Quick Links
Celtic myths and legends stretch back to the Iron Age.
Discover how to run a campaign for pint-sized adventurers.
Faerun is already brimming with magic, gods, and monsters.
Art by Gaboleps
However, using elements from Celtic myths can inject a distinctively ancient feel to a D&D campaign.
These warriors, god-like beings, and shape-shifters predate Roman civilization and the arrival of the monotheistic Christian fate.
Sprinkle some Celtic mythology over your setting for a unique take on D&D.
Art by Andreas Zafiratos
Focus on whether those additions contribute value by increasing intrigue and engagement.
The historical reality of the Celts isbest understood by reading Julius Caesar’s accounts of these people.
(Dan Carlin’sCeltic Holocaustpodcast is an inspiring take on the interaction between Rome and the Celts.)
Art by Andreas Zafiratos
Conflict with their more “civilized” and technologically advanced neighbours is a defining feature of Celtic history.
It’s worth including something similar in your campaign.
The primitive bare-chested Celts will seem all themore fascinating comparedto amore technologically advanced society.
Create a spell-binding adventure.
Including these ideas can help giveyour game a historical feel.
Once at court, Deirdre falls in love with Naoise, one of the king’s young warriors.
Dungeons & Dragons Curse Of Strahd Illustration By Jedd Chevrier
This event kicks off a tragic tale of love, vengeance, and regret.
Tragedy
Celtic history may include many romantic tales.
But these stories seldom end happily.
Agatha by Nikki Dawes
But tragedy can form an important part of an NPC’s background.
War hounds
The Irish word cu was commonly used to refer to a warrior.
(Cu Chulainn being the most famous and celebrated Irish warrior in history.)
An ancient Irish legal text lists four types of dogs: shepherd, lapdog, hunting, and slaughter.
It’s not hard to imagine how the last of these got their name.
Slaughterhounds are thought to be related to contemporary Irish wolfhounds (a scary thought!).
Magical transformation
Transformation and metamorphosis are common themes in Celtic legends.
Sometimes, these transformations are a form of punishment.
But some legendary figures could shapeshift at will, increasing their powers of battle or evasion.
Regional kingdoms in conflict
Celtic-era Ireland had a high King.
However, this didn’t mean the populous was permanently united under a single figure.
The country was divided into provinces (which exist to this day).
Magical vows and curses
A geas in ancient Ireland was somewhere between a blessing and a curse.
Violating these terms led to his death.
Here are some creatures that can help give your campaign that old-world feel.
For this reason, banshees weren’t especially beloved.
But neither were they evil by default.
The DMG’s banshees are entirely malevolent, and their wailing injures any who hear it.
The D&D bodak is a chaotic evil creature with many nefarious powers.
Play around with the historical and fantastical elements to find something perfect for your campaign.
Bheur hag
The cailleach bheur of Celtic mythology was the blue-faced daughter of the winter sun.
She is often associated with the weather and the creation of the land.
Bheur hags in the DMG are a moreevil creaturebutbear some resemblance to the mythical creature.
For example, bheur hags in 5E suffer no penalty when traversing icy or snowy surfaces.
This is a nod to her position of master of weather and landscape.
Tales from the Middle Ages often include corrupting, malevolent druids that lead their monarchs astray.
These tales were influenced by the rise of the Christian faith, which viewed the druids with suspicion.
It wasn’t an exclusively evil creature and could bring good or bad fortune to those who saw it.
The D&D pooka isremarkably similar to its legendary analogue.
The Flaming Fist is famous in Baldur’s Gate, but where did they get their start?
