The 12 Foster Fathers of Neasca (Group)

**Narrative**

This tale starts with twelve men stumbling onto a child lost in the forest. They were a fianna, a band of roving warriors. During Spring they worked for the lords and protected the Cattle as the gave birth. During Autumn and Winter they fended for themselves by hunting and selling pelts. They had no land, so could not farm. If was common for fianna to terrorize or steal, so many bands had contracts for protection that lasted longer than those three months of spring. This particular band wandered the lands going from contract to contract.

The girl they found had no name, and they referred to her as "easca ag dul" which means easy going. She was so named for her gentle and even-tempered nature. Soon after finding her they shortened it to Easca/Neasca and assumed the role of her foster fathers.

The members of the band were as follows:

Paedar – he was very faithful. He always kept his word, and he always spoke of the gods and wanting to follow their laws. He taught Easca about the history of the gods, and the signs to watch out for the ones might be near or in her presence. He once had to defend her from a particularly curious Satyr. He was the leader of the group, though he often gave the lead to others when the situation merited it.

Sean – was the most loving, he had a good ear for the troubles of the others in the group. He was the one who initally found Easca. He made sure she was always fed, and made sure to provide her with warm clothes and a cloak. He chastised the other men if they were too harsh on her.

Aindriu - Had great strength and endurance, he could run for the longest and was always the first into battle, he was courageous and confident. While they were all, bar Iuda, warriors, he trained her in spears, and knives, hand to hand combat and endurance training.

Pilid – understood power, and how those in power thought. He always did the negotiation with the lords and kings during the recruitment season. Pilid often consulted Seamus regarding offers of work or jobs they had been offered and whether people could be trusted. He would sit with Easca and teach her of the laws of Braeon, the laws of their land, the role of kings, lords, fianna, and the lay people.

"Here the major division is between those who make their living from land, cattle, and agriculture, either directly and or through yearly payments from Cheili, “feudal-like clients”, and those who make their living by their skills and knowledge. In Ireland all of the farming class were expected to take part in the warlike campaigns of the king or lord."

Seamus – was judgemental and discerning. He always thought on decisions the longest and often came up with the group's plans. He taught her to discern people's motivations and how to tell if people were lying.

Parthalan – He had been a slave who was being sold to a lord in Munster. He was from a far off land and was very creative. He was always making things, or coming up with creative ways for the troop to make coin. He taught her poems, and dancing, and how to craft useful items and jewellery. He was also a fantastic cook.

Tomas – had a vast wealth of knowledge about the natural world and its workings. He was also a sceptic. He told her how to follow tracks, what plants were edible and not, what each plant in the forest could be used for, and how to know if trees possessed spirits and should be avoided.

Mat – was very strong willed. He often took charge of the group in high pressure situations. He taught her to stand her ground, when to back down and when to push your advantage, and the power of self-affirmation.

Eoin – valued order. He was the mediator of the group and established the rules that they lived by. He taught her the value of order and consistency, the power of routine, and how to find the commonality among things.

Siomon – was enthusiasm and zeal incarnate. He had boundless energy to motivate others to action and found much joy in the little things. Siomon wasn't much of a teacher, rather a doer, and he showed her how to have fun. He kept her up late, took her on adventures, let her sip ales, and meads, and was most often being yelled at by Sean for keeping Easca up too late.

Tioboid – was the debater of the group and often engaged in controversial debates. He tested Easca's mind, taught her of philosophy, and taught her the value of introspection and methods of understanding the why of the world, not just the how.

Iuda – was the healer of the group and abstained from fighting. He taught her the preparation of herbs, and bandages, as well as what to expect as she became a woman, menstruation, body hair, and the birds and the bees.

It would have been hard to find a more well-rounded group, and they would have said the she was their savior as much as they were hers. They all had families which they had lost and the raising of her gave them purpose.