Auberon (New Earth)

Auberon is King of The Fair Lands, and reigns along his wife Queen Titania. He is deeply in love with Titania, even though she has cheated on him on different occasions, having concieved a child out of wedlock, a fact which she tried to hide from him.

History

Origins

Born to a noble family, Auberon was in the line of succession for the Fey Lands, so to protect him from everyone who threatened his position, he was sent with his cousin, Dymphna, to live in the countryside, surrounded by warding spells.^[1]

When king Magnus died, Lord Oubrey went in search of Auberon, as it was suggested by Amadan that Auberon could be better king than his cousin, Lord Hounnor. Once Auberon learned of his heritage, he commanded the troops against his cousin Hounnor. Hounnor was defeated in battle, captured, and swore loyalty to Auberon. The Lord was impressed by the maturity and well-meant actions of the young lord, and counseled him to beware of everyone, as their enemies would not rest until Auberon and himself were dead. By the tricks of Amadan, Hounnour was assassinated, and Auberon recognized the danger in the palace, so he named Oubrey regent, and escaped from the castle in search of his newborn sister.^[2]

Years later, Oubrey was calling himself King, and was married twice. First to Dymphna, and later to Titania. At this time, Auberon came back for his kingdom, but Oubrey wasn't disposed to give it back, so another war ensued. Auberon won the war and explained to Titania that, for the kingdom to be united, they must marry. Titania, as she did not want to return to a life of misery, accepted the proposition.^[3]

Around 1500 to early 1900

Auberon, with his wife, Titania, and the Seelie Court went to the walking world, invited by Dream of the Endless, to attend a new play written by William Shakespeare. At that time, Titania convinced Hamnet to go back as a servant with the Seelie Court to the Fair Lands^[4]. After this, for un unknown reason, Auberon closed the doors of The Fair Lands to the walking world, and thus, all connection with earth ceased.

Around 1980

Titania became pregnant, and Auberon put Bridey the Brownie as a midwife. When the child was born a human, Titania tasked Bridey and Amadan to dispose of the boy, as obviously he was not a son of Auberon, but was actually sired by Tamlin the falconer.^[5] Later the royal couple did have a child, Taik, but Titania gave him to the Lords of Hell, to pay a tithe.

Present day

Auberon, feeling ennui from the lack of motivation that the Fay Lands gave and the constant lack of attention of his wife, went traveling to the walking world in order to find something that could amuse him, maybe even happiness. He found Sister Staylace selling globes that promised happiness to everyone who buys one, but in actuality, it was a trap for souls. While a soul is trapped, it feels happiness, but the body left alone, reacting only to commands given. People trapped in this state where called 'the gents'. Auberon was put to work in a factory which was the property of Reverend Slaggingham.^[6]

The Reverend found it interesting than a fairy was among his workers and questioned him about his life. When the Reverend learned that even a king could be miserable, he lost faith in all his work to extract happiness from Londoners for him to consume, leading him to his defeat, and the flooding of the factory.

With the factory flooded, all 'the gents' where drowned. However, Sister Staylace came back for Auberon and saved him. Later, with help of Tim Hunter and Molly O'Reilly, Auberon got his soul back. For this, the king will forever be in debt to the humans, not only for giving him back his soul, but also because he rediscoverd feelings which he thought dead. In truth, when Tim Hunter killed the Manticore, some time before, he regenerated the Fair Land, and restored the connection between the walking world and the fay land. And so, all the fairies started feeling again, something that they forgot a long time ago. This was the reason why he could feel ennui and hence started his travels. Auberon promised himself to be a better king and a better person with this knowledge. He also was informed that Tim is son of Titania, but he disbelieved this as false, seeing as the boy did not have fairy blood in his veins. However, Titania herself is of human ancestry, so her offspring would not be fey. However, Titania and Amadan kept their silence about this.^[7]

Rites of Passage

Auberon kept his promise of self-improvement and took charge of the kingdom in a way that he never had before. Still feeling a breach between his wife and him, he used glamour to appear as 'Selwyn', a servant of his wife, and even went to bed with her. Simultaneously, Molly O'Reilly appeared in the Fair Land, having been tricked by Amadan and later cursed by Titania. The king, in Selwyn guise, gave human food to Molly so she would not starve.^[8]. When Titania learned of the coming of The Leveler, Auberon knew that Taik was freed from Hell and searched for his demon son. He fought against him, until The Fair Lands became mist during the struggle, and he had to fight against his own feelings and insecurities. Auberon fell, but Yarrow did not. The flitting desired to save the kingdom more than anyone else, and for this, she was called The Leveler, and looked up to by everyone in Fairy.^[9] After Titania apologized for her actions against Molly, Auberon went traveling again, this time to find a cure for the curse placed upon Molly.

