Kithbook Eight

For Changeling:The Dreaming

Christine Beard, Abigail Corfman,
Meg Woodworth
CREDITS
Writers: Christine Beard, Abigail Corfman, Meg
Dedication
This book is lovingly dedicated to all the boggans out
Woodworth there who – in true boggan fashion! - waited so patiently
Developer: Peter Woodworth for your time in the sun. We’ll see you all on Honeycombr!
Editor: Carol Darnell Christine: For my mother, who patiently raised a daugh-
Cover Art: Tony Diterlizzi ter who’s anything but a boggan; for Shelby and Jason, who
Artists: Brian Leblanc and Drew Tucker always wait for tea time; and always for Sean, who has forever
helped me follow my dreams.
Art Direction and Design: Michael Chaney
Abigail: For Greg Gannaway.
Creative Director: Richard Thomas
Meg: For my parents, godparents, and family and their
Based on Changeling: The Dreaming, 20th Anniver-
support of my weirdness; my mom for giving me a love of
sary Edition, written by: Christine Beard, Charlie Cantrell,
art; and my sweet eshu husband for loving me, dreaming
Maggie Carroll, Jackie Cassada, Matthew Dawkins, Shoshana
with me, and spinning his tales for this little boggan heart.
Kessock, Ian Lemke, Jonathan McFarland, Matthew McFar-
land, Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland, Krister M. Michl, Peter: For Saffie and Armstrong, for Prya and Dice, and
Nicky Rea, Holden Shearer, John Snead, Vera Vartanian, most of all for Ben and Trish.
Amy Veeres, Peter Woodworth

© 2018 White Wolf Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden,
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Darkness, Vampire the Masquerade, and Mage the Ascension are registered trademarks of White Wolf Publishing AB. All rights reserved. Vampire
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rights reserved. All characters, names, places and text herein are copyrighted by White Wolf Publishing AB. This book uses the supernatural for
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mature content. Reader discretion is advised.
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2 kithbook: boggans
like Clockwork 4 Rest & Relaxation
The Good Fight
32
32
House Eiluned
House Fiona
50
51
Chapter
AofShort One:
history
Downstairs:
The Meaning of being a boggan 33
House Gwydion
House Leanhaun
51
51
boggans 9 The Meaning of Work
The Banality of Debt
33
36
House Liam
House Scathach
52
53
The Mythic Age 9
The Honor of Service 36 House Varich 53
The Sundering 10
Gratitude 37 Gallain 53
The Middle Ages 10
What is a Home? 37 Chimera 53
The Shattering 11
Birthrights and Frailties 38 Inanimae 54
The Sidhe Retreat 12
Chapter Three: Nunnehi 54
The Black Plague 12
beyond hearth Hsien 54
The Interregnum
The Renaissance
13
13 And home 43 Menehune 54
Autumn People 54
Imperialism 16 The Courts 43 Thallain 55
The Industrial Revolution 17 The Escheat 44 Adhene 55
The Women’s Movement 18 Kiths 45 Dauntain 55
Resurgence 19 Clurichaun 45 Prodigals 55
Return of the Sidhe 19 Eshu 45 Vampires 56
The Accordance War 20 Nockers 45 Werewolves 56
The New Camelot 20 Piskies 45 Magi 56
The Evanescence 21 Pooka 46 Wraiths 57
Rise of the Internet 21 Redcaps 46 Stranger Things 57
Where We Are Now 22
Creative Overtaxing 22
Satyrs 46
Chapter four:
Do-It-Yourself Culture 23
Selkies 46
faces in
Chapter Two:
Arcadian Sidhe
Autumn Sidhe
46
46 the firelight 59
Upstairs, Sluagh 47 Knowledge Keeper 60
Downstairs 25 Trolls 47
Houses 48
Inquisitive Matchmaker 62
Behind-the-Scenes Drama Queen 64
Upstairs: Boggans in Society 26
House Aesin 48 Ex-boxer Barkeep 66
Homespun lifestyles 26
From knitting Circles to Communes 26
House Ailil 48
Appendix:
Gossip 27
Household Traditions 28
House Balor
House Beaumayn
48
49
Odds and Ends 73
House Daireann 49 New Merits and flaws 73
Boggan Status 29
House Danaan 50 New Oaths 75
Emotional labor 30
House Dougal 50 New Treasures 76
Romance 31

table of contents 3
 Like Clockwork
“Mrs. Featherstone?” She knocked on the door again, juggling the items in her arms and
trying not to drop anything as she reached for the doorknob. “Mrs. Featherstone, I’m coming in...”
“About time you got here, Rosey.” The old woman’s voice was brusque, but she greeted
her guest with a smile. “You’re late!”
The grandfather clock near the door began to chime just as she closed the door behind
herself, and Rosey couldn’t help but smile.
“Your clock says I’m on time.”
“Bah. Damn thing’s never right. Always fifteen minutes off.” The old woman waved a dis-
missive hand, then winced, gingerly rubbing her wrist. Rosey’s brow furrowed in concern as
she laid out her cleaning supplies on the nearby counter.
“Is it bad today?”
“Weather’s turning.” Ms. Featherstone sighed, carefully flexing her fingers with a grimace.
Arthritis had long since turned her once-nimble fingers into stiff, gnarled things; unreliable and
often pained. “Always makes it worse.”
Rosey watched as she eased herself into her old chair, staring miserably at her traitorous
hands. It always made her heart ache. She remembered watching her old friend tinkering in her
lovingly cluttered basement workshop, deftly fixing, modifying, or constructing all manner of
delicate sculptures and intricate machinery. Clockwork had always been the nocker’s favorite,
but as her hands betrayed her little by little, she’d lost her connection to the Dreaming. Her hair,
stark white and kept long, matched her old fae mien now, but now it was really all she had left.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Featherstone.” Finished laying out her equipment, she picked up the little
bottle of medicated lotion and crossed to the chair. “What needs my attention most today?”
“I tell you every time not to call me that.”
“Betty,” Rosey amended with a smile, gently rubbing the cream into the old woman’s hands.
“Just the usual routine?”
“If you think you can actually get anything clean today. I always find something you missed.”
The boggan’s smile turned just a little wry at the comment. “I’ll do my best.”
Betty snorted, mumbling profanity-laden doubts under her breath as Rosey tucked a blanket
over her lap. It was an old exchange between the two of them, going back years, and it was
comforting in its familiarity. The old woman had a peculiar way of asking her to come back
every week, but that’s all the complaint really was.
 “Going to natter on about your little fantasy stories like you always do?”
Setting happily about dusting and polishing the furniture, Rosey thought about all the re-
cent goings-on in the local court; once a weekly update to the reclusive nocker, now relegated
to fantasy stories.
“Only if you want to hear it.”
Muttering again, loathe to ever admit she was interested, Betty resumed studying her hands.
Beneath her knitted brow though, her eyes gleamed with eager anticipation; Rosey always had
the best stories. Smiling to herself, the boggan gladly shared the latest gossip, always happy
to have an appreciative audience for the latest and juiciest updates. Betty didn’t ask the same
questions anymore, but she needled her all the same, keen on prying out every detail and
analyzing them all. Her body may have begun to betray her, but the old woman’s mind — and
her tongue, for that matter — was just as sharp as it had always been.
“I don’t get where you come up with all this nonsense,” she said with a sigh when Rosey
finished. “Never had a head for such stories myself.”
“I do a lot of people watching. Helps, I guess. And I have a lot of time to think at work,
since most people don’t like to talk to the cleaning lady. Don’t even want to see me, really, but
that makes my job easier.”
“Most people are rude as hell and can kiss my ass.”
Rosey couldn’t help but smile at that. Betty had a tough time coming out and saying
anything appreciative clearly, but it wasn’t hard to spot the emotion behind her words. They
fell into a comfortable silence not long after, the drone of the radio giving Rosey something to
hum along to as she worked her way through the living room and into the hall. She paused
at the basement door, lingering as she dusted the frame and polished the doorknob. She even-
tually moved on, into the rooms further down the hall, pausing again only when she came to
one that was occupied.
“Hello, Mr. Featherstone!”
Churl Featherstone turned in his chair, removing his glasses as she chirped her greeting.
She watched with a bittersweet smile as he removed his customary red hat, brushing back
what was left of his hair before settling his glasses on his forehead. He had intimidated her
when they’d first met, but she’d quickly learned he was a rare member of the Seelie court for
his kith, and more pleasant than she’d expected.
“How are you today, Rosey?”
“As well as always. I’m surprised you didn’t come out to say hello when I came in.”
He offered his own affable — if toothy — smile. “Figured I’d leave you to it and let you get
it done quick. I knew you’d stop in here eventually.”
“I appreciate it. Anything you want me to do in here?”
The old redcap glanced around his office, shrugging.
“Not much, no. You know I don’t mind picking up after myself.” He gestured for her to step
inside, nodding at the door for her to close it. It shut with hardly a click, and she sat in the
chair opposite.
“...How’s it been going?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. “It’s been long enough now that I’ve...acclimated.
There’s so much of her that’s the same, and that’s... reassuring, in a way.”
“Certainly still the spitfire she used to be.”
 There was pride in his eyes as he smiled, glancing in the direction of the living room where
Betty was sitting. “Always a wilder, Elizabeth. Could never run her out of energy, even now.
There’s always something she’s investigating.”
“That’s good!”
He nodded again, then turned to a little box on his desk. “I have something for you. I know
it’s difficult to come here and expose yourself to, well, what’s happened.”
“You don’t need to—”
“No, I don’t. But I want to thank you for it all the same.” He offered her a tiny parcel
wrapped in a soft black cloth, heavy for its size and cool even through the fabric. Unwrapping
it, she found a golden filigree hummingbird, the gaps in the metal exterior showing the complex
clockwork mechanisms inside.
“It’s the last thing she finished,” he said, as she admired it. “I thought you should have it. It
flies, but it might not be best to turn it on here.”
“Mr. Featherstone, I—I can’t take this—”
“It’s a gift. Not payment. She’d want you to have it.” His voice was kind but firm. “She want-
ed it to sing, but griped and scrapped it when she realized it wasn’t shaped to be a songbird.”
She stroked the delicate wing of the bird, speechless. A little Glamour and she had no doubt
it would flit around just like a living one, but he was right; best not to do so here.
“I have a favor to ask, as well.”
She looked up, carefully wrapping the piece up again. “Yes?”
“Could you take care of the workshop today?”
“Of course, Mr. Featherstone.” She nodded, glancing to the little parcel again. “That’s no
problem at all.”

•••
“...None of them ever came out quite right.”
Rosey turned, a little surprised by Betty’s voice behind her, but given how her work had
slowed, she had suspected she was no longer alone.
“What?”
The old woman’s eyes scanned the shelves, wringing her hands as much as they would
allow. “All of them, something always... the grain wouldn’t match right, or a weld would stain
wrong. Not enough that it wouldn’t work, just... never quite right.”
Rosey watched as Betty looked around the shelves in her workshop like she was seeing
them for the first time, searching for meaning they’d once held and lost. To the changeling’s
eyes, some of the sculptures and knickknacks still glowed faintly with the Glamour they’d been
infused with when Betty had made them; gossamer wings fluttered gently without a power
source, clock faces glittered with magic, miniature fountains ran without ever needing to be
refilled. She’d considered once or twice trying to enchant the nocker again, but in her heart, she
knew it would never work. All the same, watching her friend grope for the magic that she’d
once conjured so easily again brought the idea to her mind.
“They’re so lovely, though.”
“I don’t know what I made them all for. Never wanted to sell anything, never wanted to
make a living at it. Just wanted to make, I suppose.”
 “We are what makes us happy.” Rosey smiled, holding up her dusting rag. “I like to clean.
You like to build. Remember what you told me, once? They’re like moving puzzles, you just
have to listen to the pieces when they tell you where they fit.”
She was surprised to see a tear roll from the corner of Betty’s eye as the woman nodded,
her lips a thin line. She stared down at her hands again, her voice quiet as she spoke. “I just
never thought they’d stop talking.”
Before Rosey could respond, the old nocker lifted her head with a sniff, stubbornly ignoring
the tear. The steel back in her spine, she turned to the stairs.
“No use in dwelling on it. Can’t do much about it anyway. Finish up down here and get
back upstairs, you haven’t even touched the dining room.”
She was gone without another word, leaving the boggan to finish her dusting and cleaning alone.

•••
“Are you finished yet?”
Rosey offered a sunny smile as she finished packing up the last of her supplies. “Just got
done packing up. Anything I’ve missed, before I go?”
“I’m sure I’ll find something tomorrow,” Betty griped, looking around the room with a sat-
isfied smile.
“Then I’ll take care of it next week,” Rosey answered, laughing softly and gathering up her
things.
Betty walked with her to the door, shifting her weight and looking uncomfortable. Rosey
paused, waiting to see what she wanted to say; prompting her, she knew, would only chase the
moment away. Eventually, she spoke, addressing the floor. “Didn’t mean to get all... uncomfort-
able before. In the basement.”
“You could never make me uncomfortable, Mrs. Featherstone. Betty.”
“I don’t like this getting old business. Makes everything hurt or go foggy. Don’t get old,
girl. It’s not worth it.”
“I’ll do my best,” she says, smiling gently. “I like to think looking back makes it not so bad.”
The woman rolled her eyes, coming back into herself a bit with a scoff. “I’ll never understand
you sentimental types. You and my husband both.”
“Someone’s got to be patient enough to put up with people like you.”
Betty looked shocked for a moment, before her face split in a wide smile and she let out
a loud, cackling laugh. “I never thought I’d see the day! Now you’re getting it!” She steadied
herself on the doorframe, quieting down. “I’ll rub off on you yet. You’ll be just like me when
you’re my age.”
“I’ll consider it an honor.”
The clock next to the door chimed again, and Rosey hastily gathered her things up while
Betty shook her head.
“Late to get here, late to go. At least I know you put all your time in, instead of shorting me.”
She squinted at the grandfather clock, rapping on the side of the handsome structure. “Maybe
not accurate, but at least it’s reliable. Just wish the damn thing ran on time.”
Rosey couldn’t help but smile at the old routine.
“I think it’s perfect just the way it is.”
 Chapter One:
A ofShort history
boggans
“It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.
Small acts of kindness and love.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

There’s a little bit of boggan in everyone.

Everyone likes to learn a secret, or to tell one; even the
freest of spirits needs a place to return to now and then
between one journey and the next. Boggans thrive in these
The Mythic Age
From their inception, boggans were among the fae who
spaces, in the comfort of home and the bonds between most regularly interacted with the mortals who had dreamt
friends. Dreams of an honest day’s work and a cozy living them into being. As humanity shifted away from serving
provided by it, this kith has long enjoyed helping those who their dark and hungry masters, they served to offer a new
appreciate their efforts. Whether finishing a craftsman’s way of life. Though still one of service and hard work, rather
work at the end of a long day, completing the chores of a than claiming tribute or subjugating the blossoming culture,
busy housekeeper, or bringing together unlikely friendships boggans began as the embodiment of hope. More specifically,
and romances, tales of mysterious folk helping others are they stood for hope for a better life, one forged by the labor
the heart and soul of boggan history. of one’s own hands. Maybe not a glamorous life, but a free
one, beholden to none.
While not exactly shy, boggans work best just out of
notice. Tracing their history often involves looking just Living free from the heavy yoke of the Fomorians,
behind or to the side of the spotlight, but with a suffi- humanity could move ahead and better their lives, offering
ciently practiced eye, picking out the patterns of a boggan’s what they could and finally getting something useful in
helping hand is easy. Humble creatures, they often prefer return. Content to help those who needed it, boggans also
to highlight the efforts of others. They might not speak served as a reminder never to be as greedy as the Fomorians,
directly of their influence, but they are always eager to tell withholding their help from those who began displaying the
the story, and usually have it firsthand. Even if she isn’t same greedy appetite as the dark fae. They patiently guided
the main character of the story, there’s usually a boggan in and coaxed humanity along, encouraging some behavior and
the room where it happened. stifling others who went against this new dream.

chapter one: a short history of boggans 9

 As the conflict between the Tuatha de Danaan and the
Fomorians grew all-encompassing, boggans still did what they
could to reach out to mortals from time to time. They fostered
growing communities while regretfully abandoning those who
clung to their place as servants of the Fomorians. It was a time
The fomorian Threat
Few Kithain stand as directly opposed to the
of hard decisions and bittersweet partings, and one the boggans
Fomorians as boggans. Dreams of safety and stabil-
still recall somberly on a winter holiday known as the Night of
ity, warmth and security, they are a quiet force, but
the Embers. It begins with conventional revelry around a fire,
one that flies in the face of the chaotic and violent
but as the night goes on, they allow the fire to die down, and
nature of the Fomorians and their descendants:
the stories turn wistful and melancholy by turns. Old loves,
the Thallain and the Dark-Kin.
old homes, and old labors are dutifully recalled and saluted,

The Sundering
until the last embers die and the party ends. While rarely seen in conflicts, boggans main-
tained encampments across the Dreaming, helping
their brothers and sisters to survive, giving their
leaders, the Tuatha, hale and hearty armies in turn.
Outposts between camps and hidden safehouses
As magic’s hold on the world waned over the course of
were maintained by boggans in wide webs across
the Sundering, the children of the Dreaming took stock,
the Dreaming, providing shelter for retreating forces
consolidated their numbers, and gradually retreated from
or spies in need of protection.
well-populated areas of the world. As contact with mortals
grew more limited and less frequent, boggans split their Throughout the conflict between the Fomorian
forces. Those who served closely under influential sidhe and Tuathan forces, boggans drove back the forces of
remained closer to fae society, set out by their lords and darkness and pain not with battalions and brigades,
ladies to smooth over any internal conflicts within the newly but stalwart faith in the dreams that birthed them.
consolidated groups, while those with less courtly presence You cannot pass here; you cannot win. Within these walls
led efforts to keep an eye on mortal affairs and make sure we are safe. We will not cower from the thunder and the
the faerie strongholds wouldn’t be discovered. rain, because we know it cannot harm us.
In time, mortals turned more and more to religions that
spurned their old traditions, and life grew more dangerous
for the fae looking to remain in contact with mortal society,
driving a number of boggans to take on the Changeling Way It was an even more confusing and terrifying time for
before its widespread adoption after the Shattering. In order the first changelings born of mortal parents, and many
to maintain the relationships they had already forged, some discovered their fae nature only a short time before having
going back generations, boggans especially needed protection their lives taken for displaying strange talents or uncanny
against the Banality overtaking more and more of the world. insights. Less for the benefit of the mortals that were turning
While they ventured out to keep an eye on the mortals, they against them and more for their troubled brethren, boggans
also kept a wary eye on the spread of Banality’s influence, frequented mortal towns seeking out any of their own kind,
doing their best to understand this strange new threat as well looking to save them from the suffocating grasp of Banality
as create and keep alive a travelers’ network to spread news or the deadly fear of their neighbors.

The Middle Ages

between friendly factions.
While humanity as whole forgot their oaths, promises,
and relations with the fae, boggans did their best to preserve
some kind of contact. While faith itself could be inspirational A turbulent time in the history of the world, to say
and wondrous, all too often the organized institutions that nothing of the legends of the Kithain, modern scholars
accompanied the rise of the new faiths were used as weapons have begun pushing back against the long-held popular
against those who would not adopt new beliefs or conform notion that the Middle Ages were largely a time of wide-
to new roles. Combined with a newfound religious fear and spread ignorance, superstition, and barbarity before the
distrust of magic influencing mortal culture, as well as the shining dawn of the Renaissance. Of course, any boggan
accompanying persecution of the practitioners of the old could have told them so long ago, but then, as boggans
ways, living amongst mortals was a dangerous prospect for also know only too well, some things it’s best for people to
any fae who might attempt it. work out on their own.

10 kithbook: boggans
 eyes of Kithain historians, just as the Black Death did for
mortal ones, the Middle Ages had their wonders as well.

The Changeling Way

Among changeling legends are tales of how
Boggans savored new spices from the Middle East and north
Africa, admired the craftsmanship of exotic goods carried
back from far-off Asia, and of course immersed themselves
in mortal and Kithain courtly gossip as political intrigue
boggans discovered the solution to the onslaught
blossomed across Europe and beyond. For homebodies
of Banality. Their mortal friends seemed relatively
such as boggans, the rapidly increasing level of connection
unfazed by its unrelenting march; certainly, they felt
to faraway lands was a precious gift, and they treasured
a certain chill when it came near, but not nearly
every scrap of it.
as keenly as the fae. It didn’t take long for the
struggling Kithain to turn to what seemed like the Which made what came next, of course, all the more

The Shattering
most obvious solution: enlist mortals to help shield painful.
themselves from the forces that wore them down.
The decision to cloak themselves in mortal
flesh was not made lightly, but certainly made of As Banality marched steadily on, freeholds became scarc-
necessity, and only after all of their less-invasive ideas er, causing many Kithain to flee the world in desperation,
had failed. It was an imperfect art to say the least, while those who remained all too often warred with each
discovering the proper method for tying a fae soul other over the precious few places left for them to inhabit.
to a human body, one that took a good amount Beyond even the Sundering, the Shattering remains the dark-
of (thankfully harmless) trial and error. Finding est time in the memory of boggans, for while the Sundering
the proper way to execute such long-lasting magic divided the mortal Realm and the Dreaming, the Shattering
required the efforts of many, all working together divided the fae themselves. Friends turned against each other
to fuel the switch over from fae to changelings. and limited resources were divided by favoritism, instead of
With their experience dealing with mortals, and given to those who would need them most. Anyone sliding
their intimate knowledge of how they interacted into Banality’s grip found themselves a leper among the fae,
with the fae and with magic, it was a boggan who who often refused to associate with those even barely caught
finally cracked the code. Weakened as she was by in its grip, for fear of losing themselves as well.
Banality, it required her entire household to success- Among groups who had strongholds in the Dreaming
fully bind her to a mortal form, with ancient and and could still access them, leaders would pick their closest
long-forgotten magics. Though the original ritual of friends to hole up inside, and would frequently ask boggans
the Changeling Way has been lost to time, scholars to fill any additional space with the most ‘useful’ individuals.
studying the process have a number of theories Forced to weigh and measure their companions against each
about its implementation. Some have turned to other and decide their fates, a sizable number of boggans did
the study of Time to seek answers, and regard it as their best to refuse, or nominated candidates who wouldn’t
the first step to unravelling the process, as it seems necessarily benefit the group so much as they required them
to follow the rules of cantrips cast with the realm, to help themselves.
resetting and recasting itself with every life cycle.
Though they managed mostly only small acts of defiance
Once the Shattering barred all access to Arca- against the picking and choosing of worth, boggans did their
dia, many theorize the Dreaming itself lent a helping best to ensure the survival of everyone, as opposed to only a
hand, perpetuating the cycle of rebirth as each of select few. As populations divided, those with the resources
a changeling’s lives ended; it’s a widely accepted to survive either demanded unreasonable prices for security,
truth that it must have acted in some way to spread or simply denied others when they had resources to spare
the successful method of the Way across the entire simply to secure their own comfort, boggans did everything
population of fae in a quick and efficient manner. they could to maintain the comfort of the less fortunate.
Staunch champions of the Changeling Way, they did their
best to persuade others to consider the option of protecting
themselves in the Autumn World, instead of desperately trying
While there certainly were horrors in those days, and to prove their worth to those who considered them lesser.
the Shattering would soon cast a pall over the time in the

chapter one: a short history of boggans 11

The Sidhe Retreat
As the sidhe fled to Arcadia, the commoners they left
better serve their remaining leaders, but the majority chose
instead to represent the Houses to which they had originally
pledged, to better serve the Kithain who likewise preferred
behind galvanized in their abandonment. Though everyone to retain their titles.
left behind felt the sting of their leaders’ abdication, bog-
While the ceasefire between the Courts was a practical
gans — usually close seconds-in-command — were among
necessity in the turmoil following the loss of the gateways
those most personally affected by the mass exodus. Many
and trods, it was largely negotiated by boggans in the Seelie
considered their lords and ladies to be close companions,
Court, usually with their closest Unseelie counterparts, the
and were greatly disheartened by the way they tossed their
sluagh. Concerted efforts on both sides allowed the conflict
most loyal and devoted aides aside in favor of self-righteous
to come to its indefinite suspension, allowing newly minted
self-preservation.
changelings everywhere the much-needed time to adapt to
In the time directly after the sidhe left, boggans found their new reality; one without much of the stability they had
themselves thrust into the spotlight. Commoners looking known before. While the Sundering had brought unease, the
for sense in the chaos turned to those who knew most about Shattering upended life as everyone had known it, leaving
leadership, and boggans, with their natural ability with people changelings nothing to do but pick up the scraps as best as
and close proximity to the sidhe, were a natural group to they could and continue on.
turn to. While a number demurred, finding more outgoing
partners with whom to work, others stepped up to being
leaders themselves, organizing the frantic commoners left
behind. While others were furious with Houses Liam and
The black Plague
As the fae grew ever more elitist and separatist in the
Scathach, the boggans turned to the few sidhe who stayed wake of Banality’s spread, swaths of magical populations
behind, beseeching them to lead as they always had. A number the world over fended for themselves. As the sidhe departed
of boggans previously pledged to other Houses converted to and left their subjects behind, the darkness of the Autumn
World only deepened for fae, changelings, and mortals alike,
12 kithbook: boggans
 themselves and to scramble in chaos as gateways slammed
shut, they abandoned their brethren to the Autumn and to

households and balefires

As balefires and freeholds slowly faded and
Banality, violating one of the tenets only recently laid out.
In the wake of their Autumnal isolation and the defiance of
the Right of Rescue, the Black Plague struck, devastated the
died, pockets of fae and changelings drew closer and population, doing the worst of its damage in under a decade.
closer together around the few that were left. Those Some even go so far as to theorize that the Dauntain, who
abandoned in ‘dead’ sections of the Autumn by also came of the widespread adoption of the Changeling
closing trods could do little more than band together Way, are an extension of the backlash, a contained chime-

