recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Irenaeus

A major figure in the history of Faerie and the Mephitist Empire, referred to quite often in both The Winterbough Saga and The Ballad of Adler Young.

Irenaeus was a skunk, the son of Waftvapr, a chieftain of the Balemist Tribe living in the area of Albric Tor. The chief and his wife Obnoxia had to flee Albric Tor, and gave birth to the future conqueror of Faerie in the area of a village known as Athstead. (Irenaeus' birthplace became somewhat obscured with the passage of years, owing to a change in the flow of the local river; the quest for his true birthplace by Adler Gawainsson is a major story-line within The Ballad of Adler Young.)

Irenaeus, upon reaching adulthood, quickly consolidated his power over Albric Tor, and then proceeded to conquer whole swathes of Faerie in lightning campaigns. He received something of a mild check in his attempt to conquer the Vale of Elfhame, in the far north of Faerie, where the roebuck archers stoutly resisted repeated charges. While Irenaeus overcame this resistance, and even penetrated to the Wild Snows area in the vicinity of Frostheim, Irenaeus never conquered the latter realm. He did, however, take as a bride a proud lady skunk from Frostheim, Aelfhilde.

More strangely, it appears that at some point during this Northern Campaign, King Irenaeus lost his tailfur. Accounts vary as to precisely what happened, but the lack of a tail would have proven to be a great loss of prestige for the warrior-king. In the Long Ago a king was regarded as the living embodiment of the realm; an ill or mutilated individual would be unfit for rule. At some point, Irenaeus used magicks to give his severed tail sentience, so that it could cling to him; thus was created Scuti Prime, the progenitor of all scuti. He is said to have consumed, in the hall of the Frost Lord, the egg of an ice-wyrm to replenish his inner fire and magickal essence. At some point, Irenaeus parted ways with Scuti Prime, and began to go about openly without a tail.

King Irenaeus was renowned for a violent, volcanic temper, and there are many stories of elaborate and gruesome punishments he inflicted on those who displeased him. His popular nickname in most Imperial history books is "Irenaeus the Bloodthirsty" though many elves refer to him irreverently as "Lacktail."
Stella Winterbough

The mate of Forrest Winterbough, and the mother of Castor Winterbough, Pollux Winterbough, and Westersloe Winterbough V.

Stella, who was likely named for Stella Sartoriussdottir (but whose name also likely alludes to the star-worship prevalent in Elfhame before the Coming of the Skunks), came from a family that had long given roebucks in service to the Crowns. So much so that the exalted Colonel Briarrose of the Household Cavalry lets Westersloe Winterbough V know that he knew his mother.

Winterbough's mother is seen as a sad and taciturn femme, which may not be surprising, considering her mate and her two eldest buck-fawns had all perished at the Battle of Skull Forest. She works hard to keep the Winterbough family business, a persimmon orchard, going, but it is seen to wear her down. She died rather young for an Elf, and was buried in a cairn upon a hill in the orchard.

Of note is that it was Stella, and not "Uncle," who taught Winterbough weapon-lore.

Stella Rosebush-Aspen is likely named to honour her grand-doe's memory.
Elves

Inhabitants of Faerie. According to legend, the elves and the land they inhabit were created simultaneously by Fuma.

The elves in the Winterbough Saga and the Ballad of Adler Young are anthropomorphic animals. They are essentially humanoid with features and traits analogous to various feral animals. Different animal species represent different "races" of elves. Normally, races cannot interbreed. Inter-species venery is not discouraged by the Mephitist Church but all elves acknowledge that in order to reproduce, a partner of the same race is required.

Most elves possess magickal powers to a greater or lesser degree, and they have very long life spans.

Elves do not lie.
Lowfolk

"Lowfolk" is a condescending term used by elves to refer to non-magical mortals who reside in the Lowfolk Country.

Lowfolk generally lack magickal power, though anecdotal evidence indicates that some of them are capable of learning magick. Lowfolk have tragically short life spans as well, but are compensated for their shortcomings by possessing great physical strength & vigor as well as high fertility rates.

Elves in the Long Ago used to enjoy playing pranks on lowfolk (still approved as an honorable and Elfly pastime), and seducing lowfolk into venery - which is now generally frowned on. Late-era Imperial elves are somewhat afraid of lowfolk because in the ancient ballads which tell of elf / lowfolk encounters, the elf is usually outwitted, and often killed.

Despite this superstitious dread, it is still customary for elves to secretly exchange their babies for lowfolk babies. The elf child left with lowfolk foster-parents is called a changeling. The stolen lowfolk baby, which is taken to Faerie, is called a swapling.
Ronin Nomura

## Appearance

Ronin is 6’2 with dark black eyes and short black hair to match along with it. He has a large physique which helps his power become more effective. His guild mark is on the left side of his neck in red. He is usually seen wearing a closely fit black shirt with short black pants that are slightly looser.

## Personality

He is very blunt in the way he talks, preferring to speak the truth than to withhold it. He is confident in his abilities though not to the point where he commonly boasts about them. Ronin often finds it hard to fully trust someone but a good impression does help gain favor with him.

