Western Fairy

Western Fairy, sometimes called The West or Westernlands, is the land the gods and spirits in the Otherfaith inhabit. It is created by the Clarene when she takes a 'rod of man' (an iron spear) and a 'root of fairy' (a sapling or actual root from the fairy world) and thrust them together. In some myths she combines this with her heart. It is from this combination that Western Fairy is created. The land lays between the fairy world and the human world and may be seen as a midway point.

The world is characterized by a blend of rural and urban landscapes. Parts of the West are farmland, marked with cabins and orchards. Mountains mark some regions. A large river (the Ophelia) runs through the West and acts partially as a transportation lines to other parts of the world. Urban areas are densely packed cities noted for skyscrapers. Cafes, libraries, and apartments are common buildings, though there is often a lack of cars or vehicles in the streets. There is also wilderness and forests. Time flows different in each landscape.

There are also specific sections of the West that emphasize specific lessons of the gods or belong to certain spirits.

Western Fairy can be tied to Seattle, WA, as well as Appalachia, the Rocky Mountains, and the Southwestern US. Other locations related to the West are not currently known.

Role in Myths
The West is the setting that the Otherfaith stories occur in. A definite location is not always specified. Other People are encouraged to use the West as a setting for their own stories and for any religious role plays they may write.

The creation of the West is illustrated in some myths; these are the closest the Otherfaith has to creation myths. It is created by the Clarene and the body of the Ophelia runs through it. the Laetha is tied to the West as part of the land while the Dierne is tied to the will of the spirits living in the world. In one of the main cycles of myth in the Otherfaith, the West is split off from the rest of the worlds until it is reunited by the Laetha.

Specific Locations
These are tied to specific gods or spirits and often associated with specific ideals related to the gods.

The Gate
Created by the Clarene when she shoves the fairy root and iron rod together, the Gate delineates the West from other worlds. It is guarded by either the Black or Mirror Lion, who consumes and rebirths souls. The Gate resembles is made of black metal that grows, plant-like, into vines and blossoms. The Gate is bordered by the Clarene's Orchard, which is said to slaughter any who come to the West through ill-gotten means.

The Kitchen
The Kitchen is the Clarene's place of cooking, slaughter, and experimentation. She creates a number of spirits in it, as many as she destroys. Being heavily associated with slaughter, it is sometimes a beautiful, homey kitchen covered in blood. At other times it is simply a kitchen with a warm hearth and an excess of food. It may also take on a cold, steel appearance when associated with experiments and the Clarene's more technological aspects.

Lakehouse
The Lakehouse is an area of healing and relaxation tied to the Ophelia. It is characterized by a clear lake, waterfalls, and forests free of any real dangers. A cabin rests near the lake, hence the name Lakehouse. The space is meant for the healing and recovery of spirits, especially those that have recently undergone traumatic experiences. It is also tied with introspection and acknowledging the self.

The Library
Tied to Book Keepers, the Library holds all the literary knowledge in the West. There are many libraries in the West, but the Library is an entity unto itself. The Book Keepers that operate it largely stay within its walls, organizing their books and building knowledge on their particular subject. Like the Red Mansion, it is often unavailable to outsiders.

Red Mansion
The mansion belonging to the Laetha. It houses the majority of the Laethic spirits and the Laethas and is run by the Laetha Ava. It is a lavish mansion draped in red and gold. The order of the house is structured and rigid, like the spirits who take initiation under the Laetha. It is essentially the center of the Laetha. It is associated with extravagance and undue luxury and is largely unavailable to outsiders.

The River
The body of the Ophelia. It stretches through the entirety of the West. It is associated with journey and transportation and the main way to access the locales tied to the Opehlia. It is also tied to the Ophelia's initiation. She often uses the River to remake spirits or to heal their wounds. It is associated with time, fate, and memory.

School of Eight Initiates

 * Main Article: School of Eight Initiates

The school at which spirits are taught about the Order they have initiated into. It is meant to house spirits until they are ready to join the wider Western Fairy. It is the setting for more stereotypical 'school' stories. There are a variety of challenges and trials tied to the school and it establishes a number of relationships between spirits. It can be useful to the People as a way to conceptualize any training they undergo when taking initiation to a god.

Temple of the Fathers
Also called North-South. An area created by the Clarene to house the Glateau, Otherfaith elvish spirits. The Glateau worship a different group of gods, not the Four Gods, and are an accidental creation of one of the Clarene's experiments. Though they largely keep to themselves, some spirits (such as Mykla and Abelia) interact with the wider West and Otherfaith. The land itself is associated with pleasure and escape coupled with rigid cultural norms.

The Wastes
The Wastes are a toxic, polluted portion of the West where waste from the cities and cultivated lands is dumped. It is associated with the Ophelia and some of her decay spirits. The land is bog-like and reeks, with gas rising up from some areas. Spirits are occasionally bound (or bind themselves) to the Wastes as punishment. Spirits serve under the Ophelia for a time and help clean and maintain the Wastes, else they get out of hand. Some spirits thrive in the landscape, though most are hostile and/or unsafe for humans.

Wintertime
Also called the Winterlands. This land is the creation between the Clarene and Ophelia's relationship. It is a land entirely blanketed in snow with smooth rolling hills and iced-over lakes. There are a variety of cabins dotting the landscape, along with tall evergreen trees. It is most often accessed through the Ophelia who has dominion over it.

The Wintertime emphasizes death and slaughter and difficult trials. Large predators and other spirits inhabit the land and those who wander it are encouraged to kill or be killed for food. Depending on the spirit/person, it can represent strengthening bonds or devolving into in-fighting, as most often a group of spirits is sent to live in the Wintertime for a period. It is also a land where spirits escape for isolation and solitude.