Cwn annwn natively speak Ïzä, the language of the fae. Most know both the language and its companion sign language, as well as any other relevant languages to their upbringing and profession.

All cwn annwn share pointed ears, pronounced canines, and pale white skin. Their fair complexions are paired with white, silver, or cream-colored hair. It is not uncommon to see cwn people with patches of differently colored skin or hair, reflective by their canine fur. Blue, red, and silver eyes are common and pink and green eyes are less common, while gold and purple eyes are rare. An even, pure white coloration and blue eyes are considered the epitome of cwn beauty standards.

Cwn average around 6' in height and have the same lithe, slim athleticism of most fae.

In their canine form, cwn annwn are leggy and long. Their thick, wavy fur coat matches their hair from their humanoid form (or vice versa) and they retain their natural eye color. Patchy cwn patterns are commonplace. Cwn annwn in canine form are slightly larger than nom-fae dog breeds, standing between 30 and 40 inches at the shoulder

Cwn annwn are one of the fae's most common and prolific species. As a result, they are a part of every Court and have many septs across Arethil. Cwn are rarely solitary, whether among their own species or attached to another. Cwn annwn typically live with their sept well into adulthood. Few cwn ever leave their family outside of the purposes of marriage or Court.

Cwn annwn age quickly among fae. A cwn reaches physical maturity in ten years and are considered adults at twenty. All cwn are first born as puppies, spending their first two years on paws before learning to shift into humanoid form.

While the majority of their species is impulsive, energetic, and immature, a select few emerge from each generation that are more self-reliant, calculating, and composed. These individuals naturally gravitate towards positions of power and responsibility in cwn society as Matriarchs and their mates or pack and turnout leaders.

As with all fae, a cwn annwn's body, its cycles, and the ebb and flow of their magick stems from the influence of celestial bodies. Whether governed by the sun or the moons, the zenith or nahdir of those bodies, the light they shed or the shadow they cast, this dominion is absolute.

The timing and flavor of this influence has a genetic link and is frequently passed from parent to child.

Four elements rule nature and, therefore, appear as gifts among fae. Fire, water, earth, and air, each element comes with its own special abilities and resistances. Cwn of fire cannot be burned by even the greatest heats. Cwn of water can breathe underwater. Cwn of earth can pass through vegetation and over rough terrain unscathed. Cwn of air can never suffocate or freeze.

Where black shucks nurture darkness, cwn annwn have the abikity to create light. Consequently, all shucks carry light as a secondary element alongside their other innate elemental alignments.

Cwn annwn are born with innate true names. This name is linked with their conscience and can be used to compel them.

As with many of the truest forms of fae, cwn annwn cannot speak a direct lie.

Cwn annwn can be ejected from a structure by the magic of hospitality laws. To bar them from a premises, however, they must be commanded by a name -- either true or colloquial.

As typical fae, cwn are allergic to iron. The touch of this metal can instantly cause severe burns, and weapons forged from iron can deal significant damage to a cwn's person.

Cwn have excellent vision, and this gift extends into darkness. Cwn annwn can see well in the dark, but in grayscale or desaturated tones. Lunar cwn can still perceive color in darkness.

Magick, as defined by both mortal and fae scholars, is specifically the use of magic sourced from ley lines. These magical bodies run through Arethil like a mycelium. Tapping into these veins of raw magic is an ability exclusive to fae species.

Cwn annwn can utilize all typical parts of ley magick: ley travel, glamour, magick, magick reservoirs, wards, and elemental magicks. Though cwn are not known for legendary magicks, they are categorized as greater fae for their other abilities, humanoid form, and intelligence.

Cwn annwn are agility creatures capable of running for hours or even days, according to legend. They can, however, channel their magick into a single burst of speed. Their fur glows a clear white or gold and they can, for a certain amount of time, greatly enhance their speed and quicken their physical responses. A comet sprint is not sustainable for very long and uses a great deal of energy.

