Post by Akatala on Apr 3, 2009 18:49:47 GMT -5
Note: Though these were written with many of my notes, the end credits for writing this list goes to Eyis.
(2) Breeding / Crosses. Faes can crossbreed with nearly anything if they work it right. The most common crosses are human, giant, and dwarf. Sometimes just because they're feral and looking to shag. Sometimes because there's actual love involved. Sometimes because they're trying to achieve something. Crossbreeds aren't officially accepted by courts, but with the changing mortal world and its pressure towards civil and natural rights, the courts have all but been forced to (in the very least) allow a crossbreed to pledge loyalty. This is highly more likely to happen with the Dark than the Light courts.
From what the Main Administrator knows of the myths, the Light Fae are extremely proud of their bloodlines, and are known for being rather bigoted. In Norse mythology with the elf version this bigotry is super-highlighted in what little information there is. In fact the Norse claim that According to Raven Kauldera in his book Pathwalkers:
(3) Season. All fae are born aligned to a season. It IS possible for the birth season to change. Though very rare, there is documented evidence of this. In many cases, though, that change is only temporary. If you dye a tiger to paint spots on him, he will still have stripes in his skin and the same philosophy applies to a change in birth season. Weres/halflings as well as humans who may have fae blood in their ancestry can have a birth season. Heck, humans themselves may all actually have a season unknowingly. If you ask people, they'll all point to a season as being highlighted to them for some reason related to the events of that season. However, humans are mostly naive of metaphysical stuff like that. They never pay attention to it. They don't allow magick the same level of power over them that the fae culture has bred into its people for eons. Therefore whatever pull humans might have towards their birth season is undoubtedly weaker compared to creatures such as the fae who find their calendars driven by it.
(4) Elements. The traditional Elven Star has seven points to represent seven recognized elements of magick. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Spirit (the core of us), Light (what is seen and consciously known) and Darkness (what is unseen and unknown). However, our dear Administrator is going to try to make this as easy as possible by declaring only four. As each season represents something further, so too do the elements. Therefore, they are listed along with their associated representations. Beside each element are additional specialized elemental and abilities that display how the parent element can be used in its various ways.
(6) Alignment. As there usually are there are the ‘Lights’, the ‘Darks’, and the ‘Neutrals’. Yet, in Faery terms they go by different names. The Light are destined for the Seelie Court (a respectable bunch by fae terms are these, they are fond of humans, not that they don’t seek rectitude for any wrongdone and cause a few bits of mischief now and again.), the Dark is destined for the Unseelie Court (quite a nasty, vile bunch are these in so few words. Mortals beware, these do not need reasons to lash out and harm.) and, lastly, the Neutrals who are often the Rogues. The Rogues, in a way, are the ‘solitary faeries’ where as the others are ‘trooping’ ones. Solitary faeries are exactly what they sound like - faes they are often on their own or stick only to small tribes and communities. Yet, neutrals, who loiter between the ‘great divide’ are quite a battered, roughed bunch. Neutrals feel hate from both the Seelie and Unseelie, neither can stand the rogues you see. Neutrals are not tolerated in Seelie and Unseelie lands and provinces.
(7) Birth animal. Also called the "Native Form", every faery is born in animal (realistic or mythical) form. They only gain the ability to shift forms as a Changeling once they reach puberty. Young Changelings often need a bit of time in order to master the ability to change between their native animal form and their fae form. Changelings must have mastered their ability to shift and hold their new form before they can learn to use glamour to mingle among humans. A few kinds of fae namely the Chimeras of the West, and the Kitsune and the Tanuki of Japan, are gifted earlier in age with the ability to master shapeshifting. This usually requires a focus tool however that once found and taken from the user can return the user to their native form. However, the tool, particularly for the Chimeras, usually becomes unnecessary at puberty.
