Claddagh
| Claddagh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Full Name | Ard-Ríocht na Claddagh |
| Pronunciation | Ar-D-Ree-ach-T nah Cl-a-dd-aa |
| Ruler | Cúan Ua Féarghail II |
| Government Style | Elected Constitutional Monarchy |
| Area | 25,435 square miles |
| Population | 5.7 million |
| Races | Human, Nymphs, Nephi & Ferox |
| Language | Common & Dóchais (Teanga an Dóchais) |
| Religion | Faith of the Children of the Almighty |
| Primary Focus | Neutrality & Mercantile trade |
Claddagh is an island nation on the western coast of Aesox, historically not particularly significant within continental politics, but in more modern times becoming seen as a neutral ground where many diplomatic meetings and summits take place as it moves at last from the political periphery. This has also led to Claddagh being a center for trade and a meeting ground for many of the great merchants of Aesox; as such, it has developed a humble kind of wealth, not often bragged about - and yet within its borders few go hungry. It is a land of rugged nature featuring a green beauty that few others can match, and is home to a people known for their good nature and cheerful charm.
History
Founded following the great migration, the people who settled the island of Claddagh and its surrounding islands are believed to have mostly been of the Tuathe de Dochas people of Ortim. Those who chose to join in the migration were a small minority amongst the many peoples, tribes and groups who took part in the migration, and were singled out early on as exiles. Some scholars even believe they may well have been exiled by their own kin due to their religious beliefs, however there is no proof of this claim.
In May of 300AE, the patchwork of towns and villages that inhabited the island would unite, all the clan leaders from the largest town warlords to the smallest village elders summoned to the Singing Stone on the hill of crowns. There, a series of debates, arguments and fistfights broke out, but as the sun began to set a consensus was reached - Cúan Ua Féarghail was proclaimed as the first Ard-Rí (High King) of Claddagh by the Chieftain of the Druids, who had called the meeting. With the Ard-Rí proclaimed, the Chieftain revealed that the children of the Almighty had come to them in a dream, to warn them of a doom approaching the people of the islands, and how in order to face it they would need to unite. The new High King took this task to heart and proclaimed himself the first servant of the Almighty, with the Chieftain of the Druids abdicating their position as foremost of the druidic order to them, only to be moments later appointed as second in command of the order and foremost of the druids within it.
With unification underway, King Cúan set out to bind his new nation together, returning to his home near the hill of crowns and decreeing a great tower would be built to honour the Almighty and the unification of Claddagh, and so the Tower of the Stars was built, around which Réalta-Gafa began to take form. King Cúan would rule for an impressive seventy years, during which he became known to history as Cúan I the Unifier, for his efforts throughout his long reign focused on the unification of his people, construction projects and the building of roads both physical and cultural to unify the island. To the worry of many, however, Ard-Rí Cúan I never had any children of his own - and they feared the consequence of an uncertain succession in such a young kingdom. As his end approached, Cúan I rose from his deathbed to make his last proclamation: the position of High King/Queen would not be hereditary, much to the displeasure of his nephew, but would instead be an elected position, with any Clan Chieftain or Chieftainess being eligible to be named High King/Queen.
With the proclamation made and his great work begun, on the first of January 371AE, Cúan I the unifier would pass away in his sleep, in his newly finished castle overlooking his city of Réalta-Gafa which had been the town of his birth and which, under his stewardship, had grown into a fledgeling city.
Some 400 years would pass in relative peace, with the people of Claddagh binding into a unified people. This would be tested in time, however - for in 824AE, when the Dwarven Empire would begin their raiding, pillaging, slave taking and conquest of Aesox, Claddagh was one of the first places they hit. This was during the reign of High Queen Maeve II, who responded to the Dwarven invasion with gusto: she rallied a host of warriors from Réalta-Gafa and set off south, choosing to levy warriors on the road so as to increase the speed with which she could respond to the Dwarven invasion. This, however, meant many warriors from the northern and central parts of Claddagh were left at home, or trying to play a desperate game of catch-up with their warrior Queen.
Maeve II would rally warriors as she went, and eventually met the Dwarven host on the banks of the river Burke. All in all, Maeve II had rallied a host of some 19,000 warriors, whilst the dwarven invasion force numbered 40,000. But Maeve II held the high ground and positioned her warriors well, the only crossing point of the river being a shallow ford only half a hundred meters in width leading to a series of hills. Maeve II positioned her archers on the hills, whilst her spears formed in the ford. The battle was progressing well, in fact it was all going perfectly according to her plan, until a stray Dwarven arrow would strike Maeve II through the throat, killing her. Her death would send panic through the Claddagh line, and cause the warriors of the isle to rout.
The Dwarves rolled over the island capturing towns and cities, carting people off in chains and building outposts and bases for their operations in Aesox. The remnants of Maeve II’s army would take to the northern highlands of Claddagh; humiliated by their defeat, they would take to fighting a hit-and-run campaign against the invaders.
The dwarves treated the land of Claddagh harshly, running a campaign of depopulation and brutal occupation. Unable to muster the force to oust them locally, in 831AE Claddagh clan leaders such as Maeve II’s daughter (also called Maeve) and her husband Ciaran Ua Féarghail (A descendant of the first High King’s brother) would journey to the mainland of Aesox, leading a band of Claddagh warriors in helping the other nations resist the Dwarven invasion and occupation, in the hopes that through their deeds they would convince others to help in their plight. By 837AE, after six years of brutal war the Dwarves were pushed from mainland Aesox and forced to retreat; however when it came time for the Claddagh Clan leaders to return home, they would do so alone.
