This court totaly not celibrating Christmas, one of the leaders is for sure not Santa Claus, and I'm totally not writing this in my Christmas holidays. Hohoho, and happy festivities to whom this reads.
Goals
The Court of Gifts represents the ideals of reciprocity, generosity, and the balance of giving and receiving.Their long-term objectives include ensuring that all exchanges in the Feywild remain equitable, whether physical, magical, or symbolic. They seek to maintain influence over important trade, gift-giving rituals, and bartering between courts and factions. They also act as arbiters when disputes over gifts arise. Secretly, they might hoard unique and magical items to ensure no single entity upsets the Feywild’s balance of power.
Hierarchy
The Gilded Regent: Auriel the Golden-Tongued – Leader of the Court. She is a resplendent Fey figure with golden hair, flowing robes covered in intricate embroidery, and a staff tipped with a diamond that shimmers with prismatic light.
Keeper of Balances: Rillan Tithefeather – Oversees all major exchanges and acts as a mediator for gift-giving disputes. A birdlike humanoid Fey with ink-black feathers and glowing silver eyes.
Master of Tribute: San’ta Kloose – Responsible for collecting and cataloging unique, magical, or rare gifts within the Court’s hoard. A dragon-blooded Fey with scales in shades of red, green and gold.
Heralds of Gratitude: Messengers who travel between courts, carrying tributes and enforcing etiquette.
Giftwrights: Artisans and enchanters who create magical and symbolic gifts.
Locations
The Gleaming Treasury: The Court’s headquarters, an opulent palace made of silver, crystal, and enchanted wood. It is said that the walls pulse with energy from the most valuable and powerful gifts stored within. The Treasury shifts its rooms and halls constantly to protect the court’s hoard.
The Shimmering Bazaar: A semi-permanent, enchanted marketplace where Fey and visitors barter gifts and favors.
Etiquette
Rule of Reciprocity: Every guest must bring a gift, whether material or symbolic. Failure to do so risks incurring a Gift-Debt, a Fey curse that demands the balance be restored.
Never Refuse a Gift: To reject a gift without justification is a grave insult. However, accepting a gift binds you to return one of equal or greater value.
Presentation is Everything: Gifts must be offered with elegance and care; packaging, ceremony, and symbolism matter just as much as the gift itself.
Oaths of the Exchange: Formal exchanges require spoken promises, sealed magically to ensure the giver and recipient uphold their agreements.
Themes
Symbols: Scales (representing balance), ribbons (used to wrap gifts and bind oaths), keys (unlocking potential).
Eccentricities: Members are obsessed with perfection in presentation and balance. They might spend hours tying the perfect bow or reciting flowery oaths before an exchange.
Appearance: Members wear flowing robes adorned with shimmering ribbons, jeweled brooches, and intricate embroidery. Gold, silver, and pastel hues dominate their attire. Their clothing often incorporates enchanted materials that sparkle or emit a faint aura.
Atmosphere: The Court’s gatherings are elegant and formal, filled with music, whispered exchanges, and a constant undercurrent of tension as guests gauge the value of each other’s gifts.
Rituals:
The Gilded Exchange: An annual ceremony where the Court collects tributes from allied courts to ensure goodwill and balance.
Rite of Balance: A trial where disputes over gifts are resolved through challenges of wit, magic, or creativity.
Gift-bringers Day: Once a year, one week before the morals end their year, the Court of Gifts celebrate the gift-bringers day. At this day the Master of Tribute becomes the ritually gift-bringer, taking over the leadership of the court for the day and bringing presents to fey and morals alike.
Relationships
Court of Tricksters: A tense rivalry. The Tricksters see the Court of Gifts as too rigid, while the Court of Gifts views the Tricksters as chaotic and disrespectful of reciprocity.
Court of Pretty: Allies. The two courts often collaborate during celebrations, as beauty and generosity go hand-in-hand.
Court of Scribes: An ineffective coöperation of codifying laws surrounding gift-giving.
Venariel (Archfey of Kildar): The Court of Gifts serves Venariel’s vision for balance in the Feywild but often pushes for more control over magical exchanges.
Fomorians: Enemies. The monstrous Fomorians are greedy and hoard gifts without understanding balance, making them natural foes of the Court.
Events
Foundation: The Court of Gifts was one of the first courts formed in Kildar’s domain of delight. However, it changed a lot over the time, nowadays inspired by Kildar’s Merchants Guild.
Kildarian Retreat: The Court of Gifts provided safe passage for key Fey figures and traded vital magical items during the time of the reated, strengthening their political power.
The Silver Rift Incident: A scandal in which an especially valuable gift was stolen, sparking a feud with the Court of Pranks. This theft has never been fully resolved.
Auriel’s Ascension: The mysterious rise of Auriel the Golden-Tongued to leadership after gifting Venariel a crown that shines with perpetual starlight. This took place shortly after the defeat of Hadar.