Now I can read and write, Nora’s asked me to make a list of everyone and everything in Glasruhen and Annwn. She thinks I’ve done this all on my own so please don’t tell her that Catherine Cooper’s been helping me. In fact, Catherine’s been helping me write my memoirs, the first three books are finished and you can read all about my adventures in, The Golden Acorn, Glasruhen Gate and Silver Hill.
Of course, the most important bird in the whole of Glasruhen is me, Camelin. I’m the trusted companion of Nora (Eleanor Ewell) and friend of Elan. I’m also the wise and learned teacher of Jack Brenin who, it appears, is The Chosen One we’ve all been waiting for. He wasn’t much good at first but he’s getting better. I am known as: an ace stunt flyer, brilliant Dorysk hunter, food critic, inventor of the raven owl call and operations co-ordinator for the Night Guard (you’ll soon find out about all of those things). I’ve added some comments of my own in brackets.
WHO’S WHO?
Addergoole Peabody – A Bogie, one of the Not So Fair Folk, who works mainly for Jennet. He gathers information for her, especially about the other Water Nymphs. The family name is Addergoole and Pyecroft is his older brother. (Don’t ever tell Peabody anything, he’s a snitch.)
Addergoole Pyecroft – A Bogie, one of the Not So Fair Folk. He works alone and will trade or sell information to anyone. The family name is Addergoole and Peabody is his younger brother. (Pyecroft’s an even bigger snitch than Peabody.)
Agye – One of the two Gargoyles that guard Uriel’s Well. (Read about how I defeated Agye in Glasruhen Gate.)
Allana – Is now a Gnori, she used to be the Hamadryad of Newton Gill Forest when she was known as: Allana, the Beautiful, Guardian of the Grove, Most Kind and Wise.
Arrana – The last Hamadryad left on earth. Her full title is: Arrana, The Wise, Protector and Most Sacred of All. When Arrana transforms from an oak tree into her Hamadryad form she is as tall as the tree. She contains all the magic of Annwn within her branches and protects all the trees in Glasruhen Forest.
Berry – One of the youngest rats in the Night Guard. Berry has smooth fur, which he keeps well groomed. He’s not as big as the older members of the guard and can always be found with Fergus. (I can usually get Berry and Fergus to do odd jobs for me.)
Camelin – The most important raven in the world. (Read all the Jack Brenin books to find out how special I am.)
Catherine Cooper – Chronicler of Jack Brenin’s adventures. (I thought the books should have been called the Adventures of Camelin but I was outvoted.)
Charkle – A dragonette from the Westwood Roost. As a baby he was captured by Spriggans and imprisoned in a cage. His brothers are Norris and Snook. (Charkle’s a bit of a show-off sometimes, especially when he tries to copy my stunt flying and blows fire as he circles.)
Chief Knuckle – Leader of a band of Spriggans living underground close to Ewell House. He is the Chief because he has the biggest and best sniffer of all the Spriggans (that means he’s got a big nose). He’s brilliant at finding veins of gold, silver and precious stones. There are thirteen Spriggans in Chief Knuckle’s band. Their names are Slinger, Swiper, Scratch, Grunt, Grub, Grabber, Whiff, Wheezer, Wrecker, Pinch, Pepper and Punch. It was Slinger, Wheezer and Scratch who tunnelled up into Grandad’s greenhouse and kitchen. Whiff, Pinch and Grub were the ones who captured Orin.
Coragwenelan – The Queen of Annwn.
Coriss – A Water Nymph living in the Mere Pool, not far from Beconbury. She’s an expert on swords and daggers and has a large collection of both. She does not like visitors unless they have a special and unusual gift for her.(I thought Jennet was bad tempered until I met Coriss.)
Cory – A Dryad who knows where the cauldron plates have been hidden for safe keeping on Glasruhen Hill.
Dorysk – A small creature with the ability to shapeshift. In its natural form it looks a bit like a hedgehog and can only change into something of equal or smaller size. There is usually only one Dorysk living in an area. Dorysks are very hard to catch. If you see a small creature wearing a pair of glasses it will be a Dorysk, without them they can hardly see at all. Dorysks like to gather information. (I’m the best Dorysk catcher in the whole of Glasruhen.)
Draygull – A strange looking creature the size of a man with an owl-like, feathered face. One lives in Silver Hill and conducts the Hag choir. Draygulls have a very good sense of smell and can identify and locate creatures by sniffing. A long time ago Draygulls were Dragon Screechers. They would screech strange music that soothed Dragons and hypnotised them into a deep sleep. (Draygulls must be tone deaf if they think Hags can sing.)
