The most complete history of the European Fairy (Daoine maithe) can be pieced together through the Irish legend of the Tuath Dé or tribe of the gods, commonly recognised as the original Elven ancestors of what we now refer to colloquially as Fae.
Arriving from the Great Cities of Falias, Gorias, Murias and Finias, the Tuath Dé were the third in a series of four great migrations to Ireland, the homo sapiens last to appear in the fossil record. The expulsion of their king, Nuada, after losing an arm during the Conquest of Ireland, and its subsequent replacement with one of silver and later flesh is believed to have been the inspiration for the eventual creation of the Fae species.
Scientists estimate the creation of the first Fae occurred during the Age of Humans, with the Elves of Ireland having already established a culture distinct from the rest of their species. Whether scientific experiment or an attempt to create a compliant defence force, the earliest examples of Daoine maithe can be dated to the Neolithic period, based on radiocarbon dating of skeletons unearthed in the Céide Fields and Mount Sandel.
From there, the Fae population grew, expanding across Ireland and into continental Europe as early as 4000 BCE - 3800 BCE. As with all creations, a series of uprisings eventually occurred, resulting in expulsion of the remaining original Elves from the island. Upon establishment of permanent independent settlements, we begin to see the formation of tribal kingships, mirroring human society.
In the present day, Fae exist across various ethnicities, their domain stretching across and overlapping with that of the modern Homo sapiens.
Arriving from the Great Cities of Falias, Gorias, Murias and Finias, the Tuath Dé were the third in a series of four great migrations to Ireland, the homo sapiens last to appear in the fossil record. The expulsion of their king, Nuada, after losing an arm during the Conquest of Ireland, and its subsequent replacement with one of silver and later flesh is believed to have been the inspiration for the eventual creation of the Fae species.
Miach was dissatisfied with the replacement so he recited the spell, "ault fri halt dí & féith fri féth" (joint to joint of it and sinew to sinew), which caused flesh to grow over the silver prosthesis over the course of nine days and nights. – excerpt from the Cath Maige TuiredMicah would later be killed by his father, Dian Cécht, out of jealousy of his superior ability to heal via magic. He appears again later in this story, lending confusion to the circumstances surrounding his death and ultimate connection to the Fae beyond inspiration. Similarly inconsistent references to a twin brother, Oirmiach, have led some scholars to believe that the written history of Ireland has been specifically crafted to obscure the details of their specific origin either to destroy opportunities for imitation or to prevent descendants of these Elves from obligation to their relatives.
Scientists estimate the creation of the first Fae occurred during the Age of Humans, with the Elves of Ireland having already established a culture distinct from the rest of their species. Whether scientific experiment or an attempt to create a compliant defence force, the earliest examples of Daoine maithe can be dated to the Neolithic period, based on radiocarbon dating of skeletons unearthed in the Céide Fields and Mount Sandel.
From there, the Fae population grew, expanding across Ireland and into continental Europe as early as 4000 BCE - 3800 BCE. As with all creations, a series of uprisings eventually occurred, resulting in expulsion of the remaining original Elves from the island. Upon establishment of permanent independent settlements, we begin to see the formation of tribal kingships, mirroring human society.
In the present day, Fae exist across various ethnicities, their domain stretching across and overlapping with that of the modern Homo sapiens.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FAE
Human anthropologists categorise fae according to their relationship with humans, describing them as either Seelie or Unseelie fae. The Seelie Court is a group of fairies, often specified as good fairies who contrast with the antagonistic Unseelie Court. As described by British folklorist Katharine Mary Briggs, the Seelie Court were those fairies who would seek help from humans, warn those who have accidentally offended them, and return human kindness with favors of their own. Conversely, the Unseelie Court were the darkly-inclined fairies who would attack without provocation.Fae of all elements can be found in both courts. Having adopted the human court system some time in the (century) as a method of compromising on disputes between similar elements and their attitudes towards humans, the four elements function as duchies underneath a High Queen of the respective Courts.
The Seelie Duchies of Flame, Ice, Mountain, and Zephyr are united under the Queen of Light, Titania. Their Unseelie counterparts are Cinder, Frost, Terra, and Storm. Unseelie fae are ruled by the Queen of Darkness, Madb. Queenly titles are not hereditary, and all queens are referred to as "Titania" or "Madb", but duchies and other ranks within the system of nobility pass down along the maternal line.
