WYKES (WHY-k)

By Jay Gray (jg260595@hvcc.edu)

Description

The legends say that when the Unseelie captured the moon long ago, they set a Will o' the Wykes to guard her. No human, it is said, can find that which the Wykes guard. They specialize in beguiling and frightening mortals. For centuries they have kept the freeholds and sacred places of the kithain free from prying eyes of humanity. There are many names for this kith and the stories give them many forms. They are the Will o' the Wisp and the Jacky Lanterns, Jenny-burnt-tail and Joan-the-wad, Kitty-candlestick and Pinket. Humans have thought them to be the souls of unbaptized children or those so clever that they trapped themselves between heaven and hell. Many are the folk-tales that confuse the colorful lights the Wykes use to confuse humans for the faerie itself.

Wykes burn with the glamour they contain inside them and call it the inner fire. Their very nature allows them to channel it in such a way that mortals can see it. Sadly, they pay a price for this ability. Their specialization in mortals has caused their skills of magick with other faeries to decline. Their birthrights, which so frighten and mezmorize humans, have no effect on fellow Changelings.

Wykes delight in their abilities to torment humanity. The Seelie among their kind are practical jokers and see humans as the perfect target. The Unseelie feel that humans are sport and are much more ruthless in their games. For both, though, Halloween is the best night of the year. They often slip away from the festivities of Samhain to go trick or treating. More often than not, they prefer the trick over the treat. In the past, they have served as the guardians of faerie trods and freeholds. While of little use against faery attackers, few humans ever came near a place guarded by a Wyke. More often, a human seeking faerie treasure would find himself in a swamp, led there by the Will o' the Wisp or frightened away by the horrifying visage of a Jacky Lantern. Recently, however, many Wykes have decided to expand their horizons. They feel that their kind should no longer be limited to guarding the possessions of others. This faction has decided that their talents can be just as useful on other missions. In short, they have become mercenaries.

Appearance

Wykes are long in just about every aspect of their appearance. Their limbs are long and thin, their fingers and toes twice that of a human's. Their face is emancipated and skeletal. A Wyke's eyes are sunken into his head and they are always a hollow black. Their mouths are wide, almost reaching from ear to ear. They have little in the way of noses or ears. While in their mortal form, they might have hair, in their fae seeming they have none. Wykes' clothing tends to be simple, but bright.

Seemings

Childings are especially fond of tricks and revel in using their birthrights to mislead and scare others. They tend to be fond of treehouses and secret hiding places.

Wilder are the most likely to join the faction of Wykes that no longer wishes to guard the property of others. At this point, though, they still feel a need for purpose in their life. They tend to enjoy adventures and quests, though their games with humans can be very cruel.

Grumps become more serious in their old age. They take their charges very seriously, indeed and perform it with much diligence. They become stooped in their old age, and their long, thin bodies are hunched over.

Lifestyles

Wykes can often be found in positions where they serve others, though often they do so at a price. They can often be found as security guards, mercenaries, bodyguards, butlers and in other, similar positions.

Affinity

Actor

Birthrights

Will o' the Wisp: Wykes can create bouncing balls of colored lights that only the target can see. These lights hold the target spell bound. All the target will be able to do is stare at the lights. If they do, the target will follow. The player rolls Charisma + Expression against a difficulty equal to the target's willpower. The number of successes indicates how long the will o' the wisp lights last. Each success equals ten minutes.

Jack o' Lantern: By focusing his inner light a Wyke can instill great fear into a victim. When he does, light seems to radiate outwards from his eyes, nose and mouth. For this to work, the player should roll Charisma + Intimidation versus a difficulty equal to the target's willpower.

Frailties

Kithain Inept: Wykes have a natural affinity for mortals, but they have trouble working their magick on their fellow kithain. Their birthrights only work on humans and they suffer a -2 penalty when trying to use the Fae realm.

Quote

"Round and round he goes, where he stops, only I know. Into the swamp or into the lake? Perhaps he'll never been seen again? Stupid human."