Aspect of Nature

A Fey’s Aspect is inherited by their Fey parent.
It is directly tied to the purpose of the Fey’s existence.

What came first – the egg or the chicken? In this case the Aspect comes first, and Fey appear in response.
Obviously animals, plants and elements have been around for a very long time, which means the Fey have too.
But should a new river spring from a mountain, or a new animal species evolve, new Fey would suddenly exist to herald and safeguard these new Aspects of Nature.

A Fey’s Aspect of Nature is their original driving factor and main focus.
While many have diverted and mutated to focus more on their emotional Passion, the Aspect is still an inescapable factor in their lives and their anatomy.
To some, it is hardly visible, to others their Aspect sets its very clear signs in the Fey’s presentation.

While this is a full spectrum of possibilities, here are some typical examples:
Minimal: The Fey is by all means a pointy eared Human. While they are still a magical being in relation to magic influence, they wouldn’t feel it.
Coloration: The Fey’s Aspect expresses itself through the color of their skin, eyes and/or hair.
Physical Traits: The Fey has distinct inhuman traits of their Aspect. This could be a tail, sharp teeth, fur, barky skin, stone-like skin.
Monstrous: Visually, The Fey has very little in common with Humanity. These are often referred to as Fomori.
Werebeast: The Fey’s Aspect expresses itself in the ability for them to shift between a basic Fey form and that of their Aspect. While usually associated with beasts, some Nymphs can turn into trees etc.

Beyond the visual presentation, a Fey’s Aspect often also presents itself in tendencies or mannerisms in the Fey, mostly visible perhaps in the Fey with the Aspect of an animal, who might follow their diet, hibernation habits or social traits to some extent.

While a Fey may look into finding a treatment for their Passion, unlikely as that may exist, their Aspect is considered inescapable by all, even if they feel less impressed with their allotted Aspect.

The Aspect is a part of their very being and will follow them for their entire lives. It is a static part of their genes, and unlikely to mutate further later in life.

In cases of an especially strong Aspect connection, a Fey may find themselves drained or depressive, if unable to connect with their Aspect regularly, or if too far from their Aspect.
In a few cases this may even prove fatal.

Only Fey are affected by this, but all Fey are, to some extent.

Remaining under The Changeling Glamour protects a Fey from their Aspect associated needs and conditions.
While fewer modern Changelings become Fomori as their Glamour breaks, it is still a risk and a feared fate, that keeps many Changelings hesitant to release their full Feydom.

Legends tell that the Fey were created by Fate to work as her protectors of all things natural. That they suddenly appeared from thin air, all around the globe, and their Aspect of Nature was their focus, fixation and only Passion.
However, the Humans and their emotions proved too curious to the Fey, and they began losing their Passion for their Aspect for new Passions tied to specific moods or emotions.
With time their bodies started mutating to accommodate for this change in focus, and while many grew distant from their Aspect, most feel a connection to both, leaning either way.
The unlucky Fey who have become ravenous monsters by their Aspect are known as Fomori, and they have often been the unwilling villain in stories of heroic monster slayers.

Within the younger Fey community there is an acceptance of the Aspect burden they all carry. Having been awakened after the Unravelling have left them in control of themselves in ways, older Fey rarely were.

Older Fey have no memories of their Changeling days, and thus can’t relate to the memories of a life unhindered by Aspect or Passion.

Alfs look upon them with a clear understanding that this is the natural order that they must abide by. They still consider it the Fey plight to adhere to and protect their Aspect of Nature, and that remaining Changelings hinders the Fey in doing their duty.

Humans see Fey as perhaps the scariest bunch of all the Fey Folk. Their views are formed by rumours and folklore, and while the Passion is the most uncertain and dangerous thing about them, the Fey Aspect is what cements them as different and inhuman to look at. Traits of predatory beasts are especially scary to humans.

The Vettir are wary for the same reasons as humans, but often considering themselves mightier, they feel they have less to fear from a Feral Fey.