The Forest of the Hidden King is the Freehold Glade of King Meilseoir.
Overview[]
A forest of oaks within the Glenveagh National Park conceals the freehold of an ancient faerie king. The Glamour that protects the glade of this not-quite Lost One radiates such a powerful enchantment that only Kithain can penetrate the circuitous paths that lead from the mortal forest to the king’s glade.
Kithain led by their dreams to the king’s freehold find themselves passing through a forest that alters around them with every step. The oak trees become intermixed with birch, yew, holly, ash, rowan, and other sacred trees. As the nature of the forest changes, so does the appearance of the trees. Their leaves, bark, and fruit seem molded from the finest silver, copper, and gold or take on crystalline forms of diamonds and other precious gems. Many strange chimera wander through the forest, sometimes acting as guides to Kithain summoned by the king, other times acting as protectors warding off unwanted visitors.
Unfortunately, the Banality-infused mortal bodies of changelings can only go so far before becoming a threat to the safety of the Hidden King. Even the trusted circle of sidhe nobles known as the Riders of the Silver Court dare go no farther than the clearing known as the Dreamers’ Glen. This enchanted spot, with its covering of wildflowers and its protective circle of massive oak trees, serves as a meeting ground for the king and his subjects, who come there to sleep and gain an audience with their liege through their dreams.
The actual heart of the freehold, the King’s Glen, contains the castle of King Meilseoir as well as a circle of standing stones that surround the king’s balefire. Within the center of the stone ring lies an ancient trod under the king’s control. This trod reputedly leads to many of Hibernia’s most important freeholds (some no longer in existence or else inactive), including the fabled Isle of Dreams. The trod is unusable by anyone unless in the company of the king or of someone possessed of sufficient Glamour and Gremayre to learn the means of its navigation.
References[]
- CTD: Immortal Eyes: Court of All Kings, p. 74