Discussion thread for Rhuannach. If you would like to add a comment, click the Post Reply button.
What do we know about this realm? Are there any extensive descriptions in any of the publications? I have noticed that for the Atlas it was originally assigned to Count Demeter to write but I gather than he has not posted since 2004 and nothing was done. For now I have managed to collect some stuff from the wiki and forum posts but it is next to nothing for what seems like an exciting elven realm.
Sorontar
One entry in timeline:
2010 Ma 1495 HC 522 MR Death of High Lord Daegendal of Rhuannach
Some short info in the cities of the sun. Maybe a few lines here and there on various matters, neighbors, awnies and alike. But I see you’ve put those and they seem a bit out of place.
For the wiki I have just cut’n’paste, not rewritten. I certainly think things can be worked together so they all make sense, but I don’t want to try if someone has already done it all.
Okay, I have come across the Cities of the Sun pages. It isn’t much but it is something to start with. The lack of control of over half of the provinces is … interesting.
I’ve been thinking about writing stuff on Rhuannoch for a while, but got distracted by the never-ending PS Dhoesone and then various computer games…
Several elven realms have law issues, stemming I think from a lack of willingness to consider expanded concepts of a law holding - elves may lack much formal governance but I see no reason why the word of the king can’t be law even without a system of formal courts and so on - think of how influential some modern day clerics are even without any legal rights to give orders.
At 12:34 AM 1/19/2010, Sorontar wrote:
>What do we know about this realm? Are there any extensive descriptions in any of the publications?
Heres some stuff I wrote for an analysis of the Gheallie Sidhe that is part of a larger work on Cerilian elves. Its much, but could provide some flavour and context:
RHUANNACH
Among all the Sidhelien nations of Cerilia the most bizarre manifestation of the gheallie Sidhe is in the battle worn lands of Rhuannach where human refugees and besieged elves have joined together to fight for survival. Beset on three sides by Iron Hand orogs, gnolls of the Black Spear tribes and the magically love-besotted slave soldiers of the Lamia, the elven hunters have redefined themselves as protectors of their lands against these three threats. After the fall of Djira, human refugees in Rhuannach have sworn loyalty to the elf queen, and their efforts on her behalf have earned the grudging respect of even the most hardened gheallie Sidhe footsoldier. On more than one occasion the gheallie Sidhe and humans of Rhuannach have fought side by side against their mutual enemies.
Under the tutelage of the Sad Queen and her sylvan allies, many humans have even embraced Sidhelien culture, values and ideals. For their part, Rhuannach`s elves maintain their communities and standards, but they cannot help but recognize the importance of human assistance in their continued survival. Amongst humans a spin off organization has developed; the Rhuannach Wardens. With the guidance of Madina el-Wasir and Cidre bint Corina (who are rumored to be involved in a romantic relationship) these fierce warriors define their faith in Leira in ways that are compatible with the elven love of nature, and utilize their zeal in defense of their lands using methods common to the gheallie Sidhe. In fact, they sometimes work together to patrol, defend and even launch coordinated raids against their enemies.
In truth, it is the unspoken goal of many of Rhuannach`s gheallie Sidhe to help their human allies regain their lost land in Djira. Once these provinces are secured humans from Rhuannach can return to their traditional lands and leave the elves in peace. In fact, perhaps the forested provinces of those lands could be ceded to elves as thanks for their efforts, and in recognition of their superior understanding of the woods. If they were asked, more than a few humans in Rhuannach would even share this vision of the future.
Yep, that’s pretty much what I thought was the vibe from the realm. I certainly think we can use the Rhuannach Wardens in various ways, military, religious and political. The future planning of the elves can also be taken as the general political direction of the court.
Of course, it helps the intrigue if there are some human and sidhelien opponents to both these approaches. Some opponents can be locals. Some can be outsiders with ulterior motives for their guild (e.g. getting access to trade routes and forests) and realm (e.g. the Iron Hand Tribes, Kozlovnyy, the Lamia).
Other possible plots can involve the other Elven realms in the area. For instance, what should a regent do if Innishiere was having military problems with Kozlovnyy? How about Cwmn Bhienn and the Lamia or Iron Hand Tribes? Can Rhuannach or its domains help in any way?
