Introduction
A Chrysalis Companion is the name of a book written by Sir Dale Starling of House Gwydion, in which he gives an introduction to the history and customs of the Sidhe for those who have recently undergone Chrysalis. It is a slim volume and was not intended to replace, but rather to augment, the instruction of the newly awakened's mentor. It was published in 1971.
The Text
From the Dreaming out
Our history, indeed that of all Kithain, goes back to the beginning of the world, the beginning of the Dreaming. There at the first all were equal, and there was harmony among all parts of the world. These are the Eternal Days, when there was no hiding of shape, no trickery which kept natures hidden, and mortals saw us and wondered. The Dreaming, supremely alive, grew and changed as the Dance of Dán continued, and it came to pass that the mortals looked to their betters to lead them. Thus we came to be opposed to the Trolls, whom it pleased the Dreaming to profer as the test of our worthiness to rule.
The struggle was fierce, of course, and neither side gave the slightest ground. There was no fear, and no hate, for we all were embraced by the Dreaming. And in the Battle of the Riven Mountains the Sidhe host, their spears as bright as their eyes, and led by High King Gwydion, threw down the Trolls from the slopes of their rocky homes, and earned from their victory the right to take the highest honours. On this day Lady Eiluned won her short-lived glory and Lord Dougal impressed all. For the defeated, they were accorded the respect that was their due, for they had fought well, and their strength was great. Many became vassals of the Sidhe, who gracious and wished to see the Trolls stand at their side. Many Oaths were sworn between the two Kith, pledging loyalty and justice. None could foretell the horror that was to leave these Oaths shattered.
But for a long, timeless time, the world was peaceful, and the Sidhe ruled over it with wisdom. Enthroned in their seats of power, the Kings and Queens of a thousand lands kept watch and ward over their subjects, and there was right order everywhere.
The causes of the Sundering are now lost to us, but we do know this, that the Sluagh committed a great crime. Such records as exist for their trial tell only that their punishment was severe, to be forever whisperers in the dark; the crime itself was considered so awful that it was not put down, only spoken of in hushed tones by the few who knew.
With the wrenching apart of the two worlds, many of the old ways were lost, and our power was diminished. It was then that the turmoil of the two worlds was reflected within our own ranks. Never again must we fight against ourselves, amongst ourselves, for there is no enemy within. The Houses must stand as brother to brother.
How long were the years of the Sundering? I do not know, though there are many stories. The Black Torc caused war between Prince Carniog and High Queen Caerna in Britain, before being lost in the clear waters of Llyn Brianne, and that is only the middle of a story that spans the entire history of the land. But not matter the tales, these were mortal years, and all was fading.
If the Sundering was a slow and painful illness, the Shattering was a paroxysm, the death-stroke. In that last age the Trolls forgot their Oaths, were goaded into disrespect, and rose up against their masters. The Troll Revolt was not as the Great War in the Eternal Days, for here there was no honour, and the dead passed from the lands of the Dreaming into the Barren Lands, the world of the mundane, of the mortal.
The destruction wrought upon the Trolls by the Sidhe was nothing compared with that of the Dreaming in vengeance for the Oath-breaking, and they were never again to have second place to their rightful rulers, but to live as other commoners. New Oaths were sworn in place of the old, and it seemed that the groaning earth would fall back into nothing more than a troubled sleep. But then, horror, the gateways between the worlds cracked and broke like a mirror dropped upon a stone floor. The two worlds, drifting apart for so long, were at last to be divided absolutely. The Sidhe, forsaking a world that had treated them so cruelly, retreated as they could back into the pure Dreaming. Those who were not of the nobility chose to stay behind, rightfully giving up their place in Arcadia, for we were most able to effect change from within our own fiefdoms. The faith the commoners put in their leaders was not wasted, for the return of the Sidhe marks a turning point in the sad history of two worlds.
Since the time of departure, the Barren Lands have changed much, though they still hold only a trace of the Dreaming. But with the aid of inspired mortals a bridge was created for the deathless ones, and we returned to the lands that had not seen our kind for hundreds of years. It was our instinct, our Nature, to rule, but the others had been separated from the Dreaming for so long that they had forgotten the true order. It remains our duty to bring this aspect of the Dreaming back, so that the old ways may be finally remembered. Let our Dán guide us into a bright future. Let there be a return to Glory.
Courts, Fiefs, and Vassals
Fealty
Two Oaths create the ties that bind us to one another. The first is the Oath of Fealty, and that is sworn by the vassal to the liege. The second is the Oath of Escheat, and that is sworn by the liege to the vassal. Both Oaths serve to cement the swearer in the hierarchy of Lords, from the lowliest to the highest.
