Biskonti Leon - Viscounty of Léon

Structure

The Biskonti Leon is a feudal state, historically a vassal of Kernev and Letha. However, its geographic isolation, treacherous terrain and a long history of both independence and rebellion has granted it outsized autonomy, making it equal to the other eight divisions of the Duchy of Letha. Therefore, while technically outranked, the Biskonts of Leon exert as much formal power and influence as the Konts of Dreger and Kernev. The nobility of Leon are largely relegated to controlling their immediate fiefdoms, with lawlessness and local control being prevalent in most of the Ar Goat. The Faith exerts a great deal of control over Kastell-Paol, the Biskonts over the Elorn River. Leon is a Korrigan majority region, with local Troupes holding much of the local power. The Sidhe of the Bro Bagan answer hold to the Courts of the Seasons.

Political Divisions

Leon is divided into three major vassal states;

The Lordship of Aginense, also known as Low-Leon, is located on the Western edge of the Armorican Peninsula, between the Rade de Brest, the Mor Bras and the Painted Channel. Settlements are few and far between, with most development located near the fortified harbor of Brest to the South.

The Bro Bagan is a lawless area of Bleed on the Northern Coast of the Painted Channel, between Aginense and Chelgenn. It is a Fair-majority region and typically falls outside of the organizational structure of Leon's feudal state.

The Lordship of Chelgenn is the largest and most populated of Leon's divisions, located to the East of the others. The largest settlements are located to the South, along the Elorn River and Rade de Brest, and the Northeast, at the border between Chelgenn and Blackwater.

Succession

Like much of Letha, Leon a follows an elective monarchy, not a strictly hereditary one. Within the Duchy of Letha, lines of succession follow a system of Tanistry, where an heir is appointed from a pool of eligible successors. Candidacy for this position, typically drawn from the children of a sovereign, extends beyond primogeniture to include adopted children and legitimized bastards, most commonly descended from a common grandparent or great-grandparent. Succession can follow both male and female lines without legal issue. Sons hold a position called the Tanist of Title and Daughters are called Tanist of Lands. In practice, the Firstson or Firstdaughter is most commonly the Tanist, followed by a Secondchild, Thirdchild, etc. in the event that the Tanist is removed from contention. Due to the rotational nature of Tanistry, the system created both balance and tension, allowing different factions of a clan to rise and fall with some regularity. Appanage is a system in which the Juveigneur (Younger children) inherit lands and titles when they are not the Tanist. These divisions typically revert to the central line upon the cessation of the appanage line. These lands cannot be sold.

Culture

Architecture

The architectural heritage of the region is defined by simplistic functionalism, forgoing elaborate ornamentation, such as carving and engraving on lintels, posts and braces, common elsewhere in the Penn-ar-Bed. Family homes, called Pennt, follow a uniform, rectangular design, built of granite stones between two identical chimneys of each end with a gabled roof of thatch or blue slate stretching between them. Pennt are designed to resit the high winds that sweep across the flat plateau, with small windows and solid walls. The interior plan maintains the simplicity of the outside, built around a single room, with a smaller storage room built on one or both of the ends, past the fireplaces through a side door. The most elaborate Pennt have a central entrance room, with an additional room on each side and a staircase leading to an upper loft area.

Urban architecture is typically grander is design, but with the same rejection of ornamentation. Facades are built with solid-looking granite, giving Leoned towns a distinct feel of stone canyons, distinct from the wattle-and-daub half timbering favoured in the East.

Religious architecture in the region is notable for its unique hexagonal caps to its towers, sitting on a rectangular tower surrounded by a smaller cone on each point.

Cuisine

Morning meals typically consist of an egg, a bowl of milk, bacon soup and a slice of bread.

A traditional Leoned lunch consists of a bacon and mashed potato fondue, a bowl of buttermilk and bacon and cheese on toast.

A typical peasant dinner consists of yod kearc'h, a brown oatmeal porridge flavoured with seasonal fruit.

Meat, outside of bacon, is typically reserved for a single day in a weekly cycle.

Specialties of the region include soups enriched with salted butter, kig ha Farz, unleavened far and buckwheat Kalatez.

Costume

-Leoned costume is known for its simplicity and straightforwardness, in contrast of the vibrant colours of its Southern neighbor. The traditonal colours for male costume is black, with a simple jacket and round brimmed hat.

Well-off Leoned men, like the merchant julod class, typically wear a sharply contrasted white breastplate against their dark clothing, or a polished gold buckle on their hat.

Julod women typically wear long embroidered shawls of black lace or heavier cloth of muted colours. Female costume is occasionally embroidered with patterns.

In the Bro-Bagan, however, costume is typically brighter, accented with lace and fringe.

