Myrddin (MUR-thin) 
(pronounced 'MUR-thin' in Welsh, anglicised as Merlin)  Myrddin’s character is derived from Welsh legends, particularly from Myth of Myrddin Wyllt, a wild man of the woods gifted with prophecy. Over time, his legend evolved into the more widely known figure of Merlin, the enchanter and advisor to King Arthur in Arthurian tales. He is often associated with the Druids, Awen Magic, and the mystical isle of Avalon.

 

In Malladay, he is the guardian of Awen Magic, the natural and harmonious force opposing Glamour Magic. Following the battle of Camlann, Myrddin took drastic action by creating Malladay, a hidden world where magical beings were exiled to protect humanity. 

 

Fae (Fay)

The Fae are mystical beings found in European folklore, particularly in Celtic, Irish, and Scottish traditions. They are often depicted as magical nature spirits with powerful abilities to influence the natural world and human perception.

 

Fawr Forest (Vow’r - rhyming with “hour”) Forest

A dense and shadowy woodland, the Fawr Forest is a place of mystery and magic. Its thick canopy blocks out much of the daylight, creating a dark, eerie atmosphere within. The forest is known to shift and change, disorientating even the most experienced travellers. Some believe the forest holds ancient secrets, and those who wander too far may never find their way out.

 

Berwyn Mountains (Bear-win Mountains)

This rugged mountain range towers over the landscape, its jagged peaks and sheer cliffs creating a natural barrier. The Berwyn Mountains are treacherous and known for their unpredictable weather and sudden rockslides. Legends say that these mountains hide ancient creatures and forgotten magic, making them a place of both wonder and peril for those who pass through.

 

Cadair Pass (ka-DAIR)

A narrow, perilous route that winds through the Berwyn Mountains. The Cadair Pass is often chosen by those in haste, but it comes with great risks. The path is unstable, prone to landslides, and haunted by old magic that can lead travellers astray. Despite the dangers, it remains the fastest way to cross the mountains, for those brave enough…

 

Nimue (NIM-oo-ay)

Is the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend.

 

Eseena (eh-SEEN-ah)

A beautiful and ancient magical figure, keeper of the Valley of Mists.

 

Glamour Magic (GLAM-er)

Glamour Magic is a manipulative, destructive force, used to bend the will of others, create illusions, and twist reality to serve dark purposes. In Malladay, this magic is wielded by Mordred and those who follow his cause. Unlike the natural, life-giving magic of Awen, Glamour Magic is rooted in deception and control, corrupting everything it touches. It feeds on fear, doubt, and negative emotions, warping the essence of the world around it. Glamour Magic is used to summon storms like the Ysbrydion and to enslave beings to the wielder’s will, seeking to bring about the end of the banishment and return dark forces to the world of humans.

 

Awen Magic (AH-wen)

Awen Magic is the force of creation, inspiration, and healing in the world of Malladay. Flowing through nature, Awen Magic brings balance, growth, and harmony to all living things. It is the magic of life, nurturing the natural world, guiding rivers, forests, and the air. Unlike the manipulative Glamour Magic, Awen Magic cannot be used to deceive or dominate; it works through truth, purity, and the interconnectedness of all things. This magic is tied to Merlin and those who uphold the old ways of the world, standing as a protective force against the darkness of Glamour Magic. Awen is a symbol of light, healing, and the greater good.

 

Ysbrydion (us-BRID-ee-on) 

In Welsh mythology, Ysbrydion refers to restless spirits or ghosts. These spectral entities are often believed to haunt the boundaries between the living world and the Otherworld, a mystical realm ruled by death and ancient powers. In Malladay, the Ysbrydion takes the form of a massive, living storm, summoned by Mordred using Glamour Magic. This storm is the essence of these spirits, giving it a dark, sentient power. Constantly shifting and moving with flashes of lightning and deep, ominous thunder, the Ysbrydion is a terrifying force that seeks to capture Tom and drag him into the clutches of Mordred.

 

Mordred (MOR-dred)

Mordred is a key figure in Arthurian legend, often depicted as King Arthur’s traitorous nephew or, in some versions, his son. He is best known for betraying Arthur, leading to the downfall of Camelot and the death of Arthur in the Battle of Camlann. Mordred is associated with dark magic, ambition, and treachery.