(8) Glamour. This is the base power, also called charm, found in all fae. It is the ability to create an illusion to make a fae seem like something they are not, such as a mortal human. As a faery matures into adulthood, the use of glamour becomes easy. Those who end up as nobles are usually fully mature, if not older, individuals who have mastered greater difficulty levels of glamour than most. I.e. being able to charm a large group or even a whole village of humans or more rather than a couple into doing what the charmer wishes. You see glamour isn't purely the ability to appear human to the fae, but also the ability to influence and manipulate mortals.
(9) Faery Law. Seelie generally have rule over daylight hours in the mortal realm while most Unseelie rule the shadows and night. Thus is why they are called Light and Dark. However, when one looks at them for the truth of the matter, both can be vegitarians just as both can be predators. The Seelie would then be like the hawk who hunts by day and the Unseelie like the owl who hunts by night. It is true that most nightmares come from the Unseelie as most of them like their reputation for being evil and nasty. However in each group there is always exceptions to the stereotype. The Seelie and Unseelie are cursed to forever fight each other for power, each thinking they are better than the other. It was made this way so that there would be a balance of power in the Worlds. Neither group cares why they fight anymore. The original wrongs have long been forgotten. All that is known is that each is forbidden to walk the lands of the other. Though, wild lands are fair game to both sides, as well as the Neutral folk who are unwanted by both sides of the Everlasting War. No faery children, meaning those who have not mastered glamour enough to look like humans, are not allowed through the Twilight Gates for their own protection as much as that of mortals. A non-aligned group of guardian monks working for the temples of the Mother Danu and Father Dagda deities take sole responsibility for guarding the gates. To mess with them is to mess with the deities themselves. Aside from that, the faery laws change depending upon which Faery region you are in and who rules it. Monarchs of the Courts are allowed to set up their own laws for the Faery lands they reign over.
(10) Weaknessess. To kill a fae is quite a feat but it can, and has, been done. Stories of mortals (or even other faes) committing the highest of crimes are scattered throughout history. From this, the ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the mischievous good folk are fairly known. Poisoning, beheading, starvation and also a good blade through the heart is sure to end a fae’s life, and once a fae dies… it, sadly, is quite dead. Another weakness of the race is that if kept in the mortal world for long (either by choice or by force) their powers will wane to the point that they will become little more then mortals, capable of seeing the good folk, but unable to join them as they once had. Rumors have also circulated among the people of the hills that forgetfulness will also plague them, if they remain in the mortal realm too long… and wouldn’t that be simply dreary? Forgetting about the Fairy Realm? A pity it would be and for this reason few fae’s choose to test their mortality and opt to remain in the human world for only the amount of time needed to make their mischief and have their fun… or to accomplish their goal. There are two exemptions to this rule. The first are hidden specially warded safe zones in the Mortal World. The second is for a sealing spell to be cast on the fae, which preserves the fae in a nearly frozen-time state until a trigger breaks the spell, thus releasing the fae. There are of course variations to the sealing spell, different ways to seal and things to be sealed in. Different triggers. There are also binding seals which may bind a fae into a specific form until a specific trigger breaks the spell. (On a side note, however, I'd like to take a moment and congratulate you on reading the guidelines and making it to this part of them. ;3 If you read the the profile you'd have noticed we require a codeword. I'd now like to tell you to have the code in uppercase.)
(11) Faery Gates. Faeries are not from the mortal realm, even though they visit it frequently. Faeries are from the Faery Realm and enter the mortal realm via the gates. The gates are guarded - indeed they are the connection between realms - and are well hidden. Water, glamoured allies, certain woods and for certain faeries, mirrors, are the entrances and exits between worlds. Every city has its gates, and every gate can only be accessed at the twilights, whither it be dawn or dusk. Only adult faes can pass through the gates, for the mortal realm is far too dangerous for the good folk children. Yet, perhaps we should say ‘should’. There are stories about curious little faes who wandered where they were not meant to, and because of their youth and inexperience were caught by mortals and enslaved unwittingly as pets. [/size][/ul][/ul]
(2) Breeding / Crosses. Faes can crossbreed with nearly anything if they work it right. The most common crosses are human, giant, and dwarf. Sometimes just because they're feral and looking to shag. Sometimes because there's actual love involved. Sometimes because they're trying to achieve something. Crossbreeds aren't officially accepted by courts, but with the changing mortal world and its pressure towards civil and natural rights, the courts have all but been forced to (in the very least) allow a crossbreed to pledge loyalty. This is highly more likely to happen with the Dark than the Light courts.
