=====Fae Lineages=====
The origins of the Fae are steeped in mystery, and those few loremasters said to be aware of the truth have never confided their secrets to anyone.
What is known collectively among them is that there were several great heroes of the Fae, once, in their homeland of Avalon, and it is from these individuals and their power that the most common lineages of Fae were born.
====Achall====
****Info:****
Referred to by the Fae as “the Wardens”, and by the Underkin (in derogatory slang) as “the Jailers”, this highly enigmatic race is believed to be descended from Achall. Shortly after his battle with the Lokii of the Boelg, Cu Chulainn encountered a cunning and cruel Fae who haunted the lowlands: Achall. A hooded figure whose features were said to be that of either a beautiful woman or a nightmarish man, Achall was a master of traps and of interrogation. Achall maintained the dungeons of one of the King’s greatest adversaries, the Lady Amirra. Achall captured Cu Chulainn while the warrior was badly wounded, and held him imprisoned until Conchobar the Riddler’s stories of the young Fae reached Amirra’s ears. Realizing that the man she had imprisoned in her dungeons was no friend of the King’s, she had him released, and sent Achall with him as an apology for her error.
It is the Achall who were the keepers of the Underkin tunnels during their imprisonment, and there are many horrific tales in Underkin lore of their vile and bloodthirsty wardens, those who performed the Sidhe’s violence for them. When the Underkin broke free, many Achall were murdered. Ashamed of having failed in what they consider a sacred duty, the Achall have since struggled to reclaim their position in Fae society, and to subjugate the Underkin, which they believe to be the only way to recover their lost honor. The Achall are willowy, eerie creatures with exceptionally pale skin and dark hair and eyes, often with elongated fingers, but they are most well-known for their long and elaborately decorated cloaks, which are given to them when they pass their training in one of three fields: tracking, interrogation or torture. Each cloak bears a different insignia, depending on which master the individual trained under. The Achall have no capital city, and tend to serve whatever Sidhe master they can locate with slavish devotion.
**Abilities:**
The Achall may start with either Torture or Tracking at Mastery. They additionally, with a touch, can make a person afraid of almost anyone or any object, something they developed whilst in charge of prisoners. The strength of the fear depends on how much energy the Achall pushes into the touch, and how long they touch the person. It can be anything from a few minutes of being nervous about ducks, to months of being completely petrified of boats. The Achall doesn't have to vocalize this magic, but the item [and it must be an item or person] must be within view of the person that is being made to fear it.
====Bé====
**Info:**
The caretakers of the Fae are one of the most populous subraces of Avalon’s children. The Bé have modest beginnings, declaring themselves to have been the descendants of Leannan’s handmaiden, Bélmahan, a loyal and clever young woman who had devoted her life to caring for her Princess. It was Bélmahan who first introduced Leannan and Cu Chulainn, and who helped to keep their burgeoning romance a secret from the King for as long as possible. It was Bélmahan who made certain that Conchobar the Riddler met the young warrior and took him in as his adopted child, and also Bélmahan who whispered to Mugain what trinkets and designs most pleased her Lady. For her lifetime of loyal service, Leannan Sidhe swore that Bélmahan’s descendents would want for nothing, and would always have a place in her home, and it has been such for as long as any can remember.
The Bé re are rather short, with stocky builds and expressive, broad features, and may be of any color in their True Forms. Eager to please, they are the most content when serving, and require nothing more than room and board in exchange. They oath themselves for life to an individual, or to a household, and it is said that there is no force in the world which can sway a Bé’s loyalty once it has been given. They are the most trusted of all Fae, and as such, they hear the most secrets of any. The Bé have no capital city, and instead are trained by whomever it is in any given household that is set to perform such tasks. Many Bé will travel for years, searching for just the right liege-lord, before settling down to begin their life’s work.
**Abilities:**
Due to their proficiency in keeping a Sithen running, the Be may start with Cooking, Housekeeping, Brewing OR Carpentry at Journeyman. Please indicate which skill you are taking at creation. They are additionally completely immune to any tactics, magical or otherwise, to attempt to get them to reveal their liege-lord's secrets against their will. (Though they may certainly do so if they WISH to. )Lastly, the Be have the ability to soothe and calm. They may use this power to help keep violence from breaking out in tense situations, to help someone sleep without nightmares, or to calm someone who is in a panic, etc.