Feeling abandoned by the other nations of Aesox, Ciaran Ua Féarghail and his wife Maeve would return to Claddagh with their warriors and the few friends they had made during the war. Linking up with the Claddagh resistance, made from the remnants of Maeve II’s army and rebels who had joined them during the occupation, they would begin a new campaign; they struck hard and fast, sending the Dwarves into disarray with their actions, splitting their forces into so-called “lightning columns” of 150 warriors each, they struck all over the island before melting back into the forests and valleys, and within three years of this fighting the Dwarves had their fill of Claddagh rebels.
The Dwarves, wanting to hold onto their foothold on the continent, dispatched a large army to do away with the rebels once and for all, and bring Claddagh to heel. This was the fire lit under the people that brought the Clan leaders out of their stupor at last, and to the hill of crowns where Ciaran Ua Féarghail was named High King. Called “the Crusher” for his great height and use of a stolen Dwarven warhammer, he would assemble and lead the greatest host ever seen on the island before or since into battle against the Dwarves.
At the same ford, on the same river, the second Battle of the Burke would begin with a fierce clash of arms as the warriors of Claddagh bled the dwarves for every inch of ground. In the fighting Ciaran “The Crusher” Ua Féarghail I was caught whilst trying to rally the warriors of a lesser clan who were breaking ranks; he was cut down by an elite unit of Dwarven axeguard. It looked like the second Battle of the Burke was doomed to play out just as the first had, however as the dwarves hoisted the head of Ciaran “The Crusher” Ua Féarghail I on a pike for all to see a great scream was heard. His wife Maeve - who had been leading the reserves - upon seeing the decapitated head of her husband hoisted above the battlefield, crown still on his head for all to see, flew into a black rage.
Maeve and the veterans who had followed her and her husband to the mainland tore across the field of battle, and slammed into the Dwarves lines, cutting a bloody swathe to the spot where her husband had fallen and where that same elite unit now held his head aloft. She and her veterans wrought bloody vengeance, as their charge collapsed the Dwarven line and rallied the warriors of Claddagh to avenge their fallen king. Maeve herself slew seven of the Dwarven elites and reclaimed her husband's body, head and crown, and went on to lead the warriors of Claddagh in a bloody slaughter of the Dwarves, sending them packing. After that day, every Dwarven outpost was burned to ash, and every dwarf on Claddagh was hunted down and slain.
In 840AE, following the second battle of the Burke, Maeve was proclaimed High Queen Maeve III, known as Maeve “The Restorer” or Maeve “The Bloody Widow.” She would set to work on rebuilding the land her mother had ruled, which was still reeling from the Dwarven occupation. Maeve III was a wise ruler, but the loss of her husband tripled the feeling of betrayal she felt at the hands of the Aesoxian rulers made her bitter, if they had helped Claddagh, as she and her husband had helped them, then perhaps the man she loved would have lived. She would proclaim to her subjects that Claddagh would take no part in the politics of the mainland, they would take no side, they would stay neutral. This became known as the policy of prudence which is still in effect in some form to this day.
Though Claddagh would stay away from continental politics, to speed their recovery they would take part in trade and commerce, however they would forge no alliances of blood or word and would essentially isolate themselves from the rest of Aesox for the next few centuries. Their doors were still open of course, they would never turn a guest away, this led to growth for Claddagh as they recovered from the ravages of the Dwarven wars, which became known in Claddagh as the Great Struggle. They would become a hub for commerce and a neutral mediator, this was not without struggle however.
Following the end of the Dwarven wars famine and disease ran ragged through Claddagh, it was not until 852AE that things would come under control, however the memory left deep scars in its people who would not wish such a fate on any other human being. It was the memory of these dark days that would lead to the people of Claddagh being known for their charity and peacekeeping work, and opened the doors to later High Kings/Queens acting as mediators in continental politics, not for political gain, but as they saw it, as a duty to all human kind.
The history of Claddagh for the next nearly thousand years was not particularly notable, they stuck to themselves, they prospered thanks to their neutrality building and consolidating their wealth and using it for the betterment of their people. They stuck together, unity forged in the fire of war and the memory of suffering making them unbreakable.
For the next thousand years Claddagh would act as a neutral haven for all, a realm of peace and prosperity, one where all were welcome so long as they bore no ill intent. They would be one of the first nations in Aesox to widely adopt the printing press and adopt public education and healthcare programs as not just government policy, but priority; this has led to their population booming and their Kingdom thriving.
Today Claddagh has changed little, the current ruling Monarch is Cúan Ua Féarghail II the third of his family to be proclaimed High King, he has ruled for the last 5 years and has a reputation for being a great diplomat and steward, it was his first proclamation that relegated the majority of industry to Innis-Boffur, internally he has focused on preservation of Claddagh’s natural order, attempting to balance scientific and industrial progress with nature and the traditions of Claddagh, preserving the social order and maintaining the dignity of the Monarchy in an ever turbulent age.
