Danu ni Muach

Danu, Daughter of Muach was a druid from the 5th century. Once hunted by the vengeful spirit of Fetch, she escaped death at the cost of trapping her soul in an emerald gem. Now, she utilizes Druid retainers called Emerald-Men to carry her and enact justice against the evils of the world.

History

Early Life

It is believed that Danu was born as the daughter of a druid named Muach that resided in what is present day County Cork, Ireland. From a very young age, she learned of the druid religion and was brought up to be part of their circle. She grew quite talented in magic, and soon became very high ranking within the circle of Macroom, though some like the druid Lurchu viewed it as only nepotism.

Life as a Druid of Macroom

During the time her father, Muach, was arch-druid, it was said Loegaire MacNiell became the High King of Ireland. Danu and the druids of Tara oversaw his crowning as the new High King at the Stone of Tara. Years later, her father, Muach, began to grow old and weak. His leadership was challenged by Lurchu, a rival druid of the circle who doubted Danu's abilities. Danu defended her father, but Muach caved into Lurchu's demands to chose a proper heir. Unfortunately, Lurchu orchestrated Muach to be killed by an unnamed assailant who used a magic mask to disguise as Danu. Danu was too late to save her father. Her father accused her of betraying her, to which Danu grew into a terrible rage.   She travelled to the circle to accuse Lurchu of murder, to which Lurchu countered the accusation with Seeing Stone, which portrayed "Danu" murdering her own father. She saw that Lurchu had sold out the circle to the dragon Crom Cruach, to whom they were supposed to be opposed to. Cruach exiled her, and she fled in disgrace and anger. She tracked down the unnamed assailant, and proceeded to curse him, so that he would wander the earth without a name and suffer. Thus she created Fetch out of her father's murderer. However, this act of vengeance did not satisfy her.   She travelled to Inber Colpdi in hopes to intercept Lurchu. Instead she came across St. Patrick, who was preaching, and threatened to kill him. However, with words alone, Patrick stayed her hand. She was given "new vision" and suddenly became aware of her sins, and the sins of the world constantly happening. She ran in tears. However, her eyes were opened to the voice of all of Creation, knowing she was perpetuating evil.   She abandoned what she called the "Old Ways" as she embraced the proper role of stewardship over creation. She then was chased by the vengeful phantom Fetch, who ultimately slew her at the druid circle of Macroom. Thus was the end of her days in a mortal form; however, she managed to escape proper death by transferring her spirit into her emerald necklace. She evaded Fetch's clutches this way.

Trapped in the Emerald

Decades later, a Christian pilgrim named Candall came across the old druid site at Macroom. There, Danu communicated with him. Candall swore an oath to Danu, to protect her from the spirit Fetch, and to protect Creation from evil. Thus the lineage of Candall continued to protect Danu for many generations. In a sense, Danu reformed the druids in her own image, as their religion had faded away at that point.   She left Ireland around the year 1892 when the then-last heir of the Emerald, Cathleen McCandall, found herself at odds with the British government and fled to the United States. There Cathleen used Danu's guidance to stop a threat at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Cathleen met her husband, Alexander Barnes, during this and thus ended the long line of McCandalls, leaving Danu to entrust her faith in Alexander Barnes' descendants.

21st Century

In AD 2022, her Emerald-Man, Harold Barnes, was killed, and the line of succession fell to his son Stephen Barnes. Stephen at first tried to reject Danu despite nearly being killed by Fetch. However, when his friend Carolina was threatened by the mob, Stephen had no choice but to undergo Danu's training of magic. Eventually she opened Stephen's eyes to the cries of Creation, which drove him to gain sympathy to her cause and to fight evil. He used Danu's guidance to save his friend, and afterward swore the oath of the Emerald-Man to her.   Danu's life was threatened in June of the same year when Fetch captured the Emerald again and threatened to destroy it with fire. Emerald-Man was briefly turned into a rat by Fetch, who had stolen the druidic magicus. However, cooperation with Carolina White saw Emerald-Man returned to normal, and he defeated Fetch and saved Danu and Carolina. However, Carolina made off with the Druidic Magicus, to which Danu scolded Emerald-Man over.   Evidently, Danu would turn out correct. Carolina would reveal herself as the Merrow, and betrayed Stephen. However, Stephen forgiving his friend for this betrayal affected her. After this, Fetch tried once again to destroy Danu by having her emerald burned in molten steel, but Emerald-Man saved her. Another episode with Emerald-Man encountering the Bookkeeper of Alexandria led Danu to realize that there was possibility of the phantoms being redeemed.

Fetch's Final Plan

Emerald-Man would go to intercept and stop an evil plan by the fomorian Eochu Bres (whom Danu was surprised was still alive) and the Fetch. Fetch would betray Eochu and, using his machine, cursed Danu to become like him: a walking sinner, a phantom. Fetch then cursed the rest of Portland. He then tried to bury her and Emerald-Man under rubble, but the two survived. With the situation dire, Danu would remember that St. Patrick told her about being "born again" and believed it would lift the curse. She and Emerald-Man fled to a church, where they learned the Christians were unaffected by the black magic. Danu was called to repent by the priest, but she found herself unable, still hating Fetch in her heart.   However, when Emerald-Man came to protect her again, he was critically wounded from Fetch. In the most dire of moments, Danu realized she had to overcome her eternal resentment. Heading St. Patrick's words on "new vision" and "denying herself", she proclaimed to Fetch that she forgave him. This act lifted the curse over Fetch, causing him to rapidly age. In Fetch's final moments, Danu condemned his murderous ways and lamented that he, too, could not be saved. Fetch then returned to dust, while Danu, and the rest of Portland, was lifted of their curses.   Danu then healed Emerald-Man, and claimed he was free from his oath. Emerald-Man disagreed with Danu, telling her he would continue his path as Emerald-Man. Danu commended him, proud of his humility and honor. As Emerald-Man was given the key to the city, Danu cherished Emerald-Man, noting if it was not for him, she, too, would have died a sinner.