The Principality of Clwyd, the Land of Two Valleys, is a Changeling Kingdom in Cymru, the land mortals know as Wales.
Overview[]
The Clwydian Mountains dance alongside the River Clwyd to divide this principality, but neither valley is less beautiful than the other. The River Dee in the south flows alongside the heights of Cadair Berwyn, and small lakes and moors dot the entire countryside. It is a haven for rich evergreens and not a small amount of wildlife, particularly birds. Falcons, merlins, owls and waterfowl frequent this land year-round.
The town of Llangollen rests within Clwyd's borders; this is the site of the International Eisteddfod, an event not to miss. Other urban centers include Ruthin, Wrexham, and Holywell inland, with Rhyl and Colwyn Bay on the coast.
The tale of Clwyd is a sad chapter in Kithain history. Once, before their Saining 10 years past, two young girls named Gwrly and Angharad were the closest of friends. They laughed together, shared toys, and ran wild and free in the hills of their homeland, exactly as two children should. Then, Gwrly began to show signs of Exigency, then a rapid Onset and entrance into the Dream Dance. She babbled, she ran amok, then fainted in poor Angharad's arms. A watcher from Prince Dylan's court in Dyfed sent word to his lord, and the prince himself journeyed to Clwyd to take matters into hand. By the time he found them, both girls were in the midst of the Dream Dance. He set guards about them until they emerged and remembered their true natures. And with this remembrance came recollection for them both of their previous lives. Suddenly, they tore into each other, ripping hair, biting and screaming. After recovering from the shock of it all, Dylan calmed everyone. Then he discovered the pitiful truth.
Many years ago, before the Shattering, Gwrly of House Liam and Angharad ferch Mynydd of House Fiona often walked the trods from Arcadia to the Land of Two Valleys, for they both loved a mortal Dreamer. His name is unknown, but this man was a harper and bard of great fame. He likewise loved both Gwrly and Angharad, and hence the trouble. He suffered terribly because he could not choose between the two, fain to break the heart of one. So one morning as the sun touched the dewdrops in the emerald fields, he drowned himself in the cold waters of the River Clwyd. Angharad found him first, and the echoes of her cries still sound through the valley on stormy days. Gwrly found out what happened soon after, but shed nary a tear nor spoke any word of her sadness. The two sidhe hated each other from that point onward, carrying their venom all those years spent trapped in Arcadia, until they crossed back over into this world and remembered the past. The Land of Two Valleys had no nobles in permanent residence, so Dylan divided Clwyd between Gwrly and Angharad, thinking the hills might serve to keep the two separated yet close enough to find their lost friendship. But it simply hasn't been enough now that they're older, wiser and more powerful.
Cantrevs[]
Cantrev is the Welsh word for County.
Trods[]
References[]
- CTD. Isle of the Mighty, pp. 152-156.