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The Tuath of Iron is a tuath (Duchy) of the Kingdom of Dalriada.

Overview[]

Generally speaking, The Tuath of Iron, once known as the Kingdom of Iron, includes Argyll and the old industrial heartland gathered around the banks of the Clyde. The borders of Tuath of Iron run from Isle of Mull southward along the A16 toward the Isle of Bute and into the Firth of Clyde. Heading east, the region skirts the forests of the Trossachs, then falls south, gathering in Cumberland and Strathhaven. The A71 marks its southern boundaries at the Kingdom of Three Hills and the Irish Sea.

Argyll is derived from Araghaidal, Gaelic for "boundary of the Gaels." Ross took the name for his kingdom from the ancient Gaelic kingdom of Dalriada, the foundations which were laid in the lochs, isles, and firths of this country. His human seeming was born in Kilmartin, in Argyll, and it was there that he began his part in the War of Ivy. The bards of his court sing of his Saining at the ancient ruins of clan MacArthur on Inishail isle in Loch Awe. At the moment Ross awoke, there was a bright flash and his greatsword, Dealanach (lightning, Gaelic), fell from the sky. With this tale and Dealanach, Ross gathered the sidhe of Argyll and the inner Hebrides into a fearsome force.

After the sidhe of Glasgow fled north, Leyden and his followers found rest and leadership in the mighty sidhe of Argyll. Ross led them back to Glasgow where they defeated the enemy and took control of the city and its environs. Many say that the soul of the fae Kingdom of Dalriada lies in Argyll, but its heart is Glasgow.

Cities & Sites[]

Glasgow[]

Shadow's Market

Glasgow lies on the banks of the Clyde. The northern bank is generally more upscale than the southern and is divided into George Square, Merchant City and the East and West Ends. George Square and Merchant City are the heart of north bank and contain the seat of local government, and several colleges, including Glasgow University, and the School of Art. The East End lies alongside this wealthy region and tends to correspond to most people's stereotype type of Glasgow. It is run down and fairly depressing. Its two brightest spots are Glasgow Cathedral, which dates from the 1100s, and Glasgow Green, purportedly the oldest park in Britain. Glasgow Green hosts The People's Palace, a museum extolling the virtues of the citizens. The back of this Victorian, brick building adjoins the Winter Palace, a Victorian greenhouse. On the other side of George Square is the West End. This is the home of Glasgow University, Huntington Art Gallery, Kelvingrove Park and Kelvingrove Museum. Students dominate this side of town, and many say that they have no need to venture further into Glasgow than the West End. The students also support the nightclubs, bookstores, stimulating cafes, and avant-garde shops of nearby Byres Road.

The southern bank has the same contrast of rich and poor. Crowded on the banks of the river are three underprivileged neighborhoods. Govan, the farthest west, has never recovered from the decline of the shipping industry. Ibrox is home to the rowdy Protestant Rangers football team. Gorbals, whose name has come to mean slum, lie further east. The Southern Bank has not shared in the rejuvenation of the Merchant City. Southward lies the concrete suburbs of Glasgow and the incorporated townships, such as Rutherglen. This area is much more wealthy, but is not rich. It is also the home of Pollock Park, Haggs Castle, and Hampden Park.

Many fae cluster around the Glamour-filled West End, The art galleries and Dreamers of the Byres Road area allow this part of town to support several freeholds.

The leaders of Dalriada gather at George Square. Griffin's Rath, Ross' palace, is there, facing the City Chambers. Its mortal seeming is a real-estate office, but the Kithain can see tower after tower with gargoyle falcons and lions peering over the street, clawing their way toward the heavens. The palace is terrifying and majestic. Godfrey Makintosh, the nocker who built it, calls it Phallo-Gothic-Victorian. Ross' flag, which is bigger than a Barras' Street lorry, flies above it all. On it, a Golden Griffin clasps Dealanach. But as impressive as Griffin Rath is, it is the real-estate office which does the most damage. Ross makes it a point to own most of the Glamour-producing places in his kingdom. He even owns the notes on most of the freeholds. As you can guess, most of the Kithain dare not offend him.

From his palace under the Winter Gardens, Duke Leyden runs the day-to-day business of the Tuath of Iron. Leyden was once Ross' favorite, but a rift has grown between the two of late. Most of the nobles attribute this to Leyden's now-open association with the Unseelie, but other rumors circulate. Many believe that Leyden now envies his old friend. He seems to have reason. Leyden has become a grump, while Ross clings to his wilderhood. Leyden's Ban-Durrag consort also seems to have abandoned him for the king's bedchamber.

This new sluagh advisor, Gruach, is starting to ruffle the nobles of Griffin's Rath. The sluagh's presence and Ross' lack of queen, much less an heir, are the king's biggest shortcomings in the eyes of the nobles of Dalriada.

References[]

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