The Kingdom of Tir na Og
In the Celtic realm of Tir na Og, the High Monarch holds a position of unique distinction. This cutter, typically the spirit of a valiant hero from the Prime Material Plane, is chosen for their virtues, heroism, and the leadership qualities they demonstrated in their mortal life. As a figurehead in the afterlife, their role transcends simple governance; their role is to embody the ideals and aspirations of both the living and the departed.
The monarch’s role in Tir na Og is not one of absolute power, but rather one of stewardship and mediation. In a realm where deities walk and exert their influence, the monarch operates under a unique dynamic of power-sharing and cooperation with the divine entities. The gods oversee broader cosmic and natural aspects of the realm, while the monarch focuses on the societal and cultural well-being of its inhabitants.
The current leader of Tir na Og is High Queen Gormflaith. She acts as a custodian of the traditions and history of the Kingdom, and is the cutter in charge when a visitor wants to speak to the high-up. Unlike the powers, Gormflaith is approachable—well, just about. At least she’s a blood who used to be a mortal, and it’s far easier to relate to her than a power. In this capacity, she’s well placed to understand the needs of the regular bashers of the the realm, mortal and petitioner, than the powers are, who frankly have more important omniscient things to do. Gormflaith facilitates communication between the powers and the inhabitants, ensuring that the divine decrees are understood and that the voices of the people are heard in the divine courts.
One of the Queen’s primary challenges is balancing the often conflicting and incomprehensible will of the powers with the needs of the realm’s inhabitants, ensuring that the divine powers do not overshadow mortal affairs. She’s assisted by a clique of priests and oracles who help to interpret the will of the powers—for the pronouncements that Gormflaith receive are just as nebulous as any prophecy from the Pythia of Delphi or a soothsayer.
Castle of Tara
The seat of the High Monarch of Tir na Og is the grand old Castle of Tara, a keep that is deliberately outside of any of the realms of the individual Celtic powers, close to the centre of Tir na Og. It’s said that this was the site of the first burg built by the Tuatha de Danann, but they gave it over to the mortals once their petitioners started arriving in the lands and needed somewhere to call kip.
One of the more fabled monuments at Tara is the Stone of Destiny, regarded as a symbol of fertility. It’s said that the Stone of Destiny will sing and roar in praise if it approves the inauguration of a new High King or Queen.
High Queen Gormflaith
Petitioner human cleric [she/her] / N
Now High Queen Gormflaith, as you can tell from the title, she ain’t your run-of-the-mill basher. This lady’s got an air about her that makes even the powers take a step back. She’s draped in robes that shimmer like the heart of the Summeroak, all greens and browns, with a touch of the gray sea mists. Her crown? It’s a twisty thing, all knotted up in the way of the Celts, sparkling with jewels that seem to hold a bit of the realm’s own essence.
Now, being the High Queen of the Celts ain’t no cushy job. She’s up to her neck in the politics of the place, playing the Great Ring like a master bard. She deals with the deities of Tir na Og, and let me tell ye, that’s no stroll in Elysium. Gormflaith’s got the savvy of a Guvner and the cunning of an arcanoloth, all rolled into one.
Now her abilities, they’re something else. The chant goes she can see things before they happen, can draw on magics older than the trees, and can gab with the spirits of the land like they’re old mates. She’s got a touch of the mystic about her, no doubt about it.
But it ain’t all smooth sailing. The politics in Tir na Og are as twisty as a modron puzzle. Gormflaith, she navigates through it all like she’s dancing. She somehow keeps the peace between the gods and the mortals, the proxies and the petitioners, making sure the place don’t fall into chaos.
And her influence, cutter, it stretches beyond her own borders. She’s a symbol, a story, and a legacy all wrapped up in one. In the lands of Tir na Og, where every stone’s got a story to tell, she’s the one who determines when one chapter ends and the next one begins.
Source: Jon Winter-Holt, mimir.net