Freehold of the Broken Sun
From Changeling Venue
Contents
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The Freehold Itself
| "Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels. Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies. Elves are glamorous. They project glamour. Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment. Elves are terrific. They beget terror." |
The Freehold of the Broken Sun was founded in Reading in 1736 by four changelings who were desperate to make a safe life for themselves and others. Edward and Mary Crow and John and Lucy Magpie all had very different ideas about how it was best to survive against the Fae, but that did not stop them from working together to ensure it.
They recognised that all of the seasonal courts were valuable, but that they relied upon the support of the other. No one court should dominate the freehold, and to ensure this the rule of the court should change with the seasons. Edward became the first Summer King before ceding control to his wife Mary, the Autumn Queen. John was crowned the Winter King that year before passing rule to Lucy who rose as the Lady of Spring, after refusing the title Queen.
The court shifted with the turn of the year, and the freehold flourished. More and more Changelings came to join the Crows and Magpies. There were a few incidents – in 1748 two Darklings were attacked and dragged screaming back into Faerie – but the Freehold survived without any real problems until, in the winter of 1763, Edward died of old age leaving the summer court without a King. To find his successor, a great tournament was held where the Murder Court wrestled and leapt and fought for the crown.
That has been the pattern of the monarchs for almost two hundred years. Any Changeling who wishes to rule must challenge the current monarch to a contest. The summer court fights, Autumn cast great magics, Winter sneak and creep, and Spring create the most beautiful and joyful things they can. No one may challenge a monarch whilst they hold the throne of the Broken Sun for the freehold must be strong, but anyone may challenge a Monarch in the seasons their rule lies fallow.
Freehold Traditions
There are a number of traditions within the Freehold of the Broken Sun. Some of these were put in place by the founders, whilst others were adopted at a later date. The major traditions can be found below.
The Tradition of the Broken Sun
The most important tradition is the shifting of the seasonal courts within the year, each one taking a turn ruling the Freehold according to their wishes and wants. On the first of each quarter of the year the previous monarch steps down and the new monarch ascends the throne. The only words which are traditionally exchanged during this ceremony are “I give you the leaves of the new season for your crown” and the reply “I shall wear them until they change once more”.
The Tradition of Challenge
Challenge is an important aspect of the Courtly rule, and generally ensures that the best-suited changeling holds the position of seasonal monarch. Any changeling may challenge their court's ruler when that season is fallow (i.e. not during the months which they rule). If a changeling challenges the monarch and fails, they may not attempt another challenge until the next court takes rulership of the Freehold, nor may a defeated monarch attempt to reclaim their throne until the next season. In cases where the result is not clear cut, the currently ruling Monarch judges who has won the contest. This ensures that the Freehold is not placed in jeopardy by rulership changing mid season, and that there is not a continuous series of challenges occurring between a small number of Lost. Challenges must be made publically and are usually judged in front of the whole Freehold. A formal challenge for the leadership of a Seasonal Court is issued with the words "I wish to wear your crown". The ruling monarch then, when all are gathered, announces the beginning of the challenge with the words "Shall your be the best of time. Begin your dispute knowing that we will watch and judge you."
The Tradition of Grievances
Each month the Freehold meets as a whole for the current ruling monarch to make any rulings they deem neccesary, for the Lost to socialise and politicise, for reports to be made on the state of the domain, and for grievances to be heard. Sometimes conflicts do occur between changelings within the Freehold and the grievances system is designed to stop them escalating to violence. When there is an issue or problem, either changeling involved, or any of the seasonal monarchs, may present it as a grievance to the ruling Monarch at the monthly meet. The ruler will listen to both sides of the argument, consider any evidence which may be presented, and then make a decision. If the decision is not honoured, the changeling involved will feel distinct pressure from their courts or, if they are courtless, be asked to leave the Freehold and not return. The period during which grievances are heard is announced with the words “I shall now hear your troubles, open your heart and I shall open my mind” and concluded with the words “Til moon has danced once more, your hearts are clear.”
The Tradition of the Lady
When Lucy Magpie ascended the throne to become the first ruler of the Spring court, she refused the title of "Spring Queen" and instead insisted that she be refered to as the Lady of Spring instead. This kind of modesty was common with her, and the Lost of the Joyous Court still honour this decision, only taking the title of Lord or Lady of Spring, rather than the more usual King or Queen.
