Post by Admin on Feb 6, 2018 4:10:05 GMT
FAERIE
Faerie, is a name adopted by the people of Earth to define a species of entities born of nature itself. They are a neither plant nor animal, but both. They are in truth a distorted and twisted version of Humans and Animals and combinations there of. They have existed on this planet since the beginning of time and have populated it since. They are in their most basic sense, simulacra created by flora in the image of fauna, an interpretation to allow propagation. Self aware entities that crave to be like the higher life forms, in this case Humans. Not all are humanoid, but even those of an animalistic nature bear an intelligence and desire to be more 'human'. Not being able to be so, often arouses jealousy, even hatred. Some are also manifestations of HUMAN IMAGINATION, that is, actual Faerie from Human lore have come into existence.
Magic gave rise to these sacred and mystical life forms from which people know as Faerie Mounds, Faerie Rings or Faerie Trees. They are a part of the deepest magic, one that perpetuates itself by producing copies of the animal life forms around it, but not only does it produce a simulacra, it combines the traits as well, creating chimaera that are born either fully adult or at a pubescent stage where they yet have to mature. Never babies, except in the case of CHANGELINGS (see below).
The life forms require sustenance as any other animal species but are able to produce food by a process of photosynthesis when sunlight strikes their skin. This, combined with water and a few vegetative nutrients are all they need to sustain themselves, but larger, stronger varieties of their kind that become aware of the energy that meat provides begin to crave it.
The creatures are born with an animal intellect, the level of intelligence based on the species of their simulacra. Human combinations are often more intelligent, but if they are more diminutive and are say, combined with an insect, such as a tiny humanoid bearing dragonfly wings, their intelligence is hindered by the insect qualities.
Naturally these beings have very long life spans, it is required because as part of their life cycle, these creature ‘spawn’ every ten to fifteen years, seeding the earth with new mystical plants that can give rise to new Faerie, and so the cycle continues. Spawning occurs only at night, it is stimulated by sexual intercourse causing the Faerie’s skin to emit thousands of glowing spores of which only a few will give rise to a mystical plant.
THE FAERIE BEFORE, AND THE FAERIE AFTER...
There are two types of Faerie in the world of Midion. There was those who existed prior to the Dark Event, and those born after. Those before, existed in the "DREAM WORLD" that was brought into reality by the arrival of the Earthlings. Their eminent arrival into the very world which their own imagination helped create changed the consciousness of the Faerie who came into contact with them. To this day, Faerie still wander in from the Midlands and develop "AWARENESS". They are products of MEDIEVAL EARTH and have much to learn.
Those born after the Dark Event are products of MODERN EARTH. They are born with knowledge of the era, and this is what separates the Faerie prior to the 'Event' from those created after.
FAERIE SOCIETY
Most Faerie are very slow to learn, some progressing, others not. This is not entirely a matter of intelligence but concerning more their awareness and what they remember. Some may only develop rudimentary speech, while others may end up with an eloquent command of a language, and may even write. Exactly why this happens is unknown to Humans.
Faerie who come to live among their kind, adapt and become Demihuman lose the memories of their lives before, only retaining brief flashes of an existencethat seems unintelligible to them now.
In fact, FAERIE who happen into the Human Areas almost immediately begin to forget pertinent details of their lives. Scientists call the effect, "Common Perceptive Transference", or "CPT". As fate would have it, the reality of Humans has a profound affect on Faerie which is why they turn Demihuman. Faerie, that are so inclined might call the effect, "The Bend" — Like turning round the corner of a path and immediately becoming lost, not able to simply turn around and find their way back as they drawn into the Human world. Most Faerie are not cognizant enough to realize what's happening, they simply start to become more aware of the world as it is perceived by Humans and begin to turn.
