Friday 16 July 2021

Fae in the Valley and how they rub off on people

Small spirits, especially local ones, are incredibly fascinating. From Ghibli movies like Spirited Away and the mushi in Mushi-shi to the mischievous and otherwordly fairies from folktales, the idea of these creatures that are in some way fundamentally different from people while still affecting our lives is something I have been obsessing over recently. 

One of the things I like is the weird and absolute rules that these creatures seem to follow. Whether that is being invisible as long as you hold your breath, having to eat their food to remain real within their world, being forbidden from mating with mortals or being able to fly if you truly believe you can. These laws seem as absolute as those governing physics and chemistry, which makes them incredibly alien and super reliable, both of which I am a complete sucker for. 

So how would this work in project social?

10 great incidental Studio Ghibli characters - Den of Geek

Fae of the Valley

Fae are the basis of a lot of day to day words and expressions used by the people in the valley. They are just as varied as the earthly animals, though they are creatures of the sky. Where the former are anchored by the earth within them (their bones) and are forced to return to the earth after death, the latter are filled with air and upon their demise scatter into the air. This inherent lightness means that all fae, no matter their size or habitation, are incredibly light compared to the creatures of the earth. 

They live mostly separate from humans, especially now that the Valley has fallen into danger and despair. Fae are often mistrusted or outright blamed for the current situation and many people despise them. Which is unfortunate, because especially in these trying times many also rely on them. Fae often take in children that humans cannot raise themselves. This practice is frowned upon and the parents feel compelled to lie, claiming their children were stolen away instead. 

Today, these fae raised are the primary source of information on the creatures of the sky, as they always return to the human world once they reach adulthood. The are odd folk, clearly human but endowed with the strange abilities of their godparents that must have somehow rubbed off on them, and with an incredible knowledge on the affairs of the fairy folk and their weaknesses.

Primordial Background/Class: The Fae-Raised

Goals:

Harmony: Man and fae kind are not so different, we are proof of it. It would be better for all of us if we could live together in harmony.
Reparations: Our parents have done us a great wrong when they abandoned us. They must come forward, confess and make up for their deeds. 

Secrets:

Farewell Gifts
Pick one that was given to you when you returned to the human world:

  • Safety blanket: Stay still while underneath the blanket and you cannot be found.
  • Compulsive flute: As long as the flute is played, all who hear it must dance
  • Pet rope: Obeys commands given to it, but requires small daily meals
  • Traveller Candle: Burn it while thinking of a location to be quickly transported there

Fairy Laws
The law of the fae applies equally to all, though creatures of the earth aren't always aware of them:

  • Mandate of the Solar Queen
    • In light of day, all who introduce themselves are entitled to an equal response
    • Those who break an oath will burn when exposed to the heat of the sun
    • All who sing our lady’s praises in daylight, will afterwards see without her aid
  • Ordinance of the Lunar King
    • Those who hold their breath in lunar shade shall not be seen by prying eyes
    • Things written in the lunar light, can only be read by the same moon
    • Secrets sworn under new moon will always remain in the dark
  • Decree of the Countess of Storms
    • Light purple flame within a storm to summon lightning from the skies
    • All who empty their minds while in a storm, can ride its winds far and wide
    • Those who walk in crooked lines will remain dry in even the heaviest rain
  • Commandment of the Duke of Petals
    • All who wear Spring’s Herald proudly, shan’t be touched by frost or snow
    • Those who smell of Midnight’s Gasp will e’er be welcomed inside
    • Where peace lilies grow, no harm shall be done onto one another

Godfamily
One of these kinds of fae raised you. Another is your adoptive family’s eternal rival:

  • Green Thumbs: You can command plants that you have taken care of and bonded with. Bonding time depends on the plant's age and experience. If a plant you bonded with is hurt or ill, you share in its pain and symptoms.
  • Muffles: You can consume the sounds around you, either muffeling all sounds or completely silencing one particular sound. Sudden loud noises make you so nauseous you are momentarily incapacitated.  
  • Windbags: You can swallow up and store gusts in your gut, causing you to swell. At a later point in time you can release these gusts, making them burst forward from your open mouth one at a time. If someone prods or punches you in the gut, all winds escape making you fly around like a balloon.
  • Skints: You are able to make small things that would fit inside your fist seem of higher value or of better quality than they actually are. However, it is impossible for you to touch or be touched by precious metals.

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