Wyld Fae
Wyld Fae Lore
The Wyld Fae are an ancient people whose history is impossible to verify because they change the story every time it is told. According to the Wyld Fae themselves, they negotiated the truce that prevented dawn and dusk from occurring simultaneously, discovered an entire season between spring and summer but misplaced it during a festival, and taught the moon how to wax and wane when it grew bored of being round. Historians generally regard these claims with skepticism. The Wyld Fae regard historians with equal skepticism.
The Great Mystery
Many scholars seek the true origin of the Wyld Fae. The Fae have provided several explanations:
- They emerged from the first flower that ever bloomed.
- They fell from a star.
- They were dreamed into existence by a sleeping cedar.
- They have always existed.
- They were invented last Tuesday.
When pressed on which story is correct, the Wyld Fae generally answer: "Yes."
Appearance
Wyld Fae come in countless forms, though most are recognizable by bright eyes, unusual features, an air of mischief, and an unmistakable and fierce protectiveness over the lands they inhabit. Some have pointed ears, small horns, colorful hair, leafy adornments, or glamorous wings. Others appear nearly human save for some curious detail that changes whenever anyone tries to describe it. No two Fae agree on what a "proper" Fae should look like, however many Wyld Fae do choose to adopt appearances based on nature or natural elements.
Since appearances can differ greatly based on regional flora, oftentimes when Wyld Fae gather, they adopt a form that is easily recognizable to their kin, and allow their delicate gossamer wings to rest gracefully down their backs. To those without knowledge of the fae, these wings can appear as butterfly or moth wings, but eagle-eyed fae can tell a lot about another’s demeanor by the colors and patterns that they present.
Even if a Wyld Fae chooses not to display their wings, they can always be identified by their Bottle of Names. Names are sacred to the Fae, and Wyld Fae are no different. Wyld Fae take pride in Names taken, bargained for, or earned, and will display those Names in a bottle on their person at all times as a way to remember the stories of those they have encountered. Wyld Fae also believe that a Name can be much more than just an identifier, and often choose to learn and carry the history of how a Name came to be rather than simply claiming the Name itself.
Nature
Wyld Fae do not ascribe to the traditional court systems— not because they do not respect and revere the ways of their fellow Fae, but because their allegiances lie much closer to home, to the very wildernesses that have sheltered and created them.
This isn’t to say that Wyld Fae are barred from following more traditional methods by any means, but most Wyld Fae are from places where titles of nobility give way to titles of achievement, where respect and reputation is earned by proving your trustworthiness to the land itself and to the communities in which they call home. The ancient forests care not for names, only deeds, and Wyld Fae understand that their part in this delicate balance is based on knowledge and stewardship.
Wyld Fae possess an innate fondness for stories, games, celebrations, and harmless confusion. They are not typically malicious, but they often struggle to understand why other people become upset when their boots are filled with flowers, their hair braided with ribbons, or their names temporarily replaced with titles like "Lord Picklefoot the Magnificent."
As manifestations of nature, Wyld Fae have extremely keen senses, and can sometimes be overwhelmed by strong scents, sudden loud noises, or bright lights. When overwhelmed, Wyld Fae will often retreat to a secluded location to recharge in nature. Be warned— intruding on the Wyld Fae during this time of rejuvenation is considered extremely impolite, and may result in bodily harm. Wyld Fae are not usually dangerous, but if they sense any ill intent, or notice anyone behaving irresponsibly toward their domain, they have been known to become feral embodiments of nature’s wrath.
Names
Fae often collect names throughout their lives. A Wyld Fae may have:
- A birth name.
- A chosen name.
- Several nicknames.
- A title earned through some ridiculous incident.
- Titles bestowed by acts of service and stewardship.
As a result, introductions can take anywhere from a few seconds to an entire evening.
A Fae introducing themselves as "Thistle" may later reveal that their full title is: "Thistle Greenbough, Finder of Lost Teacups, Victor of the Great Forest Cow Debate, Protector of Ferns, and Honorary Duchess of Somewhere Probably."
The Glimmer
Among the Fae, giving someone a name is among the highest of honors. When a Wyld Fae bestows a name they present a small token— a feather, coin, charm, or other trinket— as a physical representation of their bond.
The one receiving the name must offer something they carry in return. The value of the item is irrelevant; the exchange seals the introduction and honors the bond.
