Fey Tokens
Fey Courts are based on strong traditions, and the Fey are great appreciators of symbolism. Everything they do, or wear, or showcase has to have a meaning behind it - the Feywild is a land of stories, so this is how things naturally work. This meaning is not necessarily hidden, but oftentimes there are a lot of layers to what it might represent. Things are not what they seem - it wouldn't be the Feywild if everything was easy to decipher, if the Feys' behavior was clear and direct, instead of a constant riddle one has to decipher.
As a result of this, a tradition emerged within the courts - the gifting of tokens. A Fey can't simply show their appreciation, or their contempt, they need a more permanent way to do so, one that also plays into their vanity and need to boast, their appreciation for art, craftsmanship, and the dramatic. This tradition started as a way for Archfey to show their favor to the sidhe. With time the sidhe have also adopted it, trying to imitate the powerful Archfey, and even added more materials and meanings to these tokens. Some Courtless Fey, or Summer or Winter Fey without a title, have also made their own tokens, although the value they actually have is very much dependent on their reputation and power within the Feywild in general.
These tokens can take many shapes or forms, and it always represents a characteristic of the person who had them crafted. Some are simpler: a dragonfly, a serpent, a skull, the moon, a dagger; others are more complex, a shape within a shape, layers upon layers, a meaning hidden behind another meaning. These shapes can never be repeated - once a Fey has claimed it, no one can or will do something similar.
The shape will tell you who the token is from. The materials these tokens are made with will tell you what they mean, for the same shape could imply you are the recipient of someone's admiration, or of someone's hate.
Jewels: Any kind of precious jewel, whether they're emeralds, rubies, diamonds, opals, and many others, signify a deep friendship and/or love (not necessarily romantic) between the two Fey.
Glass: This means respect, trust. The relationship between these two people is clean and transparent, and they're able to trust the person receiving this token, and of respecting them. Also used between friends, although not ones as close as those who would receive precious jewels.
Wood: This is the symbol of a good business or professional relationship. A common use of these tokens is when a Fey appreciates a specific crafter's work, or even a musician or artist's talent, and wants to show their patronage.
Iron: Any iron token is a threat, since iron hurts the Fey. The giver wants people to known this threat has been made, like a warning: behave, or else...
Bone: The person who sent this token has declared the receiver their eternal nemesis. The hate they feel for them is so powerful, that it must be this openly declared.
Metals other than iron are sometimes used to embellish the piece, without any value or meaning inherit to them.
Fey usually display the tokens they have received on a prominent place in their house, the display itself as well crafted as the tokens it houses. Some use the ones they treasure the most as necklaces, rings, brooches, or headpieces. Tokens made of iron and bone are also displayed, although it's less common. Some Fey, though, like to announce to the world that they have made several enemies and are still alive to show it so they will display these tokens even if - and in some cases because - they're from someone very powerful, or high up in the Courts.
It is rare, although not unheard of, that a Fey will either request a token back, or take it back by any means necessary, if circumstances have changed. After all, Fey are easily slighted, and anything could change their minds. This is why these tokens aren't given easily, and without thought and consideration. It might be several decades before a good friend or a lover receives a token, and when they do, it adds a complete new layer to their relationship.
When you read something so good that you wish it was yours. *cries* I'll think of something eventually.....It is an awesome article, and it would fit perfectly into my world. This is sooo good, totally going to read more articles and may even follow. Keep up the good work
Aaah, thank you so much!! I wouldn't mind if you adapted it into your game! Just make a reference to an NPC named Storm somewhere ;) She should like chocolate, tea, and dinosaurs (or similar).