Cymbrian

The people who dwell in the rugged western portion of Ynys Prydein are known as Cymbrians. They are a proud albeit quarrelsome people with a strong spirit of independence and hence only loosely tied to their lords. They are a dark-haired folk, quick to anger, and given to trickery. Many are excellent on horseback, for they were deeply influenced by an imperial culture that neither wholly stamped out their native traditions nor disappeared with the Saxon conquest of the eastern portion of the isle. They exhibit a love of nature and music, together with a fascination of the fey world. From the blood of the Cymbrians has sprung some of the greatest bards, wizards, and fighters in the isle--Taliesin, Myrddin Emrys, and Ambrosius Aurelianus.
Cymbrian society is a complex affair, including slaves, bondsmen and bondswomen, outsiders, foreigners, and exiles ("alltuds"), and free Cymbrians. As few of the other classes in Cymbrian society may have the occasion to adventure, we will focus on the free Cymbrians.
Free Cymbrians
Cymbrian society is defined by its free members, who enjoy their status based on their position within a family and clan. Most numerous are the bonheddigs—free Cymbrians who have not yet come into their patrimony (i.e. have not inherited lands on the death of a father or grandfather). All bonheddigs are members of a family and clan. Since inheritance rules stipulate land is to be equally shared among all surviving sons (including bastard sons) to the fourth generation, brothers tend to be hostile to each other while first cousins are serious rivals. Thus, the more distantly bonheddigs are related, the stronger they can be as allies or friends. Nevertheless, family will always support family against outsiders. Saxons sometimes quip that the only thing Cymbrians hate more than each other is everyone else.
The head of each family is known as an uchelwr or “notable person.” These have inherited lands after the death of a father and grandfather, although they must share the land with their siblings (who are uchelwrs in their own right). Uchelwrs are in a practical sense below the Brenin in status, but technically each is the lord of his estate. They may be the Brenin’s tributaries, but in their own halls, they are as absolute as he is. Some may even maintain a small number of armed followers, although that may be seen as a challenge to the Brenin.
Just as the uchelwr is head of the smaller family unit, the Pencenedl (Chief of Kin) is head of the extended family, or clan. This office is elected—requiring skill in trade, husbandry, diplomacy, and fighting—and it usually goes to one of the senior uchelwrs of the clan. The Pencenedl speaks for the clan to the outside world, representing it especially in councils with the Brenin. The Pencenedl does not hold other offices in the kingdom.
Kinsmen, Clan, and Foster Family
To prevent constant warfare with their neighbors, wise Cymbrians cultivate alliances outside of the clan. Cymbrians practice a system of fosterage, in which young children are sent to be raised by foster parents, usually outside the clan. The children remain with their foster parents until the age of 14 (for the boys) or 12 (for the girls) when they are returned. Young Cymbrians have close emotional ties with their foster parents and foster siblings, and often know them better than the members of their own immediate families. It is usual for Cymbrian bonheddigs to find brides among the clans in which they have been fostered.
Cymbrian women who marry are still strongly considered members of the clan from which they originally came. Should their husbands die without leaving any sons, they are often returned to their original clans. But if a woman should be widowed with young sons, it is typical for her brothers or male cousins to take on the role of guardians of the children, as their closer kin within clan may have strong motives to murder them.
Structure of the Kingdom
At the top of the social ladder is the Brenin (the King). The Brenin manages the realm, acting as principle judge in matters of dispute between the clans, seeing to the defense of the borders of the kingdom, and at times expanding those borders through conquest. He maintains an armed bodyguard known as a teulu and comprised of able young man who are often related to the Brenin himself. The Brenin often also keeps a larger retinue comprised of mercenaries; these are of lower status than the teulu itself but are nonetheless well-supported in the Brenin's hall. The captain of the Brenin's troops is known as the Penteulu, usually a close relative of the Brenin.
The source of the Brenin's power is the tribute he collects from the free clans as well as the military service owed by those clans. The bulk of his support comes from those free Cymbrians who owe direct tribute and military service. Tribute is collected from market towns that are supervised by a Rhyngill, the chief officer of the Brenin. The Rhyngill enacts the Brenin's justice in the town itself and in the lands directly connected to it, but no further (unless requested). The free Cymbrians who owe tribute and military service are organized into smaller "townships" called trefs, presided over by the chiefs of kin (Pencenedl) of their respective clans.
Other Cymbrians enjoy a semi-independent status. They are still organized into trefs, but these fall tributary to local chieftains or Tywisogs rather than the Brenin. Tribute to the Brenin, as well as military service, is owed by the chieftains directly. While such chieftains may seem to be independent rulers in their own right, they must be very careful to safeguard the ancient rights of their subjects. For should a chieftain become a tyrant, the free Cymbrians under his authority would quickly turn to the Brenin to oust the unpopular ruler.
In all cases, law and justice within the tref are locally administered and enforced, supported (if need be) by the overlord to whom they owe allegiance and tribute.
While for practical purposes there are differences between poor farmers who are concerned with their lands and the great princes who hold sway over larger territories and kingdoms, Cymbrians are, in theory, equal. The importance of royal favor and status varies from kingdom to kingdom. In some kingdoms, like Gwynedd, the Teulu and royal Bards command the greatest status in the land. But in other kingdoms, like Gwent, local power is strong and even the Brenin must be mindful of Tywisog and Pencenedl.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aderyn, Aeronwen, Aeronwy, Afanan, Angharad, Aranrhod, Barita, Bethan, Blodeuyn, Blodwen, Bodicca, Braith, Branwen, Briallen, Cadi, Caron, Carys, Ceinwen, Ceridwen, Cerys, Cunoarda, Cunobinda, Delyth, Deryn, Dilwen, Eiluned, Eilwen, Eira, Eirian, Eirlys, Eirwen, Eleri, Eluned, Enid, Esyllt, Eurddolad, Eurwen, Ffion, Glenys, Guenhwyfar, Gwawr, Gwendolen, Gwenfrewi, Gwerica, Gwertyll, Haf, Heledd, Heulwen, Llewella, Mairwen, Meinir, Morgan, Morgause, Morwenna, Myfanwy, Nerys, Nia, Olwen, Paderau, Rhian, Rhiannon, Rhonwen, Seren, Sian, Sioned, Tegan, Tegwen, Tesni

