The Escheat & the Seelie and Unseelie Views

The Escheat

Just as Vampires have their Traditions and the Garou have the Litany, so do the Changelings have their laws. The Escheat is made of the inherent rights of Changeling as defined by law - not all Changelings abide by them, but they are held in general high regard. Violations of the Escheat are usually severely punished. When they're known about.

1) Right of Domain -- Those who rule over the lands appointed to them are expected to be obeyed and respected; both by commoner and those who Lord over them. In return they deal with conflicts and crimes; both of the petty and major kind.

2) Right of Ignorance -- The less that humanity knows, the better. If humanity knew more about the fae, they would take them under the microscope and knife to dissect and analyze us like frogs in a biology lab. The frog does not survive this process, and neither does the Glamour of our world.

3) Right to Dream -- To bar Mortals from dreaming drains the Dreaming of its power and with Glamour is becoming scarcer and scarcer in the waking world it is necessary that mortals who still produce this vital substance should not have it taken from them by force. Inspire the mortals to produce glamour via your works and they shall do so.

4) Right of Rescue -- All Changelings have the right to be taken from the cold petrifying affects of Banality. It is a Kithain's sworn duty to help creatures of the Dreaming in need

5) Right of Safe Haven -- Just as it is our duty to remain hidden, so it is to protect our Freeholds and safehavens. Those who wish refuge, must be admitted. These places must be kept free from Banality and worldly violence.

6) Right of Life -- Like the Glamour of the World, We changelings are becoming rarer and rarer. Draw not cold iron against one another, let not the salt tears of Kithain stain the earth, seek not to bring one of the dreaming against its own. Death is anathema.

The Seelie Court and Code

The Seelie are most often associated with “good” fae, although such strict ideas of good and evil don’t apply to members of the Dreaming. Instead, the Seelie Court is seen as following a certain set of precepts; Death Before Dishonor, Love Conquers All, Beauty is Life, Never Forget a Debt.

The Seelie Court is known to be steeped in tradition valuing love, beauty, and honor. In the past the Seelie Court shared it reign with the Unseelie Court, ruling over the summer months (Beltaine to Samhain) while the Unseelie ruled during the winter months (Samhain to Beltaine). In more recent times, correlating with the Sidhes' return from Arcadia, the Seelie Court has managed to extend its rule to the entire year, excepting a token day during Samhain.

The members of the Seelie Court long for the days when the mortal realm and the Dreaming were one and actively gather Glamour, as well as re-awaken mortals to dream and create. The Seelie Court fears Banality above all else.

The general guiding principles the members of the Seelie Court Live by:

1. Death before dishonor -- Honor is the most important of virtues even in this modern world, Knights and Royals still exist. And Honor is the Source of all glory for them. Keep your personal honor intact, even if that means that you travel down a road that leads to your demise.

2. Love conquers all -- Love is the purest expressions of what it means to be Seelie. Love in its truest form True love goes beyond all and personifies what it means to be Seelie. Courtly love best expresses love in its highest form, although love of family and friends can embody all that is this most of exalted of virtues. Anything can be done, and is permitted in the name of true love.

3. Beauty is life --- A timeless quality, it is a quality that can not truly be described but is, as one sees it, one knows it. It is the muse of all creativity, like a blooming blue rose of the Dreaming. Found it must be protected, for it is both eternal and fragile. It is an Honor, nae, privilege to die in the act of protecting something that represents Beauty.

4. Never forget a debt -- All good deeds are not with out reward, likewise all terrible acts should be punished as such. When receiving a gift, one is obligated to return the favor. An oath of friendship should be answered with a corresponding oath. To refuse aid to someone you are indebted to is a grave insult. Never refuse to aid anyone to whom you are indebted. Never forget a kindness... or a cruel act.

The Unseelie Court and Code

The Unseelie are often viewed as the night to the Seelie Court’s day. Seen as the “bad” fae (although it is unfair to say any member of the Dreaming is entirely “good” or “evil”) they mock the traditions the Seelie try to uphold and believe the Dreaming has deserted them. Valuing change, free-thinking, progress, and passion, they do not attempt to merge the Dreaming with the mortal realm again and have no desire to reclaim Arcadia; they believe wishing for the past is foolish, and look only to the future.

The Unseelie are seen as radicals, twisting Seelie ideas for sake of personal gain. Glamour, which is needed for all fae, is abused for self gain and power. Banality, which is feared above all else by the Seelie, is instead viewed (by the most radical of Unseelie) as a powerful tool which needs to be harnessed in order to ensure survival.

The general guiding principles the members of the Unseelie Court Live by:

1. Change is good -- Stagnation is the road to banality. Nothing lasts forever, and the smallest spin in the wheel of fortune can mean the difference between being being a Prince or a Pauper. Chaos brings new forms of Glamour. To refuse to change is to deny the universe. Adapt or Die

2. Glamour is free -- Glamour is everywhere, and if not used is worthless to all, unseelie or seelie. Hoarding it away is irresponsible and makes no sense, as it is replenishible. As long as there are mortals to muse or ravage there will always be those who dream -- therefor there will always be Glamour. Acquire by any means possible, and you will never be with out.

3. Honor is a lie -- The modern world does not hold any place for ancient virtues like Honor. This is merely a thin veil of paint to cover the emptiness behind a great deal of traditions. Only the truth can be attained though one's own self interest.

4. Passion before duty -- To deny your passions is to deny your fae self. This leads to stagnation and hence banality. Follow what you feel, trust your instincts, and act on your impulses. Live life to the fullest with out regard to what the consequences may bring. Those hang overs will still come in the morning. Life is short, live in the moment and enjoy it whiles you can. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die.