The Urragh is the area of Merkabar inhabited by the Danann. It makes up the largest part of the Western Paradise. Although citizens of Merkabar, the Danaan still answer to the hereditary Clan Chiefs and the Satrap of the Western Paradise finds it convenient to govern his Danaan citizens through the offices of the five Clan Chiefs, or Lairds. Most Danaan in the Urragh regard themselves as a member of one of these Clans and owe some sort of fealty to its Laird, although in multicultural Merkabar this Clan-loyalty is become more and more notional.
Each Clan venerates one of the Tuatha De Danaan gods and supports a temple. The sacred springs of Tobar Nimwe is an Abbey, rather than a Temple, and the Abbot stands outside the Clan structure, owing loyalty to no one Laird.
Each Clan venerates one of the Tuatha De Danaan gods and supports a temple. The sacred springs of Tobar Nimwe is an Abbey, rather than a Temple, and the Abbot stands outside the Clan structure, owing loyalty to no one Laird.
Clan Domnhaill
The o’Domnhaill claim descent from a warlord of the Danaan who brought his chariots to the defence of Merkabar in its early years. Domnhaill was rewarded with lands beside the Western Paradise that became the Urragh. However, lore persists that Domnhaill had been an outcast and a rebel before attaching himself to Merkabar as a mercenary. Because of this, the o’Domnhaill are not viewed as entirely respectable, despite their claim to be the ‘First Clan’. They also hire out their warriors as City Guards in other parts of the city (notably the Eastern Paradise), which sometimes leads to o’Domnhaill soldiers being deployed to arrest, harass or impose curfews on other Danaan. This leads to accusations that they are the trained and well-fed mastiffs of their Ellyon masters.
Laird: Fiach o’Domnhaill (pr. Fee-ah oh-Donnal) is an old and cunning warrior who presents himself as the epitome of Danaan heroic pride (tattoos, bare armed, long braided hair) but is known to dine with the Satrap and whose wife Tashmet is herself Ellyon, a former handmaiden from the Stainless Spire.
Deity: Lugh Longhand is the warrior-god of the Danaan, known as ‘lucky Lugh’ with his magical spear. He is also the god of bandits and outlaws. Filian is the sagard (chief priest) of the o’Domnhaill who supervises the worship of Lugh.
Laird: Fiach o’Domnhaill (pr. Fee-ah oh-Donnal) is an old and cunning warrior who presents himself as the epitome of Danaan heroic pride (tattoos, bare armed, long braided hair) but is known to dine with the Satrap and whose wife Tashmet is herself Ellyon, a former handmaiden from the Stainless Spire.
Deity: Lugh Longhand is the warrior-god of the Danaan, known as ‘lucky Lugh’ with his magical spear. He is also the god of bandits and outlaws. Filian is the sagard (chief priest) of the o’Domnhaill who supervises the worship of Lugh.
Clan Niall
The o’Niall are the clan of royal blood and also the smallest clan. They claim direct descent from ‘the Queen of the West’ and tend to be most concerned to marry within the Danaan community, preserving their blood and lineage. They brought several sacred relics out of the Imperishable West with them and something of this holy reputation hangs about them. The Laird is also sagard of the Clan, combining the role of chief and priest. The o’Niall have a reputation for pride and haughtiness but are greatly respected.
Laird: Swuine o’Niall (pr. Sweeney oh-Neel) is a man of robust middle age whose wife Marain is a priestess. The two of them share religious duties for the Clan, including sacred copulation on the Seelie Days and, on the Unseelie Days, Marain goes through a theatre of decapitating her husband so that his blood supports the tribes. These sacred theatres are immensely popular and cement Swuine’s hold over the hearts of the Danaan.
Deity: Nuada Silverhand is the king of the gods and the patron of nobility and honour. He lost his arm in the Millennium War and fought on with a prosthetic of mithral-silver.
Laird: Swuine o’Niall (pr. Sweeney oh-Neel) is a man of robust middle age whose wife Marain is a priestess. The two of them share religious duties for the Clan, including sacred copulation on the Seelie Days and, on the Unseelie Days, Marain goes through a theatre of decapitating her husband so that his blood supports the tribes. These sacred theatres are immensely popular and cement Swuine’s hold over the hearts of the Danaan.
Deity: Nuada Silverhand is the king of the gods and the patron of nobility and honour. He lost his arm in the Millennium War and fought on with a prosthetic of mithral-silver.
Clan Moen
Known as the ‘dark clan’, the o’Moen dwell closer to the Nether Courts and preserve many Unseelie ties. Most Danaan Thieves are from the o’Moen (or claim to be) and the clan is known to employ Cauldron Born as servants and enforcers. Despite this ghoulish reputation, the o’Moen are traditionally the loyal lieutenants to the o’Niall and the two clans together counteract the authority of the o’Domnhaill.