The matriarchal society of cwn annwn is generally kept separate from the rest of fae society, but there are few mysteries of how it operates to outsiders. Because of their pack mentality, cwn are rarely seen alone.

Like many other fae cultures, cwn annwn recognize the importance of maternal bloodlines on the continuation of their species. Their unique matriarchies grew from the absolute certainty of cwn reproduction in a mother's hands and the cleverness of several such mothers. Currently there are more than 400 septs, or families of cwn, each different in some way but all following the same cultural traditions that built their prowess in the fae Courts.

At the head of every sept is its matriarch. Simply called the Matriarch, she is more than a mother, sister, niece, grandmother, daughter, or aunt -- she is all of them and none of them. Raised by her mother, the previous Matriarch, to someday follow the same path, the ideal matriarch is wise, courageous, and cunning. She must be smarter than her siblings and must have the charisma and teeth to lead them. It is not a role for the faint of heart, but princesses generally emerge naturally into it from an early age.

The role of the Matriarch is simple: to raise the next generation of cwn and lead her sept to honor and glory. The will of a Matriarch in her sept is absolute, but a wise one knows when it is best to exile rebels and when to listen to their objections. She will choose a mate from another sept and, gods willing, will mother a new generation of cwn and repeat the cycle of rearing the next Matriarch.

Matriarchs are treated like queens among their own kind and are recognized as nobles of significant rank to outsiders. Though they are not as lofty as Lords and Assemblies, their sway over the armies of the Courts is always respected.

The mates of Matriarchs are chosen by the Matriarch herself. These unions are often planned long in advance with the cooperation of their septs. Occasionally, however, a young princess will meet her match on her own. Regardless of how they meet and match, a Matriarch's mate must be superior to his male peers.

Within septs, female cwn frequently outrank their male relatives in power structures and in general preferential treatment.

Cwn annwn have a unique family system. Because of the peculiar effect of magick in fae genetics and the fact that female fae only beget fae offspring, only Matriarchs are allowed to produce within the sept and contribute to their family lineage. Female cwn who wish to raise families of their own do so in exile from their sept.

Offsetting the matriarchy is the liberty of male cwn to reproduce freely outside of their sept and species without incurring dishonor.

Fortunately, cwn culture places a greater importance on the pack in raising puppies, giving everyone a sense of parenthood. Most cwn accept their role and do not consider their restrictions a bad thing. After all, the pups from a female who was not fit to be Matriarch would not benefit the sept or the species.

Cwn annwn reproduce in their canine forms for practicality and safety, as female cwn give birth to large litters.

It is the responsibility of every member of the sept to raise puppies. Communal child-rearing is tradition and all cwn help. From generally caring for and corralling puppies to playing games and teaching them to hunt, every brother, sister, aunt, and uncle is important and loved. The everyday cwn will have a nebulous understanding of family, where all of the roles blend together.

Matriarchs participate, but are often busy with ruling and maintaining their families. Their mates, on the other hand, take a much greater role in their sept as household coordinator, managing his family and home with pride.

Packs and turnouts are two different terms used to describe assemblies of cwn. Packs are groups formed out of direct family members from a single sept. Turnouts are units formed from members of multiple septs.

Cwn annwn have a long, colorful history that reaches back into forgotten ages. Among the fae, cwn have always occupied a lesser status, while also maintaining their place as a staple in society and its protection. They comprise the bulk of most fae militaries and are the foundations of organizations like the Wild Hunt. In both of the great fae wars waged between Summer and Winter, cwn annwn suffered the most casualties.

While they are a large part of the overall fae population, there are few notable cwn annwn that have made a lasting impression on history. Those who stand out as historical figures occupy roles in the Sluagh and one of the many Court militaries. This does not mean, however, that no great cwn have lived. Septs in particular tout the accomplishments of their ancestors and follow the many trades and traditions they established.

Madison Breaker
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A Nightmare Dressed Like a Daydream