Worldbuilding
Title: Blue Bonnet Hollow
Fandom: Changeling: The Dreaming
Rating: G
Length: 644
Author notes: This is setting history for a oneshot LARP I am running in March. Some of it is taken from/inspired by a larger campaign setting I used to run/play in. This prompt was actually super useful for me in terms of getting this down on paper so I have some backstory to give my players... i still have more to work out though!

Bluebonnet Hollow

Almost twenty years ago, there was a war in the Dreaming. A massive Unseelie host sought to overturn the dominant rule of the Seelie Houses that had persisted since Sidhe had returned from Arcadia. While the Seelie host was victorious, the resolution was not in their favour. Dana and Daghda appeared and issued a dictate that the Unseelie should be given their time to rule.
And so it has been. Twenty years is a long time for the fae, and there are few who remember any different. Bluebonnet Hollow, once a homestead belonging to free commoners, then a holding of House Dougal, to a stronghold of House Ailil.

It could have been worse – there are tales that trickle in from other freeholds that have turned into true nightmare states. It doesn't help that the rest of the world seems to have followed the fae realms into a darker age. The mortal government has been infested even more than usual with Autumn people, and a series of other mundane developments are stirring up worrying rumors that perhaps this time, the long winter is finally at hand. The most concerning of these is spread of several devastating viruses that have impacted populations in the US and other highly developed countries with high population densities. It seems like every year there is some new scare, though so far the CDC and other agencies have managed to wrestle things back under control.

Bluebonnet Hollow has mostly been spared from these concerns – located south-east of the Leanhaun-controlled city of Austin, this small country freehold is primarily seen as a private retreat for its lady, Baroness Isabella Vega de la Fuente. Lady Isabella was awarded the freehold five years ago after the freehold's previous master, Baron Arnholt Nachmann, a veteran of the Dreaming War, succumbed to banality after the loss of his kinain granddaughter to one of the early epidemics. Baroness Isabella has not proved to be a particularly attentive ruler so far, spending her time either in intense research into the magical arts, or visiting other courts in the state to involve herself in the grander intrigues of the realm. Though Bluebonnet Hollow is not a particularly large or prestigious holding in the grand scheme, there are rumours that she has been working on some kind of project for the very highest levels of her house, and this secluded hold might be the perfect place for such an endeavour. The advantage of this schedule is that the freeholds tenants and hangers on are more or less left alone to pursue their own agendas.

Although she rarely hosts anything but the most essential gatherings and festivals, this year, the Baroness is hosting a party for Bacchanalia on the weekend of March 15-16. Some suspect that this is an excuse to consult with certain experts on aspects of her special project. Other think it is more to show off her holdings to certain eligible bachelors who are expected to attend. Many don’t care, because they know that whatever the real reason, the Baroness plans to cover it up with one hell of a party, letting the holiday live well up to its name.

Some of you came for the party.

Some of you came for the court intrigues.

Some of you came for reasons entirely your own.

Whatever the reasons, come you did, and your Saturday passed in a blur of revelry. The next morning, while all were welcome to partake in further hospitality of the hold, many have already dispersed. You are those who remain - some because you live here, or you have other business to tend to, or simply because you were (are?) too damned hungover to get away any sooner, or some combination of the above. A casual lunch is being served around eleven, and all who remain are expected to at least make their presences known.