Seasons of Uncertainty

Blurb of Downtime Event

Two years have passed Out of Character (OOC), and we have decided that rather than try to pick up exactly where we left off, events in Tirneach will have proceeded and two years will pass in-game.

We invite all players to take part in this special time skip downtime, which will have 2 sections. The first section is live now, covering the events of the first few months of the time between our last game A Season of Seeking in September 2019, and our next game which we hope to announce soon for late summer 2022.

This will remain open for two weeks (closing 23.59, 22 April 2022). We will then have a second section for the remaining time of the time skip, with options affected by the results of this section.

We would like to explicitly state that none of these options will result in your character being removed from the gallóglaigh, or be unable to be part of the band at the start of the next game. While the members of the band may be doing very different things over the next 1-2 years in game time, all Player Characters will be members of the band for the next uptime game.

Part One

The time for the band’s next scheduled mission in Ardbealach, Draíod, is drawing near. But as you make your preparations to travel, shocking news reaches you:

The Réig is dead.

News is full of rumour but from what you can gather, Réig Maeláine was on an official visit to the island of the Shaper’s Steps with some of her personal guard and she has been killed, and while you hear wild speculation on the how and why, no other details of her death are available. Unfortunately she has not named an heir and there are no clear successors.

Cian Treebreaker, head of House Roaring Thunder and now acting Regent of Tirneach calls on all active Galloglaigh to return to Corroch to act as a peacekeeping force in the capital until a new Reig can be named.

Almost immediately after this news reaches you, even more troubling news arrives: another revolt is taking place in Baol. 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.

Although Mairi's followers loudly proclaim her legitimacy, she does not appear to have support beyond the limits of Baol..Some members of her own clann, as well as members of the other highland Clanns have rallied to her call, murdering some Riders, guild members, and others loyal to the existing order and looting the lowlands in earnest, as well as any highlanders not joining their movement. Iarla Dalles (also of Clann Niamha) has put out a call for aid in putting down this rebellion.

And still, the date your band promised to be in Ardbealach looms near and reports of Gwyllt marching on Draíod continue to come in.

Which leaves the question: What do you do?

Part One Options

• I fulfill my duty as a Galloglach and heed the Regent’s call to return and guard the capital along with the Thane of the band.
• I fulfill my duty as a Galloglach and carry out the mission in Draíod as hired.
• I fulfill my duty as a Galloglach and go to Baol to help fend off the uprising.

Part Two (OOC Info)

Below are the outcomes of the first Timeskip and the options for the second Timeskip period. The second Timeskip period covers roughly a year and a half of in game time. There will be a period of a couple of months in game time unaccounted for between the end of this Timeskip and the next Game (A Season of Renewal), intended to allow for the possibility of IC socials. We would like to clarify that none of the options below will cause your character to be unable to be part of the band at the start of the next game.

Part Two

The few months following the announcement of the Réig’s death were a period of great turmoil and with no named successor, Regent Cian Treebreaker tried to maintain stability until a new Réig could be confirmed. While many voiced quiet concerns about his advanced age and the risk of leaving Tirneach without a ruler, those concerns soon turned out to be misplaced, as some remaining members of the Riverborn sect organised killings across Corroch. While Gallóglaigh and House Guards tried to maintain order, some Riverborn managed to sneak through their thin stretched ranks and assassinate the Regent Cian Treebreaker. Another member of House Roaring Thunder, Tiergan, managed to slay the assassins as they attempted to leave the grounds. Through a combination of personal charisma and some well judged shows of force, Tiergan claimed the position of Head of House Roaring Thunder and with it, Regent of Tirneach. Though continuity was maintained, the transition further delayed the confirmation of legitimate Réig candidates and caused widespread unease through the waterways of Uasa and beyond.

In Baol, Mairi of clann Niamha staged an attempt to claim the throne through violent disregard of tradition. Malcontent highlanders from all Clanns flocked to her call and savagely murdered any who opposed them. Highland and lowland Riders alike were gutted and dragged through their Ridings behind horses to intimidate the rest into supporting “Réig” Mairi. Despite this, Iarla Dalles of Clann Niamha rallied opposition to her and put out the call for aid. Gallóglaigh from several bands answered her call, including members of Cumhacht na Réig. Some Gallóglaigh protected Riders, Cinnirí, other public figures, and their families from coercion and assassination. Others kept watch, gathered information, and lobbied prominent figures to oppose Mairi’s campaign of terror.

With the aid of the Friendly Hand Trade Guild, the Gallóglaigh rallied under Rider Tiernan Mac Aonghusa and slowly turned the tide on Mairi. After several weeks of protecting ridings and repelling ambushes, Tiernan’s forces went on the attack. Several members of Cumhact na Réig had foruitously scouted the area months beforehand, allowing them to pinpoint the routes the rebels would likely take and set up ambushes of their own, catching the rebels between members of Cumhacht na Réig and the Friendly Hand guild on one side, and loyal members of Clanns Aongusa and Niamha on the other. Mairi Ni Niamha, now known as Mairi the Brute, was finally pinned down and slain by Tiernan at the Battle of Scarlet Heather. Many of her key supporters were also killed in the battle and the majority of those remaining surrendered soon after.

