Archfey

Archfey are among the most powerful fey beings in the Feywild, the magical plane that serves as the homeland of the fey. They are typically ancient rulers, nobles, or formidable agents within the Feywild’s courts, often associated with aspects such as seasons, glamour, misdirection, and wild magic. Archfey are known for their capriciousness and their ability to influence both the natural world and the minds of mortals. They frequently extend their reach across the boundary between the Feywild and the mortal world through bargains, favors, or contests, drawing travelers into illusions, enchantments, and tests of wit or courage.

In fantasy literature and gaming, archfey are commonly portrayed as exceptionally powerful fey who command vast magical resources. In Dungeons & Dragons, archfey is a formal category used for a subset of fey patrons that mortals can bargain with or ally themselves to. These archfey patrons typically emphasize enchantment and illusion magic, with abilities geared toward charming or bewildering foes, as well as tactics for escape or misdirection. Notable archfey characters include Titania, Queen of the Summer Court, and other rulers associated with the Feywild’s various courts.

Outside of gaming, archfey appear in folklore as archetypal sovereigns of fairies—mysterious, hospitable to some and dangerous to others, and continually negotiating the thin boundary between the mundane and the magical.