## Backstory

Ronin grew up as the only son of two parents with magical abilities, them both able to control air and water. They all lived in a small village until his parents decided to move to Hilden City to help further his magic. Though he wasn’t as smart or fast as the other kids, his strength and magical abilities made up for it. People often looked towards him for protection due to his magic and natural strength.
Chitterleigh, Jasper II

Only child of Sir Jasper Chitterleigh, V.M. and Dame Eudora Chitterleigh.

As of the 26th adventure in the Saga, the young squirrel has not been seen and only referred to briefly. There is a brief reference to him in The Ballad of Adler Young, indicating that like his father, he'd gone into the Imperial & Royal Army.
Grand Duchy of the Grey Horde

Non-Imperial realm within Faerie that is referred to in a number of the adventures within The Winterbough Saga. The centre of government is said to be at the "Great Lair," which is situated upon "The High Rock."

The Grand Duchy is first seen in "The Thin Line," as the force battling the Mephitist Empire for control of the United Cities, a small realm allied with the Empire. The Grand Duchy does strike first, seizing control of the United Cities, but in a coup de main formulated by Imperial Marshal Prince Roland, and carried out by Westersloe Winterbough V and Meadow Grainmaster, an operation is carried out which rescues a key official of the United Cities, who promptly invokes the treaty between that realm and the Empire. At the twin battle of Flourford-Mossford, the Grand Duchy's forces are checked thanks to furious resistance by the 37th Regiment, and then sent reeling by a counter-attack launched by reinforcements.

The campaign, in general, appears to have been a serious blow to the Grand Duchy, greatly disorganizing its economy, its armed forces, and its ruling house (since The Great Wolf was killed by Winterbough at Mossford).

In "The Coin of the Realm," the director of the Imperial & Royal Mint shows Winterbough some coinage from the Grand Duchy, noting that it had been debased through the use of base metals, a likely result of the economic turmoil in that realm.

In the adventure "Red Sky at Morning," the Grand Duchy suffers a second check at the paws of Imperial forces, and of Winterbough in particular, as their effort to conquer the Glittering Isle is foiled. One of the lower-ranking princes of the blood, Erik of Vangaria, is captured, and along with the surviving members of his command, are sent as prisoners (the Wolf Prisoners) to Elfhame, where they work on various projects.

Little has been revealed (through October, 2016) about the society of the Grand Duchy, save that it is militaristic and rather cruel. Prince Erik and his wolves are declared dead, for all practical purposes, by the Grand Duchy, and they are not ransomed. The chief form of worship appears to be to a "Great Alpha," represented by a wolf-femme.
Money

In the standard Imperial coinage instituted by King Thorwald, 28 copper florins equal one silver crown. Four silver crowns equal one gold bravo. The abbreviations are f, c, and b respectively. For easy reference:

**1b=4c=112f B is gold, C is silver, F is copper.**

Vulpitania (probably for the sake of confusing everyone) has its own currency, consisting of bars of silver alloy called "zillion." Fifty zillion bars (according to an exchange rate cited in the Ballad of Adler Young) would be equivalent to 23b, 3f in Imperial coins. The Ambassador implied that there is a higher denomination called "bazillion," but the value of a bazillion bar has not been definitely established. Vulpitanians typically carry their money in a pouch called a "wazoo." Thus the expression "To pay out the wazoo."
Crowns

Shortpaw term used by a number of furs, including Westersloe Winterbough V, to refer to the Mephitist Empire; the Crowns in question being the High King's crown, and the Emperor's crown. The reference is not to be taken literally, as evidence appears to show that the High-King and Emperor had only one crown.
Netherhells

The Netherhells are the Mephitist underworld, populated by demons and the damned souls of Unseelie elves. There are actually nine Netherhells, arranged in descending layers, with the first and mildest being on top, and the ninth (and most horrible) at the bottom.

The Netherhells are believed by some to be a purely metaphysical concept, but others insist that they literally exist and can be visited under certain circumstances by the living.
Edessa Tulani

Consort of King Estmere, and a survivor of the era of the Plague of Battles. An antelope-femme, in keeping with Estmere's affection for ungulates.

Born to the ruler of Caer Adland, Queen Edessa was briefly married to the the King of Spain, but was rescued from that Lowfolk land by King Estmere and Adler Gawainsson, his legitimated brother. Edessa was involved in certain plots against Adler Gawainsson in the aftermath of this, the gist of which as of October, 2016 had not been revealed.

In Zandar's Saga, she is shown to be the librarian at the Hoardblemish Academy, located in the former Winter Palace in Persoc Tor. She deeply mourns her dead mate, and has a distinct hatred for both Zandar Skonk and Adler Gawainsson (see Zandar's Saga 408-412).
Faerie

Also known as "The Shining Land," Faerie is a magical realm which is home to the elves and other lesser-known beings. Faerie exists in a parallel dimension to the Lowfolk Country, with access points between the two worlds in the form of Gates. It is the main setting for the Winterbough Saga and the Ballad of Adler Young.
Roland Sartoriusson

The younger brother of High King Adler Sartoriusson. In the Winterbough Saga and The Ballad of Adler Young, Roland is Grand Marshal of Faerie. At many times in both stories, he is seen with his principal aide, Sergeant Toby Wing.

As Marshal of Faerie, Prince Roland had two major duties to perform for the Crowns; the first was to command the Imperial & Royal Army, and the second was to act as its principal spymaster. These duties tended to overlap, and certain groups under his command reflected this overlap, such as the Blood Seal Bearers.

