House Daireann

*Brothers and Sisters, by the edge of the sword and the bond of blood do I swear the strength of my arms and the courage of my heart to defend you and our cause from the might of our foes. Never shall you stand alone on the battlefield as long as breath remains in my body. Should I break my oath, may a rain of iron daggers pierce my breast and send my soul forever into darkness.*

**Pronounced:** Dar-RAWN

**Court:** Unseelie

**Nickname:** Hosts, Cauldron-keepers

Daireann, the founder of House Daireann, was a skilled herbalist and healer, as well as former lover of Fionn macCumhaill. She was granted lands by High King Adwyr ap Gwydion in return for her service in healing him of a painful wound. Feeling unworthy beside the lords and ladies who won their lands through glory on the battlefield, Daireann became determined to bring greatness to her house in her own way. Her son, Conchobhair, because a mighty warrior of great renown and unimpeachable honor

Daireann prided herself on her house’s hospitality, which surpassed even the most righteous of Seelie Houses. A member of House Daireann never denies shelter or food when requested honorably, not even to her greatest enemy. Likewise, poisoning or harming guests would be most inhospitable, bringing dishonor to any Daireann who did so. Daireann may request a story or song in recompense for their hospitality, but nothing beyond the guest’s ability to give. Even during the Sundering, when Daireann’s warriors battled constantly, the sight of Daireann’s banner promised rest and refuge. From such bright beginnings, however, House Daireann took a darker turn, which made them the house they are to this day.

During the Shattering, Conchobhair did not flee to Arcadia. He stayed behind and held the line while house after house fled, vowing that he would see them all through the gate and then follow behind. Like a captain on a sinking ship, Conchobhair saw his fellow sidhe, including his mother and the other members of his house, to safety. As the heads of each house passed through the gates into Arcadia, they swore that once they had ushered their people through, they would return and pull Conchobhair in behind them. When the gates to Arcadia closed, however, Conchobhair was left behind in Concordia. Daireann grieved the loss of her son, and she swore she would exact vengeance on anyone else who abused the hospitality and aid of her house.

The sidhe of House Daireann live by three laws: Honor, Hospitality, and Vengeance. Honor they hold dear because Conchobhair stayed true to his word, even in the face of betrayal. Hospitality they still offer to all who seek it, as long as they obey the house’s three simple rules: never ask for more than is offered, bring no harm to your hosts or anyone else under the host’s roof, and always make a fair offer of reciprocity.

As did their founder, many members of House Daireann still practice herbalism. While their brews can be used for healing, they are far better known for their use as poisons. Daireann vengeance is slow and painful, exacted through sinister poisons that can take days, even weeks, to kill their victims. Those who violate Daireann rules of hospitality are often still allowed to stay, but only because it’s easier to poison someone under one’s own roof. House Daireann still provides respite and hospitality to all in their freeholds and their cauldronhouses throughout Concordia, but a good host need only be as honorable as her least honorable guest.

## House Boon

House Daireann dedicates itself to the laws of Honor, Hospitality, and Vengeance. Members of this house receive a minus one difficulty to all rolls specifically pertaining to protecting someone under their hospitality, or when enacting vengeance against someone who has violated their hospitality.

## House Flaw

Members of House Daireann cannot turn away someone seeking shelter or asylum, even a mortal enemy, unless the person violates Daireann’s rules of hospitality.

## Exile

Daireann’s son Conchobhair remained behind when the sidhe fled to Arcadia. When the rest of House Daireann returned, they claimed they had taken the first opportunity available to seek out their lost brothers, and reclaim the lands and titles they had stayed behind to protect. Some doubt the veracity of that claim, suggesting instead that Daireann, like other houses, was exiled. While no one knows for certain if this is true, rumor hints that a prominent noble shared a secret that was not hers to confess, which gives this story some credence.

## Factions & Societies

* Belladonna’s Chalice is a cabal of skilled herbalists and poison makers who meet seasonally to carefully plot and plan their brews.

* The Companions of the Oaken Cudgel, a group of oathbonded fae skilled in weaponry, exemplify Conchobhair’s Three Laws.

* The Stewards of Cauldronhouse maintain the cauldronhouses, wayhouses that offer hospitality to all, and best embody House Daireann’s custom of hospitality.

## Notable Members

Ard-Bantiarna Fiadnait ni Strachan, the high lady of House Daireann, who acts as a steward of the house’s affairs, Eoghan ap Derryth, one of the few male members of Belladonna’s Chalice, Iobhar and Sibeal, twins and members of the Companions of the Oaken Cudgel, and the sisters Ó Donndubháin, who between the five of them maintain stewardships of several cauldronhouses.