Airgid Gleann
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1. Airgid Gleann - The Silver Valley
Nestled a lonely ride west of the bustling trade ports in Dublin is a quiet, mysterious land. It lies along the craggy coast once known as Galway, secluded by two adjoining mountain crests and closed in by the chilly North Atlantic Ocean. The valley that forms in the hollow of the mountains is a treasure hidden from most of the world - A place filled with spectacular beauty, as merciless as it is breathtaking. Verdant moors creep up from the south, making for treacherous travel into the area if one is not following the coast or familiar with the undulating terrain. The land itself is sweeping and broad, often coyly mist-cloaked. Open fields of dewy emerald grass sway and give way to wide rolling hills, which are in turn dotted with airy woodland spinneys and dense sacred groves. Toward the sea, the land becomes a mixture of high bluffs buffeted by the driving wind, and shallow inlets drenched in fable. This land is called Airgid Gleann by its native inhabitants, but is known colloquially as "the Silver Valley"' by the few tenacious traders that pass along its rocky shores in search of the quality wares made there. It is named thus for the small river that snakes through its heart and winds, serpentine, down to meet the sea; And it is home to the archaic Tribes of Morrígan.
The Silver Valley is rich in diversity of flora. Tall pines cluster in their multitudes, standing sentinel to the land below. They are dotted with birches, elms and oaks, whose ghostly bark sometimes gives a silvery sheen between the dense greens of the forest. Gentle willows and yew grow where the moisture is richest, and succulent crab apples, cherries, plums and wild strawberry trees pop with color, flavor and life. The land is split with rough grazing fields, perfect for hardy livestock acclimated to the fickle weather, and small thickets filled with dense wildflowers such as ragged robin, spring gentian and sea mayweed closer to the pebbled shore.
A bounty of creatures call Airgid Gleann home. Regal red deer, the largest prey native to the area, roam in small harems led by magnificent antlered stags. Far from hunters who might disturb their peace, large shaggy bears live solitary lives. Red foxes, shy of their larger cousins, frolic sparingly across the landscape. The fertile land provides for all manner of critters, from badgers, to stoats, otters and hares. The sky is the kingdom of large tawny owls, but other familiar avians are the jay, red grouse, wren, robin, blackbirds and the magnificent golden and white tail eagles. Just as the soil is plentiful, so too are the teeming waters of the coast. The grey ocean brims with many deep sea fish, such as Atlantic salmon and trout, and fishing is a promising pursuit to those patient enough to reap its rewards. Sea turtles are also a tasty treat for the skilled fisherman. Fortune even allows sightings of playful bottle-nosed dolphins, porpoises, and (rarely!) majestic killer whales from the far waters.
Landscape/Inspiration Gallery
Please use this gallery as inspiration for descriptions of the terrain, landmarks, and landscapes to be found within the territories of Airgid Gleann. All images are free-for-use from Creative Commons.
2. Tribes of Morrígan
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3. The Coisricthe Religion
3.1 Deities
3.2 The Story of Creation
An Scéal na Linn |
In the beginning, there was Morrígan. She is Dea, the creator, and with her power over life she birthed all things. She is peace, power, pain and pleasure. She is the Great Mother. Morrígan created the world from her womb, the mountains from her flesh and the rivers from her blood. The world was quiet and empty, and so to fill it Dea then created life - Above all life, she favored her children, the tribes of the holy land Airgid Gleann. They were named thus: Badb, of the darkwing, of creativity and cunning; Nemain, of the large fang, of strength and endurance; and lastly Macha, of the swift foot, of wisdom and healing. For an age, the tribes lived peacefully within the radiance of the all-powerful Dea. She protected them from Dagda, the Trickster, and Lugh, the Great King. Dagda was known to be the brother/son of Morrígan, and he too loved the world she had created - but he is a master of mischief in his nature, and sought only chaos and entertainment from the tribes. Lugh, Soul-eater, was once a great and powerful King of the old world when gods walked among us, known to be the lover of Morrígan and made immortal by her hand. He grew jealous of her love for the tribes. ❆ ❆ ❆ Frustrated by the tranquil peacetimes, Dagda said to the Mother, "If you love them, as you say you love them, let them know magic," - He said this for he knew spirit-magic to be chaos. Dea could not refuse his request, for she loved them with a love that was both wonderful and terrible - but she was wise, and chose only to give the spirit-magic to those truly worthy of the names Badb, Nemain and Macha. Those chosen would be blessed with the Sight, and great power. However, the once-benevolent Lugh grew furious with Morrígan for sharing the nature of their spirit-magic. The spirits came from all things, from life and death and the land itself, and he was bound by her decree to tithe