Headdresses

Elaborate lace coiffe headdresses are an important fixture of local costume, with different styles and patterns appearing in different towns and circumstances.

Widows and mourners often wear black lace, while all on all other occasions, white is preferable.

The coiffe of Aginense, along the Rade de Brest, is called a bouchik or pen-paket. This cap narrows on the top of the head, with two lace straps looped around to connect behind the head, a long ribbon of lace hanging down in the back.

In the foothills of the Meneziou Are in Chelgenn, the coiffe is even simpler, a small lace bun cap called a tintaman

Tartan

Dances

The Dañs Leon is an archaic form of carole. Men and women stand in a row, each sex facing the other. The dance relies on tight steps, a straight bearing and great restrain in the swing of the arms.

The jabadao, originating in the Korrigan populations in the Kastellin Basin, is blacklisted by the Faith and banned in Kastell-Paol, but remains popular across the region, especially at the Fest-Noz frequently held. The jabadao is similar to a quadrille, always moving in a sunwise direction. The first part, the round or stroll, is made up of two 8-beat sentences. This if followed by figures over 32 beats. The step most used is that of a gavotte. Variations are numerous and vary by region, but the dance typically retains a similar structure across these. The path followed typically leads towards the center or the circle, followed by a return to the edge. More elaborate versions involve two circles, one of men and one of women, moving in opposite directions.

Ballroom dances are popular in the noble courts of Landerne and Montroulez, but less so in Kastell-Paol.

Public Agenda

Isolated on the Northwestern tip of Letha, the Biskonit exerts its autonomy whenever possible, an independent streak even more pronounced than their neighbors of the Penn-ar-Bed. Autonomy is the primary motivator of the lords of Leon, especially against the machinations of Gallia. Leoned nobles largely support the Monforz claim in the civil war. Within the Biskonti, the ruling House of Leon, an offshoot of House Roazhon, is often at odds with House Roc'han, who hold considerable power in the region, but no direct control of any sovereignty within it. In the War of the 2 Janeds, Leon is a supporter of the pro-Fae Ermine faction.

Assets

Leon stalwartly defends its Right of Wreck, as the salvage from the treacherous coastline is lucrative. A single rock off the Bro-Bagan nets the Biskonti an average 100,000 Sol annually. This has gained them a (somewhat deserved) reputation as wreckers, although in reality most income comes from opportunistic looting rather than intentional wrecking. The Biskonti's most politically significant asset is the fortified harbor of Brest. A series of large hills isolate it from hand attacks, and only a narrow strait allows access into the sheltered roadstead. With the fortress, Leon is able to control the valuable waterway virtually uncontested, protecting its fleets and the port of Landern. Despite the advantages of its maritime location, the Biskonti lacks the economic powerhouses of its neighbors and trails far below the wealth of the East. Its nobles are often in debt, creating a stereotype of the region as being home to "the pauper princes."

History

Early History and the Petty Kingdom of Leon

The region was used by Conan Meriadoc as a base of operations, setting up his capital at Kastell-Paol and enforcing his will along the roads and seaways of the Northern ar mor, while using the hazardous coast to protect against counterattacks. Prior to the foundation of the Kingdom of Great Kernev, the Plateau was sparsely populated, largely consisting of small communities of subsistence farmers and fishermen. This changed when Even Mwar, first king of Leon, was also the King of Lyonesse, a petty kingdom along the Southern Coast of Albia. Pressured by the Courts of Summer and Winter to the North, and coastal pirates, he made the choice to evacuate his people Southwards to the relative safety of Gadeon's courth in Dumnonia. Instead, the fleet was captured by slavers on the ar mor Breizh, and taken to a remote location along the Dumnonian coast. Even, not willing to see his people sold as chattel, led a rebellion, seizing a number of slave ships and fleeing Westward. The rest of the Slavers rallied and gave chase. When all hope seemed lost, the rocks split apart to give Even's fleet passage into a natural anchorage, sealing behind them. Saved by the "miracle" (later discovered to be a prototype seawall gate like those used in the construction of Ker-Ys to the South), the ships of Even's fleet sailed into Angel's Bay without concern of attack from the sea. These ships were converted into a shelter that would become the city of Tolente Despite their initial success, Even knew that they were not strong enough to remain on their own. Leon submitted themselves to Kernev, swearing allegiance to Ker-Ys. The city of Tolente was constructed on the Northern Coast, an impressive port with sturdy ramparts and, like much of Kernev, complex networks of dams and dikes to allow for great control over the harbor. Leon prospered under Ys, its territory stretching from Kermaria to the Kastellin Basin and the island of Eusa. Tolente grew into a magnificent port, even serving as the seat of both Leon and Dumnonia for a time. The town of Landern on the Rade de Brest was founded during this time.