The Tradition of Kelber's Market
Each year one of the monthly meetings will coincide with the accesibility of the Goblin Market known as Kelber's Market. This goblin market is suprisingly reliable considering the normal practice of such events, and is considered by the majority of changelings that dwell within the Freehold to be safe for the Lost to visit. Some of the more suspicious changelings occasionally voice concerns about this practice, but the Freehold has been travelling to the market for more than one hundred and fifty years and tradition is hard to shift. Unlike the other traditions, this was not instituted by the founders of the Freehold and thus is not as inflexible as some of the others. It still seems unlikely to change in the near future.
Freehold Laws and Positions
Monarch of the Court
Every court is led by a monarch who, during their season, leads the Freehold. Summer, Autumn, and Winter all have a King or Queen, but the leader of the Spring Court refers to themselves as the Lord or Lady of Spring.
The Bargained
A Changeling chosen by the ruling monarch at the time of appointment to negotiate with markets and hedge-folk. This position is for life, or until voluntary retirement.
Gatherer
The Changeling who provides the venue for the monthly meeting and prepares for them. They have no power over the gathering, but Changelings are expected to behave themselves there anyway and it is unusual that there is trouble.
Reading Timeline
The Courts of the Freehold of the Broken Sun
Summer - Court of the Crows (The Murder Court)
The reign of Summer begins on the 1st of June each year.
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History
The Murder Court was the first to rule when the Freehold was established and thus it is usually taken as the beginning of a new year. The original monarch, Edward Crow, was a stern and quiet man, prone to unpredictable rages in his personal life but icy cold wrath when fighting for the sanctity of the Freehold. He was known to be an obsessively honourable man, and some of the more frivolous changelings had a tendency to tease him for it, knowing that he would never lower himself to even recognising the insults - Lucy Magpie seemed to make it one of her primary missions in life to see him smile, something which she only ever achieved on his deathbed. When he asked, as he lay old and dying, "Are the people safe?" she told him they were, and he died with the knowledge that he had performed his duty and fought well for his Freehold. The Monarchs since that time have been varied in their beliefs and temperments, but one thing that is extremely common is their tendency towards honour and formality. Though terrifying in battle, they hold up Edward as a paragon of everything a Summer King should be - gentle, kind, protective, and powerful.
Politics and Traditions
Whenever the Freehold is threatened, it is the Murder Court that stands at the forefront of the battles, protecting the other courts and, above all else, doing their duty. During the reign of the Summer Monarch the Freehold often becomes increasingly militaristic, organising and highlighting patrols of those willing to do violence to whatever threatens peace and security. Their rule tends to be extremely politically aggressive, and diplomacy is often a last resort during the summer months. The dominant emotion is Wrath, and the dominant ideals are Honour and Courage. The colours of Summer are pure white and blood red. The symbol of the court is a green tree with a pair of crows roosting on its branches.
Challenges
Challenges for the Summer crown are usually displays of martial prowess. In the past the position of monarch has been contested with wrestling matches, boxing, swordplay, staves, and, in more recent years, shooting contests. They tend to be an enjoyable spectacle for everyone, and in the more dangerous contests the challenge always lasts til first blood. To kill or seriously injure an opposing changeling is unheard of, and would be absolutely horrific to the court as a whole.
Current Monarch
TBC
Lost of the Summer Court
TBC
Autumn - Court of the Wise Bird (The Raven Court)
The reign of Autumn begins on the 1st of September each year.
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History
The first Autumn Queen was Mary Crow, the wife of Edward, and she is remembered by the court as a wise leader and skilled practitioner of magic. When her husband died she went into mourning, and was known by many as "the Hidden Lady", as she spent the rest of her life wearing a widow's veil. She was instrumental in the formation of formal contract teaching amongst the court, and also invoked powerful contracts to protect the Freehold itself. Those that believe the tradtions of the Freehold are bound by the Wyrd tend to ascribe this act to Mary Crow. She faced many terrible things, and was known for her bravery in the face of the unknown. Mary was said to have faced True Fae, and lived, and to have twisted the stark terror within her to her own ends, throwing it back at even these alien creatures.