When Demihuman Faerie Return to the wild they begin to lose themselves and revert. It is extremely difficult for a Faerie to fight "The Turn", though there are supposedly some success stories — a few Demihuman Faerie that were able to leave the Human world and retain their mind. Many of the Faerie that allied with the Nazis have in fact retained their Demihumanism beyond the boundaries of Human society, and have been able to unite and organize their tribal brethren into formidable structured forces.
When Demihuman Faerie Return to the wild they begin to lose themselves and revert. It is extremely difficult for a Faerie to fight "The Turn", though there are supposedly some success stories — a few Demihuman Faerie that were able to leave the Human world and retain their mind. Many of the Faerie that allied with the Nazis have in fact retained their Demihumanism beyond the boundaries of Human society, and have been able to unite and organize their tribal brethren into formidable structured forces.
Living among Humans changes their perception and their consciousness leading people to assume that Faerie possess a different state of mind. Since they're ageless and unless they succumb to a violent end they can live forever, the idea of their minds functioning differently is not so far-fetched. If there are in fact actually Faerie societies in the wilderness, people have yet to discover one. What people have found are disjointed gangs, clans or tribes. Scantly clad human-like and animal-like creatures dwelling in primitive villages, if one could call them that. They're essentially like a child's attempt to mimic "adult" society from makeshift copies of, or pilfered items. Generally, it's the malevolent Faerie that form more organized tribes, as if their desire to conquer and destroy inspires them to be something more than happy-go-lucky sprites running about the forest, carelessly meandering through life.
Will Humans ever discover a Faerie Kingdom?
We have not yet accommodated for the existence of a highly organized Faerie society. One that remains hidden away could possibly exist, but thus far in all the time that Humans have existed in this parallel Earth they have only encountered the occasional Faerie that for some reason was more intelligent and focused than usual. These Faerie have never alluded to any magical kingdom or far away "Fairy-land", even while in distress.
ARE FAERIES CLONES?
No. While they may resemble other Humans, they are not perfect replications of anyone person (but there are exceptions, see Changeling) but rather a combination of several people and several other species of one type or another to form an idealized being.
ARE FAERIE ALWAYS PART HUMAN?
Heaven’s no! However, Human combinations are simply more common in society because they're acceptable. Faerie which are combinations of animals can go unnoticed unless they’re a complete aberration.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO WHAT A FAERIE CAN LOOK LIKE?
No. Their forms are, however, practical. Far-fetched combinations will not occur because they are not functional. The forms of Faerie are efficient but also, often quite beautiful, since their versions are idealized.
HALF FAERIE / HALF HUMAN
No doubt this question will come up. A creature, produced asexually, already a Human Amalgam cannot have offspring with a biological life form. There are no 'Half-Faerie/Half-Human' combinations. This is basically what a Demihuman is.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAERIE
There are many, and as some may tend to resemble one another in appearance and behaviour, Humans have a need to classify them as species. They are not, but once people are convinced something’s true it’s next to impossible to convince them otherwise. What they are born of tends produce similar types of Faerie because of the animals which frequent them. A tree, for example, may yield more winged types. Insect-like Faerie may come from meadows and such, while those born of tubers or fungus tend to be more repulsive combinations. Fungal Faerie and some of those born of the earth are nocturnal and too much light causes them pain, can even kill them. These creatures are more than often carnivorous hunters, stalking the night, seeking prey.
A Faerie’s disposition is not always indicated by it’s appearance, but those that are a combination of benevolent creatures tend to follow suit. Creatures, people will identify as Goblins or Trolls tend to be derived of similar creatures of a violent and malicious nature and thus can be classified as a 'kind' because they tend to reoccur commonly in nature.
Human-like Faerie born of water all tend to share a similar appearance and thus may be called Nixie. A human horse combination that resembles a centaur, will be called a centaur. It is far easier to classify these ‘types’ as a species that to simply call all Faerie, ‘Faerie’. Thus people will identify these beings as Goblins, Trolls, Pixies, Elves or Elfin.
