All Stories Begin Somewhere…

Introduction

Also Known As An Extremely-Long-Author's-Note

Greetings, all you seekers of the fairy tales that are to be found on ff.net! I, as you can see, am Kates, and this is my fourth story to be posted here: my very own retelling of Beauty and the Beast, which is (to me) one of the most beautiful stories to grace the world.

In it, you will find not only many bits and pieces of other celebrated fairy tales and legends, but also the world, creatures, people, and places that I have created. Since these are all featured rather predominantly in the tale, I found it necessary to explain a little about them first.

However, before this is done, I must give a disclaimer. I do not own Beauty and the Beast or any of the fairy tales mentioned, alluded to, or featured in this story. Arielle, Orlando, and the other names/characters, etc., belong to me, but I do not own the fairy tales themselves. I only own faery tales. Now, on with the introduction.

Peoples and Creatures, etc. of Evyrworld

Section 1 – Sentients

Mortals (humans), Faeries, Elves, Vampyres, Giants, and Dwarves

Mortals:

Normal, everyday, average humans. These can live up to be about 200 years of age, but are susceptible to death and can learn magic, although they are not born with such powers.

Faeries:

Beings with the appearance of mortals, only all of these are extremely fair to look upon. They can live to be upwards 700 years of age, but can also become immortal if they earn it by way of brave, selfless, good, etc., deeds. They dwell in either the Known World with the mortals or in the Lands Beyond, the home of the elves, or in the White Realm, their land which hovers like another level of reality on the fringes of the mortal world. All faeries are born with magical abilities.

Giants:

Beings which look like mortals but can grow to be upwards of seven feet in height. They are not immortal, but upon "death", their bodies change into a different form, usually an animal of some sort. They are somewhat scarce.

The other races included in the Sentients category are not included in this list because they are not featured in this story (however, they will be in others like this one that I plan to write…)

Section 2 – Smaller Folk

Sprytes, Gnomes, and Brownies

Sprytes:

Glowing orbs of light that float about and shape-shift at will.

As before, the other two races in this list are not included here because they are not featured in this story.

Section 3 – Malevolents

Skullex, Weyre wolves, Stalkers, Ogres, Wraiths, Sorcerers, wizards, sorceresses, witches, Pirates, and Carnas

Sorcerers, wizards, sorceresses, witches:

Can be really any of the Sentients turned evil. These belong to the Dark Realm, the White Realm's chief foe. Most wizards are good, but there are those who have turned rogue. Sorcerers and sorceresses are the evil opposite of enchanters and enchantresses.

There is only one wizard featured in this particular tale, and none of the others.

Section 4 – Different Realms

The Dark Realm, The White Realm, The Known World, and The Lands Beyond

The Dark Realm: The world of evil that lies just beyond the mortal world. Can only be accessed by Dark Gates.

The White Realm:

The world of the faeries, which likewise hovers just beyond the mortal world. Ruled (currently) by Lord Orandor and Lady Vahlada. Can be reached by magic or by magic walls.

The Known World:

Located on the eastern side of Evyrworld. Mortals and virtually every other race (except for elves and a few other races, perhaps) live here.

The Lands Beyond:

Located on the western side of Evyrworld. Elves and the Pegasus, a race of the Legendaries (mythical creatures such as unicorns, griffins, etc.) are the original inhabitants here, although other races have come to live within it as well.

Section 5 – Powers

The Three and The Severs Powers of the World

The Three:

In the space of all eternity, before the creation of Evyrworld, there was the Three. They created the world and everything in it. They are the trinity of creators.

The Seven Powers of the World:

Under the Three, seven spirits were given charge of Evyrworld, commanded to live within its sphere and control its different aspects such as air, water, land, fire, animals, Sentients, Legendaries, and life/death. They are joined in this by their wives, since all seven of the Powers are male.

I trust that this almost deplorably lengthy (and most likely incredibly tedious) exposition of Evyrworld will give you some insight into the story that is to be told here. It may be helpful to you, in order to completely understand everything within this, if you read my other story, the first in the series which I have begun: the Travelers of Enchantment. It can be found in the original fics category, under fantasy. Wings of the Heart is its name.

But as for now, I think we can safely proceed…