Old stories are full of people who made bargains with the fae folk. They offered service, pledged to be good neighbors or took vows to help them, and in return they were given gifts of their own. Sometimes they were blessed with children, other times they were given magical items that made their lives easier… but in some stories they were given the ability to see the fae as they are, behind their glamours and illusions.
The old stories get things right, sometimes.
When the fae form pledges with mortals, they may ask for many things. In return, though, they often grant these mortals the power to perceive fae beings and creatures as they are. This makes them ensorcelled, and the few mortals blessed (or cursed) with this state are typically those who are closest to the Lost. Whether they act as eyes and ears on the street, enforcers who handle the day-to-day issues in a fae’s territory, or even people the fae feed on siphoning off their emotions to ensure they always have the glamour they need, these relationships can take many forms.
The following mortals can be used to fill out the roster of your Changeling: The Lost game. Whether you need someone guarding the door of a club, artists performing at a Lost event or people who can delve deep into ancient tales to find plot-relevant clues, there are ensorcelled folks here to fill your needs.
Here are some sample results:
28. Diana Vegara: A personal assistant as efficient as any majordomo, Diana found herself in the world of the Lost when she needed something more than just money. A fruit harvested from deep in the Thorns purged the aggressive cancer from her body as if it had never been there, and this one act cemented her loyalty to the Summer Monarch. While the petite woman in the pencil skirt with manicured nails may seem out of place among Courtiers of the Iron Spear, her will is undeniable; most who’ve met her would rather face the monarch in an open Hedge duel than feel Diana’s disapproving gaze upon them.
29. Hasan Patel: With the shoulders of a fullback, and a neatly trimmed beard, Hasan has been a trauma nurse for several years now. Always ready to step up and help, it was his willingness to hold out a hand that got him dragged into deeper waters. At this point he’s lost count of the number of gashes he’s stitched, and the sheer amount of bullets he’s removed off-the-books for the Lost. Sadly, he knows this is one job he’ll never be able to complete… but the more he helps the Lost, the more the Lost can help Hasan’s other patients. Those who are beyond merely mortal means of aid.
30. Marilyn Grassley: A community theater thespian with dreams of going further, there were never packed houses at Marilyn’s performances… but there was always one man there. Well-dressed and standoffish, rumors swirled around him as the cast took notice. It wasn’t until Marilyn learned the truth about him, though, that she understood why it was he always came. The manikin’s perfect limbs and flawless form could dance and perform with breathtaking speed and precision… but it lacked the heart, the soul, of purely human passion. He watched Marilyn to bask in the fallible nature of those who weren’t bound by fae artistry. Not because he was better than she was… but because he would give anything to be just like her again.
Released: 13th August 2022 Pages: 22
PDF ($1.99): Storytellers Vault
“Friends in Low Places”