<style> /* Background */ .phb{ background-image: url('https://gmbinder.com/images/UCIUXyr.jpg') } .phb{ background-size: cover } /* Notes */ .phb blockquote {background-color: #ebcec3} .phb hr + blockquote tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color: #FDF1DC;} /* Tables */ .phb hr+section blockquote tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color:transparent; } table tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color: #ebcec3} /* Footer */ .phb .pageNumber {color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6)} .phb .footnote {color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6)} .phb:after{ background-image: url('https://gmbinder.com/images/EsLXSby.png') } </style> <style> /* Background */ .phb{ background-image: url('https://gmbinder.com/images/UCIUXyr.jpg') } .phb{ background-size: cover } /* Notes */ .phb blockquote {background-color: #ebcec3} .phb hr + blockquote tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color: #FDF1DC;} /* Tables */ .phb hr+section blockquote tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color:transparent; } table tr:nth-child(odd) td {background-color: #ebcec3} /* Footer */ .phb .pageNumber {color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6)} .phb .footnote {color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6)} .phb:after{ background-image: url('https://gmbinder.com/images/EsLXSby.png') } </style> ## General Character Glossary What follows here is a character glossary. I'll include their names, and bios to paint a cohesive background picture. ### King Ailill Sided with the hosts, Ailill and Medb. Husband to Queen Medb. Assists in leading the host. He tends to respect great warriors, including Cuchulain. Although he isn't necessarily averse to their engaging with Cuchulain, he'll be wary of Cuchulain's fighting prowess. ### Queen Medb Sided with the hosts, Ailill and Medb. 'Instigator' of the Táin. She tends to call the shots concerning their host, as this all began with her wanting the Brown Bull of Cualnge (See the occasion of the story). Medb tolerates no interruptions nor deterrents when it comes to accomplishing her aims. ### Aife Exile of Queen Medb and King Ailill. ### Cuchulain Cuchulain is sided with the Ulstermen. Son of Sualtaim. Cuchulain holds the burden and responsibility of being the sole defender of Ulster, until their Pains fade away. Cuchulain is a beardless youth of remarkable strength-- "Now, many and divers were the magic virtues that were in Cuchulain that were in no one else in his day. Excellence of form, excellence of shape, excellence of build, excellence in swimming, excellence in horsemanship, excellence in chess and in draughts, excellence in battle, excellence in contest, excellence in single combat, excellence in reckoning, excellence in speech, excellence in counsel, excellence in bearing, excellence in laying waste and in plundering from the neighbouring border." Cuchulain has an ego about him, as he understands that he has massive strength (since boyhood). During the events of the Táin, Cuchulain is 17 years old. ### Laeg Laeg is sided with the Ulstermen. He is Cuchulain's friend and charioteer. In their downtime they'll tend to play chess with eachother, although Cuchulain often wins. ### Fergus Sided with the hosts, Ailill and Medb. He was the previous king of Ulster, but "For, while Fergus was king of Ulster, he had courted the widow Ness and, in order to win her, promised to abdicate for the term of one year in favour of her son Conchobar. But when the term had elapsed, the youth refused to relinquish the throne, and Fergus in anger entered the service of Medb of Connacht. There he was loaded with favours, became the counsellor of the realm and, as appears from more than one allusion in the tale, the more than friend of the wife of King Ailill." Now exiled from the lands of Ulster. Fergus used to be Cuchulain's mentor so he respects Cuchulain. He respects his sheer power and fighting prowess. ### Ferdiad Previous foster brother of Cuchulain. Deemed to be a renown fighter. Ferdiad and Cuchulain seem to be evenly matched, save for Cuchulain's Gae Bulga (Barbed Spear). "Ferdiad was horn-skinned when fighting and in combat with a warrior on the ford; and they thought he could avoid the Gae Bulga and defend himself against it, because of the horn about him of such kind that neither arms nor multitude of edges could pierce it." ### Finnabair The fair and beautiful daughter of Queen Medb and King Ailill. ### Sualtaim Father of Cuchulain. ## Establishing expectations with