Dugmore – One of the Spriggan cooks inside Silver Hill.
Elan – One of the Fair Folk of Annwn, she was trapped on Earth for hundreds of years. Jack sees Elan as she really is when he visits Annwn. She is skilled in magic.
Fergus – One of the youngest rats in the Night Guard. Fergus has tousled fur, which he finds difficult to groom. He’s not as big as the older members of the guard and can always be found with Berry. (I can usually get Fergus and Berry to do odd jobs for me.)
Fernella and Fernilla – Two Dryads who attend the Mother Oak in Annwn.
Finnola Fytche – A Hag living in a cave at the base of Westwood. (If you ever visit a Hag’s cave, take a clothes peg for your nose.)
Gavin – A former Acolyte of Gwillam, now a boatman in Annwn. (Gavin’s great, he bought Saige for me from the fair in Annwn.)
Gerda – A large white goose who guards and keeps watch over the grounds of Ewell House for Nora. Her mate is called Medric.
Gnori of Newton Gill – A Gnori is a dead tree and was once a Hamadryad. The other trees refer to it as a hollow tree because the Hamadryad has died and is no longer inside. The Gnori in Newton Gill Forest was once a Hamadryad called Allana, the Beautiful, Guardian of the Grove, Most Kind and Wise.
Grabble – One of the Spriggan cooks inside Silver Hill.
Grandad – Samuel Brenin, known to everyone as Sam, is Jack’s Grandad. The Brenin family have lived in Brenin House for generations. It’s next door to Ewell House. Grandad loves cricket and he looks after the ground at Glasruhen Cricket Club. He is also a very keen gardener and is the vice chairman of the local gardening club. He has a very large vegetable garden and greenhouse. Grandad’s house is on the back lane just past the playing field and close to the cricket club. (Jack’s Grandad doesn’t know about me so I have to be very quiet when I visit Jack in his bedroom. I think Jack should tell his Grandad that ravens don’t eat birdseed.)
Grol – One of the two Gargoyles that guard Uriel’s Well. (You can read about how I outwitted Grol in Glasruhen Gate.)
Grub – A Spriggan in Chief Knuckle’s band who gets loose and turns into a giant. (Giants snore loudly and eat vast amounts of food.)
Gwillam – Gwillam no longer lives on Earth. He is a Druid and used to be the guardian of the Oak Well, which was in the heart of Glasruhen, close to where Newton Gill is today. Gwillam was killed by the Romans in AD 61 and since then has lived on in Annwn, the Otherworld. Like all ancient Druids, Gwillam has a magical staff and knows a lot of magic. He is also Nora’s twin brother. He is now the leader of The Blessed Council in Annwn. (I miss Gwillam and wish we could go back to the time before the Romans came.)
Hesta – one of the two white ravens belonging to the Queen of Annwn. (She pesters me and giggles too much – I call her Hesta Pester, but don’t tell the Queen.)
Jack Brenin – He’s not much to look at, a bit on the small size with very untidy hair, but he’s The One we’ve all been waiting for. He had to help me rescue Nora’s lost cauldron plates but to do that he had to become a Raven Boy, like me, and I had to teach him to fly. He is very polite, always keeps his promises and tries his best. He likes football and cricket and he was born on October 31st, which is the day we celebrate Samhain. He lives at Brenin House, with his Grandad now, before that he lived in Greece with his mum and dad. Sadly Jack’s mum died and his dad is still in Greece, working as an archaeologist. Jack has a special wand, given to him by Arrana, the oldest Hamadryad in Glasruhen Forest. He also has a golden acorn, made for him by the master craftsman of Annwn, Lloyd the Goldsmith. (He’s my best friend and it’s great when we go flying together.)
Jed – One of the guards of the Western Portal in Annwn.
Jennet – A Water Nymph living in the spring by The Hawthorn Well on Glasruhen Hill. She doesn’t like being disturbed and can be very bad tempered at times (Actually, she’s bad tempered all the time.)
Lloyd the Goldsmith – All the Druid’s Golden Acorns were made in Annwn by Lloyd, the master craftsman and goldsmith.
Medric – Nora’s watch-goose and Gerda’s mate.
Mortarn – Gatekeeper of the Caves of Eternal Rest and Guardian of the Crystal Key.
Motley – Leader of the Night Guard. (Of course Motley reports directly to me because I’m the only one who can do the warning call of the raven owl.)
