The Land of Aileann is, and has been home to many strange and wonderful species and races, but perhaps the most intriguing of its people is that race the Aos Sí, or as they are more commonly known, the Druaidíi. Secluded and protective of their distinctive culture, history and tradition, much about them remains shrouded in mystery. And yet, despite this, there are some issues upon where a general agreement is found.

The Druaidíi, at one point of their existence, were once the most populous and dominant race in the land of Aileann. They held technology far above that of their rivals and were masters of their environment. Their cities were marvellously constructed, green, lush and brimmed with canals, fountains and all manner of life. As one with nature as a city could be, rich and masterfully designed. Though there is now little or no evidence of such wonders what we do know is somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago (the exact dates have neither been revealed nor proven) a great flood occurred of a magnitude to defy belief, one of inconceivable strength with waves as big as mountains reigning down on both land and people. Every brook, stream, and river united to swarm all which lay around it, covering all Aileann in its might and force in such a way as has never been seen before nor since. 

Then, inexplicably, just as suddenly as it had arrived so too did the Great Flood depart, yet its legacy would remain, all it had touched became land not habitable for any civilised beast, a swarming mass of swamps filled with creatures of unimaginable horrors. Few above land survived such was the destruction. Any of those which did would be horribly deformed or twisted. Yet the Druaidíi are not known for their resourcefulness without reason. Few amongst them had for some unknown purpose prepared and plotted for such a disaster and when the time came found themselves buried deep and safe in immense underground bunkers, the last great remnants of their advanced society and workings. Those few's foresight allowed for the survival and the continuation of their people.                   

For the next 800 years after their escape underground, the Druadíi bided their time within their vaults, making only brief scouting excursions to the outside world (at great expense of power) before retreating once more to their subterranean havens. Finally, there came a time where once more the land became habitable and life above could begin anew, allowing them to venture into the wilds once more. Yet much and more had changed and the world the Druadíi once knew was no more. Nought remained of their once proud civilisation but failing ruins and after a quick scouting campaign it was discovered that only four of the reported great Vaults now remained intact and inhabited. Of a once proud population numbering hundreds of thousands now only a bare 10,000 endured. Of their advanced technology, few now knew the secrets and skills, much of which had been forgotten amidst the harsh reality of a life lived underground.                                                                              

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

This lost knowledge was compounded when the Men the Druadíi originally named the Daoine Oig destroyed the Library Vault, alleged to have been the home to the bank of record and data needed to rebuild their once proud Society. This event would be marked as the origins of what would later become known as The Land Wars, a series of continuous wars with little in the way of peace. The arrival of the Daoine Oig or the Partholóns as they came to be known confirmed that the land of Aileann was no longer the exclusive domain of the Druadíi and forever changed the lie of its borders.                                                                                                                                

Of the intervening years much and more has been written, much of it truth and much of it hearsay. Yet what is in no doubt is that the Druadíi were given no respite from their difficulties. Finding the land much to their liking the Partholóns viewed the Druadíi as rivals for their new home, fearful and wary as they were of their magical Omen powers, their double-edged long blades and their mental and physical prowess. As such they began a concentrated campaign to seek out and destroy what remained of the Druadíi and their people culminating in a host of terrible and savage Battles.

In the beginning the Druadíi enjoyed great success yet though no match to their skills and powers the Druadíi could not counter the Mens manpower and ability to replace losses. Over time their resolve and morale began to steadily falter and waiver as their numbers dwindled ever further. After millenia of continuous warfare both sides were left exhausted and weary of War. At the famed Council of Bláthvhaile a truce and alliance was made and a Blood Pact between the King of the Men and Rí of the Druadíi was made, heralding in a new Age of Hope and Co-operation. Though the Wars had been brutal for both sides the Druadíi's firm continued insistence of no inter-breeding left their already bare numbers severely depleted. By the beginning of the Year 200 ATA (After Truce and Alliance) nought but eighteen hundred of their number is said to persist.

The arrival and growing prominence of the Milesians, a people which trace their origins to the beginning of the greatest Empire to have ever arisen from the race of men, has further complicated the role of the Druaidíi in Aileann. It may be therefore that the Druaidíi find themselves in need once more of a new role within Aileann’s burgeoning society,  a role which reflects the changing dynamic and needs of the Land they once ruled without equal.

EXCERPT TAKEN FROM THE ‘AILEANN CHRONICLE’ BY COURT SAGE VINCI UÍ NÉILL

(Prologue, Vol I)