The Veil

The Land Beyond Reflections, or The Veil as it is known colloquially, is a mystical and ancient realm full of magical creatures and mysticism that is only accessible through reflections such as in mirrors or pools of water. It is a land of enchantment, where reality is fluid and ever-changing. The realm is overseen by 37 immortal fey beings, known as Eld, each embodying a dramatic situation of story-telling. They gain strength from the proliferation of stories and dramas that feature their specific situation. As of the last known visit to the Veil, the realm is being ruled by the Summer Court.

 

The Eld

1. Eld Ailith (Supplication)
2. Eld Bryndis (Deliverance)
3. Eld Caelan (Crime Pursued by Vengeance)
4. Eld Dairine (Vengeance Taken for Kin upon Kin)
5. Eld Eamon (Pursuit)
6. Eld Fianna (Disaster)
7. Eld Gavril (Falling Prey to Cruelty or Misfortune)
8. Eld Haldis (Revolt)
9. Eld Isolde (Daring Enterprise)
10. Eld Jareth (Abduction)
11. Eld Kaelith (The Enigma)
12. Eld Liora (Obtaining)
13. Eld Morwen (Enmity of Kinsmen)
14. Eld Nerys (Rivalry of Kinsmen)
15. Eld Orin (Murderous Adultery)
16. Eld Pryderi (Madness)
17. Eld Quorra (Fatal Imprudence)
18. Eld Riordan (Involuntary Crimes of Love)
19. Eld Sorcha (Slaying of a Kinsman Unrecognized)
20. Eld Tiernan (Self-Sacrificing for an Ideal)
21. Eld Una (Self-Sacrificing for Kindred)
22. Eld Vaelan (All Sacrificed for Passion)
23. Eld Wynne (Necessity of Sacrificing Loved Ones)
24. Eld Xanthe (Rivalry of Superior and Inferior)
25. Eld Yseult (Adultery)
26. Eld Zephyr (Crimes of Love)
27. Eld Astraea (Discovery of the Dishonor of a Loved One)
28. Eld Brenna (Obstacles to Love)
29. Eld Caspian (An Enemy Loved)
30. Eld Druantia (Ambition)
31. Eld Elowen (Conflict with a God)
32. Eld Fionnuala (Mistaken Jealousy)
33. Eld Galen (Erroneous Judgment)
34. Eld Hyacinth (Remorse)
35. Eld Iskander (Recovery of a Lost One)
36. Eld Jocasta (Loss of Loved Ones)
37. Eld Kyrian (The Fatal Imprudence)

Entrance

One can enter this realm by looking into a reflective surface (mirrors, calm water, polished metal) and performing a ritual or under specific conditions (e.g., full moon, eclipse, certain spells).

Environment

The landscape is otherworldly, with shimmering lakes, enchanted forests, and ethereal cities made of crystal and light. The sky might reflect the colors and shapes of the real world but in a surreal, dreamlike manner.

Inhabitants

Besides the immortal fey rulers, the realm is populated by various mystical creatures like will-o'-wisps, dryads, naiads, and other beings tied to reflections and illusions.

Time

Timeflows differently withing the Lands Beyond Reflections, with days in the real world equating to months or even years, in this realm. Time spent in the Lands Beyond Reflection catch up to mortals when they return to Daure, sometimes causing unsuspecting travellers to suddenly die of old age.

Power Dynamics

Story-Based Power

Each Eld draws strength from the frequency and intensity of stories told in the other realms that align with their dramatic situation. For example, if tales of daring enterprises are popular, Isolde grows more powerful. Each Eld gets a say on who rises to power each cycle in the Winter and Summer courts, and so many fey creatures work to spread stories tied to the Eld they serve to increase the position of power they are granted.

Influences in Daure

To ensure that stories are told, fey often orchestrate grand schemes that mortals will feel compelled to share for generations. Fey beings might also subtly influence bards, playwrights, and storytellers in Daure to create stories that enhance their powerr which could lead to a cultural fascination with certain types of stories.

Seasonal Courts and Cycles

Though the Eld appoint rulers and orchestrate the rankings of the fey into the courts, they don't actually rule the Veil. Rulership is left to the dominant court of the current season. The seasons don't change with the passage of time, but rather based on political power. Each era the tension between the Summer and Winter courts erupts into a grand battle the destroys both courts, with all fey being reborn anew into either a Spring or Autumn court as appointed by the Elds. For a brief time there is a thinly velied peace in the realm as the Sprint and Autumn courts use subterfuge and manipulation to elevate their power until the time comes for these courts to become the Summer and Winter courts respectively and one of them gains rulership of the realm; all for the cycle to repeat.

Mortals who venture into the Veil often find themselves as pawns, allies, or adversaries in the intricate games of the fey courts as each court subtly manipulates every tool at their disposal to ensure they are positioned where they want to be for the next era. Adding to the chaos of the realm and making the schemes of the fey more difficult and unpredictible is that events such as the telling of specific stories, the discovery of powerful artifacts, or the alignment of celestial bodies can hasten the transition between courts.

Summer Court (Court of Light and Growth)

Dominant Traits: Warmth, abundance, vitality, and joy. Ruler: Queen Solara, The radiant queen of the Summer Court, representing the peak of vitality and growth. Primary Goal: Expansion, growth, and the flourishing of life. Allies: Creatures of light, growth, and nature.

Winter Court (Court of Ice and Endurance)

Dominant Traits: Cold, resilience, stillness, and reflection. Ruler: King Nivara, The icy king of the Winter Court, embodying resilience and the stillness of winter. Primary Goal: Preservation, endurance, and the quiet strength of survival. Allies: Creatures of ice, darkness, and silence.

Spring Court (Court of Renewal and Schemes)

Dominant Traits: Rebirth, planning, hope, and strategy. Ruler: King Verdara, The king of the last Spring Court, and husband to Solara, symbolizing renewal and strategic rebirth. Primary Goal: Rejuvenation, renewal, and the plotting of future dominance. Allies: Creatures of renewal, flowers, and new beginnings.

Autumn Court (Court of Harvest and Intrigue)

Dominant Traits: Harvest, decay, preparation, and cunning. Ruler: Queen Aureska, The queen of the last Autumn Court, and queen to Nivara, representing harvest, cunning, and preparation. Primary Goal: Gathering strength, reflection on past victories and losses, and setting the stage for future power. Allies: Creatures of decay, harvest, and transformation.