"With the development of Tir na n'Og it became evident that I wanted another nation of Irish stock to accommodate
human heroes such as Cu Chulainn. The legacy of Tir na n'Og was split between Eriu and Man and the remaining Sidhe became to Eriu what the Vanir were to Vanheim in later ages, a blessed ruling race with human subjects." –Illwinter
"When men came to the land of the Tuatha and the Fir Bolg, there was a drawn out battle which ended with the defeat and total withdrawal of the Tuatha. The Land of the Ever Young was forever lost to this world and Avalon was taken by the Witches of Man. The Sidhe, descendants of the Tuatha, retreated into strange twilight realms with entrances hidden in ancient mounds. The land of the Fir Bolg was split by the invading forces: Man and their Witches, and the Milesians. The Milesians named their land Eriu. Most of the Eriu population is composed of humans of Milesian ancestry, but a few Fir Bolg still survive in remote villages. With the coming of the New God, the Daoine Sidhe have re-emerged from their magical mounds to lead the Milesians. Eriu is now a nation of humans and Fir Bolg led by the awakening Sidhe." - Official Description
In the Lebor Gabála Érenn (also known as the Book of Invasions or the Invasion Cycle), there are six peoples who take Ireland. The first were the Cesairians, followers of one of the sons of Noah (from Noah's Ark), who were submerged with the Great Flood. The second were the Partholonians, who defeated a race of destructive gods known as the Fomorians but were then wiped out by a plague in a single week. The third were the Nemedians, who defeated the Fomorians four times but were then devastated by another plague, reduced to vassals of the Fomorians that were destroyed in a rebellion. The fourth were the Fir Bolg, who enjoyed independence for only 37 years; the fifth group, the Tuatha de Danann ("the tribe of the goddess Danu"), then swept in with supernatural powers and vassalized the Fir Bolg, contesting control of the island with the Fomorians until the legendary Lugh settled things for the Tuatha. The sixth and final group were the Milesians, the "modern Irish", who subdued the Tuatha's magic and then divided Ireland with them; the Milesians got the surface, while the Tuatha got the underside of Ireland and retreated to their new dominion through burial mounds known as "Sidhe".
Eriu (literally the Irish name for Ireland) is the Kingdom of the Milesians. In the Dominions version of things, the Sidhe (permanent residents of the under/otherworld in Irish mythology) were the noble descendants of the Tuatha and the direct Lords of the Fir Bolg, while the Tuatha preferred to stay on their favorite island, Tir na n'Og. When the Milesians arrived, they overwhelmed the Sidhe all at once, and the Tuatha failed to save the day with a heroic countercharge. Most of the surviving Tuatha fled to either Tir na n'Og or Ker-Ys, both of which vanished without a trace – Ker-Ys disappeared under the waves, but Tir na n'Og disappeared from the world altogether. The Milesians tried conquering Tir na n'Og instead of cleaning up, so the Sidhe and the last Tuatha that remained with them disappeared into faery lands underground through the mounds of ancient kings. The Fir Bolg were abandoned, of course, but the Milesians were firm in their position and interbred with their new vassals. Unlike the Witches of Man, the Milesians were unable to secure any of the Magical secrets of their conquered foes; luckily for them, the Sidhe have been encouraged to return to the world by a new Pretender, and the last of the Tuatha have followed them out.
If you are considering picking this nation to play, what should you know?