Geography
The nation of Claddagh is located off the western coast of the continent of Aesox. It is composed of one major island and a number of more minor ones surrounding the main island. The main island is named Claddagh which is where both the people and nation get their name from, Claddagh is the third largest island which is a part of the continent of Aesox. Weather on the island is bland and unpredictable with it being said that you might experience all four seasons in a singular day, yet long periods of rain can be expected especially during the colder months, though it rarely snows, in the spring and summer it is still rainy of course however these periods are followed by pleasant if windy days of sunshine.
The island features a single mountain range in its south/east, this mountain range is known to be rather mineral rich containing large tin, copper, iron and silver deposits as well as massive deposits of gems such as sapphires, amethysts and rubies and most prominently the largest emerald mines in the known world. However extraction rates are limited in these mines due to recent royal decrees made to limit interference with the natural order and beauty of Claddagh. The south of the island is categorized by rolling hills and lush plains, it is the agricultural heartland of the island and plays host to few urban regions. The few which do exist are based around major harbours/ports. This rural area contains many rivers which along with the heavy rainfall throughout the year help to contribute to its fertility, even the hilly areas are alive with nature in the form of wild flowers and vegetation including gorse which makes the area ideal for raising cattle, sheep and pigs.
The island has a central bay in the middle which is the geographic and urban center of the island featuring most of the cities and manufacturing centers that give the nation its wealth, this area is a mix of forests, riverland planes and hills with large quarrying operations taking up most of the hilly areas extracting large quantities of marble, limestone and quartzite to feed the ever expanding urban centers. The central bay is known for its calm waters, thanks in part to being shielded on 3 sides by Claddagh and partially shielded on the other by its smaller islands, making it ideal for fishing and pleasure sailing.
The north/north western part of the island is heavily forests, still featuring the island's iconic valleys and hills, it is rugged and wild, it features no urban centers with its population spread out in villages, hamlets and the occasional town. Travel through the area is difficult as many roads are narrow and winding. It is in this area forestry is conducted and animals are herded. Sheep, goats and Claddagh ponies are raised in these areas.
Claddagh features a number of smaller islands that are mostly devoted to either raising animals or fishing; however it has 4 minor islands of note. One of these, the smallest and most southern of these islands is Claddagh Beag which is uninhabited except for a few hundred druids, with its mysterious ruins and origins shrouded in obscurity and possibly lost to time. The second smallest located in the center of the bay of Claddagh is Innis-Boffur the small island is entirely filled with factories, it operates as a hub of manufacturies, dry-docks and mills. Laws made by the current High King restricted all manufacturing on the mainland due to the effect they had on the beauty and natural balance of Claddagh, this led them to be relocated to Innis-Boffur.
The second largest minor island in the chain is Innis-Arnon its coast is almost entirely cliff featuring only a single spot for a harbour which is carved into the side of said cliffs, the island is the largest armed forces installation in the nation, it is the chief harbour used by the navy and features a large series of fortresses along the cliff edges designed to be able to fire on any approaching ship. It is also the chief training installation where all soldiers are trained be they army, navy or airforce.
The largest of the minor islands is Innis-Kirith this island is picturesque and features the nicest weather in the nation which has made it the go to destination for hosting summits, facilitating meetings and business deals and hosting the wealthy merchant class and aristocracy during the winter. It features the city of Port Kirith which is essentially a playground for the rich, with some of the nation's finest restaurants and markets second only to the capital, it also has many fine hotels and excellent casinos, opera houses and theatres offering a range of entertainment that also include guided nature walks and hunts on the island itself.
Flora
Claddagh Wildflowers
A general term for the many species of flower that can be found in Claddagh, their variety is nearly endless with experts finding new ones annually as they work to categorize every valley and plane on the islands. Appearing in all the colours of the rainbow, Claddagh wildflowers grow everywhere whether it be in verdant planes or in stone walls; they make excellent bouquets that require minimal effort and will last for weeks at a time.
Claddagh Spuds
While potatoes can be found in many regions of Pannotia, the Claddagh Spud is renowned for being the hardiest and reportedly the most nutritious of the bunch, it is the backbone of the diet in the nation and is a part of nearly every meal. They are known to be hardy, resistant to frost and flooding, where other crops might falter and fail; they have gained a reputation for being dependable. They also keep incredibly easily and can last from weeks to - in rare cases and proper conditions - months before going bad.
Fauna
Claddagh Wolfhounds
Found all over the islands of Claddagh these large hounds are the constant companions of the people of Claddagh, whether they are being used for hunting, herding, guarding or simply as companions these great big beasts can do it all, their shaggy usually grey fur along with their large frames are distinctive. This breed of dog however is very well renowned for its dichotomy, they are fierce and vicious to those they do not like or trust and yet they are loving and gentle with those they do; it is often said a wolfhound's loyalty is for life. They are particularly famous for being incredibly gentle with human children, often refusing to bark whilst babies are taking naps and resting next to sleeping babies and children acting as their protectors.
Claddagh Hedgehog
Found in the central valleys of Claddagh, these fuzzy little creatures are the friendliest of hedgehogs, over centuries they have been domesticated by the people of Claddagh for no real discernible reason other than how cute they are. They are often kept as pets, when threatened they roll themselves into balls and their spikes appear to become sharper and more numerous. It is often said by the people of Claddagh that if a Claddagh hedgehog balls near a person, that person has evil intent and should not be trusted.