House membership is pertinent to the swearing of these Oaths. Only one who is a Count or higher may accept an Oath of Fealty from a member of a House that is not his own. If one wishes to become the vassal of a Noble who is of lesser rank than a Count, and who is of a different House, the procedure is as follows. An Oath of Fealty is sworn to the Count, or Noble of higher rank, who is the liege (at whatever remove) of the swearer's desired liege. Then the Count (or Noble of higher rank) and the desired liege both swear an Oath of Escheat, and the Sidhe is then the vassal of the lower ranked liege.
The True Order
The True Order is that which arose in the Eternal Days, and which we must now recreate. It is the feudal order in its purest state, with the High King lord over the lesser Kings and Queens, while below in ever growing numbers are the Counts, Dukes, Barons, Knights and Squires (though such titles are only the approximations of the glorious names of the Arcadian Tongue). Beneath and distinct from this hierarchy are the commoners, who are our subjects.
Freeholds
Freeholds have been an unfortunate necessity since the Sundering. Though they are not strictly a part of the feudal hierarchy, it is almost always the case that the higher one's rank, the greater the freehold that one holds.
Retinues
Although they are not strictly part of Noble court, commoners can sometimes prove themselves useful in such an environment. Retainers have long been used by all but the most untrusting lords, and some have become justly famous for their good service.
Since the character of the commoners varies so greatly, even within a Kith, it is difficult to advise as to who might be the most suitable one for any position. However, there are some guidelines which are useful, not only for the task of selecting retainers, but in more general application also.
Pooka are by their nature deceitful and skittish; outside of a Jester's costume they are a liability and carry an infinite capacity for mischief. Eshu have talents that can be used in many rôles, though it is best to keep them moving. They make excellent heralds and troubadours; some have proved more stable and made fine thanes or bards. Satyrs and Boggans are likewise capable of performing many tasks adequately. Nockers, on the other hand, should be kept out of sight, or at least out of hearing. Give them a workshop and call them weaponsmiths, though they but be apprentices. Redcaps can be used as thanes, but house them far from your hall.
The Oath-breakers are not to be trusted, for they have little love for us, and their temper is not improved by the other Kith reviling them. Therefore show the Sluagh kindness, if they cause no harm, but sift carefully to find the truth of their words about us and the Trolls, those who have most cause to hate them.
Etiquette and Honour
The Escheat
- The Right of Demesne
- A lord is the king of his domain. He is judge and jury over all crimes, large and small. His word is law. A noble is to be obeyed by his vassals and respected by all others. A noble is to respect his lords.
- The Right to Dream
- Mortals have a right to dream unhindered by our needs. The Dreaming will die if we steal directly from the font. None is allowed to use Glamour to manipulate the creative process. Although you may inspire creativity in the mortal mind, it is forbidden to give direct instruction.
- The Right of Safe Haven
- All places of the Dreaming are sacred. Kithain cannot allow faerie places to be endangered. All those who seek refuge in such places must be admitted.
House Dougal
The Dougal are first among our allies and supporters. Their endeavours are forthright, which is most respectable. Their counssel is well-reasoned and usually unimpaired by undue emotion. They quietly build good works as we openly strike down foul designs. They devote their efforts toward administration rather than rule, and we gladly play their opposite. The Dougal are an excellent counterpart and complement to our ways. If they have a failing, it is that their craft surpasses their art - but this failing is a small thing to us.
House Eiluned
The so-called House of Secrets is one to be wary of. Its members may have learnt something of their Lady's lesson in the years since the Sundering, but not enough.
House Fiona
The record for House Fiona speaks for itself, and it is certainly commendable in most cases. Fearless to the last, they are our rivals for being closest to pre-eminence among warriors. I can think of no other House that I would rather fight beside, and I have been in battles aplenty with comrades innumerable.
However, the Fiona Sidhe will be ruled by their hearts, and they long for petty pleasures and flighty romances more than they do for true purpose. Their lack of discipline makes them less than ideal governors.
House Gwydion
Known rightly by all as the noblest of the noble houses, House Gwydion is the House of true rulership. As High King Gwydion was ruler of all before the Shattering, and of Arcadia since then, so he shall be soon ruler here, to bring the Dreaming back to the Barren Lands.
House Liam
Though the members of this House are outcast, they are Sidhe yet, and must be accorded respect by all for this. Treat with them fairly, use their services, but do not allow them any prominence of place.
Trolls
Do not think that our position gives us the right to bring up past wounds of our most honourable foes. They deserve our respect, even if they are our lessers. Do not be like the Sluagh, who will not face a Troll, knowing that there was no justice behind the injuries they inflicted upon them in the Revolt, inciting them to lose their honour and then feasting on the almost dead when our virtue shined in victory. So be silent about what has gone before and be just in the present; thus is our future assured. Past presumption can be forgiven, for we are victors and have no fear.
Sluagh
Intrude not into the lairs of the Underfolk. That is their rightful domain since their betrayal, and it is best to turn a blind eye to the horrors that are committed in the depths. We have the light, weak as it may now be, and persecuting the outcasts will not bring it back; they were important in the past, but have no place in our future.