one other than the kings and queens of the Seelie and Unseelie courts have received these. The lesser crowns are many and the bearers of them tend to shift around a lot to be given a seasonal crown more than once is very rare and to receive more than one even more so, presently only the Unseelie princess has received both crowns of her court each season for the past few centuries.
The seasons are divided in purpose and power, based on what each season means and does to nature. Autumn is a transitional season, a time when the power of summer begins to pass into winter, it is a time the time when fear grows powerful as the world looks forward to the coming winter and the shadows grow longer as the days grow shorter. Winter is a high Season the time of sorrow when nature looks back on what it has lost and the white snow throws all the hard truths into stark against naked branches. Spring is another transitional season when winter must start surrendering to summer; it is a time of desire as the world wakes up and starts to discover itself again. Summer is the other high season the time of joy as all revel in the soft bounty that nature provides so freely without thought to what the future may bring or what the past might hold. The power of the crowns reflect these philosophies offer their bearers greater strength or new powers based off of what the season has to offer, but their gifts are as varied and unpredictable as the seasons which they embody. Also in addition to the crowns there are the veils of the seasons, these belong to crown holders out of their season, though they have no real power to offer there wearers they are symbols of who and what they were for a season. A veil wearer may keep their veil forever, but it is considered bad form to wear it in public for more than one season.
Lesser Fae
Are all of the sub/alternate species of Arcadians. Each listed below has a court of their own to answer to each King or Queen having a title within either or both of the higher courts of the Sidhe. Many send Emmisaries in their stead in an unending dance of one up manship and political jockeying.
Brownie
These worker faeries are said to clean your house while you sleep. One of their racial powers includes levitating.
Demi-Fey
Small, often winged fey with doll-like bodies that give them an innocent look, ruled by Queen Niceven. It is said that where the demi-fey travel, faerie follows. The demi-fey seem to have many secrets, one of which is that a few are able to grow larger to become human-size. They are masters of glamour and often appear as birds, butterflies, or other winged insects. Demi-Arcadians are small,. The demi-Arcadians of the Seelie Court work harder at pretending to be innocent and true creatures of light, while the Unseelie demi-Arcadians are known for their love and destruction of flesh. They like the taste of Sidhe flesh and blood. All demi-Arcadians feed on flesh and magic, and the demi-Arcadians of the Unseelie Court also feed on fear. Most of the demi-Arcadians are winged, but not all. Some are considered cursed since they do not have wings. Their power lies in glamour, so powerful that they can overpower a Sidhe with it. A rare ability among them is the ability to grow to the size of a small human, complete with wings. This is only a rumor amongst the Sidhe, and no one has ever seen a demi-Arcadians do it.
Goblins
Goblins are considered the foot soldiers of the Unseelie Court since they do most of the fighting during war. Described as intimidating horrific creatures the Goblins consider moles and extra limbs and eyes marks of beauty. Goblin society is violent often taking blood and flesh during sex. It is not only a possibility it is expected among them. Kingship among the Goblins comes not through inheritance but by challenge. Kurag is the goblin king. For all of their apparent ugliness they are straight-forward and completely honest in their dealings. Anything can be negotiated and should be when dealing with the Goblins.
Hellhounds
Also known as the 'hounds of the great hunt'. It is believed that they foreshadow death or doom. Having nothing to do with the Christian concept of Hell, the Hounds are among the many creatures who disappeared from Faerie but have returned since Meredith's rise to power.
Jack-in-Irons
In folklore, it is a dangerous giant from Yorkshire that can often be found haunting lonely roads. Double tusked is highly prized and a curve on the end is considered a sign of virility. Uther is one of them.
The Nameless
It was the last attempt by both courts to keep the courts from dying. Every fey was required to put magic into the nameless and it was held somewhere within faerie to keep the magic from disappearing. It's a evil manifestation of the powers from all the sidhe combined into one form. It could only be physically seen if it had been hurt because it could move through time and space.
Night Hags
Female nightflyers of the slaugh.
Nightflyer
A winged creature under the command of Sholto. Few creatures in Faerie were stronger than Sidhe, nightflyers were one of them. Most of their body parts are able to regenerate and contain a nest if tentacles resting in their abdomen. The royals have a spine down the length of their penis which meant they were fertile males.
