The Nation of Konsearna
Within thick brambles and twisting branches, the Fey live.
Far to the east, past The Iron Banks and past The Kingdom of Greywood is the nation of Konsearna. Vast forests as ancient as the land itself is their domain, The Thicket . The Fey are twisted and corrupted creations of the Court of Daggers . They have a deep, inherent connection to Magic and overall are a bit misunderstood. The People's Republic of Geld takes in a lot of Fey refugees from the war, which the other two kingdoms frown upon.
Fey come in many forms, they are the cobbled creations afterall. Cunning hags, nimble goblins, towering trolls are all fey - but not all align themselves with the Court. The one thing all fey have in common is the Crown of Daggers. This jagged halo of Moonrock is the symbol of their creators. It hovers behind the head of every loyal fey subject and binds them to servitude. However, it is possible to break the crown which free’s fey from this contract in some capacity.
Structure
The Fey are ruled by the Court of Daggers , an mysterious trio all symbolized by distinctive blades. The Axe - the warfront, the warrior. The Sword - the face, the politican. The Sickle - The unknown assassin, the shadow.
When a Fey is created they are imprinted with the crest of the Court of Daggers. This binds them to the Court and shows their loyalty. There are rumors of powers granted by the crest, but nothing publicly stated by the Court.
Konsearna is a nation of chaos in reality. Fey citizens live within ignorant bubbles, far from the warfront. As the war is fought by empty husks and abominations as foot soldiers, the true Fey folk get to freely thrive within the Thicket. This has evolved to an unruly organization structure within Konsearna, as most areas are looked after by the Fabled. These are recognized Fey by the Court, who control pieces of land within the Thicket to alleviate the burdens of the Court.
Culture
For Fey a universal truth is : more is more. The more you can dazzle, shine, perform, charm and simply impress - the better.
Known for their whimsy and oddity, Fey embrace what the other species avoid. They believe in extreme beauty and performance. The more charming, witty and enchanting you can be, the more power you hold within social circles in the Fey. Even in times of war, regular contests between performers and tricksters are held. Banquets and galas are not uncommon either, as the Fey are masters in showing off.
The Fey's belief's echo in their magic use. All Fey upon creation are granted the ability to use the Pact. They believe only those with silver tongues to be capable of casting powerful spells. At the end of the day, it's only about how deeply you can trick your opponents and make them believe something untrue.
To read more Fey
Within Konsearna, most younglings will be recommended into specific professions by their Matron from their Witch Dig. If a child shows promise, they might get lucky and score an apprenticeship within The Academic Grounds and be granted the status of Greenhorn . As part of traditional teachings in Konsearna, a biannual show within each major profession would be put on. This is to ensure the possibility for budding students to start making a name early on. While quite a rudimentary concept, it has evolved into one of the most relevant events within Konsearnan society - The Spectacle . All students are expected to perform, but the older apprentices bear the most pressure and most viewers. This is where eventual stars get picked after all.
As an extension of the festivities, the Court of Daggers holds a ball marking the end of the celebratory period. This is the famed Masquerade, where only Fabled and their close court are invited. Held on Godfall and the Summer Solstice, it is the most exclusive event in Fey society and is closesly guarded. No one besides the Fabled and the Court truly know what happen within The Palace grounds.
Public Agenda
The Court of Daggers dreams to rid the world of the rotten humans, and populate it with their creations - the Fey.
Assets
The absolute strongest advantage that the Thicket wields is it's abundance of Verve and stockpile of Ichor that the Court of Daggers hoards. They use this Ichor for the creation of Fey, but also to enhance their spellcasters and foot soldiers which makes their unlimited army that much more terrifying. A large part of their infantry are manifested with inherent weapons. Claws, teeth and lashing tails replace swords and daggers. The latent energy of Verve in the forest also allows for more powerful spells to be cast within the limits of the area.
The forest itself carries an enchantment-like nature. Fey find it incredibly easy to navigate, while outsiders seemingly can't avoid getting lost. This makes the whole of the Thicket like an impenetrable fortress, and allows for easy movement without being seen from the outside.
Due to it's magical nature and magical inhabitants, there lives some truly mind-bending creatures in between the trees.
History
No one can tell you what day, but everyone knows that one day the Thicket was impenetrable. It's branches and shrubbery grew too dangerous to tread. Any tribes who had settled within it's branches were never seen, and anyone who flew above without getting shot down reported sightings of construction.
While the other nations ignored it at the time, The Court of Daggers' were in secret laying the groundwork for Konsearna, a new haven they were building. What started out as a handful of settlements and military camps, unexpectedly grew into a fearsome power of troops and cities. The Court of Daggers declared war and their public agenda to build a new utopia, only filled with Fey.
