Since the beginnings of time, the Fae have existed, fluttering, flying, and making mischief, and since
the beginning of time, these fae have sought a place to belong. In days of yore, they co-existed with
humanity, until the members of that race broke the compact by forging tools and weapons of the accursed metal,
Iron. At this time the Fae acted to separate themselves from humanity, and forever divided the Worlds of the
Fae from that of Humanity (though it is still possible to pass between those worlds, it is no longer as simpler
or commonplace as it was ere this time.
Before the Sundering long ago, the five noble houses of the elfin and terrifyingly beautiful Sidhe ruled all of
Faerie, passing control between the Seelie Court of Summer Light and the Winter Court of the Dark
Unseelie. Although neat pigeonholing of the differences between Seelie
and Unseelie Courts is almost impossible, there are a few general distinctions
that differentiate one from the other. Seelie are associated with light, summer and daytime;
Unseelie belong to darkness, winter and night. The Seelie Court
represents orderly traditions and lawful behavior; the Unseelie Court is
notorious for breaking old traditions, devising new ones and, in general, urging constant change. The
Seelie remained generally friendly with humanity, despite the Sundering; the
Unseelie resented humanity and act to plague and bedevil humans. These are
not always hard-and-fast descriptors. Occasionally a Seelie changeling fosters radical notions,
while a veteran Unseelie knight holds extremely conservative attitudes. What
is certain is that the two Courts exist and are locked in an endless cycle of rivalry. Together they embody all
that is both good and bad, light and dark, static and dynamic in Fae society.
Not all of the fae belonged to this Higher Court. The vast majority of the Fae, which form the common Kith,
are likewise divided in intent. Amongst those of the Lower Court that follow Seelie ways are the Sprites,
Fairies, Gnomes, Brownies, and Elves.
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