Prince Roland is seen acting as Marshal at the start of "The Thin Line," and the implication is that he was appointed to that position some years prior by his brother King Adler in succession to Prince Guillaume. He served as Marshal through the rest of Adler's reign, and through all of Gawain Adlersson's reign, until he was superseded during the reign of King Estmere Gawainsson, first by his grand-nephew Adler Gawainsson, and then by Theronmyathus, when Adler Gawainsson vanished for an extended period of time into Lowfolk Country. During that period, Prince Roland retired, and was said to have been on an extended visit to Elfhame.

In general, Roland seems to have been honest, modest and competent in his handling of office. It is noteworthy that, aside from his vast meals, he generally avoided owning possessions. At the time he was to have been succeeded by his grand-nephew as Marshal, the latter was astonished to see Prince Roland's simple quarters, and lack of possessions. The Marshal also rarely wore the substantial number of decorations and honours he had earned. As to his competence, he is seen skillfully handling the campaign against the Grand Duchy of the Grey Horde during The Thin Line, bringing up reinforcements only when necessary and on time.

Prince Roland is very fat, which has earned him begrudging respect from some quarters - and rude nicknames from others (such as "Roly Poly" and "Fat Rollie"). He has a notable appetite, and a certain weakness for Elfhamian sweet persimmon jam, which he is often seen ladling in huge quantities upon his breakfast scones.
Mephitist Church

Mephitism is the official religion of the Mephitist Empire. Its symbol is a quartered circle, representing the entirety of Fuma's Creation, sometimes with three squiggly lines above it to signify the Goddess's Musk Pervading All.

Mephitists worship the skunk-goddess Fuma. The main cathedral in Albric Tor is built over a fissure in the earth, out of which mystical vapors were said to issue. Priestesses would variously inhale these vapors, or listen to the sounds they made while escaping from the rock, and issue oracular utterances conveying the Will of the Goddess.

Mephitist doctrine is rather vaguely defined, however it is understood that the Seelie are taken into "Fuma's Embrace" when they die, and the Unseelie are condemned to the Netherhells. Fertility and martial / marital prowess are the main virtues of Mephitism. The most popular order of monks requires initiates to take a Vow of Debauchery. Members dedicate their lives to the study & contemplation of venery in all its forms. Other orders follow a path of asceticism more recognizable to contemporary human religions.

The main sacrament of Mephitism is venery, also known as "The Mysteries of Fuma" which in most of the Empire is practiced privately by elves in their homes, but in the Southlands is still done in an organized, institutional manner at the temple - as it was in the Long Ago.

Mephitist worship services always include a "Holy Recreation" which uses an explosive chemical reaction to symbolize Fuma's mythical act of creation, the Beginning of Faerie. Mephitists also greet each other with a gesture known as the *"Benedictio Interphalangeal",* which involves the rubbing of knuckles upon the scalp. The full formal version of the *Benedictio* requires the bestower to grasp the benedictee in a headlock. Devout Mephitists will sometimes rub their knuckles on their own head, to invoke the Lady's protection in times of distress.
Walk

In Elfhamian society, an occurrence when an elderly roebuck or roe-doe leaves the Vale, and is never seen again; a form of suicide, though different in motivation from a Removal Request.

"Uncle," a member of the Winterbough household, performs this action in "The Thin Line" in grief after the death of Stella Winterbough.
The Kringle

Kringle Unaussprechlichen is a rotund, bearded, unnaturally jolly creature (not an elf, as far as anyone knows) who lives in Frostheim. Though a beloved figure of Yuletide beneficence to lowfolk children, Kringle is feared among the elves of the Mephitist Empire. When Winter comes, Kringle takes over Albric Tor and tyrannizes those elves too poor or too slow to escape. He forces them to wear humiliating outfits and ugly sweaters known as "kringlgenser" while they work as slaves building the toys that Kringle dispenses to undeserving lowfolk whelps.

Kringle drives a powerful sleigh pulled by feral reindeer (a sure sign of unnatural evil, since the standard beast of burden throughout Faerie is the giant ant.) He is said to be fond of hunting dangerous game, including Ice-Kraken, during the off season. It is also whispered in gruesome nursery tales that Kringle's red-and-white suit is made from the flayed hides of elves who dared to defy him.
Chitterleigh, Eudora

Supporting character seen in both The Winterbough Saga and The Ballad of Adler Young.

Born Eudora Eichelgruber, she is depicted as a rather attractive, gentle-hearted and romantic squirrel femme, who is skilled in music, dance and Elven literature. At a dinner held in the mess of the Household Cavalry, early in "The Thin Line," she meets Sir Jasper Chitterleigh, and the two almost immediately fall passionately in love with one another. Their relationship is barred by Sir Jasper's father, the odious Lord Twelveoaks, but their respective servants, Meadow Grainmaster and Westersloe Winterbough V openly conspire to help the duo evade this ban.

When Sir Jasper is badly wounded in a (successful) effort to foil the assassination of Crown Prince Gawain and Marshal Roland, Eudora pleads with King Adler to be allowed to wed Sir Jasper. This boon is granted, much to the fury of Lord Twelveoaks.

