PLACES
The fairy poet takes a sheet
of moonbeam, silver white;
His ink is dew from daisies sweet,
His pen a point of light.
My love I know is fairer far
Than his, (though she is fair,)
And we should dwell where fairies are,
For I could praise her there.
Joyce Kilme - In Fairyland
Locations, locations, locations. The important mantra when dealing with any
setting, but when dealing with the Fae simple things like time and space often
turn out to be more complex than previously imagined. (I was quite surprised
over how many faerie dwellings the book itself had which were situated in Scotland.
It's like it knew we were hoing to end up there, or something). Lincoln Town
Pendle Forest
Malkin Tower
The Palace of Yelyn
For ages uncountable this was the home of Candorex the Lost, where he reigned
in a winter neverending. Neither sun nor stars were ever known in that land,
only the Red Moon that hung ominously in the sky. Nothing living ever prospered
in that place, where sow and frost held dominion over all, and where a palace
all of ice reared its thousand spires towards the empty sky.
The palace itself was vast and magnificent, and held treasures and secrets uncounted.
Though the inhabitants had long since died, save two, the palace remained. There
was found a library that contained secrets stretching back to the creation of
the world, there was the fables Hall of Mirrors wherein Truth could always be
found at a price, and here the most potent of enchanted items were stored deep
within the earth. It was indeed the crown jewel for the house of Siludar, but
now it is no more. And we all know why.
The Black Road
This isn't actually a road, but a huge complex of unnels and caves, stretching
for miles and miles. It is said that every tower owned by house Aoor has a secret
stair that leads down to one of these caves, but the Winter-fae tend to growl
threateningly if someone asks them about their secrets, so nobody can be quite
sure. Yet the fact remains that many inhabitants of the Black Road have powerful
Oaths with human miners, since the mines and the caves often overlap. The fae
even trick humans into digging their caves for them, which makes them tolerate
the human presence more than their surface cousins.
The heart of the Black Road is in an abandoned silver mine several miles south
of Edinburgh, and the miners avoid whistling at all times lest the "Black
Dwarfs" come and take them. This is a part of their oath, and in return
the fey will warn miners who are going to die, so they can make their goodbyes
in time. This underground realm closely borders that of Siludar, an it has strained
inter-house politics several times as territorial disputes have flared up from
time to time. But the Road remains, and is a good way to travel across northern
europe without encountering pesky humans. But the darkness holds many terrors,
most of them quite a bit more deadly than any mortal...
The village of Erlbenn
This small human habitation is far older than it appears, for the fey claim to have quite ancient oaths binding them to the human inhabitants. The fae end of the bargain is, unusually, "We will never approach, much less enter, your place of habitation." Too bad nobody can quite remember what the human part of the deal was. It doesn't really matter, though, since the spreding practice of baptizing has gradually begun to erease the oaths. The village itself sits on the west-coast, and is mostly made up of fishermen and farmers. There is also a rather ancient and fered monastery on top of the northern cliffs, where christian monks dwell. The villagers fear them due to ancient stories, yet they still do trade and bring food to the reclusive scholars.
The Palace of Vornkral
It is a constant boast of many Summer-kin that all the crude castles the mortals hobble together in this land are but feeble copies of their own ancestral dwelling: The Palace of Vornkral. Visible for miles, it is a testament to the incredible skill and dedication of the Summer Court craftsmen. It is entirely crafted of gold and silver, magically imbued to be as hard and unassailable as steel by many a master-smith.
The surrounding highlands are ferociously claimed by the inhabitants of the castle, who insist that they own by heritage all the places where the palace is still visible. Which is quite true, but since the palace is entirely hidden from mortal eyes, its domain isn't as large as one would expect. IT simply seems to disappear if one travels any distance away, like a mirage or glint of sun on a cloud. Rumours have even started flying that the domain of Summer is fading into the mists, growing smaller and smaller with every year, as the monasteries lay claim to the hearts and minds of the clansmen.
Kelemin
The home of Kelthain, and the place where Tuki spent most of his childhood (we can assume). In a deep and dark forest in the south of scotland there are two black trees. They look like twisted and tormented things, and they will seize anyone who tries to enter without permission. If you enter between them you'll see a long and winding staricase of stone ascending to the top of a steep hil rising out of the surrounding forest. It's crowned with one of the most chaotic and darkly twisted houses ever seen. It has the general shape of a mutated tower, but is built and looks like a mansion of some type, albeit standing on its side. Quite a few balconies, windows, external staircases and ladders adorn the facade, in addition to the architectural embellisments and strange outgrowing chambers in odd places.
The Court of the Valiant Forge
'This is the second-largest holding the Summer Court has on the british isles, and as its nam implies it is a haven for smiths and craftsmen across the land. The inhabitants are quite industrious, and all of them are gearing up for the impending war. This mobilization is of course hampered by the magical restrictions of the Oath-Truce, so they keep to making weapons and forging oaths, often using the one to accomplish the other. Many a tale has been told of stalwart warriors getting an enchanted sword from a lady in a lake, and the crafters of house Frial have inspired their share of them. The Valiant Forge is a gathering place for the biggest craftsmen and warriors, and is often called the safest fortress in Scotland.
