{"id":246,"date":"2022-04-19T13:50:41","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T13:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fiveoaths.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=246"},"modified":"2025-08-11T23:08:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T23:08:47","slug":"draiod","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fiveoaths.com\/wordpress\/explore-the-world\/the-five-realms\/draiod\/","title":{"rendered":"Dra\u00edod"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cWhen the first Vartach were born of the confluence of the five elements deep below the ground, they explored the Great Cavern, and saw that it was good. They felt the welcoming rock, and drank of the chilly waters, and ate of the mosses they found and blessed the breezes that flowed through the tunnels. Before too long however their hearts grew hard, and they were not glad, and they fought over space and the most powerful places. And one Vartach, whose name was Stonespeaker, decided to recreate the Vartach as they should have been, without the hardened hearts they had grown over the years. And they created the first Fathach, who had fewer needs and desires than the Vartach, whose skins were of stone but whose hearts were warm.\u201d<\/span><\/i> – How The Fathach Came To Be, A Tale of Dra\u00edod <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHigh above the rest of Tirneach, Dra\u00edod is a land apart from the rest of the Realms. Although it borders three of the Five Realms, the only true access is at the western end of the Valley through the Green Marches into Baol and Bruid, where there is much dispute over what acreage belongs to which Realm. Walking around in the Valley, one can imagine what it must have been like to live in Tirneach before there were so many different folk, one could walk for half a day without meeting another living soul apart from livestock. There are a few very picturesque settlements on the surface, quite like ornamental gates on a townhouse. It is below the surface where the true population of Dra\u00edod resides, and the subterranean towns and indeed cities are singular indeed. The Way of Wisdom is not for the faint of heart, but it will show the faithful some of the most unforgettable sights of their life. A blessing from the Shaper indeed, to see the Shining Grotto and Deilf\u2019s Maw, and live to tell the tale.\u201d<\/span><\/i> – Treasna an\u2019F\u00e1nach, a Survey of the Realms<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Where is Dra\u00edod?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n

Dra\u00edod is surrounded by the Ring Mountains, which rise up out of the central plains of Tirneach and tower above the surrounding lands. On the surface, the Valley of Dra\u00edod has a few hamlets and villages, scattered here and there on the moors and high places. It is below ground that the true heart of Dra\u00edod can be found. Immense caverns are home to bustling towns, while the largest of all holds Crag Oscionn, the Iarla\u2019s seat and the site of the Shaper\u2019s Shrine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people think of Dra\u00edod, they think of the Vartach and the Fathach. Those two species are more populous in Dra\u00edod than anywhere else, and make up the bulk of Dra\u00edod\u2019s population. Despite Dra\u00edod\u2019s inaccessibility and the many secrets that are hoarded there, the Dra\u00edodaigh always welcome those who come to the Learned Realm seeking knowledge. The Dra\u00edodaigh also know how important it is to maintain good relations with their neighbours (the occasional border skirmish aside), since they must rely on their merchants for goods which cannot be found either above or below ground in Dra\u00edod.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surveyors of Uasa are frustrated by Dra\u00edod. Ridings above and below ground tend to overlay each other. What is more, a selection of Riders are chosen to join the Assembly of the Saoi<\/a>, and have greater status than other Riders within Dra\u00edod. This practice harks back to the ancient times of Dra\u00edod before the birth of the Five Realms, which the surveyors find unsettling to say the least.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Origins of Dra\u00edod<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n

Dra\u00edod may be synonymous with the Vartach, but it was not known by that name until many centuries after the Vartach first appeared there. For a long time the caverns, grottos and tunnels were the province of one tribe of Vartach or another, who jealously guarded the power they found there.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unification of Dra\u00edod was also nearly its undoing. One Vartach rose above the others in knowledge and power, and brought the tribes together. He became King of the Vartach and of Dra\u00edod, but it was not enough. He spread his rule to the surface, and out beyond the Ring Mountains, seeking further power and influence. He slew dragons, he shattered the east coast of Tirneach and left it shrouded in mist, and he sacrificed thousands to his ambition. Before he was trapped and slain, he had nearly destroyed his own people.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time the R\u00e9ig came to Tirneach, Dra\u00edod had long been established under the governance of the Saoi<\/a>, who carried on the legacy of the Vartach who turned against the mad King. Legend has it that before they would acknowledge the R\u00e9ig as the ruler of Tirneach, they set a challenge: walk the darkest and most perilous tunnels of the caverns of Dra\u00edod alone, and find your way to the centre of power. The first R\u00e9ig accomplished this by trusting in the Shaper and following the leylines. The first of the Saoi to kneel in acknowledgement of the feat was named Iarla of the Realm of Dra\u00edod. Today, the R\u00e9ig\u2019s path is a route for pilgrims and is called the Way of Wisdom. Many who attempt it are found lost, terrified or injured\u2026or never found at all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Playing a Dra\u00edodach Character<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n

Bands of gall\u00f3glaigh often take pains to recruit from among the Dra\u00edodaigh. They know that graduates of the Arcane College at Crag Oscionn<\/a> are second to none in magical power, and that it is possible to tempt them away from their studies with stories of adventure and fame. Dra\u00edodaigh from the Valley are welcomed too, since they are often doughty warriors and adept in the wilds. Dra\u00edodaigh are generally most committed to upholding the Third Oath. Their legends speak of the harm caused by false rulers, and they know that the other Realms are jealous of Dra\u00edod\u2019s power and would take it if they could.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you costume as a Dra\u00edodach, your approach will depend a lot on your character\u2019s background and skills. A scholar who has spent the last few years deep in study might favour robes and mantles as a symbol of their learning. An adventurer who explores the deep caverns will probably wear protective clothing of some kind, and armour too, as you never know what you will find in the darkness. A Valley-dweller who has left the life of a shepherd behind them for the gall\u00f3glaigh will probably still wear their woolen cloak for the cold nights on the march. Dra\u00edodaigh are proud of their Realm, and will often wear blacks, reds, and purples to show where they come from.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to gain respect among their peers, Dra\u00edodaigh characters must be ready to hold forth on their specialist subject of knowledge, and to allow anyone to stop you in the middle of a speech is deemed to be a weakness. Their Strident Voice Realm Feat allows them to ignore the Mute effect by spending 1 Vigour.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dra\u00edodaigh venerate knowledge of all kinds, particular in matters of the arcane. Becoming more learned and skilled is an act of worship, a way of giving thanks to the Shaper. Some people cannot harness magic, and that is a shame, but there is never an excuse to let your mind wither on the vine. We expect Dra\u00edodaigh characters to be knowledgeable, and to value knowledge in others. We also expect that they will find it difficult to pass up an opportunity to learn more about the world around them, particularly when magic is involved.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Dra\u00edodach opinions on the other Realms<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n