Magic Access | Alt. Access | Unit Summary | Core Abilities | Buildings |
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4 (Rare 5) 3 (Rare 4) 2 2 2 1 2 | Hero 2142 222 | Human & Fir Bolg infantry Light Chariots Sacred Sidhe infantry | Stealthy Darkvision Glamour Iron Vulnerability Spell Singer | Standard Forts Temples Cost 300 |
Capitol Gems: 23
Luck Limit + 1
Fir Bolg: Hit Points + 3, Magic Resistance + 3, Morale + 1, Strength + 2, Attack Skill + 2, Defense Skill + 3, Combat Speed + 1, Map Move + 4
Sidhe and Tuatha: Hit Points + 3, Magic Resistance + 4, Morale + 2, Strength + 2, Attack Skill + 3, Defense Skill + 3, Precision + 2, Combat Speed + 1, Darkvision 50, Stealthy, Iron Vulnerability, Glamour, Forest Survival
The majority in Eriu are Milesian humans, Size 3 (three-to-a-square) fellows. Milesians are very similar to average humans, but they have a little Nemedian ("elvish") ancestry through the half-Nemedian Fir Bolg; this gives them 11 Magic Resistance, and prevents them from getting physically old until the age of 70. Otherwise their stats are equal to that of average humans: zero Protection, 3 Encumbrance, 14 Map Movement (16 if a commander), and 12 Combat Speed without armor, and 10's in everything else.
The Fir Bolg still exist as their own thing, though they've had to isolate to avoid siring mere Milesians; the clans can be recruited in highlands, in mountainous provinces, and in Eriu Proper. Such isolation has taught them to be Stealthy mountaineers. Due to the gradual shift of peoples in the Early Ages, the Fir Bolg are both parents and half-uncles of Eriu's lords, not particularly magical but still quite superhuman. The average warrior among them has 13 HP, 11 Strength, 12 Attack Skill, 13 Defence Skill naked, 12 Precision, 11 Morale, 13 Magic Resistance, and 13 Combat Speed (also naked).
Eriu's lords are the Daoine Sidhe, "elves" who've returned from the burial mounds of their old kings. Though similar in form to the Fir Bolg, they have many distinguishing features; among these are Forest Survival and 50% Darkvision from time spent in the fay realms, innate Stealthiness, and the fay art of Glamour. They also take 1 more damage from Iron, however. Sidhe warriors are very much like Fir Bolg warriors, except that they have 12 Strength, 13 Attack Skill, 14 Magic Resistance, and 12 Morale.
This doesn't even touch on the Tuatha, the more-magical parents of the Sidhe and the stepsiblings of the Fir Bolg; they are essentially far-better Sidhe.
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
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Milesian Scout 35 4 1 | Stealthy (50) Mountain Survival Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Milesian Champion 55 22 1 | Commentary here. | ||
Milesian Monk 45 1 1 | 1 Sacred | Commentary here. | |
Bard 105 5 2 | 17 Stealthy (50) Spy Forest Survival Spell Singer | Commentary here. | |
Milesian Mage 160 1 2 | 111100%11 | Commentary here. | |
Sidhe Champion 225 19 2 | 1119 Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Supply Bonus (10) Iron Vulnerability (1) Glamour Forest Survival Spell Singer | Commentary here. | |
Bean Sidhe 285 1 2 | 1111100%13 Sacred Stealthy (65) Darkvision (50%) Glamour Spell Singer Supply Bonus (10) Iron Vulnerability(1) Forest Survival Female | Commentary here. | |
Sidhe Lord 375 17 2 | 12211 Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Supply Bonus (10) Iron Vulnerability (1) Skilled Rider (4) Glamour Forest Survival Spell Singer | Commentary here. | |
Fay Horse | Sacred Poison Resistance (10) Disease Resistance (100%) Stealthy (65) Smart Mount (100) Animal Glamour True Sight | Commentary here. | |
Fir Bolg Champion 70 12 1 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Stealthy (40) Berserker (3) Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Fir Bolg Druid 95 2 2 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | 11100%9 | Commentary here. | |
Tuatha 630 23 4 Capital Only | 231100% 10%217 Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Supply Bonus (20) Iron Vulnerability (1) Skilled Rider (5) Glamour Forest Survival Spell Singer | Commentary here. | |
Fay Horse | See above. | Commentary here. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Attribute | Comments |
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Milesian Slinger 7 2 4 | Commentary here. | ||
Milesian Spearman 10 9 11 | Commentary here. | ||
Milesian Longspear 10 13 11 | Commentary here. | ||
Milesian Swordsman 10 18 11 | Commentary here. | ||
Milesian Man at Arms 14 24 20 | Bodyguard (2) | Commentary here. | |
Fir Bolg Slinger 11 2 12 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Stealthy (40) Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Fir Bolg Clan Warrior 15 10 18 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Stealthy (40) Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Fir Bolg Clan Warrior 15 10 18 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Stealthy (40) Mountain Survival | Commentary Here | |
Fir Bolg Cattle Raider 19 9 25 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Stealthy (40) Berserker (2) | Commentary Here | |
Fir Bolg Charioteer 35 22 38 Capital Recruit Highland Fort Recruit | Mobile Archer | Commentary Here | |
Chariot | Animal Trample | Commentary Here | |
Daoine Sidhe 35 12 23 Capital Only | Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Iron Vulnerability (1) Glamour Forest Survival | Commentary here. |
Eriu has some pretty-ridiculous heroes, considering how average most of the faction is.
