Aos Sí

Mortal who has danced with the fae,

has seen the danger and delight with glee,

and entered a realm and lost their way,

will soon find what used to be.

- Verde

Origin
Due to the oral nature of folklore at the time the exact origins of the Aos Sí is not well defined. There are stories enough to support three possible origins. The Aos Sí could either be fallen angels, come from the same goblin portals, or the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Though these claims are still unproven

Fallen Angels
It is said that the fairies are angels who have fallen from heaven, but whose sins were not great enough to warrant hell. During the War of Heaven there were angels who refused to take either God's or Lucifer's side. For their lack of action they were banished from heaven. Some of them fell onto Ireland, some fell into the sea and some fell into hell.

Goblin Portals
About two thousand years ago, when the various portals suddenly appeared. Something, or someone, came through those were the Fae both Goblin and Aos Sí flocked through the portals eager to start new lives..

Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann were magical beings who occupied Ireland prior to the current inhabitants, the Milesians. A war was waged between these two groups for control of the island. In the end a truce was reached which gave the Milesians ownership of the land of Ireland and the Tuatha De Danan the ownership of the area below the land of Ireland.

Aos Sí are an interesting species, whose stories have become so twisted and changed, that one could almost forget that they are not in their own world. Both men and women have equal rights in society: either can be warriors, leaders, and monarchs.

Appearance
For the most part, Aos Si are a fair people. Both the men, and the women, can be described as beautiful. They are also rather tall as a species, the shortest adults being about 5.5 feet tall, and reaching 7 feet at the tallest, though individuals above 6.5 feet tend to be rarer. They can pass as tall Humans if necessary.

The Seelie Court
The Seelie Court are known to seek help from humans, to warn those who have accidentally offended them, and to return human kindness with favors of their own. Still, a fairy belonging to this court will avenge insults and could be prone to mischief. The most common time of day to see them is twilight. Other names for the Seelie court are 'The Shining Throne' or 'The Golden ones' and 'The light Court'. The categorization of fairies based on court is whether or not a fairy is light or dark. Light fairies are known for playing pranks on humans and having a light hearted attitude, forgetting their sorrows quickly and not realizing how they might be affecting the humans they play pranks on.

Summer Court
The Summer Court typically represents what people see as the benevolent side of the Fae. The fae of this court are generally considered more polite or mannered, albeit they are still very capable of cruelty (but will be more hush-hush, or subtle about it). The Summer Court has free reign over summer solstice and spring equinox months, and are strongest during that time. Needless to say, the fae of this court are frivolous, venereal, hot-headed and what have you.

Usually benevolent. Possess Fire and Light element powers.

Spring Court
The Spring Court is typically seen as the much "calmer" ones to the benevolence of the Fae compared to Summer. The fae of this court are generally polite and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. These fae are more apt to lure humans in with sweet dew. They also have blossoming curiosity. The Spring Court is strongest during the ends of winter and throughout the spring season, despite the Summer Court having reigned. These fae are peppy, quiet, seductive, emotional, and vernal obviously.

Sometimes benevolent. Possess Earth and Light element powers.

The Unseelie Court
The Unseelie Court consists of the darkly-inclined fairies. Unlike the Seelie Court, no offense is necessary to bring down their assaults. As a group, they appear at night and assault travelers, often carrying them through the air, beating them, and forcing them to commit such acts as shooting at cattle. Like the beings of the Seelie Court who are not always benevolent, neither are the fairies of the Unseelie Court always malevolent. Most Unseelies can become fond of a particular human if they are viewed as respectful, and would choose to make them something of a pet.

Autumn Court
The Autumn Court is typically seen as the equally malevolent side of Fae in comparison to Winter, but much more middling. The fae of this court are generally the ones doing the "dirty work" and "trooping". However, these fae can have much nicer sides than any of the Fae and return great favors. The Autumn Court is strongest during the ends of summer and throughout the autumn season. These fae are strong, mystique, eerie, ravishing all the same, and devious.

Sometimes malevolent. Possess Wind and Dark element powers.

Winter Court
The Winter Court typically represents what people see as the malevolent side of the Fae. The fae of this court seemingly frown upon humans. They're more inclined to talk about their ope cruelty. This makes them look none other than evil, however one chooses to define evil. The Winter Court has free reign over winter solstice and autumn equinox months, and are strongest during that time. By and by, the fae of this court are sensible, chilled, dark, baleful, and what have you.

Usually malevolent.. Possess Ice and Dark element powers.

Solitary Fae
There are, of course, those who swear no allegiance to any Court, they are known as Solitary Fae. Nowadays, Solitaries are seen as having a neutral/balanced/common ground between the courts and they are also seen as some of the most dangerous. Living a life a as Solitary can be simple and good in some respect, but because they have chosen to be cut off from the larger support network social interaction with others is not as available. Even so, Solitary fae can finds means of interacting with others and can often be an intermediary for many purposes of Faerie and of Earth. Solitaries are usually unpredictable and have been seen as the outcasts (either banished, choosing to leave, or not choosing at all). There are not many that regret their decision of being court less. -not being a part of a court they are not limited in the elements they can master though having less resources they never master any one instead learning a multitude of many.