At the same time, many other members of Cumhacht na Réig travelled to Ardbealach, Draíod, to complete a mission arranged before the former Réig died. What was anticipated to be several days of guarding a ritual circle from Gwyllt attack turned into weeks of siege warfare as an unprecedented host of Caorthainnigh assault the ritual circle outside Ardbealach. Scholars of religion and magic among the defenders found the scent of burnt meat clinging in their nostrils and acrid grease in their mouth long before the battle brought those foul sensations to all present.

Reliable accounts put the Gwyllt’s numbers in the hundreds, more dramatic accounts say thousands, and it seemed as if no sooner had one been felled that three more had taken to the field, with even those slain rising shortly thereafter as Sluagh. While many Gallóglaigh, torchbearers, and local militia fought the Gwyllt directly, other Gallóglaigh kept careful watch over the area, ensuring that supply lines were maintained and organising to feed the defenders, and working to keep morale from breaking.

While the Gallóglaigh held the main circle a scouting party of Caorthainigh found a nearby secondary ritual circle and began performing their foul rite. Thankfully, some Gallóglaigh of the band had scouted the area in advance and quickly called attention to it, disrupting the ritual before it could reach its unholy conclusion, though some witnesses close to the lake at the time swore that the waters began to boil and reek of sulphur. The campaign was a drawn out affair, and the enemy hordes were daunting, so some began trapping vast quantities of the Sluagh and Gwyllt corpses yet to rise in disused tunnels before sealing them off, trapping them in the hopes of keeping the enemy forces at a manageable level.

While scouting nearby mountain passes for likely tunnels to use for this purpose, some Weeping members of the band discovered a tunnel locked with a heavy metal grate, and could just make out the sounds of people calling for help. Investigating inside they found an abandoned laboratory with over a dozen non-Weeping Corpses, three corpses of Weeping of various species, and three still living Weeping. The survivors told of a Linebreaker Vartach who was experimenting on them and killing people they had abducted until one captive, a Fathach, rose as a Weeping and managed to surprise and fight off the Vartach and the one remaining guard, who fled and locked them inside. The three surviving Weeping were rescued and evacuated below ground, away from the battle with the Gwyllt.

After weeks of holding the lake side circle and frustrating Gwyllt attempts to perform their ritual, one night the ley lines shifted ever so slightly, disempowering all ritual circles within a mile of the lake. Their morale seemingly sapped, the rest of the Gwyllt in the area were more easily put down and packed into disused tunnels. After the ritual circle moved, those band members sensitive to matters of religion and magic could no longer sense the smell and taste of burning ash.

Elsewhere, attempts to reach the Shaper’s Steps failed repeatedly, as harsh storms smashed any ship that tried to make the crossing, preventing any investigation into the former Réig’s death.

Causing further chaos in Corroch, members of the self proclaimed Breaker Heresy stormed the headquarters of House Roaring Thunder, claiming that if they exterminated them then no Réig could ever again be crowned. A group of them managed to hack their way into the room where Regent Tiergan was consulting with the Prelates. In a desperate skirmish, Tiergan managed to hold them off by arcane force long enough for Gallóglaigh to come to his aid, though he was badly injured in the process. After a fierce and bloody battle that left several waterways choked with the corpses of Breaker Heretics, the combined forces of House Roaring Thunder and those galloglaigh who heeded the Regent’s call for defenders were able to quash the assassination attempt while sustaining no losses and only few injuries that were quickly healed.

Over the months, Gwyllt attacks became more rampant and aggressive across the Five Realms, something that many attributed to the absence of a Réig. New and previously unknown variants of Gwyllt began to appear across the land with many specifically targeting Cinnirí and Gallóglaigh, putting many smaller communities at risk of losing the services and structures they rely on, and their only defence against the usual threats of bandits, the undead, and beasts.

Amidst the public outcry for a new Réig to be named dozens of would-be Réigs announced themselves, many previously unknown and citing a vague and poorly defined kinship to the previous Réig. A few candidates stand out from the crowd for their deeds, qualifications, or support.

The first of these is Éalthna Ni Órfhaiche, the Leasiar Iarla of Siabhal for the last eight decades, and one of its wealthiest landowners. Formerly an active Cinnire of the Order of Teachers, they left active service long ago to devote their time to tending to the matters of ruling Siabhal. Their skills in statecraft and productive compromise are credited with bringing increasing success and prosperity to Siabhal. They count the majority of the Ruby families and some significant church figures amongst their most vocal supporters. They’re seen as a steady hand who will guide Tirneach out of this terrible turmoil and back to prosperity.

The second is Tiernan Mac Aongusa, the Human Rider of Dhaloch in Baol, vanquisher of the Bloodwater Spirits and slayer of Mairi the Brute and her forces at the battle of Scarlet Heather. He has the support of the guilds, and has managed to gain the approval of large numbers of both Highlanders and Lowlanders, who recount his great deeds of derring-do and martial cunning with varying degrees of enthusiasm and begrudgery. Fresh off his victories in Baol, he is seen as a hero of Tirneach, ready to lead the charge to push back all those who would assault the Shaper’s favoured land.

