The Story of LORE
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The five songs that weave the tale of Lore are loosely based on Scottish myths and legends, of which there are countless versions and variations.
Lore opens by introducing the Washer Woman, or “Bean-Nighe” (pronounced “Ben Neeya”). The Bean-Nighe is a female spirit in Scottish folklore who is believed to be a death omen and messenger from the Otherworld. The myths usually describe the Bean-Nighe as appearing near a river ford washing the bloody clothing of persons whose death is apparently imminent.
Next, Lore introduces a second mythological creature, the Cù Sithe (pronounced Koo She). The myths generally describe the Cù Sithe as a giant and powerful fairy dog-like creature that was used on the Great Hunt where humans were sometimes the prey. Although there are many stories featuring the Cù Sithe, it seems likely that some were invented by men who stayed past closing at the neighboring drinking establishment and needed a dramatic alibi to explain why they didn’t get home until after sunrise.
Finally, Lore introduces a nameless person through whom most of the story is experienced. This person is a Scottish highlander who stumbles into a terrifying encounter with the Cù Sithe. Then that encounter takes a surprising shift. With the aid of the Cù Sithe our highlander is transformed into a hero, but at a cost he must choose to accept.
Celtic Conundrum's LORE
During a journey back home to his Laird and Lady, our highlander finds himself in a strange forest. As he approaches a river, he sees an old woman at the shore and recognizes her as the Bean-Nighe, the Washer Woman. The highlander immediately perceives the meaning of the Bean-Nighe’s appearance, and fears that someone he loves will soon die. Our highlander begs the Bean-Nighe to tell him how to avoid this fate. The Bean-Nighe responds by advising the highlander that his fate is entwined with the fate of those at peril, and if he fails to help them they will die. The Bean-Nighe warns our highlander that help will come to him only if his heart stays true.
As our highlander makes his way through the wild forest, threatening weather sets in. The highlander is tired, wet, and cold when he discovers a cave in which he can take shelter and rest. Thus begins his terrifying encounter with the Cù Sithe. As the highlander sits down and begins to eat some food, he watches in horror as the Cù Sithe enters the cave. Terrified, the highlander notices the Cù Sithe also appears tired, wet, and cold. In fear for his life, the highlander on impulse tosses some of his own food to the giant fairy dog. The Cù Sithe begins to eat the food and the highlander collapses in exhaustion. Upon waking the next morning, the highlander is amazed to see the Cù Sithe has disappeared and left him unharmed.
Our highlander leaves the cave and travels on through the forest in hope of saving his loved ones. But he becomes weary and his hope fades when the Bean-Nighe visits him a second time to remind him of his fate. The highlander arrives home to see his Lady and Laird under attack by a hundred or more members of an enemy clan and being dragged violently out onto the glen. Miraculously, at that moment, the Cù Sithe from the cave
reappears along with its wild pack of giant fairy dogs...and the ground shakes with their growls!
"Honor demands a kindness given is a debt to be repaid." In return for the generosity our highlander showed to the Cù Sithe in the cave, the Cù Sithe and its wild pack spring to the aid of the highlander by crushing the attackers and saving his kin.
The highlander finds himself back at the river ford in the presence of the Bean-Nighe. He does not understand why he is back where he started and he questions her, ”Why am I here? What more can I do?” The Bean-Nighe responds simply, "It must always begin with one."
Thus, our Lore concludes with a message, as myths do.
To change the world, it must always begin with one.