An Adventurer's Guide to Dromarra
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CONTENTS INIS MÓNA, OR THE ISLE OF PEAT 2 Taraunish . 9 The Origins of Life . 2 Dasclahoul . 10 A Brief History of Dromarrach Society . 2 Bálsiórud . 10 Dromarra Today . 2 POLITICS 12 GEOGRAPHY 3 Clan Organization . 12 Places . 3 The Petty Kings and Queens (Rí Tuaithe) . 12 CULTURE 4 The Overkings and Overqueens (Rí Calendar . 4 Buiden or Rí Tuath) . 12 Gender . 4 The Provincial Kings and Queens Gender in inheritance . 4 (Rí Ruirech) . 12 Gender in war . 4 The High Kings and Queens (Ard Rí) 12 Family . 4 Court Life . 13 Naming . 4 The Major Clans . 13 Architecture . 5 Wintermane . 13 Class Structure . 5 Elmsborn . 13 Appearance & Clothing . 5 Woadblood . 14 Race . 5 Minor Clans . 14 Societies . 5 GAMEPLAY ADDITIONS TO THE 5TH EDI- The Filí . 5 TION OF D&D 15 The Canonical Druidic Order . 5 Combat . 15 The Cult of the Severed Head . 5 Escalation Die . 15 The Pugilists . 5 Roleplay/Interaction . 15 The Dromarrach Republican Order . 5 Crafting . 15 The Ministry of the Astral Gate . 5 Inscribe Magical Tattoo . 16 Exploration . 19 RELIGION 7 Character Development . 19 Na Déithe: The Gods and Goddesses . 7 One Unique Thing . 19 The Dromarrach Pantheon . 7 Gifts of Birth . 19 Ualal . 7 Márdowan . 7 BIBLIOGRAPHY 23 Íoren . 8 Galathnid . 9 INDEX 24 CONTENTS 1 INIS MÓNA, OR THE ISLE OF PEAT ROMARRA (from Dromanna na This is believed to be one of, if not the first Máithreacha or “the backs of society to navigate the seas. Their ingenuity, the mothers”) is sometimes bred from necessity given the rocky shores and D referred to in the pejorative and, ferocious surf, inspired them to make hide- conversely, the approbative, as Innishmora covered ships that granted them humanity’s (from Inis Móna or “the isle of peat”). first-known voyage across a sea. While their shipmaking was eventually outclassed greatly by other societies and civilizations, this gave THE ORIGINS OF LIFE them an early edge in and proclivity towards raiding. Long ago, according to historian Suibiachtaithí, One of the most notable examples of superior when the world was young and humankind shipbuilding came from the north. Roughly was in its infancy, the island of Dromarra 1000 years ago, the northmen came raiding lay undisturbed in the sea. As humanity and conquering. They stayed for the more grew, so did its thirst for expansion. Thus, hospitable farmland and greater variance thousands upon thousands of years ago, a in fauna, as compared to their harsher race of humans made its way by hide longship homeland. This occupation lasted for over across the sea from the mainland to settle the a century until their forces were gradually rich Drommarach countryside. integrated or repelled under the rule of the Differing opinions, including practitioners contemporary era’s first High King, Íoren of the druidic tradition, portray man on Inis Féasóg mhic Fhómhair (beard of the son of Móna as indigenous - that the first human was autumn - modernized as Wintermane) - so birthed by the mother goddess Márdowan and, named for the god of justice, cooperation, and when it could not breathe the air in the Country despair. As a result of this occupation and later of the Gods (Tír na nDéithe), she planted her integration, the culture of the northmen has feat on Tír na nDaoine, at the bottom of the sea, melded in many ways with the old culture of and arched her back to allow her child to take the islands. its first breath of fresh air. DROMARRA TODAY ABRIEF HISTORY OF The core of life in Dromarra remains the tuath - DROMARRACH SOCIETY the tribe. One’s clan can define status at birth, and can provide a support infrastructure for Dromarrach is home to a culture, thousand of ambition and for hardship. Many debts have years old, that has resisted nearly all attempts been paid by the ágae fine, the “pillar of the at occupation and colonization. Dating back family,” and many would-be conquerors have thousands of years, the islands were home to a had their dreams crushed by a weak fine. very druidic society, with an incredibly strong The country is divided generally by province bond with and reverence for the forests, hills, - each province being the reach of a rí tuath, bogs, mountains, and oceans. This society, rather than a strong political boundary. While according to mostly oral records, was extremely these boundaries have changed greatly over superstitious and had a strong belief in the milennia, they remain largely stable as of the otherworldly. Contemporary historians believe last few centuries, with no capital city changing this was likely due to the geographic - early hands between major clans in centuries. humanity’s understanding of the strange For those of ambition, being a member of - behavior of peat bogs, for example - and the or earning a rare de facto membership into - a mystic - the islands do display a particular clan can make all