The Wild Hunt

While traveling, he learned that the Lord of the Hunt had escaped his captivity, and thus, the compact met again to decide what to do about this. As the compact learned, 'Tim Hunter' opened all the doors of the realms, enabling the Huntsmen to escape, so they asked him to close the doors. The mage wasn't interested and send them all away.^[10]

Knowing that The Wild Hunt would someday come for everyone, he made a pact with the goddess Alpanu Lasas, and took her place in the hunt, being the hunted. 'She' fought well enough and won the opportunity to fight for a place in The Wild Hunt. 'She' won, and together chased Tim Hunter, the real one. Tim also won a place in The wild Hunt, as Lord of the Hunt. Still disguised as Alpanu Lasas, Auberon convinced Tim to take care of the Other, so the doors could be closed. Tim accepted the responsabilities of being an Opener, and left The Wild Hunt after ordering Cupid to fight him, and lose.

After Tim took care of The Other, Auberon talked with Alpanu Lasas about his actions. In truth, Auberon took this oportunity to close the doors of the realms, and also to lead The Wild Hunt out of their captivity. He did this because while The Wild Hunt remains in captivity, no gods die, and also, no gods are born. For new gods to born, the Wild Hunt must be free. After revealing this to Alpanu Lasas, he returned to his Auberon shape, and left the goddess in his place in The Wild Hunt, with the knowledge that her life is owed to Auberon, and should the Wild Hunt ever try to hunt Auberon, he will use that knowledge to protect himself from the Hunt.^[11]

Sholas

While searching for a cure for Molly's curse, he learned of the ubication of the legendary stone, Sholas. At the time, it was in possession of a frog called Ibbit, who was commanded by Barbatos to trap fairy people, until he could think of a means of vengeance against Molly and Tim Hunter. Auberon was trapped by Ibbit, and forced to carry water forever until death. He was rescued by the combined forces of Molly and Titania.^[12]

Years later, Auberon remains the king of the Fay Lands, but he does not travel as much as he did in the past. He is focused on the rule the kingdom and he avoids any intrigue from either the Seelie Court or Titania. His last interaction with Timothy Hunter and the walking world was to stop an incursion into his kingdom. He bargained with the mage for his release, after discovering a dark pact between the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court.^[13]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Magic
- Glamour: Auberon is a master of deception and frequently uses a 'glamour' to hide his true image. He has disguised himself as Serwyn, a servant of his wife, and Alpanu Lasas, a Goddess, among other disguises.
- Curses
- Boons
- Dimensional Travel
- Teleportation
- Eldritch Blast
Immortality: Auberon's life has spanned over one thousand years, but the progression of age seems not to affect him.
Political Science: As a king, and member of the Compact, he knows which pieces must be strategocally moved in order to preserve peace or foment war.
Diplomacy
Leadership
Intimidation
Deception: Auberon is content to let others believe that he is of no importance in order that he might manipulate events from the shadows.
Law: As King of the Fair Lands, he is well versed on the laws of the land, as well as many other realms.

Weaknesses

Ancient Rules: As with all of the inhabitants of mystic realms, King Auberon is bound to a complex set of rules and customs that limit his actions.

Notes

This character or object is an adaptation of Auberon, a character or object in traditional stories. These include, but may not be limited to religious texts, myth, and/or folk lore. More information on the original can be found at Wikipedia.org.

Trivia

Unlike his wife, Auberon has not been unfaithful to his marriage. Nevertheless, Titania is convinced that he has been with every maid of the realm.
Disguised as Alpanu Lasas, he kissed Tim Hunter once.