#faeu nimh

[valrayne-faeu]

Info about the Faewilds and Forming a Court

(long post incoming)

The Faewilds/the Wilds/Wildes/etc is the general term for any area in the fae realms that is not a part of a court. A court is considered a region of fae that has its own signature magic and (usually) a kingdom of some kind overseeing and organizing said fae.

The Wilds are a network of complex and varied regions that each have their own unique 'rules' and ecosystems. Some forests might require you to skip through them or you'll grow older with every step. You might have to cross a certain river backwards or you'll lose your voice. Some areas might have no consequences for breaking their rules, but the gravity is reversed. It is these rules/laws of reality that will cause any wayward traveller to likely not be the same after traversing the Wilds-- even if you think you made it through safely, there's no telling what you might have lost or had changed that you don't even realize.

Likewise, the fae beasts and other creatures of legend that live out in the Wilds each have their own rules for interaction that they're not likely to explain to you upon meeting. Any misstep with a wild fae or beast is liable to result in you losing something precious or being cursed.

There is precious little documentation of the regions, beasts, and their rules because they're so very complex and change--the magic and rules that make them up are ever shifting, and what worked once might be your doom now. All fae that have attempted to document the Wilds have endured much hardship and losses.

The magic of the Wilds is equally complex and varied-- each area is saturated in many different kinds, woven together and nigh inseparable, stronger in some areas, weaker in others, and even non-existent in some (you are not likely to find a thread of ice magic in a sweltering desert, for example). There is no one 'ruler' of the Wilds or even user of its magic because there is no one true 'Wild Magic'. The only way to harness a magic of the Wilds is to 'befriend' it, for lack of a better term.

All fae, in or out of a court, have magic they gravitate towards, and its these that they will find easier to identify and use. Things like the basic elements, or the sky, or time, or music are all examples of the categories of magic that can be utilised. It is nigh impossible to tame or bend the ambient magic to your will-- fae that use Wild magic need to be in tune with their specialisation and the 'spells' they cast are more requests than commands. A fae that attempts to force magic of a particular kind is more likely to have it backfire, or find the Wilds becoming more and more hostile to their presence. The Wilds are very much a living, complex being made up of many smaller 'consciousnesses', and to upset even a small piece of it will turn the whole against you.

Courts are formed when a particularly ancient or strong fae manages to distill a very specific type of magic and make a deal with it. The stronger the fae the more broad the category they can harness-- it would be the difference between forming a Seasonal Court and simply a Summer court, for example.

Millenia ago Nightmare and Dream's mother, Nimh, managed to form a pact with the Seasonal magic of the Wilds and secure large swathes of land for herself. Over many centuries fae from all over found safety and stability within her court and swore loyalty to her. It was over those many centuries that she built the foundations for what would eventually break apart into the four separated courts (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter).

Had Dream and Nightmare been stronger and more experienced when she died, the courts may have been able to stay together. But at the time of the falling out they simply did not have the affinities for all of her magic-- Dream was only capable of utilising the magics of Summer and Spring, and Nightmare was limited to Winter and Autumn. Their falling out and Nimh's death caused the magic holding the courts together to falter and shatter, causing the emotional divides between them to manifest into very real magical and physical divides between the courts.

[valrayne-faeu]

Do Dream and Nightmare have a father? Or were they just willed into existence by Nim?

Dream and Nightmare were created by Nimh using her magic; she would say they were her magnum opus. fae can be born in the physical sense or created through magical means, though it is incredibly difficult and complicated. that she made twins as powerful as they are is a testament to just how powerful and in-tune with the realm Nimh was.

Nimh created them to take over the court and rule together when she decided she was done being queen-- she wanted them to have each other so they wouldn't be alone like she was.

[valrayne-faeu]

˖⁺‧₊˚✦The ValRayne Faeu Masterpost✦˚₊‧⁺˖

✧˖° The masterpost for @owl-bones and @antlered-prince's fae au! This will be updated when needed and contains all the links to the designs and tags for the blog (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) (This post also has all of the tags we use on it for convenience).

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ' Feel free to also use the tag #valrayne-faeu or tag either of us (or this blog) in anything you make! We love being tagged in stuff.

✧˖° Last updated: 21/2/2025

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⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖ Useful Posts ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖

✧˖° Glossary (list of terms, their definitions, and other helpful information) ⊹ ࣪ ˖ 'Guide' for making a Fae OC ✧˖° How tall is everyone? ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Info about the Faewilds and forming a Court ✧˖° Map of the Courts

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⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖ Designs ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖

Finished ✧˖° Dream ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Blue (will get a slight revamp) ✧˖° Ink ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Nightmare ✧˖° Killer (will also get a small revamp) ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Horror ✧˖° Dust ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Error ✧˖° Beau (Mod Owl's sona) ⊹ ࣪ ˖ Valerian (Mod Jackalope's sona)

WIPs ✧˖° Cross (will be getting an update)

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⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖ Tags ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖

