The language predominantly spoken by fae and associated with the faerie courts has several names. From sylvan to faerie to the native name of Ïzä, the language itself is a tonal language with a lilting sound, sharp consonants, and drawn vowels. It has several dialects that vary between courts and continents, which sound completely different in regards to tonal quality and emphasis.

As not all fae have the same linguistic capabilities, there is also a signed version of faerie.

In terms of orthography, faerie has two unique written forms. The native alphabet uses block characters that can be broken down into the sound parts of that syllable. Various vowels and consonants are written regularly as components, as well as elements denoting tone and stress, forming characters that are easily recognizable and unique for every syllable sound.

The secondary written form borrows from the elven alphabet. Vowel pronunciation is denoted using dots above or below the letter in this form, and preceding apostrophes mark stressed syllables within a word. However, tone is not written in this form and must be assumed by the reader.

As fae covers a spectrum of creatures and beings, there is no regular physiology that ultimately defines fae. Among humanoid faeries, pointed ears are unanimous, but physique and coloration varies by species.

There is no corner of the world where fae cannot or do not live. With a variety of subspecies, they thrive in a spectrum of landscapes and habitats, from cities to swamps

Faeries are frequently categorized between seelie and unseelie. These are often associated with moral alignments of good and evil, but among faeries that binary is rather restricting. Seelie and unseelie ideals do exist, but neither is wholly good nor evil, often overlapping in the same gray regions.

Both seelie and unseelie are prone to mischief, and both factions harm as often as they help, but a loose code identifies each. For seelie, to deny one's nature is akin to sin, though they value their honor above all else. Public image and integrity are important to seelie fae, and they strive to be beautiful and admirable. They often shun outlying fae species as invalid and "false faeries", believing deeply in the preservation of fae purity.

Unseelie are less principled, making no false claims of goodness or righteousness about their kind. They do not believe in honor, but value the cleverness to outsmart even pacts. While more honestly vicious than seelie, unseelie accept all fae blood -- including changelings, warlocks, and mortal offspring of fae parents as "half-blood" -- into their ranks.

A more definitive way to categorize fae is their alignment to celestial bodies. Fae are either governed by the sun or moons, and many parts of their abilities and life cycles are dictated by those alignments. It is not uncommon for two fae of the some species to have different governing celestial bodies, specifically sidhe and duanann. For other species, however, it is the same for all of their kind, such as black shucks and cwn annwn.

Solar fae are strongest during the summer solstice, while lunar fae are strongest during the winter solstice.

Every fae aligns to at least one of the five recognized elements of magick: fire, air, water, earth, and light. Fae of a specific element have a higher resistance against its effects. Fire-aligned faeries may never burn (with the exception of iron and silver). Water cannot drown water-aligned fae -- who, more often than not, are born with the ability to breathe in water. Earth-aligned fae can pass through thorns and brambles without taking damage to their bodies. Fae aligned with air cannot freeze nor be suffocated.

For duanann and sidhe, the likelihood of one's elements is as random as a throw of the dice. For other types of fae, however, most species tend to possess certain elements more often than others. Some fae may belong to two of these traditional elements (fire, air, water, earth).

Light, however, is separate from them. Believed equal to but separate from traditional elements, light only serves as the singular element of one fae: will-o'-the-wisps. Outside of this, it can sometimes appear as a modifier on select species of fae. Black shucks and cwn annwn, for example, possess the gifts to eradicate and create light respectively. These fae are recognized by their association to light, while never identifying as aligned to it.

The names of things have power in several schools of magic, but never so much as with the fae. More than just a rumor, the "true name" of a faerie can grant those who wield it against them incredible power and sway. A true name can be a name given to the faerie at birth (as it often is with mortals) or a name that they innately know. Invoked, a true name can command a faerie or undo them completely. Greater fae, sidhe, and duanann do not fear death by the possession of a name, but lesser and demifae are particularly at danger of this.

Commanding a faerie by their name is instantaneous, and lasting as long as the terms of the instruction. A word to the wise: faeries are often clever and known to slip through any possible loophole to circumvent unfavorable terms and deals.