Myryl – A Water Nymph living in the spring by The Mound, not far from Beconbury. She’s an expert on cauldrons and has a large collection. She loves visitors and can talk for hours. (Be prepared for a long visit if you go to see her, Myryl talks more than Timmery.)
Nora – Nora’s full name is Eleanor Ewell. She’s a Druid who was trapped on Earth after some of her cauldron plates were lost. Her full title is: The Seanchai, Keeper of Secrets and Ancient Rituals, Guardian of the Sacred Grove, Healer, Shape-Shifter and Wise Woman. Nora is skilled in magic, knows all about herbs and healing, is very wise and can shape-shift into lots of different forms. Nora has her own library, it’s full of books she’s written and bound herself. Her favourite place is her herborium where she makes all her potions and preparations. (I live with Nora at Ewell House, which is at the bottom of Glasruhen Hill. She’s nice, but she doesn’t always appreciate what it’s like to be a raven.)
Norris – A dragonette from the Westwood Roost. He was captured by the Spriggans of Silver Hill and imprisoned in a cage. His brothers are Charkle and Snook.
Orin – Motley’s sister. She is pure white and would be a great prize if caught by a Spriggan. She is not allowed to be a member of the Night Guard because it would be too dangerous for her.
Raggs – A member of the Night Guard. He used to be a ship’s rat but when he got too old for a life at sea he made his way to Glasruhen and joined the Night Guard. He has long whiskers, grey fur and a very twitchy nose. (Raggs tells really great stories; he’s been around the world several times and has seen some amazing things.)
Saige – An Oracular Frog from Annwn. Saige is able to accurately predict the answers to mathematical questions. (Saige is my frog but I’m not allowed to keep her in my loft. Nora gave her my secret cave to live in.)
Sam Brenin – See Grandad.
Snook – A dragonette from the Westwood Roost. He was captured by the Spriggans of Silver Hill and imprisoned in a cage. His brothers are Charkle and Norris.
Sylvana – The Mother Oak in Annwn. Her full title is: Sylvana, Mother of all Hamadryads, Guardian of the Oaks and Bearer of the Sacred Mistletoe.
Teg – One of the guards of the Western Portal in Annwn.
Timmery – A very small pipistrelle bat who loves to talk, is full of enthusiasm and enjoys visitors. He roosts in the belfry of All Hallows Church next to Glasruhen Cricket Ground. He’s very brave and has a really good sense of direction. (I like Timmery best when he’s asleep in his belfry, as far away from me as possible.)
Uriel – A Water Nymph living in a well on the south side of Glasruhen Hill. She does not welcome visitors and is feared by everyone. Her well is difficult to find and is guarded by two Gargoyles. (The Gargoyles were no match for me.)
Velindur – The self-appointed King of Annwn, Velindur has no magical powers. He seeks revenge on all Druids because The Blessed Council banished him from Annwn. (He doesn’t like ravens either.)
Winver – One of the two white ravens belonging to the Queen of Annwn. (Just as giggly as Hester but not as much of a pest.)
WHAT’S WHAT?
Acolyte – The training for an acolyte is long and hard. You have to learn and be able to recite the histories, sing the songs and tell stories. You have to know all about plants, potions and spells, and eventually learn how to read and write. Acolytes were allowed a lath (a twig with magical properties which can be used as a wand) when they’d reached a certain point in their training and were then taught how to use it. Gwillam always had several acolytes, all at different stages in their training. (Gavin was one of his acolytes; he was always kind to me.)
Bogies – Small, bad tempered little men who snoop and then trade the information they’ve acquired. They are particularly proud of their noses. The longer a Bogie’s nose the more important he is. They are slightly bigger than Spriggans and usually live alone. Addergoole Peabody and Addergoole Pyecroft are brothers. They always like to have a feather in their cap and don’t think twice about pulling one out of a bird’s tail. Don’t ever tell a Bogie anything. (Peabody’s tried to pull out one of my tail feathers more than once.)
Book of Shadows – This is a magical book, a bit like an encyclopaedia. There is a special way to access the book, known only to its owner. Should anyone else open the book its pages will look blank. The first page can be used to write messages to anyone else who also has a Book of Shadows. (I’ve got my own Book of Shadows now.)
Book of Sorrows – A book kept by Mortarn, the gatekeeper for the Caves of Eternal Rest. Before Druids can enter the caves they have to empty their sorrows into this book, only then will they be able to find rest and sleep peacefully.
Book of Dragon Lore – A book, compiled and handmade by Nora, that contains all the known information about dragons. It was bound with dragon skin. (Jack’s read the whole book and told me all about it.)
