Court of Storm and Surge
The Court of Storm and Surge embodies the fierce, untamed power of summer storms — the thunderous booms, the sharp flashes of lightning, and the deluge of rain that refreshes and renews. Here, the fey revel in the intensity of upheaval, embracing the volatility of the storm as both metaphor and reality. Power and positions within this court are never stable, with roles, influence, and even leadership shifting like the unpredictable paths of lightning across a stormy sky. The court sees this constant churn as a source of strength, believing that only through challenge and change can true resilience and vigor be achieved.
The court’s domain is a storm-lashed landscape of cliffs and churning seas, dark clouds swirling overhead and lightning constantly crackling through the sky. Massive, towering trees sway violently in gusting winds, their branches thick and twisted as if shaped by the storms. Pools of water dot the landscape, some calm and reflective, others foaming and frothy from the rainfall. In the distance, waves crash against cliffs, sending misty spray that catches the light in fleeting, rainbow-hued bursts. Pathways are slick and treacherous, winding through rocky terrain that shifts and erodes with each rain.
Visitors to the Court of Storm and Surge must tread carefully; no path is certain, and no shelter is guaranteed. Storms brew suddenly, and flashes of light reveal shadowy figures watching from above, often shifting position just as quickly as the rainclouds themselves.
Within the Court of Storm and Surge, seats of power are held tentatively, with no single individual ruling unchallenged for long. The title of Stormlord, Stormlaird, or Stormlady passes frequently, sometimes even on a whim, to whichever fey can demonstrate the most forceful or charismatic claim. These transitions are not only expected but celebrated, and the court itself supports this cycle by holding regular Rites of Upheaval. During these rites, powerful fey duel, debate, or otherwise challenge one another, and the victor earns the right to wield influence for a time. It’s said that no one can truly “own” the Court of Storm and Surge — its very nature rejects permanence, ensuring that no fey can grow complacent.
Courtiers rise and fall just as often. Positions such as the Thunder Herald (speaker of proclamations), Mistweaver (master of subtle manipulations), and Raincaller (who summons rains to nourish or test the land) shift hands often, ensuring that the court remains dynamic and unpredictable.
The court’s festivals are just as volatile as its politics. Their gatherings are known as Tempest Revels, where courtiers gather under darkening skies to dance, sing, and unleash their power in a frenzied celebration of nature’s fury. These revels often culminate in a Stormcall, where the fey collectively channel their magic to summon a grand tempest. Thunder rolls, lightning arcs overhead, and rain pours down, drenching everyone in attendance. This ritual is seen as a way to honor the raw power of nature and is considered the highest form of devotion.
Another notable tradition is the Challenge of the Thunderstruck, where courtiers test their courage by standing on the tallest cliff as lightning strikes. Those who withstand this trial unscathed gain status and respect within the court, while those who withdraw or falter are seen as “calm waters” — less exciting and intense, and thus less fitting for positions of power.
The fey of the Court of Storm and Surge are as unpredictable as their home. Many have skin that resembles storm clouds, shifting in hues of gray, silver, and midnight blue. Their eyes often flash with a spark of lightning, and their hair seems to flow as if caught in a constant breeze or drizzle of rain. Some wear garments that shimmer like wet stone, while others are cloaked in dark, misty fabrics that ripple like rain-slicked leaves in the wind. Many carry small symbols of the storm, such as earrings shaped like thunderbolts, cloaks adorned with water droplets, or belts of woven lightning.
The magic of the court is focused on elemental intensity, often manifesting as powerful lightning strikes, gusting winds, and torrential rains. Courtiers are adept at manipulating these forces, wielding lightning like a sword or summoning mists to obscure and disorient. They are known for their ability to “charge” themselves or objects with energy, creating artifacts that pulse with latent storm magic. When their ruler channels this energy, the skies darken, and the very air hums with anticipation, heightening the court’s influence and aura of unpredictability.
They also practice a unique form of Tempest Magic that allows them to attune to the sky, reading the patterns of clouds and changes in the wind. Through this, they claim to predict not only weather but also the emotional “storms” of other fey, foretelling conflict, passion, or turbulence within the court. Some of the most skilled can even summon personal rain clouds or bolts of lightning at will, using them to emphasize their words or intimidate others.
To the Court of Storm and Surge, nothing is more stagnant than stability. They believe that upheaval is the only path to strength, and they embrace this philosophy with fervor. Their courtiers are often unpredictable and headstrong, reveling in confrontation and driven by an insatiable thirst for change. They respect boldness and passion, looking down on those who would avoid conflict or strive for peace. In their view, only through challenge and turmoil can one’s true nature be revealed.
They are allies to those who respect their power but tend to clash with courts that value order and structure. To the Court of Storm and Surge, a lack of chaos is unnatural, a stifling of life’s essence. For this reason, they are often seen as both allies and rivals to the other Summer Courts, respected for their power but feared for their chaotic influence.
Storms forge what calm cannot.
Type
Court, Noble
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Notable Members