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For Septiéme CercleOriginal Concept: Neko

Line Developer and Art Direction: NekoRules System: Florrent

Original Writing: Neko, Thibault Dapremont, Kristoff Valla, FlorrentProofreaders: Fr.-Xavier Cuende, Neko, and Kristoff Valla

Cover art: Antonio José Manzanedo LuisPregenerated characters illustrations: Antonio José Manzanedo Luis

Interior Illustrations, Graphics and Maps: Jérome Huguenin, Antonio José Manzanedo Luis, Florrent, David Lecossu, Nicolas Jamme, Xavier Colette.

Original French Layout: FlorrentPlaytesters: Virginie, Kaura, Gérald, Wawan, Alexandre Brod-Jezequel, Aline Eoghan, Sébastien Babin (Folkens),

Freddy Sibileau (Caball), Vincent (Rampa), Chonchon (The hands that feel good), Reikan (Vinz), Alex Saesee (+ or -10%). Also, many thanks to the Heroes of Rennes, Poitiers and Bordeaux.

Keltia is published by 7éme Cercle Sarl, (Registered Trademark) ©2012 Le 7ème Cercle All rights reserved.10, Rue d’Alexandre

64600 Angletwww.7emecercle.com

For Cubicle 7Line Developer: Andrew Peregrine

Creative Director: Dominic McDowallArt Director: Jon Hodgson

Edited by: Andrew Peregrine and Andrew KenrickGraphic Design and Layout by: Paul Bourne

Translated by: Claire Mehegan and Franck Florentin

Special thanks:Neko and Florrent, as always!

Sarah Newton and Morgane Guillemot for the original Yggdrasill system translationArthur, whose truth is lost to the mists of Avalon, but who brought us Britain’s greatest legends.

To better capture the feel of post-Roman Britain, Keltia uses Before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini (AD) in dating instead of Before Common Era (BCE) and Common Era (CE).

Keltia (English Language Edition) © 2015 Cubicle 7 Entertainment Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Cubicle 7 Entertainment Limited, Riverside House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES, UK.

Cubicle 7 Entertainment Limited is a UK Registered Company (Reg. No. 6036414).

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, carved into the side of a mountain, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Permission is given (nay, encouraged!) to print or photocopy the Character Sheet on pages 236-237 and the Character Creation Summary on pages 88-89 (this is really handy for players to have access to when making characters).

Credits

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Introduction 4 What is a Roleplaying Game? 5

