THE ANCIENT COURTS
The great old courts of Oak, Ash, Thorn and Willow claim they have always been here, deep in the old forests, long before the High Courts made the First Pact. They call themselves the Ancients.
OAK
Pact: Heart of oak's strength
Geas: Bard's Tongue
Colours: Bright green and warm brown, bounteous and solid, the Horned God, Herne the Hunter.
Emblem: Oak leaf
The Court of Oak are the heart of the forest; lords and ladies in their own land. Once, it is said, they were gods, and although those days have now faded into legend, some of that majesty remains. They speak true, stand firm and live fierce.
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ASH
Pact: Loss and rebirth
Geas: Hang from the trees (pay for your gift)
Colour: Leeched greys and greens, twigs and branches; rope motif
Emblem: Rope twist
The Court of Ash are the beginning and end. At the end of the rope they hang, and time is all askew for them. The roads they walk run crooked and no one who walks with them comes home unchanged.
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THORN
Pact: Protection and cleansing
Geas: Set a guard to the gates
Colour: Dark brown and dark grey; angular and pointy. Face paint, thorns, dark eyes.Â
Emblem: Thorns
The Court of Thorns are the guardians of the forest. But do not be mistaken. Although they keep back the things from the dark, that does not mean that they are kind. No, they are something quite apart. They watch. They know. They wait. And they bite.
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WILLOW
Pact: Inspiration, poetry and love
Geas: Weep for your love
Colour: River blue and leafy green, flowing and trailing, Pre-Raphaelite.
Emblem: Teardrop
The Court of Willow are the song of the forest. They are the dappled light on the river water, the whisper of the wind through the leaves. They dream bright, and love deep, but they pay a cruel price for both.
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