Dyfed
Dyfed is a kingdom located in western Ynys, with a population largely comprised of the Ynyswr ethnicity. The kingdom is known for its vast wealth of sheep, which provides a significant source of income for its people. However, the history of Dyfed is marked by the dark obsessions and oppressive policies of its ruler, King Guortepir.
Guortepir's fascination with the Clarati who once ruled over Ynys is well-known throughout the land. He has amassed a collection of Clarati artifacts, including those believed to hold magical powers. His obsession with the Clarati has led him to go to great lengths to expand his collection, and it is believed that he employs a small cadre of thieves who steal whatever he cannot purchase outright.
Guortepir has also been known to aggressively pursue policies of exclusion and oppression towards non-Ynyswyr inhabitants of Dyfed. In one particularly horrific incident, Guortepir ordered the massacre of Walha, a village of Ðuring peasants who refused to leave their homes. The king's army sealed the houses and Guortepir himself set them ablaze with a wand from his Clarati collection. This act of brutality has left a dark stain on Dyfed's history and reputation. More recently, the kingdom's conquest of the small kingdom of Seisyllwg saw the expulsion or slaughter of the Biegen and part-Biegen inhabitants. The Seisyllwg refugees have mostly settled in southern Bernicia and many seek support from their host country in reestablishing their kingdom.
Despite these oppressive policies, Dyfed maintains strong ties with the neighboring kingdom of Cunedda, with Guortepir's younger sister Gwawl married to the king of Cunedda. The two kingdoms often engage in trade and military alliances, providing Dyfed with some measure of protection and stability.
Structure
Dyfed is a petty kingdom that is ruled by King Guortepir. The king holds absolute power in the kingdom, and all decisions ultimately rest with him. However, he is advised by a council of lords, who are drawn from the Ynyswyr nobility. These lords hold significant sway over the king, and their support is crucial to maintaining his rule. The council meets regularly to discuss matters of state and provide counsel to the king. However, the king's word is final, and he is known to be capricious and impulsive, often making decisions without consulting his advisors.
Culture
Dyfed is a kingdom that prides itself on its Ynyswyr heritage, but also bears a fascination with the power of the Clarati. Like other Ynyswr kingdoms, Dyfed has a tradition of storytelling, music, and poetry, but they embrace the Clarati influences left behind more than most.
Assets
The kingdom has some of the best grazing land in Ynys, and the Ynyswyr have long made their living as shepherds and wool merchants. However, the kingdom's greatest asset is arguably its collection of Clarati artifacts. King Guortepir has spent a great deal of time and resources acquiring these items, and many of them are said to possess powerful magical properties.
History
Dyfed has a long and storied history that is intertwined with that of the rest of Ynys. The Ynyswyr people have lived in the region for thousands of years, and they have a deep connection to the land. However, the kingdom as it exists today was founded by a Ynyswyr warlord named Teithi Hen, who established the kingdom in the early days of the Age of Warlocks. The area had been within the domain of the Clarati known as Clarion, but that sorcerer was killed in a duel only weeks after the fall of Sange, when he attempted to claim Oileán Fiáin from the sorceress Celestina. Since then, Dyfed has been ruled by a series of kings, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It has lost and gained territory over the years, and has one of the longest unbroken lines of rulership currently on Ynys.
King Guortepir came to the throne after the previous king, his brother, died without an heir. He has been a controversial ruler, known for his harsh treatment of non-Ynyswyr and his obsession with Clarati artifacts. Under his rule, Dyfed has expanded its borders by conquering the neighboring kingdom of Seisyllwg, which was home to many Biegen and part-Biegen inhabitants. This has led to tensions between Dyfed and the neighboring kingdom of Bernicia, which has welcomed many Seisyllwg refugees and has been vocal in its opposition to Guortepir's expansionist policies.
Demography and Population
Dyfed is predominantly inhabited by the Ynyswyr, an ethnic group that is native to the island of Ynys. However, the kingdom also had a significant population of foreign settlers, including Ðuring, Eot, and Biegen mercenaries who settled in the region after the Age of Warlocks. Many of these were driven out of the country in recent years, and those who remain frequently conceal their heritage. The population of Dyfed is largely rural, with most inhabitants working in agriculture or animal husbandry. The kingdom is known for its vast herds of sheep, which provide wool for export to other parts of Ynys.
Territories
The kingdom of Dyfed encompasses a relatively small territory in western Ynys. It is bordered by the kingdom of Cunedda to the south, the kingdom of Seisyllwg to the east (which it conquered and absorbed), Bernicia to the north, and the River Severin to the east. The terrain of Dyfed is mostly rolling hills and valleys, with some areas of dense forest. The coast is rugged and rocky, with few natural harbors. The capital city of Dyfed, Caer Eiddyn, is located near the center of the kingdom. The largest port in Dyfed is named Ystwyth, and is a little south of the Bernician border.
