Samhain

Samhain

In the ancient Celtic realm, there existed a malevolent deity known as the Harbinger of Samhain. Born from the darkest shadows and embodying the essence of the festival that would become his namesake, Samhain was a twisted figure feared by mortals, gods, and monsters alike.

Legend has it that Samhain emerged during the thinning of the veil between worlds, as the spiritual energies of the day dissipated and darkness grew potent. Unlike the benevolent deities of Celtic lore, Samhain reveled in chaos and the power that surged through the realms during this time of transition.

In the realm of the divine, a male Dagda emerged, his aspirations once soaring towards the exalted position of High Prince, where he asserted his dominion over the realms of both fear and revelry. However, his unbridled indulgence in forbidden and obscure magic spiraled beyond the boundaries of control. Subsequently, he was cast out from the celestial court of the Tuatha de, confined by the clutches of Lugh, the god-king. Nevertheless, the formidable Samhain, undeterred by the relentless constraints of his magical captivity, prevailed. Once a year, under the cloak of night, he would transcend his mystical prison, thus traversing the mortal realm freely.

Samhain appeared as a towering figure, draped in a tattered cloak that trailed behind him like the shroud of death itself. His eyes glowed with an unholy fire, and a wicked smile twisted his pale face. In his hands, he wielded a staff adorned with thorny vines, each thorn representing the suffering he delighted in causing.

The malevolent deity fed on the fear and despair of mortals, and as Samhain approached, he would send his minions, known as the Shadowsouls, to spread darkness and sow discord. These twisted creatures roamed the land, whispering poisonous thoughts into the minds of the unsuspecting, driving wedges between friends and family or lord and master.

During the night of Samhain, when the barrier between realms was at its weakest, he would rise from his hidden lair and walk at will. His presence cast an eerie darkness over the land, and his chilling laughter echoed through the night. Under the cover of his power, he would unleash his full wrath, summoning restless spirits and malevolent entities to join his dark carnival.

Mortals would lock their doors and windows, desperately lighting fires and carving protective symbols to ward off the influence of Samhain. Brave warriors and wise druids would form circles of protection, chanting ancient incantations to shield their communities from the god’s grasp in order to divert his attention elsewhere.

However, it was said that Samhain could be appeased, if only temporarily. Wise elders and powerful sorcerers would offer sacrifices and perform intricate rituals, attempting to sate the deity’s hunger for chaos and limit his power. But even the most skilled could only hope to placate him for a short while, as his insatiable appetite for malevolence remained unquenched.

The tale is of the Harbinger god of despair, chaos and fear, Samhain and serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between life and death, feast and famine, and the eternal struggle between benevolence and malevolence. His corrupted thread is the unintended consequence of the deal between Jaxen Marveet and the Finns. The same deal that brought about the ending of an Age and birthed the sentient beings…

… For them, he is the source of the harvest; Samhain.

Other Lives

1st Age: Sámiel Pekelniak

2nd Age: Samóch

3rd Age: Samóch

5th Age: Samyaza

6th Age: Samhain