Lastly, from Draíod comes an unlikely figure: Amhlaoibh, a Weeping Fathach rescued from the laboratory of a Linebreaker Vartach by Cumhacht na Réig near Ardbealach. In their first life they had been the lifelong servant, guard and confidant of one of the Saoi. Lured into the clutches of this Linebreaker by some of their minions, they were murdered but immediately rose back up as a Weeping, thwarting the Linebreaker’s schemes and driving them off.

Most significantly, they have apparently risen with their soul bearing a Mark of Destiny, which the Saoi of Draíod hail as an omen that they have been sent to lead Draíod (and Tirneach as a whole) into a new golden age and to oppose the menaces of the undead and gwyllt (and Linebreakers.) So far their most vocal supporters are the Saoi of Draíod, though they are attracting attention from across the five realms. Following a period of such fear and uncertainty, their dramatic tale and the Saoi’s pronouncement of their remarkable destiny has many looking to them as a symbol of hope and rebirth, ready to lead Tirneach to something new and glorious.

In light of the ongoing Gwyllt threat, once the treachery of Mairi the Brute is resolved, the Regent and Iarla’s of each Realm issue a joint edict ordering all galloglaigh to travel to a realm capital and remain there to ensure security and stability until the new Réig is appointed.

The current Thane of Cumhacht na Réig, Declan Ó Ceallaigh, makes it known that he only came out of retirement as a favour to Réig Méalaine, and will be retiring again the second there is a new Réig in place. However, he quietly reassures members of Cumhact na Réig that any Réig who isn’t an eejit will leap at the chance to reform the band under some highly prestigious Gallóglaigh Thane for how auspicious it will look, to show that normal order is resuming and to display their strength.

Bards and filí across Tirneach, always keen to capture public interest, begin telling stories and singing songs of these events and those who were present. It’s soon well known which Galloglaigh were where and what deeds they did during this time of turmoil:

The Treachery of Mairi the Brute & the Battle of Scarlet Heather

Participants

• Firéan Seodmeisce
• Ualach
• Ciaróg Eile
• Faoiltighearna
• Rumann MacUltan
• Smeagol "Seagull" Buttonwood
• Leocadia
• Alejandro Montalbán O'Reilly
• Ambrosio de Costana
• Cruach
• Sorrel Airiúgladh
• Scála
• Duarcan MacUltan
• Tornac
• Althea "Thea" of house Tintrach
• Niall "The Glas" O'Faolin
• Malartu
• Corvus Buttonwood
• Bernin
• Sheamus dun o faolain
• Danu
• Esperanza Miranda Montez

The Siege by the Blazing Host

Participants

• Valeria Llamerada
• Bas Dubh
• Callum
• Aed
• Ochtó-Sé Blackthorn
• Moley
• Rígan Diavall
• Thick
• Dílis
• Safiya Kytelyr-Elsahouri
• Sean Séo
• Caoltan
• Briste
• Cathasaigh MacTire
• Fionnvarr Tiarnacogaidh
• Butcher
• Ultan Twinspears
• Neb
• Pól O'Fhrídrach
• Brigid Gobhann
• Áine Brónach
• Mick Schultz
• Lachlan
• Eberwin Olafson
• Gunthar Cliste De Brun
• Deasmunach
• Alelia
• Rüdiger Olafson
• Tristan
• Doran

The Massacres of Corroch and the Testing of Tiergan

Participants

• Reiko Nocent
• Navaras Ó Seanascal
• Dóchas Ón Bhruid
• Nera Ó Conáill
• Fiadh Ó Daimhín
• Muirchú
• Brocc
• Pablo Desjardin
• Vangar Na Tir
• Aodhán Ó’Cuinn
• Cael Ó Siodhacháin

Part Two Options

Do you use your influence to try and sway public opinion in favour of one of the would be Réigs?

• Yes, I voice my support for Tiernan Mac Aongusa
• Yes, I voice my support for Éalthna Ni Órfhaiche.
• Yes, I voice my support for Amhlaoibh.
• No, I keep my mouth shut and stay out of politics.

Where do you choose to spend your time?

• Caorioc, Bruid, protecting and aiding Iarla Sionnach, the merchants, and making sure the borders of the Great Forest are not allowed to creep back North during this time of vulnerability.
• Crag Oscionn, Draíod, to ensure the Caorthainnigh are no further threat and to protect and aid Amhlaoibh, the Arcane College, and the Shrine of the Shaper.
• Uaircinn, Baol to help rebuild, restore order, and protect and aid Rider Mac Aongusa, the Great Library and the Trade Guild headquarters.
• Barr, Siabhal, to protect and aid Iarla Ni Órfhaiche, the nobility of the Ruby Families, and to secure the vital farmland around Barr.
• Corroch, Uasa to serve the Regent as a peacekeeper until a new Réig is confirmed and to protect the Regent, the Citadel of the Shaper, and generally ensure safety along the waterways.
• I ignore the edict and instead fulfil my oath to myself and to the realms, wandering the countryside and helping any who need it.