House Daireann
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The noble line founded by Daireann, daughter of Bobh Dearg, is a house of striking contrasts, even as the arms of the house are divided in twain. Warriors without peer among the Unseelie Court, they are also known as gifted herbalists and healers. Ruled by a code of personal honor that rivals for stricture that of House Gwydion, nobles of this house are prone to speak carelessly and often let slip informmation which it might be better to withhold. Renowned as the most generous of hosts, they also carry a dark reputation as poisoners of great cunning where their vengeance is aroused. House Daireann has only recently returned to the Autumn Lands from Arcadia, impelled by the stirring of the Elder Dark which has loosed the adhene from the Tenebrous Realms and kindled a strange red star in the firmament of the Dreaming. As yet, only rumor of the return of this house has reached the remote County of Rowan-Oak. The seer Coulkan has been consulted, and the old troll bard, Lorloch Syttrisdattir, has plumbed her store of ancient song to advise the countess upon the ways of the House of the Two-Fold Oak. Even the galliards of the Fianna Garou have been sought out for their lore. As it happens, House Daireann has ancient ties to the region that has in more recent years become the County of Rowan-Oak. Long ago, when the sidhe first settled in a the New World, which they called Tir na N'og, a prince of House Daireann raised his castle here upon a mountain-top, delving deep into the stone beneath with cellars and store-rooms. The castle crumbled with the Shattering like unfired clay left in the rain, but its sheltered balefire was not extinguished, and its deep chambers remain today as the freehold of Ben Bison Brugh. Whether that prince or his descendants shall seek to reclaim their ancient holding remains to be seen, but Lady Ausmandine has been practicising her swordsmanship, just in case. Living by a three-fold code of honor, hospitality and vengeance, nobles of House Daireann are noted duelists, and have the skill at arms to back this reputation. If honorably received, however, they can be generous in return, and their welcome to guests of all stations is as legendary as their ire. |
| Boon |
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Hardened warriors, nobles of House Daireann reduce their difficulty in summoning the Dragon's Ire by one, even if this exceeds the usual modifier bonus of 3. Further, they will not flee a battle even against overwhelming odds unless ordered by a ranking battle-captain, and even then will be the last to quit the field of combat. |
| Flaw |
| Such prowess carries a certain amout of risk from overconfidence, however, and members of this house often speak before they think. When boasting of their deeds (by no menas an infrequent occurence), nobles of House Daireann must achieve three successes on a Willpower roll against a difficulty of 6 to avoid divulging more than they should, such as the details of a personal Geas or other secret. |
| Quote: "We've not forgotten Daireann, that we haven't. Touchy in matters of dignity and quick to claim an insult they ever were, and they'll carry a grudge to the grave. It wouldn't suprise me if there were unpleansantess over rule of the Brugh, before all is said and done. Not that we can be taking sides, more's the pity."
- Thomas "Sings to the Stars" O'Malley, Galliard of the Sept of Seven Springs |