Politics
Autumn is a time of subtly and wisdom, a chance to reflect and build on the martial exploits of the Summer court. The Raven Court often leads the Freehold in a carefully planned and considered way, generally approaching any conflict with a steady nerve and an open mind. They tend to spend their months ensuring that the contracts of the Freehold are carefully reinforced, and that all the changelings that dwell therein are capable of defending themselves from magical attacks and intrusions. Whilst the Murder Court tend to focus on physical threats to the safety of the Freehold, Autumn concentrates on more mystical and esoteric concerns. Whether through some strange conincidence or through a slowly bonding of the court to its surrounds the hedge seems to thrive during the Autumn months and many of the Raven spend their time carefully monitoring faerie gates and gaps in the hedge. They work tirelessly to protect the Freehold from all the things which others do not understand, the things that creep at the edges of changeling existence, the things that all sane Lost fear the most. The dominant emotion is Fear, and the dominant ideals are Wisdom and Forethought. The colours of Autumn are brown, russet red, and dark green. The symbol of the court is a tree with autumn leaves with a single crow perched on a branch.
Challenges
Challenges for the position of Monarch within the Raven Court concentrate on the careful and skilled use of contracts and magic. Sometimes these contests are overt exercises of power, but other times it may be a comparison of occult knowledge or practical esoteric ability. On rare occasions hedge duels have been used to determine the ruler of the court, but these are carefully monitored and controlled, and are usually a last resort between two very evenly matched contestants.
Current Monarch
Jack-in-the-Smoke is the current Raven King, and approaches his duties with a kind of strange whimsy. Somewhat odd and distant, he is nether the less known to be very powerful, and he makes sure that the formalities of occasion are upheld.
Lost of the Autumn Court
TBC
Winter - Court of the Lone Magpie (The Sorrow Court)
The reign of Winter begins on the 1st of December each year.
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History
The original Winter King, John Magpie, was a mysterious and elusive figure who never gained the same level of public recognition as the other founders. He seemed, to any who did not know him well, distinctly average and appeared to lack the brilliance of his counterparts. Some theorised that he was carried by his wife and friends and didn't really add anything to the Freehold at all, whilst others simply remark that he was probably a perfectly capable leader who was outshone by the brilliant individuals around him. Those of the Sorrow Court never correct this in public, but they know better. John Magpie was the reason the Freehold survived. Though never seeming to stretch himself in public or make any important decisions, if you carefully study the early histories of the Freehold then it quickly come apparent that there are some strange occurrances littering those early days. Sometimes enemies of the court would simply disappear, other times they would appear to change their mind and leave the changelings alone. It is said that a changeling once tried to lead a revolt against the monarchs... and was found with a knife through his heart. It is whispered amongst the Winter Court that John Magpie could smell the scent of the soulless and the traitors, detect the loyalists and other dangers to the court from within, and remove them from the world. He would always do his duty, but with a tear in his eye, for to kill one of his own hurt him dearly. But he would embrace his sorrow and do what he must.
Politics
Winter comes and the Freehold becomes quiet and still, almost muffled like fields in deep snow. Problems seems further away and the loyal huddle together for warmth, rooting out the traitors and dangers from within. Of all the courts, the Sorrow Court is most typified by paranoia and suspicion, fear of danger that comes from within, and the sorrow that comes when one must remove those we once trusted. The dominant emotion is Sorrow, and the dominant ideals are Honest and Justice. The colours of Winter are black and white. The symbol of the court is a bare tree with a single magpie perched on a branch.
Challenges
The challenges of the Sorrow Court tend towards secrecy, stealth, and the gathering of information. Sometimes it is a contest to discover a secret, or perhaps to bring a hidden or guarded item. Other times is might be a test of slyness and wit, or the ability to walk unnoticed through a room.
Current Monarch
Jonah Mellicent is known to be paranoid about the safety of the Freehold and often slips into questioning those around him rather than conversing with them. He has been the King of the Sorrow Court for three years now, and makes certain that all possibly treachery is purged by spring.
Lost of the Winter Court
TBC
Spring - Court of the Magpies Joined (The Joyous Court)
The reign of Spring begins on the 1st of March each year.
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History
The Joyous Court is an unusual exception to the Freehold, and this is in no small part due to the unique temperment of the first Lady of Spring, Lucy Magpie. She was a woman of incredible verve and spirit, and whilst she mostly left the defence of the Freehold to others, she was instrumental in keeping morale high and general feelings good. She was very beautiful in her youth, and if she had not been taken into faerie would probably have ended up as an incredibly successful artist and sculptor. Her experiences, however, dictated that she remained reasonably unknown in general society, and she devoted her time to increasing the joy and temperment of other changelings. Whilst Mary was the mind, Edward the fist, and John the knife in the dark, Lucy was the heart and soul. She was a notorious prankster and joker, and was extremely excitable and enthusiastic. A superb artist and brilliant poet, she inspired many changelings over the years. In her old age she mothered several of the more traumatised and unhappy Lost who sought refuge in the Freehold.