Keltia, The Roleplaying Game 5

Keltia and Historical Accuracy 6

Ynys Prydein 12The History of Ynys Prydein 14

Ynys Prydein before Rome 14

First Invasions 14

Conquest 15

Roman Occupation 16

The End of Roman Domination 18

The Dark Ages 21

The Island of Beli Mawr 23

Cymru 24

Dyfneint and Kernow 32

Yr Hen Ogledd 34

Lloegyrr, the Lost Lands 36

Daily Life 41

General Organisation 41

Judicial System 43

Calendar 46

Education 47

Hygiene and Beauty 47

Food and Drink 49

Leisure Activities 52

Towns, Villages and Forts 53

Religion and Deities 58

Religions 58

The Gods of Ynys Prydein 70

The Heroes 74Game System 76

Success and Failure 76

Rolling Dice 76

Tests 77

Special Results 82

Heroes of Ynys Prydein 83

The Birth of a Hero 83

Character Creation Summary 88

Owain ap Lludd – Clan Warrior 90

Aedan ap Bleddyn – Cymbrog 92

Kadvael ap Cadno – Bard 94

Aeron ferch Bleddyn – Mage 96

Dewi Kelyn – Druid 98

Map of Britain 100

Archetypes 102

Archetypes and Vocation 102

Characteristics 106

Primary Characteristics 106

Secondary Characteristics 107

Celtic Fury 110

Furor Pool 111

Calling upon Furor 111

Exhausted 111

Gifts and Weaknesses 113

Gifts 113

Weaknesses 113

Gifts and Weaknesses in Play 114

Skills 118

Skill Levels 118

Skill Tests 118

Gaining Skills 119

List of Skills 119

Combat 124

The Rhythm of Combat 125

Combat Round Sequence 126

Damage 132

Critical Successes and Fumbles 132

Using Furor in Combat 134

Cavalry 134

Combat Feats 137

Acquiring Combat Feats 137

Wounds and Healing 146

Hit Points 146

Care and Natural Healing 153

Magic 156

The Nature of Magic 156

Spells 157

Spells List 163

Equipment and Travel 175

Equipment 175

Coins and Money in Ynys Prydein 175

Weapons 176

Armour 179

Shields 182

Everyday Objects 183

Adventuring in Ynys Prydein 185

Secrets 188Allies and Adversaries 190

Personalities 190

Extras 190

Beasts and Monsters 195

Experience and Renown 204

Experience 204

Renown 206

The Council of Britain 212

The Chronicles of Arthur Pendraeg 212

Introduction 212

The Legend Begins 213

Staying the Night 217

The Council of Britain 219

Discussions in Secret 227

Conclusion 228

Appendices 229

Glossary 229

Brief Pronunciation Guide 230

Some Common Forenames 231

Yggdrasill and Keltia 232

Inspirations 233

Character Sheet 236

Index 238

Contents

Keltia

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A chill wind was blowing through the trees and large flakes of snow were starting to come down. Night fell quickly at this time of the year. The riders pushed their horses faster along the steep trail leading to Dynas Emrys keep. The young man pulled his heavy tartan cloak closer and shivered. What message could be so important that it would need delivering in the heart of winter to where Gwynedd met the lands invaded by the Irish? The river they had just forded ran swiftly close by the fort, seemingly to enjoin him to make haste. “As though I needed this kind of reminder,” he grumbled.

“Complaining again, my dear brother?” The melodious voice of his fellow traveller rose suddenly, as light as the mist that rose around them.

“So you think that this trek is actually reasonable Aeron, my dear sister?” A mocking burst of laughter answered him.

“I think it’s interesting, at the very least. It also enables me to leave the smoky house where I have to spin and weave for hours on end while listening to your companions bragging.”

A lock of flaming red hair and a fiery stare were visible through the opening of the fur lined hood Aeron wore, now covered with snowflakes. Her brother laughed loudly when he was interrupted by a “Who goes there?” coming from the top of the keep’s fortification wall, also covered in pure white.

Once their horses had been settled in a clean stable, the two young travellers (shivering and escorted by

two soldiers) hurried towards the warmth of the royal residence, which stood well-protected in the middle of the fortifications. As they walked, the young man could wait no longer to share his excitement with his sister.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting our high King Ambrosius Aurelianus! It is said that he still shows the dignity of the old Roman nobility, and I have already seen his grandson in Caerdydd. You know, the son of Einion ‘Yrth’ ap Cunedda, the Pendraeg of Gwynedd, who already has a reputation as an excellent cavalryman!”

The young woman adjusted her travel tunic, which had become a little dishevelled during the trip. “That is so like you, getting all excited about the past. And if someone is a good horseman, you are too ready to grant them your trust. Don’t you think the Pendraeg’s son is a bit young to inspire such enthusiasm? Besides, he is not even the Gwynedd heir…”

The two young people kept squabbling in low voices while they waited to be announced and introduced in the great hall.

“Aeron ferch Bleddyn and Aedan ap Bleddyn from Crug Hywel.”

The young man paused with a half-smile to allow his younger sister go first, and the two travellers came forward to kneel in front of the hoary old man sitting on his throne. He stretched his arms with a large friendly smile.

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“Stand up, children! Please take a cup of wine, and come warm up! I will introduce you to my other guests.”

Two people, who were warming their hands by the hearth, stepped forward, lit by the fire that crackled merrily in the huge fireplace. They were a large man accompanied by a young druid, who spoke first.