Wyld Fae often carry many such tokens, each a reminder of a friend, a favor, or a name given.
The Glimmer serves as a visible reminder of one's roots. Its earliest charms often honor the family, village, or found community that nurtured the wearer before they stepped into the wider Wyld. As new experiences shape their life, additional chains and trinkets may be added or removed as needed, allowing the Glimmer to grow alongside its keeper without ever forgetting where the journey began.
As Wyld Fae acquire trinkets whether it be from cherished companions, a hard-earned triumph, meaningful promises, or places forever etched into memory, they add a token to the chain which hangs from the Glimmer. Every token tells a story, and together they weave a living chronicle of that Wyld Fae's path.
Paths of Knowledge
Wyld Fae are filled with an untamed curiosity and a desire to learn more about the world around them, and will sometimes choose to seek ancestral wisdom by following a Path of Knowledge. Paths will challenge travelers with multiple quests and long-term tasks for each step, and provide opportunities to learn more about their chosen domains while giving back to those who have supported them.
There are many Paths hidden in the wilds yet to be discovered, but one has been found by a group of Wyld Fae who reside deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
The Path of the Ancients
Wyld Fae called to the Path of the Ancients will be challenged to prove their commitment to their domain and their community through various tasks that range from guiding a new player through their first event, to bettering a space used by their realm to ensure the good they spread lasts long after they have left the Path.
Customs
The Wyld Fae observe a number of traditions that outsiders rarely understand:
Every Gift Creates a Debt— not because payment is demanded, but because every exchange betters the world.
- A berry picked deserves a seed planted.
- A tree felled requires a grove tended.
- Shelter given creates an obligation to shelter another.
Debts are never enforced by authority. Instead, those who refuse to return that energy unto their community gradually become “Uprooted”— people that others instinctively stop trusting or relying upon. To be Uprooted is one of the most heinous names that can be bestowed onto a Wyld Fae, and they must continuously prove their commitment to the land and to their community before that name can be given back to the wilds in honor.
Speak for the Silent— Before any important decisions are made, someone must speak on behalf of those who are absent and the impact the decision may have on them:
- Trees
- Rivers
- Migrating Animals
- Forgotten Spirits
- Children
- Future Generations
Hospitality is Sacred— Any traveler who comes peacefully receives:
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
- Warmth
But guests are expected to contribute something before leaving. Not wealth; stories, songs, seeds, labor, knowledge, repairs. Every visitor leaves something living behind.
The Wind’s Council— When conflict grows heated, everyone becomes silent. No one may speak until someone notices:
- Wind moving through branches
- A bird calling
- Insects humming
Nature is allowed to “speak” before anyone continues. This prevents arguments from overwhelming the living world around them.
The Circle of Repair— When harm is done, punishment is rare. Instead, everyone asks, “What has become wounded?” The offender joins those harmed to repair:
- Relationships
- Memories
- Homes
- Spirits
- Forests
Justice requires balance rather than suffering.
Common Sayings
The most well-known saying of the Wyld Fae is:
“No crown but the canopy.”
This reflects the mindset that the land should be honored above all else, and that they are beholden to nature as their eternal sovereign.
“Those who take must tend.”
This serves as both instruction and warning to any who enter their domain.
“Power serves. It does not rule.”
“Every path leads somewhere; only mortals insist on knowing where ahead of time.”
“A secret shared with moss is never truly forgotten.”
Known Wyld Fae
| Name | Realm | Personal Identifiers | Commonly Gifted Tokens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amara | Ashemark | Green Arches Moth Wings (Anaplectoides Presina) or Jewel Beetle Wings (Sternocera Aequisignata) | Crystal beads, bones, beetle wings. |
| Cardinal | Skyreach | ||
| Crysta Fernsong | Ashemark | ||
| Gideon | Alera | ||
| Iris | Ashemark | ||
| Kie | Ashemark | Cheshire grin, glowing ears. Purple Hairstreak Butterfly Wings | |
| Klover | Olympus | bubbles, flowers, and shiny things | |
| LoxLox | Pyke | ||
| Lutharin | Ashemark | ||
| Mothra | Ashemark | Cecropia Moth Wings (Hyalophora Cecropia) | |
| Nylinde | Ashemark | Luna Moth Wings | Moth-themed trinkets |
| Unicorn | Ashemark | Monarch Butterfly Wings | Sewing notions; bobbins, buttons, etc. |