Leon's Decline

Tolente and Lyonesse were both destroyed during the Fall of Ys and Leon's power crumbled as it lost both its capital and its island holdings. Throughout the years, the region would become a vassal of Kernev, Dreger, and even the Southern Church, with brief periods of independence, never remaining in one state for long. It was stripped of its County status, with the sovereigns becoming Biskonts. Despite this humiliation, Leon again gained autonomy as is today considered one of the major divisions of the Duchy, The region, then sworn to the House of Kernev, was the scene of the violent conquest of Conomor the Cursed against Budig II, High King of the Bretoned. During the Poisoner's Game, the House of Roazhon married into the position of Biskont, establishing a dynasty that would last for several generations, eventually leading to their support of Cousin Konstanza I's in her war against Akitania.

Demography and Population

Leon has one of the lowest populations of the major regions of Letha, lacking large cities and metropolitan areas. The majority of land is rural, with the population spread across small villages and hamlets. The region supports a Korrigan majority of Teuz, Poulpiquet and Kriores making up the largest of the Fae Tuath. Korrigan populations have an even higher percentage in the Bro Bagan and the foothills of the Meneziou Are. Leon, being a majority Fair region, has long held a benevolent view of the Fair Folk.

Territories

Leon is located at the Northwestern tip of The Armorican Peninsula, largely contiguous with the Plateau de Leon. It is the most remote region in Letha.

The Coast of Leon

Beginning at the mouth of the Elorn River, the Rade de Brest is a large, sheltered roadstead that takes up much of Southern Leon along a East-West axis. With deep waters and the shelter of the Crozon Peninsula, it is an ideal harbor for both oceagoing ships and Windships. The Roadstead can only be accessed via a narrow passage between Leon and Crozon, before opening into a large bay, the An Hirwazh. Here, the Mor Bras, wild and frothing, unleashes its full power upon any sailing its waters. At the point of Beg Lokmazhe, the coastline turns Northwards, through a narrow, dangerous passage called the Channel of Four, between the mainland and the Molene Archipelago. Here, the coastline is known as the Coast of Legends, continuing North-Northwest until entering the Painted Channel The Coast of Legends is dominated by the Abers, low, fjordlike river estuaries full of numerous inlets and coves. Past the ruined city of Tolente on the Aber Wrac'h, the Coast of Legends continues into the wild, mist-covered Bro-Bagan, defined by low-lying wetlands and rocky shores until reaching the mouth of the Fleche River. Beyond the Bro Bagan is the magically temperate stretch of coast known as the Golden Belt. The coastline continues at a gentle Northeasterly climb, before dramatically turning Southwards at Enez-Vaz and Kastell-Paol, as the Horn River empties into Montroulez Bay.

Interior Leon

The ar goat Leon sits high on the plateau, a largely flat expanse on top of high cliffs over the sea. Two rivers, the Montroulez and the Elorn, cut through the granite in deep river valleys, emptying into the Painted Channel and the Rade de Brest respectively. The West and North of the interior is largely flat, defined by gentle hills and squares of Bocage, The Southwest of the Biskonti is marked by the moors and foothills of the Meneziou Are as the elevation rises. Despite its Northern latitude, the region is renowned for its temperate climate, making it ideal for agriculture. It is widely regarded as an open and austere land with few trees to block the ocean winds racing across the plateau.

Military

Leon's military is largely drawn from peasant militias, with a heavy focus on the use of Foot-Soldiers. Mounted knights are considerably rarer in the region than elsewhere, but the access to fine horses and a history of equestrianism means that they are among the best riders on the continent. Living in the harsh conditions of the rocky coasts and windswept moors has created a force the excels at defensive deployment and survival skills, holding out against larger and better equipped enemies with surprising effectiveness. In addition to its horses, Leon also maintains a small population of Wyverns for use as aerial cavalry. These are largely found in Brest and in castles throughout Southern Aginense.

Religion

Leon is a land of religious contrasts. In Chelgenn, the Southern Church has a strong political and cultural presence, while Aginense clings to the old ways in subtle traditions. The Bro Bagan, actively flaunts its connections to both Faerie and the The Druidic faith, maintaining the largest Druidic majority on the Peninsula. During Konstanza's War, the Order of Albi made frequent incursions on the region, prompting a unified pushback from the inhabitants of the Bro-Bagan that expelled the order from its borders. The Faith has little direct power here, with only one major monastery complex in Aginense. However, the Bishop of Kastell-Paol wields considerable social and political influence that more than makes up for a lack of temporal authority in Leoned affairs.

Foreign Relations

Leon has a long and proud tradition of positioning itself as the civic rivals of its neighbors in Dreger and Kernev. The has long been a rivalry between the Leon and its neighbors, Kernev and Dreger. Its population has long considered itself more hardworking and conservative than their neighbors, with the exception of the fae influenced communities of the Bro Bagan. Leon has few relations with the Ducal Cities in Upper Letha, considering them almost foreign states.

