Dreams & Dread
Fairy Tales are simply stories to entertain or to have a moral, right? Right?!? Not in the Twisted Gothic setting of Nightborn; many of these tales have roots in real historic events, experiences, and cryptic warnings. Many of the details are muddled in the published versions you may purchase at a local bookstore or watch in an animated movie, but Fae may be lurking around, through, or over any corner.
What are the Fae? They are Nightmares, Fears, and Wishes, given form. Though if you ask them, they will claim the lands of Dream existed far before our mundane world. Their homes and worlds have slowly yet steadily crumbled over the past few centuries, forcing them into refugee status on Earth.
The calamities which befell the Dream Realms coincided with technology booms on Earth. Is this coincidence, a cause, or a planned plot? Many Fae and folklorists have their own theories.
Fae kingdoms and nations of origin existed between space, parallax to our world, as far away as Myth yet as close as a Dream. Now they exist at the thresholds and spaces near the border betwixt things.
Despite their precarious position, Fae have been known to possess near god-like powers limited only by their own convoluted rules and logic which only makes sense to the dream folk. Apparently, saving their realms was beyond the capacities of any of them.
One aspect of their powers which does track, is that Fae must be true to their word. A promise made is a promise kept. Once a pact with a Fae is made, it might as well be a law of nature as much as gravity (unless a mischievous Fae reverses gravity, in which case that is a bad example). This is why tales warn weary mortals of loopholes in agreements, but don't think you can easily outwit a being whose existence depends on their word, at least not on your first try.
The Courts
Not a Fae are the same. Actually, you will be hard pressed to see commonality between any two Fae, even Fae in the same family can demonstrate entirely unique traits. That is not to say they don't have common goals and aspirations. In fact, Fae often pledge themselves to one of two courts: the Seelie or the Unseelie Courts.
The Seelie Court is not to be confused with the 'Good Guys', though they may appear so at first, especially compared to the Unseelie Court. Many in the Seelie Court have more pleasant or jovial appearances: Elves, Fauns, Gnomes, Clockwork Toys, or Wondrous Beasts, for example. Seelie Fae believe in Order and Rules, which included enforcing said rules without room for exception. Working with Seelie Fae may seem like a Dream, until you color outside the lines, even a little bit.
The Unseelie Court may not be strictly the 'Bad Guys', but they are not to be trifled with. Many appear to be gloomy or possess a severe countenance: Goblins, Orcs, Dark Beauties, or the Monster-Under-Your-Bed. Unseelie Fae revel in mischief and mayhem. Like the Seelie, they strictly follow rules as is Fae nature, but with the aim of subverting them and targeting loopholes. This contrarian view often puts Unseelie at odds with the Seelie. The two group are usually at an uneasy peace, yet conflicts have been known to result in all-out war in the past.
Immortal Memories
Fae do not seem to age from time passing, nor do they die of what those of this world would consider "natural causes". This, effectively, makes Fae immortal. Nightborn also do not suffer from death by old age and some have known certain Fae for millennia. This has resulted in many types of relationships between Faeries and Vampires, including on-again-off-again allies/enemies, competition, lovers, or even Shadow Wars between factions.
One thing immortality assures both kinds, is that they end up learning many secrets about each other. This results in Fae and Nightborn being greatly suspicious of the other, especially if they don't know them. Both creatures value their secrets highly enough to kill or die for them. They are also quite weary of each other's powers and their limitations, as they are little understood and neither side wants to find themselves outmatch.
There is also the matter of territory. Nightborn feed from blood, yet Fae seem to have some sort of relationship with mundane humans as well. Some Nightborn who study the Fae believe that they feed off of mortal dreams, though others think it is their hopes and fears which sustain them. The Fae don't wish to reveal this information to anyone, making some suspect it is actually souls which they consume. Stories are full of tales of abductions after all.
The Goblin Market
Fae are a type of Supernatural existing on the fringes of the Underworld. Without a true home, they find the in-between spaces to make their living. Fae are known for their dealmaking and trading of magical wares. Their clients are not often mundane mortals, that would likely result in a mess. Other Supernatural creatures though, they are fair game.
New Orleans is chock-full of Fae, yet you would be hard pressed to spot one, that is unless you find the enchanted entrance to The Goblin Market. The Goblin Market is neutral ground between Seelie and Unseelie Fae, and by extension, yet not explicitly, neutral ground between Fae and other Supernatural beings.
Nightborn are rarely welcome at The Goblin Market, yet not specifically banned. Witches, Werefolk, and Djinn are frequent customers, along with well-mannered Demons and desperate Monster Hunters. Dark Secrets, True Names, and Magical Artifacts are all trafficked in this bizarre bazaar. Usually, a trade is made for something of equal value, but giving a part of one's self (e.g. a voice or face) or a pledge of an unconditional favor are also used as currency.
External Relations
Nightborn and Fae tend to keep their distance due to past relations. Vampires lose control when drinking Faerie blood, a vintage which they quickly become addicted to. In turn, Nightborn who trespass on Fae realms have been known to disappear. To avoid this result, Nightborn generally go out of their way to seek permission to enter the home of a Fae.
Nightborn scholars have noticed some similarity between the powers and limitations of Cryptids and the Fae, a comparison both Courts vociferously deny and reject. If the are protesting too much to cover a common origin or if this reaction is from an ancient enmity is something not yet confirmed. Nightborn have observed that Fae make themselves scarce when the presence of a Cryptid is reported.
There are rumors that the Djinn and the Fae share some strong bonds and mutual pacts. This would explain why they are often seen together making deals and engaging in commerce. These agreements don't seem to extend as far a military alliances, as the two Supernaturals have rarely fought on the same side, and yet both groups do seem to back each other up when Nightborn encroach on their holdings.
What do you think of the Fae of Nightborn? How would you like to see the Fae represented in the game?