such things. Seeking an end to her children, that the power might remain his own, Lugh sent a willing Dagda in the form of Weasel to speak with the chiefs of each tribe. To the Crow chief, Weasel said: "Nemain, the stupid and the lumbering - they who have none of your wit and resourcefulness - they have been given more spirit-magic than you!" Badb was furious. She thought, My tribe has been wronged. Bear is dimwitted! To the Bear chief, Weasel said: "Badb, the sly and the devious - they, who have none of your valor and bravery - they have been given more spirit-magic than you!" Nemain was enraged. He thought, My tribe had been wronged. Crow is wicked! To the Stag chief, Weasel said: "Your traitorous brethren, Crow and Bear, rally against you - They wish for your wisdom and they grow jealous of your wealth. There is war to be had!" Macha, wisest of all, thought only thus: Weasel is trickery! Dagda walks among us, sent by he who seeks to rule the heart of Morrígan. But Weasel/Dagda was cunning. He warned Bear and Crow that Stag would try to outwit them, for he said Macha thought himself the smartest of the three. When war broke out, the Stag tribe suffered the greatest losses, for he did not seek to fight back against those who had once been brothers and sisters. Peace seemed a weakness in those dark times, and the people of Macha despaired. ❆ ❆ ❆ Morrígan's eye opened with baleful stare of the full moon, and she looked down on her creations and raged, for they had broken her heart. She punished them by taking the magic from their souls, and rode the steed Death upon the heels of their petty wars in a great and reaping punishment. The Soul-eater came, and he was Lugh; and he took the souls of the unburied and unmourned and feasted, and for a time the great Cycle was woefully broken. Many died in the feuds, and the tribes would never be true kin again. However, Dea had not entirely turned from her children, and occasionally one would be born again with the spirit-magic and the Sight, that they might see and remember what greatness they had lost. The tribes were shattered. They prayed to Morrígan, but she did not heed them. Lugh continued to feed on their unworthy souls. To appease Dea, they offered her the greatest of spirits - From the Badb, white crows were sacrificed (though some say that more, the Lost Children, were also given back to the mother in darkness and great shame). From the Nemain, white bears. From the few remaining Macha, who had become elusive and rare, mighty white stags were offered. The bodies were left bare by their altars, and the sacrifices were crude and desperate. Dea was again enraged. She came to the Triads of each tribe and plagued them with great and terrifying nightmares, and they said in her voice to their kin: "Morrígan is displeased. She says the spirits have been wasted, and that all must be used for their life to create magic. She says, respect must be given to ALL spirits, and the magics therein." From then on, the tribes used every inch of their sacrifices for ritual clothing and food, giving the blood of the animals to Dea and saving only the hearts to appease the GodKing, Lugh. They would bury the hearts beneath the rich earth and tilled loam where they buried their dead, so that the Great King could reach up and take them in his black claws. Blood was given from the Triads, too, for their Blood was Morrígan's blood, and on solstice and full moons when the eye of Dea is open, they still give blood to her and ask the traditional blessings. Because the blood holds the Spirit, it is sacred, and only shed in war, ritual, or hunt - all of which are blessed acts of Morrígan. At all times, offerings are made first to her by drawing the mark of the tribe with the blood or the claw on tree or fur or ground. Dagda, the Messenger, will please his vengeful sister/mother by taking the offering to her in the form of Sparrow or Mouse, Hare or Fish. He is kept from making Mischief by use of ritual song, for he is lulled back to slumber by the beauty of such music. ❆ ❆ ❆ Festivals are still held on the Sabbats to appease and honor the Gods, and their numerous forms - and to continue the path of apology and piety to the High Goddess, in the hopes that one day she might forgive her children and return to them the powers that have been lost. These rituals are known as Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain; This is why the Tribes make sacrifice and pray as they do, and this is how the Land and the Tribes came to be. |
4. Cultural and Religious Practices
4.1 Ceremonies and Festivals
On the longest night of the year, the Tribes rejoice as Morrígan gives birth to the sun. On the night of the solstice, the Triad of the tribe will remain awake until dawn with lit candles to keep her vigil. She will pray for the safe passage of the sun, and make sacred offerings (of blood, prey, or song) to the moon, which is seen as Morrígan. Come daybreak, the celebrations will begin, with feasting on much of the remaining winter store and high merriment as the tribes look forward to the fertility of the oncoming months and the end of the long cold. If there are any big announcements to be made, the Chief will make them after the feasting. If the Triad has been successful in her worship and Morrígan is pleased, they will have a bountiful Spring.
