Hidden Fae Hold

Basic Information
Terrain Type Forest settlement
Climate Temperate forest
Size/Scope Elven community (size unknown)
Location Forests east of the river (between Kovat and Hearthgate)
Dominant Inhabitants The Elves
Known Factions/Groups Isolationist elves
Key Resources Unknown - community is closed to outsiders

Overview

Hidden Fae Hold is an elven community located in the forests east of the river that has chosen isolationism in response to The Entropy Shepherd's threat. They represent the faction of elves who believe survival lies in hiding and withdrawal rather than resistance, standing in direct contrast to activist elves like Randello.

Discovery in Session 3

Ulion's Knowledge: During Session 3, Ulion revealed knowledge of this elven community when discussing potential allies and destinations.

East of the River: The Hold is located in forests on the eastern side of the river, in the general region between Kovat and Hearthgate.

Isolationist Choice: The community has explicitly chosen to "hide" rather than engage with the broader conflict, representing a faction within elven society that believes withdrawal is the path to survival.

Closed Community: The Hidden Fae Hold does not welcome outsiders or participate in alliances, making them unavailable as allies or refuge for the Fellowship.

Political Stance

Isolationism: The defining characteristic of Hidden Fae Hold is their choice to isolate from the world's conflicts and problems.

Rejection of Intervention: Unlike elves who joined the Fellowship or support figures like Randello, this community has chosen non-involvement.

Survival Through Hiding: Their philosophy appears to be that surviving The Entropy Shepherd's influence requires avoiding attention and conflict rather than active resistance.

Contrast to Randello: The sage Randello's reputation as a "rabble rouser" likely stems from his opposition to this isolationist stance, creating factional divisions within elven society.

Relationship to Broader Elven Society

Factional Division: Hidden Fae Hold represents one response to the crisis - withdrawal and isolation - while others like Randello advocate for active resistance.

Conservative Faction: Their choice suggests alignment with more traditional or conservative elven thinking that prioritizes preservation of their own people over engagement with wider world.

Potential Leadership Influence: Hidden Fae Hold's stance may reflect decisions by elven leadership to prioritize elven survival over inter-racial cooperation.

Contrast to Ulion: Ulion from The Winter Court was sent to "rekindle human-fae bonds," representing the opposite philosophy from Hidden Fae Hold's isolationism.

Strategic Implications

Not Available as Allies: The Fellowship cannot count on Hidden Fae Hold for support, refuge, or assistance in their mission.

Resource Denial: Whatever resources, knowledge, or capabilities the Hold possesses are denied to those fighting The Entropy Shepherd.

Elven Division: The existence of isolationist holds indicates elven society is not united in resistance, weakening overall opposition to the Shepherd.

Potential Target: If The Entropy Shepherd targets them despite their neutrality, it could force them to choose between destruction and engagement.

Unknown Details

Size: The population of Hidden Fae Hold is unknown - could be a small community or a significant portion of the elven population.

Location Precision: Exact location within the eastern forests remains unclear.

Defenses: How they maintain "hidden" status and what protections they employ is unknown.

Leadership: Who leads Hidden Fae Hold and makes decisions for the community is not revealed.

Resources: What capabilities, knowledge, or resources they possess but are withholding is unclear.

Ultimatum Response: How they would respond if forced to choose between hiding and survival is unknown.

Connection to Session 3 Events

Not Chosen: When the Fellowship considered where to go, Hidden Fae Hold was mentioned but dismissed due to their isolationism.

Contrast Point: Their choice highlights the different responses races and communities have to The Entropy Shepherd's threat - fight, negotiate, or hide.

Ulion's Knowledge: Ulion's awareness of them suggests he may have connections to or knowledge of their leadership and decision-making.

Philosophical Position

Preservation Over Action: Hidden Fae Hold prioritizes preserving what they have over risking it in broader conflicts.

Neutral Withdrawal: Different from Kovat's negotiated neutrality with the Shepherd - Hidden Fae Hold appears to seek neutrality through invisibility.

Community First: Their isolationism suggests prioritizing their own community's survival over the world's fate.

Risk Aversion: Reflects belief that engagement with the crisis carries more risk than withdrawal.

Comparison to Other Factions

Versus Kovat: Kovat negotiated with the Shepherd; Hidden Fae seeks to avoid his notice entirely.

Versus Winter Court: The Winter Court (Ulion's home) appears to support resistance; Hidden Fae chooses isolation.

Versus Randello's Faction: Activist elves like Randello seek to fight; isolationists seek to hide.

Versus Fellowship: Represents the antithesis of the Fellowship's mission to actively save the world.

Potential Future Relevance

Forced Engagement: Events might force Hidden Fae Hold to abandon isolationism.

Knowledge Source: Despite isolationism, they may possess crucial knowledge about Song of Beginnings or other elven lore.

Refuge Denied: If the Fellowship desperately needs elven refuge, Hidden Fae Hold's refusal could create crisis.

Ideological Conflict: Ulion or Randello might push for confronting or converting the isolationists.

Shepherd's Target: If The Entropy Shepherd attacks them, it would prove isolation insufficient for survival.

Current Status

Location: Hidden in forests east of river
Stance: Strict isolationism, not accepting outsiders
Relationship to Fellowship: Unavailable as allies or refuge
Activity: Unknown - presumably maintaining hidden community
Threat Level: None to Fellowship, but also no support available

Thematic Significance

Hidden Fae Hold represents the temptation of withdrawal in the face of overwhelming threats. Their choice highlights the Fellowship's opposite decision - to engage rather than hide, to risk everything rather than preserve what little they have. The Hold serves as a reminder that not everyone chooses heroism, and that survival through hiding is a valid (if ultimately futile) response to entropy's advance.

Their isolationism also raises questions: Is withdrawal from conflict a form of defeat? Can anyone truly hide from entropy? Does preserving a single community matter if the world falls? Hidden Fae Hold forces consideration of what resistance means and whether those who choose not to fight can be judged by those who do.

Campaign Questions