“I am honoured to meet you. I am Dewi Kelyn, and this is Kadvael ap Cadno, the beirdd teulu, of the court of Powys.”

The two newcomers silently raised their cups to greet them, slightly disconcerted. Then they turned toward the High King who addressed them all once more.

“Please, take a seat at my table. Let me explain why I invited you all tonight. The idea was not mine, but I want you all to be present at the next Council session in March at Caer Lundein. I need young and educated people at my side.”

“Brenin Mawr, I thank you for your invitation, however I am unable to attend the Council. My father would not tolerate it, not without his explicit permission.”

“I think your father will understand this is an honour Aedan ap Bleddyn. Especially as it is I who invites you personally, as well as your delightful sister, to Caer Lundein. That is, if you do not object to travel so far for this occasion, my dear.”

Aeron’s reaction came immediately. She placed her cup on the table, her eyes bright, and put her hands together so as to beg her brother not to decline.

“Oh no, of course, of course! We will join you with pleasure!”

Her brother laughed in front of such enthusiasm. “Yes, Brenin Mawr, I believe I have no choice! We will go.”

What is a Roleplaying Game?

A roleplaying game is a group game played around a table by a number of players (usually between three and six). The object of the game is for all of the players to collaborate in imagining, inventing and experiencing a compelling shared story. Much of a role-playing game is set down in only general terms; it’s up to the inspiration, imagination and improvisation skill of each player to adapt it, and make it something unpredictable and unforgettable.

Each game needs a Game Master. This is a special kind of player who is well-acquainted with the setting and the rules of the game, and who designs adventures (also known as scenarios) for the other players. The Game Master (sometimes also called a GM) describes events, locations and characters, and adjudicates the application of the rules: in this area, the GM’s word is law.

This doesn’t mean that the other players do not have active roles to play: they create characters and play their parts, reacting to the events described by the GM, talking with individuals their characters meet, investigating mysteries and exploring the world.

The players gather round the table and the Game Master starts to tell the story. The players imagine how their characters react…

Keltia, The Roleplaying Game

Keltia, the roleplaying game, allows you to play through exciting adventures in a rich and fascinating world; and to become one of the heroes of the Dark Ages in the time of Arthur, when Ynys Prydein was still legendary. Intrigues, quests, magic and mythical creatures are awaiting you.

As heroes in search of adventure, glory and immortality, you will take part in the great battles sung of by the bards. You will travel from the court of kings to the

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boundaries of the Island of Beli the Great, even enter the mists of the Otherworld. Maybe you will witness the end of the time of legends and the arrival in history of the greatest hero of England that will ever be: Arthur Pendraeg.

You may be a clan warrior, cymbrog, druid, bard or mage, a child of Beli Mawr. Myrddin the Elder may guide you to search for the forgotten gods, hidden treasures and conspiracies to foil, within the darkest forests, the mists of enchanted isles and haunted cairns. The bards will sing of your feats for centuries to come.

Companions of Pendraeg, children of Ynys Prydein, enter the legend!

Keltia and Historical Accuracy

Despite its name, Keltia is not exactly a game about Celtic civilisation, at least not the people that were fought by Julius Caesar and finally Romanised, willingly or by force. It is about this civilisation’s last avatar: Sub-Roman Britain as it is called by archaeologists, the last stand for the descendants of the warriors who had so fiercely resisted the Roman armies.

Keltia never existed. There is no need to argue whether or not the Celts still lived at that time in Great Britain, whether the druids persisted, or whether it is historically pertinent to use this term. The Celts are now called Briton, Cambrian and so on. The old druids are lost to the past.

In our game, Keltia is the story of a man who fell in love with his land, his culture. A man carried by his dreams in a troubled period. This man is Arthur Pendraeg, who will become ‘King Arthur’ Pendragon in the myths of old Britain.

