The Shadow Court (The TRUE Shadow Court. Not to be confused with the mock court at Samhain with the same name) came about after the Shattering, when the Seelie took control of thing in the sake of maintaining ‘order and tradition’. Bollux. Lets go back a little bit. Once upon a time the Seelies and Unseelies ruled everything fair and square. The Seelies ran stuff in the summer, Unseelies in the winter, and everyone was happy. The Shadow Courts took over on Samhain Night, when everything was flipped on its head and the Seelies went Unseelie and a good time was had by all. There was another custom on Samhain though… walking the Bright Road. This ritual gave a fae the opportunity to renew themselves and experience rebirth. Realize, that time meant little to them in those days, and questing the Bright Road gave them a chance to come to terms with immortality and be reincarnated. It was a hard test, especially for the sidhe, and got more and more difficult as the mortal world grew colder and more distant to the supernatural, but the Unseelie kept with the tradition, though most Seelie would prefer not to speak of it. When the Shattering came, the sidhe fled, as did the tradition of switching courts. The seelie felt it was their duty to take control and maintain ‘tradition’… which so neatly cut out the Bright Road, acting as if it didn’t even exist. For six hundred years they clung to the archaic ways of rule, while they slandered the Unseelie, masters of chance, chaos and change. Called them brigands and layabouts, criminals and monsters, unfit for their ‘civilized’ society. So some of the Unseelie, not standing for such slander, formed the true Shadow Court behind the guise of the Samhain festivities. The Shadow Court began preparing for the inevitable that was too come from the unbalance the Seelie were causing. Embracing chill Samhain winds and staring boldly into the dark Underworld, the Shadow Court learned the truth about the future the Seelies were so proud of: the long prophesized Endless Winter, when all would be pitched into blackness and the things of evil and wickedness. That fact broke some of the Court, but others saw the truth, and even began working towards the Winter, undermining the Seelie at every chance. How could someone do that? Wipe your mind of Seelie propaganda. It has been prophesized, and no event since those prophecies has given any reason to see things differently. If nothing, it has reinforced the resolve of the Shadow Court. Many start their journey into shadow with the petty ambitions of power or revenge, but in time all who remain with the Court come to see the truth of the deeper meaning behind our actions and accept it. For the centuries after the Shattering the Shadow Court hid behind its more visible counterpart, advancing its plans to survive the coming Endless Winter while the Seelie guided the fae toward ever-greater disaster. Modern times, the last few centuries have been good to the Shadow Court. Mortals grew dissatisfied with their world and their dreams gave fuel to disposing of the Seelie rule. Unlike the Seelie, who believe the world is still a place of honor and chivalry, clinging to their swords and armor, the Shadow court realizes and accepts the change in the world. The Shadow Court Manifesto The First Tenet Understand the mortal world, and shelter those who cannot live within it. To be Unseelie is to understand that change is inevitable, and that means keeping up with current events and technologies in the mortal world, if you don’t you can be sure your enemy will. You are part mortal. Hate them if you wish, but learn how to see things from their perspective. Finally, shelter the Thallian and other recent arrivals from the Dreaming, at least until they understand what they have come to destroy. The Second Tenet Understand the supernatural world, and make and break alliances as necessary. Few manipulators are better suited to subtle power plays than a vampire, few advisors are wiser than a wizard, few spies more undetectable than a ghost, few warriors more fearsome than a werewolf pack on a rampage. Beware their unique wants and hungers, as well as the Banality that hangs about them, and you will have endless allies that the Seelie will not expect. The Third Tenet Harvest Glamour and prepare for the approaching of Endless Winter. Simple. Endless Winter means that Glamour will become scarce, and thus any means of acquiring and hoarding it is not only expected but demanded. Those within the court differ in their views on Ravaging, as some believe it a renewable resource even in the light of Endless Winter, while others disagree and claims it wastes fast-disappearing Dreamers. No one argues that the overall goal of gaining as much Glamour as possible is a bad thing. The Fourth Tenet Overthrow the Seelie Court and the nobility. This goes without saying to most recruits. The overthrow of the Seelie is a sacred quest as well as a practical goal for the Shadow Court – after usurping and slandering the courts rightful position for 600 years, the eve of Endless Winter makes this the perfect time for vengeance. With the seelie out of the way and the noble system cast aside, true change can emerge. Even the sidhe of the Shadow Court believe this dismantling of the nobility is necessary, though most of them see themselves of the new order to come. The Fifth Tenet Fulfill the ritual obligations of the year, culminating in the rituals of Samhain. This tenet is perhaps what separates the Shadow Court fae from their pretender cousins – the essence of the court remains with the rituals it was founded to protect and preserve. Perversely enough, the Unseelie of the Shadow Court make up the largest number of fae who still observe the original traditions of the many faerie holidays, especially Samhain. The Sixth Tenet Spread chaos, revolution and anarchy. Though often synonymous with the Fourth Tenet, the two are not identical – the mortal world needs to be awakened to the truth of things as well, and nothing grabs a person’s attention better than fear. Chaos and anarchy keep the enemies of the court off-balance and obscure the more delicate maneuverings going on behind the scenes. Leave every location changed for your passing, and let no complacent soul – mortal or fae – test easily in delusions of comfort and safety. The Seventh Tenet There is no tenet number seven. All hail Discordia! We are the Unseelie, harbingers of change, breakers of tradition, fomenters of revolution and the nightmares that refuse to be tamed by this world or any other. Never forget this! If you feel yourself settling into the same routine – whether it’s a mortal holding down a job or a faerie spreading anarchy – do yourself a favor and take a wild night (or week or year) to change it all. We expect nothing less. |
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