Laoch Shulraigh
Laoch Shelraigh is an ancient mythical figure popular with the Siiari, Rathi, Nakki, and Sutri people of Milos. Shulraigh was granted a vision of a beautiful woman who slept in a land of darkness, and traveled the world in search of her. Shulraigh would eventually find a cavern leading deep, deep underground to a place called the Kingdom of the Shadow. In some versions of the myth, Shulraigh is led to the cavern by a snake he has trod on, or else by his loyal dog. In other versions, he slays a dragon who collapses and opens up a chasm into the Kingdom of Shadow. In other versions, he overpowers or outsmarts the dragon, compelling the beast to show him the way underground.
In the Kingdom of Shadow, Laoch Shulraigh finds Bann Nathaid, the beautiful maiden from his vision. Shulraigh begs her to return with him to the overworld, but she refuses. In some versions, Bann Nathaid is the wife and queen of Olc Ghalak, the King of the Shadow. In other versions, she rules the Kingdom of Shadow in her own right. In other versions, she is the daughter of Olc Ghalak and his queen, who is not named. There are even a few versions where Bann Nathaid is a prisoner of Olc Ghalak, but still does not wish to leave.
Laoch Shulraigh remains in the Kingdom of Shadow for days, months, or even years, begging Bann Nathaid to return with him. Laoch Shulraigh had brought the fruits of the earth down with him under the ground, in order to keep himself fed, and he eventually offered some to Nathaid. She accepted, and became so enamored of the taste of the food of the overworld, she at last agreed to follow Laoch Shulraigh back above the ground. This journey happens instantly in some myths, while in others the pair must overcome many obstacles, their disparate gifts as overworlder and underworlder aiding them in their quest. Once they return to the overworld, Bann Nathaid grants Laoch Shulraigh a kingdom, and they ruled together there for a thousand years.
Or so goes the children's version of the tale. In other versions, Bann Nathaid is unable to live in the realm of mortals. After a brief period of happiness together, Bann Nathaid grows frail and ill. Loach Shulraigh tries many tricks and spells and feats to save her, even chasing after Milgroff Muler himself (the god of death), but nothing works. His new kingdom is starved by his negligence, and ultimately the queen and the kingdom die.
Shulraigh has oft been linked to Ullagh the Walker, who is also known chiefly for his travels. He is sometimes linked with Laoch Torin, another celebrated dragon slayer. There are some versions of the Uaighem myth wherein he delivers Bann Nathaid from bondage by slaying a dragon, and other versions where Olc Ghalak is himself a dragon. There have even been versions where Bann Nathaid is herself a dragon, transforming back into a beautiful maiden after he overpowers her, outsmarts her, or offers her the fruit of the earth. Few myths if any offer an explanation of where Laoch Shulraigh's vision first came to him: sent from above, from Bann Nathaid herself, or some other force.