The Great War
The ancient struggle that forced the fair folk into hiding beneath the earth.
The Great War refers to the historical conflict between surface-dwelling humans and the People that occurred centuries ago. This event marks the pivotal turning point in fairy history where open coexistence ended, forcing the magical races to retreat deep underground. It serves as the foundational reason for the Lower Elements Police's existence and the strict secrecy protocols maintained today.
The war was not fought over territory alone, but over the survival of magic itself against rising human technology and aggression. Its legacy defines the current relationship between the two worlds, ensuring that humans remain unaware of the advanced civilization thriving beneath their feet while fairies monitor surface activity to prevent another outbreak.
- Combatants
- The People vs. Humans
- Outcome
- Retreat Underground
- Era
- Centuries Ago (Pre-Modern)
- Resulting Organization
- Lower Elements Police (LEP)
- Secrecy Level
- Maximum Classification
- Status
- Historical Event
Lore & Background
According to LEP archives, the war began when humans discovered evidence of magic and sought to exploit or destroy it. The People initially resisted using their superior technology and magical abilities, but human numbers and industrialization eventually made surface defense unsustainable. This realization led to a strategic withdrawal into the Earth's crust, utilizing advanced cloaking devices known as the Veil.
The conflict reshaped fairy society, prioritizing secrecy over expansion. Clan leaders agreed that exposure meant extinction, leading to the formation of strict laws against interference with human affairs. The war is taught in all fairy academies as a cautionary tale about the dangers of surface contact. It explains why certain artifacts are banned and why operations like Operation: LEP are conducted with extreme stealth.
Despite the passage of time, scars remain on both sides. Some fairy families still hold grudges against humanity, while others believe reconciliation is possible if technology advances safely.
In Their Own Story
Captain Short stood before the holographic map, the blue light reflecting in her eyes. The data streams showed nothing but static where the old battle lines should be. 'They thought we were monsters,' she whispered to the empty room. Below them, the city hummed with life, a stark contrast to the silence of the war above. She touched the glass, feeling the ghost of history. 'We hid so they could forget us.' The system chimed softly, erasing the last trace of the surface conflict from the display.
Reader's Guide
Historical records within the Lower Elements Police indicate that this conflict began when surface dwellers first identified magical signatures in their midst. Unlike modern skirmishes, this era saw open confrontation before the People realized human numbers outweighed their magical advantages. Discovery came not through archaeology but through oral tradition preserved by elder clans like the Leprechauns and Gnomes.
The effect on current events is absolute; every LEP protocol exists to prevent a recurrence of this violence. The Veil was constructed as a direct response, masking fairy technology from human sensors. However, mysteries remain regarding the specific treaties signed or if any humans survived with knowledge intact. Some scholars argue the war ended not with peace, but with silence.
Contradictions exist in lower-level folklore about whether certain human factions aided fairies or merely exploited them for gold. The official history maintains that total secrecy was the only path to survival, yet recent surface anomalies suggest old memories may be resurfacing.
Did You Know?
- The war led directly to the creation of the Veil technology used today.
- Human history books contain no record of this conflict due to memory alteration protocols.
- Many fairy weapons were repurposed from battlefield designs into LEP standard issue gear.