====Braig====
**Info:**
If Cu Chulainn was the finest warrior in Avalon, Braig was the most eager. Cu Chulainn’s best friend, it is rumored that they met when the young warriors were children and, after a disagreement about who could bring in the most kills during a long hunt, Braig vowed that he would show his superior talents, even if he had to adopt the bodies of different animals to do it. True to his word, at dawn, Braig wore the body of a wolf, at midday he traversed the skies as a raven, and at dusk he took to prowling the woodlands in his feline form. Cu Chulainn was so amazed by Braig’s talents that he swore no other hunter could rival Braig, and he gifted his companion with a pelt which allowed him to maintain his new forms at whim. Braig, loyal unto death, followed Cu Chulainn fearlessly into the trials, and proved an invaluable ally throughout. Those who claim to be descendants of Braig possess animalistic features and the ability to transform into one feral shape at will: a wolf, a raven or a panther OR into the form of a domesticated animal matching their natural true form (dogs for wolves, housecats for panthers, small domesticated birds for ravens), which is often used as "false bait" for whatever the Braig is currently hunting.
The Braig are incredible trackers and hunters, but they are also high spirited, bright and prone to engaging in any number of entertaining endeavors which they believe may prove profitable. The easiest way to gain a Braig’s trust, it is said, is to challenge him to a contest of wits. . . and win. The Braig are highly social and often band together in packs, unkindnesses or prides. They are also drawn to those who praise them, and can easily fall victim to flattery, preferring the company of those who adore them, or who acknowledge their prowess in any number of fields, to those who do not. They naturally get along well with the Cu, and are among the most tolerant of all the Fae races, willing to accept the presences of just about anyone. They hail from the city of Ghoe Boeal, a sprawling landscape of entertainment whose gates are open to all who can pay, or bribe, their way in for a stay. Eager hosts and fearsome enemies, the Braig welcome all other supernatural people into their midst excluding the Underkin, for whom they hold a renowned hatred.
**Abilities:**
The Braig have a natural affinity with animals, and may speak to all animals as well as transform into their chosen animal. Animals do not always speak back, and the more different the animal is from the Braig's chosen form, the harder the translation will be. Unlike Shifters, Braig get no extra strength or monstrous form -- they simply transform into the single animal they have chosen to mimic. When they are in their animal form, they are at an advantage for tracking and receive that talent at Grandmastery automatically while in their animal forms. The Braig are, additionally, consummate traveling companions and can conjure a day's worth of food and drink from thin air per person. . . including blood, which makes them very valuable to vampires. They can do this for up to a dozen people a day, and the food may take whatever form they wish. This food can not be stored, and disappears at midnight if not consumed. Braig food is nutritious, and tasty, but any intoxicants such as alcohol do not confer intoxicating properties.
====Conchobar====
**Info:**
It is said that in the palace of Leannan's father, Conchobar the Riddler was the finest storyteller, praised by all for his creativity and his enlightenment, but also for his foresight. Although Cu Chulainn was raised in the palace, the king never adopted him as a proper son. This was left to Conchobar, who traveled far and wide with the young warrior, introducing him to those who would prove invaluable allies in the years to come. When Cu Chulainn was sent forth on his trials, Conchobar, fearing that his adopted son would never return home, appealed to the masses through his stories and songs, and immortalized the greatest hero of the Fae. It was through his perseverance and his tales that Cu Chulainn was free to travel between strongholds of the Fae to rest and recover during his journey, for his name and his deeds were well-known.
Those who claim to be descendents of Conchobar are silver-tongued, often deceitful, but typically their trickery is for what they consider a more benevolent purpose. They tend to be lean-limbed and broad of stature, with light colored eyes. The most telling sign of the Conchobar are the mystic tattoos which they tend to carve into their flesh from a young age, tattoos which symbolize their place among their ilk. The Conchobar have no central stronghold, but instead possess Story Halls in each of the primary Fae cities and townships. They are often contracted as entertainment, but also as messengers, or advisors, owing to their vast knowledge of history and society. They are fleet footed and loyal, but can sometimes be perceived as lazy, for their plans take a long while to come to fruition.
