gods and minor players in Western Faeryland

gods – once mortals, men, fae, and now more

the Bluebird; also known as the Ophelia or Blue Queen

a god of the River that feeds the Western Faerylands. Born from two stones that bled water between them. Rival and opponent to the Firebird. Her siblings are the Orchard-Picker and the Star-Wind. She has taken many lovers mortal and fae. She deals most commonly with death, decay, and depression, carrying with her a cloak that absorbed all the sadness of her first brother. She also deals in rot and failed lessons and, with her sister, watches over the Winterlands.

the Orchard-Picker; also known as the Clarene or lady of lions

the mother of the Orchards. Her Orchards feed both Western Faery and the Faerylands beyond. She tends to the Orchards and keeps eyes on those who enter her domain. She takes as many lovers as her sister and has mothered many creatures, but only from her own flesh or soil. Her animals are the lion, griffin, and fox, and she can be seen riding a large red horse. Her dominion also includes the City near the Orchard. She is practical, warm-hearted, and a master of anger.

the Firebird; also known as the Laetha or the Mortal

a deity of ascension and passion. His appearance almost always hails destruction and he is kept at bay by his rival, the Bluebird. A conglomeration of souls, he incorporates those who do his work into himself. He is able to see into the future and can sing his will into being. His land is the forest of fire and the Red Mansion. He can take the form of a peacock but most often remains an eternally burning bird. Though he offers inspiration, he is also dangerous and violent.

the Star-Wind; also known as the Dierne or Fear

leader of fallen stars and dancing Flower Maidens. He travels on glowing feet and wind and is joy incarnate. His lovers and friends are endless and he offers companionship to all. Any place starlight touches is his home, and he especially enjoys Christmas lights and the City. He watches over the River with his sister the Ophelia and steals fruits from his sister the Clarene. He grants forgetfulness and dreamy contentedness to those who approach him in sorrow.

minor players – those who run, walk, and fly

Dragongirl: a lover of the Ophelia and Clarene. She dwells in the forests behind the Town and confronts any who enter with her dragonbone spear. She is close to aspens, willows, and cottonwoods and hostile to all creatures fae and mortal.

Lion at the Gate: the guardian of the Western Faerylands. A jet mirror hangs from his neck and traps the souls of the weak-hearted. He is friendly to the fae and impartial to mortals. Both he and the griffin bring sunlight after the clouds of Thunderhorse. Any mortal the Clarene adopts is under his protection while in the Westernlands and his secret name can be called for aid; he cannot venture into the Winterlands, however.

Thunderhorse: a stallion the Dierne rides in his storm-persona. He occasionally lets Dragongirl ride him as well. Each hoof fall brings the crack of thunder and can gather clouds. He runs along the edge of forests and burns aspens with his breath; though he will circle the Town or City for hours he will not set foot in either. Depending on the time of year, the Bluebird or Orchard-Picker may have this bridle.

Flower Maidens: a troop of flora faeries that dance, sing, and may eat human flesh. In the company of the Star-Wind they are not dangerous and will teach humans dance, song, or healing. They are preferential to women and especially dangerous to men. Any marriages they make with mortals do not last. They sometimes choose a mortal woman to join them and initiate her into their order by ripping her heart out.

Adilene & Althea Altair: mother & daughter, Adilene was lover to the Clarene and experienced partial-divinization from the Firebird. During her divinization came forth Althea Altair, her daughter and embodiment of blinding light. Adilene refused divinization and became a Greater Spirit that rests now in the Orchards while her daughter does the work of the Firebird and sits as a bowl-holder.

Zeroes: watchers of the Westernlands and guardians, they manifest most often as centaurs and are led by the giant centaur Donria. Each Zero has a specific area of guardianship, some protecting children and others hunting down violent spirits.

Lyra: daughter of the Clarene and Laetha and a lover of the Ophelia. She presides over hunting and is associated with Zeroes as well as physical feats and strength, along with independence.

Dahlia: daughter of the Ophelia and the ocean.

Grace:

Corliss: