Archfey are not gods, but the most powerful of the Archfey are as close as you can get without becoming a god.
Stories for the origins of the Archfey are varied, but some of the more prevalent myths are:
- they were once gods of the wild who lost their divinity after being hunted and killed by mortals.
- they were rebellious celestials and fiends who rejected their divine lords and conquered the feywild.
The two most powerful Archfey are the Summer Queen Tatiana, ruler over the Seelie Court; and Winter Queen Mab, ruler of the Unseelie Court. Most residents of the Feywild give some measure of allegiance to one court or the other. Some fey give allegiance to both courts and try to play the middle ground, some just don't bother, and most fey simply pay allegiance to whichever court is more influential in their area at the time, switching allegiance whenever the tide changes. Neither court pays much mind to the loyalty of common fey. Both queens are far more interested in gaining the loyalty of other Archfey.
Though some fey creatures are only found in one court but not the other (you'll never find Redcaps in the Seelie Court, nor Yeth Hounds or Hags in the Seelie Court), you can find fey humanoids like Eladrin and goblinoids in both courts, along with a smattering of different Dragons, Giants and Giant-kin, and even celestials and fiends.
Both the Seelie and Unseelie share a hatred of Evermeet, almost as strongly as their rivalry with each other. Most unaligned great powers in the Feywild don't acknowledge or deny the authority of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, but Evermeet openly rejects the authority of both.
The following are some of the most notable Archfey of both courts, but there are many others not listed here.
The Seelie Court
Hedonism and beautifully intricate trappings of civilization dominate the Seelie court. The Seelie lords value pleasure, protocol, elegance, and drama above all. Being boring, ugly, or sad in their presence is a crime. They hold court in the sprawling Summer Palace, which seems to never be in the same place for two seasons in a row. There's always a party happening somewhere in the Summer Palace, and there's always drama between the Seelie nobility. The Seelie nobility are constantly vying for the attention of their superiors and looking for the best way to stand out against the crowd of their peers. When the Seelie Court has dealings with beings from other planes, their more regular contacts are the Archdevils Mammon or Mephistopheles, the Demon Lords Graz'zt or Fraz Ur'Bluu, most gods of trickery or beauty, some elven gods, and many of the gnomish and halfling gods.
Tatiana, The Summer Queen
Tatiana's appearance often alternates between an Eladrin of immense beauty or an immaculate Fairie. Her hair color and texture changes with her mood, and always appears somewhat like leaves of different kinds of trees. Her mood changes easily and quickly, but she is nearly impossible to anger. She rewards those members of her court who entertain her the most, so all members of her circle and the circle below them seek to give her the finest things to gain her favor. To make her sad is an instant demotion in the Summer Court heirarchy, and becomes the source of all the gossip in the court for at least a day. Each time all the members of the Summer Court act aghast, but in truth they've all been demoted at some time or another, and none can truly remember how long this game has gone on.
Oberon, Lord of Beasts and King of Hunters
Oberon always appears like a muscular eladrin, or an unusually tall and wingless fairie. His eyes are pure black, his hair a mess of braided brambles, and his skin changes between the colors and patterns of different tree's bark. He is generally considered a member of the Seelie Court, and is usually believed to be Tatiana's partner, but their relationship is tempestuous at best. They alternate between star-crossed lovers and jealous exes constantly, and they are always catching others in their ever changing love-triangles. Oberon brings the finest meats and foraged fruits and vegetables to the Summer Court parties.
Damh, Lord of Satyrs
One of the oldest children of Tatiana and Oberon, Damh typically appears as a Korred or a Satyr, and is almost always the preeminent poet, musician, and dancer of the Seelie Court.
Skellai, Tatiana's Treasurer
Believed to be the first Leprechaun, Skellai has a weakness for wine and gold, but many have mistaken that as a weakness they can exploit. Many stories are told of people using his greed against him, but in the end they always feel like they were the one robbed.
Verenestra, Queen of Dryads
Another of Oberon and Tatiana's eldest children, Verenestra appears as a dryad or nymph of unparalleled beauty. She acts as the Spymaster of the Summer Court, and is a master of Illusion and Enchantment magic.
Quavin, Shy Chef of the Summer Court
The elusive patron of Brownies and Killmoulis is rarely seen in court, but he is almost universally loved, and it is well known that Tatiana and Oberon protect him fiercely. He coordinates all the feasts of the Upper Circle of the Court, and is said to be able to make any kind of food taste good to anyone.
Echtiyarn, Lord of Horses
Appearing as a mix between a Pegasus and a Unicorn, Echtiyarn is Tatiana's personal bodyguard and general, and Tatiana's ambassador to the Celestial realms. Widely seen as the most virtuous member of the Upper Circle, some sages believe Echtiyarn is a former deity who gave up godhood in order to try and guide the Summer Court away from evil.
Emmantsien, The Old Tree
The Summer Court Sage, Emmantsien may be older than Mab, Tatiana, and Oberon, but none have ever said. 'Emma' as they're often called, is the oldest known Treant in all the planes of existence. They have spent centuries in silence before, only speaking when they deem it is necessary, and never hurrying a word, and never forgetting a single detail.
Nathair, the Trickster
Some call Nathair the annoying younger brother of Bahamut and Tiamat. Nathair is an elder Greatwyrm, but he appears as a tiny Pseudodragon, and he is the first and oldest of the Faerie Dragons. He is the Jester and Jailor of the Summer Court, endlessly pranking all creatures great and small in the Summer Court. He is said to be the on-and-off rival/frenemy of Boss, Lord of Collector's Keep.