Rhuannach elves will probably dislike leaving the forests to go across plains to Innishiere, but battling on the borders or joining in with Cwmb Bheinn is more possible. Both realms have had to open their borders to humans, and also there is the Lamia that remains threat to both realms, since it is right between them.
Rhuannach could “send” their human refugee units to help Innishiere, but we can asses this information after the Rhuannach army units are defined.
Only one remark to the text above, not to confuse the ghaellie Sidhe (Hunt of the elves) with Sidhelien (elves).
Exactly. Common neighbours, some times common enemies, but not always for the same reason. Kozlovnyy could be a pain to both Innishiere and Rhuannach but for one it could a military problem and the other might be trade related or a religious incursion. The issue would be how could Rhuannach act so that it is most to their political advantage? Trade restrictions? Close access to certain provinces? Send soldiers? Say nasty things about Kozlovnyy in other realms? Or even get really friendly with the members of the Kozlovnyy court? Fighting is not always the only option. This is a game of diplomacy not wargaming.
Of course, if any resources are devoted to one problem, the realm might not be able to cope when other problems get bigger. 
Sorontar
Kozlovnyy certainly has some problems of his own, and they are not typical Vos nation. Nevertheless there could be some good diplomacy in play.
Btw, there’s a few lines on Rhuannoch in PS of Khourane.
As in the bit on page 4 in the history section? I couldn’t find any other comments.
Yes, the history bit and some hints in geography when mentioning Drocandragh and Pipryet.
It’s painful to discover such tidbits scattered around when you’ve already made your own and they don’t fit the story.
Black Hand Tribes = Black Spear Tribes + Iron Hand Orogs?
Damn, I thought I fixed that typo… my PC here at home isn’t quite as reliable as at work.
No, its seems I did. Don’t know which version you were reading. It was Iron Hand Tribes, though I could have also included the Black Spears. It’s a rushed write.
It’s all right, I was just mentioning. It could be a new name, though, a hybrid.
Okay, since there doesn’t seem to be much officially said about this realm or its inhabitants, I think I’ll just make it up as I go, trying to stick to what is published as much as possible. I’ll write directly to the wiki so you’ll see (hopefully) what I’m thinking as I go. I probably won’t write much but it’ll be better than nothing.
The basic ideas are:
[ul]
[li]Caelcorwyn and the Siren’s mage are battling “regularly”
[/li][li]The northern borders are continually threatened, but Rhuannach has permanent military units in the provinces.
[/li][li]Much of the forestry hard work is done by the humans but the elves control the industry.
[/li][li]Outside of the main elven settlements, the humans are left alone.
[/li][li]Some trade is done with neighbouring realms and domains.
[/li][li]Northern Traders Guild is trying to get a holding started.
[/li][li]Some humans in the outer provinces want the elves to cooperate and win back Djira.
[/li][li]Some humans want to claim their province and its “industries” for themselves.
[/li][li]Some elves are pushing for greater military action against the raiders.
[/li][li]Some elves want to reunite all the elven realms in the region in military or trade, but not politics.
[/li][li]Cidre bint Corina is already on the High Lady’s advisory table and is pushing for humans to be allowed a greater role in the goverbnment and management of the realm.
[/li][li]Cidre and Caelcorwyn are rumoured to be in a relationship.
[/li][li]Cidre and Caelcorwyn are rumoured to be arranging for one of the border provinces to be handed over to the humans.
[/li][li]Some humans are pushing for the trade road to be repaired and that the realm should improve its power in the region through greater trade.
[/li][li]The Djiran Temple of Leira wants to establish a bardic college with the full support of the government, which may result in official recognition of a human religious organisation.
[/li][/ul]
Phew! It’s amazing how much you can think up once you get started.
Sorontar
Oh, add to that:
[ul]
[li]Madina el-Wasir and Cidre are reported to be in a relationship
[/li][li]Cidre is rumoured to be a worshipper of Leira
[/li][li]The Rhuannach Wardens are training up elite human spearman with improved weaponry.
[/li][li]The Rhuannach Wardens are considering working with mercenaries as part of a major offence against the Lamia.
[/li][/ul]
Of course, some of these are rumours, some are plots and some are reality.
