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The Dagda

Mythology

“The Good God”

Origin & Family: - Known as Eochaid Ollathair (“the Great Father”) and Ruad Rofhessa (“Lord of Great Knowledge”); a chieftain god of the Tuatha Dé Danann. 'Good' refers to his all-around mastery of skills, not moral goodness.

Historical Appearance Notes: - Traditionally a large, rough, even comic figure — potbellied, dragging an oversized club that leaves a trench behind him — rather than a conventionally idealized hero-god. Useful nuance if the character card should read as formidable-but-earthy rather than classically handsome. Key Myths: - Fights at the Second Battle of Mag Tuired - A well-known (often comic) episode has him forced to eat an enormous quantity of porridge at Fomorian demand before the battle

Novel Canon Role: - Namesake of the Cauldron of Dagda, which Merona retrieves in Book II as part of learning her own divine lineage.

Sources: - Primary Sources - Cath Maige Tuired, Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Dindsenchas - Modern Scholars - Proinsias Mac Cana, Miranda Green, James MacKillop

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