The Morrighan , the Fae/ The Tuatha De Dannan
The Morrigan's major form is of an old woman, wrapped in a cape of black raven feathers. Sometimes she takes the form of the death raven announcing death, or the Banshee predicting it with shrieks. She is the thunderhead that descends at death, and the soul which is torn from the body rises through it like lightning. Her body becomes the conduit of death, the stormy pathway of the soul.
This is not for all people but it is the way she appears to the Fair Folk. Because she is the pathway, the vast network of reincarnation compressed into a cloudy mirror, she can guide the soul as she chooses. She needs only to change the pathways. Usually she is a subtle mist, but on the battlefield, she is storm clouds and thunder, the hag screaming for the dead, and the black death-horse which gallops through the sky carrying its newly deceased rider.
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The Banshee
The bean-sidhe (woman of the fairy may be an ancestral spirit appointed to forewarn members of certain ancient Irish families of their time of death. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.
Whatever her origins, the banshee chiefly appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a raddled old hag. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.) She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood stained clothes of those who are about to die. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).
Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. In 1437, King James I of Scotland was approached by an Irish seeress or banshee who foretold his murder at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl. This is an example of the banshee in human form. There are records of several human banshees or prophetesses attending the great houses of Ireland and the courts of local Irish kings. In some parts of Leinster, she is referred to as the bean chaointe (keening woman) whose wail can be so piercing that it shatters glass. In Kerry, the keen is experienced as a "low, pleasant singing"; in Tyrone as "the sound of two boards being struck together"; and on Rathlin Island as "a thin, screeching sound somewhere between the wail of a woman and the moan of an owl".
The banshee may also appear in a variety of other forms, such as that of a hooded crow, stoat, hare and weasel - animals associated in Ireland with witchcraft.
Irish Legends-
The Banshee or "woman of the hills" is a spirit or fairy who foretells a death by wailing. She visits a household and by wailing she warns them that a member of their family is about to die. When a Banshee is caught, she is obliged to tell the name of the doomed.
Leprechauns are fairies that resembles a tiny old man. If you can catch him, he can reveal a buried crock of gold. However, his captor must keep his eyes on the leprechaun. Usually the captor will be tricked into glancing away, and the fairy will vanish.
The early Irish myths tell of a cycle of 5 invasions, the Formorians and Tuatha De Dannan figure prominently in this story
The first inhabitants of Ireland were led by Cessair and her husband Fintan. They lived there either before the great flood, or moved there to escape it. After the flood all of Cessair's people were lost save for Fintan, who escaped by changing into various creatures, a salmon, eagle, stag and a hawk.
The Formorians (also Fomorians, Formors, Fir Domnann, Fomhoire) are sometimes said to have been the first inhabitants of Ireland, but their origins are unknown. Some belive they were there in the time of Cessair, and gained power later, others belive that they came from the sea after the flood receeded. In any case, by the time the Partholons arrived, the Formorians were very powerful. They possessed hideous misshapen bodies which appeared to be created from a mishmash of leftover parts from various animals. They usually had both arms and legs, and were generally human-shaped, but terribly ugly. Formorians were very powerful and terrible to behold. The sons of Uar the Cruel, were named "Destruction", "Ill-Fated" and "Want", they had venom oozing from their hands and feet which would poison and ruin anything they touched. Another famous Formorian, the hideous Lot, was the Formorian war goddess and led the Formorians in many battles. She had lips on her breasts and four eyes on her back. Most Formorians were both ill-tempered and stupid. Although sometimes considered to be an early faerie race, the Formorians are usually portrayed as demons or sea monsters, where their patron goddess is Domnu, whose name means "The Deep" in reference to their banishment into the sea.