Laird: Aofe o’Moen (pronounced Eef-ay oh-Moyan) is a female Laird. While not unknown in other clans, the o’Moen distinguish themselves by choosing female leaders rather than drawing their chiefs from a male bloodline. Aofe is a notable sorceress.
Deity: Morgain Warcrow is the battle goddess of the Danaan, identified with her ravens. She is linked to many dark arts of necromancy but is not an evil deity, merely a dangerous one. The Sagart is Cliodna, a terrifying priestess who is rumoured to command the service of Banshees.
Laird: Aofe o’Moen (pronounced Eef-ay oh-Moyan) is a female Laird. While not unknown in other clans, the o’Moen distinguish themselves by choosing female leaders rather than drawing their chiefs from a male bloodline. Aofe is a notable sorceress.
Deity: Morgain Warcrow is the battle goddess of the Danaan, identified with her ravens. She is linked to many dark arts of necromancy but is not an evil deity, merely a dangerous one. The Sagart is Cliodna, a terrifying priestess who is rumoured to command the service of Banshees.
Clan Fergus
The ‘Pork People’ are the source of Danaan wealth and hospitality : the pig farmers. In fact, the o’Fergus dominate most of the farming markets and own lands out West from which droves of pigs and cattle are herded into the city for slaughter in their abattoirs. The Danaan appetite for meat, especially pork, makes this a wealthy and respected clan, although one little inclined towards adventurousness or high politics.
Laird: Quinn o’Fergus is a young man who succeeded his father Cillian as Laird. He is still unmarried and his dashing good looks – as well as his Clan’s wealth – making him the most eligible bachelor in the Western Paradose, with the leading families of the other Clans (and several Ellyon noble lines) sending their daughters to court him.
Deity: Oengus Mac Og is the god of poetry, which all Danaan love but which is associated with the inspiration found in eating pork. The Sagart Barron supervises the Annual Bardic Festival and acts as patron to many poets and performers.
Laird: Quinn o’Fergus is a young man who succeeded his father Cillian as Laird. He is still unmarried and his dashing good looks – as well as his Clan’s wealth – making him the most eligible bachelor in the Western Paradose, with the leading families of the other Clans (and several Ellyon noble lines) sending their daughters to court him.
Deity: Oengus Mac Og is the god of poetry, which all Danaan love but which is associated with the inspiration found in eating pork. The Sagart Barron supervises the Annual Bardic Festival and acts as patron to many poets and performers.
Clan Tigernaich
The ‘Tin Clan’ are the artificers of the Danaan who occupy the broadest highway through the Urragh, across the rooftops of the Nether Courts and bellows the viaducts and aquaducts of the Upper City. This is ‘Tin Clan Alley’ where the smiths, engineers, carpenters, wainwrights and armourers work their trades. The o’Tigernaich stay out of politics as far as possible, concerned mostly with pe4rfecting their craft and making money. Though not as wealthy as the o’Fergus as a whole, they contain more wealthy individuals and their services as wheelwrights and spear-makers are sought out by everyone in Merkabar.
Laird: Tyron o’Tigernaich (pr. Tyron oh-Teer-nay) is known as the Silver Laird because of his finery, which rivals Ellyon nobility in splendour. He often dines in the Stainless Spire and visits the pleasure gardens of the Ellyon, leading other Danaan to grumble he has been corrupted by excess and luxury. A widower, he seems in no hurry to remarry. Rumours circulate that he is betrothed to an Ellyon Sheryna (princess) but other gossips suggest Tyron has little taste for women…
Deity: Goibniu (pr. Gov-eena) is the smith of the gods and presides over all craft skills and is the brother of Dian Cecht, the god of healing. Credne (pr. Cren-ya) is the Sagard of his cult and is as monk-like and traditionalist as his Laird is outlandish and modern. The two are said to despise one another.
Laird: Tyron o’Tigernaich (pr. Tyron oh-Teer-nay) is known as the Silver Laird because of his finery, which rivals Ellyon nobility in splendour. He often dines in the Stainless Spire and visits the pleasure gardens of the Ellyon, leading other Danaan to grumble he has been corrupted by excess and luxury. A widower, he seems in no hurry to remarry. Rumours circulate that he is betrothed to an Ellyon Sheryna (princess) but other gossips suggest Tyron has little taste for women…
Deity: Goibniu (pr. Gov-eena) is the smith of the gods and presides over all craft skills and is the brother of Dian Cecht, the god of healing. Credne (pr. Cren-ya) is the Sagard of his cult and is as monk-like and traditionalist as his Laird is outlandish and modern. The two are said to despise one another.