In the interval between Sir Jasper's recovery, and his posting to the United Cities, the two are shown to be very much in love with one another; thus, when Sir Jasper is mortally wounded in the United Cities, and comes back to die in his love's arms at Persoc Tor, it causes her much grief. A sympathetic King Adler grants her the title of Dame in her own right, and she is given a sinecure as a teacher of dance and music in the Court.

In some of the subsequent adventures, she is shown to be flirting, gently, with Winterbough, whom she considers to be a close friend (the affection and respect are mutual). Her knowledge of literature and lore does come into play in "Speaking Volumes," when her collection of poetry forms part of the plot.

In "The Ballad of Adler Young," she is first seen teaching the young Adler Fitzgawain (as he was then known) music and dance. Later on, she has an affair with Adler (owing to his use of Wiles), something that would have been sanctioned by her late husband, who had told Grainmaster and Winterbough that he did not want his love to be chained to a ghost. Later on, she appears to have been framed as a participant in a plot against the Crowns, though Adler Gawainsson comes to her defense.
Master of Elfhame

Honorific title in the gift of the High-King and Emperor at the time of The Winterbough Saga.

This was not always so; prior to what is known in Elfhame as The Coming of the Skunks, the post was held by a roe-buck. It is not clear precisely how the Master was appointed at this time, whether it was the result of the Eldest selecting him, the roe-buck militia selecting him, or some combination. In any event, the Master was responsible for the defence of the Vale of Elfhame.

After the conquest of Elfhame by Irenaeus, the honour was held by the Crowns. It is not clear from The Winterbough Saga how many furs held the position between the conquest, and when Fumasgift Bowyer was appointed to the position by King Sartorius.

With the bankruptcy and madness of Bowyer (as a direct result of the events recounted in "Speaking Volumes"), the honour fell vacant, and remained vacant until it was awarded to Westersloe Winterbough V by King Alder Sartoriusson, most likely at the instigation of his younger brother, Marshal Roland Sartoriusson.

The post carried no right of remuneration, but it did carry with it the right to live at the Master's Lodge, a building just outside of Greytor-village. Initially a ruin at the time of Winterbough's accession, it was later restored at Imperial expense.

It is also revealed in a later adventure that the Mastership did carry with it certain rather unexpected rights, set forth in a Deed of Gift that had to be publicly proclaimed in the Vale. On a more practical level, the Master controlled the export of the Vale's most prized product, the persimmon brandy known as Three and a Half, which brought much gold to the Master's coffers. There was an unstated expectation that these monies would be used for the improvement and security of the Vale; Winterbough took this obligation seriously, and throughout many adventures can be seen so carrying out this intention.

There is one additional benefit to the post; at the public house known as The Sheaf of Arrows, there is a magickal chair, crafted before The Coming of the Skunks, that has plaques on the back listing all of the Masters before the Conquest, as well as Winterbough's name. The chair adjusted itself to fit Winterbough's size, and has been placed next to the fireplace in the common room of the inn.

It is implied that the post is not hereditary, though there was a certain expectation that a future High-King and Emperor would award the position to Westersloe Winterbough VI, should his father pass on or become unable to carry out the duties of the position.
SALV

Letters of rank designating a Vulpitanian official.

The letters can stand for just about anything, from Simple Abject Lowly Vassal to Supreme Ambassador Lord Viscount. Somehow most Vulpitanians seem to know what actual ranks these combinations signify. As a SALV's status increases, he or she will be permitted to wear a monocle (a coveted token of social distinction among Lower Vulpitanians). Higher levels of achievement will be marked with medals; medals pinned to a sash always outrank medals pinned directly to a shirt or jacket. Portliness is also a mark of high prestige.

Upper Vulpitanian SALVs are less concerned with visible trappings of rank. They dress in simple but elegant clothes (usually black) and are treated deferentially by their Lower Vulpitanian counterparts.
Flourford-Mossford

The principal battle of the United Cities War between the Grand Duchy of the Grey Horde and the Mephitist Empire, fought during the latter part of the reign of King Adler Sartoriusson. It ended in both a tactical and a strategic defeat for the Grey Horde, owing to the heroics of the 37th Regiment of the Imperial and Royal Army.

The plan of the Grand Duchy was (apparently) first to take over the United Cities, a small realm lying between it and the eastern extremities of the Empire, and then block any moves by the I&RA to come to the rescue of the United Cities.

While the Grand Duchy did succeed in taking over the United Cities, it did not reckon on either Marshal of Faerie Roland Satoriusson being proactive in sending, in effect, a commando team to disrupt the occupation of the United Cities, and secondly in bringing to bear reinforcements in a timely manner.

After Westersloe Winterbough V, Meadow Grainmaster and one of the privates from Thorn Platoon of the 37th Regiment had rescued both Sir Jasper Chitterleigh and Hugo Chestnut (a high-ranking member of the United Cities government), the paws of the Grey Horde were forced into battle much sooner than anticipated, and a sharp series of fights lasting nearly a week were triggered, in the middle of winter.

While the bulk of the 37th Regiment was at Flourford, a milling town on the border with the United Cities, a detachment (Thorn Platoon) of the Regiment was camped at Mossford, a small village a few miles upstream. The bulk of the Grey Horde's attacking force was sent to Flourford, but a significant portion was sent to Mossford, including an elite cavalry regiment commanded by The Great Wolf. The Great Wolf and the cavalry were defeated single-pawedly by Winterbough using wild magicks. It was observed by one of the surviving officers of the 37th that had Winterbough not done this, it was likely the forces at Flourford would have faced this unit, and likely would have led to the defeat of the 37th Regiment.

