Old Elfriche
Old Elfriche in Cosmology
The Realm of Old Elfriche is one of the four "core" realities that make up Alvez, along with Bedouar,, Dindan and Magh Mor. In most cosmological models, it is shown as the source of the Hud and is commonly depicted as being to the "North" or "above" Bedouar. Old Elfriche is the realm of dreams, subject not to measurable, consistent time, but rather Kairos, or "experienced time", determined by the perception of an individual or group, rather than a constant "force" in the world. In Old Elfriche, years in Bedouar may pass by in an instant, or a lifetime may last only a few seconds or the time may pass at the same rate. Physical laws are more suggestions in this magical world, where emotion, thought and expression bear far more weight than measurements and empirical observations. Reality itself is pliable and easily manipulated by the whims of magically adept individuals. Old Elfriche is seen as a chaotic and everchanging world, easily altered by the whims of its inhabitants, but over large spans of "time", remains largely unchanged and consistent. While the landscapes and creatures of Bedouar change over time, most "progress" in Old Elfriche is cyclical. The Seasonal Courts rise and fall like tides, landscapes returning to their baseline as they are forgotten. Winterrule follows Summerrule, Summerrule follows Winter, and the great battles and machinations of the Fair Folk are full of sound and fury, but signify nothing.Geography
Old Elfriche, like Bedouar, is an entire reality, extending far beyond its known boundaries. Due to its ever-changing nature, malleable reality and the whims/disinterest of its native inhabitants, it is not well explored or mapped. However, Old Elfriche is generally divided into three "regions" by Bediz cartographers, each defined by their relationship with Bedouar.
Bleed
The Bleed is the most commonly experienced location in Old Elfriche, located at the border between worlds, where the Hud flows through The Veil, warping the reality around it with powerful magic. The Bleed is typically experienced as a world of heightened, often overwhelming senses. Colours are brighter, images are crisper and even slight sensory experiences are amplified. A small gully becomes a vast, yawning chasm, a copse of trees a dark, primordial forest, a city street a labyrinthine network of alleys, bridges and tunnels folding in on itself. Most Fair Folk who interact with Alvez live in the Bleed, unable to make the journey across the Faewylde to the Far Lands.The Faewylde
Most Bediz who encounter the Bleed are overwhelmed, describing a chaotic world driven by magic, thought and whim. Islands float in the sky, lakes and forests erupt from the ground and the sky becomes a kaleidoscope of mad colours. These experiences pale in comparison with the Faewylde, vast frontiers awash in the Hud, dreamscapes of pure chaotic magic, where a simple though can alter reality and storms rage across extreme landscapes. Even most Fae in Alvez, experiencing some form of Time Madness, dare not cross these lands, though some brave living in them, embracing the madness and the magic of this dreamworld.The Far Lands
Before The Tear, the Sidhe lived in Old Elfriche, described as a timeless paradise with wonders beyond even what the Bleed can offer. Swept away by the Hud, the Sidhe followed Nemed to Rupes Nigra and into Alvez, a safe passage to the stable shores of the Bleed. Though many wish to return to the Far Lands, few have been able to manage this, and they are viewed as inaccessible by most, an aspirational destination.Other Notable Features
- The Moon of Ariosto, also known as the Phantom Shepherd, originates in Old Elfriche and has been described as existing prior to the Tear. It is connected with Old Elfriche by cosmic spiderwebs and controls the ebb and flow of the Hud, in the same manner as Levania controls the tides of Bedouar. - Rupes Nigra - The Black Stone at the Top of the World exists in all realm of Alvez. It was through this point that the Tuatha de Danaan, led by Nemed, passed through into the world.Localized Phenomena
The Hud flows freely through Old Elfriche, powerful magic that can be manipulated to alter the landscape with significantly greater ease than in Bedouar, with the Faewylde being even stronger than in the Bleed.
Fauna & Flora
The sapient inhabitants of Old Elfriche are the Tuatha de Danaan. Originally only the Eladan existed, but different subgroups of Fae emerged during their trek across the Faewylde. The Fae are magically powerful, and functionally ageless, but have been effected by their prolonged exposure to reality, developing different levels of Time Madness that prevents them from safely returning to the Far Lands, but allows them to live safely in the Bleed and Bedouar.
Type
Dimensional plane
Location under
Owning Organization
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