Fées-des-Houles
The Korrigan of the Swells
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Fées-des-Houles are bipedal humanoids, typically resembling tall, slender women with golden blonde hair and almost translucent light skin. The lack some of the more over features of other Fae, such as pointed ears.
Biological Traits
The Fées-des-Houles are extremely sensitive to ingesting raw salt, which is fatal to them and causes extreme burns when applied to the skin. They take great care to remove it from their water and diet, using subtle Arkane to avoid too much exposure when making their way along the coastline.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Fées-des-Houles, a monosexual race, typically take lovers from other Korrigan or Bediz populations and give birth similar to Bediz women, although a low birth-rate makes this a rare occurrence. As a result, few Fées-des-Houles are practiced in the art of childbirth, and Bediz midwives are brought in to lend assistance, typically spirited away in the middle of the night and richly awarded for their aid.
If a child is male, they are genetically indistinguishable from their non Fée-des-Houles parent's species, and are typically sent to live with that people, rarely remaining past the age of six, while females are Fée-des-Houles and raised in the swells. The mothers of non-Fée children typically continue to watch over their offspring from afar, providing boons, protection and advice.
Growth Rate & Stages
Fées-des-Houles have long lifespans and are immune to age-related death and most disease, although they can still be killed with violence or injury. They age from infants into adulthood and old age, at which point they rest deep in Faerie, sometimes for centuries, before rejuvenating into early adulthood and beginning to process anew.
Ecology and Habitats
The Fées-des-Houles live almost exclusively in the coastal caves (swells) along the waterline of the rocky coast of the Plateau de Dreger along the Mor Breizh. They typically make their home at the base of rocky cliffs at sea level, protected from the worst of the storms by reefs, difficult to access by all but the most determined visitors but with direct access to the sea. The entryway to these caves, found at sea level along narrow paths, are often rich with mica. making them shimmer like gold. These deceptively small entrances open into large caverns, some as large as several kilometers in diameter. These are actually pockets of Faerie, magnificently decorated and furnished and kept immaculately clean.
Their caverns typically resemble spheres with domes of living rock high above the developed area. A large pool of fresh water sits at the center of the sloped cave, heavily filtered by Kriores engineering. Small cottages, rarely higher than two stories, line the slopes, connected by cobbled paths and lit by phosphorescent lichen.
High atop these cliffs are rocky moorland, which the Fées-des-Houles use to graze their flocks of sheep and cattle, hidden from mortal view by powerful glamour. Despite their proximity to the Ocean, the Fées-des-Houles are entirely terrestrial.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The diet of the Fées-des-Houles is very similar to Bediz and largely derives from the livestock they keep for food and byproducts. The most notable of these animals are their prized black roosters, hens and cats (They do not eat the cats). They also keep cattle, sheep and goats. These livestock often graze of the pastures of others. In rarer cases, they also keep barnacle geese or horses.
The Fées-des-Houles are also skilled bakers, capable of making bread and cakes that never run out, being constantly replenished. They also make cider and butter. They are however, allergic to pure salt and avoid ingesting it. Water is filtered before drinking, typically using waterskins made from Lavellan pelts.
Additional Information
Social Structure
The Fées-des-Houles live in city-like settlements called swells, ranging in size from small towns to medium-sized cities. These operate as communal settlements, decisions guided by community vote. They typically live in clan-like social structures, building strong ties within their immediate communities.
The Fées-des-Houles do not always get along and a major conflict between two major swells, Kastell-Serin and Poulifée has decimated their numbers. Rival groups will capture each other's members and pour packets of salt down their throats, burning them from the inside.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Fées-des-Houles are found almost exclusively along the cliffs of the northern coast of the Plateau de Dreger on the Armoican Peninsula, with their largest populations in the Ar Mor Emrodez from the town of Treveneg to Grouin near Konkaven. Smaller swells have been located on the channel islands in the Mor Breizh. Most recently, the population has grown, establishing settlements along the Cotentin Peninsula and the Plateau de Leon
Average Intelligence
The Fées-des-Houles prize intelligence and education, and are considered to be especially wise by the other Korrigan peoples
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Fées-des-Houles possess the similar perception and sensory capabilities as the Bediz.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
The Fées-des-Houles often cohabitate with the Jetins Kriores and the Fion Boudics. The latter serve as servants and soldiers. Organized into battalions of 30, they are the military force of the swells, defending it from attackers or engaging their enemies in a rival swell. They are enamored with human martial tradition and their uniforms often mimic those of human forces. Rarely, they will attempt to assist in the weaving, still in military standing as a battalion, to little useful effect. They often serve as shepherd and cowherds for the Fées-des-Houles' animals.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Common Names: Truitonne, Merlitonne, Gladieuse and Fleur du Rocher
Major Organizations
The Fées-des-Houles are organized into Swells, the coastal caves that make their home. These are (and nearest Bediz settlement): Grouin (Konkaven), Sant-Briag, Causseul (Sant-Yagu), Chêlin (Sant-Kast), and Poulifée (Kab Frehel).