Arthur Pendraeg, the Dragon King

“My kingdom has many cavalcades Parading toward golden plainsTo the magical sound of a horn That will reveal every ambush.”

– Stuart Merrill. 1895

The full title of this game is Keltia, the Chronicles of Arthur Pendraeg, but who is Arthur, the famous ‘king’ Arthur?

This character, mythical or not, has inspired a lot of stories and has been used by many political and religious causes that had little to do with his origins. He has also been the source of many fantasies.

We won’t decide who the historical Arthur was, as no one (be they historians, archaeologists or scholars) is 100% sure of that answer. We have discarded what seemed to be the most ludicrous, and retained what seemed the most likely.

Historically speaking, it is generally agreed that this character lived during the 5th or 6th century AD. In this era, Rome is unable to defend the province of Britannia, so the Romans leave the control of the country to the Britons and the existing administration.

The chiefs of the Briton, Welsh and Cambrian tribes took on the mantle of kings as invaders attacked from all sides. It is in this ‘end of age’ atmosphere that Arthur is first mentioned.

As we studied the historical documents from the 5th and 6th centuries, when our game starts, we were confronted by the same problems that historians specialising in this period (the Dark Ages) have encountered – there are no writings from this period. Those that exist were written much later, often based on oral tradition and sometimes contradictory. When they are complete, they are often unreliable.

So, let us first summarise what we know about this famous and mythical Arthur from written works…

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Looking for ArthurArthur and the Matter of BritainMost legends about King Arthur come from the Matter of Britain (Matière de Bretagne), which comprises novels from the 12th century French writers, Wace and Chrétien de Troyes. In his Roman de Brut, written to please Henry II Plantagenet and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (also known in her native France as Aliénor d’Aquitaine or Éléonore de Guyenne), Wace wrote Brutus as a descendant of Aeneas of Troy, founder and first king of Britain. Chrétien de Troyes, who dedicated his Arthurian works to Marie of France, Eleanor’s daughter, invented both Camelot and the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. The Matter of Britain is anything but historical.

These works only reflect their authors’ aspirations, the desire to glorify an idealised chivalric code led by virtues, a model of medieval society, and the will to demonstrate that actions contemptuous of Christian rules, such as adultery, can only lead to ruin. In short, these works demonstrate the Christian ideals of medieval authors.

These novels do not claim to be historical in a way that we conceive history; so they can suggest that Morgan le Fay was one of Julius Caesar’s children. These are novels, not biographies. Furthermore, the historical works that they draw inspiration from are also unreliable. Most games portraying the Arthurian period and King Arthur’s court are based on these works.

We have not used any of the characters from the medieval novels, unless they have a historical basis, or a Welsh or Gaelic legendary basis.

Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Creation of the MythMost French novels from the Arthurian cycle, and later, the compilation of French and English novels, La Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory, are loosely inspired by the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth. An English Bishop, Monmouth’s Historian regnum Brittanie was used as the basis for the Matter of Britain. Monmouth claimed that it was a translation of a very ancient book, but he never referenced its title.

When referring to Arthurian myths, we distinguish between the pre-Galfridian and post-Galfridian literatures (Galfridus is Geoffrey of Monmouth in Latin). We will only refer to pre-Galfridian documents if they have a historical or legendary value.

Although his works were defended until the 16th century, today Geoffrey of Monmouth is not considered a reliable historical source by historians and archaeologists. His interpretation of the Arthurian myth and his addition of Merlin were probably driven by politics, by his patrons (the Dukes of Normandy and the Norman Kings in England) and his unbridled imagination.

As we go back in time, we discover that Welsh and Scottish legends are actually the first to speak about Arthur. It is therefore natural to go back to the sources in Wales; or, more precisely Gwynedd, a small kingdom invaded by Irish pirates.