Konsearna entered war and never left. While many have tried, the most famous being the Turncoat, none have managed to convince the Court of Daggers' to end their efforts.
Demography and Population
Fey are a confusing lot, with an even messier ruling system.
Territories
Konsearna consider all of the Thicket theirs, with the goal to one day inhabit all of the Cradle.
Military
Konsearna's military is a strength comprised of numbers. The Womb allows for seemingly infinite creation, with only resources and space being the limiting factor in Fey's population. This makes the Fey a terrifying army, as whenever a soldier falls, they are easily replaced.
Fey footsoldiers are in fact not conscious like common Fey residents. They are mindless husks, barely able to comprehend simple orders. Sizes and looks vary, but many are comprised of a plant-like material. These 'soldiers' bear the brunt of attacks when in battle, allowing for more competent Fey to inflict damage while protected. A common sight in a Fey military division would be a front line of these lesser cannon fodder creatures, with bigger-bodied and trained soldiers weaving throughout. In the backline you can find mages and ranged attackers.
Coven
Fey spellcasters are always found in Covens, a magical mind-link that 3-5 mages share that supposedly push them beyond their personal limits. It grants them telepathic connections which make them extremely dangerous, as they can alert one-another in an instant. A warning saying, "Never just one rat", can often be heard within the ranks of Greywood soldiers.
Palace Guard
As with artisans, extremely skilled warriors can become recognized by the Court of Daggers. Instead of becoming Fabled , renowned champions earn the title Palace Guard . The role comes from their responsibility to defend the Palace, should it ever be directly attacked. Furthermore, these fighters are gifted so-called Living Weapons. These are plant-based weapons that can change shape to best suit their wielder. These make them incredibly dangerous at both close and distant range, as they can switch within in an instant between weapons.
The Axe
Leading the warfront is the Axe, of the Court of Daggers. They are the most fearsome leader of all Fey, seemingly able to withstand an endless amount of damage. While many have tried, The Axe to this day bears no visible scars. Just his awe-inspiring axe.
Foreign Relations
Greywood
Between Greywood and Konsearna only blood flows. Since Konsearna's conception, Greywood has been their main target. Over the centuries countless lives on both sides have been lost, to the point where only blind hatred exists for both sides. The Theatre, the front of the war, is a lawless battlezone.
Iron Banks
While the blood debt between Konsearna and Iron Banks is not nearly as deep, their loyalty to Greywood makes them an enemy to Konsearna. The Court of Daggers fears the large supply of rust that the Iron Banks hold, and the defensive position they gain from their control over the mountains.
Council of Oars
In the public opinion of Konsearna, the Council of Oars is considered an ally to the human front and an enemy to the Fey. What the human nations suspect, and the Fey benefit from, are the secret smuggling routes found on the Thicket's southern border. Some Fabled have gotten a knack for Oarsmen goods, and trade precious Fey rarities for them. While the Council of Oars military units fight for the humans, their treasurers fill their coffins through Fey goods.
Geld
Geld is the only Human nation to politically distance themselves from the war (to a degree). While they supply the other nations with grain and resources, they have openly accepted Fey deserters. This hasn't exactly gained the Court of Dagger's favor, but it has won some gratitude from Fey citizens who consider it a safe place. Within Geld's border, the outlook on Fey varies. Rule of thumb seems to be, the closer to the war (east), the less safe for a Fey to be.
Silent Isles
Like with most other nations, the Silent Isles distance themselves from Konsearna. They frown upon Fey's quest to eradicate humans, but make no effort to join the war. From a Fey perspective, Harvesters are seen as dull and unimpressive. The Court of Daggers in turn are tempted by Harvesters' magic knowledge, but have found no way to access it. For now, the two groups seem to be in a neutral state.
Laws
The law, like the rest of society, is upheld by the Court of Daggers. They rule uncontested, with public presence through the Sword's duplicates. As per Fey tradition, on Uonay, The Sword holds a public sermon within dense collections of Fey. While it is a speech to uplift spirit and morale, it does reiterate the most important ethics in Konsearna law.
No harm shall be done to fellow kin
For Fey, fellow Fey are the most precious thing. The Court preach of Fey being the chosen, the next offspring to run this world. As such, every Fey hand will be needed and any in-fighting will not be tolerated. Wrong-doers of this kind are dealt a sentence of a duel. These mass duels, held every month, witness all convicted trying to fight the Axe. Never has the Axe lost.
