LIFE IN THE FAIRY KINGDOM
One reason why the Queen gets specialists to watch other worlds on her behalf, as well as doing so directly herself as part of her duties, is so they can report on ideas and technology that might be useful to the Fairy Kingdom. Nobody wants to use more magic than they can help so if a machine will help reduce energy usage then the Kingdom will pinch the idea for its own use. This custom has been going on for centuries and every generation ends up usually picking at least one idea from each world they watch. Gwendolyn brought back the television system, rechristening it fairy-vision. This is a common trait here - take an idea and rename it though the realm doesn’t usually bother changing the name by much. After all who’s going to sue them for copyright infringement?
Of all the worlds the Kingdom watches, Earth is the only one that is unaware of the fairy realm’s existence. This is deliberate. Earth is considered the most dangerous planet because of humanity’s dodgy influence on it. And everyone in the fairy realm, good or evil, is united on one thing - humans should never know about the existence of their world. The risk of them trying to corrupt the place is far too high. Even the Chief Witch followed this particular rule. This, of course, is why Eileen’s defection came as a shock - of all the places she could choose, why Earth? It’s why her defection is considered an act of treachery - Brankaresh refuses to believe Eileen won’t give the fairy world’s existence away. It guarantees her exile and would be a good form of revenge. Certainly in her shoes it’s what he’d do.
There are areas inside the Palace that are used for the secret testing of spells or potential new ingredients for charms. These areas are sealed magically and physically against intruders. There is a department called the Testers, which explains what they are and do, but nobody knows who they are, again this is deliberate. It has been speculated L’Evallier is one as is Hanastrew but both refuse to comment. The Queen gets to use potential new spells first, followed by Eileen. Eileen has commented about this but didn’t make too much of a fuss about it so the Queen did draw her own conclusions from that. Eileen doesn’t see a problem with hypocrisy - if she can see the usefulness of something, she’ll use it. It is unlikely that the Testers will ever become official, public knowledge. And even Eileen will not quibble with that.
The magical schools teach basic magical skills only though this covers a wide range. Plants and their uses are studied in depth. Historical magic and why certain spells are no longer used (due to causing nasty, unexpected deaths of the ones casting them) is a major part of the syllabus. The curriculum is keen to show what happens to those who get it wrong. It’s a good incentive to make sure modern day students get it right. While the schools do teach some defensive magic, the Kingdom has not had to face a threat of the Witch’s nature before as previously witches would tacle fairies and/or wizards and vice versa. The ordinary folk, the vast bulk of the realm, would be left alone so why teach them what they don’t need to knw? Eileen saw the shortsightedness of this quickly. Her well trained squad has been her best legacy.
Of all the worlds the Kingdom watches, Earth is the only one that is unaware of the fairy realm’s existence. This is deliberate. Earth is considered the most dangerous planet because of humanity’s dodgy influence on it. And everyone in the fairy realm, good or evil, is united on one thing - humans should never know about the existence of their world. The risk of them trying to corrupt the place is far too high. Even the Chief Witch followed this particular rule. This, of course, is why Eileen’s defection came as a shock - of all the places she could choose, why Earth? It’s why her defection is considered an act of treachery - Brankaresh refuses to believe Eileen won’t give the fairy world’s existence away. It guarantees her exile and would be a good form of revenge. Certainly in her shoes it’s what he’d do.
There are areas inside the Palace that are used for the secret testing of spells or potential new ingredients for charms. These areas are sealed magically and physically against intruders. There is a department called the Testers, which explains what they are and do, but nobody knows who they are, again this is deliberate. It has been speculated L’Evallier is one as is Hanastrew but both refuse to comment. The Queen gets to use potential new spells first, followed by Eileen. Eileen has commented about this but didn’t make too much of a fuss about it so the Queen did draw her own conclusions from that. Eileen doesn’t see a problem with hypocrisy - if she can see the usefulness of something, she’ll use it. It is unlikely that the Testers will ever become official, public knowledge. And even Eileen will not quibble with that.
The magical schools teach basic magical skills only though this covers a wide range. Plants and their uses are studied in depth. Historical magic and why certain spells are no longer used (due to causing nasty, unexpected deaths of the ones casting them) is a major part of the syllabus. The curriculum is keen to show what happens to those who get it wrong. It’s a good incentive to make sure modern day students get it right. While the schools do teach some defensive magic, the Kingdom has not had to face a threat of the Witch’s nature before as previously witches would tacle fairies and/or wizards and vice versa. The ordinary folk, the vast bulk of the realm, would be left alone so why teach them what they don’t need to knw? Eileen saw the shortsightedness of this quickly. Her well trained squad has been her best legacy.