Editing Changeling: The Lost (section)

==The Freeholds, Courts and Entitements==
For detailed info on the Freehold, Courts and Entitlements, read the Lords of Summer supplement book.

Life as a Changeling sucks. You get to enjoy PTSD and wonderful thoughts such as suicide and giving in to madness on a daily basis, on top of worrying when the Others will show up to take you back to Arcadia, or if your best friend is a privateer manipulating you into the hands of one of the True Fae. And as your connection to the Wyrd gets stronger, your lifespan increases, which would be good if you didn't have so much shit to worry about or if it didn't also start making your memories of the Durance more vivid. Luckily, Changelings aren't stupid, and they understand the value of teamwork and contact with other people.

===Freeholds===
Hence, Freeholds, keeps within the Hedge where Changelings and friendly Hobgoblins come to congregate. Pretty much all Changelings are welcome, and there's no prisons. On the other hand trust must be earned and banishment is distributed like candy, being the usual punishments for Oathbreakers and criminals, though delivering other Changelings into captivity earns you a nice death sentence instead. That's pretty much all of it, really, so let's talk about the far more interesting Court dynamic; it ties into politics anyway.

===The Courts===
The Freehold itself is usually distributed into Courts, which circulate their power to keep the Fae from showing up. It makes sense in context, since the Fae don't understand the concept of willingly giving up power and this hurts their brains. Joining a Court is usually free, and nabs you a free dot in one of their Contracts, as well as a benefit of getting two points for every one point of Glamour you would regularly harvest from your Court emotion. You can work your way up the Court ladder through your actions or through your devotion to emotion or theme, and you begin to embody your Season more and more, as well as having access to awesome powers that would otherwise be unavailable. And since Changelings usually don't have heirs, what with the infertility and whatnot, so everyone has a chance to become a Noble through their actions, even possibly earn the coveted the Court Crown, a title that grants absolute sovereignty (And nifty buffs for your bros) while your Court rules over the Freehold, and the Crown becomes Freehold King.

Just a couple notes about Courts that the average player might miss: The higher your Court Mantle is, the easier it is to identify your affiliation (A Summer Courtier will be sunburned, or have shimmering waves of heat emanating from him). However, on top of that, with every dot you add to you mantle you get a nice little advantage to go along with it, such as Winter Courtiers getting bonuses to Subterfuge.

You can also eschew the Courts and go Courtless, but you end up missing out on some beneficial stats (As well as drama). Even so, there's always Court Goodwill, which you can earn by being bros with various courts, and doing so allows you to call on them for favors, or even to have them teach you their restricted Court Contracts (Up to three dots). Note that you can earn Court Goodwill even if you're in a Court yourself, though it's usually harder.

You can leave a Court at anytime, since Changelings understand that perspectives change as they do, and when you switch over your current Mantle is cut in half to become your Goodwill level. That said, a Changeling who switches Courts ''too'' frequently is going to be very suspicious and is not likely to get any Goodwill at all.

Courts get a huge boost in importance in 2e, where their primary purpose is to provide obstructions to and shielding against the Gentry and the Huntsmen- incredibly powerful, almost unkillable shapeshifting Fae bounty hunters who can take on the form of absolutely anything and will '''never''' stop chasing a changeling until they have dragged it back to its former master.

====Seasonal Courts====
The most recent and by far the most popular Court system, at least in the Americas, was established with the Four Seasons (not the hotel). Because every Changeling is drawn to a particular opinion of Arcadia and their durance, the Seasonal Courts were designed with that in mind, to nudge Changelings into groups where they can hang out with people sharing similar perspectives, to foster friendships and to act as support groups. The circulation rule of thumb consists of every season ruling for 3 months of the year, during their respective seasons (Winter rules from December to February, etc) but as per usual the rules are different in every Freehold.

However, just because they're designed to complement each other doesn't mean that there's no conflict or strife. Differing ideologies cause hell, with Spring directly opposing Fall because one chooses to forget and the other chooses to remember, and Summer opposing Winter because one beats their chest and the other hides. For reference of how nasty politics can get, in the fluff of the 1e Core book, Grandfather Thunder, the Summer King of Miami, has forcibly taken control of the freehold and has declared that the Summer Court will be its permanent ruler, and the other Crowns are all willing to step on each other to get the chance to punch him in the face. And incidentally, his refusal to give up power just so happens to be weakening its defenses against the Gentry.

Interestingly, the Seasonal Courts embody the Kübler-Ross model of the Four Stages of Grief. Spring is Denial, Summer is Anger, Autumn is Bargaining and Winter is Depression. Acceptance is seems non-existant, though, since this probably makes you a Dusk courtier.

