CODEX CELTARUM Celtic Adventure in Faery

By Brian N. Young Editor: Alicia Stanley & Tim Burns

Art: Peter Bradley, Jason Walton

Art Direction//Layout/: Peter Bradley Cartography: Peter Bradley

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Art, artwork, cover art, cartography is copyright Peter Bradley of Ravenchilde Illustrations, 2013 or Troll Lord Games. All Rights Reserved. All text is copyright Brian Young. All other content copyright 2013 Troll Lord Games. All Rights Reserved. Castles & Crusades, C&C, Castle Keeper, Troll Lord Games, and the Castles & Crusades and Troll Lord Games logos, and products published by Troll Lord Games are Trademarks of Troll Lord Games. All Rights Reserved.

Printed in the United States of America Sample file GWASTRAWT AFWYN BRENHINES Tom Tullis, Ron "Bubba Ho-Tep" Purvi, Julian G Hicks, Matt Hurd

SWYDDWR Y LLYS Sebastian Dietz, Marzio Spairani, The Great and Powerful Alpha Wolf Troy Schwaller, Raymond M. S. Quignon, Keith Davies, "Lord Karick", Jeremy Clifford, Shawn Lamb, Bill Centinaro, E. Michael Rupert, Joe Maccarrone, Tom Williams, Mike Welham, Damian Hupfeld, W. Schaeffer Tolliver, Can Sungur, Jayson C. Block, "Wooly Rupert", Christopher Anderson, Bad Baboon, Bill Dodds, Kevin Donovan, Redbeard, Dustin "Design Zombie" Cooper, Keith E Brandt, Catprog, Dokkalfar, Rasmus Durban Jahr, DrLight, Che Webster, "Wine Guy" Morgan Boehringer, Tom Hudson, Jordi Rabionet Her- nandez, "Steven D Warble", "Pat "Silverhand" Andrews", R. A. Mc Reynolds, Peter "Zeus" Mette, Seth "Justicar" Corbett

MEDYD Michael Ramsey, Andrew Gelbman, Matthias Weeks, Christopher Dawson, Jeffrey Osthoff, Kyle Decker, Sarah Devier, Rian McMurtry, Patrick Seymour, Warren Michael Goodman, Todd Leback, Ryan Percival, Kevin Kentner, Jonathan Woodward, Brent Walters, David Cinabro, John Canales, Dan- iel Dimitroff, Robert Miller,Brad Everman, Aaron Atwood, Matthew Cook, Bill De Franza, John Appel, Mark Martin, Todd Showalter, Christopher Child, Nathanael Terrien, Greg Kramer, Gus J. Badnell, Jerry Aldridge II, Bruce Wiggins, Jeffrey Tadlock, Kurtis Evans, Anthony Roberson

TRULLYAT Mark Clodi, Johnathan L Bingham, David DeRocha, Trampas Whiteman, Lloyd Rasmussen, Niels Adair, Kathleen Harbinger, Daniel Bayerdorffer aka "Seljuck Graylock", Great DruidPaul Munson, Jai Mather, Timothy S. Brannan, Haylea Hamous, Christina Stiles, Vincent DiPaula, James M. Yager, Dan- iel J. Corwin, Curtis 'Wolfson' Lyon, S Penrod, Steven Vest, Ed Moretti,Doug Palmer, M. Sean Molley, Terry Buckingham, Karl The Good, Philip J. Hudson, Jay Hypes, Bill Willy Rat Currie, Seorus Lockkerry

DRYSSAWR NEUAD Kem Templeton, Jorden J. McNally, Rich Canino, Derek W. White

BARDD TEULU Kevin Fitzgerald, Patrick Odell, Petr Engebos, Rowan Harbinger, Eric Falk, Thomas Woodall, Ryan Peel, Daniel and Johanna Pack, Jake Parker, Bret P. Smith, Jason Paul McCartan, Calvin Shafer, Mi- chael Tapia, Daniel Colwell, Lukie Fuge, Brett Easterbrook, Kent D Taylor, Michael Ferdie, John R. Woollard, Dave Ellingwood, Garth Elliott, Adam Fink, Kevin M. McDaniel, Blake thomas, Thomas Biskup, Pat Bellavance, Steve Dodge, Wendy Napier

DISTAIN BRENHINES Tim Rudolph, Chad Drummond, Caninicus, David Williams, Zappophalian, Thomas G Treptow, Frost Holli- man

PENKYNYD Jim Kitchen, Morgan Hazel, Mario M. Butter, Ben and Nateal Erickson, Derrick "Omote" Landwehr, David Donohoo, Benisha Abe, J. Quincy Sperber, Steven Sullivan, Sir Izzy, Gael Imad'Eddine, Doug- las Meserve, Drew Wood, Mark 'Isamill' Liddle, John Craft, Jason 'Hierax' Verbitsky

