Ireland was a natural setting for The Fae Games because of its wealth of folklore. Legends of the Tuatha De Danann and the Aos Si date back to pre-Christian Ireland and possibly back to prehistoric times. The two groups were both races of supernatural beings thought to represent deities from Irish Mythology. (It is thought that the Aos Si may have been the descendants of the Tuatha De Danann.)

It is from these legends that our modern Fae evolved. Whether they are called the ‘fair folk’ or ‘elves’ or ‘faeries’–there is a rich history about the existence of these magical beings. That foundation is a large part of what I find so interesting about the Fae. These characters are not simply the product of one person’s imagination, they are a well-defined race of beings we have grown up hearing about—they feel familiar, even real.

While each story about the Fae may slightly tweak their characteristics, the overarching constructs remain the same. I think this established place in our history and culture gives the Fae a validity, similar to people’s belief in ghosts—with so many accounts about them and a solid foundational knowledge of their basic qualities, it starts to feel plausible that they could exist. We could imagine ourselves in a world where the Fae walk among us and that unlocks our imaginations. Our adult barriers that demand logic and reasoning come crumbling down and suddenly we are open to a world of possibilities.

Adding even further to our intrigue is the mischievous and mysterious nature of the Fae. A magical race of beings who shroud themselves in secrecy and act in unexpected ways as they indulge in their scheming tendencies—they are fascinating in that regard alone. The fact that they just might exist only adds to their intrigue. Because Ireland not only embraces these legends but is their birthplace, it is the perfect setting for a fantastical adventure.

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