Difference between revisions of "Deirbhile Nic an Bháird"
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'''Bardic Training''' | '''Bardic Training''' | ||
Deirbhile is the firstborn child of a | Deirbhile is the firstborn child of a family from [[Draíod#Notable_Settlements_and_Ridings|Crag Oscionn]] whose wealth lies in bardic tradition, not inherited holdings. Their resources mostly come from patrons in more prosperous families who wish their stories to be told well. Some call the An Bháirds mere hangers-on, "the lowest tier of courtier." When these critics find themselves the targets of satirical songs, however, swift retractions follow. | ||
Poet-historian Ceallach Mac an Bháird and his wife, the musician Aoibhneas, personally trained their daughter Deirbhile to carry on their role. From a young age, Deirbhile travelled the realms in their company, learning about history, music, and faith. Yet she always loved to return to Draíod, especially enjoying learning about magic from her uncle Conn, a graduate of the Arcane College. | Poet-historian Ceallach Mac an Bháird and his wife, the musician Aoibhneas, personally trained their daughter Deirbhile to carry on their role. From a young age, Deirbhile travelled the realms in their company, learning about history, music, and faith. Yet she always loved to return to Draíod, especially enjoying learning about magic from her uncle Conn, a graduate of the Arcane College. | ||
Revision as of 21:21, 31 August 2026
Bard, Cinnire, Line Breaker
Bardic Training
Deirbhile is the firstborn child of a family from Crag Oscionn whose wealth lies in bardic tradition, not inherited holdings. Their resources mostly come from patrons in more prosperous families who wish their stories to be told well. Some call the An Bháirds mere hangers-on, "the lowest tier of courtier." When these critics find themselves the targets of satirical songs, however, swift retractions follow.
Poet-historian Ceallach Mac an Bháird and his wife, the musician Aoibhneas, personally trained their daughter Deirbhile to carry on their role. From a young age, Deirbhile travelled the realms in their company, learning about history, music, and faith. Yet she always loved to return to Draíod, especially enjoying learning about magic from her uncle Conn, a graduate of the Arcane College.
Line Breaker
Deirbhile's family over the past few generations includes Sunspears, Clashing Swords, and Hooks. Deirbhile finally bucked the trend, manifesting the Line Breaker brand just as her grandmother Sadhbh (the old head of the family) was dying of old age.
Showing no one her face, Deirbhile fled from destiny. She found a place to hide, spending enough time alone that she could have burned her brand away - but she did not. Perhaps she chose not to become Marred. Or perhaps she hesitated so long that she lost the chance. She does not speak of the confrontation that followed when she was found, but she now seems convinced that her destiny cannot change.
No Vartach high family would wish its story to be told by a Line Breaker. The reputation of Deirbhile's family is best served with her as far away as possible. Her father is now the family head. Deirbhile was intended to be the heir, but that role now falls to her brother Fiachra. He has been told to begin bardic training, becoming Deirbhile's replacement. His actual desired path - that of a gallóglach - has instead became Deirbhile's only honourable choice. The siblings exchanged bitter words at their parting.
Cinnire and Gallóglach
After being revealed as a Line Breaker, Deirbhile professed that Vartach society should be insulated from the danger of her destiny. She should not lead but instead help others whose destinies are untainted; this might mitigate the future disaster she would cause for Vartach society. Towards this end, she has took the Five Oaths and joined Cumhacht na Réig. She also put herself at the service of the Shaper and the order of cinnirí, and focused her magical studies on the field of healing.
During the Season of Renewal, Deirbhile made special efforts to understand certain virtues as part of her cinnire initiation. A conversation on the virtue of courage with Fiainfaobhar Ó Chonlaoch played an unexpectedly helpful part in resolving the Songbook Conspiracy. Consequently, Deirbhile was made a cinnire mid-battle by Briste, who was then the cinnire-at-arms.
The Season of Graves saw Deirbhile return to Draíod with the Band. Conal Quartzbane, a member of the Council of Lavran, visited following her research in Lavran on the relationship between the Vartach and the Fathach. With help from Briste, Ultan, and Fionnvarr, she fielded his queries, but he left displeased. For a time, because of perceived danger, Deirbhile kept word of her research confined to a small group of Fathach and Vartach in the Band. Now, however, it is open to any member of the Band to join discussion of the Pact of Stone - but care is still advised with outsiders.
Also while in Draíod, Deirbhile received visits from two Vartach seeking counsel: Liadan, a marred Sunspear, and Cathal, a struggling Line Breaker poet. Liadan found hope in Deirbhile's words, as the Band met her again as a pilgrim in the Shaper's Steps. However, following a private conversation with Deirbhile, Cathal left the Band's camp in some distress.
Following these events, research Deirbhile tried to carry out in Draíod was met with hostility. Reports later circulated that representatives of the Saoi have issued cautions about her, urging people to report her to the nearest Clashing Swords if seen. She wrote a poem about Cathal and circulated it in an effort to find the fellow Line Breaker. But Deirbhile soon learned that Cathal had died during questioning by Saoirse Drakebane's militia - and her poem was now linked to violence in Draíod.
During the Season of Masquerade, Deirbhile saved the life of a guest at an occasion hosted by House Ua Órfhaiche of the Carmine circle, the family of the Iarla of Siabhal. She accepted a marriage of esteem as a reward. When the Band returned to Draíod for a Season of Sorcery, she received three suitors from the Órfhaiche family: Seán, Art, and Dónal. She chose Dónal and they swiftly married.
The Band's recent successes have led authorities in Draíod to treat Deirbhile as less of a source of danger. When she returned to Crag Oscionn, she was followed and watched by Clashing Swords but not stopped or arrested. Added to her new bond with the prominent House Ua Órfhaiche, her life now seems more secure.