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"Oh come and dance in our ring. Forget your troubles, gladness bring. The mortal world which you have ties. Behind you lies, behind you lies."

People disappear from time to time into the forests or mountains never to be seen again. We just file a missing person report and move on, usually they don't come back, but sometimes they do. They may be found in such a state to be declare mentally unstable, or perhaps they are dismissed as having some 'out-of-body' experience. They talk about spirits and gods, certain they exist or that there is a higher order telling them what to do do. Preposterous right?

But what if there was? We can't see it, we don't believe in it, but it's there and we know it. Through tiny gaps, small little openings in the veil, we can stumble through. A circle of stones or trees, a ring of mushrooms, or perhaps some old ruins. Perhaps we run into something out in the wilderness, confused and begging for help. We agree to something without knowing the price. But what is it? Where is it? The Fae is what and where. The Fae Realm and it's courts. The Fall, Winter, Spring and the Summer Court. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Within this realm promises are binding, prices must be paid, iron is a deadly threat, and lying will only cause you more trouble than it is worth. Now, on top of it all, the Fae Courts are readying for a war of intentions and words. The Wylde Hunt darkens the sky.

I should know better than any, the laws of the Fae are iron in their own might and breaking them is far more than foolish. The power struggles are constant and nothing is forgotten, not by the Fae anyways. Who am I? It doesn't matter any more. I am merely a servant of the Unseelie court, someone who watches and serves the true king. I don't even know if I'm human any more, or if I ever was. My name is spun from his lips and I must hasten to do as I am bid, may you never fall into their grasp.

"Grasp the iron that they fear. Raise it high, they won't come near. Flee the forests and keep away. Else with the fairy you will stay."


[hider=Fae Realm]

The Fae Realms are more reminiscent of a wheel, perhaps. One season blends into the next and at these borders are pockets or strips of neutral land for the 'wild' Fae. Spring to Summer, Summer to Fall, Fall to Winter, Winter to Spring... They create a area where the wild Fae may not especially thrive but they can live in retaliative comfort. The center of the wheel is something of a No-Man's land. A timeless plain. There are roads, patrols, towns, and such. But really the infrastructure depends on the Court. Patrols come along their season's borders, no ruler trusting the other and war having been on the horizon.

It is to be noted that the Realm is not round. It is flat and one the outer edges exists a sea of mist over a actual ocean. It is spoken by the Fae that any who walk into the mist never return. There is really no certainty of what dwells within the ocean and not even the water-loving Fae walk within it's surf. Some Fae believe they came from the sea, that the Fae Realm is a prison. Others say it is the lake of Avalon, and the ancient witch Morgana Le Fay cast a spell to keep the humans that would cover their realm with the burning iron out. It is rumored in whispers that never are spoken save in the dead of night and quickly hushed, that Falk came from the mist. Others say he created it to ensnare the Fae Kingdom for his own. But those are generally dismissed, for much could be said of the past and current rulers of the other courts as well.

Fae and humans may cross to the Mortal and Fae Realm by gates. Ancient pathways the Fae built through their human puppets. Some of these gates have been destroy in Fae wars, locked away by their creators, or just not used and sitting there waiting for mortals to wander through without realizing. There are other gates, spawned by the shift of Realms as they touch each other. These may change from time to time.

[b][u]Spring[/u][/b]
Spring is the land of eternal youth and rebirth however despite its appearance it is the oldest of the fae lands. The trees that grow in Spring and young and new, their wood pliable and there color green. In many places in spite of their youth the trees form dense canopies that let only the merest trace of sunlight beneath them. Compared to the other realms Spring has blended much more thoroughly with the nature of their lands. Rather than build houses or pull stones from the Earth for their roads most everything in Spring is created from the Earth. The fae live in houses sung from the trees or burrowed into the earth. The paths that line the land are hard packed dirty from millennia of travelers crossing them. Spring possesses no farms for the time of harvest never arrives in that realm. Instead the fae seek out the ripe fruits and lush berries of the woods to feed themselves. Spring is dainty but never be fooled by the appearance for it is also the deadliest of the four realms. Deadly because it pretends its weapons are welcomes and its curses blessings. Berries of vile poison cannot be discerned from those of rich sustenance. The prettiest of trees had leaves so sharp they may slit the skin. Blessed Springs guarded by the Naiads are safe to drink should their spirit be willing but those without a guardian may look pure and clean but house deadly acids. Most dangerous of all though is the oldest realm of the Spring Court, a stretch of woods that fae call in whispers 'The Borogoves'. 