Alternately, a fae in the possession of a mortal name can wreak equal havoc. The extent of the risk is contingent upon the individual possessing it, but is often akin to any other name magics.

Faerie true names do have the caveat of limited use, however. Once a command has been issued by the use of their name, that individual cannot command that faerie again until the next cycle of the celestial body that governs it, be it lunar or solar.

There are several means by which a name can be stolen from fae. For lesser and demifae, this process generally means a quick death. For greater, sidhe, and duanann, this steals their memories and knowledge, significantly weakens them, and renders their life shortened as the magick that sustains them fades.

Though faeries are prone to mischief, they are often incredibly polite. Folktales warn mortals of this, with rules for strict etiquette regarding the fae's often welcoming nature as traps and tricks. Partaking of food and drink, dancing with them, even allowing them to comb your hair -- all means to ensnare mortals with their wily tricks.

In reality, many fae are rather quite conscious of manners and, in some cases, bound to laws of hospitality. Not really laws so much as a code, many fae (regardless of alignment) place great stock in their social perception. To be branded a rude host is to ruin one's reputation among its peers. Thus, a welcome into a faerie's home is oftentimes a guarantee of relative safety. Fae are impressed by good manners, and they may be more inclined to depart from one's company pleasantly if the individual was polite.

Faeries can be forcibly ejected from the premises by verbally revoking their welcome. As a form of name magic, this must be done on an individual basis, using some name or alias the faerie assumes (or that the individual knows them by). This banishment may be as permanent as the life of the individual banishing the faerie, but can also be reversed with an invitation back to the premises.

All fae, regardless of alignment, are sensitive to iron. As a substance that negates magick, not only does it serve to warn faeries away where they are not welcome, but it can also significantly harm faeries it comes into contact with. Mere touch with the element burns, and wounds created with iron heal at a drastically slowed rate.

As magical beings governed by celestial bodies, faeries may only conceive on solar or lunar cycles. For solar fae, these cycles coincide with the solstices and equinoxes. For lunar fae, these coincide with the three lunar eclipses in spring, summer, and autumn. Even during these windows, however, faeries still have low fertility rates compared to most other species.

A unique quirk of faerie bloodlines is that no half-fae are ever truly conceived. In unions between faeries and mortals, the species of the mother determines the species of the offspring. Faerie mothers beget children of the same, while mortal mothers bear mortal children. There is no exception from this rule among fae.

Mortal children of fae fathers often manifest stronger magical aptitudes as natural mages. Both human and fae children born of these unions are regarded as "half-fae" -- a title which brands them as lesser and unwelcome among the seelie, but valid as faeries among unseelie.

There are a few variety of fae that do not, however, reproduce in the usual sense. Several types of fae are born of human spirits or were once human altogether. Hags and ghillie dubh are among the fae who lived as humans and became fae after a lifetime devotion to magick. In the cases of spirits such as dullahan, banshees, and church grims, becoming fae happened in death. Alternately, conduits are born of magick itself. Whether from hot springs, exotic plants, or even tide pools, conduits often manifest from natural pockets of magick.

Faeries, as magical entities, can tap into the veins of magic that run through Arethil. Called leys, these lines stretch to every corner of the world and often connect magical locations. Subsequently, areas with high concentrations of magic form where these lines converge.

"Magick", as it is simply called, is borrowed temporarily from the leys and channeled through the user. As temporary vessels, fae may hold their own stores of magick or draw from the leys for larger needs than they can normally carry. The amount of magick one may carry or channel varies greatly by species, but the categories of strength dictate the hierarchy of fae. While borne of magic, even faeries are beholden to the same laws as mortals.

Wards and glamours are magicks generally associated with the fae, but magick itself has many uses. It is limited merely by the ability of the individual and the degree of magick they can channel safely before risking harm or death.

Regardless of strength, many fae can learn to travel via the leys. Temporarily melding their magical bodies with the leys, a faerie may follow the vein of magick to another point along its line. To do so is taxing, can only follow the ley lines, and is dangerous to untrained and unpracticed fae. This form of travel is only applicable to fae, and cannot be learned by warlocks, changelings, and humans born of fae unions.