the Player Characters This campaign will be a lot more social-heavy, and not so much combat-oriented. This module is being written with it in-mind that the characters will be lower-level ruffians, gliding by as the events of the Epic unfold around them. They will be able to affect the world in some diminished capacity. This module mainly hopes to D&Dify some of the events of the Tain ## Occasion of the Táin Laying in bed one day, Queen Medb and King Ailill began to compare their wealths with eachother. A short pissing match arose, to which Medb and Ailill assessed all their possessions, from their least precious to their most. All the way down to their pails, cualdrons, jugs, rings, bracelets, flocks of sheep, horses and steed-- and so on. Both equalled eachother out, yet Medb had a bull that was unaccounted for that resided in the Ulster territory. The Brown Bull of Cualnge, Donn Cualnge. A messenger exchange went awry between one of Medb's and one of the house of Darè (in the province of Ulster), rendering Darè unwilling to cough up the Bull much to Medb's dismay. Medb opts to seize the bull. She pushes through the lands of Ulster in pursuit of the Brown Bull. \pagebreakNum ## So, catch me up to speed where we're at? The men of Ulster do suffer from their 'Pains'. They're rendered incapable of combat. Medb and Ailill's forces push deeper into Ulster territory, plundering towns as they encounter them in search of the bull. After a bit of an expedition to track down the bull, it now lays in the hands of Ailill and Medb. They've since been on the move to leave, as they have what they came for. ## But wait, if all of the Ulstermen are in "Pains", and can't do anything, where's the story? Cuchulain and his father Sultaim are the only ones exempt from the Pains. Cuchulain is the sole obstacle that tends to impede Ailill's and Medb's troops advancement. He seemed undefeatable in combat, leading Medb's host to negotiate terms with Cuchulain to allow for more agreeable skirmishes. >Cuchulain's terms were as such: "A single champion of the men of Erin be sent to fight and contend with him every day. The while he slayeth that man, the army will be permitted to continue its march. Then, when he will have slain that man, another warrior shall be sent to meet him on the ford. Either that, or the men of Erin shall halt and camp there till sunrise's bright hour in the morning. And, by the ford whereon his single-handed battle and fight takes place, the cattle shall not be taken by day or by night, to see if there come to him help from the men of Ulster. Whatever Ulstermen are injured or wounded nearby him, your leeches [more or less medics] shall heal them and ye shall not be paid for the price of their healing. Whatever daughter of kings or of princes of the men of Erin shall love him, ye shall bring her to him together with her purchase and bride-price. And further, Cuchulain's food and clothing shall be provided by you, so long as he will be on this expedition." "namely, he will not exact to be fed and clothed by you, but of himself will provide food and clothing." Since, Medb has violated these terms. Singular combat became ambushed combat. Cuchulain can hold his own, but boy, does it test his temper. \pagebreakNum # Game Start Ferchu Lonsech is the head of a group of exiles that used to be under Queen Medb and King Ailill. He's heard of a man whose been stopping the four princes of Erin from their advance, through dastardly feats of single combat. Consulting with his group of exiles, they devise a plan.        Half of the exiles, including Ferchu, are to contend with Cuchulain. They want the glory and retribution of slaying him so as to destroy their exile-hood. The other half of the exiles, including the player characters, and their ranking official _Aife_. The party is now situated on the tail end of the massive host sported by King Ailill and Queen Medb. The band of exiles is deliberating what to do. Strike down Cuchulain, or heed the great tales that they've heard of this Cuchulain? Aife will opt to stay back, and coerce the Player Characters to do so as well. Perhaps their half of the exile-group doesn't meet at the meeting place before the battle. Aife intends on sharing the glory and retribution of Ferchu's victory, should he have it. Aife watches the fight from the sidelines. >Whenever Cuchulain has a grand duel, he boards the ford, and the four provinces of Erin, or _the host of King Ailill and Queen Medb_, spectate from the sidelines.        