The Neamh-Mairbh

The Neamh-Mairbh are a strigoic faction within the novel Dark Blaze. They are led by Martin Murphy, and were once one of the most powerful strigoic factions on the planet, however, costly wars against the Thule, Protestant Church Order, and the Vatican have drained their resources, manpower and forced them to give land away to their enemies.

They play a political part between Hadrian Voivode and Mircea Voivode during Hadrian's 1918-1920 storyline, and Martin and Caoimhe Murphy make an appearance in Hadrian's 1915-1916 Marele Consiliu chapters.

Background:
Before he was Martin Murphy, he was Diarmuid Ó Murchadha, an avid follower of his father, Vlad Drăculești, and a fierce warrior who conquered Western Europe in his name. When Vlad was defeated by a joint human force, Diarmuid announced himself Vlad's rightful successor.

His claim was disputed by many other factional leaders, chief amongst these disputers was Mircea Voivode, whom with his bolstered forces - having combined with the Berlin Court - invaded Diamuid's lands in a vicious series of campaigns. After losing all of Western Continental Europe and his wife, Brigid, to the wars against the Thule, Vatican, and Protestant Church Order, Diarmuid changed his name to Martin Murphy in utter disgrace and became almost isolated to the British Isles.

The Neamh-Mairbh still held territory in Iberia and Brittany, however, the Thule continued to press on and conquered England and Scotland, before a peace treaty could be made. The P.C.O. and Vatican inevitably aided the Thule in this conquest, and the Thule use this to often manipulate Martin's viewpoint on the past, as for example, it was an absolver who murdered his wife, Brigid.

With the humiliation settling in, the Neamh-Mairbh have resorted to espionage and spying. They still have operations in Continental Europe, as well as the British Isles, Iberia and North America.

Society:
The Neamh-Mairbh are a tight-knit faction. Due to most of their supreme-strigoii perishing during their decline from power, their ranks are made up mostly of first-class and sired strigoii. Druggans are sired at a much quicker rate than in other factions as the Neamh-Mairbh require more strigoic soldiers as they are used a muscle more so than ghouls or druggans like with other factions.

The high ranking members of the Neamh-Mairbh do not pretend to be like the human aristocrats like other European strigoic faction higher ups, instead the high ranking members of the Neamh-Mairbh prefer to keep a low profile.

The Neamh-Mairbh's political ties are next to non-existent. The only government they have somewhat control over would be the Republic of Ireland's.

Structure:
The Neamh-Mairbh are split into three castes. The high caste, where those of importance reside, the middle caste, where other strigoi reside, and the low caste, where the ghouls and druggans reside.

Within the high caste, Martin Murphy has his Ciorcal Istigh (Inner Circle). As of yet, the only other known member of this Inner Circle is Caoimhe Murphy.

Territory:
Below is a list of countries which the Thule hold territory:
 * Ireland - headquarters located in County Mayo.
 * Scotland.
 * Wales.
 * England.
 * France.
 * Spain.
 * United States Of America.
 * Canada.
 * Newfoundland.

Affiliates:
As of yet, there are no known affiliates to the Neamh-Mairbh.

Equipment:
Below is a list of weaponry that has been seen used by the Thule:
 * Various silver bladed weaponry.
 * Various hand grenades.
 * Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk. III - bolt-action rifle.
 * Webley Revolver Mk. V - pistol.
 * Smith & Wesson Model 10 - pistol.
 * Austin Armoured Car.

Sub-Factions:
As of yet, there are no known sub-factions within the Neamh-Mairbh.

Appearances:
The Neamh-Mairbh appear in Dark Blaze within Hadrian's 1915-1916 storyline during the Marele Consiliu. They are also mentioned multiple times within Hadrian's 1918-1920 Chapters, where Hadrian and his father debate whether or not to bargain with their Celtic adversaries.

Trivia:

 * The Neamh-Mairbh were originally called the Banshee, however, Darryl M. Finch-Ellis changed the name as he desires to include banshees in later instalments and does not want to confuse things.
 * The Neamh-Mairbh roughly translate from Irish Gaelic to the "Heavenly Dead".
 * The Murphy Family changed their surname due to self-disgrace. Martin will return to his Irish surname once he regains his faction's former glory.
 * The Neamh-Mairbh seem to be the strigoic faction with the largest fall from grace, due mostly in part to their various wars with the Thule and the Protestant Church Order.