The Interregnum
and hunker down wherever they could, carefully rical side-effect of the plague that sank deep into fae souls.
guarding what little they had left. Those abandoned
by their leaders — or those in the Houses that had
sidhe willing to stay behind — fortified whatever
remained of their balefires, and maintained the One of the largest stretches of time in changeling history,
Households as they had always been run. the Interregnum marks a period of tenuous hope but wide-
Though they wouldn’t solidify for a time, those spread uncertainty for those related to the fae. Small surges
left without their leaders — or who were disgusted by of Glamour began stabilizing the encroaching of Banality, but
their selfish ways — gathered in motleys. Wherever every time the balance seemed set to tip in Glamour’s favor,
sidhe were absent, boggans became the organizing some cataclysmic event rocked the Autumn World, sending
forces behind the first mews. These groups, creat- shockwaves of Banality through changeling communities every-
ed and governed by commoners alone, became where. Persisting in the face of wars, depressions, imperialism,
the backbone for changeling society once all the and industrialization, boggans continued to be the glue behind
gateways closed. While usually not the loudest or the changeling communities in the absence of the sidhe. Either
strongest of a group, changelings newly adopting the working with the remaining leaders from Houses Gwydion
Way turned to boggans for their quiet confidence and Liam, or heading up commoner communities (or allowing
in the face of turmoil, looking to their experience others to take that place), boggans made it their duty to protect
for where to go next. anyone awakening in contentious times, foster the Dreamers
who kept all changelings alive, and to remind everyone of the
As changelings everywhere gathered in House- dawn that comes even after the longest, darkest night.
holds and the early mews, the balefires they huddled
around steadied. Though diminished from their
initial splendor, their persistence gave hope to the
The Renaissance
With the Renaissance came a peculiar time for changelings
suffering population, who had already seen far too
many fires gutter out in the face of Banality. the world over. While mortals were inspired more than ever,
creating some of the most lasting and well-renowned pieces
of art even to this day, their source of inspiration was at the
time the most banal of them all: religion. Their previously
as the bubonic plague swept the eastern and western worlds. most reliable source of Glamour now inverted against them,
While largely regarded as a broken promise between mortals empty of anything that could sustain them. The Renaissance
and the Dreaming, boggan scholars share their opinions in was a time of confusion and uncertainty that saw another
mere whispers, refusing — especially now, with the return of consolidation of the fae population, as they all drew together
the sidhe who vanished around the time of the plague — to to fight the endless march of religion, and behind it, Banality.
spread their thoughts too widely. Boggans in this period shone behind the laborers tasked
While the Escheat is one of the few fae agreements not with building some of the greatest architectural achievements
backed directly by the Dreaming or enforced by Glamour, of the age. Not necessarily motivated by the religious fervor
such forces occasionally act when its tenets are egregiously of the time, they nonetheless dedicated themselves to the
broken. It is an agreement between fae, after all, which in artistry and complexity of their tasks, finding solutions and
and of itself loans the oath significant power. developing new techniques to support the grand cathedrals
of the time. The indirect connection to religion, as well as the
When the sidhe clamored through the gates first, leav- down-to-earth, methodical, and hands-on work of building
ing the commoners they were sworn to protect to fend for also made a perfect hotbed for boggan Revelry, and a number

chapter one: a short history of boggans 13

 Everything Stops for Tea
From the sharing of a casual cup of tea with an this tradition — there’s a lot that can be learned from
afternoon visitor to the highly specialized rituals of a observing how a boggan prepares and serves it.
traditional Japanese tea ceremony, all manner of cultures
Boggans have known the mysterious power of
rely on coming together over a cup of something warm
gathering over a beverage for as long as they can re-
and bonding over the experience. Whether it’s ingrained
member, before the Changeling Way and even before
as a part of everyday life or something to be saved for
the Sundering. They welcomed mortals into their
a special occasion, the act of preparing and serving
circles, leading the eager ones into their homes in the
tea always has a note of comfort to it, a gesture of care
Dreaming, told them to stay; and their new friends did,
and the invitation to speak whatever’s on one’s mind.
often returning after weeks to find that no time had
As casual as it can seem, everything about tea is passed since their leaving, or spending a single night
significant to a boggan, as well as those guests who know and returning to their lives ten years later. Thus began
how to look. Use of the fine china and best teapot is the rumor that you should never eat or drink anything
a mark of great respect and affection; chipped china, the fae offered, lest they keep you too long!
on the other hand, conveys a clear message that a guest
Once the final trods shut and the Kithain found
isn’t wanted. Sipping tea naturally covers reactions to
themselves orphaned in the Autumn world, it was
startling or unpleasant news, as well as allows a polite
a natural first thing for boggans everywhere to pull
span of time to formulate a proper reply without feeling
their brothers and sisters together. We’ll be alright, they
rushed. A spread of snacks indicates an invitation for a
whispered, as long as we have each other. Sit by the fire,
longer visit, while a simple cup means one is welcome
with everyone else. The kettle’s about to boil. Here we are
but there’s likely work that needs attending to not
together. We’ll make it our new home. A cup of tea tonight.
long after. Even if it’s not actually tea — though that
remains far and away the most popular beverage for We’ll work out the rest tomorrow.

of projects that were completed ahead of schedule is due Glamour into the world and allowing a number of boggans to
directly to the influence and aide of such industrious folk. work closely with their Dreamers. Fashion provided hands-on
work and allowed boggans’ natural creativity to flourish. As
Changelings awakening throughout the Renaissance were
fashions changed, and the wealthy adorned themselves in
especially precious to Kithain everywhere, bringing vital surges
ever-more ornate clothing, boggans found a place to shine
in Glamour as they left their Chrysalises. Boggans awakening
and truly flex their skills in their crafts. A bright spot in
in this time were quickly taken on as apprentices to master
the otherwise uncertain landscape, any boggans awakening
crafters (themselves usually boggans keeping a careful eye
during the Tudor period especially were quickly whisked
out for new changelings), allowing them an outlet for their
into apprenticeships as tailors and seamstresses, where they
natural inclinations and helping them avoid persecution
could flourish, and in turn inspire the others around them.
for their ‘fantastic’ ways. In turn, the childlings often made
incredible breakthroughs designing or building, quickly Though they may not have known it, nearly every noble
adopting and adapting the crafts their masters taught them. house of the time had at least one boggan on retainer to

Science and fashion

Though they may not appear to have much in common,
craft their decadent wardrobes. Though they would often
share tips and tricks and teach each other new techniques,
a number remained in playful competition with each other,
boggans gravitated toward both topics during the Renaissance. seeking to be on the cutting-edge of new trends or produce
As science moved forward, and its adherents were willing to the most lavish, talked-about outfits.
persevere in spite of the church, new discoveries and methods The blend of science and art delighted a number of
became viable sources of inspiration, bringing small surges of changelings during the Renaissance, but the inspiration

14 kithbook: boggans
behind advances in math and science, and the determined literacy and, ultimately, quality of life, as education became
study of such subjects as astronomy and alchemy were of most more accessible; on the other, the drop in production of
interest to boggans. While nockers to this day appreciate such incredible items as illustrated manuscripts and care-
things like da Vinci’s journals, boggans instead keep careful ful calligraphy of hand-written books meant the few that
libraries of debunked sciences and theories, still cherishing remained were increasingly hoarded in personal collections
the time and devotion that went into their study. kept by the wealthy.
Most boggans of the time appreciated the necessary
Some even continue to carry out experiments, particularly
labor and artistry that went into early works from printing
toying with how their magic interacts with alchemy and its
presses — mostly careful and laborious woodblock carving
contemporary field, chemistry. Working closely with nockers
— and the physical process of inking, rolling, pressing, and
— or as closely as the nockers would allow, anyway — a small
binding that was still necessary for production. Many grew
group known in Kithain circles as the Philosopher’s Society
excited with the spread of easily reproduced items of won-
has cropped up, seeking a way to transmute or otherwise
der, while still appreciating the innovation that went into
change the properties of cold iron to render it inert, instead
the invention and spread of presses in the first place. The
of harmful to changelings and fae. That no results have been
perfection of moveable type as a means of improving presses
forthcoming for centuries does not deter them; as they’re
became one of the greatest innovations of the era, spear-
quick to point out, even a small breakthrough in this area
headed by the now-famous Gutenberg. While he was not
could be revolutionary for the Kithain, and that alone makes
one of their own, every boggan knew, or knew of, someone
it worth pursuing despite seemingly endless dead ends.
who worked with him or knew him while he was working.

The Gutenberg Press

With the invention and widespread adoption of
An unexpected silver lining of the Gutenberg Bibles
was the loosening of the stranglehold of the church. While
the texts themselves were obviously religious, their printing
printing presses and mass-production of literature, most in a commonly known language, rather than the traditional
boggans were torn. On one hand, it led to an increase in but restrictive Latin, allowed the common folk to take their

chapter one: a short history of boggans 15

 Connecting with Dreamers
Once trapped forever in the flesh and blood of materials, finding their favorite place to stay was often
mortals, changelings needed a way to adapt and regain where they would be struck by the most vivid inspiration.
the Glamour that maintained their existence. The way
The story goes that one night, weary after a long
boggans tell it, they were the first ones to discover how
day’s travel, a woodcarver arrived on the doorstep of
they could use the minds of mortals in order to fuel
just one such boggan’s home. It was a place he had
their faerie halves. Their long history of engaging with
visited a number of times before, enough that he had
mortals gave them plenty of insight into the way they
befriended the old woman that opened her home to
worked, and the way the dreams of humanity had a way
any weary traveler. Despite the late hour, he found her
of shaping the chimerical space around them.
awake, and before he settled in for the night, the two
Once safely ensconced in mortal bodies, boggans shared a late meal.
everywhere strove to maintain themselves and their
Despite his exhaustion, as the two talked late into
collective identity. They drew together, inviting their
the night, he found his hands itching to work. The
new changeling brethren to stay with them while the
longer they talked, the clearer his idea grew. When
Kithain worked to find their new place in the world.
they finally parted, he stayed up until the early hours
Wherever boggans established themselves, Kithain were
of dawn, feverishly coaxing the form in his head out of
welcome to stop in and stay when they needed support,
the wood. He managed to finish in a single night what
advice, or simply some time around others like them.
should have taken him days, and in the morning he
They carried bits and pieces of their lives with them,
proudly showed off his work to the old woman.
the scraps of Glamour and dross they could gather, and
left what they could as way of thanks. To her surprise, it overflowed with Glamour, which
still clung to him. He professed that their conversation
In time, as the Kithain made connections with
had led him to such work, and that he had hardly ever
mortals, they would bring their friends with them when
felt as driven to create as he had that night, and so, the
they stopped in, and word began to spread; all manner
first Dreamer was inspired to Reverie.
of travelers knew they could find solace in the homes
that displayed the symbol of the bumblebee. Each time he returned, he created something new
after they spoke. She told the story to every changeling
As boggan households grew into bustling inns,
who passed through her door, asking the piskies and the
more and more craftsmen found themselves drawn to a
eshu to tell the tale far and wide, the sluagh to whisper
boggan’s hearth, instead of a standard inn. Aside from
it into their dark corners, the clurichauns and satyrs to
being welcoming, staying within a boggan household
proclaim it to whomever they met. It became common
often meant their work would be appraised and appre-
knowledge that mortals, after making connections with
ciated, or that they would pick up a helpful hint or two
Kithain, could create the Glamour that would sustain
during their stay. Even though their hosts demanded
changelings in those uncertain times just after the split
no payment, they would often leave pieces behind as
of the Arcadia and the Autumn.
tokens of appreciation. As they passed through the same
towns and cities again and again, they would bring raw -Bryn fitzLeodhas, Boggan Scholar

faith into their own hands. No longer needing to rely on the quiet bustle of a printer’s workshop and the attention
the clergy to dictate to the masses, leading eventually to less to detail that came with setting type for print.
extreme practices and the waning of persecution as time
went on, allowing changelings the world over to breathe
a collective sigh of relief. As printing became more wide-
Imperialism
There are few things boggans enjoy more than sharing
spread, it was also a perfect go-to for boggans, who enjoyed
stories and creature comforts, and as such, it’s with anguish

16 kithbook: boggans
that they watch the fall of one culture to another’s grasping
hands. Upending someone’s entire life, first with conflict
and then by forcing them to live in an entirely new and con-
fusing way, cuts deep into the soul of any boggan; thus, ages
of conquest are uneasy for the group as a whole, on either
Indentured Servitude,
Serfs, and Slavery
side of the experience. Throughout the many periods where Human history is no stranger to backbreaking
empires extended their reach, boggans were at the forefront labor, repetitive tasks, and unpleasant but necessary
of preserving the cultures that would be assimilated, either jobs. Unfortunately for most of its history, and
digging their heels in with their mortal community to main- even into the present day, exploited parties do a
tain their own ways, or working with the overtaken group to great deal of this labor. While it’s easy to write off
ensure their customs would survive, if only in furtive whispers boggans as the patron saints of such underprivileged
and clandestine gatherings. individuals, boggans were often at the forefront of
Where conquerors would take artifacts or items to movements to liberate those ‘owned’ by others.
keep in a personal collection, boggans would seek to return They also fought to improve the lifestyles of those
such items to their rightful owners; where mortal scholars either locked in oppressive caste systems or victims
would record their own opinions formed by observation of of governments that perpetually disenfranchise
the community, boggans sought to understand the ‘alien’ certain populations. Nowadays, boggans seek to
practices of other cultures. Anthropology remains to this be the best allies and activists they can, but usually
day a popular field of study among the more outgoing and avoid being the very center of attention. Most often
adventurous boggans, as they strive to better relate to those they organize events, finding the best avenues and
around them. Preferring cultural exchange to homogeniza- most appropriate voices to convey the messages of
tion, they enjoy respectfully learning about diverse cultures whatever inequalities still persist.
and their habits and customs. Not only does it make them
a better host to a wider audience, it can also, on occasion,
pull up memories from their fae soul’s earlier incarnations
and reconnect them to old friends. made it possible to increase the production of necessary
goods and drive down prices on certain essentials. And
Indeed, the general cheerful willingness of boggans to
industry was often quite ingenious in itself, with inspired
experiment with new practices and incorporate parts of
inventors creating amazing new machines and processes
new cultures often surprises more adventurous kith such as
to deliver ever more fantastic inventions for the ease and
eshu or satyrs, who assume that boggans’ homebody nature
comfort of modern life.
means they must also be provincial in their outlook as well.
For their part, boggans simply maintain that an open door On the other, however, the repetitive factory work
is a sign of an open mind, and their homes are more or less and miserable conditions that often accompanied it were
always open. abhorrent, not just maiming and killing workers but often

The Industrial
crushing the dreams out of others through the sheer, mo-
notonous Banality of the never-ending labor and cruelty. For

Revolution
Although it certainly had its shining moments, by
boggans, they watched their dream of happy productivity
warped into a nightmare, and they fought hard against
it, by advocating for labor laws and safety standards that
protected the workers just trying to make a living. It was a
and large the industrial revolution struck terror into the brutal and often disheartening struggle, pitting masses of
hearts of Kithain everywhere. Metal objects produced laborers against wealthy owners and private armies hired to
easily on a massive scale brought some to hysterics, certain break strikes and prevent workers from organizing. Those
that humanity would manage to create and mass-produce who spoke out could be arrested, blacklisted, driven out
cold iron. Though such fears proved unfounded, another of town, or labeled as dangerous subversives, and were
more insidious threat soon emerged: the death of so-called routinely subjected to violence.
cottage industry and the skilled individual craftsmen who Boggans are nothing if not persistent, however, and
comprised its labor force. pushed ceaselessly both publicly and privately for reform,
Perhaps no one felt this tragedy more closely than bog- not to mention acting as organizers and offering shelter
gans, who might well be considered the literal embodiment of and comfort for activists on the run from owners and
the term itself. The kith was torn. On the one hand, factories corrupt authorities. It is a battle that many of this kith are

chapter one: a short history of boggans 17

still fighting, in fact, as the modern world has by no means streets and protesting with a voice to make any revolutionary
become a beacon of perfect labor practices. No matter what, proud. As mentioned previously, one is the labor movement
however, boggans will keep fighting, because beyond the and related causes such as ending slavery and human traf-
politics and figures of any given moment, at the core of ficking. Just as dear to boggan hearts, however, is the cause
the labor movement is a truth that resonates deep in the of women’s rights.
collective soul of the kith: The Kithain have a long history of pushing for women’s
No one should ever be compelled against their will to work, rights, a natural outgrowth of the tendency of changeling
and those who work should be fairly compensated and fairly treated women attacked throughout history as witches and monsters
for their labor. because of their strange gifts and strong wills, and facing
This kith fully realizes it is likely to be a cause without prejudice and violence as a result. The cause is especially
end, merely discovering more battlegrounds and more dear to boggans, however, since they were acutely aware of
battles to fight on them, but as is typical, they take it in the hardships and tribulations that women suffered given
stride. Boggans understand better than most that many that their strong ties to home and hearth. Boggans did not
things in life are not about achieving some fabled ultimate and still do not view these facets of life as being exclusively
victory, but more about taking those wins you can get while feminine, especially if doing so restricts women’s freedom and
doing your best to minimize the impact of the losses that ridicules men who enjoy them, the mortal cultures around
inevitably stack up as well. them were typically far less enlightened. Boggans witnessed

The Women’s Movement

Every kith has their causes, the issues that ignite passion
the results of this pigeonholing firsthand and regularly pushed
for reforms, not to mention saw to it that tyrants and abusers
were shamed and undermined whenever possible. Even if it
was unlikely that actual laws would change, they reasoned,
and fury deep within their souls. While boggans are known that didn’t mean social pressure couldn’t achieve many of
for working quietly behind the scenes when it comes to social the same results, and failing that, there were always other
reform, there are still causes that will get them out into the ways to try to balance the scales.

18 kithbook: boggans
 As mass-organized social and political movements began of the world alone. It also served to remind decision-makers
to take on their modern form and importance, boggans saw on both sides of the Cold War that the people they too often
their chance to finally push for genuine legal and cultural saw as implacable, inhuman monsters were really just people
reform in the area of women’s rights. Instead of the mixed with families and dreams not unlike their own.
bag of freedoms that existed in many nations where boggans
This kith also flourished in the post-war ‘can-do’ spirit
lived, they could push for more universal reforms and hold
found in the middle of the twentieth century, in everything
every country to the same standards. It was a risky and often
from scientific innovation — you didn’t hear it from me, but
unpopular proposition, but they could see that its time had
punch card computers develop a lot more quickly when it only
come, so the kith collectively threw everything they had into
takes a third of the time to make the cards — to the explosion
it. Untold favors, some several lifetimes old, were cashed in,
of handicrafts as hobbyist culture and social activity. Though
and whole networks of boggans organized and energized their
the shadow of the military-industrial complex loomed over
fellow Kithain, their Kinain relatives, and anyone else they
many industries and even some leisure activities throughout
could recruit to the cause.
this period, boggans worked steadily to keep innovation and
Even then, reform did not happen overnight, nor did it industry in the light as much as possible. They may not have
sweep as one great wave around the world as they might have been involved with the growing counter-culture as some other
hoped. But victories were achieved that had been unthinkable kiths were, but even beatniks and hippies need a place to crash,
in the past, which paved the way for greater equality and and once again boggans became the ‘den mothers’ of their
further reforms down the road. more openly rebellious friends. Their support wasn’t as glam-
orous, perhaps, but allowed the arts to flourish and the social
Though it surprises some who view them as, by na-
movements to keep going, and that was just fine with them.

Return of the Sidhe

ture, a more conservative kith, boggans tend to be staunch
proponents of feminism as well. For millennia they saw all
too clearly how both men and women were stifled by being
restricted to the banality of set roles rather than allowed to The return of the Arcadian sidhe and the resulting surge
pursue their passions, and as a result they firmly believe in in power and prominence of the noble houses was a dou-
legal and cultural equality so that everyone could pursue the ble-edged sword for many Kithain, but perhaps few other than

Resurgence
kind of work that they were truly born to undertake. the trolls really understood the impact on society as well as
boggans did. Sure, some Autumn sidhe had remained behind,
for which boggans give them great credit and greater loyalty,
but they were always relatively few in number. Which meant
After not one but two world wars, compounded by the after the Arcadian sidhe fled, the reality was that trolls and
horror of nuclear devastation and the ensuing Cold War, boggans most often ran Kithain society, in function if not
many Kithain began to worry that the Autumn World really in title. Trolls took up most of the leadership, planning, and
might be coming to an end. For the first time in history, public-facing roles the sidhe had occupied, while boggans
humanity held the means to destroy itself in one horrifying worked behind the scenes to keep communities together and
exchange, and changelings could only watch in horror as the run the necessary day-to-day operations that kept Dreamers
looming threat of nuclear holocaust warped and twisted the dreaming and balefires burning.
minds of Dreamers all over the world. Rather than give in, So, when the Arcadian sidhe returned and demanded
though, the Kithain rallied, determined to turn humanity what amounted to the restoration of everything they had
away from the darkness that threatened to consume mortal left behind, boggans balked. They did their best to welcome
and fae alike. and acknowledge these new arrivals, however, there are few
things that sour boggans on someone faster than that person
Boggans made their mark — perhaps too strongly, some demanding a reward they have not earned. Even when the
kith scholars have noted ruefully — in the culture by working newcomers made some appreciative noises to the trolls and
hard to promote so-called as “nuclear families” (pun not Autumn sidhe for keeping things up while they were away,
intended). Although mortal society insisted on saddling the they generally overlooked the contributions of boggans and
arrangement with increasingly outdated gender roles, which other common kiths entirely. That would be bad enough,
was a constant source of frustration for this kith, the empha- but it also wasn’t hard to read between the lines of what the
sis on family and togetherness was nevertheless one big way Arcadians were saying and find their true meaning:
boggans pushed back against the specter of annihilation. In
their eyes, recognition of family and community grounded “Your betters have arrived, so step aside, be quiet, and
people and reminded them that they weren’t facing the horrors do as you’re told.”

chapter one: a short history of boggans 19

 For the first time in their history, boggans were split the cause of the Autumn nobility to the returning Arcadian
on whether they should respect the nobility the Dreaming sidhe, while at the same time making a case for recognizing
urged them to recognize. Some did, of course, with fervor, the status of those same exiled sidhe to skeptical or down-
believing the Arcadians to be saviors who heralded a new right hostile freeholds full of scared and angry commoners.
Spring, but most of the kith reserved their judgment. It simply Finding the good in everyone and always seeking common
did not sit right with them that, after centuries of labor and ground between feuding parties are noble traits and natural
sacrifice and shared pain, these strangers would waltz in and talents for boggans, but as the tensions and later violence
take over. It made it even worse that they seemed to expect escalated, all too often this approach backfired. Boggans found
everyone to ignore the fact that they had slammed the gates themselves isolated and distrusted by both sides, and as few
of Arcadia behind them when they had fled. things wound this kith more deeply than being distrusted
by those they care about, the memories of the Accordance
Other kiths soon picked up on this unusual uncertain-
War carry an extra level of pain.

The New Camelot

ty and used it to fan the flames of resistance; after all, if a
more conservative and loyal kith like the boggans aren’t on
board with the new nobility, how great can the Arcadian
sidhe really be? Most boggans tried to downplay this initial Although boggans are sometimes viewed as brown-nosers
reluctance, writing it off as the shock of the arrival, but it by their fellow commoners due to their general willingness to
was a transparent ruse at best. Truthfully, they didn’t know swear fealty and follow orders in the wake of the Accordance

The Accordance
what to do, and that meant upheaval was inevitable. War, for boggans it’s not a question of kissing up or lacking
spine. It’s simply a recognition that everything works best

War
when the entire system is functioning at its peak capacity,
and everyone is where they can do the most good. The sidhe
are made to take charge, anyone who’s met one can see it,
so why not acknowledge that and let them do what they do
Bring up the topic of the Accordance War, and most best? Besides, boggans are champions of changing systems
boggans just turn pale and sorrowful and shake their heads. from within, so why not bend the knee if it means being close
Even those who didn’t live through that awful time have heard enough to those in power to produce real change?
the tales from the other boggans in their circles. While this
kith doesn’t lack for heart when called upon, open warfare The rise and subsequent early rule of Concordia’s own
has never sat well with them, especially when compared to High King David Ardry ap Gwydion has turned into a lesson
many other Kithain. To make matters worse, the Accordance in both the strengths and weaknesses of this philosophy.
War brought back vivid and terrible memories of the chaos When David first took the throne, Caliburn in hand, most
of the Shattering, when the fae tore each other apart. War is boggans honestly breathed a sigh of relief. Those who didn’t
terrible enough on its own; when it pits family against each like him still admitted that the young king seemed to have
other that is beyond what this kindhearted kith can bear. both a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. His early
actions to mend fences and foster healing between previously
Boggans also found themselves in a highly uncomfortable warring factions certainly went a long way to win even the
and often untenable position as the Accordance War began; most reluctant boggans over, and a large number of their
as perhaps one of the most quintessentially “commoner” of kith gladly swore fealty to the High King and his nobility.
the commoner kiths, they felt obligated to speak up for the
communities they had built, cherished, and shepherded For a time, it seemed like the fantasy of a true Good
during the long absence of the Arcadian nobility. At the King who would rule wisely and well was actually coming
same time, the principle of goodly service runs deep in this to life. Concordia was no flawless paradise, of course, but
kith, and given the natural tendency of boggans to follow under High King David — and with the quiet aid of quite a
the notion of “a place for everything and everything in its few boggan servants and seneschals — there were real reforms
place” as a community-sustaining mantra it is hard to argue that enshrined certain commoner rights, which was no
against the natural leadership of the sidhe. After all, the easy feat after the bitterness of the war. These changes were
Dreaming seemed to back their claims, and much as they echoed in courts around the world, and it even seemed that
might dislike the arrogance of these new arrivals that simply his reign would have a classic love story as well, something
could not be ignored. this diehard romantic kith always celebrates.

This meant that many boggans found themselves in the The trouble with chasing a dream of Camelot, however,
unpleasant position of arguing for commoner rights and is that even in its own legends, Camelot always falls. Over
time, his court grew increasingly fraught with paranoia and
20 kithbook: boggans
politicking as true believers were forced out and opportunists
came to the fore, and David himself disappeared for a time,

Social Media
only to return in grand fashion. The euphoria of his return
was short-lived, however, as High King David’s response to
the mounting evidence of coming Winter and discontent
It’s worth noting that like many modern individ-
among his subjects has been to spend increasingly more time
uals, boggans have a bit of a love/hate relationship
in freeholds, putting him both literally and figuratively out
with social media. Now that so many exchanges
of touch with reality. This has been a source of alternating
take place online it can be very frustrating for
denial, sorrow, frustration, and mounting terror in the
these observant kith when they’re unable to apply
boggan community.
their Social Dynamics to online communities and
They are watching their beloved monarch collapse, with interactions. Though a rare few seem to be adapting
the kingdom showing increasing signs of stress and tension as to this new reality; without it they feel like they’re
a result, but they have no idea what to do about it. Boggans “flying blind” in online conversations. At the same
excel at quiet suggestions, confidential conversations, polite time, well, the potential for gossip and conversation
proposals, and when called for, some exceedingly discrete is essentially limitless, and that’s often too much
subterfuge and sabotage, but what good are those tools when of a temptation to give up. With that in mind,
a monarch not only won’t listen but can’t even hear them it’s not uncommon for boggans to be the sort of

The Evanescence
through his fantasies anymore? people who dive into online life, spend a great deal
of time in it, get overwhelmed, swear they’re going
to delete the social media apps from their phone,
do exactly that, and then hastily re-install the same
apps a few days later after finding out they missed
Since the turn of the millennium, the Kithain have felt a juicy exchange or an epic meltdown.
the currents of the Dreaming changing course yet again. A
time of great promise and wonder — the literal dawning of a Oh, reports of Honeycombr, a boggan-exclu-
new age — was quickly plunged into chaos and uncertainty. sive, invite-only private messaging app visible only
Fear arose as the predominant emotion of this era; whether to enchanted eyes are, of course, just scurrilous
it was fear of war, or terrorism, or plague, or environmental gossip. And if it did exist, you’ve definitely never
collapse, it seemed like terror’s icy grip only grew tighter been mentioned on it. (Well, maybe once). If it
with every news story. existed. Which it certainly doesn’t. That you know
Faced with dwindling Glamour and guttering balefires, of, anyway. Ahem.
boggans once again turned to the mortals they cherished to … need an invite?
help them find a way to pull both humanity and the Kithain
back from the brink, not of nuclear holocaust, but simply
drowning in their own bad dreams. After all, it’s during the
darkest times when the hearth burns brightest.

