Between the Realms: Places

[Banshee]

Between the Realms: Places

---

The Earthern Realm (Earth)

    This realm belongs to modern-day Earth, the population filled to the brim with humans of all kinds. Countries govern their own, though not without internal and external conflict. To the other realms, this realm is mostly ignored or left alone, though a few have realized the value of Earth's resources, specifically their people. 

Note: The theme is present-day modern.

The Veil

    The Veil is the gateway - the bridge - between realms. Access to it varies, from faerie circles to unique moons (blood moon, harvest moon, etcetera). It's destination is the crossroads within the realm of Faerie, known as the 'Wyrd'. 

The Wyrd

    The Wyrd is a neutral territory within the realm of Faerie, a crossroads between realms. Both the Summer and Winter Court have no dominion over it. With the Veil connected to it, it is where others can cross into the realm of Faerie and denizens of Faerie can cross into other realms. It is a wooded forest that, due to a spatial phenomenon of bridging multiple realms, is misty and very difficult to navigate. The terrain always changes, making it unpredictable. Maps are useless, so those without proper preparations will get lost. Creatures that live here are also unpredictable, many of them violent and predatory. 

The Between    

    A different realm altogether, the Between is considered a paradox. It is another realm, yet it is not a complete nor natural one. This realm was created by a powerful fae who had power that rivaled that of the seelie and unseelie court queens, banished from the realm of Faerie. Since no fae can survive in the Earthern realm for long periods of time without succumbing to the poison of iron or sacrificing some of their power to gain immunity / tolerance, this realm was created for all those banished fae. The Between works as a substitute 'Faerie realm', providing a sort of limbo where the fae who reside there neither suffer iron poisoning, nor gain the usual benefits of magic recovery that Faerie provided its denizens. Truly, it is a realm for the desperate.

Faerie

    Completely controlled by their natives, the fae, Faerie is a realm that is unforgiving to the unaware, split and governed by the Seelie and Unseelie Courts (Summer and Winter). It has become almost parasitic and dangerous in nature, every beautiful thing having the potential for harm and ruin. Few who live there can be redeemed or do not follow the norms other denizens follow. Regardless, the moment someone enters Faerie, it will do everything in its power to prevent their return to their respective realm or land. 

(Realm enforced) rules of nature:

• Saying 'thank you' or 'thanks' - By stating this to anyone within the realm of Faerie or to a natural born denizen of Faerie, you're placed in their debt and automatically owe them a favor. 
• Giving your 'true name' - In the realm of Faerie, introducing one's self by their full, true name, they are giving the denizen of Faerie license to command them, their orders absolute as long as they wield / keep the name. This is the ideal result of a deal in Faerie.
• Making deals - Any deal made in Faerie or with a denizen of Faerie (specifically fae) will be enforced. If either party refuses to fulfill their end of the bargain, that party will either suffer excruciating pain or their body will move to fulfill it like a puppet pulled by strings. 
• Eating specific foods - In Faerie, there are foods that are edible by everyone, but there are also specific foods that, to a non-denizen, can have side effects from being eaten. These specific foods are often magically grown food, such as faerie fruit made into wine. Possible side effects (dependent on the faerie food) include: being bound to the realm (they can never return to the Earthern realm), being deathly addicted to the specific food (the consumer must consume that food once a week or suffer with withdrawal, followed by possible death), being suggestible, and/or complete loss of all inhibitions.

Note: The theme of Faerie is largely medieval, though non-faerie citizens have become slightly partial to the modern clothing of the Earthern realm. 

Summer / Seelie Court

General Information

    The Summer Court is a section of faerie where spring and summer fae (or ‘faeries’) reside. Those belonging to this court are beholden to the seasons of spring and summer, their abilities belonging to those seasons as well as the light. Their king, Oberon, is one of the most powerful fae within the court, alongside his queen, Queen Titania.

Description of City (External Appearance)

    Naturally inclined and medieval themed, the Summer Court's main city and home to their monarchs is a splendor to behold, the castle resembling those built years past in the human land, but completely overwhelmed with precisely placed flowers, trees, and gardens. Nature, heat, and light is part of the Summer Court, so they incorporate it as much as it can, making it beautiful and deceptively welcoming. 

Types of Fae
    For the types of Fae found in the Summer court, you can consult the racial page here.

Winter / Unseelie Court

General Information
    The Winter Court is a section of faerie where fall and winter fae (or ‘faeries’) reside. Ruled by Queen Mab, the Winter Court is seen as the more barbaric, dangerous court. This is a misconception, as the Summer Court is just as dangerous, though they hide it. 
    This part of Faerie is dedicated to the autumn and winter seasons, abilities naturally falling in the elements of water, wind, and darkness. 

Description of Tir Na Nog (Capital City's Appearance)
    Unlike the Summer Court, the Winter Court's structures tend to the gothic style, though they maintain a similar medieval theme by using brick made structures (castles, walls, etcetera), they do nothing to 'spruce it up'. Indeed, since the city was made, it has been subjected to ice and snow, the buildings foreboding and deceptively neglected (though in truth, it's all regularly maintained) in appearance. 

Types of Fae
    For the types of Fae found in the Summer court, you can consult the racial page here.

[Banshee]

Faerie: Places

---

Summer / Seelie Court (Towns & Cities)

Sidh (Summer Court Capital) - the main capital of the Summer Court. It is known for its luxurious goods, high education and military, as well as magical items as well as home to the royal family. High population.

Cloghpook - a declining economy despite being close the capital. It supports itself mostly through wine brewing and rare materials. Low population.

Clare - is an average town known for their medicine, engineering, and animal breeding. Average population.

Ar'taine - is a small city, it was the capital city of the fae until a few centuries ago, during the last war. Regardless, it is now the one of the biggest trade towns in the realm. High population.

Kildare - a small city known for their delicate tailoring and deadly archers. Mainly used for its large arenas (used for people and animal fights) and secret organizations. Low population.

Wicklow - a poor town known for its farming, fishing, and lumber. Very low population.

Louth - a small town between the border and the end of Faerie, contributing with lumber and farming. Low population.

Winter / Unseelie Court (Towns & Cities)

Tir Na Nog (Winter Court Capital) - the main capital where the nobles dwell within the Winter Court, Tir Na Nog is a military city. A frozen mist hangs over it as a means of protection from outsiders, as only those aligned with the Winter Court can see more than 5 feet in front of them. Unknown / high population.

Do'negal - an average town that grew around a water source. It is known for their rare herbs, hunting, and fishing. Average population.

Baslick - a small town that that mainly specializes in the hunting, farming, and taming of beasts. Low population.

Hiver - a small but important crossroad town. It is known for its large markets and fair prices. Average population.

Fross - a small, independent town that connects Dullowbush to the rest of the court region. It is mainly supported by fishing, cooking and leatherworking. Low population.

Dullowbush - a small, poor town near the border dividing the courts. It doesn't contribute much to the court but is popular due to the Slave Trade basing there. Low population.

The Wyrd (City)

Xeiros (Elven City, Unmapped) - obscured by the wyrd's / veil's mist, this large, elven city is the capital and only home to the elves. They survive on the fruits of the forest, but they specialize in the taming of beasts and excel in ranged or melee fighting techniques. This kingdom also works to regulate who enters or leaves Faerie, though a few outsides might be capable of giving them the slip. Being a hidden city, only the leaders and elves who live there know the way to the city and castle area. High population.