the difference. resonance for certain types of magic and illusion. INIS MÓNA, OR THE ISLE OF PEAT 2 GEOGRAPHY PLACES CULNEARY (FROM CÚL NA N-IONRÓIRÍ OR “THE BACKS OF THE INVADERS”) Today, Culneary is the most populous city in the country. Situated on the island’s only fjord, it is said to be the spot from which High King Íoren Wintermane watched the last of the northmen retreat to the sea. OLDCHURCH (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DÚNLÉINN, OR “THE FOR T OF CIVILIZATION”) Home to the Duine Aithríoch - the penitent man - it was long held as a druidic holy site before the Westerners invaded, flattened it, and built what is now the oldest surviving Western Orthodox church on either landmass. The only thing to survive the razing was a large stone, carved in the likeness of a prostrate man, nicknamed “the penitent man.” The Duine Aithríoch is believed to be around 3,500 years old. BALBASHTÍ (FROM BAILE NA BÁISTÍ OR “HOME OF THE RAINS”) TALBOGAN (FROM TALAMH AN BHEAGÁN OR “LAND OF THE FEW”) GEOGRAPHY 3 CULTURE ALENDAR Overking title or a portion of land through their C father’s family. Matrilineal descent also features heavily Having some of the earliest known structures in family symbolism and heraldry. While the demonstrating solar and stellar awareness, ordinaries and charges of the coat of arms pass the island is actually home to one of the patrilineally (with sections always maintaining most reliable annual calendars. Since they some clan consistency), the clan tartan passes relied on an oral tradition for so long, though, matrilineally - in a sense, making one’s their cataloging of “cycles” is suspect before a maternal heritage feature more prominently. certain date. Written records began to become mainstream around the time of the northmen invasions, as scholars and religious minorities GENDER IN WAR began frantically cataloging all they could. Much like the northmen who invaded, the Dromarrach allow women to participate and THE CALENDAR AND DrAIOCHT lead in battle. Unlike the northmen, there is no The upper druidic circles still reject the recorded special requirement or designation of women calendar to this day on principle, although they use in battle. Although battles usually contain far it unofficially for practical reasons. Officially, they more men than women, any able-bodied woman still use a seasonal calendar. is allowed to contribute. Written history began largely in response to Some clans see this differently, and their the First Great Invasion. Fearing their culture restrictions range from having only women who would be lost under the Northman invaders, have proven themselves worthy being allowed many individual clans began recording their to participate to excluding women from warfare histories and deeds. The druids never adopted entirely. These clans are in the minority, and the system officially, but scholars and judges are generally smaller clans. began using dates in RR (Réamh-Réabadh or “pre-violation”) and AA (Anáil Arís or “breath again”) in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AA. FAMILY Understanding the position of family is GENDER essential to grasping the organization and operation of Dromarrach society. Everything from social standing to political organization is GENDER IN INHERITANCE governed directly by membership or affiliation While men are more commonly Provincial Kings to the clans. and High Kings, there is no stigma against women serving as rulers or leaders, and they NAMING are typically accepted and treated with the same respect as their male counterparts. Some Names in Dromarra will often carry some sort of this is due to the importance maternal of significance, represented in a shortened ancestry holds in the role of the clan. The version of an idea or phrase from the old clan name can pass through either the mother tongue. Both given names and ainm nochta, or father - usually following whoever has the or “revealed names,” are highly respected more powerful name unless the next generation by the Dromarrach. It is, however, a geas would stand to inherit more property or status to give oneself an ainm nochta - it must be by taking the other name. An example of this “revealed” to others through influence or action. might include distant cousins with little hope of Once named, the ainm nochta is respected being selected as tanist to a Provincial King on equally to the given name, and can be used their mother’s side, but who stand to inherit an interchangeably in any setting. Children will 4 CULTURE rarely be named after their parents, but will In another example, a dragonborn would more frequently be named after grandparents - likely be categorized as a beast at first sight, as living or deceased. dragons have limited mention in mythology and humanoid dragons have none. A warforged, though, might be treated with awe - as it ARCHITECTURE is something that can be understood as a construction.