Ferchu's party dies. Another man is seen to arrive and contest Cuchulain on the ford. They wrestle, and Cuchulain gets the upper-hand, slaying his foe. ## Taking Refuge        Seeing his fellows slain, Aife sees no point in lingering around. As the ranking officer, he leads the party a ways away from the host's encampment to seek shelter for the night. The party should determine who will take watch for the night. During the watch, have whomever roll a perception check. They will come to hear some talking and chatter, and the shattering of rocks. Upon futher investigation, they seem to have set up camp themselves near Cuchulain's camp. At this hour in the night, Cuchulain will be having a late night chat with Laeg, playing chess by lantern light, and absentmindedly shooting off his sling at nearby rocks. Surrounding Cuchulain is a ring of bare melted snow [His warrior spirit melts it]. >Regardless if the party attempts to sneak, Cuchulain can sense them through his feat of sense. _Aife_ should be following the party as they attempted to investigate the noise. Aife will stir conflict with Cuchulain, and have a pissing match. Aife will charge Cuchulain. Cuchulain will pick up a rock and throw it at Aife, braining him instantly. Cuchulain recognized Aife but not the party, so Cuchulain shows interest and welcomes the party. __Cuchulain's Goal__: To Implore the party to help him. Cuchulain has nothing to lose in trusting the party. "If you attempt to step against me, or obstruct me, why, you'll end up like your leader. Really I could likely do more damage with my finders than any of you could do with your hands." Cuchulain could speak on the valiant efforts that the party could boast of after all's said and done-- they relinquished their ties with the bloodthirsty Ailill and Medb, and seek to protect the countryside of Ulster. There is something in it for them if they help. __King Conchobar's Favor__. By the end of the module, Conchobar will have recognized the Players efforts and appoint them a new status. ## New objective: Stir Chaos Gaining new allies, Cuchulain wants to exploit the opportunity. __Cuchulain would like the party to stir up some chaos within the encampment__. Cuchulain can offer them _Medallions of Disguise Self_. >While disguised, the players will still be shown to be donning the medallions. This tell, combined with Cuchulain's feat of sight, renders him incapable of being tricked by the party. It's still night. Cuchulain advises them to make their chaos in the morning. Most nights though, Cuchulain would like the party to come back to Cuchulain and give a status report on the happenings within the camp. ## Within the Camp On this day, a certain Calatin Dana and his 27 sons and _grandson_ are tasked to face Cuchulain. They're all covered with poison, from their weapons to their arms. They're remarked to have stellar accuracy. All of this should circulate in the rumours around the encampment, as people expect Cuchulain to lose. \pagebreakNum One of the first people they should properly meet is Fergus. Fergus laments Cuchulain's fate, when they're met by the __grandson_ screaming and running through camp. He yells for "Fiach!" when he's met his end by the swift-as-the-wind Cuchulain whom beheads him, at the front of King Ailill and Queen Medb's tent. Cuchulain retreats. Dialogue ensues. Medb asks Fergus what he heard, Fergus doesn't know, and answers that _"unless it be some one in the camp and quarters that owed him a debt. It is that which troubled his mind. But be that as it may it is a debt of blood and flesh for him. And upon my word," Fergus added, "now are his debts paid to him for good and all!"_ As they're newfound semi-friend, Fergus implores the party to get somewhat of a lay of the land. This isn't their war, yet they're caught in it. By their unique situation, they're owed to have some information at that. __Things to do in camp?__ These should somehow be worked in as optionable things to do. Perhaps Cuchulain suggests them. >Ideas: Burn down ale-stores to dampen morale. Spread a vicious rumor. Scare some men wit-less, and have them fear some unknown bogeyman. Fergus suggests for the party to attend _Ferdiad's_ welcoming party. All Fergus knows is that Queen Medb likes to get her way, and needs Ferdiad to get on board with fighting Cuchulain. ## Medb Schmoozes up Ferdaid The party should find this out through cover means, but Medb dispatched druids and poets to disgrace Ferdiad. Medb wanted to put his honor at stake, so he was compelled to hear out Medb's wishes. Ferdiad doesn't initially want to combat Cuchulain. Medb wines up Ferdiad. Through wine, and