House Gwydion

*Lords and Ladies of the Falcon, I do swear fealty unto thee and to the noble House of Gwydion, from this day until the sun burns no longer. I shall never fail to defend my charges, nor the honor of my brothers and sisters. I shall be gracious in peace and unyielding in battle, and I shall bring the House of Gwydion honor by my deeds. In the name of Lord Gwydion the Gray and Lady Keredwyn, I swear it.*

**Pronounced:** GWID-ee-ohn

**Court:** Seelie

**Nickname:** Falcons, Proud (unflattering)

House Gwydion first came into power shortly after the Sundering, claiming lands and titles abandoned by the sidhe returning to Arcadia. In this period of chaos and fear, the strong guiding hand of Gwydion reassured its subjects, who looked to the honesty and dignity of their new lieges for guidance. House Gwydion ruled wisely and fairly until the Shattering, when they heeded the High King’s orders to retreat from the rising sea of Banality. While many noble houses remained behind in part or in full, House Gwydion returned to Arcadia in near totality, forced to abandon the lands they once protected.

With the Resurgence, Gwydion returned to the mortal world to reclaim their lands and titles, only to find that the subjects they had left behind were unwilling to cede these properties to their lieges. House Gwydion fought at the forefront of the Accordance War, attempting to return the world to some semblance of order again, and it was one of their own, David Ardry ap Gwydion, who took on the mantle of High King and united Concordia, ending the bloodshed. From this time forward, House Gwydion have truly been the most noble of nobles, both great warriors and wise rulers. Known for their openness and honesty, these sidhe view ruling as an obligation, one they are duty bound to carry out fairly for the benefit of their subjects.

Most Falcons are conservative, placing value on ceremony, tradition, and oaths. Now a house of great power and privilege, Gwydion sees its share of infighting. In a house where all are considered fit to rule, determining the most fit to wield power becomes a major conflict. Rivalry within Gwydion only goes so far, however, as even the most contentious of lords band together when the house as a whole is threatened. Few wish to invoke House Gwydion’s legendary anger. Enraged, Gwydion will fight beyond reason and their own physical limitations until their foe is vanquished.

House Gwydion has not adapted to the passing years as easily as some other houses, but individual members have begun adjusting their rule to keep peace within their fiefdoms. Giving commoners a voice in how they are governed hasn’t come easily to the arrogant Gwydion, but those who ask the opinions of their subjects are rewarded with even greater loyalty. Vassals brave enough to speak the truth to their lieges find them surprisingly amenable, willing to implement changes that benefit nobility and commoners alike.

## House Boon

House Gwydion holds itself to a high standard, striving to be open and honest in its reign. They expect no less from those around them. Members of House Gwydion can sense whether someone is speaking the truth or telling a lie with a successful Perception + Kenning roll vs the liar’s Manipulation + Subterfuge. House Eiluned, the House of Secrets, is immune to this power.

## House Flaw

House Gwydion has clung to the Dreaming and the society that used to be more dearly than any other house that returned to Concordia during the Resurgence. A Gwydion’s honor is paramount, and she will not forget a slight, nor will she forgive it. If anyone insults the honor of a Gwydion or her house, the Gwydion must take revenge commensurate with the slight before the next sunrise or suffer a Banality trigger.

## Exile

House Gwydion would never admit to any failing great enough to justify their exile, and thus, insist that they chose to return to the mortal world voluntarily out of obligation to their vassals, rather than by force. Their enemies say otherwise, claiming that Gwydion’s exile was a result of their arrogance and self-righteousness. That a member of this arrogant house could have insulted a king or queen of Arcadia with the power to banish the entire house is certainly not outside the realm of possibility.

## Factions & Societies

* The Iron Paladins are a group of merciless Unseelie knights who remain loyal to House Gwydion.

* The Red Branch is an order of knights known for their bravery and honor.

* The Beltane Blade is a secretive group devoted to redistributing power into the hands of those closer to their subjects, and away from the High King and other powerful nobles.

* The People’s Voice is a small but vocal group, that actively encourages discourse between nobles and commoners, and a shift towards something closer to a constitutional monarchy

## Notable Members

David Ardry of House Gwydion, the High King of Concordia, Duke Allenion of the Duchy of Liberty’s Heart, Duchess Carendlith of the Duchy of Maples, Duke Tymon, Duke Rialdo, deposed ruler of the Commonwealth of Hope’s Boundary, Count Morig of the Duchy of Willows Heart, Duchess Igrania of the Duchy of Magnolia, Duke Araby of the Duchy of Blue Grasses, Count Rual of Jamesriver, Gwyhyr, founder of Winterhold, Queen Morganna of White Sands, Baron Harold diMarcos, castellan of Caer Redwood, Duke Topaz of the Kingdom of the Feathered Snake, and King Bran ap Gwydion of Leinster.