The first invaders of Ireland were the Partholons, led by their king Partholan. Partholan came to the island with a force of only 25 men and 24 women warriors, leaving even his wife Dealgnaid (Dalny) behind (she had an affair with his servant Togda while he was gone). Although his ruthless campaign was simply a step in his quest for power (which started with the murder of his parents), his people are credited with bringing agriculture and craftsmanship to Ireland. They fought a number of very bloody battles against the Formorians, but could not defeat them and were eventually destroyed by a plague created by the Formorians. Rudraidhe was the eldest son of Partholan and is considered the founder of the royal line of old Ulster.
Following the Partholons, came Nemed (Nemhedh), leader of the Nemeds. Under the leadership of Artur, Nemeds son, they lost their very first battle with the Fomorians, who were led by their king, Morca. When the battle was over only 30 Nemed remained alive. Usually routed from Ireland, sometimes they are said to have been forced to live in slavery and pay a tribute of cattle and children to the Formorians every year. In some stories it is they who are destroyed by the plague rather than the Partholons, and this is how Nemed dies. Of the thirty Nemeds who lived, one group went North and the other went West, to later return as the Fir Bolg.
The next wave of attackers was the Fir Bolg (also Fir Bolga, Fir Bholg, Gailioin, or Dhomhnann), one of the old races of Ireland, from which all Irish are believed to be descended. Let by their patriarch, Semion, they managed to subdue the Formorians for a time and live peacefully with them, but were later conquered by the invading faeries, the Tuatha De Dannan.
Meanwhile, the Nemed who went North, had changed. They became a great and magical people, henceforth called the Tuatha De Dannan. The Tuatha De Dannan (sometimes Daoine Sidhe), did not try to directly defeat the Fomorians as the previous invaders had tried, instead they made friends and even intermarried with the Demons. Elatha, the son of a Formorian king, had an affair with Eri. Their son, Bres, became a great Tuatha De Dannan warrior. However this was simply a subtle preparation for war which took seven years. Only when The Formorians had relaxed did the Tuatha set upon them. The Formorians knew they would loose, for their goddess Cethlion, called "crooked teeth" had prophesied their downfall at the hands of the Tuatha, but they fought none-the-less, in the greatest epic war of Irish history.
The Formorian king at this time was Balor also called Balor Beimann, "Balor of the mighty blows". Balor was possessed of a great poisonous eye, which could kill by merely looking at a living thing. The lid of this eye was so heavy that it required four warriors to lift it. Balor received this eye as a dreadful curse laid on him when as a child he peered into his father's magical chambers. Part of the curse was that Balor's life and kingship were both dependent on his keeping the great eye shut. After leading his people in the first battle of Magh Tuireadh (Moytura), the Tuatha De Dannan had failed to defeat Balor, but had driven the Formorians to an island off the coast of Ireland.
The Tuatha De Dannan had a number of allies in their battles against the Formorians, one of whom was Oghma, the patron deity of poets, who invented writing. He was also a warrior of Tara and fought at the side of Lugh. Neit (Net) the Tuatha war god also fought in the battle, but was killed by the Formorians. Their most powerful ally however was Badb, part of the Morrigan, the triplicity of Celtic goddesses associated with death, destruction and battle. Usually she appeared in battle as a hooded crow circling the fighting, or among the warriors in the guise of a wolf. In this battle she participated more directly.
At the second Battle of Magh Tuireadh, Lugh, "the shining one" (also Ioldanach or Samhioldananach "master of all arts" and Lamhfada "the long armed"), grandson of Balor sided with the Tuatha De Dannan. He led their forces against the Formorians. Balor engaged Lugh in single combat, and after fighting for a whole night, Lugh struck Balor with a stone with such fore that Balor's eye flew into the heavens, and some say became the sun.
A Formorian named Octriallach attempted to snatch victory by sealing off the medicinal spring which was restoring the dead Tuatha De Dannan warriors to life, but his tactic was unsuccessful and he died fighting the Tuatha.
