Fun facts and a lore dump on the Fey in the world of Evaryn!
Hello and welcome back esteemed readers, adventurers, and villains alike! This post has been a long time coming. I did a poll a WHILE back about what lore part of Evaryn people would be interested in reading about, and out of choices between the Void, other nations of Evaryn, the continent of Maywikt, or about the Fey. Spoiler alert... the Fey won. So welcome traveler! Wherever you come from be it from interest due to the SteamSpell game streamed on Chromatic Chimera, enjoying Kobold Stew, or if you are just perusing; take a load off, and hear some tales about the Fey! They may just save your hiney.
The Arrival of the Fey
"T'was long ago that the Fey arrived. Elven texts say they arrived when their people did."
Long ago, way before the events of the SteamSpell campaign and the events chronicled here on this blog; Evaryn was in the midst of what is referred to by historians as the Primordial Epoch. This is when 'dinosaurs roamed the world' (literally), and the dominant races were the Lizardfolk and Dragons. The world was warm and the the seasons never changed, but that all changed when portal storms ripped across Evaryn.
Scholars to this day debate what caused the portals to open across all of Evaryn, but one thing is known, thanks to old Elven texts and myths; these portal storms brought the elves and the fey creatures from the Feywild to the realm. The Elves looked upon the land and named it 'Evaryn,' which means home, thus ending their exile from Selle Esteen, and the Fey came through as well. If they called the new land home as well was to be debated, but regardless, the Fey came to settle this new world and claim its wilderness. With their arrival, the Fey brought with them the season, causing the climate of Evaryn to change on a cataclysmic scale. The sudden shift in weather and introduction all sorts of new species led to much of the wildlife and ecosystems on Evaryn to be changed. Many of the dinosaurs went extinct, and the once dominant Lizardfolk retreated back as elves began to claim their new home.
Having decided to call the wilds of Evaryn their home, the Fey had control over the passage of these new seasons that they brought with them, and thus sought to form the Fey Court.
The Fey Court
"The most powerful of the Fey creatures gathered together to form the Fey Court. Their machinations are a mystery to us, but it effects our world whether we like it or not."
Soon after their arrival, the Fey knew in order to prevent the seasons from becoming a swirling maelstrom of fickle proportions akin to an average day in real world Chicago, they needed to appoint the Fey Court. The Fey Court would oversee the seasons and their passing, as wells as other aspects of nature. The Fey Court was made up of the most powerful of the Fey creatures, commonly referred to as Arch-fey. Though some members of the Fey Court have changed over the thousands of years of Evaryn's history, some of its members have also remained constant. Being immensely powerful, some people and cultures take to paying homage to the Fey Court. Worshiping the Fey Court of any of its members in a religious sense is referred to as the 'pagan' religion in Evaryn. Depending on where one is, this often is not viewed negatively. Many pay homage to members of the Fey Court regardless of what gods they may pray to, seeing the Dance of Season festivals as an important tradition in many Evaryn cultures. Certain conclaves may serve a Fey Court member, while in rare cases, civilizations and societies are built around them. Another common practice is to pledge oneself to an Arch-fey in exchange for some of their power in the form of a pact. Most arch-fey warlocks in Evaryn have formed a pact with a member of the Fey Court. The members of the current Fey Court include:
Boreala, Queen of Winter - One of the oldest members of the Fey Court and the longest serving member of the Children of the Seasons, Boreala oversees winter, when the realm is thought to sleep. She is cold, calculating, but yet fair to those she rules over. She is known for having taken in the Snow Elves when the High Elves sought their culture exterminated, and thus they have turned to worshiping her, abandoning the Sel' Adrin. She considers them and the frozen dryads of the north her children. Boreala resides within her great ice palace in the cold reaches of the Unending Tundra, where it never grows warm and the land is always winter. She holds command over the snow, frost, cold, and blizzards, and those who prove devoted to her she grants boons to help them survive the harsh winter as well as harness its powers. Boreala prefers to take the form of a beautiful, fey woman with the features of the winter about her. Her skin is pale like the snow, and her hair a cloud of snow. Her eyes are blue as the ice she chooses to dwell in, and her clothing is as if it is made of ice itself. Presenting an open flame or any sort of warmth in her presence is seen as an affront to her and will highly offend her. It is thought that Boreala maintains a close relationship with Jordaantorax of the Dragon Pantheon, as well as Ymir of the Giant gods as her powers put her in near deific levels. Her most devoted followers will join the Sons of Winter, where they traverse across the realm to spread Boreala's Will.
