"The sword blade stabbed at him like the head of a striking snake, forcing Herla to throw his weight backwards and bring his own blade up. It was a move which few men could have made without falling, but the king's sense of weight and position was uncommonly good, and he not only contrived to parry the strike but to throw his lunging opponent off balance. While Moraint Heilyn floundered the king came about with astonishing grace, and tapped him gently on the right breast."
- —An extract of the stories about King Herla, as narrated by Orfeo the Minstrel[1a]
King Herla of Plennydd
Herla is the monarch of the kingdom of Plennydd on the island of Morien which is part of the mystical archipelago of Albion in the version of that land described by Orfeo the Minstrel. Stories circulating in the Old World about his reign speak of a domain fraught with challenges and intrigues.[1a][2]
A map that depicts the Isles of Albion as narrated by Orfeo the Minstrel. Plennydd is located on the northeastern coast of the island of Morien in this version of Albion.
Herla came to the throne of the kingdom of Plennydd on the isle of Morien very young and he is still uncertain of himself in many ways. He feels his lack of experience keenly. Although he and Trystan the bard are very close boyhood friends, they grew estranged during the events of his life, leaving Herla still further mired in self-doubt.[1a]
Yet, by dutiful adherence to the Code of Agam and a keen sensitivity to the opinions and views of nobles at his court, Herla has avoided bad judgements. And, although he listens to the advice of others, he is not afraid to go against that advice when he deems it necessary. He has an impulsive streak and a tendency to be stubborn and proud. Indeed, it may be his pride and inflexibility which will ultimately bring his destiny upon him.
Herla and his wife Morgana are estranged due to her growing love for another and Herla's coldness as a result of the loss of her affections.[1a]
Herla's kingship is a hard one. He is a good man, thrown into a whirlpool of difficulties and seductive intrigues which he doesn't really have the intelligence to fully understand. But he doggedly sticks with his basic decency and bravery, and at the end of one of the stories told by Orfeo the Minstrel Herla's true majesty as a hero was revealed.[1a]
Herla does not travel outside Morien. In Morien, he could be met at court, out on the hunt which he so loves, or travelling along the great road from Caer Plennydd to Caer Alawn in the south. Obviously only nobles (or individuals with exceptional skills which would attract the attention of a king) are likely to get the time of day from King Herla.[1a]
Appearance[]
King Herla, at the tender age of 21, is a master swordsman and fencer, certainly the best in the kingdom of Plennydd. He is a king in stature as well as in name, standing over 6 feet in height, well-proportioned and sporting a thick, black beard with a mane of thick, wavy black hair. Herla is not especially handsome but he possesses a powerful and charismatic presence.[1a]