In the final battle against the Fomorians, the chief Druid of Tara, Figol MacMamos, used his magic to send three streams of fire in to the Formorian's faces, allowing him to take two thirds of the strength of the enemy, and use it to increase, with every breath they drew, the strength and valor of the Tuatha De Dannon forces. In this manner they were able to finally defeat the Formorians. Those who weren't slaughtered, were driven in to the sea, after which the Formorians became known as sea monsters. Lugh was afterward adopted by the Tuatha De Dannan and later by the Celts and is honored at the sabbot which is named after him, Lughnasadh.
After they were driven into the sea, the Fomorians lived in a mythical undersea kingdom called Lochlann. There they lived under the king Tethra. He owned a sword forged by Oghma that was named Orna, and it was death itself. The blade was stolen from him by Lugh.
Even though defeated and banished, the Formorians still remained a threat. The great Fennian Hero and leader of the Fianna, Ossian (Osian and Oisin), was a friend of the Tuatha De Dannan king Finvarra, and married Niamh of the golden hair who leads warriors to Tir Nan Og. When first approached by Niamh, he was asked by her to prove his valor and bravery by going to a hidden faerie place on the sea and save a Tuatha De Dannan damsel from a Formorian.
The fir darris, are fat ugly faeries with a rat-like appearance and old, torn clothing. They are believed to be a sub-race of Formorian and live near the sea rather than in it. They make homes in the raths and marshes near the coast. They are very dangerous, with a morbid sense of humor, and food tastes that run to carrion.
There are still modern (relatively) stories of Formorians being sighted on the West coast of Ireland. The people there tell of seeing the hideous creatures come up onto the rocky shores at night.
In Scotland, where they are called Fomorians, these creatures are giants. They are much more benign and gradually were absorbed by the expanding Highland culture.
The Tuatha De Dannan meanwhile did not Inherrit Ireland, they were forced to live underground in Tir Nan Og, when the Milesians (the Gaels, a cousin race of the ancient Celtic peoples) first invaded the island in force between 3000 and 1000 BC. Before this end though, the Tuatha are credited with constructing many of the ancient stone megaliths. They are also said to possess the Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny, on which the high king of Ireland must stand as he takes the throne. If the stone should cry out in agony, the ruler will be wrongful, but should it roar with pride, the king is the rightful ruler. In addition to possessing the invincible sword of Lugh, the Tuatha also had the cauldron of Dagda, taken from the land of the dead.
The Tuatha De Dannan were the first to divide Ireland up into four provinces and set up each with its own government. The Tuatha then subdivided themselves up into four parts, with each one occupying one of the cities. The two principle groups were the Gorias and the Finias. Many of the Tuatha De Dannan kings have come to be worshiped as pagan deities: Etain, Midhir, Fianvarra, and Daniel O'Donoghue of Connacht.
When they first approached the island of Ireland, the invading Milesians, lead by Milesius (who set out to counquer the Tuatha De Dannan from Spain afer word reached him that a Tuatha had killed one of his sons, Ith), were approached by each of three goddesses in turn, who born of Dagda (one of the principle deities of the Tuatha De Dannan), would try and stop them from taking the island, and later convince them to name the island after them. In some stories the Island was named for all three of them, but in others only Erie is honored. The first goddess was Banbha, who was a gifted magicain, but was unable to show any feat of power which impressed the invaders. They ignored her and moved on. Fodhla was the second to confront the Milesians, but was also unable to impress them with a feat of power, and she two was passed by.
The third goddess to confront the Milesians in their attempt to invade Ireland was Eire, who used potent magic to toss mud balls down on her enemies, which turned into hundereds of fierce wariors when they shattered. She won the battle, but lost the island anyway. Out of respect, the great Milesian poet and bard Amhaighin, named the island Eire (or Banbda, Folda and Erie) in her (their) honour. It was also he who placed the Milesian demands before the leaders of the Tuatha De Dannan.
It was however a bad campaign for Milesius, who lost a second son, Arannan. During the invasion, Arannan climbed to the top of the ship's mast and fell to his death. Some legends claim that his death was the result of a Tuatha DeDanna protection spell, obviously protecting only Tuatha De Dannan.