Characters ✧˖° #faeu nightmare ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu killer ✧˖° #faeu horror ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu dust ✧˖° #faeu cross ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu error ✧˖° #faeu dream ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu blue ✧˖° #faeu ink ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu nimh General Tags ✧˖° #faeu asks - General Ask Tag ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu lore - Posts relating to the overarching story of the Realm ✧˖° #faeu worldbuilding - Posts about the Faeu World (creatures/items/rules/names etc) ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu art - Art by the mods ✧˖° #faeu writing - Writing by the mods ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #faeu references - Character References (includes posts about heights/ages/oc guides/wings etc) ✧˖° #faeu vibes - Aesthetic posts, moodboards, etc Things from Others ✧˖° #others' ocs ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #others' designs ✧˖° #others' art ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #others' writing

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⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖ Mods ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖

✧˖° #mod owl - Posts written by @owl-bones ⊹ ࣪ ˖ #mod jackalope - Posts written by @antlered-prince ✧˖° #mod sonas - Posts featuring the mods' sonas

[valrayne-faeu]

Glossary (last updated 21/2/25)

Faeu- a portmanteau of "fae" and "AU" ValRayne- the creators of the AU

𓈒⟡₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔ People ࿔⊹˚∘⋆₊⟡𓈒

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Fae- functionally immortal magical beings that inhabit the fae realms. Humans can become fae by being trapped in the fae realms through a trick/deal or by staying within the fae realms for a year and a day, after which they will no longer be able to leave until they have completed their transformation. Humans that are trapped may request the Trials from a monarch, 3 tests that, if passed, grant them their freedom. Fae age at a human pace up until maturity, where the aging process slows to such a degree that they are functionally immortal. Born-fae are considered young adults into their 300s and more ‘middle age��� adults in their 800s. The aging process is kind of exponential, where they age slower and slower as they get older. Fae can have incredibly diverse features; horns, antlers, insect wings, bird wings, animal features, multiple limbs, etc. Not all fae have wings or appear entirely humanoid.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖Monarch/King/Queen- the highest ranking fae in a court. The current Kings are Dream of the Summer Court, and Nightmare of the Winter Court. Their mother, Nimh, was the Queen of the Seasonal Court.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Courtier- fae that work in politics, close with the court's monarch.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Inner court- the close inner circle of a monarch-- usually the highest ranking fae under the monarch or their close associates.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Aspect- a fae that was born/created to be or has become the personification of a concept. Aspects are fae that went through complicated, life-altering, incredibly influential experiences that were entirely concentrated around a singular concept of some kind. It changes them fundamentally as a person, concentrating their magic on that concept until they are tied to it intrinsically and it is as much a part of them as they are a part of it. It is an unconscious deal with a wild magic that is outside of even the fae's control. The fae becomes that thing personified. Aspects are incredibly powerful and exceedingly rare, and it’s a very notable event for one to be created. Notable Aspects are Dream (Positivity), Nightmare (Negativity), Error (Chaos), and Ink (Inspiration).

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𓈒⟡₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔ Places ࿔⊹˚∘⋆₊⟡𓈒

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Mortal realm- the human world. Separated from the fae realms by the veil. Accessible by fairy circles, certain trails, hidden doors, etc.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Fae realm- the world of the fae. As expansive as the human world, with its own continents, ecosystems, and laws of reality. Filled with magic, beasts of legend, and seemingly incomprehensible rules, it is a wild place of wonder and danger in equal measure.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Court- two definitions depending on context.

an organised group of fae that live in harmony with a certain form of magic (Summer, Winter, Sky, etc). Basically another word for 'country'. Examples: The Summer Court, The Winter Court. Refers to the group of fae as a whole.

the governing body of a group of fae-- usually overseen by a monarch. It includes higher ranking fae, courtiers, that assist the monarch in maintaining peace, trade, and infrastructure. Refers specifically to the political fae (monarch and courtiers).

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Kingdom- another way to refer to a fae court as a whole.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Border- the divide between kingdoms, courts, realms, etc. The border between courts features a gradient between them; there is a threshold at which point crossing means you are in another court, but the landscape on either side of said threshold is a gradual change between the different regions. For example; the border between Autumn and Summer has a gradual shift of autumnal leaves on trees that becomes more prominent the closer you get to Autumn. The sun will also appear to set as you get closer to the border, until you are fully in Autumn and it is in full twilight. Travelling from Autumn to Summer will be the opposite (the trees will become more green and fuller, and the sun will appear to rise). Because of the gradual shift and the true threshold between courts being only obvious to the trained eye, it is risky to travel along the border for fear of accidentally crossing it without the proper protections.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Faewilds- also known as The Wilds, Wildes, Faewildes, any other variation. All areas in the fae realms but outside of a fae court. Dominated by complex, wild magics and dangerous beasts and terrain. Nearly inhospitable, only the fae that dare to learn the complex and shifting rules of the wilds and beasts can survive without losing themselves. Most fae in the Wilds are hermits, outcasts, or those that prefer the ever-shifting rules of the wild lands and beasts to the consistency of the court laws. I cannot overstate enough, dear reader, just how difficult it is to live in the wilds. It is unknowable and ever-changing and incredibly volatile.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Summer Court- the court ruled by Dream. The fae within this court are in tune with Summer or Spring magic. It is primarily a sunny, warm region with vast stretches of forest, plains, desert, and other warm biomes. Approximately the size of the human country of France, with a capital city containing approximately 20-25k fae. Approximately 1/3 of this territory is a province known as the Spring Court.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Spring Court- a more temperate region of dawn, sprouting plants, and enchanting valleys. It is ruled by Dream and technically a sub-court.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Winter Court- the court ruled by Nightmare. The fae within this court are in tune with Winter or Autumn magic. It is a vast, seemingly dark and desolate region of mountains, glaciers, frozen rivers, and snowy forests. Approximately 1/3 of this territory is a province known as the Autumn Court.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Autumn Court- a somewhat warmer area cast in twilight, consisting of rolling hills, oak forests, and falling leaves.

