On the Dealings of Fae

Dr Ellison, Due to the age of the manuscript you requested, I am not at liberty to release it from the library. However, attached to this letter, please find a transcribed collection of relevant excerpts for your consideration. Be aware that the scribe’s preface reveals this information to be compiled, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth, from the subjective accounts of Prince Oberon and his Page. I need not remind you of the Prince’s spurious reputation, and thus I implore you to keep a critical eye when utilising such sources. Regards, Emilia Pembridge --- <b>Introduction to Court Structures</> Paramounte to know is that the Fae dyuide themselues into courts, each ruled by a Lord, Lady, or, at times, both. A court is to Fae both nation and family. Small in size, but immense in power, wyth far reaching polytical relations. These courts form the base of Fae customs, though a strange few courtless choose to lyue outside of thys structure. Courts are classyfied greater or lesser, dependent vpon the bloodlines of both Lord and courtesans. For the immortal Fae, who do not track lyneage as we do, the ‘blood’ they trace refers to the Elder from whom they spawn.

<b>The Lesser Courts</> Lesser Fae Courts are defined either by their lyneage spawning from a Lesser Elder—what thys means I can scarcely fathom—or by the variation in blood among their members. Euen a court founded by a former member of the illustrious Summer Court would be relegated to lesser status due to the lack of vnyformity among their subjects. Vnlike Greater Courts, the lesser appear and dissolue, Fae freely branching off to forme courts anew. They are dedycated often syngle-mindedlie to an ideal or concept, dyctated by the monarch, whych bindes all courtesans to follow suit. The strength of their magyck manyfests thys ideal in the physical world to varying degrees, allowing most Fae and their homes to be readylie identyfied by the obseruant traueller. Though the Lesser Courts are manyfold, few are known to vs in any detail. The Court of Hearts couet loss, sacryfice and maladies of the minde. The Court of Empyrean build to someday vnderstande the celestial. The Court of Foretellers seek to know the future. The Court of Excarnation, archytects of the Achlys Deer, are dedycated to the shaping of flesh and verdure. We know the names of few others, and euen less their deeds.

<b>The Summer Court</> Our own Prynce Oberon leads the Summer Court, and thus its documentation is storied and faithful. It is a court that brings wyth it liuelie celebration, exuberance and joy. Welcoming of Fae and man, they are known to be kind and honest, if at times caprycious. They embody their seasonal namesake well, trauelling to follow an vndying summer. As a nomadyc people, their great palace is carried along wyth them. Should one arriue at their home seeking couenant, you will know it by their sprawling natural cathedral of sylk and flowers, surrounded by the formes of those engaged in merrie dance. The Summer Court is, all told, one of the largest and most influential, wyth a complex hierarchy of nobylity below its monarchs. Indeed, Oberon rules alongside a Lady, Titania, though there is no oblygation for Fae to be tethered by such bonds as marriage. The Fae whych follow Oberon and Titania spawn as they do, from the Elder, Asteroth. Spoken of in whyspers, a being of contradyction, wyth all the heat of the sun, whose gaze turns the blood to ice. While the Summer Court is hys spawn, thys bloodline is shared by another…

<b>The Wynter Court</> The Wynter Court is led by its Lady, Queen Beira, exuding always the quiet solytude of Wynter. She is consydered syster to Oberon, though thys surelie does not mean to them what it does to mankind. Both borne of Asteroth, they diuerge widely in their dyspositions. Fytting for the chyldren of such a paradoxycal progenytor. Made in Beira’s image, the court is cold, harsh and much concerned wyth decorum. Where the Summer Court is vibrant and open, the Wynter Court is grey and vnwelcoming, mercurial as the euer-shifting snow of their namesake. Those who haue encountered such Fae describe well their prym, dysinterested demeanour, as well as the grandeur of the castle in their fyxed home Realm, Ba’albreth, named for the Fae themselues. It looms, euer dystant, wyth spires that seem to pierce the clouds aboue. While near impossyble for mortal men to approach, other Fae frequent the palace for dyplomatic vysits. Though our relationshyp is not a friendlie one, neither is it hostile. Those found in the company of the Wynter Court receiue neither warmth, nor any harm. Though a select few haue earned their truste, the court seems content merelie to be left well alone.