**Abilities:**
The Conchobar are such expert liars that there is no drug, no sense, no magic that can ever discern that they are not telling the truth. They additionally have the ability to convince people of almost anything, so long as it is woven into a story. However, in order to do so, they must sacrifice something precious to them, and the more precious the item, the more convincing the story will be. It doesn't always have to be a possession. They may also spill their own blood or flesh, or even sacrifice a cherished memory. There have been Conchobar who have sacrificed the memory of their own children in order to make a tale legendary.
====Cu Chulainn====
**Info:**
Known as the Cu, they are rumored to descend from the finest warrior of Avalon, Cu Chulainn. An orphan at birth, he was taken into the court of Leannan’s father and raised as a knight, trained to defend the kingdom from its enemies both internal and abroad. He was proud and fierce, but also kind, and these qualities made him beloved by all save for the king himself. Jealous of Cu Chulainn’s popularity, and troubled by his affections for Leannan, the king sought to bring an end to him, but knew he could not risk killing Cu Chulainn directly. As such, after Cu Chulainn made public his desire to marry Leannan, the king sent him on an impossible trial in order to prove his worth. The descendants of this noble figure are exceptionally talented warriors, each choosing one weapon at birth to master by early adulthood. Often employed by the Leannan Sidhe as guards, they naturally gravitate towards serving the strongest ruler whose views align with their own.
Strong willed and quick to anger, but intelligent and loving, the Cu are the most terrifying force within the Fae. They are often first to battle the Underkin when needed, and have a natural affinity for animals, frequently training them to be brought into battle, or to serve as scouts or messengers on the field. The Cu Chulainn all possess handsome features and are unusually tall and well built. Most wear their hair long, and weave beads or colored stones into it to show victories in battle or tactical gains; their culture is competitive but honorable, and the Cu enjoy games of all sorts, provided there can be a clear victor in the end. They are generally tolerant of non-Fae, gregarious and passionate, but slow to forgive. Their honorable nature, and fierce tempers have, on many occasions, allowed the Sidhe to manipulate the Cu in egregious ways over time. They hail from the hidden city of Gainsebreg, a warrior’s haven which boasts the most extensive military training facility known to the Fae.
**Abilities:**
The Cu are masters of their trade. As such, when armed with their chosen weapon, they cannot be disarmed. If a Cu loses in honorable battle, he loses the right to wear the marks of victory until the same opponent is defeated. -- The Cu may forego one magic discipline to instead begin play with a magical weapon, eternally linked to them, unable to be stolen or disarmed. The magic power given to this weapon may grow over time, even beyond the capabilities of normal casted magics. Cu weapons can blend multiple schools of magic for their effects. At creation, please specify only the first level ability of the weapon chosen. Other effects may be added over time through XP.
====Dubthach====
**Info:**
Of all the creatures Cu Chulainn faced during his trials, Dubthach was said to be the most troublesome. A strange and self-serving creature, the Dubthach was largely unknown to the Fae until his discovery during the second trial, where Cu Chulainn nearly lost his life to the Lokii of the Boelg. It was Dubthach who had caused Cu Chulainn to lose his way and wander into the Boelg, for he had stolen the warrior’s guiding stone, which showed him the path through the forest. He had come to Cu Chulainn under the guise of a guide, but Cu Chulainn was deceived. After recovering from his battle with the Lokii, Cu Chulainn hunted and captured Dubthach, and as punishment for his crimes, cursed him to never again know the peace of home or hearth. Those who descend from Dubthach are wanderers, vagabonds and largely distrusted by the majority of Fae; however, even scoundrels serve a purpose. They are keen at finding things, and it is said that a thing lost, will never escape the watchful eye of the Dubthach.
The Dubthach have only one defining feature – some sort of scar or curse mark upon their bodies which is a constant reminder of their crossing paths with Cu Chulainn, and it passes from parent to child. They are notorious thieves and smugglers, and will as easily steal from allies as enemies, should they believe themselves capable of doing so without much risk. They will only oath to a Leannan Sidhe after much deliberation, and even then, they tend to be watched closely by the Cu and the Lokii, who distrust them almost as much as they despise the Underkin. They hail from the city of Doéltenga, a cesspool of vice and sin, where anything may be obtained for a price – even life or death. Although they are almost all kleptomaniacs, the Dubthach will never steal from their own in a sort of honor-among-criminals morality.