They are the sight of twelve ancient trees. Trees so old they say that they stood before there was a Spring Court, before there was a Seelie or Unseelie Court. It is said that they remember the rule of the Tuatha and the great war of the fae. The spirits of these trees no more venture forth from their wood as that of the young ones do but should you stray into their path they shall whisper to you. Talk of your hearts greatest desire, of everything you ever wanted, they will entwine you in their forest song and then in their branches and you will die with a smile on your lips. Only those without a heart, without a want, without a wish, without a desire have ever survived the Borogroves. It is said that should you reject them they will speak to you a single truth of your choosing.

The Palace of the Spring Court is housed within the Greatest tree to ever live. The mortals called it Yggdrasil, the World Tree. It stretches so high it's branches disappear into the clouds. It is said that the roots stretch down into the underworld itself. It is an ancient thing that some fear to approach. The royal court and the fae it houses occupy only the central section. Those fae that live in the palace fear what they may find if they venture too high or creep too low. No one knows all the mysteries of Yggdrasil, not even the Archon though he knows much more than any other and much more than he would ever let on.

In the Spring Court full iron blades are illegal with prejudice. The punishments for having such a weapon, are extreme and protracted.
Iron edged blades are permitted only for the Archon and his close inner circle, Sini, the Captain of the Guard and the highest ranking knights. Owning such a blade is a symbol of status as much as it is a deadly weapon.
Iron flecked blades (those being the ones where a portion of the alloy the blade is made from is composed of iron) are legal but only by permission of the Archon. They require special dispensation to use much like a gun license only the process is more rigorous. Lower ranking members of the guard often have such weapons.

[b][u]Summer[/u][/b]
A pleasent warm section with a few forests that house warm rivers. The fruits are not found in any other sections and seem to either refreshing or citrus in nature. The most noticble structure is a medium sized castle that contains the wooden throne. Scattered throughout with a larger 'city' by the castle are the homes of the summer fae. The only fae living in the forests themselves are those whom live in the waters. 
The fruit is the best for trading as these fruits are not found elsewhere. That being said many of they fae grow their own and sell their extra to the court whom uses their own and the extra to trade for goods from the other kingdoms. They also trade other goods, but the fruit is the best.
The summer court has banned the use of iron blades unless it is excused for certain members of the court. This is due to Feoras having first hand experience with the damaging affects of iron and not wanting a weapon that dangerous in his court. 
To gain permission to have such a weapon, the individual must be of either knight, assassin, or guard status in the court. In addition the individual must be of excellent standing with the king.

[b][u]Fall[/u][/b]
A place filled with cold rivers and ancient trees that tower over the greatest marvels mortals could build. Meadows of long grass growing yellow with the coming winter, or just turning from the green of summer. Fall is mostly forest and hunting/gathering. While they do have farms and rivers and fishing, they've focused more on the harvest. Though there are settlements, small villages, there are no large cities. Towns are generally small and self-sufficient. Something Falk encourages, market towns of tents and wagons move about the Fall realm and generally close to the border. Roads cross the realm as a means of efficiency. The more popular routes paved cobblestone, the lesser used roads turning to either patchy cobblestone or packed earth. Some Fae take it upon themselves to pack a road with the gravel from Falk's few quarries. Though many of these roads fall into packed earth once more as the price is steep. Old towers dot the Fall Realm, some used by the partols as guardhouses along the borders. Others using them privately or for shops. More often than not a tower will be where the market fairs gather to trade. A easy landmark to note and the space about the base of many of the towers, though not all, offering enough room to pitch tents. 
Iron infused blads are given a iron edge, but they are reserved for knights and such as you said, they are RARE. Blades with iron flecks are uncommon but not unheard of, though they are outlawed in Fall Court and Falk has a bounty out on them. Bring him one and you get a nice reward.

[b][u]Winter[/u][/b]

Some call Winter eerily silent. Others say it is quietly beautiful. Warm breath turns to fog and a chill reaches deep into your bones as you travel through the realm. A small river, branched by smaller creeks and streams, runs with icy water, always flowing so it never freezes completely. The ground is hard and crunches under foot. Whispers of the Winter Fae pass through the trees, carried by the icy breeze. Throughout the frozen forest are several glades and open areas, all covered in soft powdery snow that seems to glow when the sun shines. The snow covered woods, almost like a maze, lead to the heart of the Winter Realm : The Winter Court.

The court itself is inside an ice cavern that was shaped and carved to look like a regal and graceful throne room. The large main cavern houses the court, seats on raised dais on either side and in the center at the far end a throne made of grey stone and draped with a shimmering grey silk coverlet, upon which the Queen sits when holding court. Large icicles, carved into delicate artistic shapes, hang from the ceiling of the cavern. A grey cloth marks the path from the entrance to the front of the throne. On either side of this path leading up to the throne are the frozen corpses of those who displeased the Queen, their faces forever frozen in agony to decorate the court as a reminder to those who enter.

