"From stars and sea we come; and so shall we return…but until that time shall come, from song and play we learn."
The Davanish Sidhe began as Capercaille, a lemur-like primate dwelling in the islands off the eastern coast of Africa. The Capercaille were a communal species, living in peace and always connected to each other through the songs their bodies emitted. Roughly half-a-million years ago, an event changed the course of natural evolution. Some stories claim the change was mystical, though the more practical-minded of the Sidhe point to scientific causes. Whatever the reason, the Capercaille became the Sidhe and gained sentience of their individuality–both a blessing and a curse in the minds of modern Sidhe.
The Davanish are the original Sidhe Tribe from which all other Karui spring. They are nothing if not a contradiction. Their defining features are: a staggering arrogance, owing most likely to their undisputed place as the progenitor group of the species; an almost pathological love of music, art, stories and all things creative (indeed they are known to become enthralled by music, even endangering themselves in order to stop and listen); and a notorious trickster hero persona common to such mythical figures as Cu Chulain, Loki, or Kokopele. As a group, they are staunch supporters of ancient Sidhe tradition, yet at the same time, thoroughly irreverent on an individual level.
The Davanish crave adventure and their famous impish curiosity often lands them in serious trouble. But, luckily, their penchant for getting into hot water is matched by their resourcefulness and ability to manoeuvre their way out of just about any sticky situation. Rhiannon, the first Queen of the Sidhe, and a quintessential Davanish, is known as The Trickster Queen.
Some Sidhe remark that there is also a deeply-hidden sadness about the Davnish. With such a long history, the Tribe has seen its share of sorrow. But the fun-loving and frisky nature of the Tribe nearly always wins out when in social groups. They Davnish love to drink, make music, dance and make love, and their parties are legendary. Yet anyone who dismisses a Davanish Sidhe as a harmless, silly hedonist does so at his peril; they are fierce and stealthy warriors and brilliant tacticians when it comes to warcraft.
Appearance:
Like most Sidhe, the Davanish are generally quite tall–ranging from two to three meters at adulthood for both males and females. They have the traditional Sidhe pointed ears, and they normally have dark hair and light skin. The Sidhe have cat-like eyes–almond-shaped with vertical pupils–and the eyes of the Davanish are most often blue or green, though dark purple eyes are common in Coven Angbarad, the Sidhe Royal Family.
The Davnish often possess an unearthly beauty, though their appearance can be so striking as to frighten unwary humans. This effect can be heightened through the use of glamours (a way of hypnotizing the viewer into seeing what is not there) and elaborate make up and/or masks are used by the Royals and nobility during official functions to make themselves look even more mystical.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
–J. R. R. Tolkien
Origins:
Long ago it was, yet not so long ago that I can not remember…
On the black sand beaches of Anwnn, now known to Milesians as Madagascar, the proto-sentient species of capercaille became the Sidhe. The first True Sidhe, Danu and Arion, discovered the power of the Astir Mari (Star of the Sea) and brought the wonder and terror of understanding to their people. All Queens of the Sidhe trace their heritage back in an unbroken line to this pair, the Adam and Eve of our people.
These first Sidhe are we, the Davanish, the Dhahva'anh Ishti, the Fellowship of the Holy Tree. In the lush gardens of Anwnn these first Sidhe thrived, led by Danu and later by her daughter, Anu. With new understanding came ravenous curiosity; the brave and beautiful Anu led her young people across the sea to mainland Africa. Here the Sidhe divided and spread, but Karu Davanish remains the seed from which all other karui spring and the undisputed Karu of Queens.
Geography and Influence:
The ancestral Davanish lands are now under the sea (sometimes called Ys, Mu, or Atlantis), but the Davanish strongholds of the Third Age remain in what would be–if a human were able to cross the Maya there–Western Europe. During the Fourth Age, the Davanish heavily influenced the Proto-Celtic peoples and, indeed, many of the Davanish tales and histories have made it into Celtic culture nearly unchanged.
The current Davanish capital–and capital of all Sidhedom–is in Angamos, a region that is sometimes accessible by unlucky humans–usually during full moons or solstices–by sailing about the foggy inlets on the coast of Chile.
On Valakyri: Our cousins are noble, but they could loosen up a bit.
On Salvani: Their fascination with money puzzles us–you can’t eat it, drink it, or make love to it, so what’s the point?
On Rusalki: Good friends, but sometimes a bit too friendly with the Korani.
On Strigoi: Fascinating to study; scary in bed.
On Kami: Their sense of discipline humbles us.
On Asparasi: Excellent at a party!!
On Annunaki: Great storytellers, but a little stuffy.
On Muzayyara: Don’t get it. Why would one waste time with the Lands Beyond when there’s so much fun to be had right here?
On Zsulumi: They make the best wine!
On Kambuzi: Eat me, Beat me, Make me bleed...kinky sex is what I need!
On Manitou: Mysterious and overly religious for our tastes.
On Mayani: Ah! Our clever, quiet little brothers!
On Korani (humans): They make good sport.
On Tinnar (wild) Sidhe: Unsworn trash, all the spawn of Dyfed.
"There are three things a Davanish will kill for: her children, her art, and a good bottle of wine."
–Queen Elizabeth I to Elsira advisor Sir Francis Bacon
Lifestyle:
The Davanish of the Noble Covens are sometimes given the honorary titles of Ra’jah and Rhi’jah, as there is no official subject King or Queen of the Davanish; their only official tribal authority is Rhiannon Queen of All Sidhe and her Council of Elders. But the Ra’jahi and Rhi’jahi are expected to live up to their titles, so usually spend their lives in some sort of community service position (the Sidhe have no government, per se; municipal service is voluntary).
Other Davanish are craftspeople, artists, scientists, and adventurers. Many continue with the Elfrida (the Sidhe military) beyond their Service Years and often end up in the Fianna, a sort of Sidhe Special Ops Force. A significant number of Davanish become Brionu Bards (the priests of the Sidhe); approximately 60% of the Brionu Bards come from Karu Davanish.
Some Common Davanish Coven Names:
Abarata
Angbarad (the Royal Family)
Briciu
Emain (Twin)
Mio’astir (Evenstar)
Nessa
Sil
Silke
Teutates