Rise of the Internet

With the rise of the internet, people could connect with
bringing people together from the far-flung corners of the
earth was something of a minor miracle, one that boggans
rejoiced in and embraced. Many quickly became leaders of
one another in unprecedented ways, something the internet digital communities, hosting fan sites, moderating forum
continues to improve and refine even today. Though some boards, nurturing the communities and friends they found
entered the digital age with trepidation, for changelings online, and making the flat white glare of a computer screen
of all kinds, the worldwide web brought with it a rush of just a little warmer. To this day, they run the friendliest of
Glamour. A scientific and technological breakthrough on gaming guilds, trendiest self-care blogs, and generate all
such a scale wasn’t quite comparable to the moon landing manner of tutorials and tips, shared in every format online
that sparked the Resurgence, but has remained a stronger to foster the creativity of others.
influence over time.
The rare Unseelie boggan is the kind to wield the an-
While the applications for business, commerce, and onymity of the internet with laser precision, enacting their
spread of information were impressive, it was the social aspect personal brand of vigilante justice on those who prefer to
that most drew the attention of boggans. Touching base with tear down others and torment undeserving targets. While
friends, family, and acquaintances; finding communities; and they can’t — and don’t — deny the existence of darker places

chapter one: a short history of boggans 21

on the web, Seelie boggans do what they can to thwart or
subvert the aggressive and harmful actions of others within
their own communities. Many do their best to shine a light
into the darkest areas, scattering their inhabitants like roaches.
The favorite weapon in boggan communities is a plea to TOS
Crowdsourcing
As far as boggans are concerned, one of the
violations, using explicitly stated company standards against most exciting developments in recent history is the
users to get actively hurtful sites taken down and harmful rise of crowdsourcing. While the actual practice of
members of communities banned, while keeping themselves gathering a community to support someone or pull
and their friends and followers out of direct conflict. off a feat too big for a single person to accomplish

The Dark Web

is certainly not new: boggans point to everything
from megalithic structures to Amish barn-raisings
as proof, the jolt of fresh interest and capability
On the other side of the internet coin sits the Dark
it has received in recent years makes them giddy.
Web, the criminal underbelly of the digital community. Most
Boggans work well as teams and have always been
don’t venture here, and not all boggans can even stomach the
fans of pulling a community together to help, not
thought of it. Those who take the plunge do so as a way to
to mention helping others realize their dreams, so
protect others. Boggans sifting through the worst humanity
these platforms are a natural fit for them.
has to offer do so most often as part of law enforcement
jobs, combining their fae compulsion to comfort and pro- There’s even talk of starting a Kithain-oriented
tect with a mortal career that allows them to do the same. crowdfunding service to help struggling changelings
Championing the idea that Unseelie doesn’t always equal get back on their feet or fund a dream project,
bad, it’s usually members of the darker court that are willing though it’s currently still just an idea kicking around
to wade through the unsavory offerings of the dark web in in the boggan community. If it takes off, though, it
order to bust human trafficking rings, child pornography could change both fae and mortal society in a big
distributors, and predators of all stripes. While they rarely way. Putting money and magic and a lot of hard
interact with any perpetrators, any task force with a boggan work together in one place, along with some of the
on board always has the best contacts to assess and rehabili- most team-minded enchanted beings on the planet?
tate victims of trafficking schemes and other crimes; usually, Yeah, you’d better believe that will shake things up.

Where We
of course, due to other boggans in therapeutic professions.

Are Now
Although the Evanescence did not begin as anyone
drive any such endeavors, not the looming specter of unem-
ployment or punitive action. Expecting employees to put in
eighty to ninety-hour work weeks, sleep at their desks, and
otherwise deprive themselves of healthy living in the name
might have hoped for, boggans refuse to give up on it just of ‘crunch time’ flies in the very face of what boggans hold
as they refused to give up in the face of every other momen- most dear: comfort, relaxation, and the satisfaction of a job
tous shift in Kithain history, from the Sundering on down well done.
through the ages. Trolls and sidhe may have held the titles
when trouble arose, more often than not, but boggans were To a boggan, work completed under ‘crunch’ feels hol-
the ones who actually held the community together. Just low and melancholy, especially because most often, there
because the definition of community is shifting along with isn’t even the catharsis of having finished the project after
the currents of society, doesn’t mean boggans won’t stick it such toil. They point most venomously at the video game
out and set up shop wherever it takes them. industry, where ‘good enough’ products are shuffled off on

Creative Overtaxing
Obviously not opposed to pursuing creative endeavors,
an intended release date and frequently patched, overhauled,
or otherwise fixed later. Creating so much undue stress and
strife in the lives of employees just to deliver a subpar product
is appalling to boggans, and any who managed to survive the
and even profiting from using creative skills, boggans the world surprising Banality of the industry become champions for
over stand united in staunch opposition to one increasingly changing the practice.
common practice in a number of fields: mandatory crunch.
While they aren’t strangers to losing themselves down the Most boggans are happier busying themselves with
rabbit hole of a project, they believe that enthusiasm should smaller, independent projects that allow for more creative

22 kithbook: boggans
risks than most large companies are willing to take, and To this industrious kith, this cultural trend goes beyond
usually have more humane working conditions. Neverthe- the sale of homemade goods and the creation of video
less, they don’t shy from helping their brethren upturn the tutorials. Those are nice, of course, but ultimately they’re
expectations of the larger companies, either directly or by just the outward expressions of what’s really going on: hu-
using their portfolios as proof of concept that such practices manity is awakening from the sleep of relying solely on mass
are cruel and unnecessary. Hard work is one thing; working production and remembering its own individual creative
too hard, under duress, is another entirely, and something power once more. In a world where anyone can write or
they simply can’t abide by. draw or craft with their own two hands, find an audience

Do-It-Yourself Culture
While some Kithain search for a way back to fabled
to appreciate their work, as well as possibly even a means to
support themselves doing it, people have mastery over their
own creative destinies again. And that’s worth fighting for.

Arcadia despite the tales of its fall, and others research some Of course, boggans aren’t blind to the risks of maker
eldritch rite or long-lost treasure they believe will turn back culture, of course, and some less savory members of the kith
the tide of Banality and save the Autumn world, boggans as are already scheming about ways to turn it to their advantage.
a whole have a much simpler plan: There are very real dangers in giving everyone the means to
Believe in people again. produce most anything their heart desires, and much as it
Specifically, boggans look at the rising tide of maker pains them to admit it, they know it will be used for evil at
culture, DIY instructionals, handicraft sites, and other times. Until then, however, boggans fight to keep it as posi-
personal creative outlets and see a world where anyone can tive as possible, because on the whole, they truly believe that
learn to make almost anything they want, and where artisans people are basically good by nature, mortal and Kithain alike.
can get tips from the masters, advice from their peers, and What’s more, they believe that if such goodness is fostered
feedback from fans all without leaving their workshop. They and encouraged, it will win out over wickedness.
see the cottage industry they loved so much returning in Others may laugh and call them naïve or soft-hearted,
force, reforged in digital fire, and are doing all they can to tell them they’re wasting their time betting on arts and crafts
encourage it to grow in healthy and productive ways. They to save the world, but boggans don’t mind. They’ve always
don’t need to dream of this world, either; it’s already taking known the best and oldest magic is right there in the home.
shape, and its rise has given boggans a burst of Glamour and Let everyone else run around hunting for glory and salvation
hopeful energy. in grand and flashy quests.
After all, boggans do their best work when nobody’s
watching.

chapter one: a short history of boggans 23

 Chapter Two:
Upstairs,
Downstairs
“Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you.
Now tell me about hundreds of things.”
-Saki (H.H.Munro), “Tea”
Boggans are the normal folk of the magical world. familiar. People understand that boggans are the very essence
To others, anyway, boggans are like background char- of the common folk. They do not understand boggans are
acters. Supporting roles. They’re the townsfolk who cheer fundamental. When humanity shivered in shadows cast by
when the hero arrives. The shopkeep at the store where you the dawn of civilization, their first dreams were very simple
adventurers buy your questing provisions. You see them ones. Warmth. Shelter. Enough to eat. Company they could
everywhere, but you usually don’t really see them, because trust. Everything else is built upon that.
to heroes with their eyes on glory, such folk are just part of And just as their dream supports all other dreams, the
the scenery, the background to their triumph. boggans themselves support all of changeling society. They
Boggans are among the most common kith, because do the basic but essential craftwork that nockers disdain:
their dream is universal. Every time a weary jet-setter stares making everything from broomsticks to breadboxes to cir-
blearily at airport departures and thinks of her family, every cuit breakers. They perform the constant emotional labor
time an introvert closes the door behind her and sighs with of empathy, lending a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry
delight, every time a homesick child cries, the part of the on to anyone in need. They feed everyone, from the tiniest
Dreaming that fosters boggans grows stronger. sparrow pooka, to the most massive giant of a troll. They
And like so many common things, boggans tend to be make the beds that weary changelings return to after long
undervalued. What boring dreams! You could be a dream of days full of adventure.
exploration, glory, or mystery. Why be a dream of something They make homes.
as dull and normal as a home? As a hearth? Every refugee knows: you can’t understand how import-
But to travel, you must have a home to return to. To ant your home is until you lose it. It is the sacred mission
fight, you must have something worth fighting for. The of every boggan to make sure their family and friends never
very essence of mystery is bound up in its contrast to the need suffer that harsh realization.

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 25

Upstairs:
inhomespun boggans
Societylifestyles
important and difficult to understand. They are often the
most eccentric members of the kith. Many blame this on
their solitude, observing that to be alone is an unnatural
state for a people who empathize so easily and thrive on
gossip. Hermits pay this observation no mind. They know
themselves, and that is enough.
Boggans are found throughout Kithain society, in com-
moner motleys and noble households and hermit cottages
at the edge of the woods; they are the essential foundation
from knitting
to Communes Circles
that supports everything else. Their professions are innu-
Boggans are by nature a highly social kith, both among
merable, but most boggans are drawn to roles that fall into
their own kind as well as with other fae and the mortals
one of four categories.
around them. They love to talk as they toil, and firmly believe
There are the homemakers — boggans who take adminis- that many hands makes light work, not to mention that the
trative positions and organize the daily affairs of a household more mouths there are around the more likely you are to
or organization. They can manage something as large as a hear an interesting tidbit of gossip. They are also blessed
duchy, or as small as a café. Normal housewives and house- by their birthright to be expert social engineers, so it’s no
husbands fall into this category, but also innkeepers, hotel surprise that boggans come together to work and play in a
managers, restaurant owners, and stewards of freeholds. number of different and practical configurations.
While the places these boggans manage don’t necessarily
A popular form of casual motley is called a knitting
fall into the category of ‘home’, the name endures because
circle. Groups of boggans come together to accomplish some
any place a boggan invests time and effort in tends to start
task, but the task is really just something to occupy their
feeling like a home.
hands while they do the real work: sharing gossip. Despite
There are the crafters — boggans who specialize in the name, these circles don’t necessarily involve knitting.
creating some sort of product. Expert cobblers and neigh- They can just as easily focus on whittling or car repair.
borhood bakers. They compete directly with nockers in this Younger, more tech-savvy boggans often enjoy circling up in
vocation, but the differences between the kiths are many. hackerspaces to talk over half-assembled desktop computers.
Boggans are more practical that nockers in their vocations,
Knitting circles are loose and welcoming. Members can
and usually more devoted to one craft rather than a dab-
change from week to week, and newcomers are cherished as
bling in a range of interests. Also their products tend to,
fresh sources of news. That being said, it can be difficult for
you know, reliably work.
outsiders, particularly non-boggans to understand everything
There are the servants — boggans who specialize in that goes on in a circle. Below the surface level conversation
performing services. The loyal squire to a knight errant. there is a language of subtle social cues that boggans read
The personal chef who sweeps in in the wake of culinary easily due to their birthright, but can be incomprehensi-
disaster and saves Thanksgiving. The empathetic psychologist ble to others. Half of the information exchanged in these
who understands you better than you understand yourself. meetings is communicated over this channel — often the
They can be boggans in the service industry who cater to more interesting half.
society in general, like a cleaning service or repair person.
As complex as they can be, knitting circles are casual
Or they can dedicate themselves to a particular person or
recreation. When a group of boggans really want to get
group. Such servants, as a group, are not particularly ser-
something done, they will take on the roles of a chef and her
vile, and tend to be picky about the customers/masters to
staff. The high-stress environment of a professional kitchen
whom they devote their time and effort. They, more than
is a crucible that requires discipline and coordination. Bog-
any other group, require gratitude and appreciation for their
gans emulate a kitchen staff’s formation when they want to
work and are quick to remove themselves from situations
bring the full force of their coordinated work ethic down
where they are taken for granted.
on important matters, like warfare or home renovation.
And lastly there are the hermits — boggans who choose
The chef is the de facto leader of the crew. Their word
solitary labor and secluded homes. The strange old wom-
is law. They assign all other responsibilities and are the
an in the woods who keeps an herb garden like a jungle
final arbiter of all difficult decisions. The sous chef is the
and cooks the most amazing gingerbread that only the
chef’s second-in-command, in charge when the chef is not
bravest children sample. The man who keeps a lighthouse
around to decide. The crew itself is divided into smaller
lit through any storm to guide ships and dreamers safely
groups called lines: named for whatever responsibility or
home. Hermits tend to serve a higher purpose rather than
specialty they cover.
a person. The work they dedicate themselves to can be both
26 kithbook: boggans
 Small crews with only one line are called squads. They Interregnum it became a commonly accepted way for many
are still led by chefs, but come together for one very specif- commoner outposts to organize themselves, prompting many
ic purpose. There are birthday squads for when boggans boggans, particularly members of the Shadow Court, to
suddenly realize someone is having a birthday and need to respond to the Resurgence with the question: “Why exactly
whip up a celebration in short order. Flu squads visit the do we need monarchy again?”
ill with medicine, hot drinks, and blankets and sanitize all Boggan communes work very well. They lack the com-
doorknobs before they leave. Forgotten anniversary squads mon problem of certain members not pulling their weight.
descend deus ex machina style with flowers, poetry, and They often have the more unique problem of certain mem-
candles to save the night from hurt feelings. bers infringing on the responsibilities of others. There have
Moving on to more permanent kinds of groups, been known to be fights over certain busybodies doing the
all-boggan freeholds are relatively common because they dishes when it wasn’t their turn.
tend to cooperate and live together easily and with more However stable they might normally be, communes,
stability than many other kiths. A freehold can easily have crews, and knitting circles, are perpetually haunted by po-
too large a population of pooka, or one more redcap than is tential disaster. A cataclysmic event that can be as ruinous
truly comfortable, but never enough boggans. Such boggan as a hurricane to the stability of a household. This sword
holdings have a long history, dating back to the Shattering of Damocles that hangs over any group that contains an
when refugees from broken noble houses clustered together excess of boggans is called a Gossip Implosion.
in panic and despair and carved out new homes despite These natural disasters are discussed further in the
their loss. next section.
All-boggan motleys or freeholds are often called com-
munes. Boggans have been interested in, and in many
instances instinctively manifesting, socialism long before
its modern definition coalesced in the 1860s. During the
Gossip
Gratitude is the first great unspecified payment that
boggans expect for their work; it doesn’t have to be tremen-

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 27

dous, just some acknowledgment of their efforts. However, normally calm fae to lose their composure. Seelie boggans
juicy bits of gossip are definitely the second. do try to be discreet about harmful gossip, while Unseelie
Boggan interest in gossip is a natural consequence boggans use it to get leverage, but everyone has difficulty
of their interest in people. They understand how people resisting spreading such interesting rumors. Sluagh disdain
tick and how groups interact, so seeing the daily drama of Boggan attempts at whispering, seeing them as clumsy and
emotions play out is endlessly interesting. Whether taking obvious compared to their rarified circles, though they will
part themselves or simply observing, boggans just can’t get still sift boggan gossip for useful information from time
enough of the details of others’ lives. to time.
Their professions give them incidental opportunity to Most boggan communities maintain a stable econo-
gather gossip. A lot of conversation happens over meals my of gossip, but sometimes dangerous incidents called
and in rooms that sharp-eared servants have many excuses Gossip Implosions can still happen, especially in crowded
to wander in and out of. And their ability to understand territories. Gossip Implosions are difficult to anticipate and
the nuances of social relations let them pick up more tend to start small, with a few misunderstandings and hurt
information from these conversations than other idle feelings. They end up with people gossiping about someone
observes. Even Seelie gossips rarely independently check gossiping about someone else’s gossip, friendships ending,
their information before excitedly reporting it to others, and open combat between pantry and scullery. Matters can
trusting their ability to read others as enough evidence of escalate rapidly as dirty laundry and embarrassing secrets
truth (if truth is required). long withheld get dug up and put into play as different sides
Boggans can take advantage of the “I’m just scen- trade shots, and the results are devastating not just to the
ery” aspect of being a servant or helper to blend into be boggans involved but others drawn in by the rumors and
background while people around them discuss important gossip being shared.
things. This tactic works better with mortals or Prodigals, It is difficult to end a Gossip Implosion because it quickly
though, since the boggan reputation as gossip-mongers is becomes impossible to discern what the actual problem is.
widespread and so Kithain with information worth having It’s a ‘he said, she said, he said she said, she said to him,
check specifically for members of this gabbing kith before but he said to that other her’, and by the time it’s rolling
opening their mouths. Also, a boggan’s enthusiasm for everyone has forgotten the original incident, and it really
eavesdropping can get in the way of their efficacy of their doesn’t matter anymore. Wise stewards keep an eye out for
duties. When you’re trying to listen in on a conversation snarls of confusing and emotionally hurtful gossip in their
and end up leaning between the two speakers to catch every keeps and head off implosions by getting the upset parties
detail, plausible dependability is hard to maintain. together in a room to talk things out directly. The best,
Seelie boggan gossip is generally well-meaning, though possibly only, way to stop an implosion is to catch it early.
that does not mean it is always harmless. They tend towards According to kith legend, in fact, Shakespeare’s Much
positive subjects, delighting in news of births, impending Ado About Nothing was actually a true story. Every character
marriages, promotions, courtly rumors, and birthdays. was a boggan, except for Don Pedro, who is remembered
Birthdays are very particular for boggans — the one thing with honor as one of the few sidhe to successfully guide a
they are always careful to get accurate. Newly arriving bog- boggan Gossip Implosion to a happy conclusion. Does that
gans often receive an information dump upon arrival and mean Shakespeare was one of the fae? Well, it depends on
who you ask, but according to rumor…

household Traditions
it always contains a comprehensive list of the birthdays
of every inhabitant; the newcomer is expected to update
it with their own and the birthdays of their companions.
Stereotypes to the contrary, Unseelie boggans are Most boggan traditions center on celebrating the home,
not careless scandalmongers. In fact, if anything, they are building community, and getting things done. They tend to
sometimes more careful than their Seelie kin, although it’s have useful, often edible, byproducts and have a prominent
less from a desire to avoid harm than a desire to use the social aspect; while they may not be the glittering affairs of
gossip they know to get exactly what they want. Whether the sidhe and their courts, unless it’s a boggans-only affair,
that means a quid pro quo exchange of information, a favor other kith know it will always be worthwhile to drop in for
to be named later, or simply to cause problems for those the good drink, great food, and even better conversation.
they dislike, Unseelie boggans are well aware of how to use
information
Boggans of both courts can also be seduced by scandal,
house Warming
The christening of a new house as a home is a very
and a really juicy secret is one thing that can cause these meaningful, almost spiritual event for boggans. It is super

28 kithbook: boggans
special extra meaningful if that house is also a freehold, lest they find themselves tidied and neatly put away in a
of course, but even if they’re just breaking in a regular old linen closet somewhere.
apartment, they like to make a party of it. A house-warming The ritual of spring cleaning has very powerful mystical
with boggans is very similar to a normal housewarming party: ramifications. It is a purifying force. Legend has it that it
they gather in the new place to eat food and compliment the can lift or ameliorate curses and even breathe new life into
decor. The important distinction is that guests never bring flickering balefires. It focuses on the location cleaned, but
gifts. Instead the invited fae leave a mote of Glamour in the can have an effect on the inhabitants as well. Rumor has it
hearth, or in most modern residences the heating system. an enchanted prince was once saved from eternal slumber
Performed properly, for the next year the Glamour will by his loyal butler who organized the castle staff to scrub
warm the house with no need for a fire or furnace. In old the offending magic into nothingness. And it worked.
times, this tradition would see a new household through even Spring cleaning is traditionally ended with a cleansing
the harshest winter, giving the family a chance to get their of the self. After long days of hard work, sweaty and sore
legs under them. Nowadays, it saves an entire year off your Boggans will retire to take long, warm baths where they
heating bill. Maybe not quite so critical, but still a nice perk. clean themselves from top to toe.

labor Day
Boggans have been deeply involved in the labor move-
harvest festival
Harvest time is another important occasion for bog-
ment long before it had a proper name, and were delighted gans. The focus is on food: the pleasure of preparing it, the
when Oregon recognized a public holiday in its honor in security of having plenty, the necessity of preserving that
1887. It is tradition in Kithain territories with sizable bog- plenty through the long cold winter. There is plenty to do,
gan communities to crib the mortal practice of holding a and once all the work is finished, it is important to celebrate
celebratory parade. Boggans organize by vocation and make a job well done, and to give thanks for the blessing of the
floats, competing to have the most crowd-pleasing entries. harvest and of the preceding year.
There are baker floats, which give out free samples as Giving thanks is a particularly important act for bog-
they go by. There are carpentry floats, which are masterpieces gans, who so venerate the act of gratitude. Going around
of engraved and inlaid patterns and always nice enough to the table and saying what you’re thankful for is never just a
help out with the bases for the other floats. There are bas- token gesture, and boggans can expound for long minutes,
ket-weaving floats, plumbing floats, and electronics repair enumerating their various blessings and contentedly revel-
floats, all as elaborate as crafty boggans can make them, ing in them. It can take a while, but it’s hard to get bored
and often enchanted. There are marching bands of maids listening to such genuine happiness.
that dance with their brooms and leave the street spotless Boggans look askance at the association of pilgrims
in their wake. and colonialism with their autumnal celebrations. They
Some boggans enjoy celebrating a subtler interpretation were celebrating the harvest since long before pilgrims
of Labor Day and take it as a day of rest, directly enjoying landed in Plymouth, and do not think that the pilgrims
the fruits of their labors among unions. They strictly do were especially well-behaved guests on arriving in America,
not permit themselves to perform any work. This often to put it very mildly.
proves surprisingly challenging, but is generally regarded as
a refreshing change and leaves one raring to go the next day.

Spring Cleaning
boggan Status
This kith is so essential to the functioning of other
Kithain organizations that they derive most of their ideas of
Spring is an exciting time for Boggans because it means status from them. Even Unseelie boggans honor the notion
spring cleaning is coming! Boggan housekeepers mark their of the nobility, recognizing knights and bowing to ladies.
calendar and count the days until the spring equinox, the Though whether they truly respect those individuals is a
traditional time of renewal, rebirth, and cleansing. matter to be discussed behind closed scullery doors, they
It is tradition to try and get it done all in one week, still respect the title itself.
or even one day if you live in a small household. Boggans Boggans seldom chase noble titles. Gratitude is all well
will plan extensively in advance, organize into crews, assign and good, but beyond that recognition is secondary to getting
chefs and sous chefs, re-weave brooms and stock up on the job done well, and sometimes even to be avoided as a
soap. Then, at dawn, they will tear through their homes, distraction. Grand titles tend to bring with them busywork
hurricanes of coordinated effort, spraying, sweeping, and and pointless distractions that only get in the way of real
scouring. Dusting every corner and turning every mattress. work, and there is a special honor to anonymity that most
Nothing is safe and other kiths run for cover until it’s over,

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 29

nobles don’t seem to understand. After all, anyone can work her sluagh friend to make sure they feel supported, even if
hard if they will be rewarded on a big stage for an adoring they don’t feel like talking about their (secret) troubles.
crowd; it takes a different type of spirit to work hard for A boggan’s ability to trace social dynamics make it
little more than a job well done and a grateful smile. possible to anticipate social problems with seemingly pre-
Status within the kith is not a formal thing, but every- cognitive clarity; they constantly observe their constellations
one has a reputation that is kept updated in the endlessly of friends and can’t help but notice when some stars flicker
cycling network of boggan gossip. Those who regularly or dim. The gossip network lets them disseminate that
contribute useful labor or entertaining gossip earn regard, information far and wide, letting them find ways to help if
while others who take more than they give suffer in the they personally are unqualified. This means that if you’re
eyes of their peers. Recognition in this arena is less related heading towards a rough time, you’re likely to come home to
to the particular nature of the work being done and more a troupe of boggans armed with cookies, tea, and blankets.
related to the apparent dedication of the worker. The rumor These skills prompt many boggans to become social
that one is a good worker is the highest praise and will be workers, psychologists, school counselors, or bartenders.
reliably carried far and wide by kith proclivities. However they tend to avoid other professions that require
Of course it can be hard to measure dedication. This shallow emotional management, such as waitressing. Few
occasionally leads to boggans pursuing busywork: pointless boggans last long in retail because they have trouble tol-
activities accomplished with the goal of looking busy rather erating the current culture. The expectation of constant
than getting things done. Busywork is not true work as it cheer from storefront workers strikes them as unnatural
lacks purpose, and it’s a great embarrassment to a boggan and smacks of being taken for granted.
to be exposed as a busyworker. Chronic busyworkers have A boggan’s mastery of empathy comes with other sur-
earned the derisive nickname of ‘blind bees’: boggans who prising consequences. Because of their expertise, boggans
have lost sense of purpose.