As it was, the fight at Flourford was a pitched affair, with the Regiment sustaining serious losses before being relieved by the regiments Marshal Roland had brought up. The villages of Flourford and Mossford were largely destroyed in the engagement, though they were subsequently rebuilt. The I&RA dead were buried in a cemetery near Mossford.
Ferifax Arch

The Ferifax Arch was designed by Vulpitanian thaumaturgist Egdelwon Klive, as a proposal to King Adler Sartoriusson's Commission on Population Concerns. The Arch would infuse returning changelings with lowfolk vitality (and increased fertility) by bonding them with the spiritual essence of a lowfolk swapling. The resultant being would be a half-elven, half-lowfolk hybrid called a "crossling."

King Adler rejected this plan as Unseelie, because it required that the swaplings be killed. However, his son Gawain instituted the plan and commissioned Egdelwon's son, Evan Klive, to carry out construction of the Arch.

Certain shadowy groups (such as F.E.L.F. and the Sisterhood) regarded crosslings as an abomination. It was speculated that the true purpose of the arch was not to bolster elfkind's flagging fertility rates, but rather to discredit the Imperial Court by simultaneously depriving it of its elfliness and embroiling it in an Unseelie scandal. All such speculation came to an end when the Arch was destroyed by persons unknown in an act of sabotage.
Thorwald's Edict

The overarching principle of elvish morality is summed up in the popular form of Thorwald's Edict:

**"ELVES DO NOT LIE."**

Scrupulous truth-telling had been an elvish tradition dating back to the Long Ago, untold centuries before Thorwald made it the official law of the Empire. Part of an elf's magickal nature requires that it not tell lies. To utter a falsehood is to undermine the integrity that is the foundation of the elf's soul. When he lies, he compromises his very existence as well as that of Faerie itself. Elves are mystically and inextricably linked with the Shining Land itself, so each lie taints not only the individual, but all elves collectively, as well as the fabric of Faerie.

Note that although elves are forbidden to tell a lie, they are in no way obligated to tell the truth.

The law allows certain limited exemptions for "fiction" as long as it is designed purely for entertainment purposes and is not deliberately deceptive.
Westersloe Winterbough III

A roebuck, quite possibly better known by his cognomen of "The Skirt-Chaser."

Winterbough came from a family that had long provided archers for the Elfhame Rangers. In addition, he possessed the power of the "teashor" voice, which gave him a certain level of ability to persuade others to do his bidding. As such, he was at intervals an NCO in the Rangers.

On numerous occasions, he was demoted for various infractions of the King's Regulations, and on equally numerous occasions, promoted for insane acts of bravery and derring-do. Many of his punishments were tied to his habit of making whoopee with the wives of generals, an act that did not make him popular with many high-ranking officers (though it did make him popular with squaddies in general). It is likely that his antics cost him consideration for the Valour Medal on one or more occasions.

The precise number of femmes, and the precise number of species that Winterbough engaged in venery with is not known, though he is seen to have possessed an elven bow magicked to show representations of his conquests. His grand-fawn, Westersloe Winterbough V, is constantly being reminded (much to his chagrin) of his grand-sire, especially when he meets up with femmes that the randy roebuck had had venery with. The grand-fawn is said to be approximately a head shorter than his grand-sire.

Aside from his long-suffering first mate, Winterbough apparently had a passionate affair with Heloise, Duchess of Cloverland, which resulted in the two being secretly married not long before the former's death.

Winterbough met his end at the Battle of Skull Forest, when the Elfhame Rangers were deliberately led into an exposed position by the machinations of the then-Master of Elfhame, Fumasgift Bowyer, and by General Sir Guido Fawkes, both of whom were engaged in treason against the Crowns. Winterbough and Bowyer had clashed over the latter's demands on the economy of the Vale of Elfhame.

A diary of Winterbough's is known to have survived, and was in the possession of Windimere the wyvern, who in turn gave it to Winterbough's grand-fawn. Who has been studiosly avoiding reading it, fearing the contents.
37th Regiment

One of the regiments of the Imperial & Royal Army, it appears in a number of stories, principally "The Thin Line" and "...Is In Another Castle."

It is a standard regiment of foot within the I&RA, meaning that it tends to be armed with spears and short-swords; it is observed by Westersloe Winterbough V that the use of the elven bow had been declining in regiments of the line.

During the events of The Thin Line, the regiment is deployed to the border with the United Cities, as a means of supporting that realm and guarding the frontier against the Grand Duchy of the Grey Horde. Thorn Platoon of the 37th Regiment, specifically, is guarding the river crossing at the remote village of Mossford, while the rest of the Regiment appears to have been stationed in and around the larger village of Flourford, downstream.

The Regiment fights furiously during the twin battle of Flourford-Mossford, an action which sees multiple Valour Medals awarded to the Regiment; a battle honour is also added to its standard. At this point, because of the sighting of the comet "Fuma's Tail" a few days before the battle, it gets its nickname "The Comet Regiment." Squaddies within the Regiment take to wearing a small silver comet-badge upon their uniform, a decidedly non-regulation affectation.

