Cadwold

A small county bordering on Weidany, it is currently at war with that kingdom. Cadwold is made up of many small clan holdings, each fiercely independent and territorial. Until recently Cadwold was part of Danuch, until they claimed independence from the Druids in a short but bloody war.

The Druids still have an interest in Cadwold, and the current war with Weidany is giving them a chance to offer support to various clans. The clans are finding themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place, with two powerful neighbours both of whom want their territory.

One reason for their current ability to stave off conquest is the Waezgerat - a group of organised and powerful wizards based in Cadwold.

Without a single leader to coordinate defence however, resistence is patchy at best. Cadwold does not currently have a king, though a number of clan heads are vying for the title.

There is expected to be a grand Tribunal of the clans later in the year at the King' s Stone, in order to decide this.

History

Cadwold was settled from Weidany after 685, when the Druids were defeated and driven from the region. At that time Cadwold had been part of Danuch. Danuch had become a single cohesive nation around 1400 years ago, united by the Druids under their goddess Yammath.

At this point, the Druids were a strictly female priesthood, devoted to their goddess. Around the time of the Betrayal this is reversed, and within a generation, the Druids become male dominated, and eventually exclusively male.

After the Druids are defeated, thegns from Weidany settle here around 700 AE, forming several small kingdoms. In 801, the Druids try to gain a foothold again, but they are defeated. Several kingdoms fall, and individual chieftains retain power. Over the next 60-70 years, the idea of kingship fades from Cadwold society. Kings are chosen as warleaders when several tribes unite against a common foe, but loose power after that.

Politics

As of now, the chieftains rule between 20 and 30 hides, some with more but rarely with less. The population of Cadwold is about 10,000 hides. Warriors are very common though, mostly of foot, and equipment is poor. There are 17 chieftains of considerably more than usual power, with five of them dominating.

Chieftain	Hides

Relationship with the Druids

The power of the kings has been broken forever in Danuch, and though the lords do hold power, they are considered second to the theocracy. This is not a situation the chieftains of Cadwold wish to replicate within their own lands, and there are many who believe that giving the Druids any influence in Cadwold again would be a mistake.

There are some though that believe they can gain help from the Druids whilst preventing them from gaining power. Others believe the promises of the Druids when they say that they have no desire to rule beyond their current borders. The cultures of Cadwold and Danuch have diverged massively since their seperation and what works for one would not work for the other.