From what the Main Administrator knows of the myths, the Light Fae are extremely proud of their bloodlines, and are known for being rather bigoted. In Norse mythology with the elf version this bigotry is super-highlighted in what little information there is. In fact the Norse claim that According to Raven Kauldera in his book Pathwalkers:
1) The Elves/Fae were NOT native to the Norse worlds and only gained Alfheim after bargaining with Hela to have a place on the World Tree.As far as pregnancy and traversing the Fae Gates there isn’t much doubt that there will be complications. Since the gates are partially operated by the power of the mother goddess Danu, then most likely she would protect the child, however it is highly likely the child would gain baggage from the event. That baggage would of course depend on the parents and especially the mother. If a pregnant human goes through the gate she may her promptly give birth to an egg or an animal as she arrives in the faery realm. The child could even become a ward of the goddess since the mother would be busy going through death and possible rebirth as a faery anyway.
2) It was after that when war broke out in Alfheim and those that became the dark elves were cast into exile. They fled into the mountain world ruled by the dwarves who live in the caves. The dwarves said that the dark elves could have the surface save for a few sacred areas.
3) Most fae folk tend to harbor an extreme dislike for Giants, considering them barbaric and crude as opposed to the elegant and sophisticated fae. However, some rogue groups toss out this sort of bigotry and mingle with giants anyway. Thus many tribes, may be of stronger build than the typical fae, especially in highland regions.
(3) Season. All fae are born aligned to a season. It IS possible for the birth season to change. Though very rare, there is documented evidence of this. In many cases, though, that change is only temporary. If you dye a tiger to paint spots on him, he will still have stripes in his skin and the same philosophy applies to a change in birth season. Weres/halflings as well as humans who may have fae blood in their ancestry can have a birth season. Heck, humans themselves may all actually have a season unknowingly. If you ask people, they'll all point to a season as being highlighted to them for some reason related to the events of that season. However, humans are mostly naive of metaphysical stuff like that. They never pay attention to it. They don't allow magick the same level of power over them that the fae culture has bred into its people for eons. Therefore whatever pull humans might have towards their birth season is undoubtedly weaker compared to creatures such as the fae who find their calendars driven by it.
(4) Elements. The traditional Elven Star has seven points to represent seven recognized elements of magick. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Spirit (the core of us), Light (what is seen and consciously known) and Darkness (what is unseen and unknown). However, our dear Administrator is going to try to make this as easy as possible by declaring only four. As each season represents something further, so too do the elements. Therefore, they are listed along with their associated representations. Beside each element are additional specialized elemental and abilities that display how the parent element can be used in its various ways.
