The Clann's Persona History

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There were many Chieftains of the tuatha that followed after the great hero Brian, and many Chieftains before Murchadh, but this tale is of the Poc Rua Chieftains, as they were Chieftains of our tribe for three generations before the present and have produced three Chieftains in the current generation.

The sons of Murchadh:

Some Chieftains are builders, some are great speech makers or peacemakers. Of the line of Poc Rua; Murchadh, his son, and grandson were Warrior-Chieftains in a time of great wars.

Murchadh commanded many great houses and among those houses were skilled boat builders that plied their trade to the will of the fierce warriors who wished to course the rivers and seas for trade and plunder. Many men found riches and in doing let their blades turn brown neglected.

On Murchadh's death, his son, Muirchetach, succeeded him.

But in Muirchetach's time, for every seven waves that carried away the curraughs of our clan, only a tide of five waves would return. And as their fathers before them, with the fortunes of war heavy in their boats and bellies, the fires of the forges grew cold.

Muirchetach, in time, went mad, and wondering out was never seen again, though some say in his madness and in drink he danced over the edge of a sea cliff, his body broken by the gray rocks below, and claimed by the foaming sea.

Muirchetach was succeeded by his son, Diarmuid.

Diarmuid was called Ui Domnaill, after his paternal grandfather, as his father had, by way of concubine, another son of the same name.

And in the time of Diarmuid, for every four waves that ebbed away, only two return. While many great warriors had taken to the sea for fame and plunder, our clan was attacked. Great was the suffering visited upon us. Our forge burned down, Our craftsmen killed, Women carried away as screaming slaves, Young boys butchered before receiving arms. Cattle raided, livestock that couldn't be driven away spitefully killed. Ale and mead kegs dashed to pieces, grain stores and houses burned. Amidst all this Diarmuid was cut down. He died in defense of our tribe, sword in hand and in honor shall he always be spoken of. In truth, many died as Diarmuid, if only to let some escape with their lives at all.

With few warriors at hand to press our rights, many of our ancestral land holdings were lost, including the great plain where our burial mounds were and where our coronation stone sat.

Diarmuid was succeeded by his son, Falgon.

With no coronation stone, Falgon couldn't be properly inaugurated as Chieftain. Though many followed his word as if he were, some did not, and this plagued both Falgon and the clan. No clan may prosper without the protection and rule of a Chieftain and for 2 long years the clan had none. These were the darkest days indeed.

Falgon vowed to reclaim what was lost and restore the clan to glory and visit vengeance upon those who killed his father. He sent lookouts to the shores to watch for the return of any of the clan's warriors who had put to sea. He sent messengers to other clans that were fostering young kinsmen approaching arms bearing age, urging their return. Falgon sent envoys to clans with which alliances were held, calling upon their honor to live up to their word. With what little wealth he had left to his name, he hired mercenaries. What few slaves the clan had able to bear arms were promised freedom should they shed blood in the name of the Tuatha de Bhriain. A sizable host was assembled, though with all told, fewer warriors than one would hope for the task at hand.

But, battle fortune favors whom it will. The gods smiled on Falgon for such an undertaking, in treachery was our homeland taken and in blood was it regained. Many of the enemy clan were killed but battle tricks left very few of our own for the ravens.

Our kinsfolk were freed from servitude, along with some slaves from other clans. Captives were ransomed back or sold into slavery, cattle and live stock taken - the wealth of the clan restored for the most part. And all insults and injuries repaid tenfold. Our land re-taken was parceled out to new landholders - to those slaves, mercenaries, and clanless folk who proved worthy and who bared wounds from the glorious battle.

With his vow fulfilled and the clan restored, Falgon was officially inaugurated upon the sacred stone of the clan. Falgon rebuilt the foundation of the clan and prosperity followed. After 3 years however, he grew weary of Chieftain and longed for the simple life he led before.

Falgon was succeeded by his cousin, Aonghus.

Aonghus had served in Falgon's reign as clan Fili. Some say he was to young for the task, and indeed he had barely finished his poets training when he was summoned back for the great battle to regain our rightful lands. But Aonghus proved a wise councilor and was trusted by Falgon for a great many things. It seemed only natural that he reign when Falgon retired.

Filidh, by custom, are prohibited from combat, for with them history dies, but Aonghus was also a warrior. For Aonghus had been trained in Albu, were it is good for a man to know sword craft no matter what his lot in life.

If Falgon laid the foundation for prosperity, Aonghus built the house. Aonghus personally led the warriors of the clan in war, battle, and cattle raids - increasing the wealth and fame of the clan. Many pacts of friendship were made with other clans. But there was trouble in this time too for some of the mercenaries and clanless Celts granted land in Falgon's reign proved treacherous and in time and had to be driven off.

After several years of Chieftain, Aonghus too grew weary. Some say a ban sidhe enchanted him with the same madness his grandfather had suffered, for he disappeared for a time into the wilderness and was sought after by only a few willing to brave the wilds.

Aonghus was succeeded by his cousin, Máinlia.

Máinlia had been away adventuring when the clan saw most of its darkest days.

If any Chieftain had been a warrior before Máinlia, Máinlia was nine times that of those before him. His battle prowess showed itself many times previous as he had been champion of the clan in the reign of Falgon and Aonghus.

Máinlia's thirst for battle is equaled only by his skill in the healing. Máinlia is said to have been pierced with a splinter of the club of the Dagda, for he can kill with one hand and heal with the other. He trained for many years in the Druidic arts of augury and healing, and indeed served as Clan Druid before becoming Chieftain.

Máinlia also led the clan in battle and war and great was the plunder taken in his reign. Máinlia also forged friendships with foreign peoples that traded new wonders for clan goods and slaves.

Máinlia provided stability in a time of uncertainty and did so with tenacity. In time, Máinlia was called upon to hone his Druidic training.

Máinlia was succeeded by his cousin, Aonghus.

It is said that Máinlia cured Aonghus of his madness. And it is he who we call Chieftain this day, as we have for the past 2 years, and for the three before Máinlia. And as Aonghus still reigns, the full tale has yet to be told.

Thus is the story of the Poc Rua Chieftains.