The Many Mansions of Feriela
There are certain places on the moors where the snow never melts. If you take a wrong turn, if you turn around at the wong place, your feet will feel the crunch of harsh snow beneath, even during the hottest months of the year. Then you have stumbled into one of the mant entrances to the home of Lillana, ruler of the Winter Court on this little island. In these patches of deathly quitet one can always find anisolated and bleak tower groping towards the bleak sky, like the finger-bone of some obscene buried giant. Seldom can one find an entrance if one isn't invited, but then, who wans to enter the home of the most powerful winter fae in the region without permission?
In truth, there are many, many towers. And each of them is connected to each other, forming an unseen network across the vast and empty expanse of greenery. For in reality, the towers are all piece of the same building, and if one knows the right rhymes and riddles one can pass frm one to the other as easily as walking through a door. But few do, and those who seek such knowledge must first appease the Lady Lillana, and that is a hard task indeed. And since almost half the winter fae residing in scotland pays homage to her, managing to stand out in the crowd can be quite the challenge indeed.
The Black Castle of Luvonkral
There are a few forests in part of the world too, scarce as they may be. The local folk let them be, and refrain from cutting down more than absolutely neccesary, exeedingly wary of disturbing the brooding silence reigning in the hearts of the trees. In this they are wise, for a few of these forests are portected by ancient oaths.
In one such patch of wood the leaves are never anything else but dry and withered, with the ground constantly covered in twigs and harsh underbrush. Unknown beings move inthe darkness among the trees, and ominous sounds can be heard drifting upon unrelenting wind that gently drains the body of all warmth. This particular place is where the local Autumn Fae congregate, where they share such secrets they can and arrange their unknown plans. At the center of the eerie forest rumour has it that a castle carved entiely out of black onyx stands, yet none but the membrs of the Court are ever allowed to penetrate this far. Tales tell that it has nine towers, each one taller than the last, and atop the ninth tower stands the ebon throne of Eylem of the Ravens. Here she sits, surrounded by countless mirrors of all shapes and sizes, endlessly gazing at the distant visas there evealed to her.
They have several other holdings spread across the land, but this is the one where one can mingle with others, and it is the lagest of the properties of autumn in the land save one. But none go to Stonehenge without permission, and one but a few know what those cryptic stones hide beneath their cloak of years.
Loch Luelfer
A castle seemingly compoed of coral and glass that rests deep beneath the waters of a lonely scottish lake. It's many windows allow the inhabitants to gaze at the teeming life outside, where hordes of sprites and other magical criters abound. The Siludar family use it to host guests, mostly because they never allow outsiders to approach the rest of their settlements. To reach the palace without growing gills the Siludari can order the guardian of the lake, Fericlax, to open op a way through the water. He'll summarily order the rest of the serpentine sprites to form such a gate, leading down into the murky depths.
Throne of Woven Staves
Scant few steps south of Hadrian's wall there is a forest, and a place of enchantment it is for within lies the Throne of Woven staves. This small place is almost painfully bright and just a tad too moist for comfort, as all manner of green growing things have claimed every sqare inch of that place.
Stone of Night's Kin
Within a secluded set of jagged stones set in a circle some distance north of Dromongard there is an entrance to a set of underground caverns. Here the local winter faeries dwell, and in their feast-hall they tell stories and drink around the pale blue fires. The large stone flecked with red is used as a throne, and whoever is Sained upon the Bloodgraal is rightly considered to be the heir of the place.
The Floating Market
A city of tents floats across the saharan sand, never residing in the same place twice. Those wandering the desert may sometimes see it in the distance ,wavering like a mirage. Yet it is real, and it is the greatest place for trade the autumn court has ever managed to make. It is said you can find anything here, and though this might be a bit presumptuous it is true that the veriety of goods available is quite astounding.
Fae from all corners of the known world and beyond come here to buy, sell, trade and travel. It is a nexus of ativity within the scorching sand, and those who arrive unprepared and unawares seldom leave without learning a valuable lesson at great cost to themselves. Yet the chaos of colours, scents, spices, sights and music can be quite intoxicating, as all manner of exotic cultures mix and blend within the borders.
Mileke Castle
Its walls are made of the shiniest white marble, and the rooftiles gleam red in the morning light. Inside the outer walls are several quaint cottages and houses where cheerful daily life of trading and workmanship can be conducted in peace among the flowers. Outside the unicorns and other creatures of the woods roam free, and the hedge of thorny roses encircling the glen keeps nosy humans away.
The residence of Eilwedd, the castle of Mileke is perhaps the most important holding for the spring Fae in all of Caledonia, and in the British isles it is only rivalled by the holdings of Eire.
The Oasis
One of the few solid buildings within the Grand Bazaar hosts the fabld inn named simply "The Oasis". A small white two-storied house it is, surrounded by tents and booths using its walls as support, yet its interior is filled with colours and atmosphere. All of the ground floor which isn't kitchen is occupied by the dining room, where low tables are surrounded by cushions in all shapes and sizes for the guests to sit on. From the ceiling hang oil-lamps with glass coverings to give tinted light, and reams of silk hangings break the monotony of the plain walls.
The second floor holds the guest room, and though there is only a single room there are always enough variants of the second floor to hold new guests as they arrive. Here comfortable beds and barrels of water keep visitors satisfied, while six windows keep them cool during the day. Quite a lot of the Bazaar can be seen from here, and many travellers stay here simply because they wish to get an overwiew of the place.