Masculine names

Aeron, Alwyn, Aneurin, Arthfael, Arthrfyw, Arwel, Athrwys, Berwyn, Bleddyn, Bran, Brangu, Brangui, Briafel, Briog, Brochfael, Brychan, Bryn, Brynmor, Bychan, Cadbad, Cadfael, Cadfan, Cadog, Cadwallon, Cadwalldr, Cadwgon, Caradog, Celyn, Cledwyn, Clodri, Clodwal, Coemannus, Corbaleng, Corbyn, Cunedda, Cunedog, Cynal, Cynan, Cyndaf, Cyndeyrn, Cynfarch, Cynfelyn, Cyngen, Cynlas, Cyny, Cynyog, Cyrys, Dafydd, Dai, Daduidog, Dewydd, Dinogad, Drystan, Dyfrig, Dyfnwal, Dyfnwallon, Dylan, Edern, Eifion, Einion, Elisedd, Emlyn, Emrys, Enabarr, Eoghan, Ercwlff, Eudaf, Eurig, Folant, Froechan (Irish), Gareth, Gereint, Gethin, Glaw, Goronmy, Grippiud, Gwendobar, Gwidol, Gwyllog, Gwyn, Gwynfael, Gwynnhoedl, Gwri, Gwriad, Gwrthefyr, Heddwyn, Heilyn, Hywell, Iago, Iain, Ial, Icorigas, Idnerth, Idwal, Ifan, Ifor, Illtyd, Ioan, Iorwerth, Islwyn, Ithel, Llagrach, Llynmael, Llywelyn, Llywernog, Llywrch, Madoc, Mael, Maelgwn, Magusenos, Maqqas-Deceddas (Irish), Maqqas-Treni (Irish), Meirion, Meredydd, Merfyn, Morcant, Morgan, Meurig, Peredwr, Pyr, Pwyll, Qennoindagnas (Irish), Owain, Padrig, Pryderi, Rhiagad, Rhiwallon, Rhos, Rhodri, Rhydderch, Rhys, Sawyl, Seisyll, Talfryn, Taliesin, Teyrn, Teyrnfal, Teyrnog, Trahaearn, Tudwal, Twdr, Twdrig, Uthair

