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Dramatis Personae
Dramatis Personae, or A List of Historical Actors
Chapter One
Brendan: Irish monk and seafarer. Accidentally discovered the Insula Benedicta in 512 A.D. after being blown off course. Returned in 517 with a group of monks to establish a monastery. This was the first European settlement in the New World. Was driven into a depression after the Plague in 535, feeling personally responsible for the destruction of the Skin People. The first to apply the term "Fanaithe" to the roving trappers that came from Ireland. Passed away in 577.
Arjalinerk: Also known as "Abraham". The leader of the first tribe of Skin People to encounter Brendan's monks. Was vital to the survival of the monks in their first winter. Took Brendan with him to explore the island in 519. Was a close friend of Brendan. Died in the Plague in 535; first indigenous American to be baptized a Christian.
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig: Also known as "Mac Ercae". King of Ailech, received the first monks to return from the Insula in 519. Established the forerunner to the later Fanaithe trade.
Chapter Two
Forggus and Domnall: Sons of Mac Ercae; co-Kings of Ailech. The first Irish petty kings to commission a Fanaithe expedition in 538.
Conchobar and Dualtach: Successors of Forggus and Domnall; co-Kings of Ailech. Allied with the Cruthins to attack Dal Riata (570-574). Challenged Loingsech's Fanaithe expedition, but were ignored. Ailech lost the monopoly on the Talbeahan trade due to this.
Faelan: Leader of the Cruthins. Allied with Conchobar and Dualtach in their war against Dal Riata. After the success of that campaign, proclaimed himself the "King of Ulaid".
Loingsech: King of Connacht. Commissioned a rival expedition to the Ailech Fanaithe in 578. His refusal to recognize Ailech's exclusive "right" to the Talbeahan trade opened the New World up for wider commerce.
Totnan: Abbot of Brendan's Monastery; successor to Brendan. To counteract the rowdy influence of the Fanaithe, Totnan allied with local Measctha to enforce peace around the Monastery. This area of peace would later be known as "Peace Town"- the capital of the future Bishopric.
Domhanghart: The last full-blooded Skin Person of the Insula Benedicta. He was influential in the development of early Meascthan culture. Died in 607.
Congus: Bishop of Armagh. Sailed to the Insula Benedicta to negotiate and end to the Fanaithe War that was disrupting trade. Established the Bishopric of Tairngire, placing ecclesiastical authority in the hands of the Abbot of Brendan's Monastery. Gave the name "Terra Ursus" to the continent, which evolved into Talbeah. Wrote the Peace of Armagh, which became the governmental document of the Bishopric until Owain's arrival.
Chapter Three
Tadc: Bishop of Tairngire during the main period of Fanaithe settlement in Talbeah. Encouraged the new arrivals to settle down, believing the influence of women and children would moderate the Fanaithe's rough nature. Encouraged Meascthan interaction with the Fanaithe as another method of integrating the new arrivals.
Eidigean, Robartach, and Muirchu: Bishops of Tairngire between 800 and 880. Known as the "Quiet Bishops". More focused on ecclesiastical activities than their temporal responsibilities, enabling the Fanaithe to develop their own institutions during much of the 9th Century.
Owain: Briton princeling of Cadog's Realm. Sailed to Talbeah as part of a later Fanaithe company. Returned to Britain where he fought in the losing war against Bernicia. After the death of his father, led a warband west to Talbeah. Allied with Columb, Owain led the "Reconquest", where he subordinated the Fanaithe Companies to the Bishop's authority. After the death of Columb, Owain proclaimed himself Gorfodi, establishing a new system of government in the New World. Died in 900 after a brief illness.
Columb: Bishop of Tairngire. Upset with the lax way that Muirchu conducted the office, Columb allied with Owain to extend the authority of the Bishopric back over the Fanaithe Companies. Died under suspicious circumstances in 890, allowing Owain to establish the office of Gorfodi and take control of affairs in the Bishopric.
Hussa: The "Beast of Bernicia". Anglo-Saxon King who defeated Cadog and destroyed the last major Briton kingdom.
