Muireann Uathach Lamar

[Wallace McGreggor]

Since the existence of mankind there are things that resound --
make us pause in the mundane - take breath of divine.

We all know this untouchable nourishment of the soul. It liveth in birdsong's laud, the murmuring brooklet, it danceth thro forest's foliage and comforts hearts by the fire -- in the chant of the Damhnait. A link that tieth us back to our origin.. a path only a spirit can wander.. blindfolded from worldly restrictions.. guided by the poet.

We art here to sustain.. to pour balm on incurable wounds, lift ye up to mirthful flight, reach the cornucopia of jocund song to accompagny ye good times and withstand in times of harshness and malady. Thro sweetness and storm.

Grand things can be achieved by the sword yet how precious the endowment of touching hearts
without piercing a body.

This is the legacy of the damhnait.



~ * ~

The Damhnait

Damhnait is the ancient term for the bard errant of Othala. Freedomloving women and men of all classes who journeyed the world far and wide in their capacity as poets, bringers of tidings and custodians of cultural heritage. Some of them keepers of legends, some charming jokers, others graceful heralds of far love and some rare even harbingers of things to come. All but ever art enchanting in their passion divine.

Today the order hath shrunk to a small faction of blest who hold up the ways of oulds and keep serving Berkana in the sole way their overflowing heart sees fit - sharing what the goddess hath given to them in plentiful supply -- the endowment of poetry, tale and music.

After, due to their autonomous nature and uncompromising dedication to the goddess, they hath been declared undesirables by the church of Cadaris the damhnait politely decline further trips to the western shores and restrict themselves to roaming the midlands. For here -- among the true mountains and th rolling see Berkana's call is still heard -- and a damhnait's arrival bringeth about a feast no matter where he emergeth.

Thus cherished a damhnait is in no need of posessions or escort. All he carrieth along is his lute or harp, flute and stick - the symbols of the bard. Berkana, or rather said her worldly children, provide the rest. So know when thou spottest such wanderer that he is in Berkana's good graces and given protected status by not only one but all lords of the midlands.

Wynna Dagaz

The Wynna Dagaz art the biannual assembly of Damhnait. Taking place in Berkana and Rayda poets from all over the midlands meet in annually alternating locations to join in the ancient games, interchanging experiences in the form of song, poetry and tale. These gathrings but also serve the purpose of allowing hopeful aspirants to present their endowment to the community of damhnait, whereupon those truly blessed art accepted amongst the order and henceforward spend their lives wandering the lands to bring mirth and comfort to all who welcome them around.

To be continued,
Muireann Uathach Lamar