Historically, this date is seen as the passage from Winter into the beginning of Spring. To the tribes, it is seen as a time of purification, spring cleaning and self-cleansing in preparation for the oncoming year. Often, tribesfolk will make confessions to the Triad of their tribe to cleanse themselves of guilt in the eyes of the gods, and this un-burdening is often associated with a feeling of freedom and giddiness. Imbolc is also the traditional time to make pledges and vows, and as such it is common for couples to announce their mateship to the Triad and the Chief on this day. It is a day of fresh starts and new beginnings, and also heralds the beginning of the birthing of the spring lambs.
This is a time of great fertility, as the length of the day surpasses the length of the night. The Triad will focus her energies on blessing the land for prosperity and richness, and also blessing any pregnant women or couples hoping to conceive. These blessings do not involve blood, but are more earthly, and involve elements such as water, clay and seeds. Many members of the tribes will take this day to plant fresh crops that will be blessed when the Triad worships the land in the name of Morrígan.
Traditionally the first day of Summer, Beltane is a time to gather with your family and enjoy the company of old friends. There is much storytelling done on this day, with ballads sung for the triumphs of the tribes, and elaborate exaggerations piling more and more ridiculously. During the day, festival activities will include both ritual dancing, simple dancing, and dancing around a traditional Maypole that is either erected on the day, or made out of the most suitable tree on the territory. Come night, the Chief will lead in the lighting of great bonfires, and the dancing will continue with the glow of firelight.
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Midsummer is considered the turning point of the season, when summer reaches its peak and the day stretches longest of all. It is a day for dreaming one's most secret and heart-felt thoughts, for it is believed on this day that Dagda is mollified by the warmth of the sun and will be benevolent, carrying the wishes of the tribesfolk to Morrígan that Shea may hear them and answer their prayers. A candle or campfire is lit before sunset in every den, to keep a light (representing the sun) burning until the the dawn.
This date marks the beginning of the first harvest. Much cooking is done in preparation of feasting to be had, to praise the bounty of a good season, or uphold merriment in the event of a poor one. Young animals will be slaughtered, and their hearts buried so that Lugh, The Great King, may take them and be appeased. Sporting competitions are sometimes held, each differing to the tastes of the tribes (hunting in Badb, wrestling in Nemain, archery and horse-riding in Macha) to show the strength of the tribe and also to show to Lugh that their souls are worthy of reincarnation. It is generally a competitive celebration.
Also known as The Gathering or the Wine Harvest, Mabon is a sacred day to all the tribes. For once, they set their grievances aside and will meet in peace on neutral grounds for ceremonial interaction. Later in the season than the first harvest, there is often plentiful food to share, and each tribe will try to out-do the other in displays of wealth and bounty, by bringing large amounts of food and luxury (often wine and mulled concoctions, which the Badb tribe are masterful at creating). Here, young individuals might meet and flirt, and form secret trysts and partnerships that will evolve in mateships once announced at Imbolc. The Chiefs from the tribes will confer as to the betterment of their lands and all of Airgid Gleann, and the Triads will convene in a secret and sacred ritual location to perform various scrying and worship rituals. The meeting will last well into nightfall and till the following dawn, when the tribes will depart back to their respective territories.
An ancient and somber festival, Samhain marks the end of the warm and bountiful seasons and the beginning of the oncoming hardships of winter. At this time, individuals will have to decide which of their livestock are strong enough to survive the winter, and which will be culled for eating and curing with salts to preserve for times when food stocks are low. As day turns into night, Samhain becomes a day to worship the ancestors and the recently deceased. Lugh's Cycle is at its thinnest, allowing for the Triads to feel the presence of those he has reincarnated, and those whose souls have yet to be judged.
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5. On-board & LASKY Threads
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