Name: Eachann Mac Gow (EU-chun)
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Origin: Keltoi, Aeddun located between Emain Mancha and Tara on the eastern coast of the isle of Eriu. (Ireland)
Religion: Eachann pays his respects to the Celtic gods and superstitions. The name of the gods can change from place to place leading him to be respectful of other religions which he believes are likely the same gods under different names.
Appearance: Tall and broad of shoulder Eachann is the son of a blacksmith, he was fostered by a warrior and very much looks the part. A violent life has left him battle scarred by both man and beast leaving him blind in his left eye which is covered with a leather patch. His good eye is a piercing blue that glints with animal cunning from a broad-featured face considered handsome by some. Weathered by the sun his fair skin is as tan as it will get but still a good deal lighter than most that live in the south.
As is custom his full beard and carefully styled strawberry blond hair is meticulously maintained, braided, and spiked in the warrior tradition. He wears thick brown wool trousers checkered in green tucked into dependable leather boots with a dark blue tunic decorated in Celtic designs embroidered in green along the elbow length cuffs and deep swooping collar. A hooded, brown wool cloak lined with marten fur and cinched with a bronze brooch is worn for cold weather. Bangles and bracers of bronze up his arms provide both protection and decoration as does the golden torc around his neck.
Traveling the world can be very dangerous; it pays to be that danger. The well-loved iron broadsword he keeps strapped to his back seems very much a part of him, the hilt crafted from oak is inlaid with bronze and ivory taken from a boar that cost him his eye and nearly his life. In addition to the sword his father made him, Eachann visibly carries a spear, a knife and a light cloth traveling satchel.
Personality: Boisterous and proud Eachann values honesty, generosity and bravery. His life has been rough but full of privilege compared to those born of a lower station and he realizes this seeking to give back and show kindness regardless of status. Despite how he may come off to more “advanced” civilizations Eachann is very intelligent and would have quickly progressed from initiate to take his bardic challenge, advanced to ollave and eventually become a full druid himself had he not been so heavily influenced by his foster-father who was a great warrior known across the island. Quick to laugh and dance Eachann is a good friend to have but a terrible foe as well, forgiveness is alien to his people and atonement must be paid through Log-n-enech an honor price or through blood and vengeance.
History: Like many Celt children Eachann was instructed in games of strategy and war, hurley, baire and fidchell; honor, music, dancing, poetry and a deeper understanding of the natural and supernatural world including “tree-knowledge,” the Ogham alphabet and riddles by his parents and the druids. Upon reaching the age of reason Eachann was fostered to his uncle Lennox as it was considered inappropriate for parents to raise their own children after reaching seven years of age. Alongside him was Hearn, his cousin, new foster brother and eldest son of the current King who had chosen Lennox as his best warrior and cousin to raise him. Together they continued their education and learned to track, hunt and fight.
With the death of Hearn’s father it was rumored that Eachann was likely to be chosen to take his place; his good standing as an honorable and generous man, apparent favor with the gods and skill as a warrior lending him high marks with his peers and the elders alike. Fate intervened the afternoon of the funeral hunt. While tracking a boar Eachann was surprised by a second beast as it was spooked out of hiding, goring his side it threw Eachann over its back and into the oak tree it had been rooting around for acorns. Slivers of branches pierced and stabbed him as he crashed through them and hit the trunk. He barely managed to survive the fight, the boar was slain but his left eye had been pierced. He was no longer whole; he couldn’t be king unless he was physically perfect.
During the feast that night Eachann expressed his distress over the day’s events to a druid wearing a wolf’s headdress. He spoke over mead as she administered additional herbs for pain and tended to him. The warrior felt he was destined for something greater, if not a king then what? Offering to consult the spirit world the druid beckoned him away from the festivities. Within a circle of stones she ate a handful of the strange mushrooms and pushed some into his mouth, the stones began to spin faster and faster growing to impossible heights. Waking in the morning alone and naked he wandered home wondering at the fragments of the visions he could remember. A howling wolf attacking him, it’s bearing him to the ground biting at his neck and there are words echoing in his mind. “Go east, south and to the east. There you will find the destiny you seek.” Claw and teeth marks on his shoulders, neck and back; these visions are too real.
Shortly after Hearn took the crown, Eachann was on his way. With all his affairs in order he said his goodbyes and took a ship south. His first steps out into a larger world of adventure and wonder.
Skills: Eachann’s education covered music where he learned the songs, poems and chants of his clan and people. He learned to play a drum and the crwth. Dancing served many purposes, for recreation, religion and combat. The Druids taught “tree knowledge,” riddles, herb use and basic medicine. From his father he learned basic blacksmithing, a talented but unfocused amateur he knows enough to maintain his weapons and equipment. Games such as hurley and fidchell taught him strategy and teamwork. His education shifted more towards hunting, riding, survival and skill with arms when he became strong enough to properly hold a sword. Lennox trained his foster sons to fight with shields and spears, slings were mostly used for hunting but could kill a man in a pinch. Eachann is ambidextrous.
Equipment: A single set of clothing is carried; he does not come from a bashful people and will wash, dry and mend his clothing in the nude without a second thought. His satchel contains simple provisions, grooming equipment, herbs and rations, flint, and a small sack of salt for curing meat or trade if need be. A water skin hangs off the back of his belt with a dagger sheathed behind it. Also hanging from his belt is a second more visible dagger, and a sling in a pouch. His fire-hardened oak shield and iron sword are sheathed across his back as can be his spear when not in use as a walking stick. A third dagger is sheathed in his right boot.
Miscellaneous:
Weaknesses:
Isolated: Eachann is limited culturally; salt is traded from the rich mines backing the largest hill forts but Eachann was no trader and setting out into the wider world for the first time his knowledge of other customs and languages is close to nothing.
Tone Deaf: While understanding the hows of playing a crwth Eachann was never very good and focused on other aspects of his training.
Over confidence: Proud and confident Eachann's local legend status and the gesa that follow has gone to his head and can quickly put him in great danger. However, as a reasonably experienced warrior he understands that he can be seriously injured even if he doesn't believe he can die.
One-Eye: Trained well enough to compensate for the loss in most activities, effectiveness of ranged combat drops significantly due to lost depth perception. In addition the battle scarring can be difficult for people not used to such things to be around.
Barbarian Customs: Fighting naked, taking heads, attempting ridiculous feats in the name of glory are a few of the many practices that may be considered uncouth and reckless by more "civilized" cultures.
Gesa: (Note: Gesa are believed by Euchann but aren't necessarily true.)
* Must not drink alcohol alone.
* Must not draw a sword without drawing blood.
* Must not kill a man before breakfast.
* Can only be killed if drunk and unarmed.