The distinction between seelie and unseelie fae is one that is traced back to the “Systemae Magickae,” one of the earliest attempts to categorize magical beings. The anonymous author of the first edition classified as “fae” all small magical beings human-sized or smaller, excepting “those with souls,” namely elves and dwarves. The “seelie” fae were those who seemed to obey natural laws: they did not fly without wings, did not vanish without reason, and –perhaps crucially—would occasionally allow themselves to be interviewed and studied.

This helped to cement their status as the “good citizens of the magical world,” although many have been quick to point out that in this case “good” means almost exclusively “palatable to humans.”

In an interview with a brownie, Collegian Isco once asked why brownies and their seelie ilk were so generally accommodating to humans and the like despite the dangers of being so. The brownie responded that it was in both beings’ natures to act thus, a response which Isco did not appreciate but one which has since become a watchword and trope.

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