Freehold of the Renewed Forest
From Changeling Venue
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 Renewed Forest was founded in Reading in 2008 out of the ashes of the Freehold of the Broken Sun.
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 Turning of the Seasons
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 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 necessary, 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 Kelber's Market
Each year one of the monthly meetings will coincide with the accessibility of the Goblin Market known as Kelber's Market. This goblin market is surprisingly 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
Freehold Pledge
- Monarch - As I am named [King or Queen (delete as applicable)] of the Court of [Insert Court] and of the Freehold of the Renewed Forest, I do swear to protect the Freehold and my vassals, to lead, to meet out punishment, and to reward services done to the betterment of the freehold. I swear this for the duration of the season, and do pledge to hand over power to the next season. For this, I grant to thee the blessings of stealth so we may better hide ourselves.
- Vassals - I [Insert Name] do solemnly swear to uphold the laws as set by the monarch, and to maintain the security of the Freehold by both word and spirit. I do hereby bequeath to the Monarch a gift of glamour to be called upon at their discretion.
- All - Should either of us break this pledge, then may the Wryd strike the offender with a curse for their transgression.
Monarch of the Court
Every court is led by a monarch who, during their season, leads the Freehold. During their season they are King or Queen of their Court and of the Freehold. At other times they are Lord or Lady of their Court.
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 Renewed Forest
Spring - Emerald Court of the Antler Crown
The reign of Spring begins on the 1st of March each year.
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History
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
- Lord
Lost of the Spring Court
- TBC
Summer - Crimson Court of the Iron Spear
The reign of Summer begins on the 1st of June each year.
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History
Politics and Traditions
Whenever the Freehold is threatened, it is the Iron Spear 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
- Lord Hawthorn
Lost of the Summer Court
- Lump
Autumn - Ashen Court of the Leaden Mirror
The reign of Autumn begins on the 1st of September each year.
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History
Politics
Autumn is a time of subtly and wisdom, a chance to reflect and build on the martial exploits of the Summer court. The Leaden Mirror 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 Iron Spear 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 Leaden Mirror 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
- Lord Wednesday
Lost of the Autumn Court
- Jack in the Smoke
Winter - Onyx Court of the Silent Arrow
The reign of Winter begins on the 1st of December each year.
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History
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 Silent Arrow 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
- TBA
Lost of the Winter Court
- TBA
Courtless
- None at this time
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 Renewed Forest, 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.
A large seal is emblazoned in the centre of the door, atop the bands that keep it closed. It shows a collection of trees. This seal formed as the Freehold of the Renewed Forest swore their oaths to found the Freehold. It is hoped that this will keep the Fae at bay.
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