Glimmer Ke' Sha, Prince of Spring - Glimmer Ke' Sha is the youngest of the Fey Court, and he certainly acts like it. Rambunctious, full of life, and a trouble maker describe him quite well. His sense of life and fervor made him the perfect candidate for the Prince of Spring. He loves to partake in revelry, and he often holds parties in groves throughout the realms where fey creatures of all sorts gather to get drunk on flower beer and fruit wine. The pixie moths of Evaryn are said to signal the arrival of spring, and these creatures are seen as Glimmer's children. He is also thought to be on great terms with satyrs.
Glimmer's appearance mirror his children as he takes the form of a fey moth creature. His eyes shimmer like the moon on a clear night sky, and his wings are colorful like a field of blooming wildflowers. He dresses himself in the finest flowers and plants he can find and is often accompanied by a retinue of pixie moths and satyrs. A Fey wedding is considered a dull affair if Glimmer Ke' Sha doesn't make an appearance. He is whimsical and often acts impulsively with little regard to the effects that his pranks and revelry would have on poor unsuspecting mortals. Despite his mischievousness, Glimmer is a kindly soul and would never turn away a guest, and he rewards those who pay him tribute with tranquil rain and fertility. Many of the Fey Court keep their eye on Glimmer as he hides his ambition underneath his drunkenness.
Yaksha, Countess of Summer - Lording over summer, Yaksha oversees the land when it is teeming with life. In order to keep up with this time of year, she has to be quick-witted and brazen. She is headstrong and stubborn due to this and also has a quick temper. Despite this though, she is warm to those who show her proper respect. Wherever she steps, plants flourish, and a radiant sunlight followers her wherever she goes. She is thought to imbue those who follow her with this inner fire. Her children are the dryads.
She often takes the form of a golden woman wreathed in flowers, sunlight, and plant life. She has shimmering, golden hair and her eyes are radiant amber. Her beauty is said to leave weak-willed mortals in a stupor, which ends up working to their advantage, as she basks in adoration. When she sets out to get something done, Yaksha does so quickly and without hesitation. She can be fickle and whimsical at times, and sometimes her tasks for followers are vindictive, involving petty revenge for the slightest slights. Despite this, those that do adore her and pay her homage are given temperate and warm summers with bountiful harvests.
Alux, Duke of Fall - Sort of the arch-fey that oversees death in the world so that realm may rest and life continue to propagate, Alux is quite somber, especially in comparison with his siblings. He is stoic and contemplative, and is slow to move and act. When he does, he does so softly, as it is said he moves on the breeze. He prepares the world for his sister, Boreala's time to rule the realm, often putting him at odds with Yaksha. He is not nearly as whimsical as his siblings, as he often is thought to have a reason for his actions. His children are the leshens.
He takes the form of a gnarled fey man in a red cloak and a skull to signify the change in the color of the leaves on the trees and the death he brings to nature. He never shows himself to others without his mask or cloak as he is shy and self conscious that he is not as beautiful as his siblings; ugly in comparison. He never is seen walking, preferring to move on a cloud of fallen leaves or autumn. He asks his followers not to gaze upon his malformed face, and turning away in his presence is seen as a sign of respect to him.
Due to overseeing death and autumn, many people fear Alux. They ask that he not kill crops early as that is often his form of punishing mortals who do not show respect to the powers of nature or the fey. That or random death to certain individuals. Alux doesn't do so out of malice or because he revels in it, but rather because it must be done.
The Lady of the Whispering Wood - The Lady of the Whispering Wood is a mysterious entity, preferring to keep to the region in Eastern Maywikt known as the Whispering Wood; most of that land within the nation of Vallonde of the Whispering Wood. She rules over this land as its ethereal queen. The residence of Vallonde refer to her in terms of political matters. She is regal, demanding respect, but she will show kindness and favor to those who she deems worthy. Earning her favor is simple enough; respect the forest that you walk in. She has taken it upon herself to protect the Whispering Wood and prevent any further encroachment from those who would seek to cut it down.
