Mana Neamhaí
Herald of the Royal Family of Dalreme
Creature of Myth and Legend, and herald of house Dalreme for thousands of years, the Mana Neamhaí is a powerful, proud symbol of Courage and Loyalty. While no truly verifiable claim has been made to see it outside members of the royal family, it persists in alehouse rumors and children's Myths.
The earliest of these myths is that Keon, scion of house Dalreme first saw it while leading a group of refugees from the south to escape a terrible Wizard. They had taken sanctuary in a small cleft in the cliffs, when he spotted the glow of its mane in the wilderness. Entranced, he followed the Mana Neamhaí to a clearing. The majestic creature sat in the center of the clearing as the moon shone upon his mane, casting rays all about the forest. He then heard a voice speak to him, echoing from everywhere and nowhere.
Here, my children. Here is where you shall find your rest and your Posterity.
The glow overtook Keon, causing him to pass out in the clearing. When he was found by his fellow refugees some time later, he spoke to them of the mysterious vision. They searched the clearing and found geothermal springs, clear and fresh. Their settlement was soon founded around these precious springs, the refugees giving thanks to the Creator for his guidance and charity.
The Mana Neamhaí has been spotted multiple times in the Kingdom's history, usually to the current ruler or heir to the throne. Because of this the Mana Neamhaí was integrated into the Kingdom's crest.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The most prominent feature of this mythical creature is its mane; glowing with the power of the sun and moon both, depending on the time of day. In the night it is said to glow with starlight and darkness, while in the day it shines with the light of the daystar. Its fur is otherwise the color of ash, to better showcase the light that glows from its mane.
Genetics and Reproduction
It is strongly believed that this creature is mythical, simply because only a few specimens have been recorded, all adult males. The lack of females or young causes practical zooologists to classify the Mana Neamhaí as a mere myth.
Ecology and Habitats
Being closely related to the kingdom of Dalreme, the Mana Neamhaí has only been spotted in the geographic region of the kingdom. Curiously, now that the kingdom has split into two smaller ones, rumors of the mythical creature persist in both lands.
Legend of the Mana Neamhaí
It has long been said that the Mana Neamhai only appears to those who are destined to rule the kingdom-The King's Blessing, a mark that dictates the young vison-ee's right to rule, appears on them after their sighting of the Mana Neamhai. Many a rebel or revolutionary has set out into the wilderness of Dalreme hoping to coax the creature to appear, as to seal their destiny.
There have also been many false sightings or hoaxes deliberately engineered to put a particular member of the royal house on the throne. Strangely, every one of these 'hoaxes' has been refuted without room for error. With the Mana Neamhai's guidance the realm has not seen a single weak or corrupt ruler on the thone.
Without its guidance, though, the realm has suffered.
Geographic Distribution
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