Deirbhile Nic an Bháird
Bard, Cinnire, Line Breaker
Early Life: Bardic Training
Deirbhile is the firstborn child of a high family from Crag Oscionn whose wealth lies in bardic tradition, not inherited holdings. Most of their resources 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.
Change: Line Breaker
Deirbhile's family generally manifest as Sunspears and Clashing Swords, with the occasional Hook. No one expected a child of An Bháird to show the Line Breaker mark. Deirbhile finally bucked the trend, just as her grandmother Sadhbh (the old head of the family) was dying of old age.
Showing no one her mark, 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.
New Life: Cinnire and Gallóglach
Deirbhile seems to believe that Vartach society should be insulated from the danger of her destiny. Her only way forwards is to help others whose destinies are untainted, until the terrible day when she causes disaster. Towards this end, she has taken the Five Oaths and joined Cumhacht na Réig. She has 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 Uncertainty, 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, cinnire-at-arms.