Free Folk are fae with no sworn allegiance to either Court. They tend to be more ingrained within the human world and are seen as most likely to have cross-species relationships. With considerably less contact with other fae than either Seelie or Unseelie groups, the Free Folk are also more likely to have underdeveloped magical ability.
POWERS BY ELEMENT
Foundational fae magic is innate and cannot be learned. Elemental powers are inherited through the maternal line, regardless of paternal talents. As such, half-fae born from a human mother are both powerless and considered human, while half-fae born to a fae mother will gain her abilities.Skill with additional elements is impossible to acquire, but advanced use of components of these can be achieved through extensive study and/or training under a master. For example, a water fae may come to learn to manipulate and generate ice, or control water within plants, or even blood, though the latter is a forbidden magical skill. Fae folklore attributes elemental gifts to each of the four treasures of the Tuath Dé: the Dagda’s Cauldron (water), the Spear of Lugh (fire), The Stone of Fal (earth), and the Sword of Light of Nuada (air).
Water fae can shape and manipulate water, inorganic compounds with liquid, gas (steam, water vapor), and solid (ice) states, including changing them from one state to others. More skilled and powerful users can use water-related weather such as blizzards and rainstorms. Some users are able to use water to heal, as well as use hydromancy as a form of divination.
Fire fae can freely shape, and manipulate heat energy, causing the the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products, flame being the visible portion of the reaction. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different. They can also completely control the temperature of the fire at will.
Earth fae can shape and manipulate earth and "earthen" elements including most solid objects, specifically all minerals and mineral compositions regardless of their state (mountain, boulder, sand or dust), dirt, soil, etc. They can also control brick and plant. More advanced users can manipulate metals such as iron, copper and titanium, including significant concentrations of those elements within the human body.
Air fae can shape and manipulate air, the common name given to the layer of atmospheric gases and various compounds (mostly oxygen and nitrogen) surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity, and wind, movement of air relative to the surface of the planet.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
General abilities across all Fae include allure, teleportation or "stepping sideways" between fairy rings or portals, glamour or the creation of temporary illusions, an extended lifespan, and the ability to create pacts with other species.Pacts involve the giving of services in exchange for something valuable, commonly occurring in the form of granting magical ability to another being. Magical abilities granted by the fae are limited by type of original magic user.
Earth fae can give the ability to generate protective spells and suppress or contain the magic of others. Air fae can give the ability to divine the future. Fire fae can give the ability to create and manipulate raw energy (evocation). Water fae can give the ability to alter the forms or structure of matter or energy. More advanced magic must be given with the cooperation of ________, a complicated process given the
Air and Water fae are able to give the gift of enchantment. This combination of the mental (air) and the emotional (water) allows recipients of their magic to influence the emotions of those around them. Earth and Fire fae are able to give the gift of creation (conjugation). Together they combine energy (fire) with substance (earth) to bring forth any form of creatures, items, spirits, demons, deities or elements. Air and Fire fae combine mental (air) energy (fire) to create illusions. These illusions lack substance (earth) and therefore cannot be physically interacted with, but powerful users can create illusions that are difficult to dispel. Earth and Water fae grant the ability to control the healing (water) of substances (earth) to the extreme, granting a pact recipient the power to resurrect the physical body of the dead (necromancy).
WEAKNESSES
The lifespan of the Fae is determined by the method of its creation. The first Fae, created from Elves are immortal insofar as they will not die of old age, but can be killed or fall victim to illness. Many of the earliest creations did not survive their rebellion against their creators and finding one of the First is extremely rare. Subsequent generations born of Fae-Human relationships are not immortal, nor is their lifespan as short as that of humans.Cold iron (meteoric iron) is poisonous to the fae, even those who can manipulate the element, and will kill them after prolonged contact. Iron can be passed into a Fae's system by the slightest touch so most tend to avoid cold Iron religiously.
Forget-me-nots both in flower or herb form cause adverse reactions in Fae. Forget-Me-Nots repel Fae with their scent, and if consumed, these flowers stop the flow of magic inside of a Fae for a short time, cutting them off from nature. They may also make the Fae sick and induce vomiting or fever.
Ash wood will similarly repel Fae, and its ashes can be used as a poison if they can trick the fey into consuming it. A line made of ashes from an ash tree can be used to control a Fae or protect another from a Fae as once it is on the ground, these creatures cannot cross lines made from this substance. Salt will produce similar effects in high concentration.
Knowing a Fae's True name will allow another to summon or enslave the Fae in question. Fae can be compelled to appear by calling a fae's true name three times.
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