'''Spring Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Desire
*'''Batman Villain Best Represented''': The Joker
*Basically a Spring Court Changelings mind comes down to this: "Arcadia? Oh, you so crazy. Oh sure, I've been transformed. But, seriously, the True Fae ain't shit. Now get over here and suck on my tongue, lol asl?" They'll deny that their durance left them with anything but positive attributes, and they use passion as a way of flipping off the Fae because the Gentry can't imagine that their pets could experience pleasure without them. To that end, they'll laugh and fuck and drink and smoke, and encourage others to do the same, to enjoy life, and damn the consequences. The other Courts don't like them because they're loud and kind of crazy, but they're far from the mindless party animals who live above literally every apartment ever.

In 2e, their Bargain is that when they're in power the True Fae cannot inflict harm upon a freehold unless that violence is born of their heart's desire. This might not seem helpful, but this really means that anyone short of a Keeper coming to reclaim its absolute favorite changeling cannot attack the freehold. 

**'''Contracts of Fleeting Spring''': Discover, manipulate and redirect the desires of man.
**'''Contracts of Eternal Spring''': Thematic Spring Magic. Rejuvenation and Growth granted by Spring. Animate plants, make it rain, heal a person or make something age a season.
**'''Contracts of Verdant Spring''': Cannot be learned through Court Goodwill. A series of buffs granted by Spring that encompasses pretty much any given situation.

'''Summer Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': [[Rage|Wrath]]
*'''Batman Villain Best Represented''': Killer Croc
*The reality is that the Court is little more than a loosely organized militia made of monsters, but their desire and capacity to bring violence to bear against their enemies is undeniable and grants them a level of respect. Discipline and anger makes up the psychology of a member of the Iron Spear. They're quick to blame and willing to chase down anyone who slights them. Fanatics, extremists and murderers to the last. The other Courts, while they appreciate their protection and willingness to take the fight to the Gentry, don't really enjoy dealing with these hotheads.

In 2E, Summer's Bargain forces the Others to fight to the last even when they would prefer to surrender or withdraw. The Summer courtiers use this to their advantage, goading weaker forces into drawing their weapons or setting up traps that they will be forced to fall into. 

**'''Contracts of Fleeting Summer''': Discover, manipulate and redirect the wrath of man.
**'''Contracts of Eternal Summer''': Thematic Summer Magic. Summon sunlight and learn how to KAMEHAMEHA.
**'''Contracts of Punishing Summer''': Punishing oathbreakers and setting fires in general.

'''Autumn Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Fear
*'''Batman Villain Best Represented''': Scarecrow
*Know thine enemy. The Autumn Court is made up of scholars, wizards and assassins, all brought together by their capacity to understand and spread Fear. Their belief is that Fear is what keeps people in line, and fear is what will keep them safe from the True Fae (along with the copious use of Fae magic, which they specialize in). If you've got a question about the Wyrd or you need a Token looked at, come to them. But get ready for a lecture like in Hannibal, because they probably know everything that scares you already. Or they'll just jump out of the shadows screaming OOGA BOOGA if your DM doesn't understand subtlety.

In 2E, Autumn's Bargain compels the Gentry to announce their intentions before they attack, with more powerful attacks being announced further in advance. Despite the best efforts of the Gentry to work around it, the warning must be clear enough to be understood. 

**'''Contracts of Fleeting Autumn''': Discover, manipulate and redirect the fear of man.
**'''Contracts of Eternal Autumn''': Thematic Autumn Magic. Cause crops to ripen for harvest, manipulate the weather and other cool fall stuff, like turning into leaves.
**'''Contracts of Spellbound Autumn''': Contracts for gathering information.

'''Winter Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Sorrow
*'''Batman Villain Best Represented''': Mr. Freeze
*Keep your head down. Be quiet. Maybe They won't find you. Since they embody sadness, The Silent Arrow ends up being probably the most conservative of the Courts. They are also take their affinity for silence to the logical level, and some of the best assassins in the Freehold claim membership. Like the Autumn Court, they collect information but it's usually more for the sake of blackmail and spying than knowledge. There's a lot of potential here for cloak-and-dagger type characters, the book mostly writes them off as being mopey emo kids. 2E mitigates this somewhat by placing a greater focus on the Court's pragmatic side and skill in eavesdropping. 

In 2E, Winter's Bargain forces the Gentry to mourn for each of their deceased victims after every kill they make. As the majority of the True Fae have no idea what mourning actually involves, this makes for a rather peculiar sight- and Winter doesn't need to worry about honoring their crude imitations of grief. 

**'''Contracts of Fleeting Winter''': Discover, manipulate and redirect the Sorrow of man.
**'''Contracts of Eternal Winter''': Thematic Winter Magic. Ice breath, Touch of Cold, etc.
**'''Contracts of the Sorrow-Frozen Heart''': "They can't hurt me, I'm already ''dead inside!''"

====Directional Courts====
Introduced in Winter Masques. The Directional Courts are the Asian equivalent of the Seasonal Courts, having made contracts with the mythical Four Guardian Beasts of Chinese astrology. If you're playing in Asia or in a place with heavy Asian influences (like the USA's west coast), feel free to incorporate them. They tend to split their cities into four to best isolate themselves from those filthy other-directioners. Here's the quick summary:

'''Court of the North'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Suffering
*You know how Buddhist monks can go three weeks without food, water, or sleep, then still break granite with their foreheads? That's these guys in a nutshell. They made a contract with Xuanwu, the Black Tortoise.

