Tirneach

The country in which the game is set.

Tirneach consists of five realms:

• Baol — the Proud Realm
• Bruid — the Hardy Realm
• Draíod — the Learned Realm
• Siabhal — the Heart of the Realms
• Uasa — the Crown Realm

Politics and Government in the Five Realms

The land of Tirneach is ruled over by the Réig and their appointed vassals.

A high-level timeline of major events in Tirneach can be found at Timeline of Tirneach.

The First Réig

The first Réig was a legendary figure from a war-torn land across the Shaper’s Sea to east of Tirneach. From humble beginnings in their homeland they rose to lead the first Gallóglaigh on a quest to recover Tirneach from the grasp of the Gwyllt, spread the teachings of the Shaper and fulfill the Prophecy of the Réig.

Through extraordinary feats of faith, warfare, wisdom and diplomacy the first Réig united the Five Realms of Tirneach and drove back the Gwyllt that had scourged its people unchallenged for centuries. Once the hold of the Gwyllt was broken, they established the laws and traditions that govern Tirneach to this day.

The Réig Today

The title of Réig has changed hands many times over the centuries and their role has had to adapt to meet the circumstances of their day. No longer a legendary hero of prophecy, the modern Réig must concern themselves with the petty squabbles of their vassals as much as the grand battle of Shaper against Gwyllt.

At present, the position of Réig is disputed after the death of the last incumbant, Maeláine Uí Chonchobhair. Meláine was a former Gallóglach and renown warrior, who came to the throne eight years ago (approximately 790 years from the arrival of the first Réig to Tirneach) following a series of short reigns by members of her own family. The final years of her predecessor’s reign were particularly tumultuous as he showed little political tact in his leadership. Following his sudden and unexpected death, Maeláine secured her claim to the throne in duel to the death against her cousin.

It is thought that Réig Maeláine was on an official visit to the island of the Shaper’s Steps with some of her personal guard and was killed. There was wild speculation on the how and why, but no other details of her death are yet known. She had not named an heir and there are no clear successors.

Cian Treebreaker, head of House Roaring Thunder is now acting Regent of Tirneach in Uasa. However, Mairi of Clann Niamha has declared that the wealth of the lowlands belongs to the highlands, that Baol is the new capital of Tirneach, and that she is the new Reig.

The Iarlas, Riders and Lesser Nobility

For more information, please see Nobility in the Five Realms

Each of the Five Realms is ruled by a Iarla (pronounced yarla), except for Uasa which is governed directly by the Réig. The Iarlas are granted their power in exchange for oaths of loyalty and service to the Réig. Iarlas are appointed for life and their title is not inherited by the heirs upon death. Although, in exceptional circumstances the Réig may honour someone with a title that can be inherited for a number of generations, whether or not the next Réig will recognise this grant is an open question.

The Iarlas devolve their power to Riders who govern over smaller regions within the realm. Once again this power is granted in exchange for oaths of loyalty and service and the titles are not usually inherited. The Réig does not directly appoint Riders but they can exert significant influence over a Iarla’s choice if they wish, although careless use of this influence would be seen as overreaching.

While the titles of government are not inherited there are families in every realm who are traditionally more powerful and prestigious than their neighbours. Outside of Siabhal, these families’ influence is recognised by traditional appointment to something akin to a civil service. Local coordination of tax collection, road maintenance, irrigation or many various other tasks is granted to these prestigious families providing them with the power and responsibility appropriate to their station. Within the realm of Siabhal, ideas of title and nobility are far more codified.