Alignment

Fae can be divided into two alignments: Seelie or Unseelie. In the *Fae Tales* canon, these alignments have historically had skirmishes with each other and often been at war with each other, usually for land rights. This, along with Seelie propaganda against the Unseelie, has created an increasing rift between the alignments, despite both being natural and a part of fae life.

Alignments are biological, and determined by species, appetite, or parentage. In the case of species with no parents, like the Each Uisge, who eats only human flesh, the Each Uisge is always Unseelie. In the case of species with parents of both alignments, the child will be one alignment only (e.g., Eran Iliakambar, who comes from a Seelie mother and Unseelie father, and is himself Seelie).

A long time ago, alignments were not fixed, but Davix and Olphix used the heartsong of the Raven Prince to make them fixed, 'so that all fae must be born Seelie, or Unseelie, and no fae may ever change'.

There is no such thing as mixed-alignment fae, or a fae with no alignment, and it is impossible for fae to change alignment (except for Davix and Olphix, who have seemingly changed alignments over the course of their lives). However, while it is rare, some fae live in mixed-alignment communities, or feel very well-disposed towards members of the other alignment (e.g., sirens, trows). Interestingly, sea fae form mixed-alignment communities readily, and Albion's underwater Kingdom is a mixed alignment kingdom. The Mantissa is also a mixed-alignment ship.

Fae of one alignment sometimes refer to fae of the other alignment as 'friends across the river.' It is indicated in *The Court of Five Thrones* that this is a more historically common attitude than the one of hostility or mistrust often seen in the canon these days.

## Seelie

Seelie fae are born with appetites that don't require the life-force or soul-force of other living beings to be taken. Some are biologically unable to lie.

They are typically characterised as being 'good' or 'pure', but throughout the *Fae Tales* series, it's obvious this isn't the case. They are typically more concerned with honour over family, beauty over truth, and duty before personal needs.

The official code of the Seelie Court is revealed by Gwyn ap Nudd in *The Court of Five Thrones:*

```
Uphold honour and all things virtuous.

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Duty to one's family and Kingdom.

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Beauty is truth.

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Change only when necessary, stay your hand when it is right.

```

 Nowhere in that code is goodness, light or purity mentioned.

An example of a 'classical' Seelie fae in disposition is Eran, who also possesses an inability to lie outright.

An example of how a Seelie fae can be evil, power-hungry and malicious without compunction is Crielle Ferch Fwny, though part of this is affected by the An Fnwy curse.

## Unseelie

Unseelie fae are born with appetites that require the life-force or soul-force of other living beings to be taken. Some are afflicted with appetites to rape, murder or eat people alive, and if they do not eat in this manner, they will die. However, most Unseelie fae do not have appetites this extreme (e.g., Mosk Manytrees is nourished by sap).

They are typically characterised as being 'evil' or 'bad', but throughout the *Fae Tales* series, it's obvious this isn't the case. They are typically more concerned with family over honour, truth over beauty, and personal needs before duty.

The official code of the Unseelie Court is revealed by Gwyn in *The Court of Five Thrones:*

```
Honour is a lie.

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```
Duty only to one's self and one's loved ones.

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```
Beauty and ugliness are the glamours we use to feed.

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Fervour, frenzy, agony, ecstasy and chaos are our birthright.

```

Nowhere in that code is badness, evil or darkness mentioned.

An example of a 'classical' Unseelie fae in disposition, is Fenwrel the Mouse-Maiden, and Augus Each Uisge prior to being abducted by the Nightingale.

An unusually malicious Unseelie fae is exemplified in a creature like the Miskatin.

An unusually noble or 'pure hearted' Unseelie fae is seen in the swan maiden Julvia Dubna Vajat.

## References

1. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 14 August 2015. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/10409742. Chapter 56: Islands.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 12 December 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/6186821. Chapter 21: Fracture.
3. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Ice Plague: Book 2 - The Seething Seas.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 24 October 2019. https://archiveofourown.org/works/17959874/chapters/50374646. Chapter 17: Just Like You.
4. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Ice Plague: Book 1 - The Forest of Fire.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 15 June 2018. https://archiveofourown.org/works/12036105/chapters/34608941. Chapter 22: Twisting and Turning.
5. ↑ not\_poignant. “The Court of Five Thrones.” *The Fae Tales Verse. Archive of Our Own,* 5 September 2014. https://archiveofourown.org/works/1749290/chapters/4957257. Chapter 8: Court.