One of the few known aspects of the fae outside of their own culture is their ability to bind mortals into deals and pacts. These cover a spectrum of agreements, ranging from simple exchanges of objects or words to lifelong pacts of service and fealty.

A deal must be agreed upon between faerie and mortal, but the concept of "agreement" is a tricky one that fae delight in twisting. For some fae, a simple "please" or "thank you" may be enough to bind an individual to a favor of near equal measure. To accept food for some is enough. For others, however, terms of agreement may be verbally or physical drawn before a deal is ever formalized. Regardless of the agreement, not all individuals involved in a fae deal are equal.

Pacts are more binding than deals, often lifelong arrangements that transpire simple deals. A pact comes in as many forms as the deal, but often falls into three, categories:

• Homage
• Familiar
• Warlock

Homage pacts are straightforward. In exchange for the fae's gifts, boon, or assistance, the mortal returns the favor by leaving offerings and paying homage to their faerie benefactor. These offerings may be as little as a piece of bread or a bowl of cream, or as much one's children or sanity.

Pacts with fae to become familiars is more formal. Conduits utilized by mortals (called familiars) allow their master to perform magick and draw from the ley lines. This magick is incumbent upon the presence of leys and very little magick can be stored within the familiar for ease of access by the master. This may expand the repertoire of a natural mage or give first magic to one who may not possess it otherwise.

To further access ley magick, an individual must become a warlock. Only greater fae, sidhe, and duanann have the strength required to take warlocks. In a warlock pact (or, more often used, bond), a variety of abilities and benefits (negative or positive to whom is debatable) are gained between patron and warlock.

• The warlock's use of magick
• Telepathic link to patron
• Imbued immortality or some extension of life
• Life link to patron
• Commanding power of patron

Magick
A warlock may draw directly from their patron's reservoir or may pull from the legs themself. Depending on the strength of their faerie patron, they may be as strong as lesser or greater fae in terms of magical capability. The stronger the patron, the stronger the warlock.

Extension of Life
In many cases, the life of the warlock is extended. Whether this is beyond one's natural years or functional immortality alongside their patron, it is a gift from and mained by their patron. Unless specifically noted in their deal, this may be granted or withheld at their discretion.

Power of Command
The faerie patron may also wield a degree of command over their warlock, who may resist at the cost of personal discomfort or even pain. A sound strength of will is the best weapon against any fae but within a pact, obeying a command is inevitable.

Life Link
To the warlock's benefit, their physical wellbeing remains important and their continued life tantamount as warlocks share a life link to their patron. In this link, should the warlock die, the patron would suffer a great deal as well, a portion of their own life greatly reduced and magicks drained as if gravely wounded. Alternately, the death of a faerie patron means death for their warlocks, whose lives are maintained by them.

The Bond
Between warlock and patron, the pact forms a bond that manifests as a tangible, telepathic link. Often described like a cord, chain, thread, or rope, this linear connection extends from the minds of faerie and mortal -- and even fellow warlocks bound in pact to the same faerie. From the bond, a myriad of interactions are achievable.

• Communication
• Sensing health and well-being
• Sensing location
• Transferral of afflictions

Most beneficial is a mental link of communication between parties. They can communicate telepathically with their patron within a certain radius. The stronger the patron, the greater this distance. Emotions and physical sensations may be broadcast along bonds. To combat this, a small degree of privacy can be maintained. Both warlock and patron may cloak or close their minds against inquest of the other. Soft inquiries are mental touches through the bond, and feel like a request. They can be denied, but surface feelings not shielded within any mental cloaking may be read. A hard inquest, feeling like a "pluck" of the bond, may be made by the patron into their warlock's physical and mental well-being. This cannot be ignored, and is felt by the warlock. While warlocks cannot forcibly penetrate the guards of their patron's mind, they may still receive some feedback from hard inquests.

Warlocks can pluck their own bonds to find their patron; it will have a deep, strong hum that will point the way to them like a string of light for a moment. They can also pluck the bonds of fellow warlocks, but the hum is brief and the light briefer, like a shooting star. Their patron may be able to sense their plucks, depending on proximity and whether or not they're distracted, the delicacy of the inquiry, etc.

Warlocks can send their pain down their bond in a request for their patron to take it, but they can deny it. They can't stop their patron's transferral of pain down their bond.