PENTEULU SampleRob Stone, Gateway Games & More, Noble Knight Games, Paul Coulter, Kell's Crusaders, Richardfile Kurtin CODEX CELTARUM - CELTIC ADVENTURE IN FAERY his World book has been a little over twenty years in the making, with two university degrees and as many years play-testing before it came together in the manner it did. It evolved out of a purely fan- T tasy based setting that was inspired by some of the greatest fantasy movies of the early 1980’s (The Dark Crystal, Legend, The Black Cauldron, Dragonslayer and Excalibur) and found its way into my pedigree along slightly eccentric and genetic paths. The background of this world alone is enough to make a thick academic study, and someday that might be a possibility.

No decision behind this World setting was chosen lightly, but was instead weighed against ancient Celtic ethos, mythologies and history. Where there was an answer lacking, a creative substitute was put in place by a combination of Celtic idiom and fantasy analogs. The hope is this will become an iconic setting where gamers can have endless adventures and memories that will be personal and as good as any found in fantasy gaming.

One advantage of designing this complex and unique world setting is the acquisition of Celtic languages along the way. Sadly, in gaming history these areas are poorly represented, but that is righted in this book.

Unlike the majority of Fantasy world settings, this one does not cater to the usual clichés of role-playing games. Wealth abounds in Faery but ironically has little value among the Faery-folk ex- cept for the Neutral and Dark alignments. Another unique aspect is that adventure is everywhere, but not in the same manner that most gamers are used to experiencing. Every adventure story in Faery is epic – every one. There are no simple adventures that require only that the characters hunt simple bandits or ruffians, for example, unless they are in the Mortal world. Any adventure will be grand, regardless of its meager beginning.

Each chapter is arranged to follow a slightly mischievous and very Faery logic from start to finish. Due to the enormity of the setting, the lands and worlds covered are given as detailed a scope as possible with hopes that each can be further embellished later with additional books or editions. Over a hundred and fifty Faery abilities and pow- ers are included, broken into the three alignments that the Universe has split between them. Humans, and Humanoid races as found in Aihrde, function differently in regards to their alignments than the Fey, and this will be explained.

Derived from Celtic primary sources are Druidic spells and combat Adjuncts, with the added rare opportunity to transform the Faery character (gradually, over time) into a demi-god. Faery- folk also can be born, or cursed, with the unusual maladies and quirks of being an Immortal. These can definitely increase the pressure and tension in the campaign and make things as difficult as the CK desires. This setting can be adapted to any ex- isting campaign, and taken from and/or added to along the way as needed, but if left as-is leaves a wondrous realm of magic and Sampleepic adventure that most gamers have never experienced file or imagined. Sticking to the Castle & Crusades idea, this is light on rules but gives just enough in the way of game mechanics to play out a compelling and fun story.

