| Pwyll's Bag | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
Pwyll |
|
Type |
Sheepskin Bag |
|
Effects |
Will prepare the immediate area for a wedding ceremony |
|
Downsides |
Causes vengeful, jealous actions from other suitors |
|
Activation |
Betrothed Couple |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 11 |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
Ulster-251 |
|
Date of Collection |
March 27, 1783 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Pwyll is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology and literature, the lord of Dyfed, husband of Rhiannon and father of the hero Pryderi. With a name meaning "wisdom", he is the eponymous hero of Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed, the first branch of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, and also appears briefly as a member of Arthur's court in the medieval tale Culhwch ac Olwen.
He became a friend of Arawn, king of Annwn (the underworld), and exchanged shapes and kingdoms with him for a year and a day, thus gaining the name Pwyll Pen Annwn (“Head of Annwn”). At the end of the year, Pwyll engages in single combat against Hafgan, Arawn's rival, and mortally wounds him with one blow, earning Arawn overlordship of all of Annwn. They become lasting friends because Pwyll slept chastely with Arawn's wife for the duration of the year.
Sometime later, Pwyll and his noblemen witness the arrival of Rhiannon, appearing to them as a beautiful woman dressed in gold silk brocade and riding a shining white horse. Pwyll sends his best horsemen after her, but she always remains ahead of them, though her horse never does more than amble. After three days, Pwyll, himself, rides out to meet her and when he cannot catch her, he calls out to her in desperation. Only then does Rhiannon stop. She tells him her name and that she has come seeking him because she would rather marry him than her fiancé.
A year after their meeting, Pwyll arrives as promised but accidentally and foolishly promises his beloved Rhiannon to Gwawl (her previous fiancé). This occurs when Gwawl enters the court extremely distraught and sues for a favor of the king. Gwawl plays to the nobility and generosity of Pwyll, as well as his rashness and passion, and Pwyll tells Gwawl that whatever it is that he should ask him, that he (Pwyll) would give it to him. Gwawl of course asks for his fiancée, Rhiannon, which Pwyll, due to his naive promise, could not refuse. It is decided that they should all come back to the kingdom in one year's time for yet another wedding. Rhiannon devises a plan against Gwawl; Pwyll enters the festivities dressed as a beggar and asks Gwawl for a bag full of food. Gwawl nobly consents but is tricked when Pwyll forces Gwawl inside the bag and he and his men begin to beat him brutally. Gwawl finally gives in so long as Pwyll will spare his life. Pwyll agrees, having managed to win back Rhiannon through the deceiving and dishonoring of Gwawl.
She bore him a son, Pryderi, who was abducted by Gwawl. On the night of his birth, the boy was lost while under the care of six of Rhiannon's ladies-in-waiting. Scared of the punishment, the ladies smear dog's blood onto a sleeping Rhiannon, claiming that she had eaten her child. Word traveled throughout the land and the nobles requested Pwyll to divorce his wife. Instead, she was punished to sit outside the city's gates at the mounting block and tell everyone her story for seven years. She also had to offer to carry all guests up to the city on her back for payment of her crimes.
Pryderi was later restored to his parents and succeeded Pwyll as ruler both in Dyfed and Annwn. In Arthurian legend, Pwyll’s caldron became the Holy Grail, and Pwyll appeared as Pelles, the keeper of the Grail.
Effects[]
Opening in the presence of a pair of to-be-newlyweds will envelop the area in an extravagant wedding ceremony. The preparations all match what the couple wants, even if they have disagreements on the layout or haven’t finalized any preparation. The range can extend for miles and automatically puts guests into a jolly buzz while reaffirming the lovers’ union to another.
Makes disgruntled exes and other suitors, whether close relations or full strangers, come out the woodworks in droves. Turns them antagonistic to the couple, attacking the sincerity of their passion with pleas (or force) they are making the wrong match. Measures can sometimes grow violent, although the pair are usually strong enough to beat them back while in the midst of the revelry.