Two fae children are born to rule separate kingdoms of light and dark (Seelie and Unseelie) and raised to view each other as competitor to their throne. The strongest of the two starts the war, kills the other, and takes the place of the former Cailleach. If this process is interrupted or altered, the realms begin to fracture and crumble. I have seen proof of this in the Sìth-bhrùth, though this degradation hasn’t extended to the human realm. Yet.
Strengths: At the Cailleach’s full power, there would be no stopping her. She can command the elements, she has skills of mental influence that make Sorcha’s look weak in comparison, and she is adept in battle.
Weaknesses: She’s not at full power. Her decision to have offspring is causing her to age and die slowly the way a human would. She must pass on her powers to one of her children before she dies. This has only made her more eager to murder me.
THIS HAS ONLY MADE ME MORE EAGER TO TAKE HER HEAD AS A TROPHY.
Daoine Sìth
Nonsolitary fae, both Seelie and Unseelie (light and dark fae). They are unearthly beautiful, a warrior race known for wreaking destruction and for how they once drove humans to near-extinction (what Kiaran calls the Wild Hunt).
(See opening.)
The daoine sìth once ruled not only the faery realm (Sìth-bhrùth), but had once managed to conquer nearly every continent on earth. Kiaran claims there was once a distinction between Seelie and Unseelie rule, but over time, both courts became equally power-obsessed and ruthless.
The Seelie Queen and the Unseelie King were raised in separate kingdoms knowing they would one day have to kill each other. Only one of them can replace the Cailleach.
Of course, Kiaran is being vague on strengths and weaknesses—but I have managed to garner that their powers include the ability to command the elements.
Weaknesses: ?
The Unseelie depend on human energy to stay alive. When the Unseelie King was stripped of his power and it became absorbed by the fae in both kingdoms, this weakness extended to those previously Seelie.
Kiaran’s power, at least, tastes earthy—sweet, floral, something wild. Which is indescribably lovely when he’s being pleasant, and nauseating when he’s not.
(Still quite true.)
PARDON ME, CASTING UP EVERYTHING NOW.
Each uisge
Solitary fae. A water horse that is related to the kelpie, but more dangerous and aggressive. It lures humans to a water source using the power of its unearthly beauty, appearing primarily in the form of a horse, but has also been known to take the form of a handsome man. This was the first fae I ever fought and I spectacularly failed to kill it. I learned my lesson here: Iron doesn’t work against the fae.
Strengths: In water, their fur becomes an adhesive that is impossible to escape, which aids them in drowning their victims. I doubt I would have lived through my own attack had Kiaran not intervened, and I still have the scars to show for it.
Weaknesses: Their power is diminished on land. However, they circumvent this by remaining near water at all times.
Mara
In Gàidhlig, they are referred to as droch-spiorad. Nonsolitary fae, though they have chosen not to belong to either court. They live in packs within the dark forests of the Sìth-bhrùth. From what I could see of them, they are hulking creatures with pitch-black fur and glowing eyes.
Strengths: They can see better in the dark than I can.
Weaknesses: With a bright enough light, they all scatter.
Mortair
Nonsolitary, though their status is a bit complicated because they were created by the Seelie Queen. They are building-sized mechanical fae made of near-unbreakable material that is constructed in armorlike plates across their entire bodies. The inner core (heart) of a mortair glows and powers the entire machine, including the weapon in the center of its palms. Aithinne created them to be sentient, though not terribly intelligent. Their primary purpose is to seek and destroy.
Strengths: They are massive and strong. And since they aren’t intelligent, they can’t be reasoned with. If you interfere with their programmed mission, they will strive to kill you. Lesson learned.
Weaknesses: Aithinne’s sword is the only thing that can pierce their armor. Second lesson learned.
Pixies
In Gàidhlig, they are referred to as aibhse.
Small, winged-fae, mostly nonsolitary. Pixies, like other smaller fae, are only distantly related to the larger types of sìthichean. They once had their own realm, lands, and kingdom that was separately ruled somewhere on Skye, but mass-migrated to Cornwall sometime before the Falconer battle with the daoine sìth.
The survivors left for Cornwall after Kiaran destroyed their city and nearly slaughtered everyone in it.
(THANK YOU FOR REVISING THIS AND FOR USING HIS NAME.)
Pixies’ power shines in a halo around them, the color of which can change depending on the pixie’s mood. Can feed off of human energy, as do most other fae, but largely choose not to. Power tastes of gingerbread. Apparently cannot help but mend clothes and steal shiny objects.
They are keepers of ancient relics precious to the fae, which they buried all over Skye.
Strengths: Extremely fast flyers; adept with small, sharp weaponry.
(STILL VERY GOOD WITH THE LADIES.)
Weaknesses: Honey, torn ballgowns.
(and closets)
(AND A CERTAIN HUMAN COMPANION BUT NOW I’M GETTING TOO SENTIMENTAL AND THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY EYE.)
Well. Now I have something in my eye, too.
Will-o’-the-wisp
In Gàidhlig they are referred to as Teine sionnachain.
Nonsolitary, though they do not belong to either of the courts. The will-o’-the-wisp is smaller than a pixie and distinctly more otherworldly in appearance, with black eyes overly large for their faces, pointed ears, and dark, onyx-like skin. Before the Wild Hunt, they shunned civilized contact, preferring to live in forest caves far from Scottish cities. They are a feral species and I still have to remind myself not to kill them on sight after they attacked me. What vicious, awful creatures.
Strengths: Their numbers. They live together in the thousands and attack in a swarm.
Weaknesses: Individually, they’re incredibly fragile. Unlike pixies, they cannot survive on their own.
Personal note: Don’t kill them, even if you want to. Not here.
elizabeth may was born in California, where she lived during her formative years before moving to Scotland. She has a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews. When she isn’t writing or doing academics, she can be found with a camera in hand; her photography has been published on an array of book covers and in magazines. She currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland, with her husband. The Vanishing Throne is the second book in the Falconer series.