Sakhadi and Uha, Architects, Artificers, and Antiquarians
A married Djinn and Marid, these two oversee the creation and keeping of all buildings, jewelry, clothing, weapons, and magic items. Though they are legendary craftsmen, capable of impossible creations, stories say it can be dangerous to show them any magic item of great value, as they will stop at nothing to gain it once they've set their sights on it.
The Unseelie Court
The Unseelie Court is dominated by fey who value pain, fear, grief, and the brutal side of nature. Most Unseelie lords despise the trappings of civilization, so there is no real 'court' to be found. They follow Mab wherever she leads, and hold court in the wilderness, choosing thrones from whatever natural features nearby suit them.
Occasionally the Unseelie Court will make deals with demon princes or gods, usually Baphomet, Yeenoghu, Zuggtmoy, or Pazuzu; or Cyric, Lolth, or Malar.
Mab, the Winter Queen
Mab's appearance is unknown. All the stories say she has no form, the members of her court simply hear her voice speaking from whatever throne she has chosen at the time. Most stories say she and Tatiana are sisters, and some say they are actually the same being who alternates between personalities. Some also believe that Mab and the Raven Queen are one and the same.
She rules her court forcefully, and embodies all the qualities of each of her vassals.
Nintra Siotta, Princess of the Shadow Glass
Mab's second in command, and rival. Nintra is constantly seeking to unseat Mab, who consistently puts her down. Mab seems to welcome Nintra's efforts to unseat her. Nintra was once an Eladrin, and it's believed no other Eladrin has become as powerful as she has. She is arrogant, immature, and ferociously violent. She appears like a tall Eladrin with skin made from sharpened obsidian. Light dims or goes out in her presence. She can conjure storms of glass shards, and her claws can slice adamantine with ease.
The Prince of Frost, Lord of the Long Night
Not officially a member of the Winter Court and rarely found at court with the others, he leads a smaller court called the Winter Fey. He is one of Mab's strongest allies. He is said to be Tatiana's son, formerly the Sun Prince. He was jealous of the love of an Archfey who loved a mortal so much she became mortal. He chased her, so she fled with her lover to the Raven Queen, and made a deal with her. The Raven Queen helped her escape the Sun Prince by sending them to another time, and refused to tell the Sun Prince when she sent them to. He became obsessed with taking revenge against the Raven Queen, and exiled himself from the Summer Court. Over time his bitterness changed him into the Prince of Frost. He despises mortals, but has been known to still make some warlock pacts. Many in the Summer Court believe Mab somehow manipulated him into his madness, a rumor Mab is happy to spread.
Aexalim, the Wild Spark
Aexalim is an unhinged, pyromaniac Greatwyrm Red Dragon. Only Mab and Glacis keep him in check. When he isn't on a maniacal warpath, his scales constantly produce smoke. When he is set loose, his scales look like lava, and the air around him ignites. He is Mab's attack dog.
Glacis, the Keeper
She is a Greatwyrm White Dragon, Aexalim's partner, and Mab's chronicler and 'taxidermist'. She preserves Mab's trophies in glaciers, and stories say she has carved out multiple hidden palaces for the Winter Court beneath the ice sheets. She is the most level-headed member of the Unseelie Court, but many mistake her calm demeanor as a sign of less cruelty. She is a calm psychopath. She can swim through ice without breaking it, and freeze foes with a glance. Her scales are covered in ice growths, and her steps freeze the ground where she walks.
The Mistress of Midnight Teeth
The current spymaster for Mab, and the most 'civilized' member of the Winter Court, she was once a ranking member of the Summer Court. She appears like an impeccably dressed and styled Gnome with rich blue hair and dazzlingly white teeth. She leads the Court of Midnight Teeth in the fortress once known as the Silent Halls. She is a striking outlier in the Unseelie Court, attended to by well dressed servants who constantly pamper her with every luxury one might find in the Summer Court. Her Court of Midnight Teeth is a place of manicured lawns, incredibly lifelike statues, and bubbling fountains filled with inky midnight waters. String music drifts on the perpetual gloom, beckoning travelers to this oasis of lantern-dappled beauty. Beneath her veneer of civility, she has an insatiable craving for living flesh. She manages a network of informants and assassins spread throughout the Seelie Court.
Neifion, Lord of Bats
Mab's former spymaster, he has been imprisoned in his own stronghold, the Silent Halls, by the Mistress of Midnight Teeth after she usurped him. Few stories are told of him. He was rarely seen before he was usurped, and hasn't been seen since. He is said to be an old god, once worshiped by mortals.
The Bat King
Neifion's former lieutenant, he helped the Mistress of Midnight Teeth usurp Neifion and took the title of Bat King. Who he was before is a mystery, but many believe he was once a demon in service to Pazuzu. He appears like a human, small in stature, with small eyes and an upturned nose. He rarely speaks to anyone other than the Mistress of Midnight Teeth, or to Mab herself.
Wicked Wilma Woodskewer
Mab's chief jester, executioner, and torturer. She's an ancient blood hag who commands her defeated sisters. They don't pretend to be a coven anymore, they simply obey her. She is believed to be the creator of Redcaps.
Raesvel, the Vulture
A former member of the Unseelie Court, Raesvel is the only Fomorian Giant to escape the curse placed on the race. He angered Mab, and he stays imprisoned by Glacis. They bring him out sometimes to use as quarry during the Wild Hunt. Each time he calls many Fomorians to aid him, but he has always failed to escape the Hunt. He is a master shapeshifter, who often takes the shape of a great Roc.
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