Claddagh Ponies
Small hardy packhorses, these beasts of burden are not really suited to being ridden, no they thrive pulling carts over rough terrain, pulling plows through rocky fields or being led along goat trails in rugged hills/mountains with their backs laden with supplies, their shaggy appearance gives them a sense of personality. They are true workhorses and while not the fastest nor the smartest of creatures, they’ll get the job done.
Emerald Seals
Found on the rugged northern coast of Claddagh are the Emerald Seals, despite their name they are mostly grey in appearance, however they have a noticeably greenish-grey underbelly. They were rumoured to bring luck and save sailors in days past, and this is due to the fact they have been noted to be some of the friendliest creatures to swim in the sea.
Government and Ruling System
The government of Claddagh is complex, the country is officially designated in its own documents and legislation as the High Kingdom of Claddagh, and yet some people have referred to it as a Republic masquerading as a monarchy. It all starts from the top down, Claddagh has two heads of state, the foremost being the High King/Queen; it is an elected position from amongst the many Clans with those elected to the position being the head of a Clan, they rule from the time of their election until their death. The High King/Queen is the head of state; they act as the outward face for Claddagh as well as being the head of its Council of Clans, which is the upper house of its legislature. They can veto any legislation or pass it without a vote, they have the final say on all foreign policy decisions and are the official head of the armed forces. The High King/Queen also holds the unique position of being the head of the spiritual faith of Claddagh, with their position being seen by the people as semi-divine.
The other head of state position is the First-Chieftian(ess), they are on par with the High King/Queen and are the countries second head of state, they are the head of government and are elected for periods of seven years, they act as the voice of the people and have full control over the government and internal policy of the country. They are the head of the Assembly (Dáil) which is the lower house of its legislature. They can propose and support any legislation and have a sort of weakened veto where they cannot kill legislation but merely send it for re-drafting. They appoint and oversee all ministers and are the foremost diplomat deciding on the direction of foreign policy and acting as a personal advisor to the High King/Queen.
Under the High-Chieftain(ess) you have the ministers, these are the heads of various government departments and oversee the day to day running of the country. They have large sweeping powers and are generally a mix of elected officials from the assembly and family members of Clan leaders in the Council of Clans. Some examples include the Minister of Trade, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education, Minister of Defense, Minister of Finance and The Minister of Diplomatic Engagements.
Next you have the Council of Clans. The Council of Clans is made up of fifty Clan Chieftain(ess)’s and are the upper house in the country's legislature; they cannot propose legislation themselves but can approve, deny or modify any legislation that reaches them from the lower house. Clan Chieftain(ess)’s cannot serve as ministers, however their family members are often appointed to such positions. The fifty Clans who send members to the Council are among the oldest, most prestigious, powerful and wealthy families in the country and hold their seats in perpetuity, the only time a Clan has even lost a seat was when the Ua Marragh clan went extinct due to disease. It should be noted that while every family in Claddagh will call themselves a Clan the fifty clans of the Council of Clans are considered to be noble clans, this entitles them to a form of noble privilege and their own social class.
Following the Council of Clans you have the Assembly (Dáil). The body is elected once every five years and has some two hundred and fifteen members; it is largely made up of lesser clan leaders, urban representatives, merchants, trade unionists and business leaders. Members of the Assembly (Dáil) can propose legislation, serve in government as ministers or department heads and lead enquiries or take positions in both the civil administration or armed forces (provided they have the necessary experience and training) as appointed by either the High Chieftain(ess) or the High King/Queen. Members of the Assembly (Dáil) are usually organized into political parties of which there are roughly seven in the assembly, however some also choose to serve as independents.
The foreign policy of Claddagh is easy to understand as it is quite simple, they do not get involved in any kind of conflict as a matter of principle, they maintain a strictly neutral stance when it comes to world goings on and only involve themselves in conflicts when there are humanitarian concerns. They believe it is their duty to act as mediators and negotiators of conflict however they are known to be sympathetic to many causes and spend quite a good portion of their yearly budget on humanitarian aid and actions.
One example of this is the semi-state body known as the Emerald Shield who are a department under the Ministry for Defense, they are mainly composed of veterans of the Claddagh defense forces, a mix of soldiers and medics/doctors who finished their service to the nation but still wish to put a little good in the world. They travel to warzones, war torn countries or countries facing natural disasters and act as peace keepers, doctors/medics and local negotiators. They often defend civilians from undue harm, distribute food and medicine and provide free medical care in such areas as well as wiping out criminal/bandit organizations and any and all cursed beings they come into contact with.
Claddagh has no current enemies on the world stage owing to its status as a strictly neutral country, it has been theorized however that Claddagh maintains ties with Ortim as many citizens of Claddagh see the nation in a sort of “Big Brother" kind of way, however any sort of alliance or special relationship has never been confirmed by either nation.
Society and Culture
Fashion
The fashion of the people of Claddagh is relatively simplistic at first glance, yet when one digs deeper they reach a new level of appreciation. Dressing oneself in Claddagh, always starts with layers, and the amount depends on the seasons. In late autumn or winter one would begin with an under layer of long johns and then move on to trousers/long skirts and long sleeved tunics. These are followed by furred bodywarmers or knitted sweaters of wool and then thick coats with fur or boiled leather collars/hoods. Whilst in the summer one would go without the under and top layers and opt for short sleeves and short skirts.
