The Cailachan
Trade a wish
Old for new
Cailach Yag
Will come for you
Traditional children's rhyme, Cannis
The Cailachan (singular: Cailach) are featured in folklore throughout Tanera, with various regional differences, though all agree that they number at least three, were Immortal pre-Flood inhabitants of the continent, are related (usually described as "sisters"), and have the ability to affect both the weather and dreams.
Variations
Different locales favour different Cailachan in their tales (though it has been argued that some are merely different names for the same individual). For example, parents in Cannis keep their offspring obedient by telling them Cailach Yag comes with her sisters (often unnamed) to plant nightmares in naughty children's heads; meanwhile those in the Fallen Isles are known to blame particularly bad or unseasonal storms on Cailach Bel's temper, and the tribes of the Bremen Wilds tell campfire tales of Cailach Rost and Cailach Gorn tempting hapless hunters into the forest to eat their souls.
Though the Cailachan are frequently seen as sinister figures, they are not always presented as actively malicious. As ancient, pre-Flood beings, they represent a wilder time of different morality (even amorality), and many cultures believe that showing respect or offering gifts is enough to stay on the Cailachan's good side.
Historical Basis
Much of the folklore surrounding the Cailachan is actually true. Immortals who would now be classed as Fey, they present as somewhat wizened female humanoids, and on sight could be mistaken for old human women were it not for a few features: their size (between 6 and 8ft tall), unusual eye and hair colour, and - if one gets close enough to see - sharpened teeth. The Cailachan all possess the ability to temporarily change their appearance, but this glamour can be penetrated by touch or Truesight.
There are known to have been five Cailachan originally, but only four remained after the Flood, and only one - Cailach Bel - chooses to live in the Material Plane, Cailach Gorn making her home in Shadowfell and the remaining two in The Feywild.
Unlike most Immortals, their decision not to take part in The Final War means they retain the ability to travel between the Mirror Planes (though not the Outer Planes), albeit with more difficulty than before The Flood. However, Cailach Bel aside, they have little interest in the denizens of the Material Plane and rarely interfere with them unless provoked.
All are powerful magic users, particularly wild and nature magic, and have some fortune-telling capabilities, though not anything close to those of The Verda (with whom they are sometimes confused).
As entirely self-interested, neutral parties, they enjoy trade but never form long term alliances. This includes with each other, though they have been known to come together temporarily to achieve a common aim they are not powerful enough to achieve individually.
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