Cadog: The "Great Hope of All Britain". Father of Owain, last Briton king to offer any real resistance to the Anglo-Saxons. Killed by Hussa's forces; his kingdom did not survive him.
Rechtabra: Main leader of the collaborationist Companies during the Reconquest. Aligned himself with Owain in an attempt to gain further power for his Company. His assistance would be crucial in the successful completion of the campaign.
Donngal: The main leader of the resistance against the Reconquest. Led the defense of Costa Dhearg and denied Owain a total victory. Rallied opposition against the Britons around him, though his coalition fell apart after he was killed during a raid in 886.
Chapter Four
Carodoc: Son of Owain, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 900. After a failed trade expedition to Europe in 909, shifted the focus of trade to the South, establishing contact with the Afonbren. Oversaw the beginning of the Blade Trade, and established the hated man-tax. Killed in a failed Ostish raid on Peace Town in 923.
Morfael: Son of Carodoc, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 923. Made a trade agreement with the Afonbren Confederation in 938, limiting trade South to officially sanctioned expeditions. Died in 944.
Riderch: Son of Morfael, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 944. Took greater steps to enforce the trade agreement made by his father, as well as increasing the reach of the man-tax. Appointed Finian to the Bishopric in 975, over the objections of the clergy and the "will" of Froech, precipitating the Filleadhaithe Revolt.
Froech: Bishop of Tairngire until his death in 975. A copy of his will (now commonly accepted as fraudulent) circulated after his death, claiming he wanted Olchobar to succeed him to the Bishopric.
Olchobar: Monk at Brendan's Monastery. Called for better treatment of the Fanaithe and was ignored by his superiors. In 975, the "will" of Froech named him as successor to the Bishopric, though it was ignored. Fled to Talbeah from the Insula, and became involved with the Filleadhaithe, lending their movement legitimacy. Proclaimed as the "true" Bishop of Tairngire by the Filleadhaithe in 977.
Finian: Bishop of Tairngire after 975. Appointed to the office by Riderch over the objections of the clergy and the "will" of Froech. A cleric firmly controlled by Riderch.
Chapter One
Brendan: Irish monk and seafarer. Accidentally discovered the Insula Benedicta in 512 A.D. after being blown off course. Returned in 517 with a group of monks to establish a monastery. This was the first European settlement in the New World. Was driven into a depression after the Plague in 535, feeling personally responsible for the destruction of the Skin People. The first to apply the term "Fanaithe" to the roving trappers that came from Ireland. Passed away in 577.
Arjalinerk: Also known as "Abraham". The leader of the first tribe of Skin People to encounter Brendan's monks. Was vital to the survival of the monks in their first winter. Took Brendan with him to explore the island in 519. Was a close friend of Brendan. Died in the Plague in 535; first indigenous American to be baptized a Christian.
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig: Also known as "Mac Ercae". King of Ailech, received the first monks to return from the Insula in 519. Established the forerunner to the later Fanaithe trade.
Chapter Two
Forggus and Domnall: Sons of Mac Ercae; co-Kings of Ailech. The first Irish petty kings to commission a Fanaithe expedition in 538.
Conchobar and Dualtach: Successors of Forggus and Domnall; co-Kings of Ailech. Allied with the Cruthins to attack Dal Riata (570-574). Challenged Loingsech's Fanaithe expedition, but were ignored. Ailech lost the monopoly on the Talbeahan trade due to this.
Faelan: Leader of the Cruthins. Allied with Conchobar and Dualtach in their war against Dal Riata. After the success of that campaign, proclaimed himself the "King of Ulaid".
Loingsech: King of Connacht. Commissioned a rival expedition to the Ailech Fanaithe in 578. His refusal to recognize Ailech's exclusive "right" to the Talbeahan trade opened the New World up for wider commerce.
Totnan: Abbot of Brendan's Monastery; successor to Brendan. To counteract the rowdy influence of the Fanaithe, Totnan allied with local Measctha to enforce peace around the Monastery. This area of peace would later be known as "Peace Town"- the capital of the future Bishopric.
Domhanghart: The last full-blooded Skin Person of the Insula Benedicta. He was influential in the development of early Meascthan culture. Died in 607.