The Tuatha De Dannan were no more sucessful in keeping the invaders at bay. A Tuatha warrior named Cairbre led a revold against the Milesians without success. Defeated, Dagda lead the Tuatha underground to the burghs, and was later deposed by his brother Bov the Red. Ermon (also Herimon), son of Milesius became the first human, male ruler of Ireland.
tuathadedannonhahnahshee.ning.com/ -
Name: Tuatha Dé Danann/ Danaan / Men of Dea
Origin: The Islands of the North - Lochlann (Norway)?
Original Cities: Failias, Gorias, Findias, & Murias
Associated Sites: Magh Tuiredh (Moytura), Brugh na Boinne (Newgrange), Teltown, Co. Meath
Kings: 
Nuada of the Silver Arm Bres Mac Elatha Lugh the Long-handed, Dagda Bodb Derg
Druid: Dagda
Warrior: Oghma
Arts & Crafts: Lugh
Medicine: Dian Cécht
Smithcraft: Goibhniu
Poet: Cairpre son of Oghma
Brazier: Credne
Wright: Luchtaine
Harper: Cas Corach
The Tuatha Dé Danann (which means the people of Danu) arrived in Ireland bearing with them their stone of destiny called the Lia Fail which they placed on the mound of Tara and ever after the rightful kings of Ireland were chosen when it called out. They also brought the spear of Lugh which ensured victory to whoever wielded it, The Sword of Nuada from whom none could escape and the Cauldron of the Dagda from which none would go unsatisfied.
There is a story that they came to Ireland in flying ships but could not land as the Fomorians had set up a great energy field that they could not penetrate. So they had to circle Ireland nine times before finding a breach in the energy field and setting down on Sliabh an Iarainn (The Iron Mountains) in Co. Leitrim.
They clashed with the Fir Bolg (the men of the bags or pot-bellied ones) who they defeated at the first battle of Magh Tuiredh (Moytura) and routed towards the West of Ireland where they allowed them to stay. After defeating the Fir-Bolg they were challenged by the Fomorians and had to fight another battle this time in Co. Roscommon, which became known as the second battle of Magh Tuiredh, they defeated the great Fomorian warrior Balor, and so laid undisputed claim to the land.
They prospered under their two great heroes Nuada of the Silver Arm and Lugh of the Long Arm. They were eventually defeated by the Milesians at Teltown. As they were a magical people they decided to go underground into another dimension of space and time the entrances to which are at many sites around Ireland; one of the most famous being Brugh na Boinne (Newgrange).
It was reputed that only iron weapons could injure them. They became like gods to the later Celtic people and were worshipped as such. They became known as the people of the Sidhe (mounds) and there are many Faery Mounds in existence in Ireland today.
The Story of the Tuatha De Danann from the Book of Leinster 1150 A.D.
54. Thereafter the progeny of Bethach s. Iarbonel the Soothsayer s. Nemed
were in the northern islands of the world, learning druidry and
knowledge and prophecy and magic, till they were expert in the arts of
pagan cunning.
55. So that they were the Tuatha De Danann who came to Ireland. In this
wise they came, in dark clouds. They landed on the mountains of
Conmaicne Rein in Connachta; and they brought a darkness over the
sun for three days and three nights.
56. They demanded battle of kingship of the Fir Bolg. A battle was fought
between them, to wit the first battle of Mag Tuired, in which a
hundred thousand of the Fir Bolg fell. Thereafter they [the TDD] took
the kingship of Ireland. Those are the Tuatha Dea - gods were their
men of arts, non-gods their husbandmen. They knew the incantations
of druids, and charioteers, and trappers, and cupbearers.
57. It is the Tuatha De Danann who brought with them the Great Fal, [that
is, the Stone of Knowledge], which was in Temair, whence Ireland bears
the name of "The Plain of Fal." He under whom it should utter a cry
was King of Ireland; until Cu Chulainn smote it, for it uttered no cry
under him nor under his fosterling, Lugaid, son of the three Finds of
Emain. And from that out the stone uttered no cry save under Conn
of Temair. Then its heart flew out from it [from Temair] to Tailltin, so
that is the Heart of Fal which is there.