Cauldron of Life – One of the Four Treasures of Annwn, this is a cauldron made from thirteen bronze plates that can be laced together. Each plate has a different tree symbol on it. The cauldron was too precious to be kept in one piece so all the separate parts were kept in the sacred groves or wells and guarded by Druids or Water Nymphs. When the cauldron was needed for the ritual opening of the Western Gate, the plates would be collected and Nora would lace them together. Once the cauldron was re-made the portal into Annwn could be opened. The thirteen trees on the cauldron plates are beech, pine, holly, hazel, apple, elm, rowan, ash, birch, yew, hawthorn, oak and willow. (It was my fault the hawthorn, oak and willow plates went missing.)
Cauldron Plates – Three of the plates (those bearing the hawthorn, oak and willow tree emblems) were lost in the past, which is why Nora was trapped on earth. Without these three plates Nora was unable to remake the cauldron which was needed to open the Western Portal. An ancient Prophecy foretold the coming of one who would find the missing cauldron plates and save everyone.
Crochan Tree – The leaves from this tree are extraordinary. An elixir can be made by brewing the leaves, when this is drunk by the Druids it makes them immortal.
Crystal Key – This is a huge diamond shaped crystal and is the key which opens the Caves of Eternal Rest. The caves are sealed with an ice sheet. When the key is in position the gatekeeper can turn it three times to melt the ice sheet and unseal the entrance. Mortarn is the keeper of the crystal key and gatekeeper to the caves.
Crystal Magic – The most powerful kind of magic. It can’t be controlled by anyone and has a life of its own.
Donar – The coinage introduced into Annwn by Velindur.
Doors – There are many kinds of doorways. Some lead into hillsides, some into Fairy Mounds and some into the Otherworld. Bogie doors are never well looked after and usually have a sign on them telling the caller to GO AWAY. Fairy doors are always well kept and usually have shiny doorknobs that can speak to the caller. A dwindling door is a special kind of magical Druid’s door. Portals are the doors between Earth and Annwn.
Dragons – Long ago there were many dragons but now only a few survive. The bigger the dragon, the longer its name. There were three types of dragon: dragonairs, dragonors and dragonettes.
Dragonairs – Very large with red scales and usually bad tempered. Dragonairs can fly and both males and females can breathe fire. Famous dragonairs include Brynog Long Tail the Invincible, Zacyry Jagged Tooth the Mighty, Ember Silver Horn the Magnificent, Wygrym Sharp Claw the Fearless and Petryn Long Beard the Brave.
Dragonors – These dragons usually had blue scales and were medium sized. They didn’t breathe fire but had the sharpest teeth. They were always getting into fights, especially with knights and they are now extinct. The names of the dragonors have been lost and only the slayers’ names are remembered, for example, Sir Berwick the Dragon Slayer.
Dragonettes – Very small dragons with shiny green scales and tiny purple wings. Only the males breathe fire. They were highly prized by Spriggans who would capture them when they could. Charkle was captured by Spriggans and imprisoned in a cage. The Spriggans would pull his tail if their candles went out so he’d breathe fire and light the wicks again.
Dragon Screecher – The profession of a Draygull who could screech a song that would hypnotise any dragon into a deep sleep.
Dragon Skin – A dragon sheds its skin every hundred years. The skins are highly prized because they are very strong and fireproof. The Book of Dragon Lore was bound with the skin shed by Wygrym Sharp Claw the Fearless.
Druids – Were trained to recite stories, poems and sing songs; they learnt the whole history of the Earth and Annwn this way. They needed to know about herbs and remedies and how to heal people. Anyone chosen to be a Druid would train from an early age, for up to thirty years and while training was known as an acolyte. Once a Druid’s training was complete they could choose how to use their skills, some would become bards, others healers and some teachers. (I used to be Gwillam’s acolyte but I wasn’t able to finish my training.) Druids each have a ceremonial hooded robe, a staff, which would once have been a branch from a sacred tree, and a golden acorn. The staff and acorn give them the ability to perform magic. They can live forever if they drink an elixir, a kind of tea, brewed from the leaves of the crochan tree which can only be found in Annwn in the Druid’s Village.
Dryads – A special type of Nymph. Dryads inhabit trees. They can move around from tree to tree and tend all the trees in a forest or wood. If their tree should die they can find another to live in. A special kind of Dryad is called a Hamadryad.
