Faerie
Most
non-humans of Palaestra are part of Faerie. Faerie is hard to define,
being both a place and meta-culture. It includes strange and diverse peoples
from sprites to ogres, to elves and centaurs. All are fae, creatures of
Faerie. The druids, the priests of Faerie, appreciate this inscrutability
- mystery and magic are the blood and bones of Faerie and they worship
the strange forces of the land.
The forces uniting the fae peoples are subtle. The Druidical Order's influence is pervasive and the kings of the fae acknowledge the right of the High King to call them to battle. For the most part though, the towns and villages rule themselves by their own custom.
With this patchwork of petty kingdoms and principalities, "free" counties, and anarchic mobs, it is a wonder that the fae get anything accomplished. Yet, it works. Although seemingly divided, on the occasions where the Faerie Host has assembled to battle humanity, none doubt that humanity could have been crushed and driven into the sea. Yet, the fae showed mercy. The fae races, taken as a whole, still outnumber the humans of Iconium about three to one, but the humans are catching up.
The inspiration for Faerie comes from western myths, notably those of the Celts and Norse, but the "reality" of Faerie history ends there. These legends are seeds, not the blueprints to Faerie.
Magic
Working magic is almost as common in Faerie as is the ability to make fire in Iconium. The Alfar particularly excel in the creation of magic items, although the Rogulka produce weapons that, while not pretty, are efficient and just as powerful.
Soothsayers, witches, shamans, ollaves and druids can be found in most large villages and towns. Potions, ointments and herbals can be expensive, but are plentiful. Some magical plants need no preparation to garner their benefits. Fae familiar with the woodlands can exploit these magical remedies, sometimes as easily as pulling an apple off of a tree.
The very earth itself seems magic in Faerie.
The Land
Fae have an intimate relation to Faerie. They do not believe they own the land, although they often consider themselves its rightful stewards. Fae will fight for their ancestral lands, a magic pool, sacred grove, etc.
The land is also tied to the duel aspects of the fey. There are places that seem tied to seelie magic, and grottos that naturally attract the unseelie.
Faerie grows and changes. It is not uncommon to find the path to the neighboring village suddenly altered - a bend around hillock that was not there before, a new stream to ford, a grove where summer seems to have never left, and trees that move round the hill, following the sun.
Faerie is alive, but not all that live there would call themselves fae, nor are they friendly. Dragons, giants and dire animals find their home there. Even dangerous creatures are allowed to exist as long as they do not get out of hand. Traveling in Faerie is not always dangerous, but never boring.