Welsh LegendsWhen Welsh legends are mentioned, one thinks of the Mabinogion, the Four Branches of the Mabinogi (Pedair Cainc y Mabinogi). Alas, this only dates back to the 12th century. They are still of great value for Welsh legends, however, and are at least proof that, just before Galfridian writings, Arthur was already known as a Welsh king or warrior in Sub-Roman Britain. He also appears in two additional stories (Culhwch and Olwen, Rhonabwy’s Dream) that are not part of the Four Branches, but are part of the five Welsh tales that were added in Lady Charlotte Guest’s compilation.

Pre-Galfridian ‘Historical’ Sources: Gildas, Bede and NenniusAs in the case of the Northmen found in Yggdrasill, it was Christian monks who recorded history, and of course they provide their own opinions and defend Christian values. They sometimes have an ulterior motive, such as the moral condemnation of a king, or excusing the actions of another; we cannot expect historic objectivity from them. In their defence, it is necessary to understand that history as we know it, the objective study of past facts, did not exist at their time. It was perfectly acceptable to them to warp or interpret facts according to one’s opinion.

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What is interesting is that there is no mention of Arthur in these documents. There is absolutely no character with this name in any of the period’s documents. Yet, a Briton cleric named Gildas wrote the very interesting De Excido et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain), which, though not a historic treatise, was a sermon condemning the kings and military leaders of his time. It abundantly mentions ‘Ambrosius,’ defender of Roman tradition and Christendom. This is a very important document, because it was contemporary to the presumed King Arthur. However it does not mention him. Not a word. Historians have deduced that it was a proof that Arthur was not a historical figure.

Similarly, Bede (Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum) makes no mention of him either. However, a 9th century revision of Bede’s texts were a form of ‘apologia’ designed to excuse the actions of the Saxons, the ancestors of Kind Alfred (who was in power at that time). It has also been noted that important facts were ignored and others deliberately warped.

Finally there is Nennius, an 8th century Welsh cleric whose mere existence has been questioned. He supposedly wrote a Historia Brittonum, but only copies that had been revised many times have survived, and there are countless contradictions in the text. However, Arthur is mentioned twice there: once in the section about the battle of Mount Badon and once in the battle of Camlann.

Y GoddodinThe Goddodin were called the Votadini by the Romans. They were a tribe or clan living south-west of present day Scotland, between Hadrian’s and Antonine’s walls. The poem Y Gododdin is credited to the bard Aneirin. It is an elegy to the warriors who died in a desperate battle against Saxons at Catraeth, a long time after Arthur.

One of the verses contains a reference to Arthur. Aneirin praises the valiant actions of a warrior named Gwawrddur: “He fed black crows on the walls of the keep, although he was not Arthur”. So, while Arthur was not present at this illustrious battle, fearsome warriors are compared to him.

Why would an elegy about the Gododdin praise a foreign warrior, if he wasn’t one of the Gododdin? There are several known individuals named Artúr during throughout the 6th century, however they are mostly Irish and thus Dal Riada (enemies). It seems improbable to find references to secular enemies in this kind of elegy, but Arthur is compared to the best warriors, in a war against the Saxons. Of course, it is impossible to deduce from this alone that the legendary King Arthur is a historical character. Here again, the text could have been modified in the 11th century and its authenticity cannot be verified.

Other Potential Arthurs

Arthur, a Roman soldierLucius Artorius Castus, a Roman soldier, has been mentioned as an inspiration for Arthur’s character. He was a Praefectus Castrorum, stationed at Eboracum, located in Ebrauc in Keltia (now known as York).

However, there is no proof of this. He never commanded any legion, had no link with the battles that Arthur was supposed to have taken part in, and he lived during the 2nd century at the time of the Roman occupation (and therefore is too early for our purposes). He ended up as the governor of Liburnia on the Adriatic coast. He has no common connection with the pre-Galfridian writings.