kisses on the check from Finnabair, he enters quite the jolly mood. Jumping on the occassion, Medb entices Ferdiad with rewards and valor if he can take down Cuchulain. Her offer is: "to give thee a chariot worth four times seven bondmaids, and the apparel of two men and ten men, of cloth of every colour, and the equivalent of the Plain of Murthemne of the rich Plain of Ai, and that thou shouldst be at all times in Cruachan, and wine be poured out for thee there; the freedom of thy descendants and thy race forever, free of tribute, free of rent, without constraint to encamp or take part in our expeditions, without duress for thy son, or for thy grandson, or for thy great-grandson, till the end of time and existence; this leaf-shaped golden brooch of mine shall be thine, wherein are ten-score ounces, and ten-score half ounces, and ten-score scruples, and ten-score quarters; Finnabair, my daughter and Ailill's, to be thine own one wife, and mine own most intimate friendship, if thou exactest that withal." If the party is there, __Queen Medb__ will approach the party and ask them to pep up Ferdiad in the morning so that he's prepped for his 'big day'. __Cuchulain__ will ask the party to minorly sabotage Ferdiad if the opportunity allows. Nothing that would kill or maim him. ## Cuchulain Fights Ferdiad Ferdiad and Cuchulain have a day long fight. Here should be some cinematic brevity employed by the DM. Something along the lines of "Hours pass... Evenly matched in the fury of their swords, and ferocity in their tempo... unrelenting fighters...." Should the party be watching, Cuchulain eventually loses ground in the fight. He has two singular reinforcements that emerge from the woodwork, only to be slain by Ferdiad. Cuchulain has Laeg summon the Gae Bolga from the river, and Laeg has to overcome Ferdiad's charioteer, whomst is actively trying to stop him. Cuchulain gets the Gae Bolga, and slays Ferdiad. __Not without enduring heavy wounds.__ Cuchulain monologues about missing his friend and his foster-brother, and it didn't have to come to this, if not for Medb's coercion. Cuchulain needs to retreat to tend to his wounds. The men of Erin bury and hold funeral services for Ferdiad. ## Cuthulain Heals -- Cethern Cuchulain goes to bathe in the river. A scout from the hosts notice a lone naked charioteer riding towards them. He ends up arriving, and does massive damage to their garrison, not without to receive similar damage. The naked man arrives at Cuchulain's camp, holding himself to his chariot to keep his guts from spilling outward. A bed is made for him, and he demands leeches from Cuchulain so he can be healed. His name is Cethern, and he's a valuable fighter. Cuchulain takes sympathy. Through proxy of Laeg, he asks for leeches to tend to Cethern's wounds, or Cuchulain will wreak death and destruction. Different leeches get cycled through. Each one will examine his wounds. The sauciest wound came from Queen Medb. They'll each say he won't survive, and Cethern will punch a hole through each of their faces. 15 Leeches die. __Potential Fetch-Quest:__ Find something to replace Cethern's ribs. In the story, it were a chariot box. After he's healed, he is absolutely livid. He prepares to attack the camp. Once he gets there, he gets deceived by a set of the King's robes that were donned by a stone-pillar. He rushes it, realizes he's tricked, and gets pierced by the surrounding spearmen that have encircled him. \pagebreakNum ## Fintan, father of Cethern, arrives. He rides in with a troupe of 350 men by his side to avenge his son's death. Over the horizon, Laeg's vision would spot these men. The party could now anticipate the men coming, and take the opportunity to strike. __Combat Opportunity__. The party could scour around the encampment, and find the most poorly defended garrison. Once the 350-strong troupe of men arrive, the party could tactically wipe out the garrison. And then, perhaps, light a fire to further cause chaos. It should be known that it's doubtful that the 350-strong troupe will doubtfully do significant damage to the hosts. The hosts feature strong warriors from four of the five provinces of Erin, boasting a seemingly countless amount of men, with reviled warriors therein. ## Sualtaim, the father of Cuchulain, arrives Sualtaim has heard tell of what Cuchulain has been going through, what with single-handedly defending Ulster and all. Cuchulain is still riddled with gashes and wounds since his last encounter with Ferdiad. Seeing his son this way, Sualtaim is moved to emotions and whines and moans for his