Beaussaint
The barony of Beaussaint is known for many thing, to many people. The people of Beaussaint produce the finest textiles and glassware of the continent, they are rumored to have some of the finest armorers and weaponsmiths amongst mankind and they breed some of the best horses in the world. It is not surprising, therefore that many merchants flock to Beaussaint to purchase these and other fine goods produced in the barony. At the same time, however, Beaussaint is also known as one of the greatest markets to offload any kind of luxury goods, for the nobles of Beaussaint are well known for their constant drive to procure any form of novelty in an evergoing struggle to outdo one another. This never ending competition between the nobles, known to most as The game can be won through more means than the mere accumulation of wealth and luxury however. The intricate system of unwritten rules and customs of The game allow competitors to gain imaginary points in various acts and pursuits, from business and politics to etiquette, hunting, and combat. Allthough no numerical score of these points is actually kept, and no one can tell how much "points" one would gain or lose through the various acts or behaviour, the competitors generally know who is in the lead, and therefore, in the highest standing. This complicated system of relations makes diplomacy and negotiations within Beaussaint a difficult and sometimes even hazardous matter, especially for outsiders unfamiliar with the customs the barony. Both competitors and outsiders are therefore known to make use of treatises on The game or they emply heralds to keep track of the ebb and flow of The game and the appropiate way to conduct oneself.
The complicated system of The game can make the stereotypical Beaussaint nobles seem as excentric, decadent and arrogant, and this holds true in many cases. However, the Beaussaint nobles are also known as great patrons of the arts, and the upper escholons of society (though predominatntly human) are open to those of all races, as long as they are capable players of The game . The famed knights of Beaussaint are also stalwarts champions of justice and good, and the people of Beaussaint, both the noble and the commoner, are also known as a joyful people that love to celebrate life with good food, stories and music, despite the harsh realities of a feudal society. The most surefire way to draw the ire of a Beauissaix is to disrespect their customs and traditions, which they hold in the upmost esteem. The people of Beaussaix also consider themselves the last bastion of civilization before the "barbaric North", an opinion highly contested by the nations that lie north of the Barony.
Structure
Beaussaint is known as a barony because it is headed by the lord baron. Allthough the title of baron is normally one considered to be the lowest title amongst the nobility, Beaussaint started off as a Barony within the larger Valmith Empire. When Beaussaint became an anonymous state they upheld the tradition of a baron or baroness as the ruler of the region. To differentitate the de-facto ruler (whom can be considered to be on par with a king) from the rest of the nobility, he/she is designated as the lord baron/lady baroness.
Below the Lord Baron is a large caste of nobles who are granted positions according to their standing within The game. Titles are hereditary and do matter to determine one's standing, but are less important than the capabilities within The game. Titles can be granted according to merit/capabilities or withdrawn, allthough the latter is a rare punishment.
Knights are also very important in Beaussaint, allthough the title is seperate from the title of nobility. One can therefore be a knight without being a noble. The knights are the main component of Beaussaint's military, but they can also hold lands in the name of nobles and can therefore be part of the ruling class. The title is also one of prestige, and many nobles also hold the title of knight.
History
Beaussaint was originally an important province within the Valmith empire, ruled by a baron that owed fealty to the emperor. The land had been claimed and settled early in the history of the Valmith empire, allthough there had allready been settlements from the nations further north and east. With it's military might and fertile land, the province of Beaussaint was an important part of the Empire, but after the Valmith schism the position of Beaussaint became unclear. With no emperor alive to whom the baron of Beaussaint owed fealty, and with three parties considering themselves the heir of the Valmith empire, the baron considered any treaties to the empire null and void. Beaussaint proclaimed itself an autonomous state and, allthough this was begrudgingly accepted by Vindraxos and Nestur, it was rejected by Marius Ithleon who wanted to restore the Empire. Ithleon invaded Beaussaint but the Ithleon army - weary and weakened from the fighting against demons and the two rival heirs of the empire - was rebuked when the Baron called upon all the knights and their subjects to defend the new nation. After losing several battles againt the Beaussaix, a summit was called and Marius Ithleon begrudgingly acknowledged Beaussaint as an independent nation, in return for treaties, promising trade and aid in the event that Ithleon proper were to come under attack. Allthough Marius has not completely forgiven the Beaussaix, they have proven to be an important ally.
After proclaiming independence, Beaussaint has prospered and developped itself into a relatively wealthy nation with a unique culture. Allthough the region had allways differed from the heart of the Valmith empire, the Beaussaix appeared all the more eager to differentiate themselves from the Valmith culture. This was achieved by placing greater emphasis on what made the Beaussaix different and unique from other cultures and various customs and traditions were reinforced or invented to achieve this.
Military
The most important branch of the Beaussaint military consists of the knighthood, who are required to serve the Lord Baron in military service when required. The Knights of Beaussaint form a regiment of heavily armored cavalry in which each member is responsible for its own mounts and equipment, allthough each member has to fulfill a certain standard. Because each knight is an individual that does not necessarily serve within the military on a regular basis, the knighthood is required to attend a training regiment thrice annualy to ensure the knighthood is capable of maintaing discipline, executing orders and to uphold a general battle readyness.
Each knight will also bring his own following as appropiate to the military campaign. These mostly consist of the knight's direct household/retainers and part of the peasantry that owe the knight fealty. The latter are conscripted into a militia and armed by the knight or lord who summoned them, allthough equipment is to be appropiate according to a national standard. These militia form the bulk of the army, but they are generally poorly trained and equipped.
The Lord Baron also maintains a small standing army of paid professionals as a check against the military might that individual lords would be able array against the state. The professionals, known as The Gilded Lillies are used as a police force in peace time and an effective fighting force in war time. Most of them are trained as arbalasts or as pikemen as both are an excellent counter against the armored cavalry that Beaussaint is known for.
Type
Geopolitical, Barony
Demonym
Beaussaix
Power Structure
Feudal state
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