The Kingdom of Dalriada is a Changeling Kingdom in Caledonia, what mortals know as Scotland.
Overview[]
Dalriada forms a great crescent in the heart of Caledonia. From its eastern tip gathered around Edinburgh, it sweeps west and north, skipping the Highlands, and encompasses the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis. The commoner claims of the Highlands imagine this shape as the jaws of a great beast, poised to gobble them up. It contains three tuaths (duchies): Dew (Edinburgh), Iron (Glasgow) and Shadow (Skye and the Hebrides).
Dalriada is the most powerful kingdom in Caledonia. Its mortal and fae population dwarfs the two other kingdoms'. Although many commoners fled Dalriada's cities during the initial rush of the War of Ivy, the Dreamers amongst the mortals lured many back.
King Ross means to rule all of Caledonia. His agents regularly scout the Highlands, trying to find the secret to its trods (Many do not return). Through skill, luck, and guile, he has quadrupled the size of his kingdom. Supposedly to honor his efforts, his nobles (and other arse-kissers) call him High King of Dalriada, using the name of his kingdom synonymously with that of Caledonia.
Everyone schemes in Dalriada. The matrons of Ross' court advise him to marry Glynis, the Queen of Three Hills, the southernmost kingdom in Caledonia. His war leaders plan for a sidhe-led invasion of the Kingdom of Alba and the Highlands. The bards of his court sing of the beauty of Anghorad and Gwrly, causing a stir as the nobles debate the consequences of having a Welsh queen and adding Welsh bowmen to Dalriada's army. All the while, Leyden, ruler of the Tuath of Iron, slips further into grumpdom and into the shadows of the Unseelie. How faithful will Ross' best friend and closest advisor be to his lord? How promising is his advice for the future of Dalriada?
The Kithain[]
The kingdom has many sidhe subjects, but commoners fill most of the ranks of the islands. The nobles are extremely loyal to Ross but they are beginning to murmur amongst themselves. They would rather Ross move his capitol to Edinburgh, yet he ignores their plights. More seriously, he has no queen, much less an heir. Many have subtly proposed Glynis or Rachel, and some have even whispered that one of the beautiful countesses of Wales would make a good wife.
Tuaths[]
References[]
- CTD. Isle of the Mighty, p. 93.