Welcome back everyone. Get cozy by the fire.
This month, the patrons have chosen Gaelic mythology for our topic.
Thanks, everyone I see you over there.
So for the next few tales
We'll be travelling to Ireland. Inis Fáil: The Island of Destiny
"Extra Mythology Theme" by Big Giant Circles
Void became form and form became earth and out of the earth
Sprang a tree it was the mighty oak watered by the river of heaven
The Danu
and from that oak fell two acorns from which sprang the first of the Gods the Dagda and
Brigid they were the first
children of the Danu and
Over time that children of the Danu grew and built four great cities on the banks of the sacred River
Those cities flourished and in each of them was crafted a great artifact in one was the Stone of Destiny
Which would shout with joy when a righteous ruler set his foot upon it in
Another was Retaliator the greatest sword ever forged in the third could be found the red
javelin
Which once thrown would find its mark no matter how it's foes hid and finally in the fourth city
lay
The caldron of Plenty which could feed all of the children of the Danu and still never empty
But one day the Dagda called the greatest of his children from all of the cities and told them of their destiny
For it was not for them to remain by the sacred River Danu but to head to an island where the Sun set
Before they went though Bridgid offered them a warning
They would not be alone on this island others would try to make it theirs
With this warning the children of the Danu set out for their new home bringing with them their four great treasures for protection
Unsure of what they'd find on this island of destiny or so some say some
Say they came in a dark cloud from origins unknown
And delighted on a mountaintop
Others still say they came from strange cities across the sea where they learned science
And magical arts and when they arrived they burnt their ships behind them wagering all on the conquest of Ireland
But this much is known as they started to explore the misty plains of Inis Fáil
they encountered a curious people already living there the Fir Bolg and
When they met they looked to strike up a bargain
The Danu asked for half of Ireland to be theirs to settle and they could live in peace
But the Fir Bolg refused so battle was decided upon but just to be clear
Battle back then was a lot different than the way we think of it now
This was a matter of honor the children of the Danu made spears for the Fir Bolg to use and the Fir Bolg
crafted javelins for the children of the Danu they agreed on how many soldiers each side would bring and
Where they would do battle they even agreed on how many days they would fight for?
Who then at last they met in the high pass of Baljit an assembled in all of their strength?
Glistening armor and shining spears made out rank after rank of warriors back and forth
They fought one side taking the lead and then the other until the leaders of both sides
Nuada of the children of the Danu and Sreng for the Fir Bolg met in the center of the melee a
Silence rippled out from around them the fighting stopped and both sides cleared a space for their champions to enter
Single combat, the metal of their blades was dazzling as they moved with a swiftness
None had seen before blow after blow
they hammered at each other then Sreng landed a
Titanic strike his blade cleft through Nuada's shield and severed his right arm in one stroke
Nuada stumbled back dazed. It looked as though the end had come
Then the Dagda himself intervened and spirited Nuada away
They took him to Dian Cecht god of healing
lord of physicians who
Crafted him a new arm of pure silver that moved like an arm of flesh and blood and they called him by a new name
Nuada Airgetlam, Nuada Silverhand
Eat your heart out Bucky now
You might think the children of the Danu would have quavered at the sight of their leader
Fallen in front of them that they would break as their King was smote by the Fir Bolg champion
but no Bres warrior of the Danu quick of mind and
Beautiful of form seized the Kings right hand and raised it aloft
angered by such a sight the children of the Danu swore vengeance and plunged into the Fir Bolg's ranks
So great was the slaughter of the Fir Bolg that their fort would be known as the Fort of Packs
For the packs of wild dogs that surrounded it to eat the flesh of their dead
Finally the Fir Bolg were all but defeated
300 Fir Bolg warriors remained led by Sreng their great champion
They took counsel and decided to fight to the last and so made one final glorious charge
There Sreng and Nuada again came to face one another
But this time they could have no equitable duel as Nuada's arm had been hewn away
so instead impressed by the bravery of these last of the Fir Bolg the children of the Danu offered them any
province they wanted in Ireland and so they took Connacht to make their home
But it was the tradition of the children of the Danu that only a man of sound body could be their king
so even as they celebrated their victory, they knew they had one last matter to attend to
Nuada could no longer rule them despite the fact that his arm had been replaced with one of shining silver
His body was not whole and thus he couldn't be king
They quickly chose Bres as their leader for his valor and charm in mind but Bres was half
Fomorian We've not heard tell of yet in this tale, but we soon will in his rule
He acted more Fomorian then as one of the Danu
But the rein of Bres and the war against the ancient and strange Fomorian's is a story for next time
You know, I could really get used to this silver arm thing spot me while I pick up this log