Dinas Emrys

This splendid fortress, now the headquarters of the Order of the Dragon, was built by the High King of Albion following the vision of Myrddin Emrys, after whom the fortress takes its name. Its location on the rocky hillock overlooking the southern end of Llyn Dinas is ideal for guarding the mountain pass Yr WYddfa. For many years, the Inn of the Dueling Dragons, so called in honor of Myrddin's vision of a red and white dragon locked in battle, served merchants bringing their wares to the north. Following the rise of the Dragon Queen of Penllyn, the name of this venerable resting place has been changed to the Inn of the Red Dragon.

Entries

Southern Entrance: Just past the Westford where the North River Road extends south of the hill upon which the fortress stands, a small barracks guards the foot path that climbs the hill to the south gate. The path switches back up the hill to a great gatehouse tjat can be reached by an ascending series of terraced steps. The gatehouse itself is fortified by a series of three portcullises and doors.

Within is the Southern Ward, where pens holding sheep and pigs can be seen to the west, along with the servants quarters. To the east is a low-lying shrine leading to a stone-lined pool 60' long by 30' wide. In the vault housing the pool is a mural depicting a battle between an ancient red dragon and what looks like a dragon of silvery white.

Eastern Entrance: Another pathway dlimbs northward from the road past the eastern walls of the fortress, switching back first to the west and then to the south toward the gatehouse. The barbicon, fortified by a portcullis, is formed by a pair of massive stone towers. The passage between the towers extends for another 80', ending in a portcullis and gate. Arrow slits line the walls on either side. Immediately beyond the gate a path leads southwest to the fortress itself. To the south and southeast are the stables and outbuildings that line the interior of the walls.

To the right is the North Ward, with its many stone paths and collection of wagons, sheds, and storage buildings. Dominating the ward is the marble-lined barrow of Gwertheyrn, in which all the former rulers of Penllyn have been interred. There are said to be hidden caverns below that were magically extended by the great sorcerer Myrddin Emrys some three centuries ago-it is believed by some that the sorcerer himself has been trapped in these caverns and will emerge one day to lead a new High King to victory!

Architecture

Although the curtain wall and supporting towers follow the ancient pattern of the hillfort in design, the construction of walls and towers is very much in the imperial style.  In keeping with this is the design of the old court, although it lacks the symmetry of imperial design; the gallery that leads here displays the banners, shields, weapons, and armor of the ancient house of Cunedda.

Defenses

The fortress is surrounded by a 35' high curtain wall, reinforced by two massive gatehouses on the southwest and east walls. Good use is made of the natural defensive value of the hillside, with the steep grade of the hill on the southwest and east affording strong protection, reinforced only by the gatehouses and two bastions. The more vulnerable northwest face of the wall is protected by three rectangular towers-one large on at the southwestern end of the wall and two smaller ones along the wall as it extends northeast-and four more bastions. The old fortress within is likewise secure. with only two entrances and exits-one to the fort proper, the other past the stables and to the new feast hall.

Guards patrol in pairs atop the wall every minute of the day. The gatehouses have at least a dozen guards on the walls and behind the doors, each one an accomplished veteran warrior. These are supported by dozens more of their number within the walls, as well as more than 200 elite soldiers in the service of the Queen.

Even more formidable are the griffon-mounted elven warriors who patrol the valleys and mountain passes around Yr Wyddfa. A single griffon rider would be more than a match for half a dozen guards. These riders can often be seen either venturing forth from the fortress or landing in the roosts provided at the top of one of the towers (or more rarely atop the fortress itself).

But by far the greatest deterrant to those who would launch an attack on the fortress is the dragon, 50 feet of coiled and knotted malevolence with a breath of death. On those rare occasions when the dragon is seen, almost everyone runs for cover, be they friend or foe.

Parent Location

Tref Emrys

Owner

Aredhel ferch Maglor, the Dragon Queen

Owning Organization

The Kingdom of Gwynedd