Sprite | Unit Name | Abilities | Comments |
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Ferdiad - Fir Bolg Hero | Berserker (+5) | When's the last time you've seen a unique hero who's worse than their multihero counterpart? Anyway, Ferdiad is odd for having normal Defense while Berserked. He also has 17 Strength and 20 Attack while Berserked. |
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Cu Chulainn - Hero | Fire Resistant (15) Fire Shield (8) Awe (3) Berserker (+8) Regain Mount Mounted Berserker | An insane Trampler who still has 15 Defense while Berserked. He's the only Mounted unit who can go Berserk, by the way. His ludicrous Defense, Awe, and Fire Shield all make him a more-effective Trampler than most, at least at surviving; however, he doesn't have the HP of an Elephant, nor the size. Consider putting actual armor on him. |
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Fay Horse Chariot | Sacred Fire Resistant (15) Stealthy (40) Animal Trample |
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Tuan - Last Partholonian Earliest Arrival Turn (10) | 214233 Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Iron Vulnerability (1) Glamour Spell Singer Immortal | Calling Tuan "game-changing" for Eriu might be a stretch, but he's the star of the hero line-up. Virtually undetectable on the strategic map, immortal, and boasting Wailing Winds access without any extra gems or boosters; he can even cast Stygian Rains with a Water Bracelet. He even passes the threshold for summoning other Immortal Death-casters, if you have the gems to spare. |
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Scathach - Trainer of Heroes | 32217 Sacred Darkvision (50%) Stealthy (65) Fortune Teller (15%) Glamour Flying Spell Singer Female | Scathach is like Tuan, but with less magic in exchange for innate flight. You also have to be more careful with her, since she's not Immortal. Lastly, she's a better fighter than Tuan, but easier to instakill due to her lower Magic Resistance. If you don't need her, set her in your capital so she'll keep the bad events off of it. |
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Fianna Multihero | Sacred Inspirational (+1) | Size-4 stats on a Size-3 fellow, owing to their Fomorian ancestry. Aside from that, they're like un-mounted Knights of the Stone or Bogatyrs; an excuse to not recruit new troop-leaders if you haven't gone 3. |
Summon Spell | Unit | Special Attributes | Comments |
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Summon Cu Sidhe (Conjuration 3) 2 and 5 | Cu Sidhe x 10 | Sacred Dark Vision (50%) Stealthy (40) Iron Vulnerability (1) Animal Forest Survival | Eriu's only summonable unit, the Cu Sidhe is a size 4 sacred elvish dog. A Cu Sidhe is a Sacred beast similar to a Dire Wolf, with the biggest differences from most animals being its high Magic Resistance and ability to follow scripts. Cu Sidhe are quick, brave, and reasonably strong, but their HP is only offset by the relatively thin protection their hides provide. Their high combat speed also means that they can keep pace as bodyguards for Sidhe Lords who are running into combat or as cavalry. If you're running a heavy bless, access to summonable sacreds from a fair gem and mage-turn efficient spell can give them a role. |
How to win as the nation. Feel free to use the following sections, or delete them, or change them.
Different expansion options.
Early game options.
Mid game options.
Late game options.
Chassis: Awake Titan of Crossroads
Paths: 457
Bless: MW/Arcane Finesse, Invuln 10, Regen.
Scales: 6203123
What are the nation's weaknesses?