Introducing Changeling: The Great Courts

Changeling Freeholds are divided into four Courts. Each Court binds itself to a different season, and as the seasons change each Court hands authority over to the next. The pacts made with the seasons serve to protect its members, and the sharing of power confuses the Fae, who would never willingly share power with anybody. Each Court also has its own ideals, and serves a different purpose in the Freehold. While ideally all Courts serve the freehold together, their different ideals sometimes cause conflicts.

In addition, each Court favours a different emotion. The members of this court will usually favour these emotions when harvesting Glamour, and while other emotions can be targeted a Changeling gains +1 to any Harvest checks made when harvesting their chosen emotion.

While Characters are not required to join a Court, it is recommended they do so. Firstly, they are the main social structure of the game, so from a metagame perspective they are the easiest way to connect yourself to other characters. Secondly, each Court provides several benefits, including affinity with two Contracts - one relating to the season itself, and one relating to the Court's favoured emotion.

Those who wish to play out the experience of being fresh from the Hedge, or are simply unsure about which Court fits them will have the opportunity to make their decision in-character.

The Spring Court

AKA: The Court of Desire, The Antler Crown

The Spring Court is the Court of new beginnings. They believe that despite all that they have suffered, they should put the past aside and start their lives anew. They celebrate their freedom and spurn the other Courts for focusing on the negative aspects of their current state.

As the Court of Desire, members of the Spring Court have the most connections with the mortal world. They believe not only in pursuing their own desires, but in helping others to achieve theirs, and as a result Spring courtiers are usually some of the most politically savvy of Changelings, frequently trading in favours.

The Summer Court

AKA: The Court of Wrath, The Iron Spear

The Summer Court is the most martial of all Courts. Not intending to let the suffering inflicted on them go lightly, they directly fight back against their former captors. Not all members are expected to be skilled warriors - the Court recognises that in war, spies, tacticians, and craftsmen are all useful. Nonetheless, all members are expected to take up arms should the need arise.

As the Court of Wrath, members of the Summer Court embrace their anger, believing it makes them stronger. They see it as a powerful weapon, but one to be mastered.

The Autumn Court

AKA: The Court of Fear, The Leaden Mirror

The Autumn Court seeks to master the magic of Arcadia. Awed by the power of the True Fae, they believe the only way to strike back at their former masters is to take their power for themselves. Members of the Court are expected to share knowledge with one another, and search for new applications of their powers.

As the Court of Fear, the Autumn Court seeks to overcome their fear of the Gentry through understanding. At the same time, they respect the power of Fear, and believe it can be healthy. While they work to uncover the magic of faerie for themselves, they also believe in keeping humanity ignorant and scared, believing that it will keep mortals from falling into the clutches of the True Fae.

The Winter Court

AKA: The Court of Sorrow, The Silver Arrow

The Winter Court bear the scars of their durance bitterly. They have no intention of being captured again, and will do anything it takes to hide from their old masters. They constantly keep watch for threats to their freehold and become excellent information gatherers, even spying on their fellow Changelings in case there are traitors in their midst.

As the Court of Sorrow, members of the Winter Court are filled with sadness for what they have lost, but they know they can never regain it. They do not let their emotion rule them, but instead seek to help others deal with their sorrow, and often find compassion for mortals who have had difficult lives.