FAERIE BLOOD
Perhaps one of the most distinctive traits of Faerie is that their blood is coloured blue. A deep vibrant blue like pen ink or food colouring. Analysis of it reveals that Faerie blood cells are indeed a plant/animal mixture.
LONGEVITY, ABILITIES & MAGIC
Faerie do not expire. They do not age, and if they do it's extremely slowly.
The longer a Faerie lives the more magical they may be become. Not all have the same potential, but some will gain wisdom and develop magical abilities related to their particular nature. They CANNOT wield magic as Humans can, they cannot use charms and utilize components. They are born with the abilities based on the other creatures within them, such as, if they have the eyes of a wolf, their vision will be so and they will most likely have other heightened senses. Faerie magic is natural. Be advised that Faerie characters clearly taking advantage of these 'extra abilities' will be rejected.
COMMON ABILITIES
All Faerie possess the following abilities:
RESILIENCE TO THE COLD: The Faerie creatures of Midion can exist in far colder temperature than Earthlings. They can freeze, but it takes far longer and requires extreme cold.
PHYSICALLY STRONGER & FASTER: Their physical attributes are higher, more animal-like, which provides balance against hostile Humans.
Naturally, Faerie will often have other abilities as well.
THE DEMI-HUMAN
Okay, so after all that, you’re probably wondering how can I have a Faerie as a playable character. You can’t, not without them being taken in and taught how to be Human. Our setting is the 'Earthling World', and that which is beyond is unknown... as yet.
In this world, in this society, your character has to look Human otherwise they will never be accepted. Yeah, sure they could be raised in the woods by some kindly old hermit, distant from prejudice, but then that's where their story would end. If they can’t pass for Human, they’re simply not a useful character for the setting of WROUGHT IRON. That’s the rule.
Just how Human? People are accepting, well, more appropriately, tolerant, of pointy ears, odd eyes, strange skin colourations and such. Wings? Not likely. If they basically look Human and can act Human, then Human’s will tolerate them in society. This, of course is not to say that prejudice will not exist. We only need delve into history to know the pettiness of Human nature and how our hedonism leads down the path of hatred time and time again.
Faerie that are of animal nature (less intelligent) that become "domesticated" are referred to as 'Demifey' (demi-fay). An example of this would be a Faerie cat-like creature that becomes an appropriately acceptable 'pet', and registered as such.
Racist Humans call Faerie and Demihumans "Inks" from the term "Ink Blood" comparing the dark blue coloured blood to pen ink.
DEMIHUMANS (FAERIE ORIGIN)
These Human-like Faerie who have learned the ways of Human society are limited in their use of magic. Unlike Humans, they cannot utilize charms or cast spells via components. Their magic flows from their own mana, their abilities tend to manipulate nature or possibly their own or other bodies.
(More information can be found in CHARACTER CREATION)
Faerie, even if raised by Humans, will always see the world differently. They CANNOT procreate as Humans do and possess an affinity for the natural world coupled with a wild, unbridled spirit that craves to be free. Containment over a period of years would most likely kill them. The truth of the matter, however, is the Faerie that are raised among Humans are in fact more Human. It's only natural and it is this dual nature that tends to conflict them.
An important plot device stated above is the fact that Demihuman Faerie NEVER retain their memories of the world beyond. They don't remember anything of the Faerie. Scientists and Magic-users alike have used various methods, but nothing can ever unearth a single trace of what or who they once were. It's as if two distinct realities exist.
Demihuman-Faerie do not grow old and expire like Humans. They tend to be more exotic (because the Faerie are 'idealized' versions of Humans), and possess immune systems that are far more susceptible to viruses. Though they do not succumb disease and bacterial ailments, they are sick far more than a Human and longer, though they rarely if ever die from a viral infection. In times of plague they can contract the disease, suffer it's effects and become carriers for a far longer period of time than a Human.
COMMON ABILITIES
All Faerie possess the following abilities:
RESILIENCE TO THE COLD: The Faerie creatures of Midion can exist in far colder temperature than Earthlings. They can freeze, but it takes far longer and requires extreme cold.