Emotional labor
sometimes get stuck doing the lion’s share of emotional
labor in a relationship. They end up tiptoeing around friends
with issues that the boggan can see clearly, but the friend
“Not now, I’m working. I said I’m working. Yes, I am talking isn’t managing well. They get into the habit of providing
to Emma, but there’s no ‘just’ about it. Kindly take your patriarchal constant emotional support, because they can see that
assumptions about the value of what I’m doing and stuff them people need it, but not receiving any in return, because
up your ass over on that side of the room so that you’re no longer their friends aren’t as sensitive to their needs. They wind
interrupting us.” up being the one prompting all the difficult conversations
— Sally Thistledown, Boggan Social Worker of House Liam they know need to happen to maintain a relationship, and
The boggan kith’s ability to empathize and natural so start feeling like a nag.
desire to help makes them amazing at various forms of emo- Because you have to be emotionally aware to notice the
tional labor. They are extremely good at seeing themselves value of all these things that boggans do, it’s easy for others
in others, understanding what people are going through, to take boggans’ efforts for granted, which is anathema to
and discerning how best to be supportive. They are active them and one of a short list of things that gets them very
listeners who look at you while you talk and ask questions upset very quickly. The problem is that because people are
to let you know they’re listening before prompting you to blind to this kind of work, they are surprised when their
go on. It’s a common saying that talking to a boggan will boggan friends are angry, or feel confused and unaccount-
leave you feeling thoroughly listened to. ably abandoned when suddenly the boggan won’t sit up
A boggan’s fuzzy ears are sharp to sighs and strange tones and listen to them complain until 2 A.M.
of voice that come after bad days and they are quick to make Some boggans are burned by the oppressive and unstat-
sure their friends know they are loved and cared for. Boggans ed demands of emotional labor and vacillate in the other
themselves tend to appreciate and offer acts of service when direction, becoming prickly and goal-oriented, blocking
being comforted, but they understand that people under- out the signals they get about others’ feelings, or using
stand affection differently, and take pains to communicate them without concern or coddling. This is not a Seelie or
support and love in ways that their friends will particularly Unseelie question, but one of appreciation. Most boggans
understand. A boggan will cuddle her satyr friend to take his do their best to educate their friends about the reality and
mind off a bad day, bake a cake for a redcap going through a importance of emotional labor. It’s not their responsibility,
rough time, then make some tea and a quiet social call with but when an important job needs to get done, they are
collectively inclined to do it.

30 kithbook: boggans
Romance
Boggan love is usually born of deep awareness. They’re
from a private rendezvous to a full-on Kithain orgy using
their awareness of social dynamics. And when they have a
highly emotionally intelligent by nature, and bring that to job to do, they perform it skillfully and thoroughly, partic-
the realm of romance with quiet but immensely successful ularly when that job is the pleasure of someone they adore.
results. They are very diligent about communication and, Boggans tend to express and recognize affection through
in contrast to some more flighty and fanciful kiths, they acts of service. It’s just how they’re wired. They tend to do
recognize that real relationships require real work, much like things for their intended paramours, which can make it a
anything else. Boggans enjoy some of the most stable and little difficult for outsiders to discern whether a boggan has
longest lasting romantic relationships in history, sometimes a crush or is just being a helpful as is the wont of their kith.
spanning multiple lifetimes. Lovers from past incarnations And while, once in the relationship, Boggans are cham-
meet and discover they somehow know all the movements pion communicators, it can be difficult to communicate
of cooking and cleaning together. their intentions at the beginning. The challenge is one of
This isn’t to say that boggan romance is all work and perspective. A boggan, who reads social signals like others
long-term planning. While they are discreet, they are not read road-maps, will think he’s sending very clear signals
prudish at all, and usually more than happy to accept grat- to his intended. Whereas his intended may have no idea
itude from a well fed satyr in the form of physical favors. they’re being courted at all.
However their flings are clearly delineated: Boggans see More Machiavellian boggans often like to turn their
them for what they are and make sure all parties involved skills in the realm of romance to matchmaking. Naturally
understand what’s going on and what everyone is expecting they tend to be really good at it, if sometimes a little overen-
from the dalliance. thusiastic. If a boggan says two people are perfect for each
Boggans make diligent and thoughtful lovers. They are other, it’s not just idle speculation. It’s a very deliberate
attentive to emotions, able to skillfully navigate anything and well thought out analysis of their compatibility and

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 31

social standings within the context of the larger commu- out exquisitely carved antique pipes? Some boggans split
nities. Boggans not only see these details, but often feel an the difference and find non-tobacco substitutes to smoke,
obligation to act on them too. while more ambitious gardeners in the kith experiment
Some matchmakers are boisterous and overt, giving with harmless but satisfying chimerical plants. Not a perfect
advice and contriving for their intended pairings to get solution, but what to do about this difficult tradition is an
locked in rooms together. Other matchmakers are subtle ongoing question.
as any sluagh. They reach out to touch the delicate web of Many boggans are avid readers as well. It’s the most
relationships around them, gently guiding them to greater comfortable way to go on an adventure, and the joy of a
happiness (or perhaps the boggan’s greater advantage). well-kept library is a reward as well. Their deep capacity for
These relationship crafters are highly sought by all freeholds empathy easily lets them completely lose themselves in the
because they don’t only manage lovers. They facilitate perspective of the protagonist. They can put themselves’ in
friendships, business relationships, healthy rivalries, and someone else’s shoes to understand different perspectives.
make everything around them better. Boggans take pride in They are easily entranced by good stories, part of why they
everything they build, and some boggans build relationships, happily maintain symbiotic relationships with wandering
taking great pride in strong friendships and happy couples eshu — trading comfortable rest-stops for stories.
they helped bring together.

Rest & Relaxation

And of course there is incandescent pleasure to be had
in just resting. In standing with your hands on your hips
surveying a well-tilled field. In idly running your fingers over
What is the point of working hard if you’re not working your latest wooden masterpiece while staring into the middle
towards something? What is the point of accruing laurels if distance with a faint smile. The meditative contentment of
you can’t spend a lazy summer afternoon resting on them just having cleaned. Resting on the couch and surveying
every now and then? There is a reason that “content as a your clean, or perhaps homily cluttered, home. Bliss. Bog-
boggan at a hearth” is an old phrase for describing true gans may have a hard time stopping work, but when they
happiness. Boggans enjoy working, but they also enjoy the do, the cessation is total and thoroughly enjoyed, all the
more for its brevity.

The Good fight

fruits of their labors.
Fruit itself is a good place to start. Apple pie. Berry tarts.
Glazed pears. There’s a reason boggans tend toward generous
bellies, and that’s because, as a kith, they love to eat. They The most common mistake people make with boggans
have a general preference for baked goods, chocolate chip is underestimating them. It’s a chronic problem, though one
cookies being a kith favorite. They like variety, trying new many in the kith actively encourage. They don’t need to be
recipes, tasting a bit of everything. Baking is something known as the biggest and baddest threat in the room. Leave
many boggans do to relax after other, more strenuous jobs. that to the redcaps and the trolls. If the world continuously
And when they cook, they usually share. Good food and fails to understand how dangerous super-fast, super-skilled
good company is a little slice of heaven. craftsmen who are also born social manipulators can be,
A lot of boggan recreation involves casual creation, often then the world will just continue to get sucker-punched
in the form of activities they perform while doing other when that kith gets angry.
things like talking or watching movies with friends, things From a strictly martial standpoint, boggans are fright-
they make just for fun, like interesting knitting projects, ening because of how quickly they can go from normal
sketching, whittling, or watercolor. Many boggans would to battle-ready. Craftwork allows them to forge weapons
blush at the word artistry, but there’s no other definition almost as fast as some people draw them. They can put
for many of the delightful objects they craft in the name up instant battlements and homesteads can be made into
of fun. They’re also more likely to produce chimera when forts in a twinkling. Boggans don’t shift to a war footing
just fooling around with arts and crafts. Sweater voile are lightly, but when they do, they don’t hold back. Their trades
a particularly common byproduct of knitting boggans pre- shift down a dark road. A tailor grabs her awl and some
paring for Christmas. leather and becomes an armorer. An herbalist a poisoner.
If the kith has a vice in this realm, it’s smoking. Carving A pharmacist a bomber. A creative mind can turn almost
and smoking pipes is a traditional and popular pastime. any innocent-seeming profession into a crucible of violence.
Now that the practice has been identified as such a health In the midst of combat, one boggan is vulnerable, but
risk there is disagreement in the kith community about what a group is a force to be reckoned with. Boggans naturally
to do with this form of recreation. Do they just abandon organize into crews, oriented around a head chef, and
generation-old smoke-ring blowing contests and throw they learn to work together with terrifying rapidity, social

32 kithbook: boggans
awareness of the dynamics of the group expanding with boggans are dreams of home and charity. How can those
every member to the point where complex ideas can be things be turned bad? It’s not as easy, boggans tend to be
communicated by a single gesture or a shared glance. After stable and trend hard in the Seelie direction. But when it
minimal drilling, they can execute squad tactics with preci- happens, it’s disturbing.
sion that shames seasoned armies. And god forbid they’re It can take the form of an obsession with safety. Agora-
given a job to do, like sabotage. phobia. The boggan refuses to leave his home and lives in
Off the literal battlefield, unhappy boggans still have terror of the outside world. He keeps his rooms meticulously
many subtler weapons at their disposal. Gossip is a big one. clean and ordered and screams at any disturbances while
The cheerful, mostly positive chatter of the kith hides darker he boards up the windows.
aspects that serve devastating purposes. The simplest form Boggans who follow charity too far can lose their sense
this retaliation takes is the local blacklist. Gossip keeps most of self. Focus too much on other people for no care for
boggans abreast of who is and who isn’t pleasant to work themselves, first they’ll become worn out and haggard in
for, but truly problematic masters, ones known for cruelty the conventional way. Then they’ll seem thinner and faint-
or ingratitude, are put on the blacklist. er. Almost transparent in bright light. They’ll stop using
It’s not a formal list. It doesn’t need to be. Everyone just personal pronouns, referring to themselves in the third
always keeps talking about what scum these people are, and person. Then one day they’ll do something for someone
no one within reach of the local gossip network ever serves and receive no thanks and just fade away.
them — or if they do, they subtly sabotage and build back- Boggans can take the act of service itself too far. Remem-
doors into their work — allowing them to be brought down ber the tale of Barthis, loyal servant to the house of a Sidhe
later. Given that boggans contribute to almost every aspect Baroness. He cared so deeply for his mistress he locked her
of changeling society this can be a crippling inconvenience. up in the castle dungeon, never to escape, perfectly safe in

Downstairs:
There’s a step beyond the blacklist: vengeance squads. the home he made for her.
While most boggans will just leave if unappreciated, some

The Meaning of
can become vindictive and seek revenge on those they con-
sider criminally ungrateful. This treatment is also applied
to powerful individuals who can work around being black-
listed. Vengeance squads either operate socially, slandering
their victim’s name all over town, or through vandalism.
A group of boggans bent on destruction and armed with
power tools can demolish a building or strip a beloved car
being a boggan
The Meaning of Work
to its frame in short order. However, vengeance squads will
Charity is the cardinal virtue of the boggan kith. Not
almost always target workplaces. They will very rarely stoop
only do they work, they work often without asking for
to damaging or attacking people in their homes.
compensation. On first hearing this, some unscrupulous
Beyond these grim tactics there is naturally a dark un- individuals might think this kith to be easy to take advantage
derbelly to boggan gossip that few take advantage of, but of. Nothing could be further from the truth, because the one
the ones who do are scary. Ruthless boggans can become thing boggans value more highly than charity, is freedom.
successful and powerful information brokers, wielding
Boggans will not be forced into labor, nor will they force
blackmail and selective truths with skillful surety to control
others. Slavery is anathema to them. They were one of the
vast networks of victims. This is not an Unseelie problem,
first communities to outlaw the practice among themselves
either. Seelie boggans who are convinced they “know best”
and they still fight it wherever they find it. On a less extreme
can be just as ruthless in managing a community as the
scale, boggans are vigilant for signs of exploitation. They are
sleaziest Unseelie blackmailer. Other boggans usually shun
the instigators and the backbone of many unions and strikes
those who follow this path, but it can be difficult to stop
throughout history. Rumor has it that it was a boggan who
them without getting drawn into their web.
idly suggested the concept of a ‘weekend’ to Henry Ford in
There is also their dream to consider. Every dream has the early 1900s. Their vehemence on this subject is born
a dark side, triggered by trauma or the onset of Bedlam. of the fact that it is a violation of their dream: you cannot
It’s easier to see in other kiths. The dark side of a troll’s enjoy work if you are forced into it.
dedication to duty is stagnation and the fanaticism on the
And boggans enjoy work. For this kith, it is a joyful thing
far side of honor. The dark side of a pooka’s flighty tricks is
to do a necessary job well. And it doesn’t seem to matter
a degradation from play to malice and the maze of distance
much what they’re doing. Many boggans have a preference
and mistrust that comes from living too much of the lie. But

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 33

for a particular vocation like cooking, or woodwork, or motley, support a noble house that you believe in, or just
milkshake making, or fashion design. But they all share a to make yourself a nice meal, you have a good reason to do
fervent desire to do what needs doing, and do it well. what you’re doing. And that reason needs to be positive
The reason that boggans derive pleasure from almost — you should be working because you want something to
any form of work is because of their precise definition of happen, not because you’re afraid of something happening.
work. Work is two things: Purpose and choice. If you’re working because you’re afraid of starving otherwise,
Purpose means that you are doing something that needs that’s not work in a boggan’s eyes. That’s little more than
to be done. Whether you’re working to provide for your slavery, at best.

34 kithbook: boggans
 The Retail Resistance
Boggans really hate big box stores.
It’s not only the corporate Banality of these
faceless institutions. No changeling likes that.
Boggans particularly loathe these stores because
they are, by the boggan work definition, little more
than slavers. While the odd one might be beneficial
to a community, as a rule they set themselves up
as the only option in small towns, driving out all
other business. Even if they didn’t tend to treat
their employees abysmally, they would still be on
the naughty list.

The kith feels similarly about a number of

corporate retailers and wage a careful war against
them. Careful because the trouble with these
businesses is that they employ many people who
have no other options, and using cantrips to close
the stores would put a lot of below-the-poverty-line
people out on the street.

Boggans fight by organizing unions, supporting

local businesses, and stopping by break-rooms with
home-cooked meals. House Dougal has an order
called the Black Friday Squad, a guerrilla organi-
zation of boggans that gathers in crews after every
Thanksgiving and deploy to department stores
across the country. They re-fold clothing, pick up
litter, repair displays, and buy nothing. It’s their
way of supporting the workers but denying the
stores their business.

Unseelie boggans have been known to brave

the Banality extremes and insinuate themselves
into corporate structures in order to sabotage the
businesses from the inside, or at least keep their
new chains far away from changeling communities.

And that links in to the second aspect: Choice. Work This is the true meaning of work to boggans. Some of
has to be something that you choose to do. The freedom them are consciously aware of the concepts and will debate
of choice is essential. If you feel pressured into work, then the details of the theory around cozy hearths as the most
even if it’s the greatest job in the world, you will derive no genuine of armchair philosophers. Some just understand
joy from it. But if you choose to work, then any job auto- this truth intuitively and act on it without ever really having
matically becomes the best job in the world. to learn or voice it. But it is a key part of the dream that
animates each and every one of them.

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 35

The banality of Debt
It may seem strange that the idea of debt is so import-
wife sewed clothes for them. On discovering the gift, the
creatures dressed and vanished, never to return.
If these mythic tales are true, that story is the turning
ant to a kith whose guiding principle is charity, but if you point — the first moment when these craven servants were
understand their definition of work, it makes perfect sense. shown gratitude. The gift of clothes was like the gift of per-
Being in debt means that you have lost the freedom sonhood, and transformed them from servile automatons
of choice. You have to perform labor. Maybe you can have into the true ancestors of the kith. If this story is in any way
a say in the how or the when of paying off the debt, but true, the ancestors of boggans were slaves of debt, and charity
you are bound to do it. A boggan working off a debt is not freed them. And deep down, they have never forgotten this.
engaged in true work. It is drudgery and it wears on them, Also, worth considering, humans freed them and gave
even if the debtor is well meaning. them the lives they lead now. Which might explain the kith’s
Because of this, boggans tend to be more aware than age old tradition of helping and protecting the homes of
other kiths of the danger of accepting favors and striking humans — a tradition as old as the farmers’ tradition of
binding bargains. This can manifest in frugality, caution, putting saucers of milk out for kind fairies.
common sense, or a homebody tendency to prefer a nice
night at home rather than gallivanting about the dreaming
on adventures that often results in gambling with goblins
The honor of Service
“Trolls have honor. Boggans have integrity. Integrity is basically
or trading favors with the Night Queen. honor, only cozier.”
This won’t necessarily stop them from such gallivanting — Oliver Peltier of the Princeton Tigers motley
altogether, but may be the reason that you occasionally need In addition to understanding work as the most person-
a wizard and a whole troop of dwarves to pry a boggan out ally enjoyable and fulfilling thing in the world, boggans also
of their cozy home and into an adventure. consider it the most honorable activity to which one can
It must be made clear that there is a huge different devote one’s life. The fact that the act which makes them
between becoming indebted and accepting responsibility. happiest is the best possible thing for them to do from a
Boggans will freely swear themselves to serve houses and join moral standpoint is seen as closely related. A delightful
motleys with none of the hesitation that they feel around chicken and egg situation that produces, in the end, a glo-
the subject of debts. This is because dedicating yourself rious fried cutlet and omelet. You can have your cake and
to a group or cause is a positive thing — something done eat it too, provided you baked that cake yourself.
willingly — not coerced. Joining one of these groups is much This rather socialist philosophy is born of utilitarian
like joining a household, and there is nothing more natural logic. The best way to maximize happiness in the world is
for a boggan than that. Mutually beneficial bargains and to enjoy yourself, and do nice things for people. Boggans
oaths better everyone’s lives. have discovered the secret of joyful work, so they can enjoy
There are legends that tell of old scars and deeper the process of doing nice things for people. They look at
meanings to the kith’s wariness of debt. Old stories about selfish people with a certain amount of pity. If only the
a time when choice was not a possibility, when their drive self-centered realized that greed isolates them, and that
to work was not an inclination to help the needy, but a yoke bottomless bucket of need they struggle to fill with money
that drove them without mercy. In a time when all dreams and power could be easily mended by a little loving labor
lived in their simplest, basest forms and boggans were little for others.
more than creatures, barely able to think of anything but It’s funny to them, and a little sad, when people seem
toil and dressed in rags because only people wore clothes. confused about why they work so willingly and ask for
These are ancient tales, much in doubt and rarely told so little. The goodness of their approach to life seems so
because they are a pile of painful and dangerous secrets obvious and elemental to them, it’s basically too simple to
with only one scrap of light in the pile of misery, like hope explain to someone who doesn’t see it.
crouched at the bottom of Pandora’s box. That light is a The subject of payment, as related to honor and service,
fairy tale, known in several variations in different cultures, is one of much contention among boggans. Some believe
but most often called “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” that accepting payment diminishes one’s integrity and re-
In the story a poor shoemaker is blessed with nighttime duces the meaningfulness of work performed. Others argue
visitors that craft masterwork shoes out of his raw materials. that pure charity is impractical, you need money to buy raw
After becoming prosperous off their craftsmanship, he materials, and requesting material payment prompts others
discovers that his benefactors are naked fairies, shivering to value the work they do, and that that’s an important part
in the cold as they work. Filled with sympathy, he and his of encouraging gratitude.

36 kithbook: boggans
 Gratitude is of course, the greatest of all payments. It feeding their portly frames, and when denied it they will
is often unstated, but absolutely required by any boggan. become wan and frail.

Gratitude Most normal boggans just say that it just sucks to work
for someone who doesn’t appreciate you. So they won’t.
While boggans do not necessarily need to be paid for
their work, they absolutely must be appreciated. The fastest
way to lose a boggan as a servant or friend is to start taking
What is a home?
A home is stability. The place that welcomes you back
them for granted. after the hurricane of the workday. The place where your
This is a reasonable requirement that can be taken to glasses and book are always where you left them. A place
strange extremes. Taciturn nobles have lost entire house- where the worn dent where the doorknob knocks against the
holds to their inability to express appreciation. Despots have wall greets you like an old friend. A place full of blankets,
stayed in power for shocking lengths of time by regularly and maybe someone to bring you cookies and tea.
giving speeches about how much they value the boggans in A home is safety. Four walls that stand tall and firm
their service. As long as the sentiment is sincere, gratitude against the dangers of the world. Family who has your back,
can blind a boggan to many flaws in their masters. This is who will fight tooth and nail and blood and bone for this
related to the kith’s compulsion to help anyone in need. space you have created and consecrated with the word home.
Sages of the kith will say that requiring gratitude is Know that the threshold of a true home is a mystic force far
in itself an act of further charity. Being grateful for the more powerful than the parlor tricks of the supernatural.
blessings in one’s life is the surest path to happiness, and A home is love. People who understand you. People who
by rewarding that quality with friendship and assistance know your name and say it with that soft lilt of affection
they teach the world to be happier. Some occultists even that makes you feel like your soul is being hugged. Home
theorize that boggans derive power from gratitude. That is a place where the presence of that love, of a thousand
it sustains them, giving them their rosy complexions and good mornings, of a thousand laughs, a thousand tears

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 37

 themselves. Yet their talents go far beyond merely working
quickly and being good with people, just as their frailties

household Gods
Do you have any idea how many gods there
aren’t simply overly soft hearts.

Craftwork
are of the home? Hestia, Vesta, Berehynia, Gabija, Boggans enjoy nothing more than good, honest work. Their
Frigg, Kamui Fuchi, Zao Jun, Bes, just to name a reputation for being consummate craftspeople is well earned.
few. Not to mention household spirits: Domovoi, While unobserved, boggans can accomplish any task involving
Brownie, Nisse, Tomte, Tonttu, Monaciello, Cofgo- physical labor or craftsmanship in one third of the time. Other
das, Gashin, Lares, Lutin, Heinzelmännchen, Hob. boggans can be present, but they cannot be observed by anyone
else.
These lists span the globe. These lists are Freely offering service to those in need is an honorable
small samplings of a cultural bedrock shared by act. But because honest work is fun, and because working
all cultures. Household gods were not worshiped for free is the ultimate act of choice, charitable service is
in temples, but in homes. With shrines in rich elevated to an almost religious experience for most boggans.
houses and idols in poor houses. It did not matter When you combine all that with acting anonymously, so
the status. Every home was also a temple. that those you serve won’t even know it was you, that leads
to the elevated state of awareness that lets boggans get things
The sanctity of the house and home. The done so quickly. They are one with the Tao. Knitting with
power of the threshold. These are ancient ideas. cosmic superstrings. Dusting really, really fast.
Changeling magic is tied to belief, desire, and Boggans call this meditative state Craftwork, with a
dream. And the desire to be safe in one’s home is clearly audible capital “C”, so named because it expresses
something most primal. In its shallower shapes, this the kith’s mastery of the very act of work. Craftwork is one
magic takes the form of wards and blessings. The of the reasons that boggan-only groups are so common.
depths of its power is reflected in legends about When they really need to get stuff done, other kiths quite
monsters being unable to cross the threshold of a literally slow them down on a mystical level. Sometimes
home simply because it is a home. that’s a desirable thing, as other kiths offer different and
valuable perspectives and it’s nice to enjoy the process of
work. But when something is unpleasant or really needs
to get done fast, boggans will buckle down by themselves.
There is an eternal and sometimes difficult question
rolling off a thousand shoulders has sunk into the walls that chases this birthright about: what qualifies as work? The
and stained the woodwork with the most profound sort boggans’ oft discussed and intuitively understood “Meaning
of joy that accepts and shines out even through sadness. of Work” is a measure of what boggans themselves consider
Know Hestia, called Vesta. Ancient goddess, honored true and optimal work, but the Craftwork birthright will still
with lamb’s blood on the untrodden threshold of this place kick in when a boggan is engaged in purposeless busywork,
now called home. Know that she hid her power from the or when he is being forced into some labor against his will.
other gods so that they did not become afraid. Know that So what is work? Cleaning is work. Is combing your hair
she lives on through a humble kith, that she consecrates work? Brushing your teeth? Building a building is work.
each home they bless with their presence, and that her What about building a sand castle? Is that work or play?
wrath flows through them towards whomever would dare The way most boggans figure out whether something
defile this place that is most sacred. qualifies as work is they try doing it, and if they can do it
When you stumble exhausted through the dark and really fast, it’s work. It’s not a completely reliable thing —
the cold, all other desires fall away before one fervent need. nothing chimerical ever is (except possibly trolls). Sometimes
One essential dream: a warm place to sleep. whether these edge cases work just depends on what mood
A home is the first thing. Once you have a home, you the Dreaming is in, or whether the boggan is putting in
have a safe place to dream, all other dreams are then born. honest effort as opposed to trying to cheat the system, so

birthrights and frailties

It’s perhaps unsurprising that other Kithain overlook
to speak.
Boggans can hurt themselves badly doing Craftwork.
Botches on Craftwork related rolls are usually sprains or
boggan capabilities as much as they overlook boggans brutally stubbed fingers from a hand going 25 mph. Injuries

38 kithbook: boggans
most commonly happen when a boggan surprises herself Boggans will judge you. That’s busywork. But it’s also
by engaging in involuntary Craftwork, though sometimes part of why they’re so generous with their time. They can
simple exhaustion sets in if a boggan pushes too long too afford it.
hard. When you work three times as fast as most folks, it Well, they can afford to be most of the time. Boggans
can be easy to lose track of time. struggle mightily with the modern corporate convention to
Boggans sometimes engage in Craftwork without mean- reward competence with more work. Boggans in corporate
ing to, which is called involuntary Craftwork. This usually jobs are either seen as bad workers, because they do all their
happens when they’re trying to make art, or settling down work in an hour in the morning and then don’t look as
to make something for fun, then all the sudden it’s over busy, or they try to work up to their potential and become
and done with because their birthright kicked in. When trapped in hamster wheels of increasing demands until
you enjoy knitting, after all, it can be quite aggravating to their souls wither and die. The lesson here is that boggans
suddenly have a pile of socks and no yarn left. rarely belong in offices.
Not all boggans are created equal. Just as some people
are faster than others, some boggans are quicker workers.
When boggans get going Craftwork-fast the differences can
Social Dynamics
Boggans are keen observers of social interactions, and their
be so slight as to be measured in microseconds, but it’s still inherently unobtrusive nature allows them to witness things
noticeable enough to have spawned elaborate, boggan-cen- that might otherwise remain hidden. A successful Perception +
tered sporting events called the Craftlympics. Empathy (or Subterfuge) roll allows a boggan to puzzle out a
The Craftlympics are casual tournaments held all over group’s social dynamics. The difficulty can range from 5 (for a
the world, usually in the spring after annual cleaning when small dinner party) to 9 (for a ducal freehold). This might result
everything is sorted and they have some free time. Events in lower difficulties on future Social rolls or additional pieces of
include butter churning, house painting, doing laundry information that the player would find useful.
(machines are cheating), and many more. Things that A boggan’s ability to puzzle out and understand the
people have been leaving off for a while tend to get done various aspects of any social situation is a powerful tool,
during a Craftlympics. Previously they were recorded on an often underestimated because it lacks the flashiness of many
oak stump in Ireland, but nowadays there’s a website that other birthrights, but even more useful for its subtlety.
different freeholds can sign up on to log their best times. Their ability to understand relationships, seemingly
Sometimes Craftwork gets in the way of the boggan’s at a glance, is based on the kith’s profound capacity for
other great love: socializing. Working alone is lonely, even empathy. They will never botch an Empathy roll, and that’s
if you’re doing it at super speeds. And sometimes it’s sad to because of their innate skill in imagining themselves in other
complete pleasant tasks too quickly-involuntary Craftwork people’s positions. They derive this skill from a variety of
is generally an unpleasant experience for the boggan caught sources: because of their role as servants they have a lot of
up in it. Boggan groups will go out of their way to recruit opportunity to spend time with and observe people and are
other kiths to help them trim Christmas trees or decorate motivated to understand them to better serve their masters.
gingerbread houses to make sure these lovely endeavors The gossip they enjoy is a perpetual class on social
aren’t over in the blink of an eye. Boggan-heavy freeholds dynamics with constant professional peer review. This skill
have been known to enchant mortals for the express pur- is the foundation for this birthright, their desire to help
pose of having someone around to break speed loops. This people through charitable work, and it can be used in a
is typically a sweet deal for the mortal involved: freeholds variety of situations. Boggans can puzzle out the relationships
with enough Boggans to need this are super convenient in a new adventuring group and figure out how they fit in.
places to live. They can discern the political factions and power levels in
Craftwork produces an excess of free time. People a cutthroat court. They can figure out who is bullying who
often underestimate just how much time is saved when in a schoolyard, and put a stop to it. It is, unsurprisingly,
all your chores take a third of the normal time. This can extremely useful politically.
actually lead to boredom. Boggans sometimes make the It is also the true reason many nobles choose boggans
more elaborate cleaning rituals or try more complex recipes as their stewards. Sure they can clean fast, but they can also
just to take more time. Did you put color coded labels on smooth all the disruptive relationships in the household
everything in the garage, including the dog? Yes I did. Is and give good odds on who’s planning a seduction — or
that entire ballgown hand stitched? Yes it is. Did you carve an assassination attempt. Canny nobles often take boggan
‘contains nuts’ on the shell of every pistachio in this jar? advisors to meet new delegations to gain insight into the
Don’t judge me.

