Fae

A fae also known as fay, fairy, faerie; collectively, wee folk, good folk, people of peace, and other euphemisms is the name given to many creatures in this universe. Fairies are often identified with related beings of other mythologies. Even in folklore that uses the term "fairy," there are many definitions of what constitutes a fairy. Sometimes the term is used to describe any magical creature, including goblins or gnomes: at other times, the term only describes a specific type of more ethereal creature.

Fairies are generally described as human in appearance and as having magical powers. Their origins are less clear in the folklore, being variously the dead, or some form of angel, or a species completely independent of humans or angels. Folklorists have suggested that their actual origin lies in a conquered race living in hiding, or in religious beliefs that lost currency. These explanations are not always mutually incompatible, and they may be traceable to multiple sources.

Much of the folklore about fairies revolves about protection from their malice, by such means as cold iron or charms of rowan and herbs, or avoiding offense by shunning locations known to be theirs. In particular, folklore describes how to prevent the fairies from stealing babies and substituting changelings, and abducting older people as well.

To encounter a fae among the world of mortals is rare but has been known to happen. Faeries gain power by making bargains and promises with mortals. Service in exchange for service, but it is the bond itself that provides power and solidification for the Fae Folk.

Faeries vary greatly in form and power, there truly is no end to what a faerie may be and many other creatures thought to be specific species are indeed, faeries. Faeries are also free willed, sentient beings that are in no way obligated to act in a certain way, believe certain things or live certain life styles. Like any other species, there are many cultures and even stereotypes associated with Faeries and we shall address a couple briefly.


 * Faeries are small creatures with wings. Untrue. Any creature originating in it's creation on the faerie plain is considered a faerie and most are magical in nature.


 * Faeries are evil/good creatures. Faeries are not unlike other species in that the individual chooses their path. Many subspecies of faerie may show a certain disposition to 'good' or 'evil' but these concepts are largely lost upon them. The alignment of a faerie in regards to order is subject to many things though. It could be said that some faeries are born 'evil' and some are born 'good.' It could be said that some are a pure incarnation of one or the other. It could also be argued that such a being is natural and a necessity, but more on that later.


 * Fairies play tricks on mortals, many are vicious and harmful. Now this one is neither cut nor dry - many a faerie has pleaded innocent to the worst pranks. Faeries, for the most part; do not concern themselves with every day mortal life. They see many mortals as silly - what with being stressed out and depressed and worrying about material matters and so on. Faeries have a largely accepting nature to natural change and therefore don't see the harm in playing the odd prank or two. Many faeries think that a mortal in such circumstances should be happy that he has captured the attention of beings that have mostly sworn off mortal plains and feel there is nothing wrong with having fun. Like the concepts of 'good' and 'evil' though, any effects upon a mortal from a 'prank' may not quite register with them. This is not to say that all 'pranks' mean well and the subject is a delicate one. Again though - not all faeries are 'good' or could be considered nice or benevolent. Keep in mind though as with anything else - the negative experiences generally paint history.

Faeirie Society
Faerie society is divided and structured by a limitless number of factors so we shall but touch on the more notable ones.

The Seelie Court
The Seelie Court is a large, loose confederation of gods that consists of the leader Titania, also known as Maab or Rhiannon when she so chooses and her consort Oberon, as well as the following gods: Caoimhin, Damh, Eachthighern (the unicorn deity of healing, loyalty, and protection), Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Skerrit, Squelaiche, and Verenestra. The Seelie Court stands united in opposition to the Queen of Air and Darkness.

The Seelie Court is divided into two circles. The Inner Circle is closely associated with Queen Titania, and includes her consort Oberon, their children Damh and Verenestra, their court jester Squelaiche, and Eachthighern, their steed. The Outer Circle is more loosely allied, and either do not consider Titania to be their liege, as Skerrit does not, or spend most of their time away from the court, as Fionnghuala does. Still, Titania bears them as much love as she does the members of the Inner Circle.

