The Talgarth Campaign
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Author: Shannon Appel
Homepage: http://www.erzo.org/~appel
System: Pendragon
Type: Campaign
Category: Fantasy
Requirements: Offers the basis for a Phase One campaign set in Wales.

[Copyright 1996, 2000, Shannon Appel]

INTRODUCTION

This article details a Pendragon campaign that I ran in the Winter and Spring of 1996. Besides this campaign writeup I also put together five complete adventure writeups, three of which are available at this site. These articles were all originally published in the Chaosium Digest, an online ezine dedicated to Chaosium's games. If you're interested in joining the Chaosium Digest, you can mail majordomo@chaosium.com with the command "subscribe chaos-digest" in the body of the message (not the subject).

The Talgarth campaign centers around the Talgarth tribe, one of five commotes of the Cambrian land of Brycheiniog (off in Wales). At the start of the campaign, the year is 495, and Uther is crusading in the South against the Saxons. It is assumed that the players will be playing a small band of friends centered around the sons of Cadfael.

This background is intended to be compatible with that in _Savage Mountains_, but it is set up 35 years earlier. Things change.

Alternate Uses: Although this article is intended as the basis of a Wales campaign, it could easily be used as background material for someone visiting Wales in the year 495 (or therabouts). Gamemasters running their own campaign may also be interested in the Story Ideas section at the bottom of this article.

BRYCHEINIOG

Ruler: Brychan Brecheinyavc of the Cantref Mawr
Capitol: Mawr
Culture: Cymric/Christian
Vassal of: No One
Army: 10 knights, 500 warriors
Commotes: Cantref Mawr (ruling), Ewias, Hay, Selyf, Talgarth

History

At the start of the fifth century, the rugged land now called Brycheiniog was home to many warring Cymric bro. They were ununited, barely able to eke out a survival in the rugged land. Then the Irish raids into Cambria begun. The Irish settled the Western coast of Cambria first, driving out the natives. By the time they had arrived at the interior, their numbers were less. Thusm after conquering the lands, they were willing to settle as rulers of the Cymric people.

The Irish chief Anlac filius Coronac won his final victory in Brycheiniog in 435. Afterwards, he gave the land to his first son, Brychan Brecheinyavc, claiming the Western land of Ystrad Tywi for his own. Though Brychan was barely more than a boy at the time, he and his men were accepted by the Mawr Commote.

Brychan has ruled over the five commotes of Brycheiniog wisely, and they have prospered greatly. Many of his Irish warriors have married into Cymric families, and so the two people have become one. Though he is greatly aged, having outlived both of his sons, Brychan still rules wisely. His sole grandson, Bruatur, is prepared to become ruler when Brychan passes away.

Economics

Herding is the most common life style for Brycheiniog. Cows, sheep and goats are all common. The Brycheiniog occasionally raid outside their kingdom in order to supplement their herds.

Technology

The hilly terrain of Brycheiniog has prevent cavalry from ever becoming a viable military technique. Certainly, warriors are occasionally seen upon Cambrian ponies, but they usually know better than to try and ride them into battle. Although a few mercenary knights have come to Brycheiniog from the more civilized lands to the East, they are the exception.

Spears are the preferred weapon of the Brycheiniog warriors, though swords, daggers and even shields are also known. Leather (3 pt) is the most common armor, though Leather (4 pt) and Cuirbolli (6 pt) are occasionally seen. Chainmail (10 pt) is very rare, and usually only possessed by chiefs and mercenary knights.

External Relations

BULITH: Though the Bulith and the Brycheiniog occasionally raid each other's herds, for the most part their relationship is a cordial one.

ELAFEL: Never touched by the raiding Irish, the Cymric people of Elafel particularly dislike the rulers of Brycheiniog, who they still call The Invaders. They are too disorganized to do any damage to the Kingdom, but the lands near the Elafel border are considered dangerous.

ERGYNG: King Peibau cares little for outsiders. He has never offered either friendship or war to Brycheiniog, and appears simply to want to be left alone. For the most part, Brycheiniog has respected this wish.

ESCAVALON: Though a Roman Kingdom, Escavalon has very good relations with Brycheiniog. They frequently trade up the Usk River.