son. Spancel-hoops hold Cuchulain's cloak over him so as not to let his clothes touch his skin. His gashes and wounds are too much at the moment, and the pain is intolerable. Cuchulain gives a call to action to his father, sending him further into the homeland to rally the troops. > Cuchulain speaks thus: There is not the space of a needle's point from my crown to my sole without wound or sore, and there is not a single hair on my body from my crown to my sole whereon the point of a needle could stand, without a drop of deep-red blood on the top of each hair, save the left hand alone which is holding my shield, and even there thrice fifty bloody wounds are upon it. And let them straightway give battle to the warriors, and unless they avenge this anon, they will never avenge it till the very day of doom and of life! Sualtaim goes alone to rally the troops. Cuchulain won't permit it, as he needs the only allies he currently has to stay put. ## Assassinate the King In light of recent events, Cuchulain wants to see that the king is assassinated. He wants righteous retribution for all that the hosts have done unto Ulster. _There'll be obstacles in the way_. The king is guarded by two rough bodyguards. If the alarm is raised, the party is sure to perish, as the hosts are filled with valiant warriors. The King is also a fighter. ## One morning, a certain fog sets in. Spoiler alert, it's the reinforcements that happen to be the men of Ulster. First, the noise of what's coming can be heard. It sounds like "A rush and a crash and a clatter and a clash." Almost like something fell and upended mankind itself, with the reverberation shivering through the listener's spine. _Fergus_ ascertains that it's the Men of Ulster coming out of their Pains. It's worth to note that this has now long since happened. The slow spread of information didn't allow for the whole of Ulster to be made awares yet. Next, a low fog sets into the valley of which the Men of Ulster are to arrive. It's dense, and impossible to see through. So thick is this fog that it completely enshrouds all save for the tops of the tall hills. ## The men of Ulster make their arrival It takes until morning to sunrise for King Conchobar and all of the men of Ulster to arrive. The Ulstermen boast 21 different companies of men at the Slane (or Mound) of Meath. Each company boasts men of great valor and renown. Featured within the reinforcements are three battle towers. > Each battle castle-tower is so tall that it resembles a (hyperbolized) mountain. Each castle-tower was engulfed in soldiers. Four ivory adorned door posts specks each tower, with door-frames so sparkly that their "appearance from afar was like that of bright shining stars". \pagebreakNum # A note on Medb's dispositions. Medb feels as though she's got a lot of leverage over her foes on the horizon. "Good reason, in truth, there is for them to be so if they are dejected, mournful and joyless. There is no evil we have not worked on them. We have harassed and we have assailed them, their territory and their land,from Monday at the beginning of Samaintide till the beginning of Spring. We have taken their women and their sons and their youths, their steeds and their troops of horses, their herds and their flocks and their droves. We have razed their hills after them till they are become lowlands, so that they are level with the plain. We have brought their lords to bloody stabs and sores, to cuts and many wounds." Fergus has to check her though, in that they've lost plenty of troops themselves. Cuchulain before has repeatedly slain hundreds of soldiers a night, and they've shared their fair share of losses as well. ## Opportunities to Talk with the Ulstermen It'll be night by the time that they all arive. Their spirits and morale shall be up, as they're ready to defend their land. Should the party be so inclined, they could take up a night of drinking and carousing with the Ulstermen. __Some games__ that the party could play. _21_: "A player rolls 2d10. The dealer does the same, keeping the first die hidden. Each player, including the dealer, takes turns rolling any number of additional d10s. All die faces are face value, except for the 1, which can be worth 1 or 11. If the dealer scores a 21, all players lose. If a player scores a 21, they win. If neither occurs, a player loses if their total is less than the dealer’s, and wins if their total is greater than the dealer’s. Payout for winning players is 3:2. If both the dealer and a player score a 21, that player wins their bet back 1:1." _Hand of Fate_: "A player