Game night Irish edition 2011 – The Cattle Raid on Donn Culaigne

Angus Bloodbear, Finn MacCool, and Amergin Ghostraven

Continuing the annual tradition of bringing Irish legend into our St Patricks game session, this time around we delved back further into the Irish myths and legends of their age of heroes. The main characters of our story had just saved the three children of wizard Obitello Amber, Xvart, Ismelda, and Isolda from the hellish fate of the devil infestation in the dungeons beneath Chateau Amber. The completion of the quest required a few days of rest while the enchanter repaid them in magical enchantments to their arms and armour.

One afternoon on the tropical Isle it began to snow. Since the isle was connected to the feywild this was not as unusual as it might seem, but when the death-cattle Camus the catoblepas made an appearance they knew something was up. Camus told them it was Beltaine eve, a magical time in the feywild when many return home for days of revelry. Camus reminded them to stay true to their friends, and also told them cryptically, of the tradition to drive cattle between two bonfires to purify and pacify them.

Soon after the death cattle left, the baying of hounds was heard, then the thunder of the chariots and the squeal of their wooden axles as 4 giant chariots hove into view. One was pulled by a massive white six legged stallion, and from it jumped a smiling elf of giant size. He introduced himself as Finn MacCool, chief of the fionna, or bandit gang. Next stepped out a regally robed and bearded man who rode a chariot pulled by a great wolf. He was Amergin Ghostraven the bard and boon companion of Finn. Old King Conchobar Hounder was pulled by a giant sure footed goat, and lastly, young Angus the Bear, whose wild golden curls and over-powering musk led all the ladies to swoon for him. His chariot was pulled by a great bear of course, a second or third cousin of the primal bear-druid.

They announced Xvart had been chosen to go on the Wild Hunt, and that the heroes may accompany them if they chose. (Aside: a side quest was that Obitello hoped they might recover the philosphers crown) Luckily they (grudgingly) agreed to go!

They first must divide into two teams of three and each team chose their chariot. Poppy, Ria and Hex chose the sure-footed goar, while Sharia, Thokk, and Felipe chose the bear. One acted as driver, one acted as navigator, and the other was the animal handler. Soon they were off and the snow became steady and the temerature dropped. They crossed the lake, then pssed through the bog and were soon into deep dark woods. Finn pulled close and pointed ahead to a star formation. “That be the ladies crown. We go to me cousing Queen Medb who resides at Tara! It lies just below the green jewel thar in the crown! We’ll race to the finish if you’ve the stomcah for it!” He whooped and Finn threw a spear into the wheels of one chariot while old King Conchobar fouled the other chariot. They sped away while the heroes chariots spun to a stop.

So began a race over a river, through woods, they had to jump a ravine and at one point Amergin cast a lightning bolt that opened upo a ravine before them. The chariots wheeled and careened and then the second chariot pulled forward, even with Finn as they came to the straightaway, with the tall hill of Tara looming up before them. It was deemed a tie but Finn MacCool handed out solme gifts for the great run.

When they dismounted before Queen Mebd and her ward young Brigid, Xvart and the maiden exchanged glances and fell instantly in love. When they found a moment together she gave him her ring, but told him to hide it. Meanwhile it was time for the salmon catch at the stream and everyone was invited. As they were getting ready to dive into the water, stripping themselves of excess clothing, one of the PCs noticed old King Conchobar standing near Xvarts clothing, and with his big toe, he flipped open Xvarts purple vest and out rolled Brigids promise ring. Conchobar flicked the ring into the stream with hiss toe and the most amazing thing happened. A salmon leapt out of the water, likely to catch the jeweled fly, and instead swallowed the ring. The PCs finally managed to catch the ring, and that night, Finn MacCool announced he would take her as his wife as she had come of age on Beltaine and had no promised love.

Eventually Felipe returned the ring to Xvart and the two were able to be together, but Finn MacCool was angry and felt betrayed. Brigid gave Felipe another of her rings as they left to continue their hunt. They had to cross a ford, and at the ford a strong but young warrior named Cuchulainn stopped them and would not let them pass until he was defeated. Poppy tried but was vanquished at first blood, but Thokk finished the deed. Now they were lead into small boxed in coanyon, snow and ice covered, where Donn Culaingne, a death cattle much like Camus the catoblepas, though smaller, waited near a pair of bonfires. He agreed to side with the party against the giant elves who were preparing to attack.

The fight was long but intense, as the heroes fought against the four giant elves, and the four chariot mounts who transformed into 4 huge hounds. When Finn was slain, the catoblepas Donn Culaigne decided tostrikle out on his own and be owned by no man, he also betrayed the party by attacking first Poppy then Hex, but Hex drove the cattle back through the bonfires, pacifying the cattle. Felipe went down under the attack of the hounds as she stood at the entrance to the canyon and would not let them pass. Finn went down, then Angus went down, then a hound or two, and eventually old King Conchobar called a retreat with him and Amergin and the surviving hound even as the snow and ice began to melt and the sun rose on the dawn after Beltaine. Strange night indeed.

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