Agriculture & Industry

Agriculture of the ar goat

Despite its Northern latitude, Leon possesses a temperate climate and favourable terrain allows for robust agricultural production. The North of Chelgenn from the Keremma Dunes to Montroulez Bay is known as the Golden Belt, producing large, high quality harvests of artichokes, onions, cauliflower and tomatoes. Cattle husbandry, a right reserved for the nobility, also flourishes in Leon. The moorland in the southern ar goat, and the flat plateaus of the West, are idea for the husbandry of the finest horses West of the Liger River. Leoned horses are prized throughout Kornôgel, a staple of any stable of merit on the continent.

Fishing and Aquaculture

The coastal regions of Leon support a thriving fishing and aquacultural industry, specializing in the harvesting of shellfish, especially lobster, and oysters, which are raised in the river abers across the region. The Elorn river, flowing into the Rade de Brest, is a notable salmon run. The sandy soil of the interior is supplemented by exceptional fertilizer, the result of a local industry of seaweed harvesting. Processed seaweed fertilizer is shipped throughout Letha, Akitania and La Manche.

Other Industries

Quarrying and ore mining are also common in the region, typically carried out by Kriores and Fomorians. This is done in open pit granite quarries or along the coastal rivers that cross the region, such as the Aber Ildut, near Lokournan, large sources of tin for the region.

Trade & Transport

Leon maintains a small, but flourishing sea trade of fish, vegetables and textiles out of Brest, Montroulez and Kastell-Paol. Recently, Windships have begun to see more frequent use crossing the mountains.

Infrastructure

Leon has a reputation for its rough, undeveloped nature. Many of the old Imperial roads crossing the mountains and following the coast are crumbling and neglected, swarming with bandits and Faerie raiders, but remain the only overland route.

The Lions of Letha

Type

Geopolitical, Viscounty

Capital

Landern

Predecessor Organizations

Demonym

Leoned

Ruling Organization

House Roc'han (V)

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Traditional

Gazetteer

Cities

Kastell-Paol is the regional capital and the largest settlement in the region. It is located in the Northeast of Chelgenn at the mouth of the Penze River as it empties into the Mor Breizh.

Landivizio is the largest settlement of the ar goat, found in the foothills of the Meneziou Are in Chelgenn.

Landern is the major port of the Rade de Brest, focusing on civilian trade and supporting the nearby Fortress of Brest. The lake circled town of Lokournan is the primary settlement near the fortress, located along an interior river.

Montroulez, the bridge town between Leon and Dreger, is located in Eastern Chelgenn and serves as a major border crossing.

Currency

Like most of Letha, Leon has adopted the Livre Tournois as its currency, although its adoption trailed several decades beyond its Eastern counterparts. As a result, Leon does not mint its own coins, but instead relies on those of neighbors Dreger and Kernev in equal measure. In the Bro-Bagan, the barter economy is still heavily in use and widely favoured over the new coinage.

Major Exports

Produce: Artichokes, Onions, Cauliflower and Tomatoes

Fish: Salmon, Lobster, Oysters

Animals: Horses

Mining: Granite, Tin

Other: Seaweed (Fertilizer)

Legislative Body

Officially, Leon is subject to both the Dug's laws and those of Kernev, but for the most part, the lords of Leon go about their business as they see fit with little outside influence. They fully participate in, and generally follow the guidance of, the Estates of Letha. But far from the noble manors and formal charters of Roazhon, little attention is paid to them on a daily basis, as is clear from the passionate adherence to maintaining the jus Naufragii even as it gains equally strong opposition from the mercantile Ducal Counties and the Southern Church.

Judicial Body

The Biskonts have reclaimed the adminstration of High Justice and the Right of the Sword, both historically denied them by Kemper. Middle and Low Justice are dispensed, at the pleasure of the Biskonts, by a network of lesser lords, city councils and magistrates. The Southern Church holds an ecclesiastic court in Kastell-Paol, overseeing the entirety of Leon and parts of Kernev.

Executive Body

Executive power falls to the Biskonts and the nobility of Leon. The Biskonts, synonymous with the Lords of Chelgenn, oversee that region and direct their most powerful vassal, the Lords of Aginense to do the same in their holdings. These two noble families exert greater control over their territory than many high nobles, with only petty lords and knights beneath them in rank.

Parent Organization

Duchy of Letha

Subsidiary Organizations

Location

Plateau de Leon

Official Languages

Brezhoneg (+)

Controlled Territories

Neighboring Nations

Related Species

Related Myths

The Lai of Guigemar (+)