Aftiel
From Changeling Venue
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The Kingdom of Twilight
There are things and horrors with the Faerie that make the human mind break like glass. There are also things of such terrible beauty and wonder that human soul would burn in their presence. Such thing are common in the Kingdom of Twilight. The lord of this domain is known by many names but is simplest known by the name Aftiel. His is a domain where all things contradict yet are bound together by those contradictions. It is rumored his domain encompassed Arcadia, that to pass from the Hedge into the Realm you must pass through the barrier of his domain.
The Kingdom of Twilight is said to be a domain of mists and smoke where to see is to be blind and blindness the purity of vision. Confusing as it is wondrous and fearsome the Kingdom of Twilight. The center piece of his kingdom is said to be obsidian and opaline castle. The size and scope of his castle is unimaginable. Sometimes remembered as a castle carved out of a mountain and other times, a castle so immeasurable, that the stars, sun and moon dance upon the highest towers.
Aftiel is also known by five differing titles, each one a contradiction and further defines the nature of his powerful Gentry. As the Endless Deep, Aftiel's nature is profound. Even among the Gentry few deal with Aftiel unless absolutely necessary. His deals are laced with honey and vinegar and even for beings like the Gentry his deals and vows are to bound by Wyrd to be broken. His profound nature is conflicted, running between hot and cold, merciful and vengeance often within the same moment and act.
As the Stars of Light, Aftiel created his kingdom out of the nether of Arcadia. Bringing substance and light to places where it had never been before. His kingdom is still dark and twisted, but here Aftiel reigns with the power befitting one of his station. It is said that each star in the sky of his kingdom is a realm to itself that he controls and each one as unique and different as he is. From his Kingdom of Twilight he reigns supreme over all he surveys.
Aftiel is known as both the Lord of Truth and the Prince of Lies. Few of his servitors that have memory of him can ever remember anything he said that was not both true and untrue at the same time. Manipulation of the Wyrd and all he surveyed made everything he said both. To be one of his servitors was to learn both. Since to serve him was to become Truth and Lies. As each seperate manifestation, Aftiel is absolute or neither. As a Lord of Truth, everything he speaks is absolutely true. As a Prince of Lies, everything he speaks is absolutely false. Most commonly he seems to switch between manifestations of these titles as quickly and easily as one blinks.
As the King of Twilight, Aftiel is supreme. Other changeling claim this title belonged to others, which maybe entirely possible. Though Aftiel is rumored to be the first and truest King of Twilight. Each other King took on a singular aspect while he is the true king of Twilight. As such he is privy and bound to ancient laws and pacts that lead him and sometimes dictate his actions.
Aftiel
Appearance: Aftiel has many conflicting reports of his appearance but two stand out the most. The first being of a living shadow whose eyes are able to pierce the darkness. In this form he is able to traverse his kingdom in the blink of an eye for him distance is but an illusion. When visiting or hosting other Gentry his form seem to be that a young man. A man whose body seems to smoke as if burning, blurring his image as if being solid were something he is unable to do. In either form, his presence and potence are immense but his power comes not in brute strength but in his mastery of Wyrd. His mastery of such is said to be among the finest of all the Gentry. That said most hold their tongues around him, unless they wish for him to bind it to them.
Powers: Aftiel's powers are immense but he rarely prefers physical confrontation. He binds others by their word and their actions. While managing to remain unbound himself. His way, is of subtly and of shadow and all things twilight. It is said he only comes to visit the human world when one has been noticed by him. To so do it is said that one must violate a promise within the hours of twilight. For which, he will bring you bring you to his domain and make you one of his servitors. He is also one of the few Gentry known to release Changelings for no apparent reason. Why he does so no one knows and no one asks.
Servitors: His kingdom is home to many changelings who were brought to the Faerie by Aftiel. His kingdom has few Orges and Beasts. As his kingdom of twilight is a realm of intrigue and shadow, not of the hunt or of labor. Elementals that comprise his kingdom's primary elements can be found here. Though most common are the Darklings, Fairest and Wizened. Each of these three groups serve the King of Twilight in many different ways. It is also said that he has possibly the most servitors of all the Gentry because of his proximity to the Hedge.
Quirks: Aftiel is known for simply dismissing his servitors on a whim. Most often then not simply taking them and casting them out of Faerie through the Hedge. The fall from Twilight is normally a very rough transition and few Changelings survive the Fall wholly intact. Those that escape the Kingdom of Twilight claim to have been watched doing so. If this truly was Aftiel no one knows, and if it was, why did he left them go.
Relations:
- Shamshiel - It is said that Aftiel and a fae known as Shamshiel are bound. Either bound by family, intimacy or more. The exact nature of the two sometimes seems to wonder whether or not they are in fact opposites in every capacity of the word. Yet bound to each other since they are two opposing sides of the same coin.
- The Twilight King - Aftiel has a unique relationship with a Banished Fae known as The Twilight King. In Aftiel's own word The Twilight King was in all things vicious, a mere child who garnered favor and power, until he believed himself ruler among rulers. Claiming rightful ownership of the Mantles of Twilight. Had he stayed under his true name, he would not have fallen. But his old title fits him better now then it ever did before. Sovereign of Falling Stars.
Lygophilia
Aftiel serves as a good Gentry for people looking for Darklings, Fairest and Wizened. His domain has need for all of theses. Spies and couriers to other locations within his Kingdom. Beautiful play things for him to enjoy and servants moving to and fro within his castle. Aftiel is also good because of his unpredictable nature. Wizened are also common because of his reputed kingdom being the one closest to the Hedge and having constant dealing with the inhabitants of that domain. A few elementals are known to come from the Kingdom of Twilight, particular those of smoke, mist, shadow, light and air.
Because of Aftiel's nature and connection to his kingdom and Faerie in general few Ogres or Beast would originate under his control. Beasts and Ogres may make good sentries along the border lands against the Hedge, but Aftiel is more then capable of maintaining his borders on his own. Also few beings from the Hedge would willing seek to enter the Kingdom of Twilight.
Former Servitors
Changelings who would have been in the service of Aftiel before their escape or were released. What is known is that those who were in Aftiel's service before their escape or release, is that they have the most difficult time remembering the conflicted nature of their experience in Faerie.
