Duanann 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.

Duanann pride themselves on their diversity. Borne of both wildly varied genetics and the influence of magick, few physical traits actually unify the species' appearance. As a whole, duanann are a tall and willowy people, and both male and females have lithe physiques. No duanann was ever born ugly; even the most lowdown members of their species possesses symmetry and otherworldly beauty. Like all other fae, duanann have pointed ears. It is not uncommon for duanann appearances to break from their parents' genetics to take after their elements, celestial bodies, or even their Affinities.

While the duanann species has no singular habitat, Duanann have primarily existed in or near Court cities for most of their history. Most duanann remain close to their kind, fulfilling a long legacy of their Houses and ruling as the social elite over other fae. Some, however, have deviated from this tradition and live in the far-flung corners of the world, separated from Court and society.

To be born duanann at all is a thing of luck. While most species of fae are considered rare in the world (or, at the very least, uncommon), a very small population of duanann exists. This is only partly due to their limited genetic origins and mostly due to low birth rates. One or two births per female is common, with larger families being extremely rare. The population of female duanann is slightly higher than males.

Duanann have brief childhoods, reaching physical maturity around 20 years of age similarly to humans. Mentally, however, duanann experience late adolescence into their first three centuries while their brains finish maturing. Socially, duanann are not considered adults until 400 years of age.

As with all fae, a duanann’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. Duanann of fire cannot be burned by even the greatest heats. Duanann of water can breathe underwater. Duanann of earth can pass through vegetation and over rough terrain unscathed. Duanann of air can never suffocate or freeze.

Duanann are no different than other species in the appearances of these elements and their accompanying abilities. It is standard for every duanann to be born with the gifts of one of these elements. It is not, however, uncommon for some to possess two natural elements. In individuals with nature-based Affinities, it is common for their elements to match the nature of their Affinity.

Light is a fifth element among fae, and never appears as the singular element of any duanann. It is extremely rare for duanann to possess this element in addition to their base elements, but several historical and current examples exist.

Duanann 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, duanann cannot speak a direct lie.

Duanann 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 of fae, duanann are allergic to iron. The touch of this metal instantly causes severe burns, and weapons forged from iron can deal significant damage to a duanann’s person.

Duanann have excellent vision, and this gift extends into darkness. Duanann can see well in the dark, but in grayscale or desaturated tones. Lunar duanann 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.

Duanann can utilize all typical parts of ley magick: ley travel, glamour, magick, magick reservoirs, wards, and elemental magicks.

The duanann are among the strongest of the many species categorized as fae. Followed shortly by the sidhe, duanann often possesses a great deal of magick at maturity. The measure and power of this magick has been widely debated by every generation. Most duanann exceed the magical abilities of the average greater fae. A small population are capable of unrivaled feats of magick, while a very select few possess abilities truly worthy of the duanann’s godlike reputation. In the end, greatness is pruned down to two vital conditions: luck and circumstance.

The glamours of duanann are generally superior to those of other fae races. All fae can perceive glamours, and duanann are capable of seeing through those formed by lesser fae. Their glamours, however, may be difficult or impossible for lesser fae to see through or break.

From a very young age, every duannan shows a proclivity toward some aspect of the world over which they have control. For some it is as simple as rousing the wind, summoning rain, or making vegetation flourish. For others, it can be as complex as the unseen forces of the world: luck, death, ambition. There seems to be no limitations on how an Affinity will manifest, and neither is there a genetic link to Affinities in the creation of offspring.

These powers, however, do not come for free. With every Affinity is its tradeoff -- a cost which the duanann endures to use their gifts. As with all magic, the Law of the Herald applies. Stronger Affinities are paired with equally devastating costs.

Duanann are trained from childhood how to manage their Affinity and its cost as part of their standard magick education. As they reach maturity, most duanann will have gone on to master their Affinities, but some can take millennia.

The Courts regulate the uses of Affinities differently and with varying severity, but all fae are subject to the will of the Erlking’s balance and the Sluagh of the Autumn Court. This, above even societal conventions and the lofty legacy of the duanann species, is what checks most duanann.

Duanann believe themselves descended from the original 200 high fae that first stepped onto this plane from a world beyond. Whether or not this is true or a colorful metaphor, all duanann can trace themselves in a very complicated web to these historic Houses.

Today these Houses are marked by surnames and complex family trees constructed between the Houses of Duanann, which remain formal hierarchy establishments in both the Summer and Winter Courts.