Cloaks and capes are still considered the height of fashion in Claddagh amongst the aristocracy and are often made of either wool of linen, wool cloaks for the winter, the most expensive of which are furred, whilst in the summer months linen cloaks are worn and held in place with either bronze, silver or gold fastenings. Arm rings and bracelets are commonly worn made of either copper, bronze, iron, silver or gold they denote one's wealth/status with copper being most commonly worn by the farmer/labourer class, bronze for the merchants, iron for soldiers (Iron arm fastenings are often awarded for deeds/service and are inscribed with said deed/service), silver for wealthier merchants and lesser noble clans and gold for royalty and greater nobles.
Medallions, amulets and rings are also considered fashionable, though not to be worn in excess, in Claddagh wealth is said to whisper, to have more than one jewel in an item of jewelry would be seen as tacky and gaudy and a sign that one is “Living beyond their means” even if said individual was the wealthiest person in Claddagh they would be treated as trying too hard and looked down upon by even a humble farmer.
Architecture
The Architecture of Claddagh exists in two forms, rural and urban. Rural architecture is quite simple, buildings are built one of two ways, both use a wooden frame and peaked thatch roof with hard, sturdy wooden floors. Where they differ is in their wall construction, they either utilize wattle and daub (an ancient method using local sticks, clay, sod and mud) these walls are then often limewashed to appear white. The other method is simply using interlocking stone cut to be rough bricks and held together with wattle and daub, the use of stone versus pure wattle and daub is a marking of prominence and age, older families or clans will have homes of stone whilst new arrivals to an area (known as blow ins) will make their homes of wattle and daub. The most common type of building in rural Claddagh is the bungalow, one story houses that feature a common living area/kitchen and surrounding bedrooms. They can be found anywhere from villages to towns to solitary on the moors, then of course you have your usual pubs, post offices, barns, stores and local halls.
Urban architecture is very different, most buildings are made with concrete and are composed of either limestone, granite, quartzite or marble brick, two story homes are the most common and feature slanted slate roofs, taller buildings however often features domes, balconies and large gardens/green spaces, however even though these grander constructions look pleasing especially when one considers they are usually lime washed to appear as if they glow white, they are still built to maximise heat retention and are often incredibly well insulated, this however can lead to them feeling stuffy in the summer months. Your average city in Claddagh will feature tall, skinny domed towers of marble attached to grandiose white brick buildings in the center, often featuring apartments for the wealthy whilst as one leaves the center or dock areas of a city the buildings become lower. An oddity of Claddagh is the fact that apartment/flat living has not quite reached the lower social classes, this has however led to in urban areas multiple families sharing one house between them all.
Music & Entertainment
The people of Claddagh love a play, they are particularly partial to dark comedies, tragedies and dramas. They also share an appreciation for musicals though they are known to be harsh critics. Leaving the stage Claddagh has a very high level of literacy with even the rural farmers being able to read, this is due to the prevalence of hedge schools run by druids and local poets being set up in nearly every corner of the nation.
Thanks to the advent of the printing press Claddagh has a thriving publishing industry with all types of books from fantastical novels to real history accounts being available to even its most humble citizens, some say the average Claddagh man is better read than most scholars in distant lands, this is also partially thanks to the deep tradition of poetry in the country, this has led to many authors from Claddagh being compared to poets as even in their accounting of history they are known to wax poetic and rhyme in their pros.
Finally we come to music, Claddagh has a deep tradition of pub music based around both traditional and non-traditional instruments and singing. Any person from Claddagh worth their salt can lilt and sing with the best of them, their traditional hand-drums the Bodhran, Uilleann-Pipes, flutes and in the most affluent places harps are often mixed with banjos and mandolins to create traditional music that has a deep beauty and sense of spirit to it. On a weekend in the evening nearly every pub in the nation is filled with music playing and both young and old alike dancing the eve away.
Sports & Games
The people of Claddagh are a sporty folk, particularly in the rural areas. Their sports include hurling; a game played with wooden axe like sticks and a hard cork and leather ball called a sliotar, it is most renowned for being an incredibly fast as well as violent game with few official rules for contact, the recent legislated introduction of mandatory leather helmets to the game has lead to some controversy particularly in traditional circles, however it has made a noted reduction in injuries.
The other notable game is played in urban areas and called handball. Usually played in alley ways of varying sizes it involves a smaller version of the sliotar just called a handball and uses lines of chalk and boxes to denote the area of play and scoring areas. The popularity in urban centers has led to the sport being somewhat gentrified with more official rules being drawn up and dedicated buildings known as handball alleys being built in former warehouses/factories.
Finally the largest sports in Claddagh are greyhound and horse racing, both of which draw huge crowds from all around the islands, betting, drinking and dressing your finest are all expected when attending a horse race or a horse show, whilst it is mainly the former two done at a greyhound race.
Cuisine
Claddagh cuisine begins and ends with meat, vegetables and potatoes, from the highest noble to the lowest shepherd they make up the three base components of any true meal. Served in either stew or roast format with mutton and white fish being the most common types of meat for the lower classes whilst beef, venison and salmon are more common in an upper class restaurant; there are of course exceptions with lamb, pork, shellfish and lamb being found at least twice a month on the table of every household.
