Fae

Standard information

The Fae are cousins to the Elves, though are said to be more unpredictable and manipulating. They make fine solders and even finer diplomats, able to ensnare people with honey-laced words.

Physical Traits

Fae look very similar to their Elf counterparts in many ways. Notable differences may show themselves in their overall length and the shape of their ears, which are often a tad longer but slightly thinner. Fae stand taller than Elves- their build somewhat more bulky, nearing that of a human.

Their ears are usually longer and more slender than those of an Elf, Gnome or Troll. Also, Fae often display freckles upon their pallid faces and arms. Skintones range from fair to pale, though Fae skin tends to decrease in pigmentation over the centuries.

Fae, just like Elves, can reach an age that exceeds that of a average human multiple times. They, unlike Orcs, Trolls and Humans, only breed once or twice in their lives.

Facial hair is uncommon within the higher castes of Fae en Elf society. Warriors, who tend to lead a rougher lifestyle, sometimes grow and carefully groom their beards and moustaches. Men from higher castes who enjoyed a military education or wish to appear more rugged, may decide to grow a beard as well. Fae facial and body-hair tends to grow much slower than that of their Human or Ork counterparts, so for a Fae or Elf this is usually a committed choice.

Psychological Traits

Fae are often mischievous, manipulative and opportunistic in nature, prone to pranking, petty competition and an hostile attitude towards outsiders. They have a strong sense of honour and always repay a debt - even if they have to go to extreme hardships to do so.

They are keen on competition, martial and magical prowess and are fond of magical artifacts or fancy trinkets. They see themselves immensely superior to Ogres, Orcs and Trolls, who they see as crude, and will be keen to display this openly to them.

Language

Most Fae prefer to speak Asgardian, a tongue that has great simularities High Vortexian, from which it presumably evolved. Though this language developed some unique phrases and termology, it is remarkable how true it stayed to its ancient form which the Gnomes tought them. Both Fae and Elves prefer speaking it on both the Vortex and on Heimr, even in situations that would favour them otherwise. Their written language is know as Asgardian Runes or Feyfont which, though seemingly complex, is a highly effective syntax.

Demography

Most Fae live within sophisticated cities and settlements, though there are some who prefer the forests over any modern habitat. These so-called feral Fae often cling to a more traditional life, forsaking the set Asgardian social structure and thus becoming Casteless. The common name for these Fae are wild Fae.

Sociology

Eons ago, the Fae founded their Sidhe kingdom in what is now known as the Western parts of Asgard. Nowadays only the elderst of the Fae can tell firsthand of these long-passed days, for the passing of centuries and the Asgardian Unification made due to many of the traditions that defined the Sidhe. It was a culture divided in four different courts, each named after the seasons of the year. Ideally each Court held power only temporarily, with each Lord or Lady ruling during their season and then passing on the leadership to the next Court. In practice, however, the turning over of power hasn't always gone as smooth as intended.

These courts were each closely tied to nature and held their appropriate role in Fae society, much like the Caste System which later evolved and rooted itself in the Asgardian Kingdom. It is said that some feral tribes still cling to these ancient traditions.

One remnant of this old structure which is still very much alive today, is the practice of Contracts. These are most commonly used in the practice of Adoption within a higher Family or Castre. For example, a Fae might let his familymember be adopted by a prominent family in favour for his daughter's virginity or one-tenth of his yearly production of grain. Either bound by word or a small magical ritual, the contract is a socially accepted method of buisiness. One of the Scribe's Caste roles is the rememberance of these multitude of contracts.

Contracts with other species are uncommon, but not unheard of. Slavery, for instance, is seen as a contract rather than forced labour.