Laws, and lack of Laws
In Konsearna, very few laws in reality apply. Beyond the lack of tolerance for harming another Fey, Fey believe strongly in individual contracts. If there is no law on the subject, it is between Fey to agree upon a written contract that dictates them. Fey, in their lack of coin trade, do not engage in taxation. Their employment is formed on a contract basis between fellow Fey, but no actual laws dedicate what is acceptable and what is not. When it applies to property, only things which have been made by a Fey's own hands count as one's own property. The exception being, if something was traded for a creation (in which case, of course a written contract is needed). Housing and comforts within a Fabled's domain are leant out to their inhabitants as per Pact.
The only other major law is the complete unacceptance of defamation of the Court of Daggers or Konsearna. Common punishments are incredibly humiliating curses, or being forced to serve the war effort through either sacrificing your body to the troops or serving within the backlines.
Artisan's Exemption
The only power a Fey can hold within Konsearna is through their work. Only a Fabled can be granted a lesser sentence. This can be applied to the length of their sentence, or the nature of their sentence.
Agriculture & Industry
Purple Yarro
Purple Yarro is the backbone of Fey agriculture and food program. It has the starchy qualities of a potato or a yam, but can grow onto any tree roots. While parasitic in any other forest, it somehow synchronizes with the Thicket's hardy trees perfectly (maybe the Court played a role).
Due to the versatility of the Purple Yarro, the Fey are able to grow intense gardens full of fruit trees with Yarro's at the base of each. These Yarro fruits can be used for everything from makeshift flour and starch, to breads and other delicacies.
Black Milk - Giant Black Soldier Beetle
Giant Black Soldier Beetles, or just colloquially known Soldier Beetles are huge insects used for labor and to sustain the populace. The male beetles, often used as draft animals. are used for transport both due to their incredible pull craft and limited ability to fly which make them ideal for crossing the difficult forest terrain.
The female beetles, are in turn used for harvesting their larvae. This larvae can be crushed into a black milky substance, hence the name Black Milk. While on it's own, a bit strong to the tongue, it mixes wonderfully with the Purple Yarro and some other local fruits to make breads, pastries and foods.
Trade & Transport
Giant Centipedes and Caterpillars
To help with transport in the Thickets difficult terrain, The Court dedicated a team of researchers to modify possible animals with Ichor. They found that Centipedes and Caterpillars took best to the transformations without overt dangers in the handling. Thus larger transports are now conducted on the backs of Giant Caterpillars and Centipedes in Konsearna.
Caterpillars, with their softer bodies, are perfectly suited for travel in between settlements. Their malleability and length allow for incredible caravans of people and goods to be carried on their backs.
The Centipedes in turn make for excellent transports out to the war front. While not as adaptable as the caterpillars, their hard exteriors provide natural armor against attacks. Sometimes, in times of need, they will be used with actual attacks, but due to the effort it takes to grow them, they mainly stay as transportation vehicles.
Education
All Fey within Konsearna gain a basic level education when growing up in the Witch Digs. While it's theorized that they are created with specific goals in mind, Fey are actually free to choose what profession they would like. As Fey grow up faster than humans, they feel incredible pressure to learn while in their young age. This pressure creates a highly competitive environment for Fey, which drive them even more to succeed. While all gain a surface-level training of militaristic skills, all Fey leave the Witch Digs specialized within a certain area.
Greenhorn
What truly defines a Fey's future is their ability to score an apprenticeship after leaving a Witch Dig. Some lucky individuals become recommended by their Witch Dig Matron, while others simply prove their worth through skill. Either way, scoring a spot within The Academic Grounds is the highest pride. Once an apprentice within the Grounds, one always has entry to it.
For Fey of lesser skill, it is either the war or a life of drifting that awaits them. Some ambitious Fey join the war, hoping to prove their skills eventually. This has led to some well-known Palace Guard (regarded warriors). Others simply drift within the Thicket, chancing their luck on staying within a Fabled's domain for some small job. A portion of Fey actually drift out of Konsearna, building a new life within the other nations.
"Live for the Court, Serve the Court."
The Fey do not engage in the coin and gold like the other states. They believe in a system of barter, where only favours and goods of equal value can be exchanged. What point is there in gold, when one could trade a beautiful gown for the finest wine?
In The Palace , it is said that the main body of the Sword resides. They consults with the Axe and the Sickle to ensure the safety of the denizens of the Thicket. They will not listen to complaints over how they rule.
The Sword is seemingly never around but always found and always present. If a crime is committed, the Sword is there, ready to punish whoever's responsible. Common punishments are incredibly humiliating curses, or being forced to serve the war effort through either sacrificing your body to the troops or serving within the backlines.
Purple Yarro Botanical Entry
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