Congus: Bishop of Armagh. Sailed to the Insula Benedicta to negotiate and end to the Fanaithe War that was disrupting trade. Established the Bishopric of Tairngire, placing ecclesiastical authority in the hands of the Abbot of Brendan's Monastery. Gave the name "Terra Ursus" to the continent, which evolved into Talbeah. Wrote the Peace of Armagh, which became the governmental document of the Bishopric until Owain's arrival.
Chapter Three
Tadc: Bishop of Tairngire during the main period of Fanaithe settlement in Talbeah. Encouraged the new arrivals to settle down, believing the influence of women and children would moderate the Fanaithe's rough nature. Encouraged Meascthan interaction with the Fanaithe as another method of integrating the new arrivals.
Eidigean, Robartach, and Muirchu: Bishops of Tairngire between 800 and 880. Known as the "Quiet Bishops". More focused on ecclesiastical activities than their temporal responsibilities, enabling the Fanaithe to develop their own institutions during much of the 9th Century.
Owain: Briton princeling of Cadog's Realm. Sailed to Talbeah as part of a later Fanaithe company. Returned to Britain where he fought in the losing war against Bernicia. After the death of his father, led a warband west to Talbeah. Allied with Columb, Owain led the "Reconquest", where he subordinated the Fanaithe Companies to the Bishop's authority. After the death of Columb, Owain proclaimed himself Gorfodi, establishing a new system of government in the New World. Died in 900 after a brief illness.
Columb: Bishop of Tairngire. Upset with the lax way that Muirchu conducted the office, Columb allied with Owain to extend the authority of the Bishopric back over the Fanaithe Companies. Died under suspicious circumstances in 890, allowing Owain to establish the office of Gorfodi and take control of affairs in the Bishopric.
Hussa: The "Beast of Bernicia". Anglo-Saxon King who defeated Cadog and destroyed the last major Briton kingdom.
Cadog: The "Great Hope of All Britain". Father of Owain, last Briton king to offer any real resistance to the Anglo-Saxons. Killed by Hussa's forces; his kingdom did not survive him.
Rechtabra: Main leader of the collaborationist Companies during the Reconquest. Aligned himself with Owain in an attempt to gain further power for his Company. His assistance would be crucial in the successful completion of the campaign.
Donngal: The main leader of the resistance against the Reconquest. Led the defense of Costa Dhearg and denied Owain a total victory. Rallied opposition against the Britons around him, though his coalition fell apart after he was killed during a raid in 886.
Chapter Four
Carodoc: Son of Owain, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 900. After a failed trade expedition to Europe in 909, shifted the focus of trade to the South, establishing contact with the Afonbren. Oversaw the beginning of the Blade Trade, and established the hated man-tax. Killed in a failed Ostish raid on Peace Town in 923.
Morfael: Son of Carodoc, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 923. Made a trade agreement with the Afonbren Confederation in 938, limiting trade South to officially sanctioned expeditions. Died in 944.
Riderch: Son of Morfael, succeeded his father to the office of Gorfodi in 944. Took greater steps to enforce the trade agreement made by his father, as well as increasing the reach of the man-tax. Appointed Finian to the Bishopric in 975, over the objections of the clergy and the "will" of Froech, precipitating the Filleadhaithe Revolt.
Froech: Bishop of Tairngire until his death in 975. A copy of his will (now commonly accepted as fraudulent) circulated after his death, claiming he wanted Olchobar to succeed him to the Bishopric.
Olchobar: Monk at Brendan's Monastery. Called for better treatment of the Fanaithe and was ignored by his superiors. In 975, the "will" of Froech named him as successor to the Bishopric, though it was ignored. Fled to Talbeah from the Insula, and became involved with the Filleadhaithe, lending their movement legitimacy. Proclaimed as the "true" Bishop of Tairngire by the Filleadhaithe in 977.
Finian: Bishop of Tairngire after 975. Appointed to the office by Riderch over the objections of the clergy and the "will" of Froech. A cleric firmly controlled by Riderch.
- Rognvald
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