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 39

groups they’re dealing with, or on difficult diplomatic mis- A boggan struggling with crippling debt will still empty
sions to ferret out weaknesses and chances for compromise. his pockets for a panhandler. A boggan with a flu and hun-
The two traits that can be used for this sort of situation, dred degree fever will get out of bed to pick up the package
Empathy and Subterfuge, represent divergent methods of you really need. A boggan will be there for you when you
analysis, and the information derived from each approach is need a babysitter, even when they really should be searching
distinct. When examining people with Empathy a boggan will the Dungeons of Moondrake for the lost baron.
discover information about their feelings and motivations: Call of the Needy is the other side of empathy. A drive
a better understanding of them as a person. Examining to assist others regardless of personal cost, it can be emo-
them via Subterfuge reveal their secrets and facades: a better tionally painful to resist. More than anything it represents
understanding of how to manipulate them. Empathy reveals an issue of prioritization. Boggans are driven to solve the
what is unsaid and Subterfuge reveals what is hidden. It is problem in front of them. The respond powerfully, due to
a small but absolutely crucial distinction. their great empathy, to pain they can see. That drive can
Understanding the social landscape is useful in itself, make them forget other, important but distant issues that
but often this investigation is just a precursor to action. A deserve their attention more.
foundation for manipulation, so that boggans can deploy The most common victim of this urge is their own
their considerable social skills to alter that landscape. well-being. They will sacrifice mental and physical health
There are also two approaches to be taken here. They can to satisfy this frailty. They will neglect their own goals and
move surreptitiously — influencing people with off-handed desires in favor of what other people want, which is poi-
comments so that the others they influence think the son to long term relationships from romances to business
changes are their own ideas. Or they can smack people partnerships. But in addition to devastating the boggan
in the face with brute force empathy and understanding, in question, this frailty can also be a friendship-breaker,
often backed up by a helpful network of cheerful and and not just with the friend who’s always in need. Quieter
well-meaning gossipers. friends who don’t advertise their need will fall to the wayside
This proactive use of Empathy and Social Dynamics if a boggan is forced by compulsion to focus on someone
allows boggans to mold social situations to serve them as particularly needy.
well as they serve others. To them, seating charts are tools Particularly needy friends who do not check their
of state, decorations set the tone for negotiation, and food requests can suck a boggan dry of happiness and vitality,
is the ultimate peacemaker. Breaking bread is a classic way leaving a husk of a person, sometimes even Undone. The
of brokering deals and boggans can whip up meals that saddest part of this situation is that the friend in question
end wars. They can also start wars with a poor appetizer usually doesn’t have malicious intent. Boggans can tell when
delivered to a foul tempered delegate at just the right time. people are trying to consciously take advantage of them.
Despite all this power, boggans have remained shockingly But they aren’t so sensitive to the thoughtless requests of
underestimated as political figures. Many surreptitious the chronically pathetic.
Machiavelli-types consider this part of their genius. Boggans are usually happy to help others, but Call of the
There are a number of kith-wide social engineering Needy is why boggans are so invested in gratitude and wary
projects currently going on that take advantage of this birth- about debt. They know what it’s like to be taken advantage
right. Boggans examine problems they care about, such as of, and how easy it is to get trapped in it. They can feel their
devaluing emotional labor, abuse of workers, and income vulnerability to others’ needs, prickling against their skull
inequality. They are working on the largest grassroots ma- like a geas, forcing them to help even against their will.
nipulation of Social Dynamics in history. They are behind Call of the Needy, though inconvenient and at times
movements to raise the minimum wage, companies with damaging, is an important part of boggans for what it truly
employees as investors, the development of credit unions, represents. It is the extreme end of their inherent drive
and the concept of the pluralist commonwealth. to give. A charitable impulse of such force that it must be

Call of the Needy

Boggans are inherently helpful, and cannot resist offering
reined in with discipline in order to preserve the health
and sanity of the bearer. But in struggling against that
enslaving force inside their head, the boggans become the
aid when it is needed. When they encounter someone who is best in themselves.
legitimately in need of help, the player must make a Willpower This constant slight irritation at the back of their minds
roll (difficulty 8) to resist helping them in some way. This does is what keeps boggans from resting by the fire with a pipe
not apply to a sworn enemy. and book. It’s what keeps them going out into the dark
to soup kitchens and dark forests. The calls to adventure

40 kithbook: boggans
that lure these homebodies out onto the field of battle are the fundamental ingredient that makes friends, and it’s not
made out of a pure desire to help someone. This frailty hate or loathing, but lack of trust that most easily identifies
is the extreme end of the fundamental thing that makes enemies. At least as far as this frailty is concerned.
boggans such good people. Even when dealing with a clearly untrustworthy and
A last thing to be aware of when considering the Call formally oathsworn enemy, hiccups do happen. Boggans
of the Needy is the meaning of the term “sworn enemy.” have saved enemy combatants about to teeter off the edge
There are obvious cases: an enemy in a war is a sworn of the wet cliff they’re dueling on. Boggans have slipped
enemy or a villain who has tried to poison your Duke. But extra ingredients to sworn rivals so that they have a fighting
is a rival cook a sworn enemy? How about if she’s a really, chance to compete at Craftlympics contests. Boggans have
really, really big jerk? The Dreaming is, as always, the last smuggled food to imprisoned despots. Those hiccups, bursts
arbiter of what an enemy is, but a general rule of thumb of pure charity in a situation barren of such care, can be
is that the less trust there is between and individual and a the seeds that grow into friendship and healing.
boggan, the less likely Call of the Needy is to trigger. Trust is

chapter two: upstairs, downstairs 41

 Chapter Three:
beyond hearth
And home
“Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you! ‘Come on, get up,’ you say.
‘Time to start another day.’ Even he orders me around. Well there’s one thing.
They can’t order me to stop dreaming!”

The Courts
— Cinderella, Cinderella (1950)

For such a soft-spoken and unobtrusive group, boggans

have strong opinions that aren’t always readily apparent
from their genial nature. Boggans have perfected the art of Far and away, boggans lean toward the Seelie Court.
friendly civility, preferring to kill with kindness than show They prefer to help others and offer support wherever it’s
outright aggression. Of course, they have tempers just like needed, finding pleasure in humble tasks others overlook
anyone else, but prefer to take their anger out in a number of or disdain. They don’t ask much, if anything, in return; they
ways more frustrating than harmful. Anyone that’s part of a can sense the appreciation in every smile and contented
boggan’s gossip circle knows just how passive-aggressive this sigh, and measure their success in how many people they
‘harmless’ kith can be, and just how much the wrong word can help. Seelie boggans are consummate hosts or houseg-
in the right ear can affect whomever has earned their ire. uests, always leaving things cleaner than they found them,
While boggans are always willing to assume the best making sure no one could conceive of going hungry, and
in anyone and offer third and even fourth chances, once that the hearth is always lit to greet anyone returning home.
someone has landed on their bad side, she learns just how They exude comfort and coziness, easily anticipating the
much boggans influence the world around them. Never as needs of others and striving to meet them. Quite happy to
conspicuous as the sidhe who tend to hold lofty titles, or simply make others happy, they rarely make requests, let
as eager to enact change as the commoner firebrands who alone demands, remaining content to improve everything
rally against them, boggans still quietly move politics along around for their own enjoyment.
with their careful game of he-said-she-said, spreading gossip Unseelie boggans still thoroughly enjoy such tasks as
and doling out rumors with remarkably effective foresight housekeeping and crafting, yet take a more pragmatic view.
and acuity. Nothing comes free from those boggans in the Unseelie
Court; they believe firmly that you get what you pay for.
Unseelie boggans run some of the most luxurious boarding

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 43

houses and make the most beautiful furniture and instru- The Right to Demesne: Seelie boggans are happy to
ments; they also understand that a smile won’t pay for any- support the nobles who rule over a domain. They act as
thing they need to live comfortably, and as such, take their mediators in heated conflicts, serve as advisors or voices of
natural inclinations and use them to turn a profit. Their the people, and make sure the most pertinent information
gossip is often more scandalous and shared more widely; reaches the ears it needs to reach. Quiet types, they don’t
when an Unseelie boggan gossips, she seeks to stir the pot necessarily aspire to become nobles themselves, preferring
and make waves that will return more juicy tidbits to her. to serve in their own unobtrusive ways and remaining the
Though she may show her face in freeholds run by soft-spoken figures at the edges of a room, providing comfort
nobles from time to time and pay lip service to the social to weary souls, and using their own inconspicuous natures
structures around her, an Unseelie boggan is more at home to learn everything they can in the meantime.
in a freehold run by commoners, where she doesn’t have Unseelie boggans love to insinuate themselves into
to answer to any nobles and isn’t expected to jump to rival domains, acting as spies against the nobles to whom
service every time someone asks. On the surface, they are they swear fealty. They use their abilities to stir things up
just as welcoming as anyone else, and genuinely do enjoy instead of fostering peace and comfort, riling up the pop-
helping others. Their affiliation with the Unseelie Court ulace and fanning the flames of volatile situations. While
means they tend to have a more jaded world view and don’t they also enjoy spreading information, instead of offering
appreciate being underestimated or walked all over on the it to helpful hands, they bring it to those who will retaliate
assumption that all they want is to help others and never without thinking. They don’t often seek to uproot or take
ask for anything in return. down established rulers, but keeping them distracted with
Most Unseelie boggans have limited knowledge of the the clamoring of their people allows these boggans to pursue
Shadow Court. Their largely Seelie nature makes members of their own desires with less interference.
the Shadow Court wary of even the most Unseelie boggans, The Right to Dream: All boggans carefully protect and
and their preference for mediation and talk over action care for their Dreamers, quietly making themselves a part of
makes them sub-par foot soldiers for the Court’s causes. their lives. Seelie boggans prefer to inspire their Dreamers to
If they ever have any exposure to members of the Court, improve their lives on their own, and are willing to be the
Seelie boggans do their best to act as mediators, trying to catalyst that sparks a move toward better things. Their drive
find the root of the problems the Shadow Court cites and and work ethic only grows stronger when Glamour is wanting,
negotiate ways to improve them; Unseelie are more willing and they defend their Dreamers to the best of their abilities.
to take the position of go-between and use it to spy on court Unseelie boggans are also likely to have a small group of
politics, and perhaps establish places for themselves when Dreamers they hold close, but if they find themselves strapped

The Escheat
the dust clears. for Glamour rather than hunker down and foster these
Dreamers, those in the Unseelie Court are more likely to lash
out and find another Dreamer to Ravage in order to get a fix.
The Right of Ignorance: Seelie boggans are most likely
Being largely a Seelie kith, boggans are some of the
to adhere to this Right most strictly. The risk inherent in
staunchest proponents of the Escheat, adhering strictly
humanity discovering the truth about changelings is too dire
to the Rights laid out in it. Unseelie boggans, by contrast,
for her, and it’s a rare mortal who will intrigue her enough
prefer to see these laws as malleable, and are often highly
to be shown the truth of her dual existence. Once she has
skilled in escaping consequences and justifying their actions
opened that mortal’s eyes, though, they will remain open
as lawful. Of course, if talk fails, they can always resort to
unless someone else acts to close them.
blackmail — gossips know the juiciest secrets, after all — and
boggans love to listen in on conversations they shouldn’t. Unseelie boggans are far more likely to indulge in
The most ardent Unseelie boggans still see the basic sense in short-term experiences. They are the boggans who believe
rules of the Escheat, however, even if they feel it shouldn’t any dull life can be improved by even momentary exposure
always apply to them in particular, and prefer to bend these to the truly magical, and though a mortal will forget about
rules rather than outright break them. his experience once no longer enchanted, he will still be
forever changed. Not all changelings agree, but Unseelie
Or to put it another way, both Seelie and Unseelie bog-
boggans insist it’s merely their own brand of hospitality.
gans will typically abide by the Escheat, with Seelie boggans
doing it because it’s the right thing, while Unseelie boggans The Right of Rescue: There are no boggans who would
may apply more self-serving interpretations or seek some even entertain arguments against this Right. Seelie and Un-
quid pro quo in exchange for ‘favors’ like rescuing others seelie alike feel the grinding march of Banality’s approach,
or helping keep Kithain society hidden from mortal eyes. and their compulsion to care for others means they will never

44 kithbook: boggans
turn away any soul in need of rescue, and will do everything
in their power to help. (Whether or not such rescue comes
with strings attached is really the only point of contention.)
Eshu Boggans find eshu to be welcome entertainers and
Seelie boggans are more likely to try and save any chimera lively distractions from their daily routine. Knowing these
they come across, but Unseelie boggans are only interested enigmatic figures rarely stay put for long, boggans are more
in lesser chimera if they can also benefit from saving it. enthusiastic about hosting eshu than almost any other kith.
The Right of Safe Haven: Seelie boggans are always Though an eshu’s stay is almost always brief, boggans are
willing to provide refuge to the weary traveler, and fight willing to make her as comfortable as possible for however
fiercely to provide for all in the freeholds in which they long she chooses to linger. For their part, eshu appreciate a
reside. Unseelie boggans are likely to seek some kind of captive audience and the deep well of hospitality and support
recompense for hosting wanderers in their safe havens, but that boggans offer. Boggans enjoy stories and gossip as much
are still among the most willing to welcome those in need. as the next person, and a friendship between members of
The Right of Life: Boggans as a whole avoid outright these kiths often revolves around trading stories; the eshu
violence and hostility, and rarely, if ever, defy this Right, sharing news from afar and the boggan offering local threads
even when acting in self-defense. Harming others goes for the eshu to chase down in pursuit of her own tales. If
against everything boggans stand for and enjoy. They spend an eshu disrespects or insults a boggan, he can expect that
enough time caring for others in mourning to ever consider he will be featured in her gossip circles for weeks to come,

kiths
and the memory of his slight will linger long after he’s gone.

Nockers
forcing it upon others.

Boggans and nockers exist on opposite sides of a field:

Agreeable and easygoing folk, boggans can find the
where boggans are acutely aware of the social dynamics
good in nearly everyone. Most of their relationships with
around them, nockers often have difficulty puzzling out
their cousins are friendly ones, though they place their trust
such arbitrary things as ‘feelings’. While boggans can find
more carefully than their goodwill. Willing to overlook the
the work and company of nockers to be fascinating, it’s
general reputation a kith carries (even if they’re even more
rare that the nocker feels the same, and rarely does he feel
willing to continue spreading it to others), boggans will
shy about sharing such an opinion. Thus, boggans often
offer refuge to anyone who seeks it. Some of the unlikeliest
admire this kith and their inventions from afar, or help in
friendships start with an unanticipated stay as a boggan’s
ways the nocker is unaware of. Nockers with boggan com-
guest, and their endless generosity, open hearts, and quiet,
panions find their workplaces are often kept immaculate,
yet unshakable loyalty, make them excellent companions.

Clurichaun
and can’t always figure out why things get so messy when
their friend isn’t around. Boggans can be wounded by the
brusque manner of nockers, and can get bored with con-
Clurichauns are generally welcome among boggans, versations that revolve solely around whatever project has
though the latter are significantly quieter on the whole. captured the nocker’s attention, but even if the two kiths
The rambunctious nature of clurichauns is entertaining in don’t have much in common, they share a mutual respect
small doses, but some boggans, especially those of advanced as far as work ethic is concerned.
mortal age, can tire quickly while in the company of such
rowdy fellows. Leave it to a clurichaun to find the limits
of a boggan’s seemingly endless patience; leave it to the
same one to also deliver a heartfelt and meaningful (if still
Piskies
Piskies and boggans have a unique relationship. While
boggans are more capable than most at identifying a piskie
slightly overwhelming) apology. With similar abilities to
no matter the face she wears, they are also most likely to
read people quickly and accurately, boggans and clurichauns
notice when a piskie pockets something that isn’t hers. The
function well together as long as they make concerted ef-
enthusiasm piskies display over any of their momentary
forts to accommodate the others’ personality quirks. Those
fascinations are a delight for boggans to witness, especially
who have managed it often stay tight friends and excellent
as they sometimes gravitate toward hobbies that boggans
housemates, while those who can’t reconcile their wildly
themselves enjoy. While they often feel the need to take
differing energy levels tolerate each other in their own ways.
careful stock of their more valuable belongings, boggans
For the boggan, this often means simply fading into a corner
also thoroughly enjoy teaching eager piskies anything and
and waiting until the clurichaun is gone, much in the way
everything about whatever task the piskie is looking to learn.
a cozy housecat would rather hide from an overenthusiastic
While boggans regard piskies as immature and flighty —
puppy than entertain him.

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 45

and don’t appreciate their habit of appropriating things members of this kith. The chance to let her hair down and
that aren’t theirs — they are still unlikely to turn away any play the guest instead of the host, for once, is a welcome
piskies in need. They know that piskies have hearts of gold reprieve; of course, she’s just as likely to linger after the party
and value their ability to blend in and help others. is done, and help to clean things up before she leaves.

PookaBoggans are of two minds regarding pooka. While they

Selkies
Few relationships are more bittersweet than one with a
can appreciate the usually good-natured hijinks that follow selkie. Though half a selkie’s heart and soul constantly ache
pooka everywhere, this kith’s reputation for lying and its for something, it’s not usually within a boggan’s power to
aversion to meaningful work chafes on boggan’s hard-work- help, and this torments his caretaking sensibilities in turn.
ing souls. While they find pooka entertaining, always good Setting their inability to aid her aside, boggans are happy
for a laugh and a fun time, they know when things get to do whatever else they can for this quiet and romantic
difficult or require elbow grease, pooka are far more likely kith. Much like eshu, they are acutely aware that selkie
to be fair-weather friends. Far from immune to the jokes companions won’t linger long; at least with the former,
and japes of this kith, pooka often find a boggan to be the they tend to return to hearths that welcome them. Selkies,
perfect straight man for their routines, but for their kindness ever like the sea that calls to them, are more mercurial, and
and good natures, boggans are lucky enough to rarely find boggans are well aware they may only ever see them once
themselves on the receiving end of a pooka’s nastier tricks. before they vanish forever on a new adventure. Those who
They, of all the kiths, know how much faster a lie travels live near bodies of water have greater luck encountering
than a truth, and being the gossips they are, boggans have selkie friends more than once, but still know there may
ample opportunity to share unflattering opinions. come a day when the sea calls too strongly for the selkie to

Redcaps
Redcaps have perhaps the singular distinction of being
return to land.

Arcadian Sidhe
the only kith boggans find wholly unpleasant. Redcaps are Boggans try to reserve judgment of the Arcadian Sidhe.
loud, disruptive, and messy; they like to intimidate and call They understand the troubles the sidhe faced when returning
out as weakness anything they don’t appreciate. What’s more, from Arcadia, and can appreciate the work they’ve put in
they’ll destroy just about anything, no matter how precious or to rebuilding the empires they ruled before the Shattering.
valuable! With their gnashing teeth, their need to disturb and Boggans have put all they can into trying to get these sidhe to
revile, and their disregard for any and all kiths but their own, adjust to the modern world, and what’s more to understand
redcaps present few redeeming features even for the saintliest that it has moved on without them. While they appreciate
boggans. Those that can stomach their company often do find hard work, boggans respect work with purpose; trying to
something far beneath the surface that hints at a promising tear down the structures built in their absence just to rebuild
sense of loyalty and willingness to suffer for those they care what was there before is an exercise in futility, and most
about, but given how redcaps actively drive away other kiths and boggans are saddened by the narrow-minded views and
spurn friendships outside their corby, it takes a truly patient short-sightedness of their once-great leaders. They remain
and steadfast boggan (with an iron will and stronger stomach) hopeful that the sidhe will find or make a suitable place
to look past the ghoulish garishness they present to the world. for themselves again, but keep a wary eye out as they watch

Satyrs
Consummate party-goers and revelers, satyrs bring good
this kith’s efforts to belong in Concordia.

Autumn Sidhe
times wherever they go, and love the quiet interludes boggans The Autumn sidhe have more respect from the boggan
provide in their hectic lives. Despite outward differences, sa- community than nearly any other kith. Leading as best they
tyrs and boggans often make excellent friends, and on some could after the Shattering, they made tremendous personal
occasions boggans have even integrated themselves into a sacrifices to remain with their people in the Autumn World.
satyr’s tragos, happy to share a full larder and an appreciation Considering their efforts and all the Autumn sidhe gave up
for art with a group. Literature collectors and crafters often for their people, boggans are happy to serve under them.
have close ties with satyrs, who enjoy all manner of art and They view these sidhe as honorable and steady, willing to
celebrate it whenever possible. Though boggans might often work side by side with their subjects and change with the
prefer the quieter, introspective, artistic sides of satyrs, many times as necessary. Especially when compared to the Ar-
also enjoy attending the occasional wild evening hosted by cadian sidhe, boggans favor those who elected to become

46 kithbook: boggans
changelings like the rest of the kiths and fight to preserve sometimes get prickly when they feel things aren’t mutual.
the communities they are a part of. No boggan will argue As an Unseelie kith, this is especially true for sluagh who
with the Autumn sidhe’s assertion that they have earned serve as advisors for their Court, and are unwilling to give
their place as rulers, and especially more so than the Arca- up more than they feel they receive; though it’s less likely
dian sidhe who fled and expected to come back to either to lead to a tumultuous argument as a jab here or there
ashes or open arms. to bring the unbalance to light and prompt its correction.

SluaghBoggans appreciate peace and quiet and keeping busy,

Trolls
Boggans appreciate the duty-bound and honorable
and appreciate the sluagh for their vast collections of knowl- trolls and the quiet intelligence they bring to the courts, as
edge and quiet temperaments. Boggans know people, sluagh well as their tireless efforts to protect their fellow Kithain
know things, and working together the two can discover all from more direct threats. While some find trolls boring or
sorts of very beneficial arrangements. When sluagh leave easily manipulated by the oaths they must keep at all costs,
their quiet havens to spend time with other changelings, boggans respect their devotion to the ones they swear to. It
boggans are all too happy to stay by their sides; they can helps that trolls are often quite appreciative of the efforts
easily sense when the sluagh is uncomfortable or over- boggans make to serve or aid others, and are happy to host
whelmed and can whisk them out of unpleasant situations or board with a boggan, protecting her in exchange for the
without leaving any hurt feelings. Befriending a sluagh also range of comforts afforded to them by the kith’s nature.
usually means a gold mine of information for the boggan, Boggans in turn, are perfectly happy to have a troll nearby,
as sluagh collect all manner of literature, from shopping though they rarely appreciate an Unseelie troll’s tendency
lists to discarded love letters and everything in between. As for grudges and rages. They won’t turn them away, but
long as the stream of information flows both ways, boggans often have rules that forbid them to bring their aggressive
and sluagh share long and lasting friendships, but sluagh tendencies into the peace of the boggan’s home.

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 47

houses Exile: Boggans are happy to take their place as advisors
and mediators to serve their purpose and restore fae society.
Any boggan in House Aesin has the ear of the Virtue Council.

house Ailil
The natural habit of boggans to favor the Seelie Court
means they gravitate largely toward the Seelie Houses.
However, just as Unseelie boggans exist, so do those who
prefer the beliefs of any given House, even if it appears to As with many of the Unseelie Houses, the number
goes against their Court. If a boggan believes she can do of boggans in House Ailil is directly proportionate to the
good with the help of a House, she will find a way to feel number of Unseelie boggans. While they don’t make up
welcome among its members, knowing they will come to much of the population, the rare boggan that ties herself
accept her in time. While most boggans don’t aspire to be to House Ailil is frighteningly effective in her post. She can
the ones running the show, they are popular and sought rise quickly through the ranks, but avoids being the person
after as advisors, household staff, and even spies, as their at the very top of the pile; why wear a target when there’s
ability to blend into any situation and learn all manner of always someone else who wants to draw fire?
secrets implies.

house Aesin
Seelie boggans abhor the way House Ailil twists their
natural hospitality and intuition into something to be used
purely for selfish gain. Though they respect the House’s
The stalwart protectors of the Dreaming don’t always see adherence to their oaths, their narrow-mindedness drives
many boggans in their number. While even Seelie boggans all but the most Unseelie away. Those who do join House
can see the purpose behind what this House stands for, Ailil are usually sent out as spies, taking advantage of the
their methods aren’t always something boggans condone. exceedingly rare intersection of this kith and House, and
The House Flaw is one that only rare boggans suffer from. the boggan’s natural ability to go unnoticed while noticing
From the outside looking in, most consider it unfortunate everything. Boggan agents who pledge to this House often
that the sidhe who make up the majority of this House prove subtle but astoundingly capable members, as their
feel so diminished by their mortal bodies. While they are drive for perfection helps them craft airtight oaths and
certainly an affectation taken on out of necessity, most bog- perfect political traps.
gans don’t feel particularly disconnected from their hosts, Boon: Boggans outside of this House can never quite
and certainly don’t believe needing to protect themselves pin any scandal on its members, no matter how they try.
from Banality diminishes them in any way. As such, their Those within it revel in their gossip never coming back to
advice to the nobles often glosses over this discomfort, or haunt them, watching as the egg intended for them lands
dismisses it entirely. on other faces.
Unseelie boggans are more likely to join ranks with Flaw: While their uncanny insight into other’s emotions
Aesin, especially any that are treated unfairly by nobles of makes it easy for them to deliver a properly crushing final
other Houses or written off as useless beyond menial tasks. word, those who do fall to the Ailil flaw have a difficult
As only jaded or ambitious boggans are likely to turn to the time coming back from the ‘loss’. Boggans outside of the
Unseelie Court in the first place, the Unseelie House of House also have a grand time playing on this Flaw, knowing
Aesin is a welcome place for those looking to serve a noble just the way to needle members of House Ailil into losing
purpose, perhaps to spite those who underestimated them their composure and leaving them sputtering for a snappy
in the first place. comeback.
Boon: The company of animals suits boggans well, Exile: Boggans cast a wary eye at all of House Ailil; they
and the ability to speak to less common creatures mean don’t deny they were exiled for rising against the rulers in
they regularly extend their notion of care and hospitality Arcadia, and still to this day seek to place themselves at the
to nearby wildlife, as well as travelers. Boggans of House top of the political pyramid. They serve only themselves
Aesin prefer to dwell near nature preserves to protect their — what will become of everyone else should they succeed?
borders and the animals within.
Flaw: The Aesin view of humans is precisely why many
boggans don’t feel entirely at home in the House. Those
house balor
Even Unseelie boggans avoid House Balor. The harsh
that do fall in line the House Aesin don’t appreciate being and brutal members of the House sniff out and destroy
relegated to the same roles as mortals solely because they anything they consider to be weakness, and few, if any, value
enjoy and excel at tasks typically given to servants. the creature comforts and small kindnesses boggans are
most comfortable providing. Boggans don’t trust Fomorian
influence of any kind, even turning their backs on their

48 kithbook: boggans
Thallain cousins, and those changelings who welcome such the meaning behind visions other members of the House
association can’t be up to any good. share with her.
For all their dislike of the Blooded, any boggans living in Flaw: Beaumayn boggans prefer to remain safely within
a community where they are common finds a nearly endless their homesteads for a number of reasons, but chief among
source of information to spread as they desire. Boggans may them is the insulation it gives them against the Shadow
not consider House Balor trustworthy, but they know the Court and Thallain that seek to harry and harass them at
House consists of more than bullies and sycophants, and every turn. Even those with an interest in more active roles
just because they don’t often show their faces in courtly soon learn the comfort and safety of a well-protected home.
gatherings doesn’t mean they aren’t moving pieces behind Exile: The tale of House Beaumayn’s imprisonment
the scenes. It’s the quiet nature of such a loud group that isn’t lost on its members. In addition to keeping close eyes
catches boggans’ attentions, as they seek the motives behind out for Thallain and Shadow Court, the House carefully
such strange and obviously confused individuals. Their close polices itself for signs of whatever strange corruption seized
ties to Shadow Court do nothing to assuage the deeply Duke Geremin. Boggans are among the most vigilant at this
rooted suspicions boggans carry. task, able to pick up on changes in personality far more
Boon: It’s deeply unsettling to nearly everyone that the quickly than others, and alert others of any house member
Blooded can shake off even the effects of cold iron, betray- in danger of losing her way.
ing their twisted roots. Their willingness to cross any and
every line is something that makes a boggan’s skin crawl.
Flaw: The outward manifestation of House Balor’s past
house Daireann
While they once would have been happy to join the
ties is even more discomfiting than their abilities. Boggans house of hospitality, the dark turn in House Daireann’s
instinctively avoid anyone with the hallmarks of attachment nature after the Shattering makes kind-hearted boggans
to this House, relying on their ability to go unnoticed when wince. Such a lovely and lively group they had once been,
forced to share spaces with them. now twisted almost beyond recognition by their leader’s
Exile: The wrong side of history is an unwelcoming place. grief. To have a general law of a house is one thing, but the
House Balor’s desire to strangle Arcadia and command all Hosts have such a strict, codified regime — and how can
the Glamour of the Autumn World deeply unsettles most anyone truly be comfortable if they fear their host?
boggans, who faithfully served the sidhe. While they don’t Still, more “traditional” Unseelie boggans still flock to
live in fear of the day that House Balor reigns, boggans cer- this House, where their talents are in demand and services
tainly keep a wary eye on their machinations and dutifully are fairly compensated. They frequently prefer to be ‘paid’
report everything they learn to those they serve.

house beaumayn
in rumors and information, gleefully passing the gossip
and secrets along once the guest has ended their stay. Of
course, any unfortunates who truly insult her learn exactly
Boggans in House Beaumayn aren’t exactly rare, but what it means to cross their most gracious caretakers. She’s
as the Dark Stars hunt down Thallain, it isn’t always their rarely involved directly in the inevitable payback, but she
first choice. Those who do join House Beaumayn tend to knows precisely who to tell to ensure her inconsiderate
take the role of lore keepers, stockpiling information in guest learns her lesson.
elaborate libraries. They meticulously maintain any arti- Boon: At least it’s easier for them to take care of oth-
facts collected by other members of the House and record ers; pity it’s also easy enough to for them to ‘correct’ bad
the details of the Thallain discovered and taken down by behavior. The Unseelie boggans are absolutely the most
the Dark Stars. Though it’s not unheard of for childling attentive and generous hosts in the House, and for all the
or wilder boggans to hunt down Thallain or other dark luxuries they offer, they naturally charge the highest prices.
creatures, their calmer natures mean they’re better suited Flaw: While boggans usually feel no compulsion to help
for studying the intricacies of the Shadow Court or guiding those who are most abhorrent to them, those of this House
their fellow housemates by helping them interpret their learn to grit their teeth and smile while the ones they hate
visions when they aren’t clear. impose upon them. At the very least, the Unseelie reason,
Boon: Boggans in House Beaumayn tend not to be as they will get something out of it in the end.
active in the field as other kiths, but their insight into social Exile: Who would go so far as to sully their names fur-
matters means their ability to parse out the prophecies is ther by adding lies? Truly, for all their warm appearances,
uncanny. A boggan can attempt not only to understand this house runs deep as a viper pit, and certainly exceeds
the visions she receives herself, but may attempt to discern it in venom. The truth will out, or so the saying goes, and

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 49

everyone is eager to see what kind of secret may have sealed Those boggans who busy themselves with crafting are
Daireann’s fate outside of Arcadia. drawn to this house above all others, where they can learn

house Danaan
Despite its nominal alignment with the Unseelie Court,
their trade and share their expertise with other talented
hands. They, of course, always have impeccable workshops
— and those who work closely with them might also find
the newly-arrived House Danaan has attracted boggan theirs well-kept as well.
childlings and wilders with surprising frequency. Though Boon: Losing himself in his work comes easily to a bog-
not everyone vetted by the Pathfinders joins the House, a gan, and they are well-suited to taking all advantage of House
not-inconsiderable number of more open-minded boggans Dougal’s boon. Boggan wilders know most intimately the
do eventually take to the pathways leading away from the quiet frenzy that is absolute focus on a project, and exactly
Autumn World. They seek homes in new places, or to find how calming or exciting such an experience can be, while
new tales to bring back to their less-adventurous friends. grumps are masters of knowing exactly when to put in the
While the overwhelming curiosity of childling and wilder extra effort to really make this boon pay off.
boggans drives them to explore, the grumps of this house Flaw: Why not show your work off everywhere you
prefer to maintain the strongholds and keep precise records go? Even those commoner boggans without titles of their
of the places discovered by their fellow wanderers. own appreciate the artistry that goes into the intricate re-
Despite most of House Danaan seeking ever to find placements the nobles wear, but they remain keenly aware
new places ever further from everything they know, boggans of how alienating replacing too much of yourself can be.
stand out as those who venture out with the goal of finding It creates a rare conundrum for boggans, as even they find
something new to tell the stories of to those who stay behind. it difficult to relate to those who have replaced too much
Boon: What better knack to have than always knowing of themselves. Nonetheless, they do everything they can to
the way home! And what better way to learn all sorts of accommodate their more alien friends.
new and wonderful things than talking to those who know Exile: To be cast out simply because of an interest in
best. The boggan’s natural ability to parse social norms also technology? The shoe seem to be on the other foot now, as
means she finds this boon particularly effective. those re-entering the Autumn World from Arcadia need to
Flaw: The reason boggans return to home so often learn to fit in amongst greater technological feats than they
relates particularly to the House Danaan flaw. They don’t could have ever imagined. House Dougal will be there to
show them the way, just as they always have been.

house Eiluned
enjoy grasping at straws for simple information, finding
it uniquely annoying as it undermines their hospitality.
What kind of host can’t remember the names of her most
favorite guests — or if she put the kettle on or not for their Despite their sometimes inscrutable Court allegiance,
arrival? It’s frustrating to no end, and so Danaan boggans House Eiluned is home to a number of scholarly boggans.
keep journals to help them remember, and to allow them to They explore all manner of secrets, and encourage other
refresh their memories when they leave to explore. Despite Sorcerers to do the same; the naturally curious boggans
all their precautions, however, something always seems to spend their lives uncovering secrets, whether they really
slip through the cracks. mean to or not, and fit in well among the magically gifted

house Dougal
As a rule, boggans find members of House Dougal to
Eiluned. The collections of grumps often hold useful se-
crets known to but the few who choose to spend the time
investigating their libraries.
be pleasant, upstanding folk. They heartily appreciate the All boggans have a knack for learning things about
Smith’s beliefs about hard work and their honest, open other people, and are happy to use that information to
ways. Supporting and encouraging Dreamers is paramount improve unfair situations; however, boggans of House Ei-
to boggans as well, who similarly adore the recent DIY luned learn over time to play their cards closer to the chest
movement and humanity’s renewed appreciation in things and be a little more discerning with whom they share the
made with their own two hands. Some are driven away by secrets they learn. Unseelie boggans of House Eiluned are
the way members of House Dougal constantly seek to ‘per- absolute masters at using information as currency, and the
fect’ themselves with artificial replacements, while others House’s accepted Seelie alignment makes it easy for them
appreciate the artistry that goes into each and every piece, to hide in plain sight.
considering every high-ranking member of the House a Boon: Boggans discover the boon of House Eiluned
living work of art. as an extension of their natural capabilities, or otherwise
simply being exposed to so much magic and so many se-

50 kithbook: boggans
crets of the Dreaming. Their habit of collecting a library of
magical tomes makes it plain why they might have an easier
time identifying magical effects otherwise.
house Gwydion
A House of those who consider themselves duty-bound
Flaw: Naturally curious, boggans fall almost more to lead, Gwydion is a solid choice for those who want to
quickly than other members of the House to their Flaw. help the people by steering the hand of those in charge.
They love to learn every little thing about the people they Boggans in House Gwydion make excellent seneschals and
interact with, and always have an excuse as to why they’re advisors, especially in those fiefdoms where the nobles are
getting involved. more receptive to giving a voice to their people and allowing
Exile: Secrets are secrets are secrets, and by now, nobody their participation in courtly affairs. Those boggans who
really knows the truth. Talk about all the rumors you want, greeted the sidhe after the Resurgence and offered to help
but there’s really no way to say what might have happened them acclimate to the reality of the changes that occurred
or didn’t. in their absence are among the most trusted by both nobles

house fiona
The passionate House Fiona has its fair share of epi-
and commoners.
Acting as go-betweens when necessary, they are among
the most capable at enacting change from the ground up,
curean boggan members, who thoroughly enjoy indulging and they always seem to know the most effective means to
in their passions and sharing them with others. Boggans implement new policies or petition for change.
of Hose Fiona have the best food and drink, the coziest of Boon: The boon of House Gwydion becomes exception-
homes where everything is lush and decadent, and, of course, ally useful for boggans, who can already parse social scenes
the most torrid and complicated love-lives. They don’t so with astounding accuracy. Advisors and commoners alike
much live in the lap of luxury as become it themselves, use their boon in a number of shred ways, sometimes letting
throwing themselves into everything they enjoy with relish lies go ‘undetected’ and waiting for the proper turn to make
and abandon. The homes of Fiona boggans are rarely, if a power play. They are, after all, still a house of politics.
ever, empty, always hosting parties and at least two or three Flaw: What’s the use in getting mad? Everyone knows
long-term guests. it’s so much better to get even. Even boggans have tempers,
With their penchant for ill-fated romance, boggans in and while managing to cross one is no easy task, rest assured
particular take after Fiona herself and welcome mortals and they will exact their revenge with just as much prejudice as
prodigals into their homes, enchanting them more often anyone else in the House. Knowing the best way to provide
than not to offer them the best of everything. Like the rest someone comfort also means they are acutely aware of how
of their House, they do nothing halfway. If her heart isn’t to spread discomfort, though boggans often do their best
it, expect nothing to be done, but capture her interest for to hide the darker side of their kind and caring nature.
even a moment, and Lion will follow anyone to the ends Exile: House Gwydion has its pride and doesn’t appre-
of the earth and beyond. ciate when it’s challenged; that said, they also have their
Boon: What’s to be afraid of when everything is so obligations, and will always see them through. Under the
lovely... or when you’re too drunk to notice any danger? old ways or the new, they do our best to serve and protect
Boggans of this House tend to become more outgoing over their people. If that means the time for change is at hand,
they will do their best.

house leanhaun
time, emboldened by their House ties and able to laugh in
the face of nearly all danger. Those used to more cautious,
moderate boggans are quite astonished to meet these rowdy
rebels, a fact such members gladly use to their advantage. As ardent supporters of many creative communities,
Flaw: Especially in wilders, who are already perfection- there are perhaps a surprising number of boggans in House
ists at heart, boggans fall easily to the House flaw and its Leanhaun, despite its Unseelie allegiance. Those who un-
habit of leading to obsession. While their preferences don’t derstand the inner workings and goals of the House often
always lean to more dangerous habits, the bravado and de- attempt to subvert their more insidious schemes, giving
votion of the Lions means that they very nearly can’t turn voice to those messages the rest of the House might want
down a challenge of any kind. To win flawlessly despite all prefer to remain silent. Unseelie boggans are entirely at
circumstances is a tough demand for such a modest kith. home among the Muses, carefully picking and choosing who
Exile: Standing in solidarity is of course how House to inspire and who to quietly bury, though they are often
Fiona stands where it is now. What other reason could there also happy to tip those scales the other way in exchange for
be? They support those they love absolutely, in sickness and suitable compensation.
in health, to death do we part. Anything less simply won’t do.

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 51

 While Seelie boggans are the respectable ‘face’ of the
House to the rest of fae society, their Unseelie brethren
are among the major movers and shakers of the House,
carefully guiding and gauging the perception and reactions
of society, pinpointing the apex of their Dreamers’ careers
and quietly detaching before becoming collateral in the
inevitable crash. Although they are more likely to help
soften the blow of a fall from grace, they always make sure
they can extricate themselves from the situation, or at least
arrange things in a way that ensures a more dignified end
to their careers in the spotlight.
Boon: All part of being a good friend! Of course they
know what you want, how you want it, and when; they
know the right words to lift you up when you need it and
bring you back down if you fly too high. They know the
words that will crush your spirit, too, but it’s alright. You
won’t hear those. Not directly.
Flaw: A boggan without her Dreamers and guests is
nothing, and so they feel the flaw of House Leanhaun
keenly while also remaining somewhat insulated from
it. Isolation from their Dreamers and lack of Glamour is
tortuous, especially as they have a habit of housing those
they’ve inspired, making the inevitable loss that much
harder.
Exile: Though they tend not to admit it aloud, House
Leanhaun firmly believes they weren’t exiled — they merely
saw what was coming and avoided it. If they means they
should lead now, having had a head start, so be it.

house liam
Despite its checkered history and relatively small
holdings, a small but dedicated group of boggans stead-
fastly pledge themselves to House Liam. Much like their
founder, they believe Glamour can come from any source.
Any source of reprieve and comfort does wonders for the
soul, and even if such sources don’t do much to produce
Glamour directly, a weary soul won’t be able to do so on its
own. Boggans in House Liam appreciate the world mortals
have built, and seek to foster their unique perspectives
and beliefs. They rarely take a strong hand in inspiring
mortals, preferring to watch what they come up with on
their own, satisfying themselves with providing comfort
to those weary souls who need it and protecting mortals
from the more predatory aspects of fae society.
Even more so than usual, boggans of House Liam have
the most humbly comforting homes, which they offer to
anyone in need. Their mortal companions are some of their
closest friends, and they seek to do everything they can to
improve the lives of those creative individuals they find.
Boon: House Liam exists to stave off the bleak forces
of the Autumn World, to ensure everyone is comfortable

52 kithbook: boggans
and cared for and enjoying themselves. They take seriously ulterior motives, have a way of stymieing Weavers; where is
their ability to reduce the strain on others, and help them the satisfaction in a game when your opponent wants you
keep themselves just a little while longer. to win? More often than not, their bitter hearts aren’t sure
Flaw: Nothing is without a price, and House Liam pays what to do with a boggan’s open-heartedness and warmth,
up front. It’s a small price, all told, but a meaningful one. and as such, they tend to avoid the kith as a whole.
Exile: Forever fascinated with mortals, this House has On the rare occasion that an Unseelie boggan feels
long been comfortable in the mortal world. They are always House Varich is the lot for him, he is often the most detached
willing to help those less at home, much to the chagrin of and calculating member of the group, able to predict other’s
those who drove them out. motives and methods with alarming accuracy and manipulate

house Scathach
Very few boggans choose to throw in with the Grey
even the most shrewd and savvy politicians. Boggans driven
to join the Weavers have suffered some kind of tremendous
loss or breach of trust, enough so to fundamentally alter
Walkers. The lives of those in House Scathach are soli- their view of the world and their role in it.
tary, militaristic, and nomadic, which put them at odds Boon: While knowing everything in advance is perhaps
with most everything boggans enjoy. While they have no useful, boggans find it rather boring. Having all the answers
particular interest in joining up with the House, boggans defeats the purpose of curiosity.
still appreciate the duties they have chosen for themselves, Flaw: Boggans mourn the loss of love perhaps more than
and members of the nominally Seelie house always have its own members do. From where else does compassion flow?
a bed waiting in any boggan’s home, where they may find Exile: If House Varich is to be believed, they orchestrat-
a hot meal and a good night’s sleep before continuing on ed everything to work in their favor. Of course, the House

Gallain
their everlasting journey. Their quiet natures make them would likely say that about absolutely everything.
oddities among changeling culture, and as such, boggans
love to poke and prod them for stories of any kind.
Little is known about their House, as they prefer not
As the world shrank and contact with the once-myste-
to hold lands or participate in politics, so anyone in House
rious Gallain became more regular, boggans flourished in
Scathach who finds herself in the company of a boggan is
their roles as peacekeepers and advisors. Nobles dealing with
likely to face their full force of their curiosity, in addition
unfamiliar cultures like to bring a boggan along, to help
to their hospitality.
parse out customs and convey intentions properly between
Boon: Stealth is a boon, indeed, but hardly useful if two potentially clashing cultures. Their uncanny insight
all it’s good for is fighting. allows them to pick up on many things others would miss
Flaw: While boggans don’t agree that ‘they were there, or misunderstand, making them valuable diplomatic envoys.
so they did it’ is the best way to determine guilt, they know Of course, not all things that are alien to the Kithain
the rumors. They may not be the best company, but that’s are friendly. Encountering creatures they have no ability
no reason to turn them away outright. to help is always hard on a boggan, but such cases do
Exile: It’s hardly surprising that the House reviled by arise, especially outside the kiths they are familiar with.
most of Kithain society has little interest in Arcadia in the Regardless, any creature that shows something other than
first place.

house Varich
outright hostility is one that could benefit from a boggan’s
presence, and until they are driven away they will do their
best to comfort and comprehend whatever oddities they
If there was ever a house full of busybodies, no doubt come across.
all Kithain society would expect boggans to be at its center;
yet no one is particularly surprised most boggans studiously
avoid House Varich. Even boggans who favor the Unseelie
Chimera
Like most changelings, boggans are happy to harbor
Court aren’t usually so jaded as to join their number; they and help friendly chimera. Many keep some form of chi-
are, almost by definition, warm and inviting individuals, merical pet or another, and usually spoil and cater to their
where the Weavers are cold and distant, trusting hardly companion’s whims. Boggans have no preference between
anyone but themselves. Where boggans analyze and inter- sentient and non-sentient, animate and inanimate. Any
pret to understand and accommodate, Weavers do so to and all are welcome in a boggan’s homes and collections;
subjugate and ‘win’ any given interaction, making even small these can range from appearing as the most mundane to
talk a battle and the most trusting souls wary of dealing the most fantastic, comprised of whatever has come into
with them. Boggans, who generally aid any and all without her possession over time.

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 53

 When it comes to Nightmare chimera, boggans hope freeholds, but changing the minds of the imperious sidhe
to redeem them whenever possible. Boggans offer homes to is not something that even they will accomplish overnight.
the feral chimera they come across, and quietly aid cryptids
when they can. Nervosa are a mixed bag, depending on their
origin, but most boggans would rather avoid such aggressive
hsienThe Hsien are mysterious and cryptic cousins to
creatures as urban legends and nocnitsa.

Inanimae
changelings, though boggans never quite understand why
the Hsien claim to be entirely separate from fae culture.
The cultural differences between changelings and the
Rare and solitary, Inanimae settle about their anchors Hsien are so great that even boggans have a difficult time
and watch over the Near Dreaming. Old stories passed understanding them, though it’s not an impossible task,
down now and again tell of the times before the Sundering and a challenge that more adventurous and diplomatic
and Shattering, when such spirits were abundant; newer boggans relish. Among the Gallain, Hsien are the ones
tales tell of increasing interaction between Inanimae and with whom boggans share the most common ground. In
changelings. Boggans of either Court will protect Anchors their search for purpose, they strive to help everyone who
if the Inanimae within appreciates their help, regardless needs it and anything that could benefit from their aid, not
of the Court to which the Inanimae belongs. Collecting unlike boggans themselves. Still, most Kithain only know
and spreading information as they do means most boggans of the Hsien through tales and rumors, and establishment
have a vague idea of the different Phyla of the Inanimae, of formal relations has been slow.
and their sedentary, patient outlook meshes well with these
thoughtful, ponderous Gallain.
Glomes: Steadfast and wise, these fellow collectors of knowl-
Menehune
Though their origins bear some similarity to Hsien, the
edge have so much to share. Pity they’re so knowledgeable on only lifestyles and cycles of the Menehune of Hawai’i are closer
one subject, at the expense of any others! to those of the Kithain, a connection boggans are happy
Kuberas: They think very highly of themselves, but they hear to capitalize on. Given the prevalence of the tourism and
even more than we do. If you can find one willing to talk, they’ll give hospitality industries on the islands, boggans are found in
you the juiciest gossip, but they’ll likely want something in return. surprising number in Hawai’i, which first put them at odds
Ondines: A little selkie, a little sluagh, and little bit of with the reclusive Menehune but has since led to closer ties
boggan. They miss the water, study the mortals, and love to talk as they cooperate to provide for a mutually agreeable future.
about anything but themselves. Boggans who are familiar with the Menehune find them lovely
Parosemes: Flighty as the wind and pranksters at heart. companions, happy with the pure and meaningful lives they
They’re too caught up in their own little squabbles to look far outside. lead. The Menehune in turn enjoy those changelings who
Solimonds: Passionate and honorable folk, but as likely to are eager to believe in the existence of these Hawaiian kith
and help them gather Glamour however they need.

Autumn People
burn you as the heat they come from.
Mannikins: Though numerous, they’re almost entirely in-
scrutable. Be careful what you say and do where one might hear
you; they listen far more than they share. There are few more common threats among mortals

Nunnehi
Even changelings who live near areas where the Nun-
than Autumn People, and being the open-hearted creators
and caretakers they are, nearly all boggans have encountered
an Autumn Person at one time or another. A guest in a
nehi are numerous typically know little and understand less boggan’s bed and breakfast who sneered at the lovingly
about these Gallain. They are proud, protective folk, but for hand-crafted furniture that decorates the front porch; a
a long time their declining numbers and increasingly limited high-powered CEO who scolded his children that they
homelands meant that their interactions with changelings didn’t want to grow up to be like their nanny; the newest
were severely limited, and heavily colored by the history of member of a book club who dismisses any works she deems
their mortal kin. With the recent resurgence in their num- not ‘serious’ enough. All of these and more can work their
bers and activism concerning rights of Native Americans, special harm on the fae, and because recognizing Autumn
some contact has been restored, but typically remains terse People isn’t always easy to do right away, boggans are among
at best, after such a long history of being brushed aside and those most susceptible to their terrifyingly Banal judgments.
disrespected by newcomers into their lands. Those boggans A boggan’s ability to find real magic in the simple
in positions of power have tried to ease tensions and broker a and mundane goes directly against everything an Autumn
more peaceful relationship between the Nunnehi and nearby Person believes. Somehow, the notion that chores might

54 kithbook: boggans
 On boggarts
Boggans loathe their Thallain cousins, and can identify boggarts at a glance. If boggans are the warmth of
a cozy fire, boggarts are the shock of being dropped in Arctic waters. As the two kiths are hard for others to tell
apart, boggarts can do a lot of damage to the reputation of boggans, which causes their Kithain cousins no end
of frustration and grief. This loathing also stems from the boggarts’ mastery of manipulation, which has dragged
many a boggan into a boggart’s schemes, fearing the consequences if they don’t go along with what is demanded
of them.
In contrast to the modest dignity of boggans, nothing is too far or too shameless for a boggart, and they
frequently threaten loved ones and Dreamers to get their way. Their slipshod methods and nasty ways grate on
everything a boggan is, and bring out unprecedented levels of hatred and vitriol in such ordinarily pleasant folks.

be enjoyable or beneficial to anyone is more an affront to tread carefully, as the Adhene have the capability to exhibit
the Autumn Person’s senses than flagrant belief in such both extremes within a remarkably brief period of time.
fantastical things as dragons and faeries. Though many
try, most boggans come to understand quickly that there
is no saving the Autumn People; they are too far gone to
Dauntain
Dauntain are among the most tragic figures for bog-
learn anything of magic anymore. Boggans will, however, gans to encounter. Their hearts go out to these creatures
do everything they can to foster the creativity of anyone so twisted and apparently abandoned by the Dreaming,
cursed with the presence of an Autumn Person in her life.

Thallain
but even the consummate caretakers know better than
to interact with these broken individuals. On very rare
occasions, one will retain enough of themselves to seek a
Though they were once long-forgotten, changelings way to one day become whole again, but as subjects of such
are becoming ever more aware of the Nightmare kiths that pervasive fear in Kithain society, even the most coherent
trickled in over time, before the floodgates opened after the of Dauntain will have a hard time finding help. The Lost,
Evanescence. Even the warm and welcoming boggans feel the Cursed, and the Apostates are among those who are
nothing but disdain and disgust for these warped reflec- easier to deal with, but the less obvious their Brand, the
tions of the Dreaming, and seek to avoid them at all costs. more insidious their actions. Even boggans cannot stand
Nothing is so abhorrent as the Thallain’s desire to destroy the Dauntain’s use of Ruin, and cannot fathom why any
everything built by the Tuatha and bring the world back into creature of the Dreaming would want so badly to destroy
the chaos of the Fomorian Dream. The comfort of home the Glamour that maintains their lives. Some stories exist
and the peace of mind that comes from having a safe haven of the softest-hearted boggans successfully rescuing lost and
is paramount to boggans, and they can’t imagine a world in confused Dauntain from their terrible fate, but in reality,

Prodigals
which they’ve been destroyed by these Nightmare creatures. such tales typically end in tragedy.

Adhene
Not many boggans have experience with Dark-Kin, or While boggans tend to remain most active within their
Denizens, the creatures that elected to flee further into the local court and Kithain communities, their open doors
Dreaming as the Sundering ripped it from the Autumn and hearts mean they can find themselves involved with
World. Nothing about the Denizens are familiar, from more exotic beings as well, sometimes quite by accident. As
their lack of adherence to the Courts to their ever-shifting best they can, boggans seek to accommodate and lift the
and mercurial personalities. Boggans have the easiest time spirits of everyone they meet, regardless of background or
identifying that, as any given Denizen have multiple states nature. Of course, they still seek to protect themselves, and
that affect not only their personalities, but even their appear- therefore approach interactions with their Prodigal cousins
ances. While some appear to be benign and even friendly, with a measure of caution.
others are destructive and aggressive, and so it is best to

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 55

 Vampires
With their insidious plans, callous selfishness, and
perpetual in-fighting, vampires are among the Prodigals
that boggans seek most to avoid. Even the most Seelie
fae can recognize abusive behavior, and to serve under a
vampire or choose to host one only means slow, painful
death in one form or another. If they don’t literally drain
their hosts to the point of death, their mere presence is
widely believed to be among the most Banal of things,
sucking the warmth and cheer from a room with their
deceptively quiet, looming presence. Their hearts are as
cold as their skin, and they always seek to subjugate and
manipulate everyone into furthering their own schemes.
Unseelie boggans are wary of interacting with vampires
for just that reason; they have no desire to be a patsy in
someone else’s scheme, and if they do involve a vampire
in their plans, they make very sure to leave no trail back
to themselves in the process.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing for boggans is that
they’d be perfectly willing to help, if vampires would just
ask nicely.

Werewolves
If the pooka are to be believed and werewolves are
close cousins to changelings, they are to be treated in the
same way that the other kiths are. Boggans are more than
willing to engage with friendly werewolf packs, often helping
broker peace treaties over disputed territories or smoothing
out old tensions before they can erupt. Shifters seem to
them to be a peculiar but effective combination of pooka
and trolls: like the pooka, they use their animal affinity
and changing form to best suit whatever trials they face,
yet they fight for noble causes and protect those around
them, much like trolls.
Of course, pushing a werewolf too far means they fly
into an uncontrollable rage — and their tempers are worse
than any other’s. While they don’t appreciate the risks
entailed in dealing with such intense aggression, boggans
are willing to put this concern in the back of their minds
for short dealings with these volatile Prodigals.

Magi Boggans find mages unpredictable and — peculiarly

for them — a very hard group to read. While changelings
and mortals vary wildly in personalities and temperaments,
mages run the gamut from wellsprings of raw Glamour to
walking fields of Banality. They are even more mercurial
than the water-loving selkies and more unreachable than
the most aloof sidhe. True to their nature, boggans will
offer help if they run across mages in need, but are acute-

56 kithbook: boggans
ly aware of the warnings that mages have the potential to have all but fallen into myth. However, being the curious
drain all of the Glamour out of changelings and freeholds. folk they are, boggans may run into such strange things
Boggans have generous hearts, but they are ultimately every now and then. Tales of mummies and demons come
practical people, and mages can exist without drawing on to boggans mostly through the stories of eshu, or old tomes
Glamour. Unseelie boggans especially will close ranks when kept by the sidhe in their libraries. Unseelie boggans may
they feel a mage has overstayed their welcome, but even those know some member of House Balor, who can tell more
in the Seelie Court will defend their own over helping an detailed stories, but Seelie boggans prefer to avoid such dark
outsider if the mage poses a serious threat to the supply acquaintances, and take all their tales with a grain of salt.
of Glamour. When dealing with mages directly, boggans Mummies are sources of great rumors and stories,
are most content to do what they do best; go quietly about especially when heard from the Arcadian Sidhe who once,
their business and wait for useful pieces of information to long ago, may have had direct experiences with these Prod-
come their way. igals. Eshu legend tells that mummies were once mortals

Wraiths
Wraiths and boggans have an unusual history. Without
who have since merged with the Dreaming, and now serve
Arcadians in an effort to harness their chimerical powers.
Their role in preserving balance and ability to heal others
the natural ability of the sluagh to perceive ghosts, boggans means that any mummy who encounters a boggan is likely
have no means of seeking out wraiths to help them, yet at to have a fast friend.
the same time their habits of crafting and cleaning give Demons, on the other hand, are a force most boggans
them a high chance of interacting with a wraith’s Fetters, would be perfectly happy never once encountering. Their
their homebody nature means they often know of local largely Seelie tendencies and kind hearts make these violent
Haunts, and their social tendencies can bring them into creatures especially abhorrent, the moreso because demons
contact with Passions. As boggans tend to be cheery folk, take advantage of exactly those qualities whenever possible.
wraiths may hang around them, unnoticed, and feed on While boggans usually seek to help everyone they encounter,
the positive emotions they foster in those nearby. demons are an absolute exception; they twist words and
Even if she cannot directly perceive a wraith, a boggan’s intentions and seek to subjugate everyone they encounter,
intuitive nature makes it easy for her to sense areas where and can’t be trusted.
Spectres dwell, as their dark natures negatively impact When it comes to hunters, boggans find a double-edged
everything around them, and make them uncomfortable sword. While they destroy real risks in the world, they can
for such a generally cozy kith. When boggans and wraiths also pose a threat to Dreamers and chimera. Therefore all
do interact, there’s a good chance for them to form tight hunters are approached with caution, and carefully steered
relationships, with the boggan protecting one or more of away from harmless changelings communities.
the wraith’s Fetters or Passions, while the wraith’s inherent The most dangerous of mortals for all changelings are
lack of Banality provides insulation for the boggan. Autumn People, those who carry Banality within them and

Stranger Things
Boggans don’t often have dealing with the more com-
spread it wherever they go. Boggans have no love for these
people, but do have pity. Most know better than to interact
with such harbingers of Banality, but more than one has
mon Prodigals, and even more rarely so with those that been Undone in a misplaced attempt to help.

chapter three: beyond hearth and home 57

 Chapter four:
faces in
the firelight
“If we lay a strong enough foundation, we’ll pass it on to you,
we’ll give the world to you. And you’ll blow us all away.”

— Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical

Although as a rule boggans spurn the spotlight, prefer- Philosophical debates about the wider world aside,
ring to work behind the scenes where they feel they can be however, boggans are not shy about giving credit and acclaim
most effective (not to mention best employ their Birthrights), within their own community. It’s still considered good
celebrities still rise from the ranks of this unassuming kith. manners for the recipient to humbly wave off such praise,
Predictably enough, boggans themselves are divided on naturally, but all the same boggans enjoy celebrating the
whether or not this is a good thing. achievements of their fellows. They just don’t advertise it
Some argue that fame is a good thing because it means to anyone else, which means being invited to such an event
they can inspire others by example, as well as ensure that is a sign of great trust and respect indeed.
boggans receive the gratitude and recognition that so often What follows are a selection of ready-made boggan
pass them by. Other boggans disagree, pointing out that characters that players can use to jumpstart a character for
they work best when they aren’t the center of attention, a game session, as well as a survey of some famous boggans
and that actively seeking acclaim is anathema to their duty of the past as well as some current movers and shakers
to help others for its own sake. among the kith.

chapter one: a short history of boggans 59

knowledge keeper
Quote: Ah, tea’s ready! Did you know that Percy Shelley cheated on his wife, Mary Shelley, the author of “Frankenstein,” with
her step-sister, Claire Clairmont? I know, right? What a cad! So, have you heard anything interesting lately?
Background: You were a bit of a contradiction as a child. You loved to be with your extended family and commu-
nity, but you were happiest sitting at home with your books. You grew up an only child on a small farm in the hills,
surrounded by woods. Your parents both had day jobs and ran the tiny farm. At night
you would listen to your mother speak about art and beauty or your father discuss
math, machines, and history. You had two favorite places on your small farm:
on top of the barn’s roof and your parents’ library.
The library was full of books on all subjects, and these volumes became
your companions, inspiration, and education all in one. You read stories about
King Arthur, the Greek gods, Beowulf, wars, art history, and
classic literature. You took pains to keep your books in good
shape, but still the front cover of The Hobbit eventually
tore off, and the pages of Bulfinch’s Mythology were
stained and bent. After your Chrysalis, you woke
up to a world that you saw reflect in books
and art, and you knew that it was the universe
answering you. It did not surprise you at all
that there were others like you; it had all been
written in those beloved books.
Your passion was always more deeply connected
to books, so as soon as graduated college, you went to
work restoring book at museums and antique book
dealers. You found your people. You could talk for
hours about books, their authors, and their lives. You
love to gossip about the latest thing you read about
the fifteenth-century painter and his once-beloved
model; it was just scandalous! When you opened
your own bookstore, you knew you were home at last.
Concept: You sincerely love knowledge and art.
Books and their restoration is an extension of this
love. You love and embrace your grump nature. Your
bookstore is the center of your world. You love that
people come to have tea with you to ask advice on differ-
ent subjects. You are famous for giving a piece relationship
advice, along with giving them a book that they must read.
Gossip: Your tea time brings you all kinds of local gossip,
but you are always looking to share tidbits about great figures from
the past. Your most cherished gossip is about your favorite authors and
painters, because they are real, living people to you.
Roleplaying Hints: You are always seeking for knowledge, be it a new
book or juicy piece of historical gossip. Whenever you see a well-made book,
you want to touch it and read it, even if it is not your own. You want to spread
love of knowledge and art as you can. You love books, and you like new technology,
though you still think nothing will ever match the feel of turning pages by hand.
About the only thing that really riles you is seeing a beautiful book or piece of art
mistreated; that can bring out your more spiteful Unseelie side.

60 kithbook: boggans
Grump
Inquisitive Matchmaker
Quote: I am so sorry to hear about your break-up. Ah, so,
it happened a while ago. I have this friend you should meet, and
ents end up with someone who’s better and healthier for
them. You still love to cook and your inventively themed
I’m throwing a dinner party next week. Do you want to come? dinner parties are major social events for the local Kithain
Background: You were always good at reading people. … and if these events also tend to lead to new romances,
Even at an early age, you surprised your parents when well, what’s so wrong with that?
they told you that your beloved hamster had gone to a Concept: You have always been good
happy farm in the country and you replied gently that at cooking and helping people, and these
they didn’t need to lie. You already knew he was days you use your position as a private
dead, and you comforted them about it instead. investigator and unofficial matchmaker
You have always loved to help people with to solve all kinds of problems for
your abilities. changelings and mortals alike.
In high school, your best friend You’ve got a rep as a resourceful
asked her to help her woo the girl of fixer and favorite host with
her dreams. After some snooping to the local Kithain, while your
learn some of her favorite things, mortal friends and
you proceeded to throw them clients appreciate
the best night of their lives. You your uncanny abil-
borrowed a friend’s place while ity to find missing
his parents were out, came up loved ones or set
with a menu, and baked a delicious them with absolutely
dessert. You set the atmosphere, amazing partners.
bought the flowers, and helped your Gossip: You love
friend get her hair and dress and to gossip about relation-
makeup just right. In your capacity as ships, whether giving advice
their chef and “waitress” for that magical directly or gossiping about
date, you watched the two of them fall in other people’s romantic affairs.
love right before your eyes. In that mo- You are a truly active listener,
ment, you found not just a purpose, but constantly filing away what people
a Chrysalis too. say to you just in case you find their
Although you went to culinary school and perfect match.
have worked in a number of kitchens, something Roleplaying Hints: You are al-
didn’t quite fit, at least not until you wound up ways observing the people around
talking to a customer about private investigation you and your surroundings. You’re
work and something clicked into place. You got a foodie in the best sense, always
your PI license and set up shop, specializ- looking for new dishes and new
ing in finding missing relatives or restaurants, and you often bring
reconnecting people with interesting food just to share
those they thought with others. You love to play
they’d lost forev- matchmaker, but you also have
er. You do some a very serious side when it comes
divorce work to dealing with difficult situations.
too, though As a host or a matchmaker you’re
st r a n g e l y affable and gregarious, but while
enough you’re cooking or investigating your
it always serious side comes out. You’ve an
seems like endless supply of quiet but relentless
your cli- determination.

62 kithbook: boggans
behind-the-Scenes Drama Queen
Quote: You know the one that’s really pushing about recruiting in Court? Rydderch ap
Ailil, that’s the one. He keeps telling me I belong with his people, won’t take no for an
answer... I finally told him I have all the friends I need in Leanhaun, and I’m
better connected for them anyway. I’m not pledging myself any one group,
least of all to his.
Background: You realized early on in your life that people
liked to tell you things. They confided their secrets in you,
their wildest dreams and most fanciful aspirations, and you
realized there was real power in being the one who could
make them happen. Your life was still mundane magic until
your first year of high school, however.
Accepted as the protege of the chicest clique in school, you
found yourself thrust into spotlight for the first time and voted
Homecoming royalty — an upset from the expected win by one
of your new friends amongst the upper-class students. The strange
sensations you’d been chalking up to nerves in the days leading up
to the parade and the dance itself all burst forth at once as you were
crowned, and your Chrysalis broke as you entered the Dream Dance.
These days you run a small empire from just offstage. You rule your
domain with an iron fist, using it to propel the meteoric rise of promising
new talent or to beat down those who fail to take their jobs seriously.
You understand better than most the fine line between the eccentric
creative and the gifted layabout, and firmly believe that hard work
beats talent if talent won’t work hard. Your reputation rests on the
people you represent, and anyone who tarnishes your impeccable
record will find it difficult to play the open house at a coffee shop,
much less arena tours.
Concept: You’ve always found yourself to be most effective as
someone’s right hand. As a rare boggan in the Unseelie Court, you’re
more guarded than most of your kith; you’ll happily listen to others
talk about themselves, but it isn’t often that you share much about
yourself. You’re happy to let someone else get the headline, so long as
your empire grows in the process.
Gossip: You devour anything and everything about the music industry.
The fallings-out, the insufferable divas, the opening acts that deserve to
headline (and the ones that really, really don’t), the rumors and stories
all find you some way or another, and you put them to effective use.
Sure, most of the time you hear it first, but someone with a juicy tidbit
you didn’t know definitely gets your full attention.
Roleplaying Hints: You might be part of the Unseelie Court,
but that doesn’t mean you’re evil. You have a large number of acquain-
tances, but few close friends. The ones you are closest to, however,
you’ll do anything for, no strings attached – a sharp contrast to your
public persona. In your job as a promoter, you won’t think twice about
pushing the newest rising star into the spotlight or burying the group
looking to get rich and famous for the ‘wrong’ reasons. The definition
of ‘wrong’ is, of course, entirely up to you.

64 kithbook: boggans
Ex-boxer barkeep
Quote: Sit where you like. Game’s on in that corner, fight’s
on behind the bar. I’ll bring your usual over in a minute. First one’s
Concept: While you never had a particularly notable
career, your spent your adolescence and most of your young
on the house. My nose? Well, since you’re the only one here. Broke adulthood in the professional boxing circuit. You were a
it a few times boxing. S’why I always have the fights on — never sought-after sparring partner, train-
really leaves you, you know? ing some of the best up-and-com-
Background: From your earli- ers. When you finally left the
est childhood, you enjoyed a good business for good, you settled
roughhouse. Never aggressive into the life of a barkeep. You
enough to hurt your playmates, own your place, a quiet blend
you nevertheless enjoyed a rather of the local pub and a sports
rough-and-tumble style of play, bar. Sometimes you miss the
and fell very quickly into orga- thrill of pitting yourself against
nized sports. Most kids gravitated an opponent, but mostly you’re
toward martial arts, but boxing enjoying your retirement.
hooked you – the tradition, the Gossip: While you’ve set-
elegance, the demands all spoke tled into life behind a bar, your
to you, and you dove in without passion still lies in the world
hesitation. of sports. You enjoy listening
Your claim to fame isn’t in to your patrons talk stats and
how many matches, titles, or com- share the latest they’ve heard
petitions you’ve won, but in how about their favorite teams and
many matches you’ve had against players. Part of your social
boxers who went on to be some of the circle and how you share your
biggest names in the sport. Though information comes from the
you didn’t quite know why then, various fantasy leagues and
your competitive spirit was enough discreet betting pools you run
to keep you in the sport, but never with your regulars.
so intense that you felt the need to Roleplaying Hints: You
rise to the top. It was only later in are a boggan of few words,
life, when you started moving into but you choose them carefully
booking matches and setting cards and wisely. From your job as a
that your Dream Dance truly began, barkeep, you’ve become famil-
and you awakened to the world of iar with people pouring their
the Kithain. troubles out when they talk to
Nowadays, you’ve settled into a you, and like the rest of your kith, you
quieter life than your fighting days, run- usually have something encouraging to
ning a local bar with a cozy and inviting say. You don’t mind patiently prodding
atmosphere. You frequently have away at a stubborn problem until it fi-
whatever assortment of sporting nally untangles itself. You are still more
events are happening playing in than capable of handling yourself, as
the different corners of the room, more than one unruly troll or rowdy
and are never so happy as when redcap has learned to their dismay, and
the place is alive with the chatter while you prefer not to fight, you can’t
of your patrons and the thrum deny there’s still joy in a proper scrap.
of busy energy that only comes
from a room of happy people,
full of good food and drink.

66 kithbook: boggans
 the world. More than one Kithain community owes its
continued existence to her magical aptitude and affinity
for the flames, giving her a wide network of contacts who
keep her up-to-date on current events.
The only reason she’s not more widely known and
celebrated is simply because she doesn’t ask for much in
the way of recognition for her deeds; this is not only due to
her natural humility, but also because the demand for her
assistance is already more than even the dedicated boggan
is able to keep up with despite her demanding schedule.
Indeed, the duchess has recently started an as-yet unofficial
group called the Hearthfire Keepers, consisting of com-
moners and nobles interested in the state of all balefires
they come across. Membership in this group is open to any
diligent potential balefire researcher, amateur or otherwise.
Currently the duchess is overseeing the Keepers’ most
ambitious project to date: mapping every active balefire
known to the Kithain. It’s a great deal of work, but could
provide invaluable data on how these precious resources
are faring around the world.
Duchess Prya has adopted many faces – and many sur-
names – over her long life, often adopting the appearance
of the natives in the lands where she’s travelling as a way of
putting locals at ease, but of late she has reverted to what
she calls her original appearance, that of a short, pleasantly
plump, middle-aged Indian woman with long black hair,
who dresses in saris of beautiful autumn colors, a brilliantly

Duchess Prya ap Dougal

One of the few confirmed Siochain, changelings who
crafted crest of House Dougal worn as a clasp. While she
enjoys all manner of gossip, she is especially fond of trivia
about historical figures, often gossiping about individuals
have achieved immortality by perfectly balancing their mortal centuries gone as if they were old friends (or rivals). Who
knows… perhaps they even were!

Old finney
and fae natures, if even half the stories about her are true
Duchess Prya must be far and away the oldest of that already
rarified company. Kithain historians have found mentions
of someone fitting her description going back beyond the A grizzled, grey-haired grump whose battered face
Shattering, and a common but unsubstantiated rumor claims bears the broken nose and faded battle scars of his brawl-
she was the first commoner ever granted a title by House er youth, Finney Fallon is a legend in both Kithain and
Dougal. For her part, the quiet boggan gives a small smile organized-crime circles. The tenacious boggan followed
of non-denial when such questions are raised, but smoothly an unusual path from petty enforcer to mob accountant
changes the subject to current events and her latest causes, to consigliere over the course of almost fifty bloody years
claiming she’s much more interested in the good yet to be in the ‘family business’. While these days he uses his age
done than in the mists of history. to project the image of a kindly (if reserved) grandfather,
anyone who looks into his slate-gray eyes has no illusions
If her past remains mysterious, however, no one ques-
about how dangerous he really is.
tions the good she’s done. The duchess travels the world
speaking about various human rights causes in her mortal Under his careful supervision the Worcester Knights
guise while kindling and tending to balefires she encoun- rose from a ragtag street gang of Kithain hooligans with a
ters, and is considered the foremost Kithain authority on few Kinain and mortal hangers-on to become one of the
the nature of these vital fonts of Glamour. She has nursed most disciplined, most fearsome organized crime syndicates
ailing balefires back to life when no one believed it possible on the East coast. In recent years they started satellite opera-
and kindled new ones in places no one imagined it could tions in Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, and San Francisco,
work, and in the process made friends in freeholds around and even begun groundwork to establish networks overseas,
particularly in Dublin and Glasgow.

68 kithbook: boggans
 his tutelage. Last year the two of them had a very public
falling out and are now prone to fierce bickering, but in
truth it’s all an act, designed to draw out the duplicitous
and potentially disloyal.
Perhaps the biggest shock for many Kithain is learning
that Old Finney is staunchly Seelie, but those familiar with
the old boggan’s rigid sense of honor — if only among
thieves — and reverence for traditions like hospitality and
the “old way of doing things” aren’t terribly surprised.
Aside from a taste for a pipe and some fine scotch, the only
indulgence Old Finney allows himself is sports gossip; he
reads sports magazines constantly and listens incessantly
to sports talk radio. He has even had some of his younger
employees teach him how to use a smartphone just to make
use of several sports news apps. Anyone who can offer him
a suitably juicy tidbit he didn’t already know about one of
his beloved New England teams (or their hated rivals) can
earn significant favor with the old man.

Alysoun, the Wife of bath

Students of literature know her as the outspoken and
controversial woman behind one of the most famous of
Chaucer’s tales of Canterbury, but to the boggan kith in
general and boggan women in particular, Alysoun, better
known to most as the Wife of Bath, is much more than a
literary figure. Indeed, over the centuries since she first in-
spired Chaucer to pick up his quill, she’s become something
between a cultural icon and a revered ancestor for her kith, and
The Knights have their bloody mitts on everything from is even honored with her own day of celebrations. Originally
loan sharking and numbers rackets to hijacking and hiring known as the Festival of Alysoun, and more recently simply
out contract killers to the highest bidder. There are only as Shipping Day, it’s a bawdy and rambunctious holiday in
two things the Knights won’t touch: human trafficking and late spring when boggans gather with an array of sweets and
hard drugs. Old Finney despises the first as barbaric and share the latest relationship gossip, then diagram elaborate
the second due to personal distaste with what he considers interpersonal webs as they attempt to match their friends
a chaotic and overly high-profile market. Knights who go and relatives. Sometimes it’s taken seriously, a real mission to
against orders and dabble in those areas end up missing nurture true love or heal a broken heart, while sometimes it’s
fingers, if they don’t just go missing period. Finney’s careful just to have fun imagining possible OTPs for the local lord.
nature and some judicious cantrips have kept any charges Despite their reputation as a soft-spoken kith that
from sticking to him over the years, and while he prefers spends their lives around the edges, a number of boggans
to make deals and talk business when possible, his fists are are outspoken and rather enjoy commanding a room and
as hard as ever. attracting attention — so long as it’s not while they’re work-
For his part, Old Finney has been offered the top spot in ing. Alysoun has a reputation among boggans for precisely
the organization on multiple occasions but always declines, all those things. Proud of her handiwork, unafraid to be
preferring to act as kingmaker and consigliere while watching bold in both speech and habit in a time when women were
over the day-to-day operations with a merciless eye for detail. punished for such deeds, and confident in everything she
Although these days, most of the syndicate’s rank and file said and did, the Wife of Bath has become a more popular
members are mortals with no idea of the group’s magical figure than ever in contemporary times. After all, women
roots, there are still quite a few changeling soldiers and around the world have been making moves for years to be
captains, and the top positions are almost exclusively held heard, to be unapologetic, and to take up space in a world
by Kithain or their close Kinain relatives. The current boss they are told continually doesn’t belong to them. Boggans
of bosses, a shrewd redcap named Rosie McIntyre, started as especially look to Alysoun and say boldly to the world that it
the old man’s driver and came up through the ranks under simply isn’t true. Her legacy lives on today in the bold strides

chapter one: a short history of boggans 69

 this means a dark fate befell her. Anyone who could sort
the mystery would certainly earn a lot of goodwill from the
kith, especially if they can show she’s alive and happy again.
Even in her absence, boggans particularly gifted in bringing
people together are often said to be touched by her, and those
who enjoy making themselves heard and bringing out the
confidence in others are said to share her fire. Whenever a
group of such outspoken boggans are together, and especially
a gathering of boggan women, she’s usually left a place and
considered to be there in spirit.
And if she is out there now, boggans know it’s only a
matter of time before she makes her mark once again.

Dame Oona kinane

Oona is at first glance a typical-looking boggan. She’s on
the short side, with wavy, light-brown hair, and a dimpled
smile. She’s partial to stripes and waistcoats. Her manner
is friendly and welcoming. None of this is an act, exactly,
but still her true nature often comes as a surprise.
Oona hunts monsters.
When Oona was a little girl of about 7, she made a
new best friend who lived next door. When Greg started
coming into school looking tired and jumpy, she pressed
him to find out why. Turned out, there was Something
under his bed. Something that his parents didn’t see or
believe. Something that wanted his heart.
Well, that wasn’t going to happen to her friend. So
one night, she packed a bag with everything she thought
taken everywhere in the name of the self, and in those who
she’d need, including her binkie and her policeman father’s
don’t merely flout the patriarchy but tear it down with every
nightstick. She crept over to Greg’s house and snuck in the
assured step.
back door that was never locked. When she got to Greg’s
While an advocate for self-identity, Alysoun also has a
room, he was huddled in the middle of the bed, shaking,
reputation among boggans as one of their most prolific and
and she could see the Something reaching long fingers out
successful matchmakers. Supposedly she was responsible
from under the bed. She threw the binkie over what she
for some of the most productive and politically powerful
hoped was its head, and battered it with the nightstick until
matches of her time, in addition to countless less political
it stopped moving. That night, Greg slept undisturbed.
arrangements, and according to kith lore, both nobles and
Since then, Oona has gone from a childling menace to
commoners would wait for months in order to have a seat
those smaller, ill-meaning Chimera, to a genuine threat as a
in her parlor and lay out their lives for her to match with
wilder. In her fae seeming, the skull pin on her jacket grows
another. It’s even rumored that she made matches for the
to a pauldron made from the skull of a true Nightmare, her
mortal nobility of her time, with nobles taking on disguises
biggest kill to-date. The collapsible nightstick in her bag of
to appear in a humble merchant’s home. It’s a tale too
anything necessary grows into a massive two-handed sword
good to subject to the discourtesy of research, and boggans
almost taller than her.
still treasure the stories of her clever antics as she mended
broken hearts and delivered poetic justice to wicked and The binkie is also still in the bag.
unfaithful lovers. She has become somewhat of a wanderer, and acquired
Such was Alysoun’s impact, in fact, that her fellow bog- quite a few Kithain followers on social media who like to
gans actively tracked her soul as it reincarnated — typically track her exploits as well as send requests for help from all
announced by the flurry of amazing matches and bawdy over. Often seen in train stations and bus depots, she guards
adventures that accompanied her appearance in a given the restless sleep of travelers from nasty Somethings. It’s
lifetime — but she hasn’t had a confirmed reincarnation not even a bad living; her crafting skills produce valuable
since the early twentieth century, and some are worried skins and trophies from her kills, and after one especially

70 kithbook: boggans
 first Kithain pioneers of gathering Glamour from Dreamer
followers who interacted with her online.
Saffie won’t say what caused her to turn to the Shadow
Court, but it’s known that she fled New York immediately
after graduation and hasn’t gone back since. She bounced
around for a while, even joining the household of two Liam
nobles whose pro-commoner policies she respected, but
the knowledge that others suffered under crueler nobles
keep her up at night. Then inspiration struck. While she
kept up her DIY fashion stream for her mortal followers,
she started another channel for Kithain eyes only, full of
images that only make sense to enchanted eyes; anyone else
just sees random pictures and meaningless junk.
Saffie used this new platform to connect with others who
shared her desire for greater justice and equality in Concordia,
and though it didn’t grow as fast as her fashion channel had,
it still grew. Indeed, it proved particularly useful because so
many of the traditionalist nobles they were organizing against
didn’t understand or monitor modern technology and so the
stream was a perfect way to plan disobedience right under their
noses. Despite her efforts to keep her identity secret, eventu-
ally her mortal persona and her Shadow Court channel were
connected, and Saffie became something of a revolutionary
celebrity. This isn’t without its risks, of course, but she’s more

memorable showdown she was knighted by House Dougal

in recognition of her talent for crafting tools to hunt dan-
gerous chimera.
Although the satisfaction of helping and protecting
is a powerful incentive, Oona’s Unseelie side still surfaces
from time to time, and when it does she takes a great deal
of pleasure in the hunt, and being a monster’s monster.
It’s just as well the bloodthirst is tied to the helpful busy
soul of a boggan, or more than chimera would learn to
fear her approach.

Saffron
Raised in a rural community, Saffie still has a farm-
girl’s tomboy temperament, but long ago left the bucolic
town where she grew up in order to seek a more exciting,
fast-paced life. Her Chrysalis came while she was studying
fashion and enjoying the party life in New York City, and
at first she simply parlayed her new perspective into the
creation that became a wildly popular DIY fashion and
cosplay streaming channel. Her innovative designs, clever
material use, and self-deprecating wit earned her thousands
of followers and provided a small but comfortable income
for the vivacious young boggan. She also became one of the

chapter one: a short history of boggans 71

than willing to bear them if it means advocating for commoner
rights and equal treatment.
An irrepressible troublemaker and pot-stirrer, Saffie is
now a fixer for her local court by day and an unlikely social
media champion of the Shadow Court by night. Together
with her oathmate and nominal moral compass, an old Seelie
eshu punk rocker named Jimmy Armstrong, the sly wilder
travels frequently to raise awareness of injustices committed by
the nobility, organizing protests and even more direct actions
when gentler efforts to effect change fail. She still maintains
her status as a DIY streaming darling among mortals and
fellow Kithain, her travels only broadening her appeal. If
she learned of the existence of the Black Court and how
they use the Shadow Court for their own nefarious ends, it
would shake her faith, but in the end only stir her into more
direct action to rid it of such wicked masters and make the
organization the political entity she feels the world needs.
Saffie is a petite, eternally youthful wilder who dresses
in a dizzying array of styles; if she’s not actually wearing
one of her many cosplays, she’s mixing everything from
vintage rockabilly to punk rock to club kid to steampunk,
often with a hint of country girl. No matter how unlikely
it is, somehow she always makes it work. Saffie makes a lot
of her clothing and jewelry and is perpetually dyeing her
short hair, so it’s rarely the same color from one meeting
to the next. She always has an ear out for the latest gossip
in the maker community, whether it’s who’s got the newest
hot techniques or newest tech or which creators have been
hooking up lately. She also collects rumors about the bad food truck it was a hit almost instantly. Now his Shake-
behavior of various nobles, but that’s more business than speare-themed, pun-filled milkshake wagon, “Billy Shakes”,
pleasure. is a familiar sight at a number of shore towns, and Greg

Greg Gannaway
Born to Kithain parents and raised among Seelie
has even started fielding offers from other drivers looking
to buy a franchise. He was also surprised to find himself
viewed as one of the founders of a new group emerging
traditionalists in Bright Keep, a staunchly conservative from the Kithain community, a cadre of talented chefs
Seelie freehold on the Delaware coast, Greg experienced his and confectioners who have embraced the gourmet food
Chrysalis exceptionally young and learned his court’s tenets truck trend as mobile Glamour stations. Calling themselves
alongside his numbers and the alphabet. He discovered a the Epicurean Caravan, these innovative entrepreneurial
knack for desserts after a joyful and quite messy childhood, Kithain are a rambling community that share tips, drive
and decided early on he wanted to continue making people tongue-in-cheek rivalries, and settle territory disputes
happy and bringing them together through the metaphor- through a social media.
ical — and in his case, literal — magic of ice cream. Greg’s Despite his status as a budding celerity — or perhaps
protective parents reluctantly agreed to let him attend a because of it — Greg is shy and soft-spoken in person, quick
nearby culinary school after home-schooling him most of with a self-deprecating remark and obviously uncomfortable
his life, but even though he enjoyed the courses and learning receiving praise. He comes out of his shell when discussing
how to combine ingredients in new and interesting ways, the joys of ice cream, however, as well as telling tales of
it still felt like something was missing. strange adventures from the road. He has a mop of thick,
Then Greg took a road trip with some of his classmates curly brown hair and glasses that he’s constantly adjusting
and came across his first food truck, and everything snapped as he works, and no matter how hard he tries, his clothes
into place. always seemed to be stained with ice cream or flecked with
the latest toppings he’s trying as experiments.
It took all his savings and a loan from his skeptical, but
supportive, parents, but as soon as Greg bought his first
72 kithbook: boggans
 Appendix:
Odds and Ends
“Cakes are healthy too. You just need a small slice.”
— Mary Berry, “The Great British Bake Off”

While boggans share many things with their fellow

Kithain, there are some traits that are unique to this pleas-
ant, hardworking kith. Unless otherwise noted, these new
back of house
(1pt. Social Merit)
hero
traits may only be purchased by boggans, though rumor has You have a natural affinity with the people who work
it some boggarts occasionally display them too. behind the scenes, whether it’s in the hospitality business,

New Merits and flaws the entertainment industry, event services, or similar fields.
You know just how to endear yourself to these overworked,

Giantslayer
(1pt. Physical Merit)
overlooked, and underappreciated individuals. You subtract
-2 from the difficulty of all Social rolls involving making
friends, gathering information, or asking favors from any
Boggans tend to the small end of the size spectrum, such employees, though this benefit does not apply to hostile
and even those of average stature typically project such rolls such as Intimidation. This Merit applies even if you
a nonthreatening demeanor they’re dismissed as serious encounter such employees away from work, so long as your
rolls are somehow connected to their work experience.

Digital Dreamers
threats in combat. However, you’ve learned how to turn
these factors to your advantage. Subtract -1 from the diffi-
culty of related combat rolls against enemies more than 6”
taller, 50 pounds heavier, or otherwise substantially larger (1-3pt. Social Merit)
than you. If you possess the Short Flaw, this Merit bonus In the age of YouTube stars, Pinterest darlings, and other
increases to -2 difficulty. The benefits of this Merit apply internet celebrities, boggans have found it easier than ever to
only the first time you fight particular enemy – they’re not connect with and inspire Dreamers. With this Merit, boggans
going to underestimate you after that! can regain Glamour from their fans and followers without
needing to meet them face-to-face. While not as effective as

appendix: odds and ends 73

personal contact, it’s a regular way to gain small amounts of
Glamour. As anyone following your blog, pins, or tutorials
has sought you out, you do not need to roll to initiate Reverie,
Alisoun’s blessing
(3pt. or 5pt. Supernatural Merit)
but because the connection is less direct, it only pays off in You’re a natural matchmaker with an eye for spotting
dribs and drabs. Of course, you must take steps to maintain romantic interest and a talent at bringing lovers together
your popularity or this Merit may begin to diminish. despite all manner of obstacles. As a three-point Merit,
you may look at a target and spend a Willpower point to
• You have a small following, which generates one
determine if they feel romantic or sexual desire for anyone
point of Glamour every other week.
else present, and if so how strong those feelings are, from
• • You have a dedicated group of fans, generating casual interest to consuming passion. You do not automat-
one point of Glamour every week. ically know whom those feelings are directed at, though a
• • • You have an expansive fanbase, generating two successful follow-up use of Social Dynamics can often point
points of Glamour per week. to the of their desires. In addition, you subtract -2 from
finger on the Pulse
(2pt. Social Merit)
the difficulty of all Social rolls related to creating romantic
connections.
At five points, you can also spend 1 Glamour per target
With their proclivity for gossip, boggans have an easy to encourage the Dreaming to create a ‘meet-cute’ scene for
time finding out whatever they need to. While they all enjoy two or more potential romantic or sexual partners in your
gossip of any kind, there’s always one topic that fascinates presence. Essentially, barring direct outside intervention,
them far more than the rest. This Merit reduces the difficulty the Dreaming will subtly nudge events in benign roman-
of any Contacts roll related to a boggan’s favorite subject by 2. tic=comedy fashion so that these individuals will hit it off
Perfect Manners
(3pt. Social Merit)
well and have a really good, memorable time with each other.
The difficulty of all friendly Social rolls with each other
is reduced by 3 for the rest of the scene, and they cannot
Even among boggans, your aptitude for courtesies is botch Empathy or Etiquette rolls with their matches during
something to behold. You cannot botch Etiquette rolls. In this time either. Targets are not compelled to stay, much
addition, if you have a chance to use Social Dynamics on less interact with each other, but assuming their feelings
a group, you subtract -1 from the difficulty of all Etiquette are compatible and nothing dangerous or urgent comes up
rolls involving that group for the rest of the session. it’s likely they will at least enjoy each other’s company for

loose lips
(1pt. Social Flaw)
the duration of the scene.
Where this potential relationship goes from there is up
to the matches themselves, but this Merit certainly gives
All boggans have an addiction to gossip, but most of them an ideal start. Note that this Merit does not create
them have a good sense of when to share what they’ve feelings where none exist, nor does it compel romantic or
learned and when to stay silent. Unfortunately, you’re not sexual behavior. It simply creates an opportunity for such
nearly as good at deciding when it’s appropriate to share, feelings to flourish. Attempting to use this Merit for ne-
and have a bad habit spilling gossip to the wrong people at farious purposes such as setting up an ambush or robbing
the wrong time. Any time it would be a particularly bad idea someone of their consent simply fail outright; while things
to share gossip you possess, you must make a Willpower roll can get a bit steamy and scandalous with this Merit’s help,
(difficulty 8). Failure means that you let something crucial or it will not take away anyone’s will or cause someone to force
damaging slip, even though you really shouldn’t. Naturally, themselves on another.
this can cause a lot of problems in the social circles you’re
part of, and other boggans tend to view you with suspicion. Everything Stops for Tea
(5pt. Supernatural Merit)
Work Ethic
(1pt. Mental Merit) Boggans know that while all homes have their quarrels,
ultimately the hearth brings everyone together. You have a
Hard work has never bothered you; in fact, you thrive supernatural blessing for defusing hostile situations, or at
on it. Whenever you work for four hours in a hospitality, least delaying conflict long enough for innocents to get out
crafting, or service business, or a full eight hours in anoth- of the line of fire. Provided you do not make threatening
er sort of job, you regain 1 Willpower point, up to your moves and have not already taken violent or aggressive ac-
normal maximum. tion in the current scene, you may spend 1 Glamour and
roll Charisma + Empathy (difficulty 7).

74 kithbook: boggans
 For each success, no one present can initiate combat that suits the situation in question, no one will question
or use harmful supernatural powers for one turn, including whether or not you belong in a particular location. You
you. You may spend Willpower points to extend this time are not actually invisible, so much as everyone just assumes
at a cost of one per point per additional round, but only you belong there in some sort of service or subordinate
if you scored at least one success on the roll. You may only capacity: intern, delivery guy, waitress, junior executive, etc.
use this Merit once per scene, and language is not a barrier You can talk to people and take simple actions, but cannot
to this Merit. give orders or make requests beyond the sort that service
A botch on this roll indicates that things get much worse; staff or the most junior members could make. Violence,
if actual fighting doesn’t immediately commence — and it theft, bizarre behavior, attempting to access restricted areas
very well might — all attempts at peaceful negotiation or or information, or otherwise calling attention to yourself
diplomacy suffer a +2 difficulty penalty. You may still take immediately cancels this Merit.
actions while this Merit is in effect: offering a nice cup of This Merit does not fool Kithain or Prodigals — you
tea and a place to sit and chat is traditional, of course, but need Arts for that — but it does work on suspicious mortals
really any non-violent, non-aggressive action is fine. and even Kinain.
While a potent gift, the Dreaming also watches over
this blessing and ensures it is not abused. Attempting to
use the delay to maneuver an enemy into harm’s way, ready
Minimus of Spite
(5pt. Supernatural flaw)
a trap, launch a surprise attack, or otherwise use the time All boggans despise ingratitude, but tend to address
to ready some act of violence or aggression as opposed to it swiftly and move on. Provided the offender apologizes
making peace (or at least trying to) immediately negates and mends their ways, boggans are usually equally quick
this Merit’s effects. For shame! to forgive them. (Maybe not forget, but still, forgive.) Not

Second life
(2pt. Supernatural Merit)
you, though. When you feel genuinely insulted, or that
someone is taking you for granted, or simply that a person is
not sufficiently grateful for your help, you get bitter. Really
Some of your kithmates see you as an aberration, while bitter, deep down into your soul.
others consider you a harbinger of changes to come, but Until you exact sufficiently vicious revenge on the
regardless of your origins you have a special gift. Unlike culprit for their real or imagined slight, you cannot regain
most boggans, you can use your Social Dynamics Birthright Willpower, nor does your Social Dynamics reveal anything
to assess a group’s relationships with each other not just positive about people; all you get are their negative feelings,
by personal observation, but also through pictures, video, which can lead to distorted or misleading impressions.
or even online conversation. Doing so requires spending Exactly what counts as sufficiently vicious revenge depends
1 Glamour and increases the difficulty of the Perception + on the original offense: a snub at a party might require
Empathy/Subterfuge roll to at least 7 for video, 8 for online sabotaging their big moment at a similar social event,
interaction, and 9 for still photos. while finding out a mooching ‘friend’ has played you for
While this Merit is potentially quite useful, it has some a sap for months will likely send you into a revenge spiral
notable limitations. For one, active conversation or other until you’ve taken their life apart just as much as they’ve
direct interaction is still necessary; posed pictures typically dismantled your sense of trust.
don’t work, but candid shots will. For another, you can If the offender sincerely apologizes, you can spend 1-5
only read people who are directly interacting with each Willpower points to accept the apology and let the vendetta
other: people in the background of a picture or movie or drop, with the Storyteller setting the cost depending on the
lurking on a comment thread and not posting aren’t part severity of the offense. Otherwise, though, even a sincere
of the social web and can’t be read in this fashion. Lastly, apology doesn’t stop your need to get even.
it is worth noting that a successful use of your Birthright
only reveals how people feel about each other, it doesn’t New Oaths
reveal true identities or other personal information not
already provided. Oath of the Open Door
Who, Me?
(3pt. Supernatural Merit)
“Today I take you into my shop, and my trust. My
hidden labors become our shared secrets, my projects our
dreams, my work our shared passion. I welcome you as my
You have an uncanny knack for blending in. By spend- helper, my hearthmate, my joy.”
ing 1 Glamour and adopting a nondescript appearance

appendix: odds and ends 75

 how Crafty!
Although the Craftwork Birthright only specifies the Crafts Skill, many Professional Skills and some Hobby
Talents also represent the sort of tasks that boggans are famous for: sewing, cooking, cleaning, etc. Provided these
Abilities represent manual craftsmanship or cleaning labor, the Storyteller should allow the Craftwork Birthright
to apply normally.

“Today I enter your shop, and your trust. May I always

treasure the secrets I see there and never share your skills New Treasures
without your leave, and may the Mists keep the secrets I
cannot.” Underhill Tea
(1-5pt. Treasure)
Service
This deceptively simple oath is one of the best kept
secrets of the boggan kith, for it allows them to use their The work of master boggan crafters at the famed
Craftwork birthright in front of the oathmate as though she Longwood Arboretum freehold, only a few original sets
were another boggan. On the surface, the extreme secrecy of this beautiful porcelain tea service remain. They are
surrounding these vows seems bizarre to those rare outsiders highly sought after by collectors, not just for their antique
who learn of it; after all, what’s the harm in getting a little value but also for the subtle enchantments woven into the
extra help? However, the simple fact remains that boggans pieces. For each original piece of the service you possess
are far, far more likely to swear oaths of friendship or even (and point spent on this Background), you may select one
true love before offering this vow to another. of the benefits listed below. Activating a benefit requires 1
The roots of this secrecy and reluctance go deep into Glamour for the scene.
boggan hearts. Simply put, the isolation required by their ¶¶ Tea is always the perfect temperature and flavor for
Craftwork birthright is not just a way of ensuring they can everyone, so much so that a group who sits down and
work as they please, but also allows them to create in a shares a nice cup of tea with this service subtracts -1
space free of the judgment of others who aren’t like them. from the difficulty of all their teamwork actions for the
That’s no small matter for this humble, often overlooked rest of the chapter.
kith. After all, if all your life you’ve primarily worked and ¶¶ Tea served is so distractingly delicious, anyone but the
created alone, or with others very much like you, suddenly owner who drinks from this service must succeed at a
having an audience — even an audience of one — who is Willpower roll (difficulty of the owner’s Glamour rating
different is a tremendous change. + 3, max 10) each time they wish to tell a lie for the rest
A boggan may only swear one Oath of the Open Door of the scene.
at a time, and it can only ever be offered to one other person ¶¶ The boggan sees the floral patterns shift on a target’s
at a time; it cannot be shared with a group. Offering it to cup shift to reveal their mood, as per the language of
another recipient without dissolving the first ends the exist- flowers. Subtract -2 from the difficulty of Empathy rolls
ing oath immediately, and the old recipient is immediately involving the target for the rest of the scene. Only the
aware of it. Even with this vow, mortals and Prodigals must owner sees this change.
be enchanted for the Craftwork birthright to be usable in ¶¶ Tea from this service sustains and invigorates, counting
their presence. However, provided the boggan spends the the same as a full meal and allowing a target to get by
majority of their time working, an enchantment on their on only two-hours sleep per night, provided they drink
oathmate lasts as long as the work requires, even if the at least three cups during the day.
Glamour would normally fade sooner. ¶¶ Tea builds bridges. While taking tea with someone else,
Oh, and there’s one more thing to know about this oath; the owner receives the benefits of the Scholar of Others
asking a boggan for it is considered an incredibly insensitive Merit regarding that subject and others like him. If more
faux pas. This is unlikely, given how closely guarded this than one other person is drinking tea at the same time,
oath’s existence is among the kith, but if you know, just… only one can be chosen for this benefit. This effect lasts
don’t do it. Trust me. for the rest of the scene.

76 kithbook: boggans
Name: Court: Seeming:
Player: Legacies: Kith:
Chronicle: House: Motley:
Attributes
Physical Social Mental
Strength ___________●OOOOO Charisma___________●
OOOOO Perception___________●
OOOOO
Dexterity ___________●
OOOOO Manipulation__________
●
OOOOO Intelligence__________
●
OOOOO
Stamina ___________ ●OOOOO Appearance___________
●
OOOOO Wits______________● OOOOO

Abilities
Talents Skills Knowledges
Alertness___________OOOOO Animal Ken__________OOOOO Academics___________ OOOOO
Athletics___________OOOOO Crafts______________OOOOO Computer____________ OOOOO
Brawl______________ OOOOO Drive_____________ OOOOO Enigmas___________ OOOOO
Empathy_____________OOOOO Etiquette____________
OOOOO Gremayre___________ OOOOO
Expression__________OOOOO Firearms____________OOOOO Investigation_________
OOOOO
Intimidation_________
OOOOO Larceny____________OOOOO Law______________ OOOOO
Kenning___________OOOOO Melee_____________OOOOO Medicine___________OOOOO
Leadership__________OOOOO Performance_________OOOOO Politics_____________OOOOO
Streetwise___________
OOOOO Stealth______________
OOOOO Science____________OOOOO
Subterfuge___________
OOOOO Survival____________OOOOO Technology__________ OOOOO
_________________ OOOOO _________________ OOOOO _________________ OOOOO
Advantages
Backgrounds Arts Realms
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Actor______________
OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Fae_______________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Nature_____________
OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Prop______________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Scene______________
OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO Time______________OOOOO
Birthright/Frailty Glamour Health
________________________ O O O O O O O O O O Bruised
Real Chimerical
¨ ¨
________________________ ¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
________________________ Hurt -1 ¨ ¨
________________________ Injured -1 ¨ ¨
________________________ Willpower Wounded -2 ¨ ¨
________________________ O O O O O O O O O O Mauled -2 ¨ ¨
________________________ ¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨ Crippled -5 ¨ ¨
Incapacitated ¨ ¨
Antithesis Nightmare Ravaging/Musing Threshold
________________________
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨

Experience Banality Gossip

O O O O O O O O O O
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
Fellowship/Household:___________________ Societies/Guilds:_______________________
Master/Leige Lord:____________________ Sain Day:_____________________________
Merits & Flaws
Merit Type Cost Flaw Type Bonus
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
__________________ ___________ ____ __________________ ___________ ____
Other Traits
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO
__________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO __________________OOOOO

Chimerical Items Experience

Item Cost
_______________________________ ____ TOTAL:
_______________________________ ____
_______________________________ ____
_______________________________ ____ Gained From:___________________________
_______________________________ ____ ____________________________________
_______________________________ ____ ____________________________________
_______________________________ ____ ____________________________________
_______________________________ ____ ____________________________________
TOTAL SPENT:_______________________
Chimerical Companions Spent On:_____________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Combat
Weapon/Attack Diff. Damage Range Rate Clip Conceal Armor
Class:__________________
Rating:_________________
Penality:________________
Description:
______________________
______________________
______________________
 Expanded Backgrounds
Allies Oaths Sworn
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Contacts Remembrance
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Dreamers Resources
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Holdings Retinue
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Mentor Other(______________)
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________

Possessions
Gear(Carried) Equipment(Owned)
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Treasures Misc
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________

Freeholds
Location Description
_____________________ _____________________________________________________
_____________________ _____________________________________________________
_____________________ _____________________________________________________
 History
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Date Ennobled:_____________ Secret Societies:______________________________________

Description
True Name:________________ Mortal:__________________________________________
Chronological Age:___________ _________________________________________________
Apparent Age:______________ _________________________________________________
Date of Birth:_______________ _________________________________________________
Hair:_____________________ _________________________________________________
Eyes:_____________________ Fae:______________________________________________
Race:______________________ _________________________________________________
Nationality:________________ _________________________________________________
Height:____________________ _________________________________________________
Weight:____________________ _________________________________________________
Sex:______________________ _________________________________________________
Visuals
Oath Bonds Chart Character Sketch
 The Dreaming’s
Unsung heroes
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest differenc-
es in life, and nowhere is this more evident than the boggan kith.
Although they have preferred to let others glory in the spotlight,
this industrious kith has worked its own subtle and patient magic
over the centuries, drawing power from dreams of hearth and
comfort and becoming no less than the bedrock of Kithain soci-
ety. Even heroes need homes to return to, after all.
For the first time ever, the secrets and gossip of the boggan
kith are being shared with outsiders. So pull your chair closer to
the fire, take up a fresh cup of tea, and listen carefully, because
the real truth about these unsung heroes is finally coming to
light.

Kithbook: Boggans features:

• A history of this unassuming yet vital kith, and how they’ve
subtly shaped the Dreaming.
• Insight into boggan nature combined with advice for bring-
ing boggan characters to life.
• Ready-made characters for quick play, and profiles of famous
boggans past and present.
• New Treasures, Merits, and Flaws for boggan characters.