The Autumn Court in NYC
From Changeling Venue
History of the Autumn Court in NYC
Through the 1970s: Zelda & the Autumn Court as Academics
Zelda Swanson, a Darkling Antiquarian and occultist, historically "led" the Autumn Court of New York City (known satirically among its Lost as New-New Amsterdam). No one could remember when she first appeared; she had peddled her wares for decades. Settling in Brooklyn, she kept watch over the forgotten history of that area while also chronicling the passing of the seasons in the region.
Through 1990: The Reign of Fear
However, with chaos of the 1960's & 1970's cultural revolutions came the horrors of nuclear war, radiation poisoning, serial murderers, increased rape, AIDS, and the beginnings of the crack epidemic. The Leaden Mirror of NYC increased in population, becoming less a community of scholars and more a anarchic collection of madmen, fear mongers, and sociopaths. The Autumn Court of NYC was home to some of the most dangerous fearmongers among the Lost. Eventually, their numbers grew such that one of their own replaced Zelda as Autumn Monarch. From the late 1970's until the 1990's, Ashen courtiers subjegated their own territories through might, numbers, and fear.
1990: The Fachan, Alexander Delapore, becomes Ashen Pilgrim
The powerful oneiromancer Alexander Delapore arrived in NYC in the early 1990's with a collection of his students. Taking a home among the dispossessed of NYC, his faction opposed the wanton fearmongering rampant among the local Autumn Court. He challenged the Autumn Monarch to a duel of oneiromachy... and won. As a penalty, the previous King swore to support the Fachan as he drove the sociopaths from the city. Alexander and his students did not kill their opposition, but made it clear that such previous tactics of torture, murder, and the rampant abuse of mortals would not be tolerated. He became the Autumn Monarch, under the title of Ashen Pilgrim.
While the numbers of the Autumn Court decreased, its remaining members were both individually adept and very close-knit, working well as a group. Under Delapore, the Leaden Mirror positioned itself to include some of the most skilled in oneiromancy within NYC. Its Ashen courtiers were practiced in the art of dreamcraft and vigilant against Gentry incursions. Autumn-bound Lost from across the country, as well as Changelings from all backgrounds regionally, came to study the dreams of NYC's millions of people under the tutelage of the Ashen Pilgrim.
Through 2001: Oneiromancy & Exploring the Hedge
During his time as Autumn Monarch, the Leaden Mirror was also known for fairness. As everyone acts out (at least partially) from their own fears and inhibitions, Delapore's Autumn Court could help objectively arbitrate disputes among the other Courts without bias or disdain. The Fachan attempted to instill this compassionate discretion in the Lost under his charge. The NYC Autumn Court grew as a direct, healing counterpoint to more violent or sinister manifestations of the season elsewhere. Instead of terror being used as a weapon, the NYC Court of Fear focused on aiding Lost who willingly chose to confront their own demons. Fear was an opportunity to struggle with one's own self, a tool for perfection and reflection. Such struggle was constant and required consistent commitment, though. One never overcame all of one's pain. While noble and respected, the perpetual discipline Delapore taught perhaps also kept the Autumn Courts numbers to a few, highly effective and powerful changelings.
Through 2007: Defending the Dreamers & Dreamscapes
More militant Ashen courtiers remained absent from NYC during this time, despite being an influential elsewhere in the northeastern region. If such violent philosophies were present in NYC, they remained mostly out of sight and not active. Delapore and the NYC Leaden Mirror strongly advocated that persons must choose to confront their fears. Free will was essential. To force terror on another is to ape the cruelties of the Others, potentially feeding the dark emotions that strengthen the Fae. Only as a last resort was such action warranted. The Ashen oneiromancers of NYC knew enough about nightmares to know the dangers of arrogantly unleashing them upon others. Much of their work after 9/11 involved calming the masses and insuring that neither the Gentry nor any other force could harvest that tragedy for personal or vicious gain.
December 22, 2006: Paul Swann becomes Ashen Pilgrim
At the Winter Solstice of 2006, when Delapore ceded the season to Rebus the Winter King, the Fachan made a further decree: he abdicated the Autumn Throne and nominated Paul Swann to take his place. Certain ominous prophetic dreams were arising from the slumbering imaginations of the city. As one of the Leaden Mirror's most competent oneiromancers, Delapore felt compelled to confront and explore these portents himself. He withdrew from changeling society and has participated little since. He still attempts to stay in touch with his friends and students, and his hovel beneath the Brooklyn Bridge has a fire burning, but the Fachan is focused on other things for the moment.
Before departing, Alexander received pledges from the Leaden Mirro not to oppose the new Ashen Pilgrim for a year and a day. In the Fachan's wake, Paul Swann works to find his own voice and direction for the Court of Fear. Whether the Darkling will continue Delapore's tradition of healing dreams, or go on to explore the nightmaric traditions others in the region fervently advocate, remains to be seen. 2007's Winter Solstice is rapidly approaching, which means the oaths of loyalty Alexander solicited are about to end. Paul Swann must now determine both his course as Ashen Pilgrim... and how he will retain that title should another rise to claim it instead.
Rituals of the Autumn Court in NYC
The Fallen Fair of NYC
As might be expected, the Fallen Fair in this domain historically focused on oneiromancy and dream stuffs. Annually, Delapore's students and Autumn courtiers throughout the region returned to New York during the week leading up to All Hallow's Eve. Some came physically; others journeyed simply in dreams by virtue of pledges formed the year before. Dreamwoven objects were traded, information shared, oneiromachy fought, and advancements shared amongst all present. During this time, the Fachan and his fellow local courtiers helped arbitrate disputes and heal those who came with afflictions. The week would culminate with All Hallow's Eve and the NYC Autumn Court's version of the Hunt of Leaves: the Harrowing.
With Delapore's abdication of the Autumn Throne and Paul Swann now the Ashen Pilgrim, it is yet to be seen what focus the Fallen Fair will take.
The Harrowing
The NYC Hunt of Leaves is better known among the Leaden Mirror as the Harrowing. Throughout the year, local Autumn courtiers keep track of the most baneful and vicious of nightmares and Hedge-things that stalk the dreamscapes of NYC. Before Alexander became Ashen Pilgrim, Autumn courtiers would challenge those participating in the hunt to tame these horrors, to then unleash them upon a ritually selected mortal for fae sport and games. Alexander and his students abolished this monstrous practice, instead changing its focus and its prey.
On All Hallow's Eve, at the culmination of the Fallen Fair, those who attend are still offered a chance to participate in the Harrowing: a hunt to the death in an attempt to destroy those lethal terrors, rather than simply subdue them. Often, the hunt is solely waged in the dreamstuff of the city, with the changelings involved bound by a Dreaming pledge to one another. Sometimes, however, the Harrowing led participants deep into the Hedge to chase down particularly nimble prey. In all cases, the prey is not just what frightens the mortal masses, but has characteristics particularly terrifying to the changelings themselves. The Lost who strikes the killing blow historically received a dreamwoven item from the Ashen Pilgrim himself, tailored to their specific desires (limited by decorum, of course).
Like other traditions, Paul Swann's ascension to the Autumn Throne will impact whether this ritual is maintained in its present form, or changed to reflect his personal tastes.