She appears as an ethereal, fey woman, much like a dryad. She is beautiful with vines, branches, and flowers sprouting all around her, forming a sort of dress when she feels like it. She tends to be quiet, preferring to speak only if she feels necessary, but even when she does, she only does so in a whisper. She often takes it upon herself to appoint warriors in her name to protect the woods. These Green Knights uphold her command to protect the natural world where they see fit. Her Conclave of druids also carry out her will.
The Three Faced God - Perhaps the most fearsome of the Fey Court, the Three Faced God is an ancient and primeval being. One of the first beasts to prowl the land, the Three Faced God is revered for its strength, cunning, and ferocity. The Three Faced God is the most distant of the court, preferring to keep to itself more often than not, and none dare trifle with it. Those who do choose to worship it worship it as a god of hunger, instinct, and primal rage as these are required to survive in the harshness of the wilderness.
The Three Faced God takes the appearance of a strange, bipedal creature with bluish furred, bulky stag-like creature with three heads. The center head is that of an old, wizened stag and it is flanked by two wolf heads. Charms and totems are often tied into its antlers by daring barbarian warriors while it sleeps. The Three Faced God solemnly traverses the primeval woodlands, perpetuating the natural cycle of hunger and survival.
The Qilan, Guardian of the Forest - The Qilan is often considered to have an affinity with the celestial kirins, some theorizing that the Qilan is their progenitor. The Qilan is a majestic creature, taking the form of a great, greenish stag with huge, branch-like antlers. It's face is something more akin to that of a dragon crossed with a person than a stag's. It's front legs end in scaly claws instead of hooves. It is often accompanied by an assortment of faeries and sprites wherever it walks, and often appears in tranquil groves. It is thought that the Qilan can cure any ailment or curse with its tears, thus sometimes leading people into futile hunts of the creature.
The Qilan may be a gentle creature, but if the forest it exists to protect is under any sort of threat, it will often shift into the shape of a terrible beast resembling a sort of draconic-stag hybrid creature. This ferocity is thought to be because the Qilan is thought to be a child of the Three Faced God. It's spirit is closely tied to the natural world, so it is thought that it uses the trees to 'see' people who wander its domain. Many druid conclaves will look to the Qilan as a figurehead, and seek to protect it. There is even thought to be a monastic order devoted to its oneness with nature.
Morghaina, the Phantom Queen - Morghaina is an odd thing. She prefers to keep to the shadows, and often sneaks up on others to startle them as a prank. She often cackles at violence, mischief, and terror; some scholars say she consorted with Blackheart during the Sunless Era. Regardless, she can be cruel, often seeing other creatures merely as playthings for whatever game she wishes to play.
She appears inky in form, sporting four arms, two misshapen wings, and she wears a porcelain mask. She can melt into the shadows as if she was made from them, and often, Morghaina will use this to her advantage. Any creature she wishes to sweep up into her dance of darkness will find themselves dizzy as their spirit will be taken from their bodies to become one of her banshees.
Arboria, the First Mother Tree - Dryads are born of Mother Trees. These trees are hidden away in sacred groves protected by the likes of the Qilan and other powerful fey creatures. Arboria is the first of these Mother Trees. She is an ancient and powerful being to the point where she is seen almost as a deity in her own right by Fey creatures, especially the dryads and other mother trees. Her grove is considered a great secret amongst Fey creatures, and to actually gaze upon her is the ultimately rare sight. Many who claim to have gazed upon Arboria are written off as liars or madmen.
Due to this, none are sure of all the traits or powers of the First Mother Tree. What most people of Evaryn know they only know through what Fey creatures have told them and Sylvan texts.
Coven of the First Crones - The hags, as depraved and reviled as they may be by most, still deserve their spot on the Fey court, and the Coven of the First Crones is there to maintain that. The Coven of the First Crones are often thought to be as old as Arboria or the Three Faced God, so they are often afforded the same respect. That and the fact that they command powerful and ancient magic. These hags' motivations are often hidden, and they can be mysterious. Many stories say their favorite meal is children.
The Coven move throughout the land wherever they see fit or where their desires take them. Wherever they go, they often practice their magic, and their effect can be felt on villages or regions. If their presence is made known, it can cause a mass panic to the area, but there are those who wish to unlock the powers of secret, old magic who will form a pact with these crones...
