The Duchy of Down is part of the Kingdom of Ulster.
Overview[]
Down, ruled by the fair Duchess Aishling (Ashleen) O'Brennan, is a duchy of beautiful hills and mountains. Several sources of Glamour, mostly ancient burial sites, are scattered across the Drumlin country. The Mourne Mountains contain hidden valleys where dross grows as faerie rings. She rules with a gentle hand from her court in Castlewellan Forest Park, though she lives on her family's farm near Downpatrick without pretensions or grandeur. She has no protections other than her four brothers, two uncles, and a really feisty aunt.
The Ebon Nightingale[]
The tainted treasure given Duchess Aishling by King Finn is the Ebon Nightengale, a clockwork bird made of gold and ebony that sings so beautifully that all who hear it lose a point of Banality. The song lifts the heart and erases cares. This property is usable twice a month (at the waxing and waning quarter moon). The drawback is the hearer can become dependent on the Nightingale for a "quick fix." If used more than twice a month, the nightingale not only fails to remove Banality, but tends to encourage a slackening of the hearer's wits as they put aside all cares to listen to the dulcet tones of the bird. Aishling has not been affected yet. She will probably require some sort of quest in exchange for the treasure (to prove the groups's worth), since she is not yet addicted.
References[]
- CTD. Immortal Eyes: Court of All Kings, p. 134.