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Gnabim the Satyr King
🕑 Added 2019-01-02 11:51:38 +0000 UTCTaking a break from the Prime Pantheon, let's dive into the land of the fair folk - where word is as good as law, change is constant, and where life and magic are one and the same.
In the four seasonal courts of the Feywilde overseen by the Marigold Queen, there is an archfey who embodies all that is merriment and inebriation. Gnabim, the forefather of all satyrs, was always one to enjoy a good party with stories and jokes abound. However, not all were so enthused by his antics. In fact, one of these parties led to his eventual exile.
It was a midsummer's night and all of the fair folk had gathered to dance in the light of the full moon, lighting up the forests with song and dance. One such light was Ailen Mac Midna, the Candle Prince and son of the Summer Baroness Midna. Since the prince was always known for a domineering presence and a demanding nature, Gnabim had made an effort to avoid the prince's spotlight and reclined with some wine in the comfort of a concealed grove.
Apparently he wasn't the only one unimpressed at the prince's behaviour, as shortly after he had made himself comfortable he saw a beautiful nymph coming in to hide as well. The two met eyes and laughed at their shared predicament, and continued to get to know each other with more wine and laughter warming the small gathering of leaves and branches.
The nymph introduced herself as Relduin, and she was the matriarch of all subsequent nymphs in the lands of the fair. She had overheard her father, the Marquis of Winter, discussing with Ailen Mac Midna the possibilty of proposing to her should the Candle Prince successfully receive a kiss from Relduin before any other possible suitors. As a being of sheer beauty and grace, many longed after her companionship, but she was not one to dole out her complete affections so easily.
Gnabim listened intently to Relduin's story and offered consolation, saying that she should be able to decide for herself whenever she finds someone she fancies. With the salient wine and warm conversation taking their toll, the Mother Nymph began to take a liking to the Satyr King, and he to her. They laughed and sang and dance for hours, until eventually they ended their time together with a kiss.
However, this time was not to last, as Ailen Mac Midna came in upon their kiss and flew into a burning rage, determined to reduce Gnabim to nothing more than a pile of ash. Seeing the Candle Prince charging towards him, the Satyr King vanished and left the furious fey to stumble and fall into a large bowl of wine that had been behind him. Gnabim and Relduin laughed at Ailen's misfortune, but all three were called to court the next day at the insistent behest of Ailen and his mother.
Despite the overall nature of the circumstances, the Summer Queen would not settle for a lack of punishment on the satyr who made a fool out of her son. To appease her fury and grant a generous amount of satisfaction to Ailen Mac Midna, Gnabim was exiled to the other side of the world, where he would have to fend for himself without the support of the Courts of Seasons. This also meant that he would be forbidden from being in the same land as Relduin so long as both Gnabim and Ailen Mac Midna lived.
Gnabim eventually made himself at home and gathered a reputation as a generous lake spirit, retaining some connection to Relduin from his proximity to the lake and rivers, leaving unsuspecting travelers with foggy memories of wonderful nights of merriment.
But even a being as long-lived as he wouldn't have been able to predict that he would meet one who would become his emissary for absolution and quite possibly restore him to a position even higher than that he had lost.