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𓈒⟡₊⋆∘˚⊹ ࿔ Things ࿔⊹˚∘⋆₊⟡𓈒

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ The veil- a barrier of magic that separates the human realm and fae realm. It is not literally a wall so much as a layer over everything, concentrated in some places and weaker in other. It is what prevents humans that are trapped from leaving, and in turn contains the magic of the fae realms within the fae realms. It is present in most places within the human realm, masking fae creatures and making them appear mundane, but can be weak in certain locations (transitional places and times such as doorways, a crossroads, or the edge of a biome; where natural elements meet each other like waterfalls; or long forgotten places etc)

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ The Trials- three tests administered by a court's monarch to a human per request. The tests are determined by the monarch, and must be possible to win.

Nightmare's first 2 tests are of wit-- convoluted riddles, games of strategy against his courtiers, and the like. Should the human win them he will become their opponent in something they cannot possibly win. For example-- a game of strength or speed; wrestle him to the ground; land a blow on him; outrun him to the border with the human realm. No human has ever defeated the Winter King's trials.

Dream, conversely, is much more fair with his trials. He prefers games of three. For example-- win three rounds in a game; shoot three arrows in the target; catch three birds of a kind.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Rules- the fae realms have rules that impact their reality, much like the human realm's laws of physics.

Language is binding-- tricks/wordplay and deals/agreements have very real effects on reality.

Fae cannot lie. As language is binding, fae cannot speak falsehoods. They are capable of dancing around the truth or evading it, but they cannot outright deny something they know to to be true. Fae that attempt to lie will get violently ill.

Humans that have been tricked or stayed too long within the realms will be unable to leave until they have become full fae.

The Trials, when requested, must be administered promptly. A human that succeeds in the Trials is free to leave. Should they get tricked again, or once again overstay, they will have to request the Trials once more.

Fae cannot enter another court without the monarch of said court's permission. Fae that attempt to trespass will experience a sickness associated with the conflicting magic. Broad permissions can be put into place for an open border, though it is up to the monarchs' discretion.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Beasts- the creatures that live within the fae realm. Gryphons, dragons, unicorns, kelpies, brownies, and pixies are all examples of the beasts you can find within the realm. Many are as intelligent as smart animals, just as many are as intelligent as any fae or human. Intelligent fae beasts are capable of trickery and deals, just as regular fae are.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Magic- the mana flowing throughout the fae realm. There are many different categories of magic, only usable by those with an affinity for their specific types. Magic within the courts is tamed and centred on a particular kind (Summer/Winter/etc), though there is always an undercurrent of the wilder more varied magic associated with whatever region you're in (forest, desert, ocean). Magic outside the courts, in the Faewilds, is nigh uncontrollable and deeply interwoven together. It is difficult to separate the different kinds, and only the strongest or most knowledgeable fae can utilise them. Magic in the wilds needs to be befriended and worked alongside with-- it cannot be forced into submission or commanded.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Trick/Deal- all fae are capable of creating magically binding deals, or manipulating language such that it affects reality. Asking "Can I have your name" and receiving a name in response, for example, will warp reality such that the asker will now literally possess the answerer's name as their own. In similar fashion, making a deal with a fae ("I will exchange my hair colour for yours" for example) will affect reality, no matter how complex or unusual. Fae can obtain concepts, senses, body parts, skills/talents, knowledge, and identities all in this manner.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Fairy circle- a ring of mushrooms found in the human realms. Stepping inside may transport you to the fae realm.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ True name- names hold immense power in the fae realm. As language dictates reality and vice versa, a fae or human's true name can hold power over them. Telling someone your true name can be incredibly dangerous; with your true name, someone can control you or take from you whatever they wish. True names are also exchanged as an ultimate sign of trust between married fae, or between friends of the highest caliber.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Nickname- a name humans and fae go by that is not their true name. It is a mask used to protect their true name from those that would use it to control them. Most fae have many nicknames or alternate names that they go by specifically for this purpose. Humans that enter the fae realms are highly recommended to choose a nickname or second name to avoid having their name stolen or worse.

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