58. Now Nuadu Airgetlam was king over the Tuatha De Danann for seven
years before their coming into Ireland, until his arm was hewn from
him in the first battle of Mag Tuired. Eidleo s. Alldai, he was the first
man of the Tuatha De Danann who fell in Ireland, by the hand of
Nercon ua Semeoin, in the first battle of Mag Tuired. Ernmas, and
Echtach, and Etargal, and Fiachra, and Tuirill Piccreo fell in the same
battle. Bress s. Elada took the kingship of Ireland post, to the end of
seven years, till the arm of Nuadu was healed: a silver arm with
activity in every finger and every joint which Dian Cecht put upon
him, Credne helping him.
59. Tailltiu daughter of Mag Mor king of Spain, queen of the Fir Bolg, came
after the slaughter was inflicted upon the Fir Bolg in that first battle
of Mag Tuired to Coill Cuan: and the wood was cut down by her, so it
was a plain under clover-flower before the end of a year. This is that
Tailtiu who was wife of Eochu son of Erc king of Ireland till the
Tuatha De Danann slew him, ut praediximus: it is he who took her
from her father, from Spain; and it is she who slept with Eochu Garb
son of Dui Dall of the Tuatha De Danann; and Cian son of Dian Cecht,
whose other name was Scal Balb, gave her his son in fosterage, namely
Lug, whose mother was Eithne daughter of Balar. So Tailltiu died in
Tailltiu, and her name clave thereto and her grave is from the Seat of
Tailltiu north-eastward. Her games were performed every year and her
song of lamentation, by Lug. With gessa and feats of arms were they
performed, a fortnight before Lugnasad and a fortnight after: under
dicitur Lugnasad, that is, the celebration or the festival of Lug.
Unde Oengus post multum tempus dicebat, "the nasad of Lug, or the
nasad of Beoan [son] of Mellan."
60. to return to the Tuatha De Danann. Nuadu Airgatlam fell in the last
battle of Mag Tuired, and Macha daughter of Ernmas, at the hands of
Balar the strong-smiter. In that battle there fell Ogma s. Elada at the
hands of Indech son of the De Domnann, king of the Fomhoire. Bruidne
and Casmael fell at the hands of Ochtriallach s. Indech. After the
death of Nuadu and of those men, Lug took the kingship of Ireland,
and his grandfather Balar the Strong-smiter fell at his hands, with a
stone from his sling. Lug was forty years in the kingship of Ireland
after the last battle of Mag Tuired, and there were twenty-seven years
between the battles.
61. Then Eochu Ollathair, the great Dagda, son of Elada, was eighty years in
the kingship of Ireland. His three sons were Oengus and Aed and
Cermat Coem; the three sons of Dian Cecht, Cu and Cethen and Cian.
62. Dian Cecht had three sons, Cu, Cehten and Cian. Miach was the fourth
son though many do not reckon him. His daughter was Etan the
Poetess, and Airmed the she-leech was the other daughter: and
Coirpre, son of Etan was the poet. Crichinbel and Bruidne and Casmael
were the three satirists. Be Chuille and Dianann were the two she-
farmers.
The three sons of Cermad son of The Dagda were Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht,
Mac Greine: Sethor and Tethor and Cethor were their names. Fotla
and Banba and Eriu were their three wives.
Fea and Nemaind were the two wives of Net, a quo Ailech Neit.
Flidais, of whom is the "Cattle of Flidais"; her four daughters were
Argoen and Be Chuille and Dinand and Be Theite.
The two royal oxen were Fea and Femen, of whom are the Plain of Fea
and the Plain of Femen. Those were two faithful oxen.
Torc Triath was king of the boars, from whom is Mag Treitherne. Cirba
was king of the wethers, from whom is Mag Cirba. Math son of Umor
was the druid.
