After many discussions about the great event in the west, Mainlia, Sil and I decided that we would make the trip to the next years' war. Mainlia was invited to camp with Estmar-Silver Phoenix again so, we started to make the necessary arrangements right away. He had camped with them the year before at Pennsic 15. We also invited two other companions, a German wanderer named Trelvis and a Norse agitator named Fjolnir. We borrowed a great wagon from a local hostler, loaded our tents, gear and provisions
and set off. This time we were prepared and had the journey mapped out in advance, so that we wouldn’t lose the way as the had happened the previous year. The trip was long and hot as we made our way across Pennsylvania towards the site.

We arrived in the morning and on attempting to gain entry were denied because Sil was considered a minor by mundane law. We left the site to solve our dilemma . I gained temporary guardianship by writ of a brehon from home and our problem was solved to the chagrin of the Coopers Lake caretakers. We did however have to spend one night camping off site. I believe it was called Roseland. We set off the next morning back to the war site and gained entry. We were greeted by the Estmar-Silver Phoenix
group, told them of our setback and set up our camp. We immediately set off to see the sights of Pennsic 16.

We saw all different types of people from many different lands. Kingdoms great and small were represented there, as well as independent groups of varied sizes. We set out for the merchant area and were impressed by the many goods and services that could be found. We made our purchases and returned to camp to prepare for a night of revelry.

The real formation of the clan began before we set off for this event. Back home, Mainlia, Sil and I had discussed forming a group or clan to help in our interest in medievalism and with the goal in mind of appreciating and recognizing our Irish roots and ancestry. Mainlia had some ideas about how to go about starting out. We formed a Tuath. At the time, there were only the three of us, so, Mainlia was elected as Bard/Druid. He would oversee
ceremonies, music and history. I was elected Comhlaire, a "policeman" type position and also leader of the group. Sil was the first regular clansman with all the rights and privileges as the rest of us. We decided that the group was too small to elect a chieftain at the time. So there it was, the formation and foundation of clann Tuatha de Bhriain.

During our first Pennsic, we discussed many plans and things that we had to do to improve ourselves as far as mediavalism and to develop our personas in the period of time we had chosen, which was 5th century Ireland. We had our first ceremony at a Pennsic, which was a man-making ceremony in honor of Sil. A wickerman with explosive tendencies (it had fireworks interwoven through it!) was burned and a feast was had also. Trelvis was welcomed into the clan as a member with the effect of ostracizing Fjolnir,
who refused to join our clann and decided to sulk in the wagon for a while. This wouldn’t be the first time! We met a lot of people, did a lot of partying and made a lot of friends. We strengthened the friendship with Estmar-Silver Phoenix, who were great hosts and put up with a lot of noise, late night drinking and an over-abundance of beef jerky wrappers!

Our first Pennsic as a clann was the beginning of a new brotherhood and we hoped that we would one day be as impressive as some of the other groups we had seen but, we also knew that there was a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. Our plans for next year were already being talked about, as we said goodbye to our friends and made the long journey home.

This is the second part of my interpretations of Clann Bhriain. Again I ask that anyone and everyone to help with this endeavor. Whatever you remember or recall. This is so we will always have our history and our experiences to share and remember…..forever.

FALGON