A large tunnel leads to other caverns, serving as living and work spaces for servants and members of the court. A separate tunnel with steps made of stone and ice lead down to the lower levels, which include storage rooms and below that dungeons.
The dungeons are pits in the floor of the cavern, imbued with magic to cause great pain if an occupant attempts to escape.
A smaller passage near the throne lead up a wide stairway made of glassy ice to the Queen's quarters, which include a room with a grey rock pool for bathing, a separate room for treasures and other items of importance, and the Queen's bed chambers : a large room with icy walls and a King sized bed covered in grey silk, a table with flowers carved from ice and a dressing table with a mirror.

The Realm's near silence makes many uneasy, for they know the instant they step foot into the icy forest news of their presence is already on it's way to the Queen. And if you are in her Realm without invitation you had better pass through quickly before she takes insult at your lack of manners.

In the Winter Court iron is mined by the gremlins as they are the only ones who can touch it without harm. Arys has a stockpile of iron for trade and in case there is an attack made on her the goblins of her realm have iron weapons they forged for themselves. They are too loyal to use it against their Queen.

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[hider=Fae History (SPOILERS)]

First to note, This history is forgotten save for ruins and perhaps customs that are simply habits now. If there is memory, it is merely a fable. A fairy tale told to wistful Fae childern.

The Fae Realm was not always split into four courts. Once, so very long ago the Fae lands were one. Ruling over this one land and all the many Fae residing in it were the Sidhe. Lords of the Fae, they fought back a wave of enemies. Enemies that were so terrible and great and powerful that when the Sidhe had finally won the battle and thrown the wave of darkness back into the abyss, they were left with ruin and their power fading. The once great were now weak. Much of their land sunk beneath the waves of the now Sea of Mist.

The Sidhe were of two types. Those that seemed to shine, those of the Earth and those that were opalescent, of the heavens. The earthen Sidhe were not much lesser than their heavenly counterparts. They were the nobles to the heavenly's royalty. And as they were the protectors, the defenders to the nobility, they sacrificed themselves to the waters. And stilled the rising waters. Though much of the land was lost. So the one kingdom split into two.

Two kingdom were stable. For years, eras. But by then the Sidhe noticed the change amongst the lesser Fae. They were more keen to greed, to lust. More keen to wanting. Then they suspected what was happening, was what they dreaded most. The Fae were turning against their nature, turning to mortality. So they did the one thing they could do...

They left. They walked into the Sea that their kin had slowed, though the magic had faded to allow it to slowly rise. Ever so slowly rising though the ancient years. So the Sidhe went in, leaving the Fae to their fate.

So the Fae split again, eras upon eras later. Now they were the Court the Fae know today. For shortly after the Fae split and war rose in full terror. And then the peace hit, with the death of the Fall King. No court dare attack, with a such a unknown ruler it was too risky. For any attack was deflected or defeated. The Fae of Fall were ruled completely after a while. Falk had come and his Wylde Hunt close on his heels in service of their Lord.

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[hider=Fae Magic]

[b][u]-THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR ADDITION-[/u][/b]

Fae Magic is a basis of power and words. Power comes with age, so the older you are the more powerful. Promises must be upheld and that applies to spells. Once you cast one, once you lay the magic you must see it through. To run out of power for the spell would mean it would take life from the Fae resulting in death or near to. All Fae can use magic, the only ones who can't effectively are the iron touching ones. They are weaker users and there's no exception. They are also shunned by other Fae so it's rather hard for them.

[b]Names have power[/b] and uttering someone full name, given by them allows Fae (and restricts them should a human know it) to control and essential press a life of indenture upon the being whose name is known.

All Fae have a Glimmer, an outer look, bestowed by magic to make them hard to notice, or change how they look. This is often used in the mortal realm by the more powerful of the Fair Folk.

Fae artifact grow, and can gain sentience of it's own if not contained properly. The older, the stronger, and smarter. Essentially an ancient fae weapon that is not bound is a Fae within itself. Most artifacts are horded by rulers, destroyed by the fearful, revered by the desperate. They are beyond rare, and most are often killed for.

