Order of the Crystal Circle

#### **HERALDIC DEVICE**

 *New Kingdom:* Circular triple braid of Luin (blue), Elu (light blue) and Niveous (white) with a Solid ombre Ordinary (background) of Elu (light blue) with a Charge (image) of a quartz crystal surrounded by a circle of crystals in rainbow order.

 *Old Kingdom:* Circular square check border alternating Elu (light blue) and Niveous (white), against an ombre solid Elu (light blue) Ordinary (background), depicting a Charge of a quarts crystal surrounded by a symmetrical cut circle of gems in rainbow order

#### **DESCRIPTION**

The Crystal Circle is an organization of Fae who are magical academics and stewards of ceremonial proceedings, enchanted artifacts, relics and other magically valuable or dangerous items and knowledge.

Their scholarly inclination makes them well-suited for writing, choreographing and conducting various Fae ceremonies and rites such as the Lighting of the Balefire, Opening Form of the Key, and other Invocations at the beginning of gatherings and events.

Given the nature of the lore that they sometimes deal with, they have become the defacto guardians of objects that are entrusted to them for safe keeping, they tend to be somewhat secretive about their internal workings.

#### **Historical Background and Folklore**

Though the true origins of the Crystal Circle are lost to the mists of antiquity but many a Faerie scholar and folklorist have posited their educated hypothesis. Whatever the truth of the mystery may be, there can be no question as to the scholarly leanings of this group. They pride themselves on their integrity in their workings for, as the saying goes: with great knowledge comes great power and with great power comes great responsibility.

With the emerging of Spring Thaw, the Crystal Circle has also become quietly active once more. As always, their mission proceeds apace with gathering esoteric knowledge and items, learning about them and ensuring their safety. They keep their watchful eye on the students and teachers of Tír Eolas Academy as a pool for promising up-and-comers and work closely with the Order of Ovates to ensure the safe-keeping of Fae History and especially Glamoury knowledge.

#### **THE ORIGINS**

*The Atlantean Hypothesis*
Some have advanced the idea that the Circle dates to the time Atlantis, and derives its name from the well-known ability of the Atlanteans to store knowledge and power within enormous crystals erected on their island.  When Atlantis sank, some who knew the secrets of wielding arcane powers sailed from out of the western ocean, landing in Eire where they came to be known as the Tuatha de Danann and eventually the Fae: a race of inhabitants that had magical and god-like powers.

*The Lemurian Hypothesis*
Even older than the Atlanteans, are the Lemurians.  Others believe that this ancient race, originally thought to inhabit the lost continent of Lemuria (someplace around the Pacific Rim), was forced to flee their homeland as it broke to pieces and sank over time, due to the volcanic oceanic activity.

In order to preserve their deeply advanced spiritual knowledge, they embedded it into ‘seed crystals’, divided it up amongst themselves and spread across the Earth, planting these seed-crystals far and wide.  The crystals are programmed to deliver a message of ‘oneness’ when they began to eventually resurface.  After planting their seed-crystals, the Lemurians are said have disappeared underground. It is metamorphosis from this story that the Fae of yore are said to have “gone underground” or “into the mounds/hills” to care for the seed-crystals until such a time (which some say is now) as they begin to resurface.

#### **HISTORY**

Though the true origins of the Crystal Circle are lost to the mists of antiquity but many a Faerie scholar and folklorist have posited their educated hypothesis. Whatever the truth of the mystery may be, there can be no question as to the scholarly leanings of this group. They pride themselves on their integrity in their workings for, as the saying goes: with great knowledge comes great power and with great power come great responsibility.

#### **MEMBERSHIP IN THE CIRCLE**

* Princess Lolly Kilrain
* Aerwyna Oceanmist
* Flora the Fairy

#### **ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE ORDER**

* Princess Lolly Kilrain
* Duke Ryknar