The 37th Regiment also takes part in the rescuing of Princess Anastasia of Licksburg, when she is abducted by Baron Virginianus in "...Is In Another Castle." This operation, unlike Flourford-Mossford, does not incur any casualties, and the Auld Sweats of the Regiment are given King's Bounty of booze, much to their delight.

Winterbough, though not officially a member of the Regiment, is considered by the squaddies of the Regiment to belong to it by right of his efforts at Flourford-Mossford. Winterbough does wear the Comet Badge upon his uniform, to the slight irritation of his liege-lord, Prince Roland.
Fuma

Fuma, sometimes piously referred to as "The Lady," is the great skunk-goddess venerated by the Mephitist Church. She is supposed to have created Faerie in a dramatic explosion, and dead elves are said to have gone to "Fuma's Embrace." Like Venus in classical mythology, Fuma's main areas of influence are Love and War. In her Love-Goddess aspect (by far her most popular aspect in the Empire) she encourages fertility and all the arts of venery. The Feminine Wiles are said to have been a blessing of Fuma bestowed upon womankind in the Long Ago. Fuma is worshiped by most elves in the Mephitist Empire, Seelie and Unseelie alike.
Character Template (NPC)

## Appearance

We prefer players to find a picture to represent their character. If it is an OC drawing, then please give credit where credit is due. If it is a character from another series, include their name and originating series so that we can prevent multiple people having the same appearance. Check our Face Claim List to see if your choice is available. If you do include a picture, this field isn't mandatory, but you can reiterate their daily outfit and guild mark location here if you do want to.

## Personality

This field is mostly optional for player characters. Since other players will not be controlling another player's character, there isn't a huge reason for their personality to be easily accessible. It will, however, help people infer reactions, and therefore is recommended.

## Backstory

Every character should have a small backstory at the very least. It helps give your character depth and realism. There are no length requirements, so a few sentences would suffice. Make it as long as you'd like.
Athstead

Athstead is a town on the banks of the river Athafon. It is a pilgrimage destination due to its being the birthplace of Irenaeus, the first High King of Faerie. There are numerous inns, taverns, souvenir shops, and a Mephitist shrine commemorating the Birthplace.

It was discovered during the Ballad of Adler Young that the actual Birthplace is in an old portion of the town, formerly named Aethstad, now submerged after the river changed course during an incident in the reign of King Carl the Adequate.
Winter

A season of cold weather, which used to come regularly once a year in the Long Ago. However, Irenaeus led a campaign North through Elfhame into Frostheim, where he parleyed with the Frost Lord and compelled him to accept these terms:

Winter can come to Albric Tor only if its agents are able to successfully infiltrate the city and place banners in a number of specified locations. Residents of Albric Tor are permitted to interfere with the agents of Winter in any way they deem suitable, to prevent them from accomplishing their task. If the banners are not placed by a certain time, then Winter is cancelled that year. If the banners are successfully placed before the deadline, then Winter comes.

The first day of Winter (when it comes) is referred to as "Moving Day" since most elves with the means to evacuate Albric Tor do so, as quickly as they can. This exodus is due to the fact that with Winter comes the Kringle, who takes over Albric Tor for the duration of the season, forcing elves to wear humiliating costumes and work (without pay) making toys for undeserving lowfolk children.

During Winter, the Imperial Court is moved to the "Winter Capital" in Persoc Tor, far enough to the South that Winter cannot come there.
Eleanor of Elfhame

A roebuck princess of the House of Rosebush-Aspen, the de facto ruling family of Elfhame. Somewhat unusually, she married outside the Vale, being betrothed to the scion of the ruling family of Licksburg, the only other realm in Faerie dominated by roe deer.

Eleanor is described as having been extremely intelligent and well-read; she was also a collector of books and manuscripts, particularly those touching upon the subject of Elfhame.

The automaton Little Toy was created for her benefit, first as a companion, and then, later, as a nanny for Eleanor's fawns.

As related in "Personal Diplomacy," Eleanor was murdered, apparently by poison. Her grave in Licksburg is found by Westersloe Winterbough V in a small, deserted park. It is an intensely magickal site, and is constructed as a puzzle. Solving the puzzle brings a reward in the form of sounds.

Eleanor's library, which is a major plot point in "Personal Diplomacy," is put up for auction by the bankers of Licksburg, and is bought for Winterbough's benefit by either King Adler Sartoriusson, or his brother (and Winterbough's liege-lord) Marshal Roland Sartoriusson. Little Toy herself had been the property of Eleanor's grand-fawn, Anastasia Rosebush-Aspen, though the latter gave it to Westersloe Winterbough V in gratitude for saving her life.
Blood Seal

A Blood Seal is a badge of office given to certain high-ranking operatives of the Marshal of Faerie; it gives the Bearer (the title of one who holds such a badge) blanket authority to do anything and everything necessary to uphold the Crowns.

It is comprised of a magicked gem set within an enameled border. As seen in "The Thin Line," drops of blood from the would-be Bearer are shed upon the gem, tying the Seal to the bearer (and also ensuring its genuineness). When activated, it produces a distinctive flash of colour and a three-note chime (which vary from Bearer to Bearer), and an image of the Crown is shown.