YSTRAD TYWI: After being settled by Brychen's father, Ystrad Tywi was subjected to additional Irish raids. Though Brychen tried to lend aid, the cause was a lost one, and the land soon fell. King Daig map Hall of Ystrad Tywi bears no animosity towards Brychen, but the feeling is not a mutual one. Unfortunately, Ystrad Tywi's number of warriors is greater than Brycheiniog's, and thus Brychen can only plot futiley.

Important Locations

Cerrig Duon: The largest stone circle in Cambrian lies between Brycheiniog and Ystrad Tywi, in a contested land. The most hearty come here seeking the Old gods.

Mawr: The largest Maenor in Brycheiniog is the home to Brychen, the aging King of the land. He rarely travels, and thus petitioners are forced to come here to see him.

NPCs of Note

Bruatur: Brychen's grandson, and the heir apparent.

Brychen: the aging ruler of Brycheiniog.

TALGARTH

Ruler: Cadfael
Capitol: Brecon
Culture: Cymric/Christian
Vassal of: Brychen of Brycheiniog
Army: 2 knights, 100 warriors.

History

When chief Anlac came to Cambria, he brought with him many warriors. After victory had been won, the greatest of these were given mighty grants. The warrior Echen fought best of all, and so he was given the first choice of lands. He asked for the fertile banks of the Usk river, and even though Anlac had coveted them for himself, he kept his promise. Thus did Echen's family become the Lords of Talgarth.

Like many of his warriors, Echen took a Cymric wife, and so his son Edern was born to the native ways of the land a year after the conquest. In 456, Edern's first son was born, and that was Aravn. He was destined to be the third Chief of Talgarth, and so when Edern's second son, Cadfael came of age, he travelled to the old land of Eire to seek his own fortune. When Cadfael returned from Ireland with his new wife in 478, he learned that disaster had struck in his absence. Edern and his eldest son had led a cattle raid into the land of Elafel, and they had met with unexpected resistance. The raiders had fled in disarray, and neither Edern nor Aravan had since returned. Edern's body was eventually recovered, and on that day Cadfael was named Chief of the Talgarth Cadfael and his wife Maeve have ruled well. One day, their first son, Hayarn, will follow in their footsteps.

Economics

Although Talgarth still keeps many cattle, sheep, and goats, these herds is not as important to the land as they were a generation ago. Fishing provides Talgarth with much of its food. Cadfael has always been found of hunting, and has raised dogs since he was a boy. Since he became chief, this has turned into a regular industry, and now Talgarth hunting dogs are prized all across Cambria.

Important Locations

Brecon: The largest maenor in Talgarth, and the home of Cadfael's family.

Llangorse Lake: A magical lake whose waters appear multicolored in certain lights. It is considered a source of omen and prophecy.

NPCs of Note

Lord Cadfael: Though Edern's second son never expected to be Chief of Talgarth, he had adapted well. Cadfael is married to Maeve, who he rescued from dire straights during his time adventuring in Ireland. The symbol of Cadfael's house is a Hound Couchant.

Lady Maeve: In Cambria, Maeve has found a new life, much better than the one she lived in Ireland. There, she married Brion O' Shea, an elderly widower who already had two sons of his own. Though she gave Brion three more sons, she was never truly accepted by the family. When Brion passed away, his elder sons took control of the family from Maeve. Maeve was saved from an unhappy life by Cadfael. Though she regretted leaving her three children by Brion, she had little choice, and thus she came to Cambria.

Hayarn: The first son of Cadfael and Maeve, heir to Talgarth.

Aeddan: The second son of Cadfael and Maeve, just a year younger than his brother. His bright red hair has always made him Maeve's favorite. On his fifteenth birthday, Aeddan received a bronze sword from Maeve's brother, Conall, an ancient heirloom of their family.

The Lady of the Lake: A elderly seer who lives at Llangorse Lake. She claims to be able to read the future in the waves.