Beyond a life link, patron and warlock may shift pain and harm between one another. This is regulated, ultimately, by the patron but may be requested or initiated by the warlock. This process allows warlocks to keep fighting longer, their wounds shifted to a much stronger entity. This ability does not remove all of the physical damage done to the wounded party, but is a transferral of strength and vitality to sustain them. What might have been a killing blow becomes a grievous wound, or the pain of a glancing blow is deflected so as not to extract from one's focus. These shifts are transferrable between all members of a patron's web of bonds, meaning they may choose to draw injury from one warlock and apply it to another.

It can become dangerous for obvious reasons, as harm to the patron draws them closer to death and a warlock's lack of pain from injuries may mean they are less aware of the severity of their injuries. It is a delicate balance and is generally used sparingly and with caution.

Fellow warlocks to the same patron seem to exist parallel to them, unseen but felt next to their cords in the back of their minds. They can reach blindly out to feel one another with relative ease, as if to mentally reach to the side. Fellow warlocks can't speak through them, per se, but they can convey base emotions and thoughts. Concern, questioning, anger, affection, etc. Answering is not required and warlocks cannot pluck the bonds of other warlocks for inquest. Should any of these bonds be broken (in death or other means of release from their pact), they can feel the departure of fellow warlocks like an echo.

Among fae, there is a strict hierarchy based on magical capability. This hierarchy is as follows:

• Duanann ("high fae")
• Sidhe (typical "faerie", leanan sidhe)
• greater fae (cwn annwn, unicorns, black shucks, ghillie dubh, leprechaun, clurichaun)
• lesser fae (banshees, boggarts, hags, pucas, nymphs)
• demifae (brownies, bwbachs, pixies)
• spirits (ankou, church grims, asria)
• conduits (salamander (fire), sylph (air), undine (water), spriggan (earth), wisp (light)*

Within courts, this hierarchy is expanded to include a number of other fae and related beings based on societal status:

• sluagh membership
• wyldefae and domestic fae, who live in mortal households and are unaligned to courts
• "half-fae" born of mortals and changelings adopted by fae
• fae of opposing alignments and courts
• mortal pets and pact-bound warlocks
• exiles and oathbreakers

Between conflicting societal and hierarchal standing, the greater of the two applies to the individual.

Pepe and JJ - mums of the fae

Below are summaries/links of fae subspecies

• Duanaan: The most powerful fae, elven in appearance and rulers of the fae kind
• Sidhe: The stereotypical 'fairy' looking fae, small with wings
• Black Shucks: Rare dog-species fae known for hunting skills
• Cwn Annwn: The most common dog-species fae with limited magick abilities but big roles in the Courts
• Leprechauns: A now rare greater fae species with a speciality in luck and wish magic
• Púca: Lesser Fae species characterised by their unique animal features
• Kelpies: Lesser horse-species fae known for its violence and prowess in war
• Fawn: Lesser fae that appears to be part-human and part-deer or goat

The fae are often terretorial creatures, beholden to disputes over land and property, and their xenophobia is not exclusive to non-fae. It is only natural that they gravitate toward stronger entities that can defend their claims and perpetuate their ideals. These groups manifest in two forms: parlours and courts.

Parlours are bodies governed by an individual deemed the strongest of that region. The measure and criteria determining the "strongest" varies, from wit to physical prowess to magical aptitude. Parlours exist within parlours, and where this concentric process ends exists a single entity ruling over it all.

Courts have far more structure. By election or birthright, a ruler sits at its head wielding a varying degree of authority over their dominion. Beneath them will be nobles who hold their own territory and property. Courts generally offer greater security to the fae living within them, but come with far more intrigue and politics.

There are many courts and parlours, all vying for land, subjects, and power. A few, however, have survived the passage of time as unshakeable monuments. Parlours, like Spring and Autumn, allow its members joint fealty to one of the much larger Courts. This is especially true for the Sluagh, whose members are from all corners of Arethil.