**Abilities:**
All Dubthach start with Sleight-of-hand and Pickpocketing at Journeyman. They additionally get an extra level of the "illusion" magic, if they choose to take illusion as one of their magics.
====Leannan Sidhe====
**Info:**
Known as just "the Sidhe", these Fae are said to be descendents of Leannan. Leannan was rumored to be the most beautiful creature ever to walk the woods of Avalon. Legend suggests she seems to have been a member of the original royal family; Leannan was a wistful and enigmatic figure. Her beauty was matched only by her cunning, and her clever wit earned her a myriad of suitors who fought feverishly for her favor, but chief among these was Cu Chulainn, the finest warrior of the age. Leannan swore that she would marry no other man. As her determination grew, so, too, did her shrewdness and her beauty. The Leannan Sidhe are possessed of an ethereal loveliness which is almost unmatched outside of Avalon.
The Leannan Sidhe are the unquestioned rulers of the Fae, and serve as the majority of the nobility in either court. Long limbed and graceful with exceptionally vivid coloration in the eyes, hair and any other distinguishing features, the Leannan Sidhe either rule over a specific region, or else serve the ruling lord directly as lesser lords. Elitist and domineering, and oddly contrary to the original wishes of Leanan herself in her desire to wed Cu Chulainn, the Leannan Sidhe do not often take lovers of other races, and scoff at the idea of equality among the masses. They are, however, fiercely loyal to their subjects, and frightful when riled. The Leannan Sidhe take the longest of any Fae to mature, and as such, there are few Leannan Sidhe now residing outside of Avalon. Not many of the nobility chose to remain behind on Earth, and those who did are somewhat scattered, as the majority of their holdings were in Avalon. Now, they engage in political warfare in order to claim new territories on Earth. Almost no Leannan Sidhe goes unglamoured in public.
Although only Leannan Sidhe may ever be royalty, not all Leannan Sidhe are royalty. The majority of Leannan Sidhe are not related to the throne. .
**Abilities:**
The Leannan Sidhe have the ability to enthrall a single target at a time. They can enthrall more than one target, but the power weakens with each additional target. Those who are under the sway of the Leannan Sidhe’s allure will obey most commands which do not place them in immediate danger without question. During this time of enthrallment, however, the Leannan can cast no other magic and must remain focused on the person at hand. A repeatedly enthralled human runs the risk of becoming obsessed with the Fae in question, something which is almost as dangerous as it is useful. No hostile action may be taken against the Leannan Sidhe while the target is Enthralled, nor can the target focus enough to activate magic or mutations. The Leannan Sidhe may be no farther away than the distance of a normal sized room for this power to be effective, and closer proximity improves the Enthrall's effectiveness. This ability is stronger depending on one's Court rank. It is less effective against Fae of a higher Court rank, especially other Sidhe of a higher Court rank. (i. e. a Baron using this against Queen Mab would completely fail. )The Leannan Sidhe possess the strongest magic of all Consortium races. It is impossible to make a Leannan Sidhe look foolish or undignified by magical means -- the magic just fails. This subrace is restricted and requires admin approval before apping. No Leannan Sidhe may be of royal blood at this time. Due to the restricted nature of Sidhe, it is expected that those with approved Sidhe will play regularly; if you are not seen playing regularly (at least once per week), you may be asked to give up your character to open spots for other players.
====Lokii====
**Info:**
When Cu Chulainn completed the first of his three great trials, it is said that he caught the attention of the lord of mischief, the master of stealth and deception, the Lokii of the Boelg. Little is known as to the origins of the Lokii itself, except that it lived to trick its prey through the use of traps, waiting in the shadows to strike. Cu Chulainn faced the terrible Fae only once, when, confused by the disappearance of his trail, he wandered into the Boelg and became lost. So fierce was their battle that the Lokii, upon his defeat, chose to adopt features similar to those of Cu Chulainn out of respect for his vanquisher. He taught Cu Chulainn how to hide in the deep pools of shadow which filled Avalon at dusk, and how to poison and bewilder his prey in order to strike at its most vulnerable point.