Dwindling Door – Any door that is used by a Druid can be turned, with a little bit of magic, into a dwindling door. If any if the Fair Folk or Not So Fair Folk go through the door uninvited it gets smaller. The Druid can then tell if anyone has been where they shouldn’t. However, if a human goes through a dwindling door it will disappear altogether and trap the human inside the room, where they must await their fate.
Fair Folk – These are the little people of this world, including fairy folk, Nymphs, Brownies, Dorysks, and the larger people of Annwn. Some can fly, some have magic, some can shape shift and all are immortal. They can sometimes be mischievous but they don’t mean any harm. Unless you have special sight you’d find it hard to see any of the small fair folk that inhabit the earth.
Fairy Mound – Any mound found on ground between an oak, ash and thorn tree will be a fairy mound. Sometimes fairies live there all the time; other mounds are just used for feasts and celebrations. All fairy doors have a shiny doorknob. When anyone knocks on the door the doorknob transforms into a face and can speak with the visitor.
Four Portals of Annwn – These are the four ancient and secret Gateways of Annwn. They are the boundaries between Annwn and Earth.
Four Treasures of Annwn – These are the Cauldron of Life, the Spear of Justice, the Sword of Power and the Stone of Destiny. Each one opens one of the Four Portals.
Gargoyles – A creature of stone with a grotesque face. It has a wide gaping mouth and a forked tongue. Never look a female gargoyle in the eye or she will terrify and transfix you. This is how gargoyles catch their prey. (They didn’t get us!)
Gateways of Annwn - These are the four ancient and secret doorways or portals into Annwn. They are the boundaries between Annwn and Earth.
Golden Acorn – All the Druid’s golden acorns were made in Annwn by the master craftsman, Lloyd the Goldsmith. A Druid needs their golden acorn and wand to be able to perform rituals and magic. (Jack’s got his own golden acorn.)
Gnarles – Are dying trees, no longer under the protection of a Hamadryad. They still have some life in them but the Dryads, who once tended and looked after them have left the forest and the Gnarles are left to slowly turn into dead wood. (They don’t seem to appreciate my singing.)
Hags – Small disgusting smelly creatures about the same size as a raven. They live in caves and aren’t very hygienic. They have large hooked beaky noses, and long claw-like fingers. Their blackish purple hair reaches the floor. Hags meet up at various times of the year and like to sing. (Not that you’d recognise it as singing.)
Hamadryads – Are the Dryads of any oak tree. Unlike other dryads, if the oak tree dies, the Hamadryad also dies. They are part of the tree and are unable, like other Dryads, to move from tree to tree. All Hamadryads began life as an acorn from the Mother Oak in Annwn. They grow and develop rapidly and once fully grown, they give their protection to all the trees and Dryads living in their forest.
Herborium – This is a special room at Ewell House where Nora keeps all the ingredients for her potions. It’s also where she keeps her herbarium, a collection of dried herbs and pressed flowers that have been studied, labelled and written about in one of her many books. Nora also has books about plants, spells and potions in the herborium. (I’m not always allowed in the herborium but Jack is.)
Hudlath – A magic wand transformed from a lath. Once the wand has been empowered it will appear smooth. You have to be very careful how you use a magic wand. Sparks can erupt from the end. (Jack singed my tail feathers the first time he used his wand but I got my own back when I used mine for the first time.)
King of Annwn – The rightful king of Annwn is buried deep with The Mound; he chose mortality instead of eternal life. Velindur is the self-appointed King in Annwn.
King of the Forest – Jack Brenin is to be crowned King of the Forest when the new Hamadryads are grown as foretold in the last two lines of the Prophecy:
When all is equal, all is done,
And joy is brought to everyone,
The Brenin will be crowned again,
Over the Forests he will reign.
Lath – A wand. A lath is a twig with magical properties that can be transformed into a hudlath. To empower the lath it has to be taken to one of the sacred wells where the keeper of the well, a special kind of Water Nymph called an Undine chooses your magical symbol. Once you have touched the symbol with your right hand it glows and becomes very hot, the symbol then appears on your fingertip. When you take your wand in your left hand it appears as a twig. But after you’ve been given your symbol, if you put it in your right hand the wand will transform into a hudlath (a magic wand).
Mother Oak – This is the oak tree on which Hamadryad acorns grow. The Mother Oak will shake her branches and grant the Druid some of her acorns. She is called: Sylvana, Mother of all Hamadryads, Guardian of the Oaks and Bearer of the Sacred Mistletoe. The Druids in Annwn, and two Dryads, called Fernella and Fernilla, care for the Mother Oak.
