Biskonti Gwened
Structure
The Biskonti Gwened is the County Seat of the Kontelezh Gwened, built around the Mor Bihan and the city of Gwnened. It is the most powerful and populous region of the Kontelezh that shares its name, and the Biskonts of Gwened are almost always also the Konts of Gwened.
In practice, the region is functionally split into two, the Ar Mor Bihan, the coastal areas around the city and the inland sea, and the Ar Goat in the Landes of Lanvaux, where the Korrigan Troupes and rural nobility hold sway.
History
Gwened was, at a time, the Easternmost part of the Kingdom of Great Kernev, up to the Gwilen River. A great seawall and dam was built at the mouth of the Mor Bihan, allowing unprecedented control over the elements. The region flourished, second only to Kernev in terms of prosperity. During the Fall of Ys, the region was spared from the same catastrophic fate as its mother city, shielded from the worst of the storm by the Kiberen and Rhuys Peninsulas, but the seawall was damaged, making the inland sea into a bay.
This comparative stability allowed Gwened to exert itself over Gradlon's heirs, operating in Kemper at a fraction of their former power. When the Kingdom fell into the succession crisis of the 3 Kings (315-323 SI), Gwened was in a position to declare its nominal independence under Waroch I. Waroch expanded from his home region, the current Biskonti, into the rest of Gwened, as far Southeast as the Liger River, establishing a large colony in what is now Naoned
Waroch became embroiled in his own crisis with his sons, Macliau and Chanao I, who worked with Conomor the Cursed, the Black Dog of Poher, to oust Waroch. Waroch was briefly returned to the throne and declared war on Poher, but was defeated during the Conomor's Sack of Gwened.
Its ambitions for a Kingdom rivaling Great Kernev dashed, Gwened continued to play a powerful role in Letha. During the reign of Nevenoe I, the then King of Gwened lead a rebellion against Gallia, establishing a short-lived but powerful dynasty in the city. This ended with the First and Second Lethan civil wars and the Fomorian Interregnum, when the line of succession was broken by Hastings Fireforged. Upon the return of Alan "Al Louarn" II, power had shifted to Naoned and Roazhon, but Gwened continued to play an important symbolic and economic role in the new Duchy.
Territories
Biskonti Gwened is located in the South-Central of The Armorican Peninsula, on a stretch of the Pleg-mor Gwaskogn known as the Megalith Coast or the Stone Coast. Its is one of the largest regions in the Kontelezh Gwened
Biskonti Gwened's most prominent feature is the Mor Bihan, a large inland sea that it almost entirely surrounds, save for the Rhuys Peninsula and a narrow channel leading into the Pleg-Mor Gwaskogn. Control of the sea and its many islands falls to the Biskonts and their vassals. Influence extends to the Kiberen Peninsula and Enez Guedel.
To the West, the Biskonti Gwened ends at the Intel River, across which lies the Biskonti Oriant. The region extends North into the Landes be Lanvaux until reaching The Barony of Baod. To the East, the Biskonti borders East Gwened.
The terrain of Biskonti Gwened changes from North to South, climbiing in elevation from the low-lying plains surrounding the Mor Bihan, into the rocky moorland of the Landes de Lanvaux. Two majoer rivers, the Intel and the Auray, pass through the territory, emptying into the Pleg-Mor Gwaskogn and the Mor Bihan respectively.
Agriculture & Industry
The Mor Bihan is a lucrative center of shellfishing, with oysters in particular being common to the region. Pearls are also harvested in large quantities in the region.
A monestary on the Kiberen Peninsula has perfected the art of caramelization, creating small snacks of caramel sugar on sticks.
Type
Geopolitical, Viscounty
Capital
Alternative Names
High-Gwened
Ruling Organization
Founders
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Gazetteer
Carnag Fields
Enez Guedel
A large island in the Pleg-Mor Gwaskogn, located to the Southeast of the Kiberen Peninsula. It is the largest Island in the Duchy of Letha. The South side is taken up by razor sharp rocks and steep cliffs (La Cote Sauvage) and the North by navigable harbours and great sandy beaches (Les Grands Sables). The island, known for its exceptionally temperate climate, similar to that of the Mor Kreizdouar. The center of the island is heavily forested.
The island was once connected to the mainland by a narrow landbridge stretching from the Kiberen peninsula, but this connection was washed away during Cadfan's Tempest. The island has long ties with the House of Retz.
Intel River
A coastal river that forms the Western border of the Biskonti's territory, widening as it approaches the Pleg-Mor Gwaskogn into a large basin with numerous inlets, then constricting again as it empties into the bay. It is heavily affected by tides and is difficult to navigate because of dangerous currents.
The mouth of the river is home to a dangerous underwater sand bar, created by the similherez Brigid, who upon being captured by pirates, through a handful of sand and shouted the word "stung" (Lit. Sand Bench, creating the barrier to protect the villages in the basin from future attacks.
The "Devil's Bridge", which Paolig cannot cross, sits in the center of the river, leading to the island of Belz.
Kiberen Peninsula
A long, narrow peninsula Southeast of the mouth of the Intel River. Together with several islands, it forms the Bay of Kiberen, at the entrance to the Mor Bihan. The Western coast is made up of sharp, steep cliffs, while the East is a mixture of rocky and sandy beaches. A lighthouse stands at the Southern tip of the landmass.
Once covered by a great forest, the region has been heavily deforested, giving the area a bleak, treeless appearance with little protection from the winds racing over the sea. The region is home to countless Standing Stones.
Currency
Major Exports
Caramels, Oysters
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments