The Fae

The Fae are a mysterious race of powerful beings tied to magyk itself. Rumored to be older than the first of humanity itself, the Fae used to once roam the Earth alongside their mortal counterparts did, but over the last few centuries they have become all but non-existent to the eyes of the world. Only few know of their existence, and even less have come across a Fae in the flesh.

The Fae are said to all be linked by one trait: their inhuman beauty. Slender and tall, they are said to carry the most striking of features, from perfect smooth skin to piercing eyes and soft hair to shame even the most expensive of silks. Their clothes are said to be robes woven of unfathomable materials not of the human realm, while it is said that to hear them speak is to fall under their spell, so divine are their tones.

Of course, all this is mere speculation by a handful that most consider raving madmen. But perhaps there is some truth to their words after all....

### **Behind the Legend**

While they are held as little more than tales throughout the world, the Fae are indeed very real. Many of the rumours hold true, as the Fae as a people are men and women of beauty, almost captivating in their appearance, with pale and flawless skin that seems to almost give off a glow.

Despite their youthful and radiant looks, they are an ancient people, gifted with immortality. Most Fae are at least thousands of years old, while able to pass for young human adults in their prime.Blessed with such longevity, they are a people of many pursuits and interests, notably in the cultural arts and also in hunting, with many able to outclass even the finest of human hunters with ease due to their enhanced senses, such as their keen hearing and sense of smell.

Many Fae are lovers and practitioners of music, poetry and history. Having time immemorial on their hands has led to some devoting the time to absolute mastery of a craft, or exploring as many topics as they can, becoming great collectors and fountains of knowledge.

Another great pastime of the Fae is hunting, to which they are naturally skilled at. With a mixture of sharp eyesight, precise hearing and strong sense of smell, even a Fae who has never wielded a bow would already be more gifted than their human counterparts. Hunting is seen as both necessary and honourable by the Fae, as both helping to provide for their community, but also aiding in the cycle of nature itself.

### **The Fae and Magyk**

The Fae are one with nature, and as such, they were the originators of magyk, drawing on the world around them to aid in their everyday life.

Their use of magyk varies widely, from spouting water to feed the plants around them, to enabling themselves to understand the calls of birds. Their society is largely built around magyk in every aspect, using it to shape the things around them and aid them in their daily goings on.

Long ago, the Fae shared their gift of magyk with humanity, although this was something that would come to be considered a mistake by many.

### **Avalon**

The realm of Avalon is a fabled land which the Fae call home, outside of the known dimensions of the world. Scholars have endlessly debated its existence and many have searched for it over the centuries, but no human has ever stepped foot on its ground.

Unlike the lands and architecture of humans, Avalon is said to be entirely comprised from the earth itself, with everything from building formations domestic dwellings comprised of a living and ever-changing nature. Bridges are said to appear and retreat when they are needed, furniture will form according to the user's requirements, doors will guard entryways if they have anything to protect.

Home to a wide array of mystical flora and fauna, Avalon is bountiful in its supply of both sustenance and curatives for its people. Many Fae are adept hunters, and for every animal they slay in its physical form, its spirit will remain, being reborn in a short time.

### **King Oberyn and Queen Mab**

Whilst hierarchy could be seen as a human construct, the Fae have their own chain of command within their society. Ruled over by the Fae King Oberyn, he was once joined with his queen by his side, Mab. As humans took further command of the world, Oberyn was resigned to let the order of things take its place and try and coexist with them, offering them the gift of magyk as a token of friendship between the two species. Mab on the other hand, saw the Fae as the dominant species and not to be cowed before an inferior rival, and was disgusted by her king's choice of gifting the humans with magyk.

Already a powerful sorceress, she began to explore further and further into the ways of dark magic in order to combat what she saw as the invaders to her realm. In comparison to the fragile mortals, the Fae were gods in her eyes, and if they could not be viewed as such, the humans must be subjugated.

And so began a bloody clash between the Fae and their human enemies that became known as The Cleansing, a revolt led by Mab herself and any who joined her. Oberyn and the remaining Fae were horrified by their actions, and sought to end the bloodshed, fighting aside the humans . It was Oberyn himself who stood before Mab and ran her through with his sword, his once love and queen. But the Fae do not know death as mortals do, and though Mab's flesh was silenced, her spirit would remain.

Oberyn ordered her imprisoned in the world between worlds, a voidless realm in which neither the Fae nor humanity dwelled, to be sealed forever lest she return and try to re-enact her grip of dominance. Once she was imprisoned, Oberyn looked upon the Fae, with many slain by their fellow kind, and decided that they would remove themselves from human sight, and live once more in solitude, but within a new world, creating the realm of Avalon. And so it was they disappeared from living memory, becoming once again a mystical tale that was told round fires to enthusiastic children.