The other common element of every meal is of course your vegetables and potatoes. The usual veg used in Claddagh includes but is not limited to, onions, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, leeks, turnips and garlic. As well as many different types of native herbs they make up the base of any good Claddagh stew along with of course Claddagh's most famous export, the Claddagh spud. Whilst potatoes have been found in many different regions of Pannotia the Claddagh spud is noted for being particularly hardy and nutritious. It is a part of nearly every meal in the nation and can be served any number of ways from boiled, mashed, in a stew to roast, confit, baked or fried and a hundred different ways in between.
The other notable form of cuisine is that of baking, best categorized by the people of Claddagh's love for the humble tart and crumble. Many berries and fruits are grown in Claddagh and this has led to a great cottage industry of bakers in Claddagh, with every village having at least one person–usually an older woman–who makes tarts and crumbles that could find purchase at even the snobbiest table. The people of Claddagh are also known for their soda bread, an essential part of breakfast and lunch.
Events/Holidays
The people of Claddagh are often described as merry which is partially due to the prevalence of holidays and events, nearly one out of every seven days they have something to celebrate or give thanks for. To just name a few brief events/holidays one might encounter, there is of course All Hallows Eve where they commune with the spirits of those departed and celebrate life. There is Bhrigettes day which celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Paddies Day celebrates the brewing prowess of their people and is considered a display of the finest partying in pannotia. There are others of course, too many to list, and alongside their holidays are their events, the most prominent of which are harvest dances known as Kailees taking place at the local crossroads between villages or in town squares; these are dances and celebrations that usually happen around the end of the harvest/beginning of autumn, and bring people together, it is also the traditional place where young couples might get together or announce their engagements/intent to be wed.
Magic
Magic is respected in Claddagh, while the people understand it is often a sword without a hilt and unwieldy it is seen as a gift from the Almighty that should be trained and harnessed; it is also a widely held belief that potentia comes from the spirit and the soul and as such one needs to keep their spirit and soul clean and pure in order to master it. It is this belief that led to most magic users in Claddagh being druids, in fact when a child with mystic abilities is discovered it is common for them to be taken under the wind of a wandering druid until such a time as they can be brought to the druidic college. The only real exception to this are the bards of Claddagh, of whom a sizable minority are known to be skilled Rhythmagia practitioners although most if not all either found their magical potential later in life or were trained by the druids but did not join the order for different reasons.
Education
In Claddagh education is a top priority for both the government and the people, in cities and towns there are state funded schools open to all children from any background, though most children involved in agriculture only really attend during the winter season, however this does not mean they are uneducated as for the rural population there are the druidic hedge schools, an old and proud institution that while lacking in some more modern areas still provides a high quality of education in the areas of literature, history, culture, basic arithmetic and life skills. Whilst the state schools have larger libraries and more subject choices, the quality is of a relative parity. This means that the people of Claddagh are rather highly educated, and that even the most simple of professions on the isles generally have better bookkeeping standards than some merchants of foreign nations.
Guest Right
Guest Right is an ancient cultural custom in Claddagh dating back to before the unification, when different clans still warred over resources and no one could trust anyone outside their immediate circle, the druids saw how such suspicion and distrust would fester and so called a council of clans and declared their intention to form a custom, a right all people of Claddagh could claim, the Guest right.
This custom started as essentially the right to not be stabbed by one's host while under their roof, but over the centuries evolved into the guest right of today that is held up as sacred both culturally and spiritually. It is the right of a guest to claim shelter, food and protection from harm or persecution from anyone who would welcome them into their home, so long as one has the means they are expected to provide all they can to their guest as if they were kin.
This tradition has helped in Claddagh becoming a neutral negotiation ground as it is well known that the higher the social standing one is the more they are expected to provide to their guest under guest right, and if one claims guest right from the High King/Queen their protection is guaranteed by the whole nation.
Guest right is traditionally claimed at the door, the method is an odd ritual that has not changed over the centuries, it goes as follows. First the guest requests entry, when that is allowed they then ask if they are welcome, when that is confirmed they ask to be a guest of the host, offering their good cheer, good company and respect. Once the host has accepted this they present their guest with bread and salt, the guest then eats a bite of bread with a pinch of salt and the ritual is complete. Variations may exist, and even if the ritual is not completed while under another’s roof it is expected to still act with guest right in mind, but once it is formalized it is legally binding, with the host taking full responsibility for their guest.
Social Classes
Claddagh is a nation that is deeply traditional and has its set social classes; they can be identified as lower, middle, upper and noble. There are of course exceptions to this such as druids being in a class of their own. Poets, writers, artists, performers and mages are all also considered to be in their own social classes though often grouped together and held in relatively middle class esteem. There are many marks and subtle intricacies to identify one's social class in Claddagh such as the silverware one has at their table to how quickly one finishes their beverage of choice.
One of the clearest marks of social class in Claddagh that is an outlier among culture in Pannotia is whether one removes their coat when entering another's home. Among the lower classes and rural populace removing one's coat upon entering a home is seen as rude, as it implies you will be staying for a prolonged period of time and intend for the host to be duty bound to take care of you. This of course comes from the ancient Claddagh tradition of guest rights. However in an upper class home it is considered rude to not remove ones coat upon entering, as it implies that the host is incapable of taking care of you to your standards/satisfaction, it implies the host has a cold home that is not heated correctly and it also implies that you do not consider the host to be worthy of your time as keeping one's coat donned in an upper-class home means you expect to leave/want to be able to leave at a moments notice.