While not stated, it is implied that the Blood Seal expires either upon the death of the Bearer, or upon the death of the High-King and Emperor under whose authority it was granted.

Westersloe Winterbough V, Meadow Grainmaster, "X" and "Y" are the four principal Bearers during the events of The Winterbough Saga. Winterbough observes that the sight of the Blood Seal usually terrifies any to whom it is shown, as it usually portends great trouble.
Coming of the Skunks

The name in Elfhame given to the conquest of that Vale by Irenaeus, during his Northern Campaign. There is an undernote of distaste when it is spoken, in Elfhamian, by the roe-does of the Vale, for whom the conquest represented a serious diminution of their power, and the effective end of star-worship and star-divination, at least on an overt basis.
Changeling

A changeling is an elf who was left (as an infant) with a lowfolk foster-family. Usually the changeling is secretly exchanged for the lowfolk family's actual child, which is taken back to Faerie. These stolen lowfolk children are known as "swaplings."

Elves leave their children as changelings for a variety of reasons. They may be too busy or too lazy to take care of their own children. It was rumored that Unseelie elves of the Long Ago stole children to eat or sacrifice (leaving their own offspring as "fair trade") but these practices are illegal in the Mephitist Empire. In the later Imperial era, elves of the aristocracy would send their offspring away as changelings because it was a traditional mark of prestige, and was believed to "build character." During the reign of Adler Sartoriusson it became mandatory for each family to send at least one child away as a changeling. During the reign of Gawain Adlersson, returning changelings had to pass through the Ferifax Arch in a ceremony that bound a swapling's spiritual essence to them, producing a hybrid creature called a "crossling."

Many changelings do not realize they are elves until they reach a certain age, upon which they are visited by elvish agents, or are mystically "called" to return to Faerie by the nearest Gate.
Yolanda Silverbrush

Yolanda Silverbrush is a character in the Ballad of Adler Young. She first appears in the story as a vixen changeling returning to Faerie. She arrives at the Vulpitanian Embassy on the first day of Winter in Albric Tor, and introduces herself as Yolanda Vanessa Cognomena, pampered daughter of a "strong farmer" in the lowfolk world. Her long bangs cover her right eye, which is cursed such that bad things happen to whatever it looks at.

When Yolanda finds out that Adler Young is the son of the King, she latches onto him. Later, at an inn on the road to Persoc Tor, she tries to woo Prince Estmere, who begs Adler to take the vixen off his hands. While at the inn, Yolanda eats part of a ham which is haunted by the ghost of Sir Evan Klive, incurring a strange ham-related curse on her. Not long after arriving at Persoc Tor, Yolanda receives a letter and is escorted away by Vulpitanian agent Alice Chetsweeks.

Yolanda appears again a short time later when Adler visits Athstead, but now she is married to the ancient and insane magickal fox Estvan Silverbrush. She has a run-in with an Ominous Orse Ixie, who accidentally uncovers her cursed eye. The encounter ends with the two of them being somehow combined; Yolanda becomes a cute & tiny Yolixie and the Ixie becomes a large, ungainly Ixanda. When Adler's group of friends eat grilled portions of the giant fish/god Iku-Turso, Yolanda is the only one not adversely affected. Her eye curse is completely removed, and her latent ham curse is transferred to the Master of Elfhame due to his efforts to magickally disentangle Yolanda and the Ixie.

Yolanda appears in the Ballad yet again, with Estvan, as they hitch a ride aboard Rivermaster Izzy's ship, the Imperial Booty Inspecting Ship *Juniper* on its way South to Caer Adland to arrange Estmere's marriage to Princess Edessa Tulani. Once on board, Estvan discovers that his wife is pregnant, and she gives birth to twins (coincidentally near the spot where Irenaeus was born) while surrounded by mysterious Iku-Turso cultists who had come aboard to witness the birth. Yolanda's first kit, SALV Sofia Silverbrush, magickally pooks out of her mother's womb and is taken away by Alice Chetsweeks disguised as a traveling spice merchant. Her second kit, Boris Beauregard Silverbrush, displays a talent for levitating, and later demonstrates an uncanny ability to see the truth behind misleading facades.

Vulpitanian Ambassador SALV Alberta Chesswick is Yolanda's older sister. Alberta was not sent to the lowfolk world as a changeling, but was instead brought up and groomed for the Vulpitanian Civil Service. All is in accordance with The Plan. Vulpitania Vincit!
Tikki-Tick

An automaton designed in Vulpitania, and manufactured to their order in Elfhame. It is the mechanical hostess for SALV Alice Chetsweeks, a scuti.

The toy-makers of Elfhame had long been capable of making toys of varying degrees of sophistication, using tiny metal cards that, when inserted into a toy, could perform actions, up to an including movement and speech. Westersloe Winterbough V demonstrates a number of these toys in "Apparel Oft Becomes the Wolfess."

At the time of the betrothal of Eleanor of Elfhame to the heir of Licksburg, it was felt by one or more furs (their identities have not been revealed) that Eleanor would be lonely without a companion from her homeland. Therefore, Little Toy, an automaton in the form of a minkess, was created. While capable of playing musical instrument, drawing pictures, sewing, and taking care of fawns, Little Toy had a sealed mouth, and thus could not speak, drink or eat. Little Toy was also deliberately made illiterate, so as to preserve secrets. It could only communicate through purring noises, eyebrow or paw gestures, or the drawing of pictures. (As revealed in "...Is In Another Castle," it is also capable of "battle angel" functions.)