Politics
The Joyous Court is by far the least political of the courts, and acts as a perfect counterfoil to the suspicion and sorrow of Winter which precedes its reign. Parties, gatherings, and other events are sympomatic of the rule of Spring, and a festive feeling often pervades the Freehold during the beginning of the year. Spring is devoted to re-establishing links that might have been lost in the harsher months, and one of the highlights of the year is the annual Freehold trip to a large Goblin Market. Frivolity, Joy, and a revitlisation are all important aspects of Spring. The dominant emotion is Joy, and the dominant ideals are Hope and Innocence. The colours of Spring are leaf green and sky blue. The symbol of the court is a tree covered in blossom with a pair of magpies perched upon a branch.
Challenges
For the main part the challenges of the Spring court are artistic in nature, each changeling competing to compose the best poem, or paint the most beautiful piece of art. Some challenges are even simpler - whoever can create the most joy and happiness takes the crown. As this often results in parties being held and performances being staged, these kind of challenges are extremely popular amongst the Freehold year round.
Current Monarch
Miss Scarlet is a youthful Monarch and as yet unproven. However, she has certain provided amusement and laughter to the Freehold in past times and this is perhaps qualification enough.
Lost of the Spring Court
TBC
Courtless - The Clipped
Those who choose to go their own path are sometimes called "clipped" (in reference to the practice of clipping a bird's wings) though this is a derogatory term. Though the courtless are accepted within the Freehold they tend to be somewhat sidelined from affairs, and the number of persistant courtless is usually extremely low.
News
Prominent Locations
The Abbey Ruins
Reading Abbey was founded by Henry I in 1121 and was mostly destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. A Catholic church was built on the ruins, but that too was destroyed when the area surrounding the old abbey was converted into the Forbury Gardens. The ruins still stand at the centre of the gardens and are now a grade 1 listed building. The old abbey now acts as an ocean of calm in a busy modern town, and many people come here to find an hour of peace in their days. For the Lost, however, it is a very different experience. Something is wrong with the hedge in the ruins. Whether it was the destruction that shifted the boundaries or merely chance no one is certain, but the hedge actually protrudes into the normal world here, blurring the boundaries between this realm and the next. More terrifyingly perhaps, at the centre of this twisted growth lies the Arcadian Gate.
The Arcadian Gate
The Arcadian Gate is a worrying thing for the Lost of the Broken Sun, but despite concerted efforts to investigate it, nothing has ever been uncovered regarding it. It stands mounted in an arch of the ruins, and normal mortals appear to be utterly unaware of it, walking through it without concern. For the Lost it is a different matter - an enormous set of double doors made of engraved stone. They appear to be made of some kind of nearly black marble, and are carved with scenes of plenty and joy, fields that go on forever, and forests of astonishing calm and beauty. What lies beyond the gate is unknown, for it is now solidly shut. However, at the beginning of the second world war it opened just a crack, and closed again when the Berlin Wall fell. No one managed to pass through the gate, and all that could be sensed on the other side was rolling mists, and the slight tang of apples in the air.
Reading
More information coming soon.
The New Forest
More information coming soon.
Kelber's Market
More information coming soon.
The Hedge
<Piece on the local Hedge to be entered here>
Influences and Inspirations
Probably the most important inspiration for the Freehold of the Broken Sun is Susanna Clarke's excellent novel "Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell". Any of the references in the front of the Changeling book are important however, and reading them widely will almost certain increase your understanding and appreciation of the game.
In addition to those, or to emphasise some of them, I offer the following list:
- Pan's Labyrinth - seriously, just watch it.
- Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" - Dark Urban Fantasy at its very best.
- Any of Tim Burton's poetry
- Terry Pratchett's "Lord and Ladies"
- Tim Burton's "A Nightmare Before Christmas" - not really faerie, but the right feel...
- Brian Patten's "Mr Moon's Last Case"
- Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
- Hal Duncan's "Vellum" and "Ink"
- Homer's "The Odyssey"
- Cory Doctorow's "Someone comes to town, someone leaves town"
Related Links
Coming Soon
Changeling Venue Information
To contact the Freehold of the Broken Sun Changeling ST, please email Reading Changeling VST
To contact the Freehold of the Broken Sun Changeling VC, please email Reading Changeling VC