rolls 1d12 and keeps their roll secret. Each player has the chance to raise the bet, call the bet, or fold. This continues until all bets are equal. A d12 is then rolled which all players can see. Each player has a second chance to raise, call, or fold. A second and final d12 is rolled and each player gets one last chance to raise, call, or fold. Once all bets are equal, all dice are revealed. The player with the highest combined total of their die and the public dice wins 80% of the pot (20% going to the casino). Ties split the 80%." _Shots_: Each round that the players play, they take a shot. From the first round, The DC to not 'lose their constitution' is 1. Each subsequent round it raises by 1. _1, and then 2, 3, and so on..._ > Morrigan appears! When it's twilight, Morrigan will be between both camps and she'll speak a lay to sow dissension between the two camps. "Ravens shall pick The necks of men! Blood shall gush 3In combat wild! Skins shall be hacked; Crazed with spoils! Men's sides pierced4 In battle brave, Luibnech near! Warriors' storm; Mien of braves; Cruachan's men! Upon them comes Ruin complete! Lines shall be strewn Under foot; Their race die out! Then Ulster hail: To Erna woe! To Ulster woe: Then Erna hail! (This she said in Erna's ear.) Naught inglorious shall they do Who them await!" ## The morning of the Combat. Cuchulain is resting nearby the Ulstermen. Laeg gives him the play by play of how the fight is panning out, and food is brought to him on account of his condition. The young men of Ulster have since rised up and are giving combat, but the kings are no where to be seen. After Laeg reports that to Cuchulain, Cuchulain wants Laeg to awaken them. > Laeg's words to rouse the kings: _Arise, ye kings of Macha, Valiant in your deeds! Imbel's kine the Badb doth covet: Blood of hearts pours out! Goodly heroes' battle rushes in With deeds of valour! Hearts all red with gore: Brows turned in flight. Dismay of battle riseth. For there was never found One like unto Cuchulain, Hound that Macha'sa weal doth work! If it is for Cualnge's kine, Let them now arise!_ The kings awaken from their tents, albeit naked save for their weapons. (The story never clarifies that they put on clothes afterward, so they'll simply remain naked.) \pagebreakNum ## The Combat What follows is the events of the combat as they unfold. These should be incorporated as the events that unfold around the party, as they're in the thick of things. >Once the combat picks up, the party should be involved in consecutive and layered combat. Let there be two encounters, each being Medium difficulty to the respective player level. The skirmishes will be objective based. The first of the objective could be to hold a line, and play 'King of the Hill' to let the Ulstermen regain ground as a nearby troop is fending off some of the men of Erin. They'll need to hold the line for atleast 1d4+2 rounds. If they lose the line, then a domino effect should show the rest of the men of Erin losing ground. The next objective should be to cross a certain no man's land. By design of the map, there should be two trenches on either far sides of the map, and in the middle should be where there's a slew of arrows and slings discouraging anyone from making any headway. The men of Ulster rouse themselves. They're beating their shields in anticipation of glorious combat, and want nothing more than to see King Conchobar's head on a pike. Fergus in particular, is ready to go. He swears an oath to Medb that he's going to maim and break every limp scalp finger and nail on every Ulstermen. Ailill's charioteer brings Fergus his sword, 'Hardblade'. Each swing is the size of a rainbow from it. Fergus is on a path to battle, and will cut down 100 men to breach the Ulstermen's line. Conchobar asks the men to hold the line, and they all scream back that they're not to move a "thumb's breadth backward from here till the very day of doom and of everlasting life!." Conchobar goes to check out whom might've caused their troops to lose ground three times. Conchobar finds and comes toe to toe with Fergus, and tensions run high as Fergus confronts the man who pushed him to exile. Conchobar insults him for having put himself into this situation all because of a woman. Fergus' anger knows no bounds. He's about to recklessly strike, and Conchobar's son, _Cormac Conlongas_, rushes to Fergus' side. Talking to Fergus, he gets Fergus to agree to redirect his anger to the nearby hill tops, on the condition that Conchobar will fall back to where he was before in the battle. Seen from