Barony of Arzal
Structure
Arzal is a functional border region, located on the road between Gwened and its Eastern neighbors. The disputed territory of Redon gives it a practical buffer against direct conflict, but also dilutes the wealth any settlement within it would control as a point of entry. As a result, much of Arzal retains a rural or wilderness character, with small fiefs dominated by petty lords left to their own devices.
The exception to this is the Kriores capital of Ker-Malastred, a thriving metropolis located deep under the Landes of Lanvaux. The power of Ker-Malastred, in terms of culture, economy and political power is felt throughout Arzal.
History
Following the War of the Two Brothers, the Kriores, Korrigan of the Moors, were arguably the most powerful of the Korrigan Tuath, residing in relative isolation in their great stone halls beneath the mountains. They proved instrumental in the victories of Gradlon Mwar against his brother Gadeon, King of Dumnonia, and were rewarded with the Pact of Gargantua, granting the Kriores rule beneath the mountains. Arzal was granted to the Kunduer/Kunduerez of the Kriores for agriculture and lumber production.
While the Pact is not uniformly enforced depending on the whims of Konts, Dugs and Kings, generally Arzal has belonged to the Kriores, although Bediz and other Korrigan Tuath live on the surface.
Territories
Arzal is located on the Eastern edge of the Kontelezh Gwened, sharing a border with Kontelezh Naoned (The Barony of Gwenrann and the Lordship of Mitaud across the Gwilen River to the South. The Av River to the East marks the border with the Barony of Redon
In the West, Arzal is bordered by The Barony of Baod in the Northwest, the Viscounty of High-Gwened in the West and The Lordship of Rhuys on its peninsula in the Southwest.
Trade & Transport
Arzal's primary industry is derived from its marshes and salt-pans.
Type
Geopolitical, Barony
Capital
Demonym
Arzaled
Ruling Organization
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Gazetteer
Arzal begins in the low-lying Southlands along the Menhir Coast and Gwilen River, rising into the moors of the Landes be Lanvaux as one heads Northwards. The Ar Mor is largely defined by salt marshes and sandy beaches, gradually rising into low-hills. The Av River Valley defines the East in a similar way, with the terrain riswing as one heads West.
Ker-Malastred - The largest settlement and the de-facto seat of the Barony, despite frequent attempts by Gwened to recogniza Kistrebreach as the Seat. The Kriores city of Ker-Malastred sits beneath a small Bediz and Teuz village on the surface, hiding the massive settlement beneath.
Kistreberzh - A market town located halfway between Redon and Gwened.
Muzilheg - A small fiefdom located along the road from Naoned to Gwened. It is the largest town after passing over the Gwilen at La Roch. It is known for its paper mills.
Notable Settlements
The Menhir Coast
The entirety of Arzal's coastline lies on the Menhir Coast,Rivers
The Gwilen River flows along the Southern Border, with the Av flowing into it along the East. The Ar Goat Arzal is filled with other rivers. The largest of these Northern rivers is the Oud, flowing from deep in the Ar Goat through Ker-Malastred before emptying into the Av. The Arz and the Claie, both South of Ker-Malastred flow West-East in parallel courses to empty into the Av.
Currency
Major Exports
Salt
Paper
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments