The Embassy

An F.A.Q. about Calluna Embassy

↠ Pretense aside, what is this about?

Calluna Embassy is a social club. Our members, called Fellows, are interested in the whimsical, the fantastical, the mythological. We create opportunities to gather and find joy during these challenging times. Anyone can Register to be a Fellow and receive updates.

Our Fellows tend to dress in fantasy or fae clothing, although all attire is welcome. People come as they like, anywhere from their elaborate mythical best to basic jeans/tee with a set of horns. Whatever makes you feel whimsical, put it on and hang out!

↠ Does the Embassy have an IG or a TikTok or a Discord or a..?

We whisper on the wind, we sing through the cherry blossoms, we carve on forest trails… we send a newsletter. That is the only way you will be contacted by the Embassy. Please Register with the Embassy if you’re interested in our events.

If you’d like to keep up with the queens, you can find them at @thewintersdoe and @the_summers_fox on Instagram.

↠ Are there rules to Calluna Embassy?

We are an 18+ Embassy, no exceptions. We are a group of adults and will occasionally discuss adult content or be in adult settings such as bars or clubs, so this group is therefore inappropriate for those underage. We greatly appreciate your understanding.

We emphasize dispositions of respect and fun when we come together. We aim to lift each other up and not tear one another down. The Elders practice the Four Skills of sovereignty and encourage others to do the same (accessible 4S information found here). All to say: do not be rude or hateful to your Fellows.

↠ How do I join Calluna Embassy?

There are no membership fees to join Calluna Embassy, just a Registry. We welcome any and all fantasy-inclined folks, including those who have no experience with this sort of thing. We’re a safe space to come explore your sense of wonder, curiosity, and joy.

We are chartered by the Daione Sidhe Confederation. While not required, as it does cost a one-time fee, we encourage membership to Daione Sidhe Confederation (the Fairie Guild). You will receive a membership number, card, and pewter pin. You can do so here. None of these monies are received by Calluna Embassy; they go toward the national Fairie Guild.

↠ What if I don’t have a fae name?

New folks are welcome! While a fae name—a pseudonym or alias name—is needed to join Calluna Embassy, the character can just be you if you prefer not to play pretend and just want to join for the vibes and fun.

If you don’t have a fae name or character, but would like to have one, please use our Contact form. One of the Elders would be more than happy to help you create a name and/or character, which can then be Registered.

↠ If I join, do I have to attend every Embassy event?

No, although it is strongly encouraged for you to join at least one event per year. This is a social club to help folks connect in person, so we welcome anyone to join (even those outside the NY/NJ area) as long as you can travel to make at least one of our events in the NY/NJ area per year. We also welcome event ideas.

↠ What’s a fae? Is it fae, fay, fairy, fairie, faerie..?

The Fair Folk are known by all of these and more; all spellings are correct and interchangeable. For the purposes of this site, we’ve used “fae” for the singular noun and “fairies” for the plural. We accept fairies of all kinds (sidhe, yes, but also elves, dwarves, pixies, dryads, nymphs, selkies, kelpies, brownies, boggarts, aziza, vila, rusalki, mermaids, gnomes, goblins, cryptids, pooka, et cetera).

↠ What are the in-character rules?

Honoring the Lore established here, as well as the national Guild standard of the two Courts (Seelie and Unseelie). Each Court has a High Queen who rule over all fairies; we do not allow for Fellows to belong to the two High Royal families. However, in keeping with not only Scottish (Courts) fairie culture, we also honor Irish fairie culture by accepting various local regions’ ‘low’ royal families.

This is why we call the Queens of the Courts the “High Queens.” In contrast, a specific town or region may have its own local ‘low’ queen, king, princess, et cetera. For example, the Elder Ivy Darkling belongs to the Unseelie Court. While she is also a low queen of Calluna Mound in Hy-Brasil, she still answers to the overall High Queen of the Unseelie Court.

In line with that, your character is free to be a Lord, Lady, prince, princess, et cetera, as you so choose.

↠ Can my fae character be a knight instead?

Absolutely, if you like. There’s no need to be noble unless you choose to. You can certainly be a knight. Of course, you could also be a ranger, or a thief, or an artisan, or a bard, or a blacksmith, or a baker, or anything you feel inspired by. Or just come as you are!

↠ Can my fae be from Hy-Brasil too?

If you’d like to be from Hy-Brasil and follow the Lore, you’re welcome to, just talk about it with the Elders first. Almost all of the fairies at the Embassy are not from Hy-Brasil. It is a small isle in the realm of the fairies with specific customs (such as the 7 Trials of Knighthood), so any who are in the Embassy would have come here to meet others and tell them about the Seventh Year in their culture. Also, a fae from Hy-Brasil is always easily identifiable with a surname ending in –ling.

↠ What is an Elder and what do they do?

The Elders are the three founding members of the Embassy (the Winter’s Doe, the Summer’s Fox, and the Winter Knight). The Doe and the Fox organize the events, update the website, write the newsletter, network and perform at private events, and so forth. They oversee all Embassy happenings in their serviced regions: New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey.

The Winter’s Doe is the Elder for the Seelie Court and the Summer’s Fox is the Elder for the Unseelie Court. The Winter Knight is Captain of all the knights of both Courts of the Embassy. The Winter Knight, while more elusive, is well trusted and acts as the Arbiter between the other two Elders in any case where a third vote or a tie-breaker is required.

↠ Do you allow trinket trading?

We allow all Fellows to participate in trinket trading at any non-Ren Faire event. The Faires no longer allow trinket trading and we will not violate that request. At any other event, the Embassy is happy to see trinket trading under the following parameters:

↠ What is trinket trading?

Trinket trading is the practice of exchanging small, handmade, or inexpensive items as tokens of connection at events. You give away a “trinket” to a person with whom you’ve had a positive interaction. It fosters friendships to remember a shared experience.

Trinkets could be: a charm, a painted rock, a beaded bracelet, or another small, non-valuable item. Trinkets must not be edible or drinkable in any way and must not be made from glass or other hazardous material. When gifting, you must not expect anything in return (not everyone may be carrying trinkets). You also must not gift trinkets with any further instructions or strings attached; it is a gift only, not side quest nor currency. Do not give trinkets to young children. Get consent before gifting by asking, “Would you like a trinket?”

Calluna Embassy specific guidelines:
Do not share any trinkets that could be confusing for participants in the queens’ Wild Hunt quest games. Namely, do not offer: snowflakes, icicles, or keys of any kind; do not offer gold roses, ivy leaves, or potion bottles. Also, by choosing to trinket trade at our events, you choose to indemnify and hold harmless Calluna Embassy of any outcome arising from your trinkets.

Your help is appreciated!