So, I have a purely theoretical question. It's never addressed in the books, and as far as I can tell, there is no WoJ on the subject.

Can the Wyldfae that are explicitly stated to be as powerful (or close to as powerful) as the Queens have Knights? Not do they, as it either hasn't been addressed yet or doesn't exist, but COULD they? All opinions welcome.

 

It's theoretically possible, as a Knight is nothing more than a mortal champion. A Fae with free will, essentially.

I doubt there currently exists a "Mantle of the Wyld Knight" or whatever though. It would probably have to be created, much like the Summer/Winter Knight Mantles were.

 

Well I would think all the most powerful of the Wyld would make one. Knight of the Erlking, Knight of Santa and so on. Heh, Knight of Santa. Wouldn't that be awesome?

 

Depends on how easy it is to create such a mantle. It might be a lot harder than just removing a part of your own power. We don't know how the current mantles were created afterall, it might require something incredibly unique.

 

Well it's likely going to feature in my current fic, so I've been really thinking on the issue. Keep in mind this is ALL my own opinion and ideas. I just want to see if it sounds plausible. If ANY of this contradicts directly stated canon or WoJ, please bitch-slap me and correct it.

So far what I've been thinking is that it requires a tangible sacrifice to transfer. When the power is to be shifted, someone has to die. Whether it's the current holder or someone else depends on the circumstances. Plus, the Mantle itself is not just an investment of power, it's a portion of the Fae's being. For instance, the Winter Mantle embodies characteristics of Winter. So the granter of the Mantle isn't just giving up magical juice, they're embodying a mortal with a bit of themselves.

With those ideas in mind, the actual method of transference should be considered. I remember in Changes they performed the ritual at the Stone Table, which is specifically designed for that kind of thing. So place is definitely a factor.

Dammit I really hope I'm making sense. This is kind of a linchpin to my story, and I don't want to fuck it up.

 

Well, it depends really. The Knights are around because the real big players don't tend to set foot on Earth (WoJ has it that doing so effectively breaks reality while they're there), so they use lesser beings and Knights as their emissaries. Santa/Odin already hangs out on Earth a lot so he doesn't really need a Knight, whereas the Erlking is a recluse when he isn't leading the Wild Hunt.

Doesn't mean there aren't other Knights around, of course.

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As for creating mantles, I'd say you can do it anywhere and when you please, if you know how. It wouldn't be a very powerful mantle, but you could do it (not all mantles are made at the Stone Table after all). The Faerie Queen mantles gained power through ritual sacrifice, which they then passed on a slice of to the Knight's mantle. There may be other ways to power up a mantle, but sacrifice is the good old standby and is probably the most effective means of doing so.

Remember that Cowl was trying to create a mantle with the Darkhallow and the process for it is described as pretty simple, in theory.

 

Shit, that's right. I forgot to factor in what we learned about the whole concept of Mantles in Cold Days. Thanks Aekiel.

 

I feel like any Wyldfae powerful enough to consider making a mantle would be very cautious about doing so. IIRC Wyldfae are a little bit stuck in between Summer and Winter. Even giving up a little power to create a mantle for a mortal champion could throw off the balance of power somewhat. Or alternatively be seen as the "other side" (i.e. summer or winter) trying to quietly make a move using the Wyldfae.

Or something. I'm not especially up on WoJ.

 

Hmmmm...I had thought of that, but was going to try and brush off the issue. However, that could be a good plot point for a sequel. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

I don't think that that amount of power would really make a difference.

Plus, they're Wildfae. They are NOT Summer or Winter directly.



If Lea or Maeve or Eldest Gruff were trying to make a Mantle? It might draw notice. (I don't know if it would actually affect things, though, because it would just mean that rather than having 10 points of power they'd have a Mantle worth 10 points of power -- power is shuffled around, but not ultimately removed from the influence of its home court.)

 

Well it's not so much about direct power as it is influence. Having a servant fully able to interact with the mortal world and fit in is a powerful tool to the Fae.

 

But the question is why would need/want the Wyldfae that sort of influence? Even Summer and Winter mostly ignore the human world and the only powerful wildfae that has interest is the Erlking who doesn´t need a knight.

 

My story involves old Celtic mythology. I figured the Morrigan, who likes to meddle in EVERYTHING, would appreciate that kind of power.

 

I think in the short-story "Curses", Harry learns that the "don't kill mortals" thing is strictly Winter/Summer.

Other fey or sidhe, such as the Welsh Tylwyth Teg in "Curses", are not bound by that.

 

Even still, a Wyldfae with queen level power would be just as bound by the constraints of reality if they entered the normal world. I believe WoJ is that most high-level fae are cut off from the majority of their power because otherwise they'd break reality. Having someone who can do your will with a bit more subtlety could be useful for such creatures.

Or, you know, you could appear and start melting faces with your very presence.