Page 44 - Hunter the Vigil - Mortal Remains

THE EnEmy: FOLkLORE And FAIRy TALES

manipulative abilities, and — always — their appearance. Social Structures
Most retain that magnificence (and the accompanying The Lost band together into groups for a variety of reasons.
attitude) upon their return to humanity. The Fairest Some seek to protect themselves from outside predators — both
use that to their advantage and continue the predatory supernatural and human. Others share resources, providing
habits they learned during their Durance. Examples: the commerce of services and goods vital to their continued ex-
will-o-wisp, seductive spy, cult leader, flower maiden, istence. In many cases, the groupings allow Changelings to po-
inspirational motivator.
lice each other’s actions, and to attempt to retain what shards
Ogres: Ogres are the brute force aspect of the fae, and are of sanity they had left after their escape.
feared for their strength, stamina, and rawness. During Unfortunately, like the Lost themselves, these groups are
their Durance, these Changelings may have been used often contradictory and ineffective. City-wide social structures
as guards, warriors, or manual laborers; they find it hard called “freeholds” are ruled by a supernaturally-chosen — but
to leave behind those coarse ways upon their return. population-supported — king or queen. Rather than providing
Most Ogres still wear massive, hulking forms that are a lengthy and stable rule, freeholds change leadership on a fre-
terrifying to those around them. Examples: flesh-craving quent, cyclical basis, lending even more chaos to what could
troll, elusive yeti, lofty giant, man-eating monster, rock otherwise be a steady foundation for Changeling life.
statue, river guardian. Philosophical groupings called “courts” are based on emo-
tional archetypes; lust, hate, terror, suffering, etc. These courts
Wizened: Secret keepers, tinkerers, and makers of all things call themselves by obscure titles based on the seasons, the cardi-
magic, during their Durance Wizened Changelings often nal directions — even times of day — not to mention other flow-
acted as the loyal servants and duty-bound slaves of their ery, but otherwise meaningless, monikers. The Spring Court,
fae masters. They learned to hide themselves from notice, for example, might associate itself with an emotion (desire), a
to serve unobtrusively; even after regaining their freedom, color (green), and an animal (stag), in addition to its seasonal
the Wizened’s bodies and personalities still tend to bear designation.
witness to that desire to be ignored, for fear of punishment Rulership of freeholds frequently cycle between individu-
for poor service. Unfortunately, many do not heal from the als within the courts in that freehold; the Lost passes around
effects of their Durance, and it’s easy for these Changelings leadership every few months. In theory, this is to provide a di-
to fall under the power of another “master.” Examples: versionary tactic to the True Fae, who cannot conceive of vol-
inspired craftsman, poison maker, perfect butler, mad untarily giving up power in this fashion. Whether this works
oracle, reclusive armorer, reluctant bodyguard. is uncertain, but the constant internal political jockeying it
spawns is unquestionable.

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