[u][b]-FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS-[/b][/u]

[hider=Wylde Hunt SPOILERS]

[u][b]This information is not known by any Fae save for Falk himself. It is a highly kept secret[/b][/u]

Also to clear something up about the Wylde Hunt that I noticed. It's not Fall Fae, It can be but generally it is not. Falk? Perhaps you could? "The Wylde Hunt is a army, a nation. A sea of spirits and specters. Endless souls brought and bought by the years. I let no Fae within my realm go to waste." Yes, so the Wylde Hunt essentially is death. Death to those it hunts and is hunted by the Dead or the remains. A High Magick and something that costs Falk dearly though it is not really shown. Years are spent between Hunts gathering power and the dead for the next. The only one who knows the true nature are the most ancient of Fae, or the most learned as the Hunt in it's true form is something that is.... Well, taboo.

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[hider= More about the Fae]

Fae are ancient creatures that are well known for deceit and deception. They are not fairies, to call one such is a insult. They are not going to be Mr. Rogers and their realm is most certainly not his Neighborhood. They all want their lot in life to be the best for them, survival of the fittest. It's very rare that they will put another before them. However this does not mean they are power hungry. If a Court has a stable Ruler they will keep that ruler so long as the ruler gives them reason to keep themselves in place. Power, prosperity, and politics.

Each Court has their own type of personality, power. To reflect their season. Spring is the most childish and flighty, Summer's energy with Winter's ruthlessness. They are vain, and iron in their will-much like a stubborn child. Summer is hot-headed, vibrant, vain. Honorable and ready to fall for romance (Midsummer night and all). They prefer entertainment to work. Fall is the twilight and the hunt, sneaky and cunning. They are the magic, with All Hallow's Eve. Winter is the cold and aloof season. The firmest and most ridged in it's rule. They are realistic, they dislike distraction to their work.

Fae words and thus their promises are binding. Asked a question thrice, and a Fae must answer honestly. However, this does not mean that they will not mislead someone. They may reveal only part, they may work around the technicalities.

Iron. Cold, pure iron will kill a Fae. If it isn't pure, or flakes of iron it will merely burn a fae. A circle of iron can keep a Fae out or in. Only Gremlins and other Metal-touched Fae are able to shape or even touched iron without pain or death, Gremlins are masters of bending magical property into metal, and are equally talented in dismantling and Repairing machines. They are often killed or bound, due to this fact.

Promises are binding, and breaking a promise is deadly in most cases. If you owe a fae, you Forever owe a fae, and there is a magic in it that they can force you to pay up until debt is payed. Most Fae will speak carefully so such a thing does not happen. Promises and favors are essentially currency in the Fae Realm. Everything must be given with a fair trade- of a sort. Also, Liege Lords are oath bound to fulfill their oathsworn's pact if they cannot.
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[hider=Rules for Role Playing]

Rules:
-Respect GMs! (Zahrale, Belle, BlackPanther)
-Proper grammar and spelling!
-Please be civilized!
-No picking apart posts, or Character sheets. That's my and my Co-GM's job.
-Two to three Paragraphs is our goal, but this is flexible. We all have days when it's hard to write.
-If you are hung up and the other person has disappeared please tell a GM so we can move them to the sidelines.

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[hider=Character Sheet]

CS:

Name:
Alias:
Race: (Human or Type of Fae)
Court:
Position/Occupation: (In court if you are a fae, Any fae outsid eof a court will be under extreme pressure)
(Actual) Age:
Personality: (Fae type has effect)
Appearance: (Must have well written description, pictures are welcomed.)
Family: (Mother, Father, Children)
Ambition: (Goal)
Background:
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[hider=Rulers of the Fae]
Ruler of the Winter Court: Aryssyla Te'GarNegan (Belle)
Ruler of the Spring Court: OPEN
Ruler of the Summer Court: Feoras (BlackPanther)
Ruler of the Fall Court: Tegvan O'Aenges-Mor (LadyRunic)
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[hider=Examples of Type of Fae and Courts (Feel Free to use ANY Fae on or off the list. Give me detail if off the list):]
Kelpie - Spring or Fall
Banshee - Fall
Gremlins - Any, prefer Winter (Can touch Iron but lack magic, thus they are limited)
Brownies (They can range from the small fae that clean houses to the great ents) - Spring or Summer
(Season)-born (Classical humanoid fae) - Children born to at least one fae parent or adopted by the fae. They take after the season that took them in.
Selkies - Spring, Fall or Winter
Pixie (Tinkerbell) - Spring
Nyphs (Greek sprites of earth, water, and air) - Any season, except winter
Half Fae - See SeasonBorn.

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[b][i][u]BASIC PLOT[/u][/i][/b]

The plot is basic. The Fae Courts are tense and are Gathering in a regular meeting of the Fae leaders. Winter and Summer have settled into a tense peace for the Gathering after a time of skirmishes. Spring has been sitting on the fence, balancing debts and favors owed. Fall has been watching, as it ever does. And the eyes of Falk have chosen the time, his Wylde Hunt is near at hand.
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