Night Guard – A band of eight rats, led by Motley, who keep watch over Glasruhen and report to Nora. The rats in the guard are: Motley, Podge, Midge, Lester, Morris, Raggs, Fergus and Berry.
Not So Fair Folk – These are usually the little people of this world and some of the larger people of Annwn. They are unable to fly, they don’t have magical powers and they can’t shape shift. They may be vindictive and don’t mind causing harm. Unless you have special sight you’d find it hard to see any of the not so fair folk.
Nymphs – There are lots of different kinds of Nymphs. Some inhabit the trees and are called Dryads or Hamadryads. Others inhabit the hills and meadows. Undines are a type of Water Nymph and the Nymphs of the air are called Sylphs. They have the ability to fly and shape-shift.
Oak Well – This was the well tended by Gwillam in the centre of the Sacred Grove. The oak cauldron plate used to hang on the branches of the oak tree next to the well. (This was my home before the Romans came.)
Oracular Frogs – Only found in Annwn. The males predict the weather but female oracular frogs have other prophetic abilities. (Gavin bought one as a present for me.)
Otherworld – Another name for Annwn.
Prophecy – this is the prophecy, which Jack Brenin is destined to fulfil:
A Brenin boy you’ll need to find
Born at Samhain of humankind.
The One you seek is brave and strong
And his true heart will do no wrong.
The Golden Acorn he will see
And listen to the Dryad’s plea.
Underneath Pengridion Hill
He’ll make a promise he’ll fulfil.
When all is equal, all the same
That which was lost is found again.
Queen of Annwn – Her name is Coragwenelan and her full title is: Queen of the Fair Folk, Guardian of the Gateways of Annwn. She is also an immortal Nymph and Shape-Shifter.
Raven Boy – I’m a raven boy and have been for most of my life. Nora and I helped Jack to become a raven boy too. When we touch foreheads he transforms into a raven. Jack needs to touch foreheads with me again to change back into a boy. (Being a raven boy has its advantages: you can fly and eat as much as you can get.)
Romans – In AD 61 the Romans were ordered to kill all the Druids in Britain. The Romans at the Viroconium camp were the XIV Legion. Quintus Flavius Maximus was the Camp Prefect, in charge of the camp when the main body of the XIV Legion were away. Titus Antonius Agrippa was a Centurion in charge of a marching party of eight soldiers. Marcus Cornelius Drusus was a soldier. Gaius Rufus Octavian was the messenger who brought the news from the XIV Legion to Viroconium. (I don’t like Romans.)
Runes of Annwn – The ancient writing of the Fair Folk of Annwn.
Sacred Grove – A forest of oak trees, which used to cover the whole area around Glasruhen, Newton Gill and beyond.
Samhain – One of the four main festivals, celebrated on October 31st, which was the beginning of the Celtic New Year. (It’s also Jack’s birthday.)
Seanchai (pronounced shawn ack ee) – A Druid who remembers and keeps important information safe. (Nora knows just about all there is to know.)
Shape-Shifter – Someone or something that can change its shape at will. It is different to transformation, which needs a spell or potion. (Nora and Elan can shape-shift and so can the Dorysk. Jack can only transform.)
Spear of Justice – One of the Four Treasures of Annwn, it is needed for the ritual to open the northern gateway. It was used to determine if someone was speaking the truth.
Spriggans – These tiny men (about 60cm tall) live underground. They are miners and think that everything that comes from the Earth belongs to them. They must always be roped together because a loose Spriggan can grow into a giant.
Staffs – Druids in Annwn carry staffs of power. They use them to perform magic.
Stone of Destiny – One of the Four Treasures of Annwn, it is needed for the ritual to open the eastern gateway. Some say that if you look into the stone you will see your future.
Sword of Power – One of the Four Treasures of Annwn, it is needed for the ritual to open the southern gateway. The sword would protect anyone using it for good from harm.
The Blessed Council – Those who were left live together in the Druid’s Village. Thirteen of these Druids, who make up the Blessed Council, were chosen to work alongside the Queen of Annwn. Gwillam was unanimously voted their leader. They meet together in the Council Chamber, which is on the ground floor of one of the circular turret rooms in the Glass Palace. Each member of the Blessed Council has his own seat at a semi-circular table. The thirteen members of the Blessed Council are: Gwillam, Nesta, Berwin, Elgan, Geraint, Nerys, Tirion, Gunnoda, Tegwen, Brid, Maddock, Gwenda and Kireg.