Riothamus, the ‘Highest King’This theory is based on 5th century letters from the Bishop of Clermont, in which he asked a favour from a King of Britons, as well as the writings of Jordanes in his The Origin and Deeds of the Goths. Riothamus is a title meaning ‘great king,’ and there is no indication as to whether this king was an insular Briton or if he was from Armorica. And yet, there indeed was a Riotham, King of Domnonea, who lived during the 5th century in Brittany. Did he also have lands in Ynys Prydein? It is possible.

The problem is, if we suppose that he was Arthur, would it be conceivable that a warlord would abandon his lands (attacked from all sides) with all his troops to go and help a Roman Emperor against the Goths in Burgundy? We can be fairly certain that Arthur was

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a warrior who fought against the 5th and 6th century Saxon invasions; but unfortunately, there are no details and no established links with recorded 5th century battles such as Mount Badon.

Ambrosius AurelianusThis character is often referred to as the victor of the battle of Mount Badon. He was the son of a consul or maybe the son of the Comes Britanniarum who was managing Roman interests in Britain after the year AD 410.

His father was a noble and was certainly a good candidate to become the leader of the imperialists, who were nostalgic for the days of the Roman occupation.

But he seems too old and probably belongs to the generation of Arthur’s father, the famous Uther, rather than Arthur himself. He is not the main hero; however he will play a central role in Keltia.

Arthwy, Artur, Arthur and other candidatesArtur mac Aedain, a prince of Dal Riada (and therefore of Irish origin), fought the Picts. However, he retired to a monastery and never reigned. Artur, son of Bicoir Britone, is another 6th century famous Irishman. There are of lot of references to Arthurs or Artúrs who were sons of chiefs among Northern Britain nobility during the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries. The reason could have been that a stout-hearted warrior related to the Northern tribes, with this name or assumed name (‘Bear’), was a symbol of resistance against Germanic and Pict invaders and had become legendary during the previous century.

A Pure LegendSome think, considering the lack of evidence for his existence, that the king was purely a mythological figure. He may have been some kind of demigod giving shape to the Welsh people’s hopes against invasions and the collapse that followed the departure of the Romans. This is not an unreasonable assumption; however, the high number of testimonies (even though contradictory) about his existence and the details we have about him, lead us to think that a real man did form the basis. Besides, this is not the ‘time of legends’

of Cùchulainn and other myths are not current any more. Arthur is portrayed as a hero, a king, a human and not as a demigod in the stories.

Arthur in Keltia

We could have described yet another embodiment of this warlord as an anachronistic knight, born from legends with political or evangelical goals, donning 13th century or Renaissance plate mail. This great hero blessed by the gods, surrounded by the best warriors, helped by a great wizard and a legendary sword, would still dismally fail because his sterile queen cheated on him with his best friend. This great king would then be murdered by his bastard son, conceived with his own sister. Beside the fact that these stories strongly feel like a Christian anathema (in that period, any non-Christian king would be at best accused of incest by imaginative monks), it is obvious that this picture would clearly be easier to use for us.

Everyone remembers John Boorman’s Excalibur, which, while a beautiful movie, is not what we wanted to emulate with Keltia. This Arthur was invented by Christian monks set on teaching moral lessons and we are not interested by this washed-out, and somehow naïve, picture of a great warlord. This is not how we see Arthur, the warrior and last bearer of the Briton’s hopes.

It is clear to us and to a majority of historians that the legends originated in Wales. It also seems likely that the historical Arthur was linked to Yr Hen Ogledd, the Old North, since the bard Aneirin (a Gododdin, the Votadini of old) remembers him as an exemplary warrior, a few decades only after his death. Would he have praised Arthur had he belonged to a foreign, antagonistic clan?

And yet there is an actual relationship, although often forgotten, between Wales and the Gododdin.

Cunedda WledigAt the beginning of the 5th century, Cunedda ap Edern, son of Edern ap Padarn (king of the Gododdin) took ownership of a small part of Wales that had, until then, been occupied by the Uí Liatháin (Irish Déisi); Gwynedd to be. It is unknown whether he did this

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