Badb and Macha and Anand, of whom are the Paps of Anu in Luachar
were the three daughters of Ernmas the she-farmer.
Goibniu the smith, Luicne the carpenter, Creidne the wright, Dian Cecht
the leech.
63. Delbaeth after The Dagda, ten years in the kingship of Ireland, till he
fell, with his son Ollom, at the hands of Caicher s. Nama, frater of
Nechtan. Fiacha s. Delbaeth took the kingship of Ireland after his
father, another ten years, till he fell, along with Ai s. Ollom, at the hands
of Eogan Inbir. Twenty-nine years had the grandsons of The Dagda in
the kingship of Ireland, to wit Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Gréine:
they divided Ireland into three parts. To them came the Gaedil to
Ireland, so that they fell by the hands of three sons of Mil, avenging
Ith, Cuailnge, and Fust, of the three sons of Breogan.
64. Nuadu Airgetlam s. Echtach s. Etarlam s. Ordam s. Aldui s. Tat s. Tavarn
s. Enda s. Baath s. Ebath s. Bethach s. Iarbonel s. Nemed s. Agnomain
s. Pamp s. Tat s. Sera s. Sru s. Esru s. Braimend s. Rathacht s.
Magoth s. Iafeth s. Noe.
****
Neit s. Indui s. Alldui s. Tat
****
Fiachna s. Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada s. Delbaeth s. Net
****
Ai s. Ollam s. Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada.
Lug s. Cian s. Dian Cecht s. Esarg s. Net s. Indui s. Alldui, he is the
first who brought chess-play and ball-play and horse-racing and
assembling into Ireland, unde quidam cecinit
Lug son of Ethliu, a cliff without a wrinkle, with him there
first came a lofty assembly: after the coming of Christ, it
is no idle proclamation Conchobar the wise and violent
died.
Caicher and Nechtan, the two sons of Nama s. Eochu Garb s. Dui Temen
s. Bres s. Delbaeth s. Net.
Siugmall s. Corpre Crom s. Eremair s. Delbaeth s. Ogma.
Oengus mac Oc and Aed Caem and Cermait Milbel, those are the three
sons of the Dagda.
Corpre the poet s. Tuar s. Tuirell s. Cait Conaichend s. Orda s. Alldui
s. Tat
Galia s. Oirbsen s. Elloth s. Elada s. Delbaeth s. Net
Orbsen was the name of Manannan at first, and from him is named Loch
Orbsen in Connachta. When Manannan was being buried, it is then the
lake burst over the land, [through the burial].
The six sons of Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada s. Delbaeth s. Net, were
Fiachra, Ollam, Indui, Brian, Iucharba, Iuchar. Donann the daughter of
the same Delbaeth was mother of the three last, Brian, Iucharba and
Iuchar. These were the three gods of Danu, from whom is named the
Mountain of the Three gods. And that Delbaeth had the name Tuirell
Bicreo.
Tuirill s. Cait moreover was the grandfather of Corpre the poet, and
Etan d. Dian Cecht was mother of that Tuirill.
The three sons of Cermait, moreover, ut diximus; Mac Cuill - Sethor,
the hazel his god; Mac Cecht - Tethor, the ploughshare his god; Mac
Greine - Cethor, the sun his god. Fotla was wife of Mac Cecht, Banba
of Mac Cuill, Eriu of Mac Greine. Those were the three daughters of
Fiachna son of Delbaeth.
Ernmas daughter of Etarlam s. Nuada Airgetlam was mother of those three women, and mother of Fiachna and Ollom.
Ernmas had other three daughters, Badb and Macha and Morrigu,
whose name was Anand. Her three sons were Glon and Gaim and Coscar.
Boind daughter of Delbaeth s. Elada.
Fea and Neman, the two wives of Net s. Indiu, two daughters of Elcmar
of the Brug.
Uillend s. Caicher s. Nuadu Airgetlam.
Bodb of the Mound of Femen, s. Eochu Garb s. Dui Temen s. Bres s.