The Seelie court is attended by 'good' or 'light' faeries. The Seelie court and, the Fey order, often have the common misconception of being 'good.' This will be explained in greater length later but is actually untrue. What a fairy sees as 'good' is the natural balance and order of all things. Faeries are closely entwined with Nature, the Mother; and generally seek to act in a manner appropriate to assisting in that natural order. As with the Fey order however, they are commonly associated with being 'good' as they stand against those that would act in an 'evil' manner and by doing so, threaten that balance.

The gods that preside over the Seelie Court are ancient, powerful beings; none more so than the Queen Titania. It is to her that the Fey swear fealty, though often Fey disciples serve her through their teachers and elders. It is said only the greatest Fey may commune with her and the court and it is unheard of that a Fey should have any direct dealings with her.

The Unseelie Court
The Unseelie court is the polar opposite of the Seelie court, ruled over by the Queen of Air and Darkness. The Queen of Air and Darkness is the fey deity of Magic (especially illusions), Darkness, and Murder. Her long-lost true name is never spoken among the fey. Her unholy symbol is a black diamond. The Queen of Air and Darkness is the sister of Titania, once a princess and heir to the Seelie Court. The evil Queen, her once bright spirit corrupted and dead, now hates and opposes Titania's Seelie Court and everything they stand for. Because she embodies the corruption that can take root in the heart of the elvish race, many elves stand against her on the mortal plain.

The Queen has a considerable court of her own and she is responsible for the creation of many 'true evil' faeries. Whereas the Seelie Faeries seek to preserve the balance but stray from extremes; the Unseelie court is primarily concerned with disturbing that balance, spreading their evil and their aspirations of complete destruction. It is know that the Dark Queen wishes to dominate and subjugate all realms but beyond that, her motives are only considered to be fueled by hate. The Unseelie court are generally considered as untrustworthy, insidious beings; and many a poor mortal has fallen prey to their wicked manipulations. Make no mistake, the Inner Unseelie are a wretched gathering and should be avoided at all costs.

The Fey
The easiest way to understand the difference between the 'Fae' and the 'Fey' is rather simple though the two are entwined. The 'Fae' are the faeries, the mythical beings that inhabit this world and others.

The 'Fey' are a play on this term due to their allegiances and their origins amongst the faeries and are a 'religious' order, or a philosophy and means by which the faithful choose to live their lives. It is important to note that a 'Fey' follower is not necessarily a faerie as they do not have any restrictions with regards to permitted species amongst the faithful. Please, also note; not all faeries are Fey either.

The Fey Order
The Fey as they are commonly referred to are an order or semi-religion which serve the balance of nature and serve a small number of divine beings or entities.

Titania ultimately saw it fit to appoint the first Fey millennia ago, so that mortals may be empowered in what is ultimately their own preservation and betterment. The Fey continue to see Titania as a divine Fey being, though slightly removed from the qualms and concerns of the order. Titania is accepted as not being all too concerned with mortal matters but is honored for her patronage and many blessings she has shown the Fey throughout their long history. The Fey understand that THEY have been appointed as the keepers of the balance amongst the many mortal plains and thusly, do not fall back on prayer and asking her for help. There are legends that the few elders, rumored to hold court with Titania have indeed sought her assistance at times, but only when circumstances are most dire.

The Fey see Mother Nature as an entity - the life force that surrounds all things in existence, the ongoing cycle of birth and death that is the single most inescapable truth. The Mother is considered the true balance of all things - that anything that happens without the provocation of mortals or interference of others is meant to be and should be maintained and not interfered with. It is said that the Fey can communicate with the Mother, which they see as a consciousness.