 

In Malladay, Mordred is spawn of Glamour Magic, a manipulative and destructive force. His ambition to restore magic to the human world drives his quest to capture Tom Pendragon, Arthur’s descendant. Mordred believes that by controlling Tom, he can force Merlin to undo the banishment of magic and return dark forces, particularly Glamour Magic, to the world. His power and mastery of deception make him a dangerous adversary, and his ultimate goal is to shatter the balance between the realms, unleashing chaos and magic once more.

 

Alys (Alice)

Alys was a mortal woman who lived during the final days of King Arthur’s reign. Known for her intelligence and quiet strength, she was one of the few non-magical beings to capture the attention of those tied to Glamour Magic. Alys and Mordred were deeply connected, though their love was complicated by the growing divide between magic and the mortal world. When Myrddin enacted the banishment, severing the two realms, Alys was left behind in the world of men, while Mordred was cast into the Other Place.​

 

Kleesh, full name Kleeshbryn (KLEESH-brin)

Kleesh is Max’s long-time magical friend, known for his hidden powers. His full name, Kleeshbryn, is rarely used, with friends simply calling him Kleesh (KLEESH).

 

Stench (you get it :)

Stench is a small, nervous creature whose real name is so complicated that no one, including Stench himself, knows how to pronounce it. His unfortunate habit of releasing terrible smells when frightened earned him the nickname Stench (STENCH), and that’s the name everyone uses.

 

Gwydion (GWID-ee-on) 

Meaning “born of trees,” Gwydion is a powerful figure in Welsh mythology, associated with magic and nature. He’s known for being a magician and trickster in the Mabinogion and has ties to the natural world.

 

Avalon (AV-uh-lon)

A mystical and enchanted island deeply rooted in Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology. Known as Ynys Afallon (Isle of Apples) in Old Welsh, Avalon is a realm beyond the mortal world, often depicted as a paradise of eternal youth, healing, and powerful magic. It is the place where King Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlann to be healed of his mortal wounds.

 

Cŵn Annwn (coon AH-noon)

Ghostly hounds of Welsh legend, the Cŵn Annwn are spectral, white-furred hunting dogs with glowing red ears, said to belong to Arawn, ruler of the Otherworld. Their eerie howls foretell doom, and they are bound to The Wild Hunt, an unstoppable, otherworldly chase that hunts lost souls and trespassers. In Malladay, these fearsome creatures are relentless pursuers in the mists of the Otherworld, their presence a chilling reminder that not all magic is kind.

 

Gwyn ap Nudd (Gwin ap Neeth)

A figure from Welsh mythology, known as the ruler of Annwn, the Otherworld, and leader of the spectral Cŵn Annwn, the ghostly hounds of the Wild Hunt. A powerful and enigmatic being, he is often depicted as a guardian of the balance between worlds, ensuring that neither the living nor the dead disrupt the natural order. Associated with both darkness and light, Gwyn is a being of great mystery—feared as a harbinger of death yet revered as a protector of lost souls. His presence is often marked by the chilling howls of his hounds, which echo across the land as they pursue wandering spirits or those doomed to be taken into the Otherworld.

 

Morcant (MOR-kant)

Morcant is associated with early medieval Welsh and Brittonic rulers, most notably Morcant Bulc, a 6th-century king of Bryneich (a kingdom in what is now northern England and southern Scotland). He is infamous in some traditions for betraying and orchestrating the murder of Urien Rheged, a great Brythonic king and warrior. This act of treachery led to the downfall of the Britons against the invading Angles.

 

Rhiannon (ree-AN-on)

Rhiannon is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, particularly in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. She is a sovereign goddess, often associated with horses, endurance, and the Otherworld. Her story unfolds primarily in the First Branch of the Mabinogi, where she is introduced as a mysterious woman who arrives on a magnificent white horse—so swift that no pursuer, no matter how fast, can catch her unless she wills it.

 

Yr Adar Llwch Gwin (pronounced: ur AH-dar HLOO-kh GWIN) 

Dark legendary warbirds from Welsh mythology, described as great, dust-grey creatures of unnatural intelligence, gifted to warriors to serve with unwavering obedience. In Malladay - Virago, they become Morgana’s harbingers of vengeance, infused with Glamour Magic and bound to her wrath.

 

Glossary of names and terms for Malladay​

 

The world of Malladay​​​​​​