Elada s. Delbaeth s. Net.
Abean s. Bec-Felmas s. Cu s. Dian Cecht, the poet of Lug.
En s. Bec-En s. Satharn s. Edleo s. Alda s. Tat s. Taburn.
At Tat s. Tabourn the choice of the Tuatha De Danann unite. Of
that the historian sang -
Ireland with pride, with weapons, hosts spread over her
ancient plain, westward to the sunset were they
plunderers, her chieftains of destruction around Temair.
Thirty years after Genann goblin hosts took the fertile
land; a blow to the vanquished People of Bags was the
visit of the Tuatha De Danann.
http://www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Myths/TheLeborGabala/The-Tuatha-De/Page1.htm
It is God who suffered them, though He restrained them -
they landed with horror, with lofty deed, in their cloud of
mighty combat of spectres, upon a mountain of Conmaicne
of Connacht.
Without distinction to discerning Ireland, Without ships, a
ruthless course the truth was not known beneath the sky
of stars, whether they were of heaven or of earth.
If it were diabolic demons the black-cloaked agitating
expedition, it was sound with ranks, with hosts: if of men,
it was the progeny of Bethach.
Of men belonging to law (is) the freeborn who has the
strong seed: Bethach, a swift warrior-island (?) son of
Iarbonel son of Nemed.
They cast no assembly or justice about the place of Fal to
the sunset: there was fire and fighting at last in Mag
Tuired.
The Tuatha De, it was the bed of a mighty one, around the
People of Bags fought for the kingship: in their battle with
abundance of pride, troops of hundreds of thousands died.
The sons of Elada, glory of weapons, a wolf of division
against a man of plunder: Bres from the Brug of Banba of
wise utterance, Dagda, Delbaeth, and Ogma.
Eriu, though it should reach a road-end, Banba, Fotla, and
Fea, Neman of ingenious versicles, Danann, mother of the gods.
Badb and Macha, greatness of wealth, Morrigu - springs of
craftiness, sources of bitter fighting were the three daughters of Ernmas.
Goibniu who was not impotent in smelting, Luichtne, the
free wright Creidne, Dian Cecht, for going roads of great
healing, Mac ind Oc, Lug son of Ethliu.
Cridenbel, famous Bruinde, Be Chuille, shapely Danand,
Casmael with bardism of perfection, Coirpre son of Etan, and Etan.
The grandsons of the Dagda, who had a triple division (?)
divided Banba of the bugle-horns; let us tell of the
princes of excellence of hospitality, the three sons of Cermat of Cualu.
Though Ireland was multitudes of thousands they divided
her land into thirds: great chieftains of deeds of pride,
Tuatha deThe Morrigan
author unknown..
The Fae of the Winter Forest
Erechwydd, White Lady of the Winter Storm
Palug tells of the White Lady who lives within the deepest areas of the regio, perhaps near to the Ruadan. She is said to have a body of ice and a cloak of snow which wraps around her freezing everything in its wake. She sleeps during the faerie summer in her palace of ice, according to Palug. However, we may meet her during the deepest winter of the faerie season.
Tegid Foel, the Faerie Knight of the Tower
Within the deepest regions of the faerie forest, Palugtells me there lies a stone tower. Within this small fortress lives the faerie knight Tegid Foel, and his servants. Palug could tell me little else about this faerie, save that he sought a mortal wife arid could best any mortal knight in single combat. The knight's servants are similar to the descriptions I have heard in stories, of ogres.
Morfan, The Faerie of the Fallen Oak
Palug tells me that Morfan resides in the rotten remains of a fallen oak tree somewhere in the second circle of the regio. About half the height of a man with thick, dark green skin and an ugly face, Morfan has powers over the rot. All the trees and plants around his home are riddled with toadstools and the smell of decay is rich in the air. It is from Morfan that Palug seeks to protect the mushrooms of Glade. The mushrooms which are our covenant's source of Imagonem are apparently considered a powerful ingredient by Morfan. Though it is not clear for what purpose he uses them.