CELTIC ADVENTURE IN FAERY 3 A plethora of Celtic language is used in this book obviously, and The book in your hands has seen over two decades of change, to make it less difficult for those not fluent, the more modern evolution and constant improvement until has been stream- orthographies have been chosen in place of their ancient coun- lined and is ready to go. Dive into the magical realm of Faery terparts at times. Primitive/Old Welsh and Primitive/Old Irish are and don’t look back; this is truly another world rarely seen or commonly used throughout with some Cornish and Breton sprin- experienced by Man. Oh come away with me, Human Child… kled where necessary. The orthography is a little scattered due to the many sources referencing Celtic gods and Faery-folk, but this This book’s chapters are arranged in a very Fey manner to help is left so to make the understanding of much of this diverse (but the reader find their way by memory wherever they have to go: related) material for new people. 1. Once Upon a Time (History section) Often separate but related Celtic languages are side-by-side in 2. In Lands Far Away (Covers the World Setting) the place names in Faery, and that is because of shared multiple traditions concerning the concepts and ideas out of essentially 3. There Lived a People (Faery races and monsters) the same myth and faery-lore. The remaining languages today are used as more of a filter to which this magical realm exists 4. Great of Magic and Power (Magical abilities, items and spells) in, or once existed in ancient belief. So it would seem odd that Gaelic and Cornish speakers, for example, were adjacent but in 5. Strong of Feats and Deeds (Combat and warfare). reality, during the Post-Roman and early medieval eras this was 6. With Great Gods and Lords (The Deities and the many truly the case. powerful lords that rule over Faery). The Celtic Gods, whose pantheon is widely misunderstood 7. Who have Mighty Names and Feats (CK information) among modern Pagans and recreationists, are given a semi- fantastical ambiance and character throughout to aid in the In this song given to Oisín mac Finn by the Faery princess Fantasy nature of role-playing gaming. Since absolute data on Níamh Chinn Óir to entice him to her world, the Land of Youth these deities is lacking almost across the board, they are detailed or Tír na nÓg holds wonders unimagined: in a way that is familiar to anyone who has some knowledge of them, but will enrich the understanding of any reader. The line “Delightful is the land beyond all dreams, at which semi-divine heroes end and absolute gods begin blurs in Celtic thinking, and high level Faery characters will display Fairer than anything your eyes have ever seen. this through game play. There all the year the fruit is on the tree, The two surviving Celtic groups, the Britons and Gaels, have And all the year the bloom is on the flower. wildly varying tales and approaches to the same deities, and so a middle-ground has been reached, filled with much specula- “There with wild honey drip the forest trees; tion and derivative ideas based from a common Celtic idiom The stores of wine and mead shall never fail. (and lots of academic theories). ‘Purists’ who wish to remain true to the unique philosophies of each separate nation’s ideolo- Nor pain nor sickness knows the dweller there, gies may select that perspective and game it only, but such a Death and decay come near him never more. notion seems narrow-minded in a game filled with such fantasy and imagination at its core. «The feast shall cloy not, nor the chase shall tire, Because of the vast scope and room constraints of a work of this Nor music cease for ever through the hall; size, there are a few crucial elements that could not be addressed in this edition. One of these is the holidays, a time when worlds The gold and jewels of the Land of Youth can touch, and travel between them becomes dangerously easier. Outshine all splendors ever dreamed by man. Another important aspect that will not make this edition is Dru- idic Ogham, the secretive system of writing that was briefly used «You will have horses of the fairy breed, by the Druids of the Gaelic Celts after Rome’s departure. These You will have hounds that can outrun the wind; and additional information and clarifications will be addressed in later supplemental materials. A hundred chiefs shall follow you in war, A hundred maidens sing thee to your sleep. In the process of designing and play-testing this setting the past 20 years, I have earned a Masters in Arthurian Studies from the University of Wales Lampeter (2007). I was the world’s first «A crown of sovereignty your brow shall wear, graduate Sampleof the program with a Cum Laude, and plan to finish And by your side a magic fileblade shall hang, with a PhD in Celtic Studies soon, so this venture was not just And you will be lord of all the Land of Youth, an enthusiast’s way of setting such wondrous tales and ideas to print; it became a life’s pursuit. And lord of Níamh of the Head of Gold.”

