#fey magic

Trying to work on the next chapter of my Drust AU, ‘ In Pursuit’. The mix between wonder, plot, and spooky fey based horror is fun but sometimes difficult to maintain.

No updates yet, but I hadn’t posted this one to tumblr yet, so now it’s in the ether.

~ books read in 2023 ~

#21: The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The farmer had four ordinary children, which was why the magic of the fifth came as a surprise.

Ok in all honesty I was looking for an ask that wanted me to elaborate on body issues and male fairies following my post way back about Radius, but I was having more general thoughts anyway. I hope you don't mind.

Ever since the invention of sorcery, fairy magic has been stamped off as the more emotional magic art in contrast to rational sorcery. Emotions and rationality, two sides of a whole, have become juxtaposed and in turn associated with gender roles. Emotions are a feminine thing, while being rational was overtly masculine. Fey magic became a predominantly feminine art as less and less men/ masculine people took up the trade, out of fear of being ridiculed.

In modern times still, there are more sorceresses than there are male fairies: the bias against them just doesn't offer the kind of male bias in a female dominated field that we are used to in our world.

(The extreme ties to femininity also dissuades many gender non-conforming women from pursuing fey magic.)

Men who take up fey magic often have to deal with rumors about their claimed impotence, "small dick", or have their gender speculated about, with assumptions of them being closeted trans women.

This gets even harder when you add non-conventional bodies into the mix. Transformations represent an idealised body, covering blemishes and scars unless the user wields it so that it doesn't. Idealised in connection with femininity often means thin, fair and hairless, which is antithetical to how many men like to represent.

Then there is the issue of flight. Fairies are meant to present as graceful, gentle and loving (and lovable in turn); and people get so up in arms about it when this is applied to a fat body. It becomes the bumblebee paradox of little wings on a heavy body.

The term "bumblebee" for fat/chubby fairies actually stems from parents' kind words to their children: "The others may be wasps, but you are my darling little bumblebee". Many children found strength in these words until the "in" group caught wind of it and the term was used to pester and bully fat fey magic users, ridiculing them. (Some people do refer to themselves as bumblebee in reclamation of the word, but it's a matter of personality and how serious one takes oneself bc it does come off as youthful/childish).

So if plain acceptance is not possible, what else can fat magic users do? Conform? Fat people are already forced to perform their gender at a level of perfection beyond critique to be afforded dignity. In the case of fey magic this gets even more complicated for fat men since the art is entrenched in femininity and being effeminate is almost inextricably linked to being youthful, thin and waif-ish: essentially being the quintessential twink. It is no coincidence that gender non-conforming gay men often chose fey magic. But where does that leave fat men who need to present masculine in broader society, yet feminine in connection to their art?

Heya lovely! Sorry for the delay, as always I'm terrible at answering asks in a timely manner.

And this is a great question! My favourite part of Changeling's Worldbuilding is actually something that, I don't think, is ever going to make it into the book and it's how the Fey Realm of Arbaon was created.

i know we all hate jkr but JUST LISTEN because i’ve just had what must be the most galaxy brain thought of my scholarly career.

everyone was too afraid to say voldemort’s name, right? and it’s well established that that’s fuckin’ stupid, but what if it’s not just stupid? what if it’s actively detrimental? by fey rules giving someone your name gives them power over you. everyone in the wizarding world refuse to claim his name, and therefore forfeit that power.

but it goes deeper. voldemort is not his real name. his real name is tom riddle. so consider this: he not only created a freaky ass name to spark fear, but also to protect himself from the ancient magic associated with giving someone your name. he refuses to give anyone else the ability to name him, and therefore ensures that he enters every fight beholden to no one. 

words are magic. and, by magic rules, it’s true that the more people claim that word the more power they give it. but everyone got it wrong. saying his name wouldn’t have given voldemort power, it would have given them power. 

So, about 13 attempts later Tumblr is graciously allowing me to post this. This was something desired I saw and I am a huge fan of the feywild. Can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. So, here you go. However, I don’t take requests for free. 

Here’s one for you Dm’s that need a tiny enemy, & wants it to be weird.

 This enemy is a boot that was given life via fey magic (& is considered a type of fey) It has a mouth at the toe of it's body & can only get around by hoping. It is an ambush predator & usually waits for it's prey (small bugs, small animals ect) get within range before it attacks. Please note, attempting to put this boot on before properly gutting it, will cause the wearer acid damage Stats

Cr: 1/12

AC: 9 (10 + dex)

HP: 10

Str: 14

Dex: 8

Con: 18

Int: 6

Wis: 6

Cha: 4

Movement: 25

Attacks: 

Bite: |hit bonus +2| Damage roll 1d4 +2

Acid Spit: |hit bonus -2| Damage roll 1d6 -1

Attribute

Mimicry: Has advantage on stealth rolls