'''Court of the East'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Envy
*Greedy bastards with the power of CAPITALISM! Uses LOADSAMONEY to get fast cars, uses said money and fast cars to attract hot women, then uses said money, fast cars and hot women to harvest beta tears and collect Glamour. These guys' patron is Qinglong, the Azure Dragon.

'''Court of the South'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Ecstasy
*Emotion is key, no matter how uncomfortable you are. Southerners are creatures of ham and extremes who pay homage to Zhuque, the Vermilion Bird.

'''Court of the West'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Honor
*Think of the Summer Court, but replace all the sound and fury with stone-faced military discipline. The initiation for this Court is literally boot camp, and they carry swords even if they fight with other weapons. They honor Baihu, the White Tiger. 

All Directional Courts have access to '''Contracts of the Four Directions''': Contracts that help the Changeling track, locate, and move vast distances.

=====Directional Courts (2E)=====
2E retooled them, bringing them more in line with the concept of the Mandate of Heaven and introducing a fifth Directional Court. Rather than passing power from one another, they all act as co-rulers to preserve harmony in their domains.

'''Court of the Black Tortoise'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Suffering
*Mostly unchanged from 1e's Court of the North.

'''Court of the Vermillion Bird'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Rebellion
*The members of this Court often suffered greatly during their Durance, and now they won't be made to suffer again. They view Change as the foundation of the Mandate of Heaven, and are always at the forefront of any struggle against social systems they believe to have ossified become oppressive.

'''Court of the Azure Serpent'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Envy
*Mostly unchanged from 1e's Court of the East.

'''Court of the White Tiger'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Honor
*Mostly unchanged from 1e's Court of the South. 

'''Court of the Yellow Dragon'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Reflection
*More moderate and contemplative than its fellow Directional Courts, the Court of the Center usually takes power after one of the other Courts has completed a great work in order to give the changelings of those courts a moment of reprieve and self-reflection. They follow Huanglong, the Yellow Dragon.

====Courts of Sun and Moon====
The Slavic Courts, closest to the Seelie and Unseelie Courts of old. The Sun court rules during the day, and the Moon court at night. Durr. Unlike other Court systems, though, they're constantly at war with each other, undermining the works of the other as a necessity, even while being completely civil amongst each other. It's all about duality. This is deep. In short, it's kinda like the Nightwatch movie series. They don't have special Contracts, though.

'''The Sun Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Shame
*[[Lawful Stupid]] paladins and fighters that can be summarized as Judge Dredd, but with antlers.

'''The Moon Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Disgust
*[[Chaotic Stupid]] thugs looking out only for themselves. Interestingly enough, though, that their notion of Chaos is based on the rules of their court. It's a thinker.

====Auroral Courts====
Rather than circulating their power based on the seasons or the passage of time, these two Courts wax and wane with the conditions of the Lost themselves. In times of prosperity, the Dawn Court flourishes, while the Dusk Court grows in influence in times of hardship. They commonly coexist with the Seasonal Courts as well.

'''The Dawn Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Hope
*Idealistic and selfless to a fault, this Court seeks to foster change for the greater good, certain that a better future awaits the Lost if they work hard for it and are willing to make any sacrifice to ensure that better future comes to pass.
**'''Contracts of Potential''': Contracts meant to cause change for the better, strengthen bonds between individuals, and empower the convictions of the user.

'''The Dusk Court'''
*'''Court Emotion''': Fatalism
*Knowing that the worst is yet to come gives these Changelings a perverse strength, striving to make what time they have before their fates come calling as glorious as possible.
**'''Contracts of Entropy''': Draw strength from the acceptance of Fate, and break down communication (and even other active Contracts). Uniquely, it does not require Court Goodwill for Changelings outside the Dusk Court to purchase, though Dusk Courtiers do get better estimates- the Dusk Court figures that all Changelings will come to see things their way eventually.

===Entitlements===
In addition to the Courts, there are also semi-independent Nobilities that a Changeling can join once their Wyrd is high enough. An Entitlement mechanically acts as a Prestige Class, and fluffwise makes the Changeling a Noble in the eyes of the Court and the Wyrd. This can mean trouble, though, since the True Fae tend to gravitate towards Changelings of rank rather then commoners. A Changeling with an Entitlement has sworn an oath to fulfill the function of his office, which grants him benefits, such as spinning straw to gold to designing and building massive structures in an hour; in exchange for some manner of weakness. Second Ed changes them from social clubs to specialist roles you can take to receive unique benefits as long as you fulfill the duties that come with said role. Sometimes there can be only one in the world, for example The Red Queen. Entitlemens can apply to an entire motley, such as The Knights of Blades. The rules are in the Oak, Ash and Thorn supplement.