Gwyfned Castles Overview

Aoe Hall—Constructed around 560 CY in Widden Barony, Khellidor County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this is a fortified tower hall that served as the germination point for the town (Widden) that followed. It stands in Gwyfned Vale in the middle of a causeway between two lakes, and it is quite tall and decorated with priceless tapestries and valuable stained glass. Legend holds that a king was killed here in a grisly fashion, but details are scarce.

Astrith Castle—Begun around 60 CY in Thurston Vale in Mons Holbien Barony, Urgholt County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep guards a secondary road and defend eastern Gwyfned against entry. This unloved building is squat, ugly, and unadorned, but it is utilitarian.

Bell Castle—Begun around 200 CY in Ulfen Vale, Belldrum Valley Barony, Cloudbridge County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this castle is very difficult to approach, and it serves as a royal hunting lodge. It is maintained as smartly decorated, clean and elegant. It houses a collection of Osrick’s world-class art and invaluable antiquities, but few ever see it.

Bittergate Castle—Constructed around 940, and again it burned in1035 CY in Bittergate Barony, Gwfned Vale County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this fortress commands the East Brighton Pass, and thus Gwyfned City.

Blumbourne Castle—Begun around 1040 CY in Mummer’s Vale, Blumbourne Barony, Mortfell County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this castle guards a secondary road and defends southeastern Gwyfned. It is connected across the Mummer River by a wooden bridge to the village of Blum.

Ceredith Castle—First built around 1201 CY in Ceredth Barony, East Eldton County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep commands a secondary road and defends Gwyfned’s southeastern border.

Ellence Castle—Begun around 1175 CY in Ellence Barony, Trimon County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, on Thay Lake’s north shore, this fortification guards a secondary road and access into eastern Gwyfned’s interior. It also is used to store about a quarter of Gwyfned’s armory. This local occasionally is bedeviled by black hounds.

Emerald Tower—Found in Gwyfned Vale Barony, Gwfned Vale County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, its access is hidden and well guarded. History tells that its location was chosen by a magic dove, and Torenth built a fortress here. This original iteration fell into ruins, and Osrick Iron-Arm had it rebuilt in 1035 CY. Legends tie the Emerald Tower in with royal succession.

Endry Castle—First built around 728 CY in Duerr Glenn, which is in Rhantly Barony, Khellidor County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, it serves as border defense along Gwyfned’s north flank against possible Allyn incursions. Originally erected as a mountain tower, it has been rebuilt and upgraded multiple times over the centuries.

Gramdale Castle—Begun around 1122 CY in Gramdale Barony, East Eldton County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned. This fortress resides at Binn Vale’s lowest end, where it controls the secondary road along the Binn River, guarding Grave Taern and access to southern Gwyfned.

Herlack Castle—Begun around 1001 CY in Whently Vale, in Lud Howe Barony, Eldruth County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep guards a secondary road and defends eastern Gwyfned against incursion. History states that a giant golem is stored deep beneath the castle, intended as a last-resort guardian.

Hollywell House—Called the Hall of Light, First built around 500 CY in Gwyfned Vale Barony, Gwfned Vale County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned in Gwyfned City’s upper city, this hall precedes Castle Whitefeather, and is now set aside for the Crown Prince’s use. It is an unfortified palace. Its lavish main hall magically lighted and elegantly appointed with amazing stained glass and invaluable tapestries. Hollywell’s garden contains a magic maze, as well as the royal menagerie.

Hornick Castle—Begun around 760 CY in Nyssul Vale, in Horn Clough Barony, Urgholt County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this fortress guards a split in the secondary road, protecting the approach to Gwyfned City. Hornick has been rebuilt several times, and parts of it are unrestored. It is infamous for a historic meeting and series of high status murders, although details are lost. The castle is actively haunted and infested with shadows people. The keep’s restored sections are quite lavish.

Nightengale Hall—Begun around 1025 CY in Gramdale Barony, Trimon County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned. This was built by Melena Kamith as a fortified hall and plaisance for her personal use. Within, there are permanent gates to both Iatona and Whitefeather Castle. The hall’s stones are carved with charged runes, all held with aether mixed with quicklime, so magic rebounds from this place, and incorporeal beings may not pass through the walls undetected. The powerful egregor that inhabits this structure is ever vigilant and capable of defending it.

Oelruth Castle—Begun around 1132 CY in Oelruth Barony, Cloudbridge County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep guards a secondary road and defends Gwyfned’s western border.

Secret Castle—First built around 1056 CY in Gwyfned Vale on the shores of Secret Lake in Sandmont Village— Barony, Khellidor County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned. This castle is on the Oe-Widden Cut, guarding access to Gwyfned City from the north. It is well-stocked and manned and holds a third of Gwyfned’s arsenal.

Solitude Castle—Begun around 1101 CY in Gwyff Vale, in Glenemor Barony, Gwfned Vale County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, Solitude Castle guards the Brighton Pass into Gwyfned, controlling traffic on Brighton Street. Originally a slighter mountain tower, now it is a respectable concentric castle, well manned and heavily armed. It also holds about a third of Gwyfned’s armory.

Thay Castle—Urgholt Castle—Begun around 1040 CY on Grefnor Mountain’s east footing, in Urgholt Barony, Urgholt County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep guards a secondary road and defend Gwyfned’s eastern border. It has a wooden bridge across the Tharston River to Raldt town

Whitefeather Castle—Begun around 503 CY in Gwyfned Vale Barony, Gwfned Vale County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this vast, magnificent castle guards Upper City, Gwyfned. It was built atop old Karmithian ruins and foundations by Wollyn, a former king. It is now six concentric levels deep and twelve stories tall, with high-pitched lead conical roofs. This place is a hive of activity, and home for the royal family, with different towers dedicated to different family and officials. It has many sub-basements, carved from the rocks. Whitefeather’s hauntings are legendary, even in the most haunted city in Aorlis.

Whitten Castle—Constructed around 1033 CY in Exton Vale, in Exton Vale Barony, Urgholt County, in the Kingdom of Gwyfned, this keep guards a split in the secondary road, intended to protect Gwyfned City to the northwest. Peculiar legends surround this place, such as being placed over the sealed crypt of an undead wizard, Deristan the Necromancer, now captive by the very place he sought to protect him.