It is said that the Lokii never forgot Cu Chulainn’s power, and served as one of his protectors during the trial. Fair of face, but with at least one grotesque physical deformity, The Lokii are renowned for their cleverness and their terrifying talents for stealth. Often employed by powerful Leannan Sidhe as assassins or spies, the Lokii have a natural affinity for evening, and their eyesight is better at dusk than it is any other time of the day. They do not tend to cluster together, and have no city which they call home. Instead, they carve out small territories for themselves and protect them viciously. The Lokii are the least trusting of all Fae races, and are quick to lash out at those whom they feel pose a threat to them, or to any whom they have sworn to protect. They are energetic, intelligent and, above all, wickedly loyal.
**Abilities:**
The Lokii may slip into any pool of decent sized shadow and go undetected provided that they take no offensive action. They may move slowly from shadow to shadow, never reappearing, as long as the next shadow they travel to is within sight and there are no barriers between them and the next shadow (such as a window). While traveling in the shadow realm, the Lokii are immune to injury, but cannot attack. It takes a full combat round for them to emerge fully from the shadow, during which they are vulnerable to attacks. Although they use shadows like portals, their ability is exempt from the "no portal magic clause" because they don't actually CREATE portals, just use what's already in existence. Seeing out from the shadow world is difficult - the world is rendered simply in light and shadow, and distinct features such as faces would be hard to recognize later. Sound, however, has no problem penetrating to the shadow realm. It takes one full round (posting turn) to enter or exit the Shadow Realm, during which time the Lokii must concentrate on the act is entirely vulnerable to attack.
====Mugain====
**Info:**
It is said that Mugain was the finest creator in all of Avalon. Employed by the king, father of Leannan, Mugain served the court as a craftsman, forging weapons and trinkets of all sorts, although he preferred to craft mystic talismans. Mugain served as the king’s advisor, but it is rumored that he disapproved of the king’s jealousy towards Cu Chulainn. Although he implored Leannan’s father not to send Cu Chulainn on his trials, the king would not listen. As a means of apology for having failed to secure Cu Chulainn’s safety, he forged a set of armor and weapons which was said to have rivaled that of anything ever before seen in the realm of Avalon. So furious was the king at Mugain’s having gifted Cu Chulainn such spectacular objects that he sought to banish Mugain from the kingdom. He would surely have succeeded had Leannan herself not intervened, and she took Mugain as her personal craftsman, employing him to make her beautiful and mysterious treasures until the end of his life. Those who are said to have descended from Mugain are almost unrivaled in the realm of craftsmanship. Somewhat shorter than the other Fae races, with broad, yet agile, hands, the Mugain are most easily recognized by their eyes. All Mugain possess golden colored eyes which are said to radiate an intense light whenever they are engaged in their chosen professions.
Whatever trade they take upon themselves, they devote their lives to it, and the items which are created by the Mugain are sought after by nearly everyone. They are choosy about what they will make, and who they will make it for, often requiring a high price, unless they have been properly impressed by the need, or the character, of the requester. Often called greedy by the other races, the Mugain prefer to consider themselves as simply practical, charging what they feel is appropriate for their services, and not a penny less. The Mugain have a number of secret workshops throughout the world, but the largest and the finest of all these is the Eutorium. Boasting master craftsmen of all kinds, the Eutorium is an enormous marketplace where the finest of the Mugain seek to improve their abilities, share their talents with other Mugain, and ultimately forge a name for themselves within the embrace of their own kind. The Mugain, remembering Leannan’s kindness, will often serve a Leannan Sidhe if they travel far from their workshop, or else seek to establish a workshop within the realm of a powerful lord. Whatever it is that they choose to do, it is always with fantastic skill, and the objects they create are beautiful and long-lived. There has long been a bitter rivalry between the Duergar of the Underkin and the Mugain.
**Abilities:**
The Mugain have a natural affinity for all things related to Crafting, Forging, or Engineering. They may choose one craft or skill of creation at which they are simply a grandmaster, excluding Ancient Engineering. No points will ever need to be spent on that skill. Once a week, they may imbue an object with magics, though only magics they have taken.