Meiko, Keeper of Glyphs - Long ago, Meiko was so gravely offended by someone who dared to insult him that he had their name stricken from the annuls of history and the 'Apostates Glyph' was forever removed from the Sylvan script. Meiko, after all, is the Keeper of Glyphs, and the original writer of the script used by fey creatures. Not all fey take Meikos policy seriously, but around him and his servants, they are required too, lest they offend him again.
Meiko shares an appearance with a colorful, flamboyant axolotl aka aquatic salamander. He is followed by newt-like Flaaxl and Mewts. Meiko often speaks in poems, riddles, and other literary devices as he often likes to show off his prowess with the fey tongue. He is often impressed by multilingual people and enjoys interjecting different words of various languages into his speech.
Of course there are probably plenty more members of the Fey Court in Evaryn, buuuut these are the important players that are detailed out here, and the ones most likely to come up in a game that takes place in Evaryn. Next, let's talk about some Fey creatures unique to the setting! I tend to have some unique stuff.
Fey Creatures
"The Hell is that thing?"
We're not going to get too crazy here, but just describe a few different creatures I have unique to the setting. Since I was young, I have enjoyed coming up with all sorts of fantastic and whacky creatures, and I still continue to do so in DnD. PUT THAT MONSTER MANUEL DOWN! It can't help you here!
Pixie Moths - For some reason, I have pictured moths as fey creatures since I began building this setting. Perhaps it's the butterfly wings on sprites and fairies. So.. the setting gets some moths. They can range in size, but often times they are larger than their real-life counterparts. Pixie Moths often have magical powers, and their 'alignment' is often dependent on the moth and what fey creature they are following. Their intelligence can range from animal to that of a fully sentient creature.
Their wings are valuable as they are often used as components in potion making, enchantment, and other magical items. They are often observed accompanying the arrival of spring, as Glimmer Ke' Sha takes the form of a pixie moth. Dryads often keep them around by using lanterns to keep their mischievousness in check, but these lanterns are rare and don't often find their ways into mortal hands.
Stories of giant moths in Shivar are told of brave Lepid warriors who tame and ride these great moths.
Kokookuran - The Kokookuran is a strange creature that often takes the form of an orange leafed tree. They may also become the wind, but at night, they shift into their natural form: a standing elk-like creature with orange fur. They often carry lanterns to guide pixie moths in the darkness to be fed to the ever hungry Three Faced God and other predatory fey animals.
It is thought that Kokookuran hold sway over the breeze and wind, and they will often use it to help themselves as well as give boons to those who pay them and their groves respect. Leaving offerings of food for their god is a good way to earn their favor.
Nara - Green elks with white stripes, the Nara are intelligent creatures, despite their animal appearance. They are often thought to be children of the Qilan. Their antlers appear to be branches of trees, sprouting leaves and flowers, and they are kindly creatures. They are often sent out to heal areas corrupted by pollution or other magic. Attempting to hunt them will either see them retreat, or they take on a form similar to the Qilan's aggressive form.
Flaaxl and Mewts - Many different animal creatures were touched by the arrival of the Fey from the Fey wild, including the humble salamander (not the elemental creature, but the little amphibian). These creatures felt an affinity for Meiko, who has a similar form. The Newts took to Meiko and came to pay him homage. In keeping with Meiko's decree, many of their tribes took to protecting the land from the apostates glyph, and will vehemently fight against its use.
Brancwicht - Areas of nature become corrupted by pollution or magic. It happens, and with the rise of technology, this is becoming more commonplace. Sometimes, dryad groves will become a place polluted by aether, dark magic, or chemicals that it twists the dryad into a mad and terrible creature bent on destroying any who come close to them. They are called Branchwicht, or in the old tongue, Tree Witch. They often look like the natural, wood form of dryads, but with the wood twisted into a skeleton, their veins pumping full of pollutants. They look like shadows of their once beautiful selves.
With this post getting longer than it needs to be, I think I have to wrap it up. I would love to keep talking about my fey, the unique creatures I have with them, and other important areas, their own cultures, and what have you, but that will have to wait until another.
We'll do this... have any questions about the Fey of Evaryn? Head to the tweet that is used to announce this post, and I will go through and answer questions about the Fey of Evaryn!
If you enjoy what I do here, feel free to check out SteamSpell on Chromatic Chimera, an actual play dnd game that takes place in the very setting detailed HERE in this blog!
Until Next Time,
happy gaming,
Puddins.