PHYSICALLY STRONGER & FASTER: Their physical attributes are higher, more animal-like, which provides balance against hostile Humans.
Demihumans and Faerie will also have other abilities. They commonly possess psychic powers of varying forms.
MIDLANDERS
DEMIHUMANS (HUMAN ORIGIN)
"Demi-humanization" can also be a Human's return to the traditional state of their ancestry. It is a magical reincarnation of the mystic origins sleeping within peoples with strong pagan roots and beliefs — a return to "the old ways". To differentiate these 'red-blooded' Demi-humans from those of Faerie descent they are called MIDLANDERS.
Essentially, it is a transformation of Human into Faerie, which brings to life the ancient legends of their blood-line. A prime example are the First Nations People's of Canada. Many of these people were endowed with the mystical abilities of their ancestral lore, but not only that, their gods and legends were brought to life with them.
This is a very important fact — The minds of the MIDLANDERS affected the world around them, bringing to life all their lore, the old gods, the legends, the myths. This encapsulating bubble created a buffer between the Monsters and Faerie of Midion and theses newcomers. This essential means, that in regard to a culture like the First Nations peoples, that a being like the 'Hairy Man' or 'Sasquatch' would exist in their midst. Gods would help defend them.
Demihumanization or more commonly referred to as simply, "The Return" was rejected by those whose core-being was too engrained in modernizations, monotheism and the homogenous culture of commerce. The phenomena only manifested (or still manifests) itself in those people steeped in traditions that touch upon such strong belief that it defined their existence. This is why people like Buddhist monks, Spiritualists, basically anyone with an extremely strong devotion to a set of principles that set them apart were drawn into the essence of the Faerie and the development of magical abilities. Unnatural rules or laws govern their lives. An example of this would be a devoted monk no longer having the choice to disobey the rules set by their beliefs. Those beliefs will have real world consequences on their physical being, like a Vampire unable to stand sunlight, or a Werewolf's weakness to silver.
The one profound difference between Demihumans of Human origin from those of Faeire, is that they can still perform magic by using components and charms. There is, however, a balance between abilities that rely on one's own mana versus the creation of mana via components. The more proficient one is with traditional Human magic the lesser are their abilities and vice versa. One will never be as strong in both areas of magic.
A MIDLANDER CHARACTER in this world will ALWAYS be one that has for reasons either beyond or of their own choice, returned to Human society. The memories their life before will fade, but not entirely disappear. They can recall vague details, but like Faerie cannot easily describe or define anything beyond the borders of the Human world.
DEMIHUMAN BLOOD
Demihuman Faerie retain their blue blood, while Demihumans of Human origin retain their red blood. The blood types do not mix into purple. When analyzed, however, distinct differences can be seen allowing their blood to be differentiated from Faerie and Humans. A Demihuman requires Demihuman blood for a transfer, Faerie or Human blood will not work, as they are a distinct species.
THE CHANGELING
Changeling are copies that Faerie leave in the place of stolen children. They either grow sick and die, or they live and the true nature is revealed, often monstrous and evil.
There are certain spells that can be cast on mystical plants that will force them to produce a pod that will copy a specific DECEASED entity placed beside it. This is extremely taboo, as it does, in way produce a clone, but it is NOT the original. That person or animal is gone and what will be created is an imperfect copy, which can actually be a baby that will grow up normally, but they will never be normal. Changelings are psychopaths, void of emotion, with a passion to kill and inflict pain.
Changeling can also occur naturally, but it is very rare. It takes strong emotions to generate a Changeling (often in combination with a spell), feelings of extreme loss and longing producing a helpless baby doomed to die unless found. Such creatures have potential to become extremely powerful.
What makes Changelings difficult to spot, is that their blood is red until they reach maturity. After that it turns blue, their true nature revealed.
Changelings are considered aberrations, shunned by both Faerie and Human alike.