OTHER NPCS OF NOTE IN PHASE ONE

Sir Balan, Forest Sauvage (age 21 in 503)
Sir Balin le Sauvage, Forest Sauvage (age 21 in 503)
Sir Brastias, Tintagel (age 34 in 495)
Sir Darnantes "The Brown Knight of the Woods", Listencisse (age 21 in 505)
King Lak, Estregalis (age 33 in 495)
King Lot, Orkney (age 25 in 495)
Sir Marhaus, Leinster (age 21 in 502)
Merlin, Wanderer (age 41 in 495)
King Pellinore, The Isles (age 21 in 496)

CHARACTER GENERATION

The standard Pendragon character generation system should be modified as follows, to allow for Cambrian characters in 495.

1. Region. Select "Cambria" unless you specifically wish to play an outlander.

2. Lands. Homeland is automatically "Talgarth" unless you specifically wish to play an outlander. Roll on the Talgarth Culture Table.

Talgarth Culture Table

   d20    Culture		Class Table
	
   01-18  Cymric/Christian	#2
   19	  Irish/Christian	#2
   20     Cymric/Pagan		#2

All Talgarth characters have sworn allegiance to Cadfael. Mark down experience due to Father's Class, as per Pendragon pg. 51-52, and son number as per Pendragon pg. 52.

3. Peoples. Determine Name, Father's Name and Trait Modifiers as per Pendragon pg. 52. All Talgarth locals have the special directed trait "Indulgent (wine) +1d6". Instead of the normal skills, use the Phase One skills listed in The Boy King pg. 9. Mark Inherited Glory and roll on the Luck Table as per Pendragon pg. 53-54. Base Starting Equipment upon the tables given in The Boy King pg. 9-10. All players native to Cambria may elect to exchange any of their Horses for Celtic Ponies (see Knights Adventurous pg. 108) which are better adapted to the hilly countryside.

4-8. All per normal Pendragon rules, pg. 54-56.

9. Qualify for a Career Class. Note that there are next to no knights in Talgarth. Characters will typically try to qualify for Warrior, and will emerge from character generation aged 15-18 or so.

10. Other Information. As per Pendragon pg. 58. Native Talgarth characters will not have squires.

STORY IDEAS

* Uther's Burial - Though Talgarth never swore allegiance to the last High King of Britain, they will mourn his loss as a fellow warrior against the Norse invaders. A small band of warriors will be dispatched to pay their respects. Not only will they face the dangers of a British civilization already quickly disintegrating, but also mockery from knights who dislike the "primitives".

* The Enroaching Forest - After Ergyng disappears into the forest (see _Savage Mountains_ pg. 51-62), the woods will continue to move toward Talgarth. Players will have to face powers of vengeance within the Dean Forest in order to stop the woods from overgrowing their home.

* Dog Hunt - When Cadfael's best dog goes missing, players will have to discover who would want to steal it and why.

* Irish Feuds - The Shea family in Ireland does not think kindly of Cadfael for taking Maeve away. When they come to Cambria and try to kidnap Cadfael's sons, the players will be forced to intervene.

* The Bronze Sword - When Cadfael's sons learn of an ancient prophecy surrounding Aeddan's sword, they may be forced to quest to Ireland, to help Maeve's family.

COMPLETE ADVENTURES

* The Adventure of Uther's Burial - Talgarth warriors go to London to pay their last respects to Uther. Set in the year 495. Available at this site.

* The Adventure of the Worshiping Picts - Talgarth warriors defend a magician as he travels to a circle of stones. Set in the year 496. Available at this site.

* The Adventure of the Deceitful Faerie - Talgarth warriors help Brychan resolve a peculiar problem near the magical lake of Llyn Cwm Llwch. Expanded and reprinted without the Talgarth context in _Tales of Magic and Miracles_ by Green Knight Publications. The original version of this adventure can be found at the Chaosium Digest archive.

* The Adventure of the Golden Rose - Talgarth warriors seek in the Forest of Dean for an artifact of romance. Expanded and reprinted without the Talgarth context in _Tales of Chivalry and Romance_ by Green Knight Publications. The original version of this adventure can be found at the Chaosium Digest archive.

* The Adventure of the Poisoned Lake - Llangorse Lake is poisoned! Available at this site, without the Talgarth context.