At some point after the creation of Little Toy, the scuti known as Alice Chetsweeks became allied with Vulpitania. For reasons not revealed, a living host or hostess was not used. Instead, Vulpitanian engineers designed a very lifelike automaton in the form of a vixen. Construction of the automaton was assigned to the firm of Redbough & Co. in Elfhame. On a number of occasions in "The Ballad of Adler Young," the intricacy and tiny size of her internal moving parts are referred to.

Unlike Little Toy, Tikki-Tick is capable of speech, eating and drinking, and other acts. (There are hints that venery may be within its capabilities; there are also more than a few hints that Little Toy may be capable of such feats, as well.)

Tikki-Tick is capable of functioning at a certain level, in terms of speech and movement, without a scuti. The Wolf Queen and Winterbough, in "Apparel," both put the automaton through its paces. Without a scuti piloting it, Tikki-Tick seems to be a gentle and happy vixen, if one without a brush. Tikki-Tick appears to draw its power from the ambient magicks of Faerie. In "The Ballad of Adler Young," it is taken outside of Faerie, and into Lowfolk Country, which appears to cause a serious malfunction in the mechanism.

In "Apparel," Tikki-Tick is the subject of an attempted theft by another scuti, Lord Mercaptan, which is foiled by the Wolf Queen and Winterbough. Subsequent to this event, King Adler Sartoriousson issued a decree (The Automaton Decree) which banned the further manufacture and sale of lifelike automata. Both Little Toy and Tikki-Tick were exempted from this Decree.
Persephone

Character in The Ballad of Adler Young, but only by reference. She was the consort of King Gawain Adlersson, and was a mephitess.

Little has been revealed about her parentage, and indeed little about her history, save that she was a "crossling," and thus contributed to the lack of magickal talent of her offspring, Estmere Gawainsson. She vanished while out ant-riding, the possible victim of a conspiracy, the details of which have not been revealed.
Hall of Ancestors

A memorial hall just outside the walls of Albric Tor. It contains monuments to great elves of the past, their worthiness of being commemorated having been determined in some unseen way. Memorable deeds, be they good or evil, are all that seem to be required. Monuments are often marked with little more than the elf's name and a terse epitaph referring to the manner of their death. With the exception of royalty, most elves are not actually interred in the Hall of Ancestors. The monuments appear there magickally when the elf dies. The Hall is larger on the outside than it is on the inside. There used to be a Docent who guided visitors around the Hall, but he has not been seen in years and is is presumed dead. The Hall is visited less often now than it used to be, perhaps because there are fewer elves, and new monuments are seldom added anymore.

At the center of the Hall of Ancestors is the Coronation Chamber, where each High King is crowned. Behind the Coronation Thrones is an ornate door to the Royal Gardens of Albric Tor. This door will only open for the King & Queen.
Ravenmad

Supporting character in The Ballad of Adler Young, and occasionally referred to in The Winterbough Saga.

Sir Lucius Ravenmad is one of the Mephitist Empire's leading poets and authors; he could also accurately be described as one of the Empire's leading eccentrics. He is never seen without a beaked masque and an overcoat of long, black feathers. Thus, his true species (if, indeed, it is different from raven-hood) is not known.

He is an expert on the lore and legends of Faerie, and is the author of a number of best-selling books. One of these has caused some significant friction with Estvan Silverbrush, who believes that he was used as a character, and not in a way that was flattering (to the mind of Silverbrush).

Sir Ravenmad is also an expert in the lore of doors, something he has discussed with Adler Gawainsson many times.

The poet often moves about here and there in Faerie, noting that when he tires of the hustle and bustle of one place, he seeks the tranquility of another.
F.E.L.F.

The Free Elves' Liberation Front is an anti-Imperial rebel group. It believes that the Empire is a mistake, contrary to the will of Fuma, and that the only way for elves to survive is by returning to the wild tribal ways of the Long Ago. F.E.L.F. has been involved in minor insurrections, incidents of civil disobedience, and sabotage. It is believed that they are responsible for destroying the Ferifax Arch. Though the F.E.L.F. is not affiliated with any government (and never will be, due to its explicitly anarchistic ideology) it is believed in Imperial Intelligence circles that the Vulpitanian Republic takes an interest in the group, and covertly sponsors some of its activities.
Winterbough Saga Wiki

## Welcome to the Winterbough Saga Wiki

This wiki describes the characters, events and places used in "The Winterbough Saga," a 700-episode (as of October, 2016) story that appears in FurAffinity.com, and was created by E.O. Costello. It also makes references to "The Ballad of Adler Young," created by J.W. Kennedy, and certain stories created by W.D. Reimer.

## About the Saga

The Winterbough Saga is a story that features anthropomorphic, elven animals in the magickal setting of the mythical continent of Faerie. The central character and principal narrator of the Saga is Westersloe Winterbough V, a roebuck that is a soldier-magickuser in the service of the House of Irenaeus, a line of skunks that rules Faerie as High Kings and Emperors. Throughout his adventures, Winterbough criss-crosses Faerie, engages in a number of battles, confronts a number of foes, and falls in love.

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