====Scathach====
**Info:**
On his journey through the trials, Cu Chulainn encountered a solitary woman living in isolation in the deep woods of Avalon. Scathach, as she called herself, was a shadowy figure who guarded the sanctuaries of the Fae. A terrifying force, Scathach faced Cu Chulainn twice throughout his journey, and both times defeated him. After each battle, she was so impressed by his talent that she taught him the secrets of surviving in the harsh wilds of Avalon. Those who claim to be her descendents are predominantly female, and are keepers of great wisdom and powerful magic. Their skins tend to be of a grayish hue, their bodies compact, and all have some physical defect of some kind, major or minor, internal or external. Unlike their namesake, the Scathach are not reclusive, but they do prefer smaller groups to large affairs, and are unquestioningly devoted to the acquisition, protection and education of lore and knowledge.
The Scathach safekeep the wisdom of the Fae, and often open schools devoted to the instruction of a variety of subjects from history to astrology to magic. All Scathach must, upon reaching adulthood, enter into one such school with the intention of mastering a subject. They are forbidden from opening schools of their own until they have passed the Trial of Lore, a rigorous test intended to weed out those whose studies have proven inferior. The Scathach rarely speak above a whisper, as it is said that Scathach’s oath to Cu Chulainn was that she would tell no warrior after him the secrets she bestowed upon him during the trials.
The Scathach secret stronghold is the Crystarum Novalus – the largest library of Fae lore outside of Avalon. Its location is unclear, but those who are admitted into its mazelike warrens lose months or years of their lives investigating the vast wealth of knowledge which the Scathach so jealously guard. Male Scathach are rare, and rather than traveling the route of the knowledge, they are trained as guards to safekeep the Crystarum Novalus, or other libraries throughout the world. The Scathach are second only to the Leannan Sidhe in magical prowess, and second to none in the acquisition of lore and history. It is said they have a treaty of information exchange with the Disciples of Thoth, a vampire clan, but no Scathach will speak of it openly if they do.
**Abilities:**
In order to hide their vast stores of knowledge, the Scathach have become masters of warding. Warding magic is not restricted for them and they start with an extra level of the restricted Warding magic if they choose that as one of their casted magics.
====Enchanted====
**Info:**
Similar to the Aghaia of the Underkin, or Vampire ghouls, the Enchanted are humans who have been brought into the Fae enclave as companions, workers, or simply sources of Lumina. Many become Enchanted against their will. After each Lumina gleaning, a Fae will touch the human, imparting a small amount of Lumina mixed with their magical signature back to the human. This is called "being Fae-touched". After being Fae-touched at least three times over three consecutive days, the human becomes Enchanted by that particular Fae. Like a vampire ghoul, Enchanted humans will feel the desire to please and obey the Fae in question, and often develop a mild obsession or infatuation with the Fae. They might hate the Fae, even try to work against them, but will nonetheless still feel a weird fascination with them and be unable to attack their Fae masters directly by physical means. They will get the ability to pass Fae racial wards, and their Lumina production will increase due to their Fae master being their "muse" so to speak. The Fae in question will always have a sense of the emotions of the one Enchanted by them, and will be able to eventually track them down no matter where they go. Like ghouling, Enchantment must be maintained with a Fae-touch regularly, or it will dissolve within one moon cycle (28 days).
Other races CAN become Enchanted, but doing so against their will is a severe violation of Consortium law and, like ghouling, considered enslavement, and thus, grounds for attack. You can not be Ghouled and Enchanted at the same time -- the first one placed will always take precedence and 'defend' against the second happening. Enchantment is different from Sidhe Enthralling, which commands total control of a person while the Sidhe is focused on them. But being Enchanted by a Sidhe is twice as powerful as any other Fae subrace's Enchantment. The Achall, as well, specialize in Enchantment, as they were the keepers and jailers of the Enchanted. Their Enchantments last twice as long without upkeep. OOC-wise it is considered polite to discuss Enchantment with your target before undertaking it as part of the story. The Enchanted have a mark on their body that signifies that they are Enchanted, like a Ghoul mark. Like a Ghoul mark, it is visible only to Fae eyes, but may be covered with clothing if it is somewhere on the body which permits that. It resembles a patch of brightly glowing Lumina somewhere on the Enchanted's body.
**Abilities:**
In addition to human race powers, the Enchanted gain an extended lifespan, a slightly increased ability to heal, and 1/3rd resistance to non-Fae casted magics. When applying for The Enchanted, use "Human" as the race and put "Enchanted" in the Special Requests box.
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