Eoghan ÓBriain

Name/Blazonry

Lord Eoghan ÓBriain

The Acadamy of Saint Gabrielle has agreed that this name would have been appropriate for an Irish Gentleman in the early 1600's. It has not, however, been submitted as of yet.

Or, a duck rising displayed azure, a base barry wavy azure and Or. This blazonry, also, has not been submitted as of yet.

Persona History

Eoghan ÓBriain was born the second of only two sons in 1587 in Dublin, Ireland. His Father, Cormac ÓBriain, was a wealthy sea merchant specializing in exotics from the Far East. His mother, Aibhilín inghean Uí Ruairc, died during his birth. His elder brother, Fearghus, died fighting under the command of Hugh ÓNéill against the English in 1601. At a very early age, Eoghan would "stow away" on his father's ships as part of the crew. He visited many ports throughout England, Spain, the Mediteranian, and even as far as Persia before his 16th year. He learned fencing, archery, sailing, and woodworking during his travels. At that time, his Father began grooming him to take control of his trade. He was sent all along the coasts of Ireland and the British Isles to establish contact and open the lines of communication with his Father's associates in those areas. While traveling through the Orkneys, he came upon the lovely Lady Mairghread inghean Dubhghaill and began courting her. Their courtship has not ended. Despite his great love and devotion, Eoghan refused to marry Mairghread. He could not bear the thought of leaving her a widow should he be taken upon by privateers during his voyages. So, he would ensure she was well cared for, leaving money and fine jewelry with her each time he would visit. Thusly, he continued to travel all along the coast lines further south on his task to take over for his Father. In 1605, he began a journey to the far eastern shores of China, where the finest of his Father's trade originated. He spent 6 years making connections and affirming his possition as his Father's heir. In 1611 Eoghan received word that his Father was dying. He returned home to find his Father had died and he had left his beloved Lady Mairghread with a daughter. He took full possesion of his Father's estate, and full control of the trade. He called for his Lady to join him in Dublin. There, they had two more daughters. When his eldest daughter, Mara inghean Eoghain, grew to 10 years, she began to "stow away" on Eoghan's ships, much to his amusement. Not so coincidentally, members of The Iron Ring, a German Mercenary Band, were to be seen on those very same merchant ships.

SCA History

I was introduced to the SCA in the Summer of 1992 in the Shire of Shittimwoode. I only attended 2 events and one demo that summer. Then I joined the US Navy and was sent to NAS Lemoore, California. This is when I married Lisa, my lovely Lady, and we began our family. Once we were able to settle down a bit, we began playing in the Barony of Nordwache. We were there for just over a year attending local and inter-kingdom events, but never really lending assistance more than the occasional water bearing. Then the Navy moved us to NAS China Lake. There we played with the Barony of Naevehjem. We took a more active part in the business of the Barony, although at that point neither of us became officers. I found a love for fencing at an annual inter-branch fighter practice. I went looking for a practice and found a mentor. Don Donn the Bald offered me a Red Scarf and his tutelage in exhange for nothing but a hunger to learn and the manner of a Gentleman. I have both. We attended many more events. We each received our Award of Arms. After three years in Naevehjem, the Navy moved us back to NAS Lemoore and Nordwache. Our activity in the Society dropped drastically. We attended a few events. Brought a few friends. But nothing more than that. Finally, I was Honorably released from service in October of 2002 after serving a tour in Afghanistan. Job offers led us back to Naevehjem. But, still our activity was slight. Three years we lived and did not play in the High Desert of the Mojave. Both Lisa and I have always held An Tir dear in our hearts. We have always believed we are a part of this wonderful kingdom and no other. I believe we stopped being a part of the SCA because we couldn't be a part of An Tir. Then, in 2005, I was offered a job by the largest private employer in Oregon. After all of the technicalities were worked out, we joyously returned to our glorious Pacific Northwest and the majesty of our Kingdom of An Tir. Within weeks of our arrival we attended 12th Night Celebration sponsored by Three Mountains. Very soon there after, we began attending Dragon's Mist's Friday Revels, and were welcomed with open arms. In the three short years since we've returned, I have volunteered to be the Youth Archery Marshal for our branch, began regular Youth Archery practices, and insisted Dragon's Mist begin competitions for a Youth Archery Defender. We met Earl Edward Ian Anderson who invited us to be a part of his War Band, Havoc. I received my authorization in An Tir to fence. In October, 2008. I was appointed Seneschal of Dragon's Mist. I have never been more involved than I am here. I have never wanted to be more involved than right now. I am extremely excited about the future of Dragon's Mist, An Tir, and the Society.

Affiliation

Rapier Defender 2009, Youth Archery Marshal and Seneschal of Dragon's Mist

Primary Support crew and Rapier fighter for the War Band, Havoc

Friend of The Iron Ring.

Student of Fence to Don Donn the Bald

==Interests==

An Irishman in the Italian Style

Fencing

Fencing is my true passion in the SCA. Despite how little time I have to pursue it, I truly enjoy the art of the sword.

Archery

It's fun. I'm not very good, and I don't plan on ever being any good. Mainly, I'm interested in archery because this is my daughter's main interest. I'm taking steps to allow the next generation to find their place in the SCA.

Woodwork

(Sigh) If only I could keep my workshop clean.

Events Attended

AS43

• May Crown - It was too damn hot! And Sutherlin sucks!
• The Grand Thing III - "We'd be honoured."
• Three Mountains' Champians - Proud Papa watches eldest compete.
• West/AnTir War - You have to be polite when gloating to a Baron from the West.
• Shire of Dragon's Mist Defender Tourney - Ran the first Youth Archery Defender Competition.
• Autumn War - First time with IR around the fire.
• Acorn War - Whatever you do, don't slip into Fargo.
• Beaverton Farmers' Market Demo - Watch us fight, it's fun!
• Yule Revels - It was wonderful.
• 12th Night Investiture and Celebration - Some how I lost Sunday. Not sure where it went. hm.
• Three Mountains' Odyssey Program School Demo - Came in Second in the Rapier Phoenix Tourney.
• Mountain Edge Defenders' Tourney - Came in Second in the Rapier Tourney.......of two.
• Carnevale de Venezia - "Agrippa"ing comparison between Bolognese and late period Italian styles of fence. I got to dance on and off the field.

AS44

• Faire in the Grove Demo - Folly is fun.
• The Grand Thing IV - No really, we're day tripping!
• Stoller Middle School Demo - All of the fighting were fencers. HA! ("Death from behind," says Slade)
• War of the Trees - Teaching good, poison bad. "Logistics is not just waterbearing."
• Shire of Dragon's Mist Defender Tourney - (blushing) I won.
• An-Tir/West War - Dragon's Mist won the day on Sunday! But, now I'm banned from Jungle Juice.
• July Coronation - I was honored to have help establish and participate in the first ever (to my knowledge) Rapier Buy-a-Life Tourney. Thank you Sir Brand and Johannes.

Completely Non-Related

Xerox your life. That way if you loose it, you'll always have a copy.

"I was going for a sorta snake/ninja approach, with some hissing."

Yes, eagles do soar. But weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

"Nobody rolls initiative in the SCA." Don Mateo Montero de Madrid