The Fey spirit is a loose term and often misinterpreted. Inside all living things is a measure of the same energy that surrounds us, known as the lifestream. The lifestream could be considered the energy of the Mother, the ethereal manifestation of Nature's consciousness. All beings, regardless of form of disposition have as portion of this energy or they would not be able to 'live' - to exist. Now, it is said that within all natural creatures, those non perverted or twisted and born purely of the Mother is the Fey Spirit. The Fey spirit is considered a separate and yet entwined consciousness to the Mother in that it is a more sentient consciousness. Rather than just simply being, it is a call, a drive, a connection back to the Mother, the energy that births us all. The Fey spirit identifies us all as part of that cycle, as beings of the natural order. By awakening this spirit, the Fey tap into many powers. It is said that the complete awakening and acceptance of this power causes a being to evolve, becoming more than a purely physical manifestation. Titania is said to have been passed on the divine right to awaken the true Fey Spirit within mortals, to appoint those who should lead the Fey cause.

The Fey Code
The Fey, quite simply; serve to preserve and protect what is considered the natural state and progression of nature. The Fey, as with the Seelie Court are often seen as 'good', due to evils penchant for destroying or disrupting that order. To truly understand the Fey you must be Fey, but they should be considered 'neutral' - in that they see extremes as dangerous regardless of intentions. They feel that the manipulation of mortals may be inevitable in their search for identity and belonging, but that should any such extreme disposition interfere with the natural order it is then their place, as protectors to right the situation.

As the Fey are commonly misconstrued as 'good', many of their more memorable opposition has come to be considered evil or corrupt. The Fey care not for the motives and reasons of their opposition, they simply consider them an obstacle and a threat to that which they are sworn to preserve.

Fey leadership is an interesting dynamic as they feel that any follower who seeks to gain power amongst their ranks could be a potential threat. The Fey believe in a mutual respect and ongoing dedication to serve the balance and assist each other, but they recognize their elders and those considered more 'awakened' to the spirit than others. They respect and honor the teachings of their fore fathers and in fighting is quashed immediately. Titania is the sole being capable of passing on the mantle of Fey divinity and leadership. Other Fey are recognized as being great leaders in their own rights and may indeed have sway over their own followers, but their loyalty remains unshakable to the Fey order and their calling as a whole. One man cannot run the show by himself, so to speak.

The Fey consider all pure creations of nature as their utmost charge - animals and the elements, plants and faeries are considered dear to them. To that extent, many of their abilities are often associated with these things, the Fey are commonly known to be welcome and non-threatened by animals and have shown the ability to befriend most anything that itself is a part of the natural order.

The fey are magical by nature due to their awakening, but their numbers consist of most any form of creature or being. Whilst their may be Faerie Fey followers, it is not true that all Fey are indeed Faeries. The only prerequisite to become Fey is to heed the calling, to show the true will and want to serve the Mother and to recognize the spirit that bonds all.

The Fey are fierce in battle and their ranks display all manner of powers given their origins from all walks of life. It is known that the Fey have strict regulations in regards to requirements of their faithful and in this regard have been branded as old fashioned at times. As the Fey see society as a whole being a steady decline and potential threat to the balance, they prefer to honor their ways rather than change and cast such traditions aside.

The Fey also believe very strongly in the common philosophy of duality which is present in many other callings and cultures. They believe in two sides to every coin, that each sun has a moon and so on - but that the ground between these two polar extremes is the natural state of all things. The Fey do not see the Seelie court as an extreme even by association of their actions against the Unseelie court, but do see the Unseelie as a significant threat due to their repeated actions against the balance and the mortal realms.

The Fey are dedicated but not considered fanatics. Each individual met by a Fey is subject to consternation and observance when the situation permits. Regardless of religious affiliation or personal motive, the Fey believe that the actions of the individual far outweigh their beliefs. To this extent, the Fey are often associated with 'good' orders and religions, such as the Templar - but such alliances are reputed to be unsteady with the continued degradation of those religions as they gain power.

The Fey Sympathizers
Outside the inner ranks of the Fey order are those which have not taken up the teachings of the path or awakened to the spirit - but serve the balance or the mother; or some times the Seelie themselves. They Fey welcome such alliances and their outposts and ranks are commonly seen to contain many creatures that are not strictly devout to the orders teachings, but are in agreement with their ideals.