Damhan-Allaidh

Damhan-Allaidh (sometimes Damhain-Allaidh, pronounced DAH-van ALL-ath) is a Gaelic name meaning "Spider." Damhain-Allaidh was a powerful, evil wizard who was an enemy of the Order of Hermes early in the ninth century. His name is sometimes Latinized to Davanallus or Dav'nalleous.

War Against the Order of Hermes

Damhan-Allaidh was an active opponent of the Order of Hermes who organized other wizards to violently resist its expansion. His "war" was mainly clandestine. At the time, the Order of Hermes had no presence in the British Isles, which were home to a variety of hedge wizards.

Damhan-Allaidh's allies included Anglo-Saxon rune wizards and monstrous shapechangers, the gruagachan

The Order of Hermes sent Pralix to root out and destroy Damhan-Allaidh and his allies. In the process, Pralix forged an alliance of British wizards from several different traditions, including the Columbae and the Damhadh-Duidsan. (This alliance went on to become the Ordo Miscellanea.)

The details of the war are primarily given in Chapter 4 of Houses of Hermes: Societates.

Final Fate

As is not uncommon with powerful enemies of the Order, Damhan-Allaid's fate is not certain. Most magi think he was slain in the decisive battle of Pralix's war, but there are some who think he escaped. It is rumored that one day he or his descendants will return to take his vengeance.

Damhan-Allaidh's Magic

Details of Damhan-Allaidh's magic are scarce. He is described in the ArM5 core book as a "warlock." It is widely believed in the Order that he was a diabolist but this is not confirmed in Fifth Edition.

The Damhadh-duidsan tradtion in House Ex Miscellanea may provide some insight into Damhan-Allaidh's magic, as they are descended from the same tradition as the nemesis that ultimately lead to the formation of that house.

Past Editions

The Gaelic name Damhan-Allaidh first appeared in the Third Edition supplement, Lion of the North. Before that, the villain's name was always given as Dav'nalleous. Now, with Fifth Edition, the Latinized form seems to be less prevalent, mentioned only in Houses of Hermes: Societates.

Past editions portrayed Davnalleous as having started his resistance to the Order on the mainland side of the English Channel, then fleeing to the British Isles. In Fifth Edition, he started out in the British Isles.

The history of Damhain-Allaidh's war against the Order, as presented in Fifth Edition supplements, is broadly consistent with the history given in Lion of the North. Lion of the North gives a lengthier and more specific account of the war than is found in later supplements. Some minor details have changed between editions, such as who created the Robes of the Dusty Dawn.

Latin Name

Rumors in the fan community speculate that the original name of this villain, "Dav'nalleous," is a parody of the name of gamer and writer Dave Nalle. According to legend, Mr. Nalle was an outspoken critic of Ars Magica in its early days.