Family names

Cymbrians are proud of their lineage, and unfold that lineage when introducing themselves. This is most often the case in reciting their parents and grandparents, where the prefix “ap” is used in the same way as “mc” for the Eruish and “mac” for the Skotti. Sometimes very formal or ambitious Cymbrians will attach their names to stories—“I am Rhys ap Yfor ap Llywarch, third son of the Celi Mawr, Penteulu of Athrwys Breyr Gwent, Ergyng, and Ewyas, Overlord of Glywysing and Scourge of Brycheiniog.” Cymbrians will tailor their introduction to their audience and to their own interests; with enough at stake, simple introductions can turn into epic recitation.
Patronymic Identity
Cymbrians include their fathers, and sometimes their grandfathers and beyond when they recite their names. For men, this is indicated by the prefix “ap,” while for women it is indicated by the prefix “ferch.” Thus, a Cymbrian man may call himself Ifor ap Cynan, whereas his sister will call herself Eira ferch Cynan.
Matronymic Identity
On rare occasions, a woman may style herself the daughter of a mother, as with Meinir ferch Aderyn.  To identify one's maternal descent is not simply old-fashioned.  It is potentially a political position, calling to mind a time when rulership was determined by matrilineal descent.
Clan Identity
Clan names are adopted by four generations of family members. Those names are frequently derived by the name of the great-grandfather of the clan. When it comes to the fifth generation, the clan is redesigned with a new founder as its head. Thus, the clan begun by Eidyn ap Gwyn may be designated the Eidyn Clan. Members of the clan down through Eidyn's great-grandchildren will be known by this name. After the death of Eidyn's last great-grandchild, the great-grandchildren may then become the founders of new clans, the land redistributed, etc.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Hospitality
Hospitality is a sacred obligation in Cymbrian society. All travelers can find shelter in a Cymbrian household. Accommodations may not be princely, but they include lodgings and food, and for animals as well as for people.
Hospitality is guided by custom and law. The members of the Brenin’s Teulu can expect to be harbored for a certain time throughout the year. A group of 10 mounted warriors can thus demand that the poorest of farmers feed them and stable their beasts. The poor farmer, of course, will be hard pressed to find places for them, and will apply to his kinsmen for help. It is sometimes best, however, to not request the hospitality of a man or woman who is not able to provide it. In these cases, the most careful tact is required, for the members of the Teulu may create resentment by asking, whereas the farmer himself may suffer a loss to reputation if he offers and is refused.
Itinerant Bards are also entertained whenever possible. Uchelwyr (and only uchelwyr) may keep a harp in their halls for traveling Bards. The Bard acts as an entertainer, professional music master (tuning those harps which have been neglected), and newsman.
Obviously, guests are expected to behave in hospitable ways with their hosts. Sleeping with the host’s wife, daughters, slaves, or any women of the household is an egregious breach of hospitality and carries with it some serious legal penalties (not to mention practical dangers). Guests are not supposed to overstay their welcome.
Reputation
Cymbrians are quite conscious of reputation and will take steps to safeguard it. Reputation will quickly spread in kin-groups by word of mouth. But another important aspect of reputation is shaped by the voices of the bards.
Bards can make or destroy a reputation simply with their stories and poetry. For that reason, it is always a good idea to treat a bard well—if a travelling bard is paid one iota less than he feels he is worth, he will destroy a man’s reputation for generosity. Other assaults can be made on courage or honesty.
Reputation is so important among Cymbrians that a seriously weakened reputation will result in penalties applied to skills, healing, and even combat and magic. This reflects the despair felt by the man who has been thus maligned. In serious instances, characters may die as a result of bards speaking ill of them.
On the other hand, a heightened reputation will result in favorable reactions to characters which may be reflected in offices and honors awarded to them, success in attracting retainers, or finding supporters in legal and social situations.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Those Cymbrians who are gathered under the Light of Amon are brought at last to the Gardens of Morr, Lord of the Dead.  Those of little means are simply wrapped in cloth and lowered into the earth, while men and women of wealth and status rest in mausoleums with other members of their families.
Those Cymbrians who embrace the Old Faith are cremated, and the ashes scattered on the waters to be carried to the mythical realm of Arawn.

Related Organizations

• The Kingdom of Gwynedd