Grouin - The Swell of Grouin near Menez-Mikael is the exception to the benevolent existence of the Fées-des-Houles. Malicious and vindictive, they have been corrupted by dark magiks from their long dealings with the Finfolk. They demand tribute from farmers and fishermen and frequently curse those who don't comply and stealing from others without recompense or remorse. They have been known to unleash the Oceansong on fishermen who enter their waters, which has put them into conflict with the Marie-Morgane and other swells.
Average Technological Level
The Fées-des-Houles of Sant-Brieg are exceptional shipbuilders, creating magnificent golden vessels capable of traveling both on or below the sea.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The Fées-des-Houles are adept linguists and polyglots. They fluently speak, read and write many mortal languages of the local area, most commonly Galleg and Brezhoneg.
Common Etiquette Rules
Like all fae, the Fées-des-Houles take promises given very seriously and consider breaking a promise offensive. They are more straightforward than the Sidhe and try not include unforeseen additions or interpretations in their agreements.
Common Dress Code
Fées-des-Houles dress almost exclusively in simple gray or white dresses.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Fées-des-Houles are exceptionally friendly and benevolent towards Bediz. In terms of occupation and sociability, they follow mortal trends. They spend their time baking bread, spinning wool and fabric, fishing and washing clothing, the last fo which they are noteworthy for, able to create cloth so white that it blinds onlookers.
They are fond of singing and dancing beneath the moonlight, as well as playing haunting, melodies on the violin, infused with magic. Their musical ability is almost unsurpassed and they have even learned and are capable of using The Oceansong, albeit with no alteration to effect.
The Fées-des-Houles prize the acquisition and spread of knowledge and run schools for their children, extending this service to Bediz children if requested politely. These schools, in addition to language, reading and geography, also teach magic, such as the use of wands and the ability to spot illusions.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
The Fées-des-Houles will happily grant any request made with the proper politeness and have a reputation for generosity, ranging from simple products like butter and Cidre to magical things like ever-replenishing loaves of bread and their prized golden ships.
Common Taboos
A gift given by the Fées-des-Houles cannot be shared, or it will vanish. A farmer, complaining that the fae had grazed their livestock on his land, was given a loaf of bread in recompense. This bread lasted 2 years, fresh whenever it was cut, but vanished when the farmer shared some with a beggar. Sometimes this extends to even revealing the source of a gift. Attempting to steal from the Fées-des-Houles is met with harsh punishment.
Like most Fae, the Fées-des-Houles maintain a persistent glamour, but often will use a more powerful glamour when in public. It is seen as incredibly offensive to forcefully pierce this glamour without permission and is one of the few things that will trigger a violent response from these gentle beings.
History
The Korrigans of the Swells were first noticed shortly after the The Tear, but their remote and limited location, gentle disposition and indifference to the wars raging above them limited contact to small coastal villages. They thrived during the reign of Gradlon Mwar, but retreated into their caverns following the Fall of Ys, removing themselves from the centuries of conflicts that followed. Their attempts at peaceful living were interrupted by raids by the finfolk, the race's continued existence threatened until an alliance with the Jetins, Kriores exiled from Ker-Malastred brought them back into the wider world.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Bediz - Even by mortal standards, the Fées-des-Houles are exceptionally friendly and benevolent towards Bediz, aiding anyone who asks for help, providing food and magical items if requested. They are especially fond of children and often run small schools. The only exceptions are if they are intentionally disrespected or if a mortal gains the ability to pierce their glamours without permission. They may react violently (including tearing out the offender's eyes) but rarely with fatalities occurring. The Fées-des-Houles may commit petty larceny, stealing from lobster traps or grazing their invisible livestock on the pastures of others, but it is never done with malice. The exception to their benevolent nature are the Fées-des-Houles of the Grouin, near the town of Kankaven. who were corrupted by dark magic, turning them into malicious and vindictive creatures. The others do not associate with them any longer.
The Fées-des-Houles love children and will often "collect" them. This can range from teaching them in schools during the day to adopting orphaned children of their own. Unlike most Fae, they do not use changelings and are open and straightforward about their intent, only taking willing volunteers.
Margot
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Conservation Status
The exact numbers of the Fées-des-Houles are not known, but their settlements are typically equal in size to nearby Bediz settlements. The Korrigan of the Swells are less numerous than most other Korrigan races, save for perhaps the Boléguéans. Removed from the political intrigues of their Bediz and Sidhe counterparts, their most pressing enemy are the Finfolk, who regularly raid their seaside homes for silver, food and slaves. Rockslides, common in the storm tossed coasts where they make their homes, are also a significant concern, leading to the death of many individuals or entire swells.
Average Physique
Fées-des-Houles have tall, slender builds with long narrow fingers and smooth skin.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The pale skin and golden hair of the Fées-des-Houles is infused with glamour, making them seem to shimmer like light reflected on water.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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