Military
Dyfed maintains a well-trained army, consisting mostly of foot soldiers armed with swords and spears. The king's personal guard, known as the Iron Guard, is highly respected and feared throughout Ynys. The Iron Guard is composed of elite warriors handpicked by the king himself, and they are known for their loyalty and skill in battle. Dyfed also maintains a small navy, consisting mostly of small, fast ships designed for coastal defense.
Foreign Relations
Dyfed has traditionally been isolationist in its foreign relations, preferring to focus on internal matters rather than meddling in the affairs of other nations. However, the kingdom has formed close ties with its neighbor, Cunedda, through the marriage of the king's sister to the Cuneddan king.
Laws
The laws of Dyfed are a mix of traditional Ynyswyr customs and modern legal codes. The king has the power to make and enforce laws as he sees fit, although he often relies on the counsel of his lords when making important legal decisions. The laws of Dyfed are notoriously harsh, with punishments often involving fines, imprisonment, or even death. The king is known to be particularly unforgiving when it comes to crimes against the state or against his own person. The kingdom also has strict laws regarding the possession of Clarati artifacts, with only the monarch and their appointed advisors allowed to possess and use such items. Breaking these laws can result in severe punishment, including imprisonment or execution.
Agriculture & Industry
The economy of Dyfed is largely based on agriculture, with sheep farming being the most important industry. The kingdom is known throughout Ynys for the quality of its wool, and Dyfed wool is highly sought after by weavers and tailors. Other important crops include wheat, barley, and rye. In terms of industry, Dyfed has a small but thriving metalworking industry, with skilled craftsmen producing weapons, armor, and other metal goods.
Trade & Transport
Dyfed's location on the western coast of Ynys makes it an important hub for trade and commerce. The kingdom has several small ports along its rugged coastline, which are used to export wool, metal goods, and other products to other kingdoms in Ynys and beyond. The River Severin, which runs along the eastern border of Dyfed, is an important trade route, with barges and boats carrying goods up and down the river. The kingdom also has a network of well-maintained roads and bridges, which make it easy to transport goods and people from one part of the kingdom to another.
Education
Education in Dyfed is limited to the nobility and upper classes. Education is seen as a luxury, and only the wealthy can afford to send their children to schools. The Ynyswyr nobility often hires private tutors to educate their children. The curriculum is focused on literature, history, and philosophy.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure in Dyfed is basic, with most of the population living in rural areas. The roads are unpaved and often in poor condition, making travel difficult. However, the major cities have well-maintained roads and bridges, and the capital has a rudimentary sewage system. The kingdom lacks a formal postal service, but messages are carried by messengers on horseback or on foot.
Maps
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Dyfed
Dyfed's most important export is wool, which is highly prized throughout Ynys and beyond. The kingdom also other agricultural products, such as wheat and barley. Dyfed's exports are primarily sold to other kingdoms in Ynys, but some goods are also traded with merchants from other lands.
Dyfed relies heavily on imports for certain goods, particularly luxury items such as spices, silks, and exotic woods. These goods are typically brought in by traders from other kingdoms, who dock at Dyfed's ports and trade with local merchants. The kingdom also imports certain raw materials, such as iron and tin, which are used in its metalworking industry.
In Dyfed, the king holds absolute power and is the ultimate decision-maker in the kingdom. However, there is a council of lords who advise and provide counsel to the king on matters of state. The council is composed of members of the Ynyswyr nobility, who hold significant influence over the king and play a crucial role in maintaining his rule. The council meets regularly to discuss important issues and make recommendations to the king, but the final decision always rests with him. Despite their advisory role, the lords of Dyfed are a powerful group and can sway the king's decisions through their support or opposition. Their ability to influence the king makes them a force to be reckoned with, and their political maneuvering is an important aspect of Dyfed's political landscape.
The judicial system of Dyfed is largely decentralized, with each lord responsible for administering justice in their own lands. However, appeals can be made to the king's court in the capital, where the king himself often presides over cases of great importance. The king's word is final in all legal matters, and he is known to dispense swift and harsh justice to those who cross him.
The executive branch of Dyfed is largely composed of the king's personal advisors and servants. These individuals carry out the king's orders and ensure that his will is done throughout the kingdom. The most important of these advisors is the chamberlain, who oversees the day-to-day affairs of the king's household and serves as the king's representative when he is absent.
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