Phoukas
A type of fey that can change shape from a horse to a dog to a human or any mix of the above.
Red Caps
A subspecies of goblin, they are called either Powries or Dunters, they are extremely malevolent and murderous. Redcaps are very fast in spite of the heavy iron pikes they wield and the iron-shod boots they wear. Outrunning a redcap is supposedly impossible; the only way to escape one is to quote a passage from a holy scripture. If done correctly they lose a tooth, which they leave behind.
Selkie
Irish seal fairies. The can step in and out of their skin changing from human to seal form. Strangely they are the one Arcadian species that can become completely dependant to humans. If a human or any other being finds a Selkies seal skin and hides it the Selkie is fully withn that beings command. Not mind controlled zombies but bound to do everything in their power to please that being. No matter how odious the Selkie might personally think the tasks are.
Slaugh
A rude name for the lesser Unseelie fey. The Host was a polite phrase. Only the Unseelie could say 'slaugh' and not have it be a mortal insult. Nightmarish creatures, the Sluagh are feared even among the Unseelie where inhumanity is common. Among the Sluagh are the nightflyers and nighthags. Nightflyers make up the creatures of the hunt. The Sluagh are creatures that hunt Sidhe and can be called on by their King to do just that. They are ruled by Sholto, shadowspawn and a half sidhe, half nightflyer mix. Origin: A horde of evil spirits in Scotland, who fly in groups like birds. According to Irish legends, they are the souls of deceased sinners and they try to take other souls with them. They come flying from the west and therefore, when someone is dying, people keep the windows on the west-side closed. This way, the soul of the deceased can not be intercepted before it reaches heaven.
Starvin' Ones
They are the remnants of the first gods. If someone were to discover their name and give them followers, they could, theoretically, rise to "life" again. Human ghosts do not have such options. To raise them would mean automatic execution with no trial.
Will-o'-the-Wisps
The Seelie version of the demi-fey.
Gargoyles
Winged carrion eaters. There are three French species reported that are either bigger than a human or human sized. Gargoyles might attack a man, but it's a rare occurrence.
Innate Abilities
All Arcadians have these innate abilities. These are powers that only require a certain amount of concentration by those born of Arcadia. All Arcadians rely heavily on their glamour. Much like Vampires need to feed on blood the Arcadians need glamour. However unlike Vampires the Arcadians also tap into the glamour they use to maintain themselves. By tapping into ‘The Glamour’ Arcadians can cast illusions, weave spells, enter into contracts and even use their cantrips better known commonly as their hands of power.
Arcadians were once godlike beings who somehow along the way lost a portion of their divinity...but due to recent events some are getting the full measure of their powers back. It is however the exception not the rule. Arcadians as beings of true magic use otherworldly means to secretly communicate with one another. The most recognized ways of their secret discourse are by blade, dream, mirror, visions, and water.
Elf-Struck
Is what happens when fey/sidhe during sex with a human lose control of their magic. It effects the human in a way that causes them to become completely obsessed with the feel of sidhe-flesh. In extreme cases humans are so obsessed that nothing else matters and they eventually wither and die.
Blood Struck - Is similar to Elf-Struck but howevre is when a Fae becomes fixated on a mortal. Things tend to end badly for both parties.
Fae Powers:
Glamour
An inherent magic 'all' fey possess in some level that changes their appearance while in the presence of humans. Few sidhe are powerful enough to do so but some can also change another appearance themselves. Although to do so without their permission is a grave insult.
Hands of Power
Hands of Power or High Cantrips are an innate magic of the sidhe fae, hands of power often activate on their own, or sometimes due to coming into a new power level. They vary from one sidhe to another, all having a deep connection to the individual's disposition.
Kiss of Birds - Male deity gift to heal anyone with a kiss allows one to heal someone merely by giving them a kiss. Obviously the degree of the injury will vary as to the intensity of the kiss. Small wounds need but a chaste kiss where as more severe would need a longer, linger kiss. But the focus isn't passion but healing and the feelings behind such matching.
Lesser Fey Specific Powers:
Brownies:
Levitation - Being those who serve others as they sleep, one needs to move around easily and without sound. Levitating is the best way and allows for quicker work without hopefully awaking the person who's home your within. Innate power for brownies.
