The Court of Verdance stands as the embodiment of balance, harmony, and natural order within the Faewyld (aka the Plane of Fae). It is composed of the oldest and most benevolent spirits of the Fae (aka Archfey), beings of immense power who are akin to forces of nature. The court’s purpose is to protect the plane from threats that would disrupt its delicate equilibrium, whether internal strife or external invaders. However, in the ever-shifting and emotional world of the Plane of Fae, even the benevolent Court of Verdance can be capricious and harsh, administering judgments as unpredictable as the Fae themselves.
Founding of the Court
The Court of Verdance was born from a love that transcended the wild chaos of the Faewyld. When King Cernunnos, the Horned Lord and Master of the Wyld Woods, and Queen Visunna, the Lady of Light and Matron of Sprites, fell in love, their union brought harmony to the plane. This union merged the wild, untamed forests of the Wyld Woods with the mystical, ephemeral Witchlights of the spirit lands, creating the vibrant, interconnected ecosystem that now defines the Plane of Fae.
Their love gave birth to the Court of Verdance, a bastion of order amid the plane’s chaos. From their union, the great City of Ithandriel rose, becoming the heart of the court’s power and a haven for Fae-kind devoted to preserving balance.
Key Members of the Court
King Cernunnos, the Horned Lord
- Title: Master of the Wyld Woods
- Role: Ruler of the Court of Verdance and guardian of the primal balance of the Plane of Fae.
- Description: Cernunnos appears as a towering, antlered figure with emerald-green skin and eyes like glowing amber. Draped in robes of moss and vines, he exudes an aura of strength and ancient wisdom. Known for his commanding presence, he is both protector and enforcer of the court’s ideals. While his love for Visunna tempers his wild nature, Cernunnos is unyielding when it comes to threats against the plane.
Queen Visunna, the Lady of Light
- Title: Matron of Sprites and Keeper of the Witchlights
- Role: Co-ruler of the Court and the spiritual heart of the Plane of Fae.
- Description: Visunna is a radiant figure of silver and gold light, her flowing hair shimmering like the dawn. Her presence brings peace and warmth, yet her power can become blinding and searing to those who cross her. As matron of sprites and other light-bound Fae, she is revered for her nurturing spirit but feared for the sharp judgments she can deliver.
Pyram, the Satyr Trickster
- Title: Archfey of Satyrs and Master of Mischief
- Role: The court’s jester and ambassador of chaos within order.
- Description: Pyram is a mischievous satyr with a perpetual grin, his horns adorned with ribbons and charms. Though his antics often test the patience of the court, his cleverness and ability to outwit enemies are invaluable. He represents the importance of joy, laughter, and unpredictability within the court’s structure, even as he walks the line between ally and troublemaker.
Philemon, the Sage of the Woods
- Title: Patron of Treants and Keeper of Arboreal Knowledge
- Role: The court’s advisor and historian, safeguarding the secrets of the Plane of Fae.
- Description: Philemon is an ancient treant, his bark twisted with age and glowing runes etched into his form. His deep, rumbling voice carries the wisdom of countless eons. Patient and deliberate, Philemon ensures the court’s decisions align with the long-term survival of the plane, even if they seem harsh in the moment.
Conflict with the Court of Wither
The Court of Verdance opposes the Court of Wither, a malevolent faction devoted to unraveling the balance that sustains the Faewyld. The Court of Wither, led by the shadowy Morrígna, the Black Rose, seeks to return the plane to a state of unchecked chaos and decay, where the strong thrive and the weak perish.
Though the Court of Verdance fights to preserve harmony, its actions are not always gentle. The Faewyld is a realm shaped by emotion, and the Archfey of the Verdant Court, with their deep connection to the plane’s magic, are subject to its shifting whims. A trespasser or perceived threat might find the court’s “justice” swift and merciless, their very existence undone by the raw power of nature’s fury.
Will of The Wylds
The Faewyld's essence is deeply tied to the emotions of its inhabitants, particularly its Archfey. While the Court of Verdance strives to maintain balance, the emotions of its rulers—whether Cernunnos’ fury, Visunna’s sorrow, or Pyram’s mischief—can ripple across the plane, reshaping its landscapes and altering its harmony. As such, the court’s power is both a stabilizing force and a precarious one, forever tied to the volatile nature of the realm it protects.