Fantasy Core Ireland Setting--Places Part 2

Fantasy Core RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.

Index

Clontarf (just outside of Dublin): As a fairly recent battlefield, there are still many restless spirits lurking around, not to mention several lost magical artifacts and weapons.

Ancient Burial Sites: Ireland is littered with them. They are from prehistoric (mythically Partholonian and Nemedian times). They range from royal cairns (rock buried tombs) to large mass graves. Often, succeeding residents would re-purpose them. Eventually, most would be buried over and forgotten. They often contain entrances to the Fomorian Underworld. Best examples: Creevykeel: Located in Connaught, County Sligo, near Boyle. Carrowkeel: Located in Connaught, County Sligo, a megalithic court tomb. Rathcroghan in County Roscommon, Connaught.

Newgrange: Located in Meath, near the Boyne River. Large, ancient passage grave. It was built to pass light to its inner chamber on the Solstice. It is currently buried and forgotten by the populace, though a group of druids sneaks inside on auspicious days for ceremonies. It is also a gateway into the Otheworld.

Maeve’s Lump: Located in Connaught, County Sligo. A cairn (mound of stones) called Knocknara. Maeve is supposedly buried there standing up and facing her enemies in Ulster. Her actual tomb exists in the Otherworld and can only be reached under certain circumstances.

Tara: Once a pagan ceremonial site, and now the ceremonial Irish capital. (The high-king lives in a castle not far away.) It is on a hill near Navan, in the County Meath.

Cletech: The residence of the high-kings of Ireland. A castle near Stackallan Bridge, on the banks of the Boyne, in Meath.

Brugh on the Boyne: Near Stackallen Bridge, County Meath, it is one of the chief ancient burial-places of the pagan Irish. There are Underworld galleries attached to the site, along with associated undead.

Taltiu: Teltown, in the County Meath, on or near the Blackwater, between Navan and Kells; one of the chief places of assembly and burial of the Ulstermen. A place of treasure, undead, and an entrance to the Underworld.

Cruachan Ai: The ancient seat and royal burial-place of the kings of Connaught, ten miles north-east of Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. Haunted by barrow wights and other undead nasties, but also contains magical treasure.

St. Patrick’s Rock: Cashel, County Tipperary, Munster. Fortress of the kings of Munster. It was later given to the Irish church hierarchy and became a cathedral. There are extensive underground facilities and tombs there. It connects to the Underworld via a strongly locked door.

Emain Macha (or Navan Fort): Located in Ulster, near Armagh. Fortress of the Ulster kings and headquarters of the Red Branch Knights.

Tomb of Fergus MacReigh: Relates the tales of the Red Branch Knights when his ghost is brought up. It is located in Ulster at Emain Macha.

Cruthnech: The land of the Irish Picts; the northern part of the County Down and the southern part of the County Antrim in Ulster. These are still half-wildmen scratching a meager existence. They are fiercely hostile towards outsiders. They also guard a gate to the Underworld for the Fomorians in return for magical tribute.

Wicklow Hills: Located in Meath, County Wicklow, near Dublin. Ancient source of gold in Ireland. Leprechauns may be found there.

Moin Coltna: A haunted bog between Slieve Bloom Mts. and the Shannon Rivers. There are many other swampy areas in Ireland, some haunted by the Will O’ Wisps, spirits of dead elves.

Clonmacnoise: Located in Leinster, County Offaly, near the River Shannon and Athlone. It was a monastic city of over 100 stone buildings. Ill-fated, it was raided and burned by Vikings and Irish over 50 times. To say the least, the land is cursed and haunted.

Innishmurray: Walled monastic village on an island off of County Sligo. Destroyed by the Vikings. Contains the Cursing Stone and the Well of Assistance for blessings.

Saint’s Road: Path on Brandon Mountain, located in Munster, County Kerry, Dingle Peninsula. Narrow, disused track, cloud covered and boggy. Tall gravestones and burial cairns line the path. There is a chapel at the top of the trail. Pilgrims frequent the path on holy days to receive a blessing.