Otherworld

Stories with the Otherworld theme:

• The Adventure of Nera Aug 14, 2025

  

  In the days when Queen Medb ruled Connacht from her great fortress at Cruachan, she was married to King Ailill, and their court was filled with the finest warriors, the wisest druids, and the most skilled artisans in all Ireland. Among Ailill’s most trusted warriors was a man named Nera, known for his courage, his loyalty, and his unshakeable nerve in the face of any danger.

  It was the eve of Samhain, the most mysterious and dangerous night of the year, when the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of the dead grew thin, and strange things walked the earth. The great feast was in full swing in the royal hall of Cruachan, with warriors boasting of their deeds, bards singing ancient songs, and the fires burning bright to keep the darkness and its terrors at bay.

• The Adventure of Conle Aug 13, 2025

  

  In the time when Conn of the Hundred Battles ruled all Ireland from his great fortress at Tara, he had a son named Conle the Fair, who was beloved by all who knew him. Conle was young and handsome, brave in battle and wise in counsel, and many said he would make an even greater king than his father when his time came to rule.

  One bright morning in spring, Conle walked upon the ramparts of Tara with his father, King Conn, looking out over the green hills of Meath and discussing the affairs of the kingdom. The air was sweet with the scent of hawthorn blossoms, and larks sang joyfully in the blue sky above.

• The Wasting Sickness of Cú Chulainn Aug 13, 2025

  

  In the autumn of his greatest glory, when Cú Chulainn’s name was known and feared throughout all of Ireland, a strange malady befell the mightiest warrior of Ulster. This is the tale of how even the Hound of Ulster could be brought low, not by sword or spear, but by the mysterious powers of the otherworld.

  The Festival of Samhain

  It was the time of Samhain, when the veil between the mortal world and the realm of the Sídhe grows thin as morning mist. All of Ulster had gathered at Emain Macha for the great festival, and the nobles competed in games of skill while bards recited the ancient tales by firelight.

• The Voyage of Bran Aug 12, 2025

  

  In the ancient days when the mists between the worlds were thin and strange visitors might appear at any time, there lived a king named Bran mac Febal, ruler of a small kingdom on the western coast of Ireland. Bran was young and restless, beloved by his people but always gazing westward toward the setting sun, wondering what lay beyond the endless expanse of sea.

  One morning, as Bran walked alone near his fortress, lost in thought about the mysteries of the western ocean, he heard the most beautiful music he had ever experienced. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once – sweeter than harps, more melodious than pipes, more enchanting than the voices of the finest singers in Ireland.