4 CASTLES & CRUSADES - CODEX CELTARUM TABLE OF CONTENTS

MÁG DA CHEÓ 29 CODEX CELTARUM - 3 CELTIC ADVENTURE IN FAERY TÍR NA MBÁS 29 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 DIN MARW (DÚN MARB) 30 ANNWN - THE UNDER-EARTH 30 ONCE UPON A TIME 9 CAER RIGOR 31 THE WOMB OF CREATION 10 CAER GOLUD 31 THE LIFE TREE & THE HORNED ONE 10 CAER VEDIWYD 31 CAER OCHREN 31 THE BLUE HAG 11 CAER WIDIR 31 THE DARK TIMES 11 CAER PEDYRVAN 32 THE NOBLE ONES 12 CAER SIDI 32 THE BROODS OF DOMNU 13 NYTH YSTLYM Y FRENHINES 33 & THE MORRÌGNA ABRED - THE MORTAL PLANE 33 THE TENSION OF THE TWO SISTERS 13 YNYS Y CEDYRN 34 THE KING OF RAVENS 13 COIT MAWR 35 DANU`S FALL 14 LLOIGYR 35 THE INVASION OF EÌRE 14 GWYR Y GOGLEDD 36 GWLAS AN HAVAS 36 LU`GH LAMHFHA`DA 15 PRYDAIN 36 CATH MA`G TUIRED II 15 YNYS WEITH 36 THE SECOND & THIRD DARKWARS 15 YNYS MANAU 37 THE GREAT BEAR 16 ÉIRE 37 LLYDAW 38 THE FUTURE PRESENT 16 BROCÉLIANDE 38 IN LANDS FAR AWAY 17 THERE LIVED A PEOPLE 39 THE TWO CAULDRONS 18 FAERY MORALITY 40 THE TWELVE HOUSES 18 CLAND SOLUIS (PLANT GOLAU) 41 GWYNFYD - FAERY 19 CLAND DUB (PLANT GWYLL) 41 THE TORC OF STORMS 20 CLAND COMAÌR (PLANT CYFNOS) 42 THE SHROUDED ISLES 21 FAERY WEAKNESSES 42 ILLDÀTHACH 21 FAERY TRAITS 43 GWLAS AN VEYN USY AN LESKY 21 COIT SENTATU 22 THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT 44 INNISÍ NA GÁISCEDACHA 23 ELVEN FOLK 44 DÚN FÁLIAS 23 CEASG 44 MÁG MÓN 23 ELLYLL 45 DÚN MURIAS 24 HENKIES 45 MÁG FINDARGAT 24 MERROW 46 TÍR BHFÓMORACH 24 MORWYN ELVES 46 TIR TYLLUANOD 25 PREN ELVES 46 BREITHELL 25 ROANE 47 INNISÍ ILLDÁTHACH 26 URISK 47 INNIS CRAN MÓR 26 THE CHILDREN OF TWILIGHT 48 YNYS AFALLACH 26 ASRAI 48 TÍR FO THUIN 27 COBLYN 48 SampleAIRCTHECH 27 file CLURICHAUN 48 TÍR NA MBEÓ 28 BALLYBOGS (PEAT FAERIES) 49 DÚN GORIAS 28 BLUE-CAP 49 COIT BÚAN 28 BRÚNAIDH (BROWNIE) 49 DÚN FINLIAS 29 BUGAL NOZ 50 CAWR (FATHACH) 50 ADERYN Y CORPH 69 DERRICK 50 AFANC 71 DOONIE (DUNNIE) 50 BISCLAVRET 71 FAELCLOINE (CŴNBEN) 51 BONELESS (BROLLACHEN) 72 FÍR DEARG 51 BOOBRIE 72 FÍR GLAS 51 BURACH BHADI 72 GRIG 52 CATH SÍTH 72 KNOCKERS (MORTHOLOW DARRAJOW) 52 CEFFYL DŴR 73 KORRED 52 CIREIN CROIN 73 GORIC 53 CŴN ANNWN 74 GRUAGACH 53 DOBHAR-CHÚ 74 HOGMEN 53 EACH TENED 74 KILLMOULIS 53 ÉISC INIS 75 LEPRECHAUN 54 ELLÉN TRECHEND 75 LOIREAG 54 IT 75 MAIGHDEAN-MHARA 54 GIANT BOAR (COLLACH MÓR) 76 MÔRGAN 54 GLASTYN 76 OAKMEN 54 GWARTHEG Y LLYN 77 PIXIE (PYSKY) 55 LÀBH-ALLAN 77 PWCA (PÚCA) 55 LLAMHIGYN Y DŴR 77 THE CHILDREN OF DARKNESS 55 MODDEY DHOO 78 MUIRDRIS 78 ALDER WITCH (CLETHRAD) 56 NUCKLAVEE 78 ATHACH 57 PADFOOT 79 ATTORCROPE 57 YCHAIN BANNOG 79 BAOBHAN SÍTH 57 BARGUEST (BOGY-BEAST) 58 SUPERNATURAL ANIMALS 80 BIASD BHEULACH 58 THE WHITE STAG (CARW WYN) 80 BOG HAG 58 THE GIANTS OF WALES 81 BOGY 59 THE STATE OF BEING FAERY 83 BRAG 59 BUGGANE 59 GREAT OF MAGIC AND POWER 85 CEARB 60 CIUTHACH 60 FAERY SPELL-LIKE ABILITIES 86 DEARG DU 60 AS SPELLS 86 DUERGAR 61 FAERY SPELL-LIKE ABILITIES 91 DUNTERS 61 ACORNS OF WISDOM 91 DUSA 61 AIR-AS-STONE 91 FACHAN 62 BLEND WITH NATURE 91 FIDEAL 62 CERNAE’S CALL 91 FÍR COLLACH (ORCACH) 62 DIRT-AS-STONE 91 FÓMOR (FOAWR) 63 EARTHSCENT 91 FUATH (ARRACHD) 63 FAERY GLAMOUR 91 GEAN CANNADH (LEANAN-SÍDHE) 63 FAERY LURE 91 GAN CEANN (DULLAHAN) 64 FEY FLIGHT 92 GALLYTROT (BEGGER) 64 FEY FRENZY 92 GLASTIG (GWRACH Y RHIBYN) 65 FEY INVISIBILITY 92 GWIDDON 65 FEY WIND 92 GWRACH (CAILLEACH) 65 FIRE-AS-STONE 92 GWYLL 66 GIANT’S GROWTH 92 MALLT Y NOS 66 GNASHING TEETH 92 POLPEGAN (PLENTYN-NEWID) 67 INNER LIGHT 92 SampleRED CAP 67 file LEAF BLADES 92 SPRIGGAN 68 LIMB LEAP 93 YSGODIAID 68 MIGHTY COUNTENENCE 93 FEY BEASTS 69 MIST FORM 93 ADAR LLWCH GWIN 69 NATURE’S ARMY 93