| Name | Faelings |
|---|---|
| Species | Magical beings |
| Location | Traveling City, Starside |
| Leaders | Elder and Eldress |
| Associated with | Starlight |
| Known members | Este, Gallie |
| Appears in | Starside |
Contents
Biography
Starside
Faelings are magical beings who live in the Traveling City in Starside. They describe themselves as descendants of the stars and believe that the stars’ glow remains within them. Their society is closely connected to starlight, which surrounds and protects their hidden home.
The Traveling City constantly moves between different woods, helping the faelings remain hidden from outsiders. According to the Eldress, no human had found them in centuries before Aris Agron arrives during the Questral.
When Aris reaches the city injured, the faelings initially treat her presence with caution. The Elder and Eldress allow her to remain only until first light, although Este helps persuade them to offer Aris food, rest, and basic hospitality.
Aris later develops a close connection with Este, one of the faelings. Este helps care for Aris and eventually chooses to leave the Traveling City and continue with her, despite knowing that leaving means she can never return home.
Physical Description
Faelings are strongly associated with starlight and glowing light. They describe themselves as descended from the stars and say that the stars’ glow exists within them.
The Elder and Eldress wear sparkling diadems, while some of the faelings wear strings of glowing light around their necks. The full range of physical traits shared by the species is not completely described.
Abilities
Faelings possess a strong connection to starlight. Their city is covered in shimmering light that fills the cracks and branches of the surrounding trees and appears in glowing orbs throughout the treetops. This light also protects the Traveling City. According to the Eldress, demons cannot enter the city because the starlight keeps them out. The exact abilities of individual faelings and the full extent of their connection to the stars are not completely explained.
Society and Traditions
Faeling society follows ancient rules and traditions that govern life in the Traveling City. The Elder and Eldress act as its leaders and decide whether outsiders may remain within the city.
The Traveling City is deliberately isolated from the outside world. Its constant movement and protective starlight help keep the faelings hidden, and humans had not found the city for centuries before Aris arrives.
One of the most important faeling traditions concerns leaving the city. A faeling who chooses to pass through the gates and leave permanently gives up the right to return. This rule applies even when the decision is voluntary.
Este knowingly accepts this consequence when she chooses to leave with Aris. Her decision means giving up both her home and the possibility of returning to her sister Gallie.
Known Faelings
| Este | A faeling who develops a close connection with Aris Agron. She helps care for Aris and later chooses to leave the Traveling City with her, knowing she will not be allowed to return. |
|---|---|
| Gallie | Este’s sister and a resident of the Traveling City. Este’s decision to leave means giving up the possibility of returning to her life with Gallie. |
| Eldress | One of the leaders of the Traveling City. She explains several of the city’s rules and traditions to Aris and initially allows her to remain only until first light. |
| Elder | One of the leaders of the Traveling City and part of the authority that governs the faelings and their ancient traditions. |