The One – Jack Brenin is the chosen one who is expected to help the inhabitants of Glasruhen. He’s not sure why he’s been chosen, how he can help or if he really wants to. (There is a Prophecy about Jack and how he will save everyone.)
Undines – A type of Water Nymph that likes to live in ponds, lakes, waterfalls, springs and wells. Several Undines live in the Glasruhen region. Their names are Jennet, Isen, Nymet, Myryl, Kerrin, Coriss, Uriel and Lucie. (Make sure you take a gift with you if you need help or information or they won’t even talk to you.)
Uriel’s Well – A well inhabited by a Water Nymph called Uriel in a desolate place on the south side of Glasruhen Hill. (This place makes all my feathers stand on end.)
Wands – The greatest wands are the ones from the Hamadryad oak and contain a special magic from Annwn. A wand is gifted to a new Druid by a Dryad or Hamadryad. Acolytes need a lot of training to be able to master their wands. (Jack got me my wand but I keep getting it confiscated, apparently I’m not using it responsibly.)
Water Nymphs – There are different kinds of water nymphs. All of them are great collectors. They love shiny objects and will trade information or grant a favour to obtain a special gift. Never give a water nymph a reflective surface or they might see themselves in it. They would be very angry if they saw their reflection, they consider themselves very beautiful, which they aren’t. They are incredibly strong. (An angry water nymph is something to be avoided.)
Westwood Roost – Was once home to a family of dragonettes. It used to be at the back of the cave where Finnola Fytche now lives. (It’s the worst place I’ve ever been, a total mess and smells revolting.)
WHERE IS IT?
The Map of Glasruhen – (pronounced glass-rue-hen
meaning ancient green hill) From The Golden Acorn
– The Adventures of Jack Brenin Book One.
Back Lane – This is a short cut from Forest Road to the market town of Newton Gill. It’s a footpath and not a road. Brenin House, and the back gate of Ewell House, can be reached by going past the playing field.
Brenin House – The house where Grandad and Jack live. It’s been in the Brenin family for generations.
Ewell House – Where I live with Nora. I have my own loft above the attic with my own window. Elan and Jack have their own rooms here too for when they stay. The house is very big and surrounded by trees and bushes. There are lots of statues in the garden and it’s got a lake which is where Gerda and Medric live. Nora has herb, flower and kitchen gardens. There’s a secret entrance at the bottom of Nora’s garden which leads up to Glasruhen Hill or along to the bottom of Sam Brenin’s garden.
Forest Road – If you follow Forest Road it joins Salchester Road. Salchester is the modern name for Viroconium, which used to be the fourth largest Roman city in Britain.
Glasruhen – A small hamlet in the shadow of Glasruhen Hill. The two main houses in the hamlet are Ewell House, where Nora lives, and the Brenin House, where Jack lives with his Grandad.
Glasruhen Cricket Club – This is where Sam Brenin used to play cricket and now looks after the grounds and pitch.
Glasruhen Forest – An ancient forest mainly of oak trees, in the middle of which lives Arrana, the last Hamadryad left on Earth.
Glasruhen Hill – A large hill that looms above the hamlet of Glasruhen. The ancient Celtic Cornovii tribe constructed a settlement and hillfort on top of the hill.
Hawthorn Well – Can be found above Ewell House on the slopes of Glasruhen Hill. Jennet, a Water Nymph lives in the well. The hawthorn cauldron plate once hung on the hawthorn tree next to the well.
Hillfort – At the top of Glasruhen Hill there was once a fortified hillfort. It was built by the Cornovii tribe. The window in time can be found at the exact midpoint above the hillfort.
Newton Gill – A small market town at the foot of Glasruhen Hill.
Newton Gill Forest – Once a great forest of oak trees but now most of the trees have become Gnarles. The Dryads no longer live in the trees and the whole forest is slowly dying.
Playing Field – If you turn off Forest Road and walk along the back lane you come to the playing field.
Raven’s Bowl – Located on an outcrop of rock at the summit of Glasruhen Hill is the Raven’s Bowl. There are lots of legends about the place but this is where Nora performed the ritual to make Jack Brenin a raven boy, just like me.
Salchester – The modern name for Viroconium, which used to be the fourth largest Roman City in Britain. A few ruined remains of the once great city can still be seen in the fields around Salchester.
Standing Stones – These stones form a circle. The tallest stone in the middle has a hole near the top, big enough to put your arm through. They are hidden by deep magic and you can only enter the area with permission from Arrana.