all around the battlefield is Fergus' brilliant blade slicing off the tops of the hill tops. ## Cuchulain Returns to Battle Laeg reports to Cuchulain Fergus's uncontrollable tempter and his recent feat. Cuchulain is overcome with frustration at his inability to fight and enters a twisting fit [causing his flesh and body to undulate grotesquely and violently] sending his cord-bounds flying off of him. He rides his chariot into battle, and gores people on the way to Fergus. He bades Fergus to answer him, and so help him if he doesn't, he'll be ground to dust. Cuchulain calls on Fergus to keep his promise to avoid him in combat. As Fergus turns tail and run, it starts a domino effect of the retreat of the men of Erin. First it's only the three thousand warriors in Fergus' company, then the other men of Erin followed suit and fled over the hill. Cuchulain's appearance turns the tide of the combat. He slays man after man, and routs the last of Erin's forces over the hill. Medb needs to pee, and asks for shield-coverage from the men around her as she releases herself. She pees so intensely that it creates "three large dikes, so that a mill could find room in each dike". Cuchulain finds her, yet doesn't attack her. Medb asks for him to cover and guard her retreat, to which he willingly takes her up on. As the day and the battle winds down, Fergus laments that all this could've been avoided if not for a women being placed at the helm of it all. ## Conchobar would like to have a word with the party After the troops have been routed, and silence fills the fields, Cuchulain will seek out the party. He would like to thank them for their work and how they've been able to stifle the host's efforts along the way. Over time, the party should have been reporting their 'doings' to Cuchulain each night. Depending on the party's aptitude and involvement with the camp, there should be three degrees of status given to the party. __(1), when the party has done more on the lesser side of things,__ they would be granted to be Nobles. They'd be in Conchobar's court, and respected all around. __(2), when the party has done some things,__ they could be lord's. They'd each share a title to some land, and it's up to them how they'd like to share or manage it all. __(3), when the party has aptly applied themselves,__ Conchobar would make them each respective lords. Instead of sharing land \pagebreakNum ## Prologue The Brown Bull of Cualnge lets out a loud reverberating moo, matched by few other cattle. This draws the attention of the Whitehorned bull, who feels aggressive towards a bull who could moo louder than him. The Whitehorned bull appears, and it's decided that all the men of Erin will spectate the fight, and only the most neutral-hearted could call the fight. The Bull's fight lasts all day, each equal in their ferocity and their temperament. Their snouts were bellowing fierce winds, their eyes as red as coals. The strikes and combat carried through most of Ireland, until the Whithorned fell at the hands of the Brown Bull. Carrying the remains of the White horned, the Brown Bull goes from stream to stream to drink. Some of the men of Erin consider attacking the Bull, but a throaty growl informs them to think better of it. The Bull sees his home-land of Cualnge and grows in frustration. He goes there and brings his attention to the "women and youths and children of the land of Cualnge, and with the greatness of his fury and rage he effected a great slaughter amongst them." His heart breaks, and he vomits out his blackened heart, covered and sloshed in blackened blood. After the Bull dies, peace is restored to the land. ## Some Deviations from the original Story The exiles at the beginning of the game were just a lowly band of 12 of 'em. Ferchu lead them all in to fight Cuchulain, and they all died. I enjoyed the exiles as a story thread, so it seemed like a fun 'in' to the story. 'Assassinate the King'. This just didn't happen in the Táin. It seemed like a task that the party has since earned, and that it would mix things up for the Player Characters. I wouldn't want things to feel or seem like a slog, so putting a hefty task in the hands of the Player Characters seemed like a good way to discourage boredom. Fetch Quest to heal Cethern. In the story they simply shoved in a chariot box and called it a day. I just wanted to incorporate some player involvement. I also skipped over _a lot_ of the events of the Táin. It simply felt like there were too many to include, for the sakes of what I wanted to make-- a concise and short enough module.