Tuatha Race

[Pocus]

Does a translation of Sidhe, Daoine, Cu Sidhe exists? Or are they proper name? Feel free to translate me all the lexica used in the race

[Jasper]

I'm pretty sure they're proper names from Celtic Myth, I believe taking place in what is today Ireland. In the same vein as Firbolg or Fomori, if you're familiar with them. A loose and possibly modern "translation" would be Fey or Faerie. In many game related material about Faeries I've read (e.g. for Ars Magica), Fey Nobles are often called Sidhe, and supposedly descended from the Tuatha de Danaan.

Hero Kings like Nauda of the Silver Arm were of the Tuatha de Danaan. Other main characters include The Dagda, Breas the Beautifull, Balor of the Evil Eye, The Morrigan, etc.

For a brief but entertainingly illustrated read, check out the "Book of Conquests" by Jim Fitzpatrick. Out of print, but the first (of two) volumes is still readily available Last I looked. It's not quite the real stuff, but IIRC he does list his sources.

[HJ]

Originally posted by Pocus:
Does a translation of Sidhe, Daoine, Cu Sidhe exists? Or are they proper name? Feel free to translate me all the lexica used in the race

Check out the pronounciation thread for some clarifications.

[Jasper]

One of the minor thematic things that's always bothered me about Dominions is that while it seems to get things right with the Tuatha and Firbolg, this jarringly clashes with the Pixie-like Faerie Queen -- which seems staight out of a Victorian child's tale. Yuck!

If you're listening Kristoffer O., what were you smoking when (presumably) you came up with that one?

On the other hand, I'm quite happy with the theme of everything else that comes to mind.

[Psitticine]

For those looking for a good source on Celtic mythology, check out James MacKillop's Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, published by Oxford. It's excellent: both highly detailed and carefully researched, and unlike many such books, tries to cover as many viewpoints as possible without breaking down into confusion. If you want to start with a single book, I couldn't recommend a better one.

There's also Peter Berresford Ellis' Dictionary of Irish Mythology, also published by Oxford. It is a bit trimmer and the text is somewhat more accessible. (Ellis is a writer of fiction as well, under another name, and his prose is a bit more flavorful, IMO.) It isn't nearly as expansive, however. Ellis also wrote a Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, but it has some issues due to poor editing after it left his hands. I hate to say it, but I'd recommend avoiding that one.

There are many other good texts, but those two are among my Favorites. They are readily available, inexpensive, unbiased, very knowledgable and well-written.

For those looking for a good bit of authentic Irish myth, you might try Thomas Kinsella's translation of the Tain bo Cuailnge, which is published simply as The Tain by (again) Oxford Books. Kinsella is a noted poet and expert on the language. His translation was done as carefully as possible to maintain the original flavor and feel. It also comes with extensive notes detailing his sources, various comments on the text, interpretations, and so forth. It is also an amazing action-adventure tale. One man versus an army led by a beautiful woman. Try and top that, Hollywood!

For those looking for a good snooze instead, you can try the research paper I once wrote on the Tain. It is a bit longer than the Dom II manual and makes for an excellent sleep-inducer.

[Jasper]

Thanks!

[Raen]

Does Avalon exist in Irish mythology? I was under the impression it was more a Welsh/Arthurian thing.

Of course, I realize IW may have had to amalgamate mythologies a bit...I'm just curious.