Abilities
These Fae are known to possess various abilities. The abilities that they possess, however, are generally limited by what Court they belong to. The Summer Court possesses Fire and Light abilities. The Spring Court possesses Earth and Light abilities. The Autumn Court possesses Wind and Dark abilities. Lastly, the Winter Court possesses Ice and Dark abilities. For more information on the various Courts, please see above. Elemental abilities are, however, not the only abilities that these Fae possess.

Glamour
Glamour is an ability that these Fae possess, to manipulate the senses of those around them. In essence, it allows them to change their appearance. For the most part, it is used to alter their eye color, hair color, and to shape shift, appearing as animals or other creatures. Even though, one should not always assume that Glamour is being used, as many Fae are quite ravishing individuals. All the same, there are also those that are less gifted in appearance.

Beyond this, Aos Si are known to be quite gifted physically as well. They are cunning, agile, and strong, proving to be more than a match for the average Human. Coupled with the ability to use Glamour, even the weakest members of this species are a force to be reckoned with.

Weaknesses
Cold Iron is a substance that Aos Si have been found to be very allergic to as a species. Cold Iron is basically just iron ore that has not yet been processed, not yet been touched by a flame. On contact with the skin, it causes great irritation, blistering, swelling, and a painful rash. If consumed, it can cause the unfortunate Fae to suffocate, their throat swelling until they can no longer breath.

All Aos Si have been found to have a great aversion to salt. It has not been found to actually have any negative effects on them, they just seem to dislike it greatly. The aversion is strong enough that a simple ring of salt around one's self is quite a successful deterrent.

A wand, or stick, in simpler terms, made out of Rowan wood, has been found to be able to break a Fae's Glamour. A simple tap with the wand, and their Glamour fades away, revealing their true appearance. This can break even the most powerful of Glamours.

The truth is quite a powerful thing among these Fae. A promise given three times is binding, and cannot be broken. Also, they are not allowed to speak lies. They can be tricky and cunning, but straight up lying causes their throats to burn and blister. The reason for this is unknown. Perhaps a curse?

Aos Si are known to have two names. One is the name that they are called, that they give out to others. The other is their True Name. One can see this as the name of their soul, rather than the name of their body. If one discovers a Fae's true name, they gain control over that individual. The Aos Si must do their bidding.

The next two bits of information are not critical weaknesses, but they are worth noting.

Aos Si have been found to have a weakness for shiny objects, often being distracted easily by them. They are known to adorn themselves in jewels and trinkets. Food for thought.

Lastly, these Fae tend to be disinclined towards daylight and daytime hours. They are creatures of twilight, dawn, and the night. This is not to say that sunlight is actually harmful to them, they just seem to dislike it.

Diet
Aos Si are strictly vegetarian. They respect all forms of life greatly, and cannot bring themselves to kill anything after they have seen what lays within its mind and heart, what it feels like for it to live. Before one questions it, yes, this is rather strange to outsiders, as many Aos Si are known to have no problems killing Humans if they feel like it. No further comments.

Lifespan/Lifestyle
Aos Si are known to live from 400 to 600 years on average. This makes them one of the longest living species, only being outmatched by the few immortal species.

Reproduction
Aos Si can successfully reproduce with Goblins, Humans, Angels, Demons, and, of course, their own kind. In general, the fertility rate is pretty low, at about 5%. Relationships between them and Humans are extremely rare however. This is mostly due to the differences in lifespan. However, they can have offspring, which possess blood that is half Human, and Half Aos Si.

These half bloods do not live as long as Aos Si, but tend to live about 100 to 150 years. Also, while they do have some of the powers possessed by their Fae parent, they tend to be muted, and do not achieve the same level of power. There is a sort of curse that the half blood possess, however. They only have a 1% fertility rate. It is unknown why this is.

Death
There is a mass belief in the world of Fae or Otherworld, where their souls will join together to live in peace and harmony. There's no proof that such a place exists, except in the hearts and souls Fae kind. The Fae in general believe that once they've passed from this realm they return home to such a mythical motherland.

Ranks
Rank E - N/A - Even the weakest Aos Si possess great power, being able to outmatch normal Humans.

Rank C - Sidhe - Commoners among Aos Si, these individuals tend to possess little say in things. However, they still have the ability to use Glamour, and possess some skills, often being healers or teachers.

Rank B - Maithe - Nobles among the Aos Si, these individuals are often well trained in the art of combat, serving as knights in wartime.

Rank A - Moura - Princes, Princesses, and exalted individuals, these individuals are quite powerful, and quite well trained. In wartime, they are known to serve as Generals and Warlords.

Rank S - Danann - King or queen, High powered individual greatly respected. They are sometimes seen as deities themselves, worshiped by Human cults. Whether they want to be or not.