Another mark of social class in Claddagh is whether one smokes inside, among the lower classes and rural populace smoking inside is considered the norm. When walking into a rural pub or a laborers pub one would be hit with a cloud of smoke from all the pipes and cigarettes being smoked. Whilst the upper classes of merchants and aristocracy would never smoke inside seeing it as unseemly, though they have a great fondness for consuming their tobacco in either an outdoor but covered lounge or on a balcony overlooking either a park or the sea.
There are of course many other marks of social class, the intricacies of society as well as the often to outsiders, judgemental nature of the people of Claddagh has lead to many a dignitary or foreign guest making a social faux pas, however luckily for them, most Claddagh natives do not hold foreigners to the same standards as they hold each other and often brush off the actions of others in a good natured if patronizing manner by referring to them as ‘Quare’ or ‘Strange’ which is a polite way of saying outsider.
There is then the matter of the noble class, they maintain most high class sensibilities but enjoy a legal acknowledgement of their status, not just a societal one. However this is a double edged sword as while nobles are expected to be given the necessary respect and deference it is noted that abuse of their privilege is seen as gauche and could lead to scandal. It is said in Claddagh that wealth whispers and so to an outsider the nobles of Claddagh seem to maintain a sort of humble superiority about themselves.
Demographics
Claddagh is, like most Aesoxian nations, almost entirely made up of humans, and with that they are also one of the most culturally homogenous with few outsiders being present. This could be due to how tight-knit most communities in Claddagh are, being daunting to outsiders or more than likely due to the lack of interest and relative isolation of Claddagh. However there are notably communities of drifted Nymphs dotted all over the main island of Claddagh itself, in the rural towns or in the capital of Réalta-Gafa, this is due to both the fact that the people of Claddagh have a respect for nature and the fact that Nymphs are held in near equal regard to humans in Claddagh, an oddity for Nymphs, in fact many are held in high regard for the role they take in maintaining the natural balance and beauty of the land. There is also a few small communities of Nephi existing in the most major forests, how they came to Claddagh is known only to themselves and the druids, and neither group are particularly willing to share the history, but they pay their taxes and keep to themselves for the most part whilst maintaining the natural beauty.
Military
No one would ever write home about the armed forces of Claddagh, this is because most people do not see them, they maintain a relatively miniscule defense forces with only roughly 30,000 active duty ground troops in their army, these troops mostly consist of light infantry trained in skirmish and guerilla tactics with some small bands of rifles, artillery and light cavalry making up the most elite warriors. The rugged, rocky and forested terrain that takes up half of the island nation is not conducive to massive armies, given its hilly nature and the prominence of massive hedgerows in the flatlands, their defense forces have developed a kind of hit and run style of warfare designed to drive off invaders via clever tactics and area denial rather than direct confrontation; one military scholar once wrote, any nations of Aesox or beyond could conquer Claddagh, but one could never hold it for long. This is also true because of the fact Claddagh is an oddity amongst the nations of the world as it does not have a policy of conscription of mandatory service, this means its army, navy and airforce are composed of those who volunteered for service, this has lead to them having a smaller but generally more eager and better trained/motivated armed force as a whole, as well as a small but highly trained and motivated reserve force of veterans who upon retirement are taught to manage and maintain guerilla operations.
The same cannot however be said of its Navy, when it comes to the waves Claddagh puts on a good showing; they maintain a fleet of some three hundred and fifty vessels ranging in size from small patrol and escort ships to large ships of the line and a small number of heavier command vessels. The Navy of Claddagh operates almost exclusively within its own waters only ever leaving to escort aid convoys or dignitaries and roughly once every five years for what they call an anti-piracy cruise. It is split into three different fleets who each take a specific area of Claddagh’s coast/waters under their protection.
When it comes to the Air Claddagh is lacking significantly due to it only maintaining a small fleet of some forty airships whose sole purpose is for patrol and escorting, however they have built a shockingly formidable and advanced series of Air Defenses with most of its major cities and ports/harbours featuring huge towers bristling with specialized cannonades designed to knock airships out of the sky.
Then there are the irregular forces, of which Claddagh, fittingly, has three. Firstly and foremost there are the Claddagh Rangers, these warriors serve a dual purpose; they are the elite of Claddagh’s armed forces and report directly to the High King/Queen acting as the royal guard alongside being the premier monster hunters of Claddagh and some of the finest in Pannotia, they ruthlessly root out cursed beings and beasts of unnatural natures and purge them from the isles. There is next the Armed Druids, they report jointly to the High King/Queen and the Chief Druid; they are primarily magic users and maintain a force of roughly one thousand, though this number is hard to confirm. They are composed of those magically gifted children of the isles who are of a more rowdy and volatile nature, however like their more spiritual brethren they too serve the nation as the magical arm of the armed forces. Finally there is the Emerald Shield, reporting to the minister of defense this organization is made up of mostly veteran soldiers, sailors and medics/doctors. They maintain both their own fleet and fighting force and are renowned for their humanitarian work abroad, bringing order to chaos and light to the dark. Each of these irregular forces is commanded by a Captain-General.