Summer Court​

Alt Name: The Seelie Court
Queen: Titania
Element: Fire
Tenants: Honor & Beauty
Type: Court

Winter Court​

Alt Name: The Unseelie Court
Queen: Mab
Element: Air
Tenants: Passion & Chaos
Type: Court

Spring Court​

Alt Name: The Wild Court
King: Oberon
Element: Water
Tenants: Life & Freedom
Type: Parlour

Autumn Court​

Alt Name: The Sluagh
King: Midir, the Erlking
Element: Earth
Tenants: Death & Balance
Type: Parlour

Day Court​

Alt Name: The Court of Liars
Queen: Gwynevere
Element: Fire
Tenants: Perfection & Deception
Type: Court

Dawn Court​

Alt Name: The Furies
King: Andronicus
Element: Fire
Tenants: Mischief & War
Type: Parlour

Dusk Court​

Alt Name: The Twilight Court
Triumvir: Asemir, Neliinne, Vashe
Element:
Tenants: Harmony & Peace
Type: Parlour

Night Court​

Alt Name: The Court of Bones
King: in dispute, Princes Kana′tĭ & Tulok
Element: Water
Tenants: Death & Sorrow
Type: Court

Silent Court​

Alt Name: The Afterlife
King: Iren
Element: Earth
Tenants: Death and Rebirth
Type: Court

Vitae Court​

Alt Name: Court of Stars
Triumvir: Varos, Rerreno, and Wulren
Element:
Tenants: Life, Freedom, and Unity
Type: Court

Other smaller courts and parlours also exist, though always under the watchful eye of the much larger, much stronger Courts.

The fae have a wide pantheon of gods worshiped many ways throughout the Courts. In some faiths, some of these gods are viewed as the “true” gods, denying all others as lesser or evil. Others recognize the pantheon as equal and spread their modes of worship out throughout the year or as life events deem necessary to gain their favor. These gods have many names that vary from region, Court, and even within other faiths.

Followers of the Summerlanders or Children of the Sun worship Shaevwa, the fae god of the sun and the mother of creation, and her husband, Rii’ii, the god of the sky and air. The gods keeps watch over all fae and maintain a special garden, called the Summerlands, where faithful fae can go to await reincarnation.

Summerlanders deny the validity of other faiths, maintaining Shaevwa and Rii’ii as the true gods of the fae and the rest as false gods and evil imposters.

GODS
Shaevwa, God of the Sun and Creation
Shaevwa is described as being a being of light whose beauty is so profound as to surpass even fae understanding. When depicted, she is portrayed as a beautiful, glowing fae woman of white and gold, with a halo of hair like the rays of the sun. Shaevwa is a motherly figure: patient, understanding, and wise.

Sacrificing her body and remaining beyond the barrier protecting the fae from evil gods, Shaevwa is forever separated from her children. However, she runs under the sun over the barrier made by Rii’ii. There, she is as close to her children as she can ever be, warming the Summerlands that Rii’ii made for them.

Rii’ii, God of Sky and Air
Rii’ii’s body became the sky that protects the world from the gods of death and evil that once plagued the fae. He is often depicted as shades of blue to black with outstretched arms that encompass the world.

While Shaevwa held the evil gods at bay, Rii’ii used his body to make a barrier to protect the fae. He also gave his breath of magick to create the leys and made the Summerlands, a garden in his arms for devout fae to await reincarnation close to where Shaevwa runs around the world. He is forever separated from his wife, but feels her warmth and takes care of their children.

The Banished Gods
Kept out of the world by Shaevwa and Rii’ii, these gods live beyond the world and are always plotting the downfall of the fae. A few of their servants, called imposters, came through inside the fae crossing Shaevwa’s bridge, and through them the banished gods continue to prey upon fae suffering.

These gods are portrayed as dark beings with many eyes, peering through the night sky when Shaevwa is the furthest in her journey around the world. They cannot speak through Rii’ii’s barrier, but they create anomalies in the night skies to communicate with the impostors and guide them in their never-ending quest for evil.

The Impostors
Seeds of evil that were carried into the world inside the fae, impostors work with the banished gods to corrupt the fae and undermine their connection to Shaevwa and Rii'ii.


THE ORIGIN OF THE FAE & MAGICK
In the world prior to this one, there were many gods. Of them were those of night and death who wreaked havoc and sowed grief in the lives of the fae. Shaevwa and Rii’ii created the fae, but their protection alone could not spare the fae from the forces of evil.