Viroconium – A small fort in AD 61 which went on to become the fourth largest Roman City in Britain. It was the Latin name for what is now the small hamlet of Salchester. A few ruined remains of the once great city can still be seen in the fields around Salchester.
The Map of Annwn – (pronounced an-noon also
known as the Otherworld). From Glasruhen Gate –
The Adventures of Jack Brenin Book Two
Amphitheatre – A semi-circular stage at the foot of three hills near the Eastern Portal of Annwn. Seating has been cut into the hillside and the inhabitants of Annwn meet there to celebrate together.
Annwn – A land in another world, sometimes called the Otherworld. It’s a place of peace and happiness, where it’s always summer. There used to be portals on Earth, secret gateways, which could only be opened in certain ways at special times of the year. Only Druids had the knowledge and skill needed to perform the rituals that opened the gates. Mortals were only allowed into Annwn at Samhain.
Caves of Eternal Rest – When the Romans invaded Britain, they had orders to kill all the Druids, some managed to enter Annwn through one of the gateways, but most were slain. Those that died were transported to Annwn where they had eternal life and could choose to live amongst the peoples of Annwn or go to a special place in the mountains, the Caves of Eternal Rest, and sleep in peace for eternity. Most of them chose to go into the caves.
Citadel – The fortress that surrounds and protects the Glass Palace was built after a band of men from Earth invaded Annwn and tried to steal its Treasures.
Clearing – A wide, open space to the east of the Glass Palace where the people gather together. The Monolith stands in the middle of the clearing.
Crannog – A village built on stilts in the middle of wetlands in the south of Annwn.
Druid’s Village – Can be reached by travelling northeast from the Glass Palace. Gwillam lives here along with all the other members of the Blessed Council. The village is close to the Mother Oak and the Mountains of Annwn. The crochan tree grows in Gwillam’s garden.
Eastern Gate – Marks the eastern boundary between Annwn and Earth. The treasure needed to open this gate is the Stone of Destiny. Two sentinel oaks guard this portal.
Glass Palace – The four glass turrets of the palace can be seen for miles around. It is situated in the middle of a lake in the very heart of Annwn. The Queen’s garden is close to the water gate. The Glass Palace can only be reached by boat, unless you can fly.
Monolith – A large standing stone, found in the middle of The Clearing, to the east of the Glass Palace, where the people of Annwn meet.
Mound – A burial chamber in the southwest above the swamp. It’s the resting place of the former King of Annwn who chose mortality over eternal life.
Mountains of Annwn – Can be found in the northeast. The entrance to the Caves of Eternal Rest is high in these mountains.
Northern Gate – Marks the northern boundary between Annwn and Earth. The treasure needed to open this gate is the Spear of Justice. Two sentinel oaks guard this portal.
Southern Gate – Marks the southern boundary between Annwn and Earth. The treasure needed to open this gate is the Sword of Power. Two sentinel oaks guard this portal.
Western Gate – Marks the western boundary between Annwn and Earth. The treasure needed to open this gate is the Cauldron of Life. Two sentinel oaks guard this portal.
The Map of Beconbury. From Glasruhen Gate–
The Adventures of Jack Brenin Book Two
The Gelston River – This is the longest river in the county.
The Mere Pool – The home of Coriss, the Water Nymph.
The Mound – Myryl lives in one of the springs near the Mound.
The Map of Silver Hill and the Crags of Stonytop
Ridge. From Silver Hill – The Adventures of Jack
Brenin Book Three.
River Stype – Named after Stype Tor. It flows around Westwood and past Winberry Hill and Silver Hill.
Silver Hill – A large hill, Winberry Hill is its twin peak.
Stonytop Ridge – A long ridge of strange jagged rock formations. There’s Shepherd’s Rock, Scattered Rocks, The Devil’s Chair, Manstone Rock, Cranberry Rock, Hagstone and Stype Tor. Some say the stones come to life on stormy nights and become Hags. There’s an old rhyme about Stonytop Ridge:
When lightning flashes in a thunderstorm,
On Stonytop Ridge a Hag is born.
Stype Tor – The River Stype takes its name from the last rocky outcrop on Stonytop Ridge.
The Devil’s Chair – There’s an old rhyme about the Devil’s Chair too:
Sit upon the Devil’s Chair,
Sit upon it if you dare,
But if you do you must beware,
For you might vanish into thin air.
Westwood – An ancient woodland at the bottom of which used to be the Westwood Roost, a cave now inhabited by the Hag, Finnola Fytche.
Winberry Hill – A large hill, Silver Hill is its twin peak.
