Lugh, Master of Manyarts!

Design Camp Presents: Lugh, Master of ManyArts! The Master of Many Arts, The Long Arm, The Youthful Hero Alignment Lawful Neutral Domains Community, Death, Law, Plant, Sun Favored Weapons Sling-staff Centers of Worship Lugh is worshipped throughout Ireland, as well as in Wales as Lleu Llaw Gyffes. He was also held sacred at the bardic colleges at Clogher, Armagh, Lismore, and Tamar. He is popular in Northern Ireland, especially in Counties Meath and Sligo. Born to Cian and Ethniu, Lugh is one of the many Customs, Shrines, Objects, and Holy Texts gods who bears blood from multiple lines – his grandfather being Balor (on his mother’s side) and his father a descendant Lugh is often venerated by bards and is considered of Danu. His lineage varies in some stories, but in most he is one of their unofficial patrons throughout Érie. He is revered the father of Cú Chulainn. Although he dies in some stories, at many of the bardic colleges throughout Ireland, many of his success in the Otherworld earns him the role of Lord of who keep shrines to him. Beyond these colleges, shrines to the Harvest (the harvest festival Lughnasadh is named after Lugh are found throughout Ireland, Wales, and beyond, main- him). tained by both traveling bards and local druids. These shrines are frequently elaborate in populated areas, but much less so Like many of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Lugh has many in rural areas. In either case, almost of them bear a golden or names and titles, all of which detail the various roles he fills: yellow harp – a sign of their respect for the Master of Many warrior, king, craftsman, master of the harvest, and a purveyor Arts. of secrets and wisdom. He is sometimes known as Lámfada, which means “the long handed one” or “the long arm.” While Mystery Cults he is sometimes called Macnia (which means “youthful hero”) or Lonnbéimnech (which means “fierce striker”), heSample most fileAmong the many cults that venerate Lugh, none famously known as Lugh Ildánach, which translates to “skilled enjoy more renown that the Sons of Lugh, a band of warriors in many things;” this directly references his role as an outsider who have sworn themselves to destroy the Sons of Tuireann, who joined the Tuatha Dé Danann to help fight the Fomori- the descendants of those who slew Lugh’s father. ans. Natural Manifestation Lugh is unique to the tribe in many ways, although most notable among these is the sole fact that as a young man Like many of the tribe, Lugh he traveled to Tara and petitioned King Nuada to join the might take any number of forms, includ- Tuatha Dé Danann’s fight against the Fomorians (who at the ing a wide array of magical animals. He is time oppressed them). Although every skill he offered was mastered by one of What is Design Camp? the other gods, he was welcomed into their fold after he proved his mastery Design Camp is a collaborative experience where on several fronts, challenging and beat- game designers and interested individuals share ing many of them, and thus winning the process of RPG content creation-- sometimes the title Chief Ollam of Ireland – mak- that means writing a supplement, or an adventure, ing him nearly as prestigious as the king or setting material, or, any number of collabora- himself. tive projects. Design Camp operates with a simple philosophy: collaborate, design, and create. fond of appearing as a skald in colorful clothes, with hair the Divine Realm color of wheat. When he manifests in this form, he does so with a glowing spear that floats gently at his side. Lugh’s sidh is a domain of cultivated, natural gardens, each with a yew tree at their center. In between the gardens are Omens small groves, surrounded by acoustically friendly terrain. Lugh commonly invites those who master his arts to visit these When Lugh manifests his will in the natural world, groves, offering them places to master celestial music, knowl- he causes plants to spring to life and grow green. This is always edge, and wisdom. accompanied by the sound of a harp playing faintly on the ho- rizon, or just beyond the next hill. He uses these two elements Planar Allies and Religious Heroes to form a path, leading those who witness these miracles to the object or location of his desire. Lugh has many celestial and terrestrial servants, though Failinis (Lugh’s magical hound) remains his favorite to Obedience send into battle against his enemies. Standing nearly seven feet at the shoulder, this mythical wolfhound is immune to mortal You must seek out a farmer’s field and quietly medi- weapons, can track through any terrain, and can step over tate – without any distractions – at its center while the sun into Lugh’s sidh at will - often with enemies in its jaws. Lugh rises. You must maintain this meditation until the sun is in can also call on the immortal Cú Chulainn (CN human male full view, at which point you must immediately break your aristocrat 5/fighter 12/marshal 7) to do his will. Seen as the fast with a horn of mead, honey, and some bread. To complete semi-mortal embodiment of Lugh, Cú Chulainn is his official your obedience, you should play a harp (or another musical champion. This sometimes brings Lugh into conflict with instrument) for fifteen minutes. Once complete, you gain a +1 Morrígan, although this is rare. morale bonus to a single Charisma-based skill of your choice for the next 24 hours. SLING-STAFF The Priest’s Role Price 5 gp Type Martial Priests who serve Lugh directly are often druids or bards, serving in religious roles and dedicated to the perfec- Designed to replicate the mythical sling-staff tion of three or more disciplines; these disciplines generally Cloich Tabaill (which is sometimes referred to as include multiple musical instruments, an understandingSample of Tathlum), file the sling-staff is a unique, ethnic weapon local history and myths, an intimate understanding of the that is designed to fire bullets (or stones, in a pinch) at Tuatha Dé Danann, druidic knowledge, and the basics of enemies. To those not trained in its use, the sling-staff swordplay and warfare. functions like a normal quarterstaff (a simple weapon), except that it includes a small, removable sling at Holidays and Festivals one end. Lugh is celebrated throughout the year, but is hon- ored almost exclusively at Lughnasadh, the beginning of the Whenever you use the sling-staff, you add harvest season. On this day (generally August 1st), the very your Strength modifier to damage rolls, just like when first crops are cut and portions of them are often burned in you apply it to other thrown weapons. Like all missile his honor, with the faithful honoring him among the fires late weapons, you apply your Dexterity modifier to attack into the evening with drink and song. rolls. Loading and firing a sling-staff requires two hands, and loading the weapon is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Otherwise, the sling-staff may be wielded with a single hand (like a quarterstaff ). Name Cost Dmg (S) Dmg (M) Critical Range Weight Type Special Sling-staff 5 gp 1d4 1d6 x3 100 ft. 5 lbs. B/P.

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