Earth [Body]: Flora (growing things), Healer, Terrakinetic (moves land), Physical Alchemy(5) Courts. There are always Four Major Courts, one representing each Season. There may be smaller castles belonging to nobles of the Seasonal Courts who may wish to have their own court to mingle with. However, the true power is held by the ruling couple of each Seasonal Court. The monarch couple of a Court are the ones who effect not only the court but the weather during their respective season! Unstable monarchies can lead to massive disasters that have repercussions in both Worlds! The Seelie and Unseelie constantly combat for rule over the individual Seasonal Courts. A balance occurs when each side holds two courts. Ex. The Spring and summer being ruled by Seelie Monarchies and the Autumn and Winter being ruled by Unseelie. It is when one side gains more ground than the other that trouble begins to occur for neither truly has the strength to rule more than it's fair share. That is the law of the Universe.Earth elementals have an easy bond with the ground and the life that lives upon it. Some specialize in medicine. Some are excellent cooks. Others find great positions in conservation or caretaking in parks and refuges. Still others find their talents best put to use through the arts of smithing and building structures of beauty. Earth is a creative power.Water [Emotion]: Rain, Ice, Snow, Storm (Wind/Water)Water is one of the two channel elements. Those born with it's influence find they can feel the emotions of others. They have a strong bond with the ethereal and can often carry oracle abilities dealing with death, the spirits, the past and things that tie these things together. Such as historic sites where imprints are left over time of the people that lived there. Because water is most easily affected by its environment, the same can be said of the people under its power. While it can bestow amazing gifts, it can also be demanding and draining. Therefore water elementals often find the need to seek seclusion to flush themselves of things they've picked up and restore their vitality. If blocked from this, they can become unruly or even physically ill.Fire [Desire/Action]: Spontaneous Combustion, Lightning, Illumination, Poison (Water/Fire)Fire is the most explosive and demanding of the elements. It's power is to create via destruction. Those under the influence of this element often have hot tempers. Invoking their temper can become extremely dangerous as their temper demands destruction. Fire elementals find their challenge lying in how to channel their rage into a productive action requiring physical exertion. However, once the rage is gone, they are often left feeling burned themselves on the inside and need time alone in sanctuary to heal from the explosion of their temper. On the flip side, they can be useful for active or dramatic jobs. Many find it easy to clown around and make light of things when all may seem dark and gloomy.Air [Thought/Sound]: Wind, Storm (requires water for rain), Foresight, Oracle, Voice-throw, DreamsAir is the other channel element. While not as draining as water, it is just as active. People under its influence are known for cleverness and the ability to speak, sing, or play music well. They may also find premonition and horsing the unseen easy abilities as well. They can often be found indulging their minds in books and talking with people over serious debate subjects of interest. They might also seem unstable at times for the Wind pushes them to do or say what is needed, whether others like it or not. They might also be cold and arrogant people who use their cleverness to get what they want.
(6) Alignment. As there usually are there are the ‘Lights’, the ‘Darks’, and the ‘Neutrals’. Yet, in Faery terms they go by different names. The Light are destined for the Seelie Court (a respectable bunch by fae terms are these, they are fond of humans, not that they don’t seek rectitude for any wrongdone and cause a few bits of mischief now and again.), the Dark is destined for the Unseelie Court (quite a nasty, vile bunch are these in so few words. Mortals beware, these do not need reasons to lash out and harm.) and, lastly, the Neutrals who are often the Rogues. The Rogues, in a way, are the ‘solitary faeries’ where as the others are ‘trooping’ ones. Solitary faeries are exactly what they sound like - faes they are often on their own or stick only to small tribes and communities. Yet, neutrals, who loiter between the ‘great divide’ are quite a battered, roughed bunch. Neutrals feel hate from both the Seelie and Unseelie, neither can stand the rogues you see. Neutrals are not tolerated in Seelie and Unseelie lands and provinces.
(7) Birth animal. Also called the "Native Form", every faery is born in animal (realistic or mythical) form. They only gain the ability to shift forms as a Changeling once they reach puberty. Young Changelings often need a bit of time in order to master the ability to change between their native animal form and their fae form. Changelings must have mastered their ability to shift and hold their new form before they can learn to use glamour to mingle among humans. A few kinds of fae namely the Chimeras of the West, and the Kitsune and the Tanuki of Japan, are gifted earlier in age with the ability to master shapeshifting. This usually requires a focus tool however that once found and taken from the user can return the user to their native form. However, the tool, particularly for the Chimeras, usually becomes unnecessary at puberty.