Hearing the pleas of her children, Shaevwa sacrificed her body to build a bridge to another world for them to escape the evil gods. Rii’ii ushered the fae into the new world but Shaevwa stayed behind, holding back the evil that tried to cross over. She destroyed the bridge between worlds and used the last of her magic to hold back the powers of death and darkness. Rii’ii created a barrier around the world with his body to forever keep evil at bay. Shaevwa was unable to pass through the barrier, however, and she remains beyond this barrier where her children can never hear her voice.

In the new world, Rii’ii created the leys, a whispered word that spread through the land to give life and vitality to his children. He then built a garden in his arms, the Summerlands, revolving around the world in the light of the sun where his children could go to be close to Shaevwa in death before reincarnation. It was bright and warm and their children only knew joy and warmth and freedom as they awaited their time to return once more to life. Though she could not pass through the barrier, Shaevwa runs across Rii’ii’s back to always keep the Summerlands bright as day goes into night.

Not all forces of evil were kept at bay, however. Hidden in the hearts of and on the backs of fae, some crossed Shaevwa’s bridge into the new world. Small imposters, they work to torment the fae and undermine their trust and faith in Shaevwa and Rii’ii. They stained the hearts and minds of the fae through trickery and deceit, and communicate with the banished gods through anomalies in the night sky.

To protect the children and the Summerlands, Rii’ii was forced to deny those who had been tricked or who betrayed their faith from entering the garden. But because good and evil are never as clear as black and white and even good exists in the night, Rii’ii also made a special place for those who came close to the glory of the Summerlands. These faithful ones would never know the real joy and peace of basking in Shaevwa’s warmth, but they would feel glory as the colors of twilight heralding her to and from the sky.


DEATH & REINCARNATION
Reincarnation Through the Leys
Like all other fae religions, Summerlanders believe in reincarnation through the magick of the ley lines. Brought from another world, fae souls are made from the same aether Rii’ii first breathed life into, and they will return to that aether in death. Through this process, they are washed clean of their worldly burdens and made new in rebirth.

The Summerlands
A garden made in Rii’ii’s arms, following the sun and Shaevwa’s path, where the truly faithful fae can reside after death before reincarnation. The Summerlands are a wide garden where fae become otherworldly beasts and spirits to run and play forever in Shaevwa’s warmth and love. They forget all parts of their life and only know happiness and peace in the garden with their gods.

Twilight Runners
Sometimes the fae must break Rii’ii’s laws to protect their world and those they love from the forces of evil and darkness. For those who live devout lives but are guilty of some sins, Rii'ii may choose to spare the from total oblivion through the leys to have a special place in the sky serving him and dwelling in the glory of Shaevwa. In this afterlife, souls await reincarnation as the colors of sunrise and sunset, heralding the coming and going of Shaevwa’s light.


TENETS OF FAITH
Life is Sacred
All life on Arethil is sacred and worthy of respect. From the smallest insect to the greatest dragons in the sky, everything is necessary and beautiful. For Summerlanders, there is no greater sin than murder, and the faithful all adhere to vegetarian diets.

For those who must kill in service to their faith, working to gain a place as a Twilight Runner is still a noble cause. These practitioners must continue to abide by all other laws of their faith to gain their place in the afterlife.

The Natural Order of Everything
All life may be sacred, but it is not equal. There is a natural hierarchy to all things, divinity in action to keep the perfect cycle of life moving ever onward. This is not only true in nature, but also society, and never as relevant as in fae society. Social and natural hierarchies must always be obeyed. The universe makes no mistakes.

Love is Sacred
Shaevwa and Rii’ii taught love by example. To love is to come closer to understanding their sacrifices.

Honor
To live without honor is to live with the seeds of darkness in one’s heart. Truth and integrity are lauded and holy, and one who cannot live honestly can never run free in the Summerlands.

By Pale Moonlight and Silver Stars...
A Nightmare Dressed Like a Daydream
Unexpected Bonds
Beasts and Blizzards
Through the Veil
A nightmare dressed like a daydream
A Fae Moon on the Rise