Demi-fey/Will-o'- the - Wisps:
Wings of Surprise - Being Demi-fey one has the ability to change their size as well as shape. So the smaller fey have the chance to manipulate their size to appear more human, blend in better if their looking to hide. Or possible needing to learn something. Of course if one is part demi and already human size naturally you would than be able to take on a true demi-fey form. There are others who have an ability to take it a whole step further and change their species, but that has limitations and can use alot of energy as well as limit your other abilities.(Forms: demi-fey, butterfly, sparrow, hummingbird).
Illusion of the mind - Another part of being part demi-fey is that one can create illusions in the mind if not the heart of others. It will vary from person to person the illusions brought forth, but mostly it in some way will make them believe the user or see them as nothing other than ally or friend should they be enemies beforehand. This ability requires the person to be in visible range if not close to the person for it to work. A faint touch or mere glance is all it takes for the illusion to work and the effects while they vary to certain degrees only last for 24hrs. After which the person will not remember what happen and so it’s possible for the process to be repeated again should the need or desire too. However, while humans are the easiest and most susceptible other fey will very: those older than the user will be able to easily block the trick while those the same age or younger will have a harder time fighting it off.
Goblins
Horrific Intimidation - Opposite of the glamour all fey have as it takes the goblins natural horrifying appearance and during a fight making it even more intense. Instead of looking human like with glamour they now look so horrible it can distract their opponents for a short time giving them a little more advantage. Especially Seelie who are vain as can be about their own beauty.
Troll/Red Caps:
Victorious Demise - Trolls/Redcaps are machines of destruction and death. They are also unyielding competitors. THis ability allows them for short periods to be that step faster stronger and more durable. If kept up for extended periods their own magic essence will be depleted depending on how long this will to succeed is maintained the effects may become permanent.
Hellhounds:
Howl of Doom - A call heard by all fey and alerting them to the approach of the hellhounds. It can be heard for miles and no human in range will think of it meaning anything than just a basic animal call.
Jack-in-Irons:
Mysterious Haunting - Allows for the Jack to appear as but a mere specter to those along a lonely road. Haunting them only it is all metaphysical and can't physical effect the person, but even a metaphysical attack can be quite effective. Depending on how easily scared their victim is.
Nameless:
Revenge - Since they are created by the magic of all fey they have no love for anyone. With this ability they can trick another fey into their plane of time and space before draining them. Leaving the victim weak and unconscious although they can only hold the victim for no more than 5 minutes the damage is still bad. The other fey must find some way to return to their court and recover before becoming a victim of any other attack in this weakened state.
Night Hags/Nightflyer:
Cry of a pain - Much like a banshee (except they are not after those who know heartache) at night they seek out their victims both human and fey alike. Their scream at a certain pitch is damaging to the ears of those in range. They then can tune into those in pain from the scream and approach and drain them of their magic, not completely but enough that the person is left unconscious.
Phoukas:
Trick of the eyes - Having the ability to change into 3 various forms gives them a chance to blend in and or possible escape. With this magic they can pick for a short period of time a specific appearance out of the three. Meaning they could take on a specific human or someone’s pet either to try and escape or to learn something out. But the change will only last about 2 hrs and after that they will change back to their original form.
Selkie:
Separation of skins - If a selkie loses their seal skin they are normally forever bond to their human form. However, with this power they have a chance to regain a new skin. But it can only be done within 24 hrs of losing their first skin and requires them to spend another 24 hrs within the ocean itself. Now being human we don't naturally breath under water, but if the Selkie wishing to regain their seal skin wishes this bad enough they will take the chance no matter what.
Slaugh:
Lost souls - Slaugh being from Irish legends are said to be deceased sinners who try and steal the souls of the dying. If they do manage to steal it they possess that soul and can call upon the various souls collected in battle to mess with their targets mind. It gives them the ability to take on a more haunting appearance of the soul they possess and play on the hearts of the family begging for help. A lure only to find a target that once captured could be much more easily killed. However, should they be killed why using another soul in their games their soul is forever lost left to hang in limbo.
Starvin' Ones:
Binding to life - Since starvin' ones need followers to rise and 'live' once more with this power they can bind their followers to them. In a sense manipulating their thoughts to believe whatever they are told. However, should their followers be killed than the starvin' ones will in a sense die again, but this time permanently without a hope of gaining life fo