Unseelie Court
Structure
The rulers of the Unseelie Court are chosen based on various metrics of strength, usually strength of will and magic. The rulers for most of human history have been static, with a trio of Sidhe females of great magic and indominable will. The Droch Banríona include Old Mother Winter, Queen of the Winter Court, and the Lady of the Winter Court. However, in the Unseelie Court, they are known by more blatent nicknames - Death, Ice, and Violence, relatively.
The Queen's Consort is known as the Winter Knight and functions as the Commander of the Armies of the Winter Court.This title is not as literal as it would seem as the military units have their own hierarchy. The Commander or First Knight of the Unseelie acts more as a personal hitman for the Queens. The position tends to change with the person chosen as consort, as skill and, very often, level of psychopathy dictate how violent and obedient to the Queen the Knight is. The Winter Queen is known for chosing individuals who became infamous for their atrocities and destruction, while holding them on a tight leash where she allows them to be horrible without consequence... so long as it's in the direction she wishes.
The Winter Maiden also frequently takes a consort. This often-younger person acts as the head of the ruling family's bodyguard, the Winter Guardian, though the Maiden takes after the Queen in the sense that the Guardian is more of a personal guard or hitman in practice. In recent times, rumors have spread about the Winter Maiden leaning heavily into BDSM, and her choices of consorts has reflected that.
Most of the fae appear to have a very loose hierarchy. But, in reality, the interactions of the fae are so nuanced and complex that it is difficult to explain. All fae have a title, a duty (some might say "job"), and a military rank.
Within the duties, there are several guilds or other organizations for those duties. Title and military rank have nothing to do with guild position. Thus, when it comes to (for example) winter blizzards, an Eira of high rank within the Snow Guild would outrank even the Droch Banríona.
The Queen's Consort is known as the Winter Knight and functions as the Commander of the Armies of the Winter Court.This title is not as literal as it would seem as the military units have their own hierarchy. The Commander or First Knight of the Unseelie acts more as a personal hitman for the Queens. The position tends to change with the person chosen as consort, as skill and, very often, level of psychopathy dictate how violent and obedient to the Queen the Knight is. The Winter Queen is known for chosing individuals who became infamous for their atrocities and destruction, while holding them on a tight leash where she allows them to be horrible without consequence... so long as it's in the direction she wishes.
The Winter Maiden also frequently takes a consort. This often-younger person acts as the head of the ruling family's bodyguard, the Winter Guardian, though the Maiden takes after the Queen in the sense that the Guardian is more of a personal guard or hitman in practice. In recent times, rumors have spread about the Winter Maiden leaning heavily into BDSM, and her choices of consorts has reflected that.
Most of the fae appear to have a very loose hierarchy. But, in reality, the interactions of the fae are so nuanced and complex that it is difficult to explain. All fae have a title, a duty (some might say "job"), and a military rank.
Within the duties, there are several guilds or other organizations for those duties. Title and military rank have nothing to do with guild position. Thus, when it comes to (for example) winter blizzards, an Eira of high rank within the Snow Guild would outrank even the Droch Banríona.
Culture
The Unseelie Court is violent and chaotic, with fighting, shows of strength, and acknowledging magical and military strength during greetings, calling on, and making ties with each other and with other fae or mortals. This reflects the Court's purpose of creating chaos within the patterns of nature.
Strength and respect are of the utmost importance to these fae, but they often forget how short mortal lives are, and how spread out humans are. Because of this, they feel like the proofs and boons they granted to a few humans centuries ago should be known to all mortals. They often get angry with mortals who do not know of them or respect their power. For the Unseelie, rituals are less about propriety and more about control within a situation. The Unseelie are much more likely to use trickery, word-play and riddles in their "gifts."
However, in their own lands, the way the fae, the Sidhe in particular, behave is much like a game where the goal is political domination. They will take decades to set up a move, considering all the angles. As much as the Unseelie love chaos, they value control within chaos even more. As they move to lower parts of the hierarchies and into those Wild Fae only partly or temporarily associated with the Unseelie Court, the levels of respect shown and formality within the game of political power can change drastically.
It is always wise to understand who you are speaking to, how high up they are, and what the cost of disrespect might be when dealing with fae of any kind.
Strength and respect are of the utmost importance to these fae, but they often forget how short mortal lives are, and how spread out humans are. Because of this, they feel like the proofs and boons they granted to a few humans centuries ago should be known to all mortals. They often get angry with mortals who do not know of them or respect their power. For the Unseelie, rituals are less about propriety and more about control within a situation. The Unseelie are much more likely to use trickery, word-play and riddles in their "gifts."
However, in their own lands, the way the fae, the Sidhe in particular, behave is much like a game where the goal is political domination. They will take decades to set up a move, considering all the angles. As much as the Unseelie love chaos, they value control within chaos even more. As they move to lower parts of the hierarchies and into those Wild Fae only partly or temporarily associated with the Unseelie Court, the levels of respect shown and formality within the game of political power can change drastically.
It is always wise to understand who you are speaking to, how high up they are, and what the cost of disrespect might be when dealing with fae of any kind.
Public Agenda
The Unseelie Court promotes change and the destructive part of the cycles of nature. This includes conflict and death, and applies to plants, weather, animals, and human cultures equally.
It is important to note that while both are attributed to the Unseelie Court, neither evil nor meanness are part of the Unseelie Court's ethics. The Unseelie are not more malicious than the Seelie Court. They are simply less interested and considerent of humans and their goals.
It is important to note that while both are attributed to the Unseelie Court, neither evil nor meanness are part of the Unseelie Court's ethics. The Unseelie are not more malicious than the Seelie Court. They are simply less interested and considerent of humans and their goals.
Éilíonn Fás Bás
Alternative Names
The Winter Court, The Dark Fay, The Dissenters
Demonym
Unseelie Fae
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Related Species
The whole thing is great, but the paragraph with "they often forget how short mortal lives are" is where everything clicked into place for me. Nicely done!