Caernarfonshire (Caer nar von shi ur) - Caernarfonshire is a large province in the northern part of the dragonlands.
Towns
1) Bangor - This city is built around the ancient Bangor Cathedral built by saint Deiniol nearly 10,000 years ago. The Cathedral sits at the peak of Bangor Mountain. The name 'Bangor' itself is a Draconic word for the type of fenced-in enclosure that surrounds the cathedral. It is one of the oldest standing cathedrals in the Dragonlands and is the site of yearly local pilgrimiges to honor the long dead Saint. Bangor lies on the coast near the Strait which separates the island of Anglesey from Caernarfonshire.
2) Beddgelert - Beddgelert is a village in the Snowdonia area of Carnarfonshire. It is named after the legendary hound Gelert who is buried outside the town. Beddgelert has a large bridge crossing the River Colwyn just upstream of its merging with the River Glaslyn. It is also has the nearby Glaslyn gorge, an area of tumultuous river running between steep wooded hills. Beddgelert has a range of inns, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Mt. Moel Hebog directly overlooks the village. The primary industry in the village is the mine. The village has a school called the Nanmor University that trains stroytellers and musicians of all types and is reputed to be the best in the Kingdoms. The village is home to various poets, musicians, stoprytellers, and other artists.
3) Caernarfon - Caernarfon is a large walled city located on the Seiont river with a legenday view across the Menai Strait towards the southern part of Anglesey. It is the capital city of the county of Caernarfonshire located in the northwest part of the Dragonlands. The town is best known for its great stone castle, built to house several holy relics that were sealed away for safe keeping thousands of years ago. Caernarfon is an important port, including onbe of it's chief exports, slate.
4) Conwy - Conwy is a walled castle town on the northern coast of the Dragonlands. The town faces the city of Deganwy across the River Conwy and is connected by a large suspension bridge.
5) Cricieth - Cricieth is a town and community on Cardigan Bay south of Caernarfon. The town is south facing and built around the rocky outcrop containing Criccieth Castle. The town grew up around the ruins of Criccieth Castle, which has a spectacular view of the town and the surrounding countryside. Llywelyn built the Castle during the Dirgon Siege and it was lost to their attacks and has never been rebuilt. The town is noted for its large fairs, held on annual fairs on 25 April and 18 October, the evangelical feasts of Saint Mark and Saint Luke, when large numbers of people visit the fairground and the market which spreads through many of the streets of the town. Weekly markets are held on Thursdays. The city also holds a large parish church, Saint Catherines.
6) Deganwy - Deganwy is a small mostly human farming village located east of Conwy on the opposite side of the River Conwy. Deganwy has ancient parish church dedicated to All Saints.
7) Llanberis - Llanberis is a tranquil and quiet village on the southern banks of Llyn Padarn. It takes its name from Saint Peris. The village originally grew around the extensive mines outside of town but they were closed due to strange and unexplained attacks on the miners. The ruins of Dolbadarn Castle stand above the town, Llanberis has several fine shops selling climbing gear, arts, crafting of many types and qualitites, gifts, exotic foods, and a winery making the popular Llanberis Wines. There is a magnificent waterfall in the center of town that was reputed to have been magically created.
8) Nefyn - Nefyn is a small fishing village on the north west coast of the Llyn Peninsula. Nefyn is known for its sandy beaches, fishing and shipbuilding, and it's small but busy port.
9) Bardsey island - This small island is rumored to be filled with dangers that are best to be avoided by all but the bravest of adventurers.
Landmarks
1) Dragon's Tail - This long road is one of the few relatively safe methods of travel. It runs from all across the Dragonlands. The roads in this province comes in from Abergele (in Denbightshire) to Deganwy and Conwy, from there to Bangor, then to Caernarfon, then to St. Cybi's Well. From there it forks with one road going to Ciriccith and the other to Nefyn. It is partolled by soldiers and there are watchtowers set up every few miles that can have gems that be used to signal for help via teleport in times of need.