Finally there is the matter of the organization of the Claddagh armed forces, it should also be noted that Clan Chieftain(ess)’s are legally allowed to maintain their own retinues of personal guards and soldiers though these are often more for show. These retinues usually consist of and rarely exceed a hundred personnel. The overall command of all the branches of the armed forces of Claddagh rests in the hands of the High King/Queen; they are the overall commander in chief. Next there comes the Chief of Defense (not to be confused with the minister of defense). This is an appointed position and oversees all armed forces branches and reports directly to the High King/Queen. Next you have the Generals and Admirals who all sit upon the defense council chaired by the Chief of Defense, the minister for defense also maintains a spot on the council, though their job is of a solely logistical nature. Finally you have the independent Captain-Generals who oversee the irregular forces, they too maintain seats upon the defense council.
Religion
The Children of the Almighty: The Children of the Almighty is both the largest and the state religion of Claddagh. It is a polytheistic hierarchical religion that centers around the belief in an omnipotent & omnipresent creator of the world literally referred to as The Almighty. The Almighty whose true name is unknowable to mortal kind brought the world, the planets and the stars into being, in doing this they created four divine beings to watch over their creations, these lesser divines are known as the First Children or the Watchers (Faireoirí in the tongue of Claddagh).
The Children of the Almighty is a deeply spiritual religion with little organization, it does not have traditional places of worship nor does it have a strict way to worship, they believe that every individual’s connection to the Watchers and the Almighty is their own. The order of Druids is the only so-called “Priests” on the Islands and they are a loose order who roam around offering spiritual guidance and counseling to the citizens of Claddagh and - rarely - abroad. The only permanent structure of the order of Druids is the Druidic College, located in the capital city of Claddagh, Réalta-Gafa (Cathair na Réalta Gafa, City of Captured Starlight.)
The leader of the Druids is the High King/Queen who appoints a Chief Druid to oversee the day to day affairs of the order, of which there are admittedly few, this individual has no real political power, but it is one of great prestige however it has to be given to a practising druid who has spent at least seven years roaming. The Chief Druid acts as the head of the Druidic College and a spiritual counsellor and confidant for other Druids.
Most Druids are trained in the mystic arts, if they have no talent for it they are merely taught to understand and respect magic and Potentia. Those who are seen as gifted are usually trained in either of three schools: Gladewalking, Galecasting or Rhythmagia, with particularly skilled druids being given permanent positions in the Druidic College as masters of their mystic discipline.
The nature of the religion being so deeply spiritual and individual has manifested in many of its practitioners being prone to seeing innate magical ability as a blessing from the Almighty, there is also a wide belief that the First Children often appear in Claddagh, taking many forms; be they tricksters, gift bringers or teachers, however outside scholars have noticed that many of the depictions of these First Children bear a strong resemblance to creatures falling under the ‘Fey’ umbrella.
Notable Locations
- Réalta-Gafa (Cathair na Réalta Gafa, City of Captured Starlight): The Capital City of Claddagh named for the great marble tower that is crowned by a great glass dome that at night has the appearance of sucking in starlight. The tower of the stars is the tallest tower in the nation and towers above the city. Standing at the epicenter of the city situated directly in the middle of the royal palace, the Emerald Citadel and the hall of the Dáil. The tower of the stars is a beautiful site, but no one knows how it works, how it creates the beautiful effect at night, most outsiders believe it is druidic magic, however natives will all say it is because of the Almighty.
- The Black Cliffs: Located on the western shore of the island of Claddagh and stretching from the end of the bay of Tir Iur to the Eurendil headlands, the black cliffs are a stark expanse of cliffs composed of pure black basalt. Their origin is unknown and they appear very out of place, yet this only serves to enhance their beauty.
- The Singing Stone: Located on the hill of crowns near Réalta-Gafa, this singular seemingly natural rock of limestone is the traditional coronation place of the High King/Queens of Claddagh; in myth it states the first Monarch of Claddagh was crowned there, and when they placed their hand upon the stone it sang out in joy.
- The Valley of the Lost: An empty valley located near the heart of Claddagh, it is devoid of human settlement, deep fogs are ever present within the forested valley and it is one of the few sacred spots of the children of the Almighty. It is said that the valley is where cursed souls go to wander, lost in the fog, awaiting the end of days and the end of their torment, the few outsiders who have visited the valley never returned save one, a Rhythmagia user and formerly renowned bard who was driven mad by their visit and spent the rest of their days spouting prophecies, drivel and ranting about mushrooms and fairies.
- Claddagh Beag: The smallest island of the Claddagh chain, it is noteworthy despite being uninhabited due to containing pre-great equilibrium ruins that appear to be human in nature, their origin is unknown and travel to the island is strictly prohibited for all but Druids.
- Port Kirith: The second foremost city of Claddagh, it doubles as a playground for the rich featuring casinos, hotels, entertainment, fine dining and more, all the while simultaneously it is the hub for most negotiations and business deals in the nation and features a bustling harbour; though the majority of the trade is actually done in the sister city of lesser Kirith which is made up almost entirely of warehouses and port facilities.
Trivia
- There is a fringe belief held by some Aesoxian Scholars that the faith of the Almighty is directly linked to * Fey worship and an even more fringe belief that the high King/Queen is regularly possessed by Fey beings.
- The people of Claddagh are known for their senses of humour leading some to say they treat life itself as if it is a joke, if this is true, they often make themselves or their close friends the punchline.
- The people of Claddagh share a common language with both the Fíodori people of Galudon and the Tuathe de Dochas of Ortim, the reason for this is lost to history, though it has led to a fierce kinship between the three peoples who see each other as cousins.
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