I’d consider adding:
- many human women have given birth to half sidhe / changed to hanner sidhe
- some humans resent the sidhe and think that they are preventing them from taking back their lands, or lured them in with false promises
- some sidhe hate the humans and think they are corrupting the sidhe
- some sidhe see the humans as a great boon due to boom in the numbers of half-sidhe / hanner sidhe - and are happy to ‘recruit’ more humans to produce more.
- ambassador from innisheire & coullabhie are worried / interested in the ‘grand experiment’
- ambassador from the Lamia’s realm seeks freedom for her people, and is happy to warn the sidhe of trouble to win their help in eventually destroying the awnsheghlien - some sidhe think she is a pawn of the lamia, some think she is a useful fool, some are genuinely eager to help
- some fey are happy with the influx - lots more people to play with, and these ones are clumsy and stupid…
- some humans wandered into enchanted glades, the spirit world, etc and came back changed
- The Gnolls of the south raid intermittently - when their master is able to leave Cerilia - perhaps the sidhe of Rhuannoch are the ones who forced him to spend most of his time in the Shadow World rather than fully entering Cerilia?
- The Monutains protect the east - or is it those who wait?
- The ancient karamhul realm of Kheleb-izhil may be lost to the Khinasi, but surely the sidhe remember it? Perhaps Rhuannoch it not so alone as its enemies might hope?
I hadn’t really thought of what the sidhelien thought of the half-elves. There would be some but I suspect it would be a rare thing. It is just that the general impresssion that I got from Cities of the Sun was that the humans and the sidhelien live fairly separate lives. They live in separate areas. Their cultures are different.
To quote the CotS:
While the elves of Rhuannach have much greater tolerance than elves elsewhere, they still like to keep their distance. Meetings between elf and human remain brief and polite, and most elves chose to avoid Rhuannach’s western and southern regions.
That last bit about regions can be manipulated by us to refer to different places, but generally I take it that the strongest human populations are where the temples are. Human soldiers may be also found in other areas on the command of the High Lady.
- some humans resent the sidhe and think that they are preventing them from taking back their lands, or lured them in with false promises
- some sidhe hate the humans and think they are corrupting the sidhe
Yeah, there has to the odd doubting Thomas. I would suspect that the agents of the Lamia and external guilds would work on them. That adds to the intrigue.
- some sidhe see the humans as a great boon due to boom in the numbers of half-sidhe / hanner sidhe - and are happy to ‘recruit’ more humans to produce more.
- ambassador from innisheire & coullabhie are worried / interested in the ‘grand experiment’
As pointed out above, I don’t think that this realm cares for hanner sidhe from the point of view of reproduction. I rather think that there may be some who want humans to be recognised for their importance in the Rhuannach society and allowed to play a more important role in governing the realm. I would make the reproduction aspect either to be the aim of one controversial elf or a rumour, and leave it to the DM to expand on (or one of you to write another wiki page for).
- ambassador from the Lamia’s realm seeks freedom for her people, and is happy to warn the sidhe of trouble to win their help in eventually destroying the awnsheghlien - some sidhe think she is a pawn of the lamia, some think she is a useful fool, some are genuinely eager to help
Very interesting idea, but I have doubts that the High Lady would allow there to be an ambassador/representative of the Lamia in Rhuannach. They are recognised enemies. The raids are commonplace and the Lamia’s wizard has already taken control of some of the sources.
- some fey are happy with the influx - lots more people to play with, and these ones are clumsy and stupid…
- some humans wandered into enchanted glades, the spirit world, etc and came back changed
Yep. That can extend the stories of Rhuannach to other realms. Perhaps the wandering humans were foreign nobles. Perhaps they never left Rhuannach.
- The Gnolls of the south raid intermittently - when their master is able to leave Cerilia - perhaps the sidhe of Rhuannoch are the ones who forced him to spend most of his time in the Shadow World rather than fully entering Cerilia?
Yep.
- The Monutains protect the east - or is it those who wait?
- The ancient karamhul realm of Kheleb-izhil may be lost to the Khinasi, but surely the sidhe remember it? Perhaps Rhuannoch it not so alone as its enemies might hope?
I have been wondering about the mountains and the dwarves. And yes, I agree that the elves should know much more of them than humans. We will have to think about this. Dwarves and halflings seem to play a very minor role in Cerilia’s story. Perhaps we need to promote them a little.
Sorontar