(Book 6 pp12-13, DWR p154)

This nation exists on the island of Ellesland*, lying on the west coast bordered by Ereworn* to the north, Thuland* to the north-east, and Albion* to the east & south.

History

The proud and battle-hardy warriors of Cornumbria sit in their cold hill forts over the dark months, passing time with sword-feats, games of chess, drinking and scheming. They emerge in spring to raid and war with their neighbours, or, in times of peace, with the enemies of their neighbours in return for gold and livestock. The ferocity of their battle cries is legendary.

Cornumbria was first mentioned in Book 1 (Bretwald* was a friar in Cornumbria, where he learned Lughwyd*, the old script of Ellesland*), but Book 6 first details the people and the place. Its people comprise the original inhabitants of Ellesland* before various conquests, and as such retained some of its pagan traditions and religion until the arrival of the True Faith* which then took hold in the nation.

Dave Morris' adventure Wayland’s Smithy* actually takes place - in part - in the country. From this we learn that those encountering a Cornumbrian will quickly be struck by the lilting, musical quality of his speech. We are also told that Cornumbria is known for the strong blue ore known as Cornumbrian Steel, or Fairy Steel.

Capital

No capital is named in the gamebooks, though the appearance on maps of Criggen Varras* on the west coast is suggestive that city is the largest and possibly, by inference, the capital.

Government

Cornumbria has a High King*, elected by and subject to the vote of the chieftains of the various lands comprising Cornumbria.

Religion

Paradoxically, despite their fierce and war-like reputation, the Monastic Church* is a very real and respected authority in Cornumbria, and churchmen are treated with great deference. The broadly-practiced religion is the True Faith*, though a form more isolated from the rest of the adherents to that Faith* - somewhat more monastic and independent, having no centre of authority within even Cornumbria itself. Adherence therefore depends on the missionary efforts and theology of the nearest abbey to a given settlement.

Linked below are some of the significant cities and places in Cornumbria:

Geographical Features (not including Places of Interest)

East

Shriven Hills*
Coronach Marsh*
Once past Coronach Marsh* the road winds over high hills and past cold, still lakes. Travellers will find themselves in the lands of King Manach*.

Nestled amid the Coronach marshes is the Old Kingdom of Esgalen, known since its invasion as Eastmarch. This tiny fief was annexed by Hadric's father forty years ago and now labours under the oppressive rule of the Marcher Lord, Sir Alek Brandwyn. Eastmarch town is detailed in issues 2 and 3 of Ordo Draconis.

North

Pen yr Helgi-Du: (Mountain of the Black Dog) this forbidding crag is reputedly haunted by a great black ***** who guards whatever ancient remains lie within Carnedd y Filiast.( Cairn of the She-Dog). Those who spill kinsmans blood on the mountain are killed leading some to conjecture that the mound contains the remains of an ancient ancestral chieftain.

Ordo Draconis issue 2 presents a non-canon view of Northern Cornumbria. Detailed in this issue are the border regions of Mordalech
and Tarlech, separated by the Morda Fells. These two warring petty-kingdoms are the subject of the adventure, For Whom the Bell
Tolls.

West

Hadran Sea*

South

Darbon Barony
River Tawny

Cities, Towns and Villages

East

The fortress of Eastmarch guards the approach across Dobby's Walk. Though formally now a part of Albion, Eastmarch was once the ancient petty-kingdom of Esgalen.

Northeast

TBA

North

Trefriw: Located on the side of Pen yr Helgi-Du this sleepy sheep herding township recently lost almost all of it's menfolk when Cadfan and Aneirin the estranged sons of the chieftain decided to cross swords over the grazing rights on the mountainside.

Lodd: This tiny fortified village (Cawd) is a stannary post and guards the Lodd gorge. Lord Malachi is old and bitter but tries his best to keep the belligerent miners in check. Lodd is further detailed in Ordo Draconis issue 2.

The Abbey of St Columba: perched high on the Morda Fell is this ancient monastery, caught in the feuds between the Tarlech and Mordalech.

Turso is the town and seat of Lord Tarlech. He broods from his stronghold after the poisoning of his wife and plots against his rival, the Lord of Mordalech.

Dun Mord is the fortified seat of the Lord of Mordalech. His son, Aedon is held hostage in the house of Tarlech as a safeguard for the terms of a recent treaty, brokered by the Ard-Righ (High-King).

Northwest

Criggen Varras* (city, possibly capital)

West

TBA

Southwest

TBA

South

Balstaple (city, see Darbon Barony)

Southeast

TBA

Places of Interest

East

Close to the boarder lie the lands of King Manach*, whose hospitality is genuinue, if unsophisticated. He has a son, Dionet*, and a very pretty daughter, Taileh*. Over the moors from the king’s hall lies The Giant’s Quarry*, a great ringed earthwork. The Quarry*, Manach’s* hall, and the reception characters may find in both places, are detailed in the adventure Wayland’s Smithy*.

North

TBA

West

TBA

South

TBA

Approximation

Cornumbria could be assumed to be either approximated to partly Wales and Ireland, or perhaps also including elements of Scotland, or wholly Ireland. Peter MacDonnell, on DragWars, posited:

Cornumbria is a mountainous land, both Wales and Scotland are but Ireland isn't. Cornumbria has a clan setup which all three have. Cornumbria has an offshoot religion, which all three had but Ireland's was the strongest. It also has the book of Dathnon this is an Irish thing, the book of Kells. Very gifted monks this is Scots and Irish. I think that Cornumbria is a mix of all three.

In addition to Wales and Ireland, the etymology of the word Cornumbria - when combined with the country's Celtic outlook - also supports the notion that Cornumbria includes non-Anglo-Saxon aspects of historic Cornwall.

In Ordo Draconis issue 2, Cornumbria is described as divided into two culturally distinct regions. The north is portrayed as Welsh in character whilst the south is equated with medieval Ireland. Where Cornumbria grades into Albion, in the south, its character becomes that of medieval Cornwall and Devon.