(8) Glamour. This is the base power, also called charm, found in all fae. It is the ability to create an illusion to make a fae seem like something they are not, such as a mortal human. As a faery matures into adulthood, the use of glamour becomes easy. Those who end up as nobles are usually fully mature, if not older, individuals who have mastered greater difficulty levels of glamour than most. I.e. being able to charm a large group or even a whole village of humans or more rather than a couple into doing what the charmer wishes. You see glamour isn't purely the ability to appear human to the fae, but also the ability to influence and manipulate mortals.
(9) Faery Law. Seelie generally have rule over daylight hours in the mortal realm while most Unseelie rule the shadows and night. Thus is why they are called Light and Dark. However, when one looks at them for the truth of the matter, both can be vegitarians just as both can be predators. The Seelie would then be like the hawk who hunts by day and the Unseelie like the owl who hunts by night. It is true that most nightmares come from the Unseelie as most of them like their reputation for being evil and nasty. However in each group there is always exceptions to the stereotype. The Seelie and Unseelie are cursed to forever fight each other for power, each thinking they are better than the other. It was made this way so that there would be a balance of power in the Worlds. Neither group cares why they fight anymore. The original wrongs have long been forgotten. All that is known is that each is forbidden to walk the lands of the other. Though, wild lands are fair game to both sides, as well as the Neutral folk who are unwanted by both sides of the Everlasting War. No faery children, meaning those who have not mastered glamour enough to look like humans, are not allowed through the Twilight Gates for their own protection as much as that of mortals. A non-aligned group of guardian monks working for the temples of the Mother Danu and Father Dagda deities take sole responsibility for guarding the gates. To mess with them is to mess with the deities themselves. Aside from that, the faery laws change depending upon which Faery region you are in and who rules it. Monarchs of the Courts are allowed to set up their own laws for the Faery lands they reign over.
(10) Weaknessess. To kill a fae is quite a feat but it can, and has, been done. Stories of mortals (or even other faes) committing the highest of crimes are scattered throughout history. From this, the ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the mischievous good folk are fairly known. Poisoning, beheading, starvation and also a good blade through the heart is sure to end a fae’s life, and once a fae dies… it, sadly, is quite dead. Another weakness of the race is that if kept in the mortal world for long (either by choice or by force) their powers will wane to the point that they will become little more then mortals, capable of seeing the good folk, but unable to join them as they once had. Rumors have also circulated among the people of the hills that forgetfulness will also plague them, if they remain in the mortal realm too long… and wouldn’t that be simply dreary? Forgetting about the Fairy Realm? A pity it would be and for this reason few fae’s choose to test their mortality and opt to remain in the human world for only the amount of time needed to make their mischief and have their fun… or to accomplish their goal. There are two exemptions to this rule. The first are hidden specially warded safe zones in the Mortal World. The second is for a sealing spell to be cast on the fae, which preserves the fae in a nearly frozen-time state until a trigger breaks the spell, thus releasing the fae. There are of course variations to the sealing spell, different ways to seal and things to be sealed in. Different triggers. There are also binding seals which may bind a fae into a specific form until a specific trigger breaks the spell. (On a side note, however, I'd like to take a moment and congratulate you on reading the guidelines and making it to this part of them. ;3 If you read the the profile you'd have noticed we require a codeword. I'd now like to tell you to have the code in uppercase.)
(11) Faery Gates. Faeries are not from the mortal realm, even though they visit it frequently. Faeries are from the Faery Realm and enter the mortal realm via the gates. The gates are guarded - indeed they are the connection between realms - and are well hidden. Water, glamoured allies, certain woods and for certain faeries, mirrors, are the entrances and exits between worlds. Every city has its gates, and every gate can only be accessed at the twilights, whither it be dawn or dusk. Only adult faes can pass through the gates, for the mortal realm is far too dangerous for the good folk children. Yet, perhaps we should say ‘should’. There are stories about curious little faes who wandered where they were not meant to, and because of their youth and inexperience were caught by mortals and enslaved unwittingly as pets. [/size][/ul][/ul]