Donall
Location: Outlands / Tir na Og
The village of Donall in Tir na Og, now that’s a place as steeped in magic as a tealeaf in boiling water. It’s a wee village, but don’t let its size fool ya – it’s brimming with the kind of charm and enchantment that you’d only find in the Land of Youth.
Imagine a quaint hamlet, nestled in a lush, verdant valley, surrounded by rolling hills and dense, mystical forests. The cottages are built in the old style, with thatched roofs and whitewashed walls, each adorned with intricate Celtic knots and symbols. At night, these cottages glow softly, lit from within by faerie lights that flicker in shades of gentle blues and greens.
The streets of Donall are cobblestoned, winding through the village like ancient serpents, leading to the heart of the town – a communal gathering place with a great, roaring bonfire that never seems to die. This is where the villagers, a mix of petitioners, planar humans and fey folk, come together to celebrate their festivals, their faces illuminated by firelight as they share tales, music, and dance that stretch back generations.
In Donall, the veil between the worlds is thin. The villagers are deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature and the ancient magics of Tir na Og. Druids walk among them, their cloaks trailing whispers of old magic, offering blessings and wisdom. Here, the old ways are not just remembered; they’re a living, breathing part of everyday life.
The forests surrounding Donall are enchanted, home to creatures of legend – faeries that dance in moonlit glades, talking animals that share ancient wisdom, and spirits of the wood that guard the secrets of the trees. Here, one might chance upon a faerie circle, where the fey dance under the moon, or a talking animal reciting verses of long-forgotten poems or lullabies.
At the edge of the village stands an ancient stone well, its waters believed to have healing properties. It’s not uncommon to find villagers and travellers alike gathered here, drawing water and sharing stories, their laughter mingling with the gentle babble of the spring. The chant goes that the well is also portal to other worlds, its waters clear as crystal and deep as the night sky. Those who peer into it see not just their reflection but visions of other realms, glimpses of the past, and dreams of the future.
Seasonal festivals in Donall are particularly magical. Beltane, Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh are celebrated with fervour, each marked by rituals and customs that honour the deities of the Celtic pantheon, the spirits of nature, and the ancestors who walked these lands before. During these times, the veil between worlds grows thin, and beings from other realms join in the celebration. Time flows differently here; a night of revelry might feel like moments or stretch into days.
In Donall, every tree, stone, and stream is imbued with the magic of Tir na Og. The villagers live in harmony with this magic; it’s a place where the mundane and the magical are entwined, where the ancient past and the present meet.
Source: Jon Winter-Holt, mimir.net
