Umbra
Umbra Lore
The Binding Treaty
The Umbra and Britons are bound by the Treaty that the Old Queen forced upon King Edward I and Umbra lords and ladies 500 years ago. But the Treaty was writ in Hedge and no-one reads that any more. Worse, Hedge evolves with the seasons, so no-one is sure how the old laws are shifting.
Umbra arrive at puberty
Every Briton gains an Umbra when they reach puberty. It’s believed the Umbra chooses their human ally, but the process is shrouded in mystery. Typically, a human and ally are contrary in every way, of different temperament, character and sex, but there are exceptions.
A Mortal Bond
Umbra are bound to visit their ally once a day: attending balls, offering counsel or just giving comfort. But the main part of their existence lies in the Other Realm. Few humans know much of their Umbra’s lives there, but they know instantly of their death – for they share a mortal bond.
Meet the characters
Name: Amorrie
Human Ally: The Artist, Arthur Tenebris
Talents: Indefatigable and rebellious
Type: Unknown
Description: A raven-haired bundle of spit and fury, who takes a blade to any problem
Name: Keeper Claw
Human Ally: The Maid, Penny Midden
Talents: Keeper of the Moongate in the Citadel of False Sorrows
Type: Redcap
Description: Pinch-faced with war whiskers. He wears only a carmine cap and a blue tabard
Name: Twoshrews
Human Ally: Lady Isabella Stanton
Talents: Enjoys Truthsense – the ability to tell if another believes what they say
Type: Piskie
Description: Made up of one-third air, Twoshrews can cross a puddle and not disturb the moon’s reflection
Name: Muscari
Human Ally: Viscount Exeter
Talents: Fierce, powerful and vengeful
Type: Unknown
Description: Usually clad in crow feathers, the Hibernian Umbra keeps a pet wolf spider
Name: Agnieszka
Human Ally: The Earl of Grenville
Talents: Has visions of the future, but can’t interpret them
Type: Sybil
Description: A Sybil princess who owns four clouds and half a mountain in Pomerania
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