Mortal History of Ko’Larda

On a sleepy island towards the polar north of the planet lies a humble community of fishers and sailors who, unbeknownst to themselves, will become the focus of powerful fairies far beyond their comprehension.

The world is full of mortal creatures that migrate from place to place, one such location would later be known as Ko’Larda; a land of bountiful harvests and mysticism.

Amidst the deep northern ocean, Ko’Larda has been able to benefit from both opulent catches from their many fisheries as well as nutrient rich soil from their farming. Many realists would evaluate this as lucky placement of settlements and diligent attention and craftsmanship of the trades that toil the land and sea, but others believe that supernatural forces beyond mortal comprehension may have had a hand in nurturing this wayward community. 

Always a suspicious people, the Ko’Lardans have a rich history of spiritualism and belief in otherworldly beings, like the fae, have had a hand on their history. Ko’Lardan culture centers around a lot of rituals. Due to their greater yields in fishing and farming they attribute a lot of their success around their veneration of the Harvest Goddess, allowing for many festivals and holy days around sacrifice to appease this deity and preparing the land and waterways for new seasons. In more recent history a community member of the island now referred to as Saint Jessica had shawn a light on the necessity for scientific advancement and reliance on education to help hone the skills of those who toil in the fields and seas, along with those that work to produce new advancements to allow for greater harvests. 

Politically the island of Ko’Larda is an anomaly; throughout most of their history they have been an independent democratic state run by a council. Only within the latter years of the industrial age of the mortal plane has Ko’Larda adopt a monarchy as Ellery, the daughter of the previous ruler of Ko’Larda (known as the Master Shipright), married Princess Augustine Landmere of the kingdom of Trenodour. In a bizarre turn of events, it became clear that Ko’Larda’s economy rivaled that of the Kingdom of Trenodour and within a few short years of the queens union the island nation became both a multicultural and business center for the continental region. As resources were being consolidated and amalgamations continued, the queens made the announcement of changing the name of the kingdom to the “Commonwealth of Ko’Larda” to reflect the island nations political and economic power. Many historians are going to marvel at the incredible rise to prominence of once a humble nation state of fishers and farmers to a capital of innovation and culture. 

Origin of Seelie and Unseelie of Faewyrd

In the beginning, as far as anyone knows, it was just Oberon and Mab. Two titanic beings of unquestionable and unlimited power.

Oberson & Seelie

Oberon, a being of contemplation and purposefulness, created the original Seelie in their likeness. These creatures appreciated the art of “the game” and were custodians of kindness.

When mortals were spawned into existence, these original Seelie would guide and nurture them, garner trust and rescue those the fae find valuable as “fairy godparents”; at least that was the concept at first.

It is unclear if Oberon had intended this all along, or let their creations evolve naturally, but the Seelie began to spread and take on roles beyond just the beneficial. Today, without the constant presence of the titanic Oberon to act as moral compass to the denizens of Faewyrd, the Seelie have slid into selfish behaviors.

Many Seelie enjoy the finer things of mortal society and find pleasure in the mortal’s creations. The Seelie revel in mortal ingenuity and find their acts of leisure decadent. This gluttony in mortal frivolity has led many Seelie down the path of excess, which bleeds into their influence and their toils upon the mortal plane.

It’s difficult to ascertain the reason behind Oberon letting these wanton acts of frivolity overtake their role as aids to the mortals, but the Seelie of Faewyrd remain gluttonous to mortal machinations. 

Mab & Unseelie

Mab the terrifying, Mab the conqueror, Apocalyptica, The Undoing, the Unyielding - the titanic being known as Mab has had many names and titles through their eternity, but the one that the fae utter now with reverence and fear is “Mad Mab”.

The unquestionable ruler of the Unseelie, Mab was the first Unseelie and created her lineage to befit her role for keeping the mortal realm in line. Unseelie regulated the natural plane and deliver warnings to the mortals if they were performing deeds that disturbed the balance of life. Unseelie were to be swift and understandable; no misinterpretations or bartering.

Sadly, this original task of balancing the material plane had been largely set aside for a crueler, more destructive agenda. The Unseelie became a force of havoc and malign intent on the mortal realm as they utilized their powers to create fear and threaten civilizations.

Today, many Unseelie focus their energies on finding ways to control and punish mortals but for their own ends. Mab, although all powerful, had become lost in their own madness and fractious in beliefs and schemes leaving her creations left to their own devices.

Out of the two, Mab is far more active than her counterpart, Oberon, inflicting fear and terror on the fae whenever they stir from slumber. 

Ode to Ordelle

Dear Noble Fae,

It is with great sadness that I must report our once respectable Ordelle has been stripped of her nobility. On the eve of this great loss, I, Lady Tittle-tattle, shall commit to paper the tribulations that have led to such a disastrous end.

For centuries, Ordelle lived a private life within the bounds of her realm, the Sorting Space. Few knew of her, but all felt her influence - none more so than her twin, Kai, the previous arch fae of Chaos. Their subtle rivalry spanned the eras being largely ignored by the Faewyrd nobility.

That was until Ordelle was ordered by Lady Mab and Lord Oberon to hold the First Court.

Pulled from her silent solitude, Ordelle was thrust upon the court floor to bring order to the unruly nobles. And, dangerously for her, she was exposed to the relentless trials of her sister. She managed as best she could until she could temper Kai’s wrath no longer.

Then, with the Court of Finery

threatening the mortal wedding of the First Court, our dear, quiet Ordelle fought with her sister. Ever a lady, she modestly stated that she had won the battle. Yet, the brutality of it was kept a secret - until now.

On the eve of the mortal wedding and in the privacy of the Sorting Space, Ordelle had sorted each piece of her captured sister into a simple line. With such order forced upon the chaotic sister, the arch fae of chaos was rendered into nothingness. Quaint, some may say - others would call it murder.

Alas, the ending of her sibling rivalry was not the end of her troubles. In the wake of Kai’s death, the tournament was birthed. It ripped apart the realms and the First Court. A significant failure for Ordelle, matched only by her second failure merely a month later when the mortals of the First Court accepted the existence of fae.

As a grey fae, none could protect Ordelle when she failed both Lady Mab and Lord Oberon. She was unceremoniously fired, demoted, and vilified.

Now, Ordelle has disappeared with her Sorting Space. Some eager fae hunt her in revenge of Kai - others simply want to plunder the remarkably helpful servant fae of her realm. No matter, Ordelle is left to count the days until her ultimate demise and sort her final thoughts - a hobby she likely enjoys.