2) Mynydd Ddraig - This mysterious mountain known as the dragon mountain is the talles mountain in the Dragonlands. It disappears and reappears at different locations throughout the province. No one is quite sure of its purpose but it seems to appear in times of great struggle and strife. It is not always corporeal however and is usually not present. It is said that it can only be climbed by those that have been touched by the divine.
3) Aber Falls - This sacred waterfall is located southwest of Conwy and is formed as the Afon Goch plunges about 120 feet over igneous rock. Two tributaries merge and the enlarged stream is known as Afon Rhaeadr Fawr.
4) Llyn Cwellyn - Llyn Cwellyn is a huge lake over 200 acres and over 120 ft deep. This lake is particularly dangerous when out on a small boat as fast winds come down off the nearby Mynydd Mawr Mountain and through the valley making it impossible to row back up the lake.
4a) Rhyd Ddu - At the southern end of Llyn Cwellyn is the small area of ancient ruins called Rhyd Ddu. Very little is known about them.
5) Mynydd Mawr - Mynydd Mawr, which is Draconic for big mountain, is a large mountain overlooking Llyn Cwellyn. On its western flank are the remains of ancient ruins for which the mountain is named.
6) Llyn Nantlle - Llyn Nantlle is a beautiful shallow lake in the Nantlle Valley.
7) Glanypwll Caverns - These extensive caverns located in a remote southern area of the province are very dangerous and known as a stronghold for the Elphane.
7a) Llechwedd Hidden Falls - This hidden falls area just north of the caverns is known to contain valuable mineral deposits and mystical materials however the area surrounding it makes it a very dangerous and difficult place to visit.
8) St. Cybi's Well - St Cybi's Well is located in an enchanting valley at a fork in the dragon's tail. There is a campground nearby and the well is always a source fo clean refreshing water. The well has two chambers and was said to be dug by St. Cybi during a religious retreat to the area. The well is also a place of pilgrimage and the waters were are reputed to cure lameness, blindness, scurvy and rheumatism. Those that drink of the well usually toss an offering into the well after reciving the water if they can afford to do so. Many travelers stop here not only for the healing water but to attempt to receive the rare blessing of the saint by striking a staff agains the neaby rocks. If water rises from the rocks then the blessing has been received although this hardly ever happens. Bathing in this water, known as rockstruck water, is reputed to protect the bather from ancient spirits and evil forces.
8a) Carn Pentyrch - This stone walled fort lies on the hill above St Cybi's Well. It consistes of a circular ring surropunded by two outer rings connected by portcullis.
9) Twin Lakes - Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris are glacially formed twin lakes near the town of Llanberis. They form the Bwlch Llanberis, a mountain pass that traverses through the Snowdon Mountains. Llyn Padarn is approximately 2 miles long and at its deepest point is around 100 feet deep. The village of Llanberis is on the southern banks of the lake. Llyn Peris is a lake is 1 mile long and is named after Saint Peris. Along one bank are the hills of Derlwyn and Clogwyn Mawr and a rock formation known as the Lady of Snowdon. The ruins of Dolbadarn Castle are also located on a mound above the lake.
10) Padarn Forest - This area is located on the northern flank of Padarn lake. It is a rare and ancient sessile oak woodland.
11) Bwlch Llanberis - Also called the Llanberis Pass this mountain pass carries the main road from the southeast to Llanberis. It travels between the mountain ranges of the Glyderau and the Snowdon massif. At the bottom of the pass is the small and ancient church of Saint Peris.
12) Snowdon - Snowdon is the second highest mountain in the Dragonlands. The summit is known as Yr Wyddfa (the tumulus) and lies at an altitude of over a mile high. It contains a large stone circle that has been reputed to give visions to those that meditate there. As such it is the center of many religious pilgrimages. The name "Snowdon" comes from the Eternus Snow Dun, meaning "snow hill" since snowdon has significant falls of snow in the winter. Snowdon is know for its wet foggy climate getting rain more than half of the days of the year on average.
13) Snowdon Road - The snowdon road is much more dangerous to travel than the Dragons Tail. It runs from Bangor to the village of Llanberis at the base of the Snowdon Mountain Range and then on to Beddgelert where it ends.
Rumors - Some say that every 10,000 years a huge serpent creature rises from the ground and devours the residents of the province.
