An Ciorcal Geal (on KUR-kul gyAL)

An Ciorcal Geal, “The Bright Circle,” is less a formal institution than it is a hearthstone around which old companions gather. Formed in the early years after the crossing from Albion into Tir na nÓg, the Circle is made up of those who shared the bonds of the Round Table, their allies, and the friends they made in their new home. It is a place where memories are honored, stories are retold, and the warmth of familiar company banishes the long shadow of the mortal world.

History

The Circle traces its roots to the fellowship that stood beside Artorius in the final days of Albion. Those who survived The Battle of Camlann and found themselves in Tir na nÓg had lost much: their lands, their court, and countless friends. What they still had was each other. Without any formal decree, gatherings began—small at first—where food, laughter, and memory replaced the rigid ceremony of Camelot. Over time, these meetings became tradition, and the Bright Circle was born.

Nature of the Fellowship

Membership is not earned through feats of arms or tests of loyalty. It is extended to those who belong by virtue of shared journeys, old friendships, or the kind of unspoken understanding that comes only from having lived through the same storms. The Circle does not deliberate on politics or pass judgment; its members leave their disputes at the door. Here, the only law is the bond of kinship.

The Gathering Hall

The Circle meets in a round hall built from stone carried across the mists from Avalon itself. A great fire pit burns at its center, surrounded by cushions and carved benches in a ring. No seat is higher than another. The walls are hung with tapestries depicting moments of shared history: feasts, adventures, quiet nights of song. The central skylight lets moonlight spill over the gathering no matter the weather outside.

Customs and Traditions

At every meeting, the first cup raised is to the absent—those still living but far away, and those whose journeys have ended. Each member takes a turn at the hearth to share a story: a victory, a mischief, a love once found or lost. Gifts are common, though never grand: a new-forged brooch, a bottle of mortal wine, a poem committed to memory and given freely.

Role in Tir na nÓg

To the wider realm, An Ciorcal Geal is seen as a curiosity—a gathering of legends who have set aside their swords in favor of company. While they may still ride together on occasion or come to one another’s aid, such acts are done out of love and loyalty, not obligation. In this land of eternal youth, the Circle stands as a reminder that even heroes need a place to simply be themselves.