PENDRAGON KINGDOMS: GLYWYSING

EXTERNAL RELATIONS:

Ystrad and Towy: These tiny, weak kingdoms are a buffer between Glywysing and her fierce neighbors to the west, Dyfed and Gwynedd.

Dyfed and Gwynedd: Powerful and energetic kingdoms full of wild Irish and Saxons, they are a constant threat to the young kingdom of Glywysing. So far Glywys has appeased them with gifts and talk.

Brycheiniog: Relations are generally cordial, although cattle and sheep theft are a perennial problem.

Gwent and Powys: Glywys is a staunch supporter of Powys-born Vortigern, whose son is King of Gwent. Relations are good.

Dumnonia and Cornwall: Across the Severn narrows, these kingdoms have no love for south Wales. Piracy is a problem.

Gloucester: Neutral, although Glywysing periodically sends knights to aid in battles against Clarence.

Clarence: Glywysingians hate Clarence.

INTERNAL RELATIONS:

A brief but fierce war of succession is over, and the peasantry are picking up the pieces. Glywys is a compassionate and likeable monarch. There are major concerns that further war is on the horizon; the western kingdoms are rapacious and powerful. Only the Over-king holds them in check. Glywys is considered weak and soft-headed by his peers. It is widely known how much influence his Queen plays in his decisionmaking. It is also common knowledge that his eldest son has grand ambitions.

NPCS:

King Glywys (GLOO-us), a healthy 53 in 450, is at the height of his powers. Glywys is an affable, gentle man who found himself ruling his namesake kingdom by surprise - his calm demeanor, lack of bitter enemies, and noble birth made him the only viable candidate in 449 AD. The rich kingdom of Glywysing, sandwiched cozily between the Wye and Usk rivers and facing the Severn estuary to the south and imposing Brecon peaks to the north, has been his home since birth. Glywys is an amateur horticulturist and is immensely proud of the orchards and fields he has inherited. Glywys has two sons widely separated in age. He rules from the great fortress of Llan Daff. Glywys is the direct lord of Porthcawl manor and is technical ruler of the abandoned manors of Aberdare, Bridgend, and Methyr Tydfil.

Queen Glesig is Glywys' 31-year-old wife. She is the sister of Anlach of Brycheiniog, who allowed her to be hastily married to the widowed King Glywys in 435. His intention was to cement an alliance with his southern neighbor against the Irish, to prevent the wholesale ruin of Brycheiniog. To a large degree he succeeded, although the match was a desperate one for his family. Glesig exerts a powerful influence over the old King and has ambitions all her own. She has more in common with her step-son Gwynllyw than with her dottering husband.

Prince Gwynllyw (GOO-un-low) was born in 418, and is 32 in 450. His mother died soon after birthing him, and Gwynllyw was raised almost exclusively by men. He is the principal banneret knight of Glywysing, and is very ambitious and energetic. He would like to see his father - and eventually himself - control more than just Glywysing. Gwynllyw is unmarried but supports several bastard offspring. He is a staunch defender of Vortigern. Gwynllyw's relations with his half-brother and -sister are strained at best.

Princess Rhiain, at 15, would be an eligible damosel if she had not been born blind. Glywys hopes to make a good match for her just the same, although Glesig is repulsed by her infirmity and jealous of her beauty. Rhiain is strikingly beautiful and an excellent singer and musician.

Prince Cadoc was born in 440, and is a boy of ten. The child of Glywys' second marriage late in life, Cadoc dotes on and fancies himself the protector of his blind sister Rhiain. He is too young to appreciate his delicate position yet, but in a few years he will inevitably be squired to his half-brother, who hates him.

Sir Cladwyn (clad-OON) is seneschal and master-at-arms of Llan Daff. Cladwyn is also the lord of Caerphilly and Ebbw vale manors, although he spends all his time at Llan Daff. He is a grizzled veteran and noted martial philosopher.

Sir Elusdan is lord of Llancaeach and Cwmbran manors. He is the husband to Anwen, eldest of the Cwmbrans, and holds their ancestral lands in trust until Madog of Cwmbran reaches his majority.

Sir Brude is lord of Bochriw'r Garn manor and is the only landed pagan knight in Glywysing.

Sir O'Neill is a household knight to the King. O'Neill has a fierce loyalty to the old man, and previously served him before his elevation to the monarchy. His son is a squire in the King's retinue.

MANORS:

Bochriw'r Garn, owned by Sir Brude.

Llancaeach, owned by Sir Elusdan.

Cwmbran, owned by Sir Elusdan.

Llan Daff, owned by King Glywys.

Porthcawl, owned by King Glywys

Eight Glywyssingian manors were heavily damaged during the civil upheaval of the last 20 years. These all roughly border Ystrad and Towy, and are largely abandoned. They are, from coast to mountains:

Llan-wern Teilo a Dyfrig (The Marsh Church of Teilo and Dryfig, or Marshcurch), overlooking a fishing village on a sand spit in the Severn estuary. Periodically washed away.

Bridgend, Owned by King Glywys.

Mochros (Pig Moor), site of a vicious massacre by Irish mercenaries and still depopulated.

Llanrhyddol (The Church of Rhyddol), laboring under a curse; no babies are born alive here. Few residents.

Aberdare, Owned by King Glywys.

Pen coed (Wood End), hill fort and manor house totally razed and never rebuilt.

Methyr Tydfil, Owned by King Glywys.

Mynnid-brith (Speckled Mountain), high in the Brecons bordering Brychennoig. Very remote and self-determined.

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