Palug of the Glade tells of a hidden lake within the second circle of the regio and near to the Cave of Snakes. Muirgen is said to look like an weed cloaked, old woman who lives under the water, but sometimes takes to the surface in the form of a black swan. The Great Pike is also rumoured to reside in the pool. The tiny Palug's estimates of size are hardly reliable, when I asked him how long the pike was he merely stretched his arms wide and said 'as big as this. Still if I ever find the place I will he investigating this lake with some caution.
Aned, Faerie Hound of Cyledyr
Aned is very rarely seen, but is said to be a large hunting dog You mainly spot his bright green eyes watching you from the darkness of the brush. His fur is said to be black, as are his teeth. Apart from his eyes you will probably see nothing of him, save perhaps his bright red tongue. His howl is fearful, hut he is actually a bit of a coward, so as long as you seem dangerous or on guard he almost certainly won't attack. He can move incredibly quickly through the forest, jumping suddenly ahead or behind you. He is terrified of the Bwbachod, Llyn y Fan and even wary of the Golwg Hafddydd.
The Fae of the Darkened Sky
Ruadan appears as a humanoid female with jet black skin and eyes. She has eight long, bony fingers on each hand. Her robe looks like the night sky, and seems to contain tiny stars. On closer inspection these stars are Golwg Hafddydd, affixed by magical loops of black thread. She is coldly cruel, utterly manipulative, and shrewd. Ruadan can plant a suggestion in someone's mind. This will slowly worm its way into the person's psyche, destroying or supressing any inhibitions or moral qualms they may have about carrying out Ruadan's will.
The Ruadan looks like a crooked old woman with jet black skin and eyes. Her hands have eight, long, bony fingers which click and crack when she moves them. Her dark robe is as black as the night, but within the folds of her cloak she has trapped Golwg Hafddydd tied by magical threads, which twinkle like tiny stars. On closer inspection you can see that her face is in fact a mask and that she has human ears just emerging from the sides. I guess that she was once human and was perhaps cursed (or blessed, depending on how you view it) by the Unseelie Morrigan. The Ruadan can be dealt with, but one must always be cautious. She still has a human heart, for was tempted by the power of an infernal wand. Sometimes she weeps at the pool in the cave of snakes as if lamenting some lost love perhaps? She has the power to plant thoughts in the minds of mortals, which are hard to refuse. She can also control her shadow and cause it to attack people, so Palug says. Darkness is related to the unseelie court of air, so powerful rego auram spells might be able to keep her and her shadow at bay.
Cors (Of the Thousand Claws)
Cors are large winged humanoid creatures with bony, clawed hands and thin black faces. Their eyes and ears resemble those of an owl, and they have eight fingers on each hand. The Cors serve Ruadan, acting as her spies; their large yellow eyes are occasionally seen high up in the trees, peering down at those on the forest floor. They are cautious creatures, but they are not afraid of mortals. They prefer to strike out of the night and carry their victims high above the tree-tops. Occasionally they will abduct mortals for naught but mischief, dropping them miles from home on cold winter nights. Cors can listen and watch from a great distance away, reporting what they have seen and heard to their mistress. This allows them to remain a safe distance away from those they observe, circling high above. They can whisper words to one another over great distances, allowing them to communicate without being heard. Sometimes they choose to whisper dark things to their victims, taunting without revealing themselves. Cors' eyes are worth one pawn of Intellego vis each.
'Thousand Claws', I ask you! They have eight claws upon each hand and foot, which makes a mere score and twelve claws. They appear as dark humanoid figures with large bat-like wings. Bright yellow eyes, round like an owls, allow them to see in the darkness and spy from a distance. They are cautious creatures, preferring to attack from surprise or carry away a single victim. But, driven by the Ruadan, they can directly confront opponents and even succeeded in abducting the Tremere magus, Jean de Caen many years ago. Like most dark creatures they are probably confused or shocked by bright light which may be a good defence if they ever attack again.
